JP2020067473A - Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same Download PDFInfo
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Abstract
Description
本発明は、未定着画像又は定着画像を担持した記録媒体（被記録材）に加熱処理を施す定着装置、及び記録媒体に形成担持させた未定着像を熱定着処理する像定着装置として前記定着装置を具備した電子写真装置・静電記録装置等の画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention provides a fixing device that heats an unfixed image or a recording medium (recording material) carrying a fixed image, and an image fixing device that thermally fixes an unfixed image formed and carried on the recording medium. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic apparatus or an electrostatic recording apparatus that is equipped with the apparatus.
加熱装置は、一般的に、記録媒体に担持させた未定着画像を記録媒体に定着せしめる定着装置、前記未定着画像を前記記録媒体に仮に定着せしめる仮定着装置、及び定着画像を担持した記録媒体の表面性を改質する表面改質装置として実用に供されている。 The heating device is generally a fixing device for fixing an unfixed image carried on a recording medium to the recording medium, a hypothetical fixing device for temporarily fixing the unfixed image on the recording medium, and a recording medium carrying the fixed image. It has been put to practical use as a surface modification device that modifies the surface properties of.
便宜上、複写機・プリンタ等の画像形成装置に具備させるトナー画像を記録媒体に加熱定着させる像加熱装置（定着装置）を例にして説明する。画像形成装置において、電子写真プロセス・静電記録プロセス・磁気記録プロセス等の適宜の画像形成プロセス手段部で記録媒体（転写材シート・エレクトロファックスシート・静電記録紙・ＯＨＰシート・印刷用紙・フォーマット紙・封筒等）に転写方式あるいは直接方式にて形成担持させた画像情報の未定着画像（トナー画像）を記録媒体に固着画像として加熱定着させる定着装置としては、近年ではクイックスタートや省エネルギーの観点からフィルム加熱方式の加熱装置が実用化されている。定着部材としての無端帯状フィルムを介して、加熱部材としてのヒータと、加圧部材としての加圧ローラとで形成される圧接ニップ部に未定着画像（トナー画像）を担持した記録媒体を挿通し、前記無端帯状フィルムと一緒に搬送させて、前記無端帯状フィルムを介して付与されるヒータからの熱と圧接ニップ部の加圧力によって、未定着画像を記録媒体に定着させるものである。 For the sake of convenience, an image heating device (fixing device) that heats and fixes a toner image provided on an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer on a recording medium will be described as an example. In an image forming apparatus, a recording medium (transfer material sheet, electrofax sheet, electrostatic recording paper, OHP sheet, printing paper, format) is formed by an appropriate image forming process means such as an electrophotographic process, an electrostatic recording process, a magnetic recording process. In recent years, as a fixing device that heats and fixes an unfixed image (toner image) of image information formed and carried on a recording medium by a transfer method or a direct method on a paper / envelope, etc., in terms of quick start and energy saving Therefore, a film heating type heating device has been put into practical use. A recording medium carrying an unfixed image (toner image) is inserted through a pressure contact nip formed by a heater as a heating member and a pressure roller as a pressure member through an endless band film as a fixing member. The sheet is conveyed together with the endless strip film, and the unfixed image is fixed to the recording medium by the heat from the heater applied through the endless strip film and the pressing force of the pressure contact nip portion.
さらには、無端状フィルムの内周面に、加熱する薄板状の加熱部材を有して、無端状フィルムに内周面から周方向に沿って接触させることで、広範囲で無端状フィルムを加熱させる、いわゆる面状発熱体構成の定着装置及び画像形成装置も提供されている（特許文献１、特許文献２）。 Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface of the endless film has a thin plate-shaped heating member for heating, and the endless film is contacted in the circumferential direction from the inner peripheral surface to heat the endless film in a wide range. A fixing device and an image forming apparatus having a so-called planar heating element structure are also provided (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
本発明は面状発熱体構成において、薄板状の加熱部材の姿勢が崩れることにより、定着ベルト内周面と加熱部材の接触不良が発生し、温度ムラとなることを防止することを目的とする。 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to prevent temperature unevenness due to contact failure between the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt and the heating member due to the posture of the thin plate-shaped heating member collapsed in the planar heating element configuration. .
上記の目的を達成するために、請求項１に係る定着装置は、無端状に形成された定着ベルトと、前記定着ベルトとともに、未定着トナー像を保持した記録材が通過するためのニップ部を形成する加圧部材と、前記定着ベルトの内周面に接触して発熱し、薄板状の板金と前記板金上に発熱部を有した前記定着ベルトを加熱する加熱部材と、前記定着ベルト端部に設けられたフランジ部材と、を有し、前記フランジ部材は加熱部材の周方向上に加熱部材周方向突き当て部を有することを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, a fixing device according to a first aspect of the invention includes an endless fixing belt, a fixing belt, and a nip portion through which a recording material holding an unfixed toner image passes. A pressing member to be formed, a heating member that comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt to generate heat, and heats the fixing belt having a thin metal plate and a heating portion on the metal plate, and the end portion of the fixing belt. And a flange member provided on the heating member, wherein the flange member has a heating member circumferential abutting portion on a circumferential direction of the heating member.
請求項２に係る定着装置は、請求項１に記載の定着装置において、前記フランジ部材が、前記加熱部材の長手方向上に加熱部材長手方向突き当て部を有することを特徴とする。 A fixing device according to a second aspect is the fixing device according to the first aspect, wherein the flange member has a heating member longitudinal direction abutting portion on a longitudinal direction of the heating member.
請求項３に係る定着装置は、請求項２に記載の定着装置において、前記フランジ部材が、前記定着ベルトの長手端面と接する面と、前記加熱部材の長手端面と接する面と、を有し、前記フランジ部材と前記加熱部材の長手端面との距離が、前記フランジ部材と前記定着ベルトの長手端面との距離よりも小さいことを特徴とする。 A fixing device according to claim 3 is the fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the flange member has a surface in contact with a longitudinal end surface of the fixing belt and a surface in contact with a longitudinal end surface of the heating member. The distance between the flange member and the longitudinal end surface of the heating member is smaller than the distance between the flange member and the longitudinal end surface of the fixing belt.
請求項１に係る定着装置では、加熱部材の周方向自由端と端面で接するフランジ部材を定着ベルトと加熱部材の両端部に設けることで、加熱部材の自由端の回転方向への移動を規制し、加熱部材の周方向自由端の片側のみが定着ベルトの回転方向へ移動し、加熱部材が定着ベルトから浮くことで生じる温度ムラを防止することができる。 In the fixing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the movement of the free end of the heating member in the rotation direction is restricted by providing the flange member that is in contact with the circumferential free end of the heating member at both end surfaces of the fixing belt and the heating member. Only one side of the free end of the heating member in the circumferential direction moves in the rotation direction of the fixing belt, and it is possible to prevent temperature unevenness caused by the heating member floating from the fixing belt.
請求項２に係る定着装置では、フランジ部材が長手方向端部と端面で接することで、定着ベルトが片側へ寄った場合にも加熱部材は長手方向の移動が規制され、加熱部材が定着ベルトから浮くことによる温度ムラを防止することができる。 In the fixing device according to the second aspect, since the flange member is in contact with the end portion in the longitudinal direction at the end face, the movement of the heating member in the longitudinal direction is restricted even when the fixing belt is shifted to one side, and the heating member is removed from the fixing belt. It is possible to prevent temperature unevenness due to floating.
請求項３に係る定着装置では、フランジ部材と加熱部材端面との距離がフランジ部材と定着ベルトとの距離よりも小さいことで、定着ベルトが長手方向に大きく寄り続けた場合でも定着ベルト以上に変形することが無く、破損に至る確率を下げることができる。 In the fixing device according to the third aspect, the distance between the flange member and the end surface of the heating member is smaller than the distance between the flange member and the fixing belt, so that the fixing belt is deformed more than the fixing belt even when the fixing belt is continuously deviated in the longitudinal direction. Without doing so, the probability of damage can be reduced.
以下の添付図面に基づき、本発明における実施の形態に関して説明する。尚、以下の実施例では電子写真プロセスを利用したレーザービームプリンタを例に説明する。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process will be described as an example.
［画像形成装置］
図１は、本実施形態における画像形成装置を好適に示す一例として、レーザプリンタ１００（以下、プリンタ１００）の概略構成を示す模式的断面図である。
[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer 100 (hereinafter, printer 100) as an example that preferably shows an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
プリンタ１００は、プリンタ１００の本体外部に設けられたホストコンピュータ等の出力装置（図示せず）からの提供情報に応じた画像を記録媒体Ｐに記録する形態の画像形成装置である。潜像担持体としての感光ドラム１０１は、その表面が有機感光体を主成分とする光導電層であって、プリンタ１００本体に設けられた駆動機構（図示せず）により、矢印Ａの時計方向に回転駆動される。 The printer 100 is an image forming apparatus that records an image on a recording medium P according to information provided from an output device (not shown) such as a host computer provided outside the main body of the printer 100. The surface of the photosensitive drum 101 serving as a latent image carrier is a photoconductive layer containing an organic photosensitive material as a main component, and a drive mechanism (not shown) provided in the main body of the printer 100 causes the photosensitive drum 101 to rotate in the clockwise direction of arrow A. Is driven to rotate.
感光ドラム１０１は、帯電手段である帯電ローラ１０２によって所定電位に一様均一に帯電されたのち、出力装置からの提供情報に応じて露光手段としての露光装置１１５から露光される露光光としてのレーザー光１０３により、その外周面に前記提供情報に応じた静電潜像が形成される。この静電潜像は、現像装置１０４の現像剤としてのトナーＴを担持した現像スリーブ１０６によりトナー像として可視像化される。 The photosensitive drum 101 is uniformly and uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by a charging roller 102, which is a charging unit, and then a laser as exposure light which is exposed from an exposure unit 115 as an exposure unit in accordance with information provided from an output device. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the provided information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the light 103. This electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing sleeve 106 carrying the toner T as a developer of the developing device 104.
ここで、記録媒体Ｐは、給紙カセット１０７より給紙ローラ１１２によって１枚ずつ取り出され、経路Ｂを通り、記録媒体Ｐ先端と感光ドラム１０１の外周面にトナーＴにより可視像化された画像形成部先端とが同期するようにレジストローラ対１１３によって所定のタイミングで、転写手段である転写ローラ１０８と感光ドラム１０１の転写ニップ部に導入され、電気的作用により、感光ドラム１０１上のトナー像が記録媒体Ｐ上に転写される。 Here, the recording media P are taken out one by one from the paper feed cassette 107 by the paper feed roller 112, pass through the path B, and are visualized by the toner T on the leading end of the recording media P and the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The toner on the photosensitive drum 101 is introduced into the transfer nip portion between the transfer roller 108, which is a transfer unit, and the photosensitive drum 101 at a predetermined timing by the registration roller pair 113 so as to be synchronized with the front end of the image forming unit. The image is transferred onto the recording medium P.
転写工程を終えた感光ドラム１０１上の転写残トナーは、クリーニングブレード１０９により感光ドラム１０１上から取り除かれてクリーニング装置１１０に回収される。クリーニング工程を終えた感光ドラム１０１は、再び画像形成プロセス（帯電→露光→現像→転写→クリーニング）を繰り返して、記録媒体Ｐ上に未定着トナー画像が形成される。 The transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum 101 that has completed the transfer process is removed from the photosensitive drum 101 by the cleaning blade 109 and is collected by the cleaning device 110. The photosensitive drum 101 that has completed the cleaning process repeats the image forming process (charging → exposure → developing → transfer → cleaning) to form an unfixed toner image on the recording medium P.
一方、未定着トナー像を担持した記録媒体Ｐは定着装置１１１に導入され、加圧・加熱されて、トナー像が記録媒体Ｐ上に定着される。 On the other hand, the recording medium P carrying the unfixed toner image is introduced into the fixing device 111 and is pressurized and heated to fix the toner image on the recording medium P.
定着装置１１１から排出された記録媒体Ｐは、経路Ｃを通り、印字面が上になってプリンタ１００から排出されるフェイスアップ（ＦＵ）排紙と、経路Ｄを通り、印字面が下になってプリンタ１００から排出されるフェイスダウン（ＦＤ）排紙とを選択されて、プリンタ１００から排出される。 The recording medium P discharged from the fixing device 111 passes through the path C, the print surface faces up, and the face-up (FU) discharged from the printer 100 passes through the path D, and the print surface faces down. The face-down (FD) sheet discharged from the printer 100 is selected, and the sheet is discharged from the printer 100.
また、プリンタ１００は、本実施形態にあっては、プリンタ１００本体に設けられたエンジンコントローラ１１４により、感光ドラム１０１や現像装置１０４等の各装置が統括的に制御されるようになっている。 Further, in the printer 100, in the present embodiment, each device such as the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing device 104 is centrally controlled by the engine controller 114 provided in the main body of the printer 100.
［定着装置］
次に定着装置１１１について説明する。図２は本実施例における定着装置１１１の概略断面図である。定着ベルト３０１と、この定着ベルト３０１の外周面と接触するように配置された加圧ローラ４０１と、定着ベルト３０１の内側で加圧ローラ４０１と対向するように配置され、加圧ローラ４０１の外周面と定着ベルト３０１との間で接触領域（以下ニップ部）を形成するように定着ベルト３０１を挟み込むニップ部材３０３と、定着ベルト３０１の内周面で、周方向に沿って定着ベルト３０１と接触することで、定着ベルト３０１を加熱させる薄板状の加熱部材３０２と、を備えている。加圧ローラ４０１が回転駆動をすることで、定着ベルト３０１は従動回転し、トナー像Ｔが転写された記録材Ｐはトナー像Ｔが載った面を定着ベルト３０１側に向けた状態で加圧ローラ４０１と定着ベルト３０１との間のニップ部に送られる。そして、記録材Ｐ上のトナー像Ｔは加熱部材３０２によって加熱された定着ベルト３０１に加熱され、加圧ローラ４０１側から加圧されることで、記録材Ｐに圧着される。
[Fixing device]
Next, the fixing device 111 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the fixing device 111 in this embodiment. The fixing belt 301, the pressure roller 401 arranged so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt 301, and the pressure roller 401 arranged inside the fixing belt 301 so as to face the pressure roller 401. The nip member 303 that sandwiches the fixing belt 301 so as to form a contact area (hereinafter referred to as a nip portion) between the surface and the fixing belt 301, and the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 301, contact the fixing belt 301 along the circumferential direction. By doing so, a thin plate-shaped heating member 302 for heating the fixing belt 301 is provided. When the pressure roller 401 is rotationally driven, the fixing belt 301 is driven to rotate, and the recording material P on which the toner image T is transferred is pressed with the surface on which the toner image T is placed facing the fixing belt 301 side. It is sent to the nip portion between the roller 401 and the fixing belt 301. Then, the toner image T on the recording material P is heated by the fixing belt 301 heated by the heating member 302 and pressed from the pressure roller 401 side, so that the toner image T is pressure-bonded to the recording material P.
定着ベルト３０１は耐熱性樹脂ポリイミドからなる基層と、基層上に積層されたフッ素系樹脂ＰＦＡからなる表層とを有するフィルム状の部材で、表層を外側にして無端状に形成されたものである。基層の厚みは７０μｍで表層の厚みは１５μｍとしている。この定着ベルト３０１は外力がかからない自由状態では断面がほぼ真円の筒形状となるものである。本実施例では、外径は２５ｍｍ、長手方向３４０ｍｍの寸法になっている。 The fixing belt 301 is a film-like member having a base layer made of a heat-resistant resin polyimide and a surface layer made of a fluororesin PFA laminated on the base layer, and is formed endlessly with the surface layer as the outside. The thickness of the base layer is 70 μm and the thickness of the surface layer is 15 μm. The fixing belt 301 has a cylindrical shape with a substantially circular cross section in a free state in which no external force is applied. In this embodiment, the outer diameter is 25 mm and the longitudinal direction is 340 mm.
加圧ローラ４０１はアルミニウム金属からなる芯金４０１ｃの外周面に弾性層４０１ｂ、弾性層４０１ｂの外周面をフッ素系樹脂ＰＦＡチューブからなる表層４０１ａで覆っている。弾性層４０１ｂはシリコーンゴムからなる弾性部材であり、厚み１０ｍｍほどで芯金４０１ｃの外周面に形成されている。また、表層４０１ｃは厚み１０μｍとしており、加圧ローラ４０１としての外径は２５ｍｍとしている。 The pressure roller 401 has an outer peripheral surface of a core metal 401c made of aluminum metal, and an elastic layer 401b, and an outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 401b covered with a surface layer 401a made of a fluororesin PFA tube. The elastic layer 401b is an elastic member made of silicone rubber, and is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cored bar 401c with a thickness of about 10 mm. The surface layer 401c has a thickness of 10 μm, and the outer diameter of the pressure roller 401 is 25 mm.
ニップ部材３０３は、定着ベルト３０１の内周面から加圧ローラへ向けて支持部３０４にっよって押し付けられることでニップを形成する長軸状の部材であり、シリコーンゴムで形成された耐熱性を有する弾性材料を使用している。 The nip member 303 is a long-axis member that forms a nip by being pressed by the support portion 304 from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 301 toward the pressure roller, and is made of silicone rubber and has heat resistance. Uses an elastic material that has.
また、支持部３０４は金属板を断面形状がほぼＬ字状となるように曲げ加工された部材を組み合わせて長軸状の棒状としたものであり、軸線方向でニップ部材３０３を支持して、定着ベルト３０１の内側に位置する。 Further, the supporting portion 304 is a rod-shaped member having a long axis formed by combining members formed by bending a metal plate so that the cross-sectional shape thereof is substantially L-shaped, and supports the nip member 303 in the axial direction. It is located inside the fixing belt 301.
そして、フランジ部材３０６で両端部を支持されてニップ部材３０３が加圧ローラ４０１側に押し付けられるように押圧力が付与される。本実施例では、押圧力は片側１５０Ｎで両側合計３００Ｎとしている。また、ニップ部材３０３は支持部３０４のＬ字先端部と、支持部３０４にビス締めされることで固定された板金３０４ｂによって、記録材搬送方向両端部を支持されることで、位置を固定している。 Then, a pressing force is applied so that both ends are supported by the flange member 306 and the nip member 303 is pressed against the pressure roller 401 side. In this embodiment, the pressing force is 150 N on one side and 300 N on both sides. Further, the nip member 303 fixes the position by supporting both ends of the recording material conveyance direction by the L-shaped tip portion of the support portion 304 and the sheet metal 304b fixed by being screwed to the support portion 304. ing.
加熱部材３０２の詳細な断面形状を図３、上面の形状を図４に示す。加熱部材３０２は、基材３０２ａが弾性的に変形可能な薄板状の部材であり、本実施例では材料としてステンレスを使用している。基材３０２ａ上に絶縁層３０２ｃが発熱層３０２ｂを挟み込むように形成されている。図４に示すように発熱層３０２ｂは予め定められたパターンを描く発熱部の一例として機能する。なお、図４では絶縁層３０２ｃは不図示。基材３０２ａは長手方向３２０ｍｍ、短手方向５５ｍｍの寸法になっている。さらに、基材３０２ａの定着ベルト３０１周回方向と直交する長手方向の両側に発熱層３０２ｂと電気的に接続された給電部３０２ｄ、３０２ｅが形成されている。画像形成装置の交流電源ユニットから給電部３０２ｄを介して発熱層３０２ｂ、給電部３０２ｅと導通することで発熱層３０２ｂに電力が供給され、加熱部材３０２が発熱し、定着ベルト３０１と加熱部材３０２が内周面で接触することで定着ベルト３０１を加熱している。本実施例では発熱層３０１ｂは例えば厚さ３０μｍのステンレス箔からなる。例えばＳＵＳ４３０やＳＵＳ３３０等を用いることができ、予め定められたパターンを描くことでより均一に発熱を行うようにしている。ここで、予め定められたパターンは図４に示すように円弧上の箇所と直線状の箇所からなるＵ字形状の基本パターンから連続して接続することにより形成されている。また、絶縁層３０２ｃは発熱層３０１ｂを絶縁するとともに発熱層３０１ｂに折り曲りが生じないように保護するための層でもある。本実施例では発熱層３０１ｂを挟む形で二層の構造をとる。また、このとき、発熱層３０１ｂの上側の層と下側の層で、発熱層３０１ｂを挟み込み、熱圧着を行うことで絶縁層３０２ｃ内部に発熱層３０１ｂを内包される構造としている。 The detailed cross-sectional shape of the heating member 302 is shown in FIG. 3, and the shape of the upper surface thereof is shown in FIG. The heating member 302 is a thin plate-like member whose base 302a is elastically deformable, and in this embodiment, stainless steel is used as the material. An insulating layer 302c is formed on the base material 302a so as to sandwich the heat generating layer 302b. As shown in FIG. 4, the heat generating layer 302b functions as an example of a heat generating portion that draws a predetermined pattern. The insulating layer 302c is not shown in FIG. The base material 302a has dimensions of 320 mm in the longitudinal direction and 55 mm in the lateral direction. Further, power supply portions 302d and 302e electrically connected to the heat generating layer 302b are formed on both sides of the base material 302a in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the fixing belt 301. Electrical power is supplied to the heat generating layer 302b from the AC power supply unit of the image forming apparatus via the power supplying unit 302d and the heat generating layer 302b and the power supplying unit 302e, the heating member 302 generates heat, and the fixing belt 301 and the heating member 302 are separated from each other. The fixing belt 301 is heated by being in contact with the inner peripheral surface. In this embodiment, the heat generating layer 301b is made of, for example, a stainless foil having a thickness of 30 μm. For example, SUS430 or SUS330 can be used, and a predetermined pattern is drawn to generate heat more uniformly. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the predetermined pattern is formed by continuously connecting U-shaped basic patterns each of which has an arcuate portion and a linear portion. The insulating layer 302c is also a layer for insulating the heat generating layer 301b and protecting the heat generating layer 301b from bending. In this embodiment, a two-layer structure is formed with the heating layer 301b sandwiched therebetween. At this time, the heat generating layer 301b is sandwiched between the upper layer and the lower layer of the heat generating layer 301b, and thermocompression bonding is performed so that the heat generating layer 301b is included inside the insulating layer 302c.
また、加熱部材３０２は定着ベルト３０１の周回方向における記録材搬送方向の下流側端部３０２ｈの領域が、ニップ部材３０３の支持部３０４とビスにより固定されたＬ字型板金３０４ａとＩ字型板金３０４ｃでビスＸを介して固定支持されている。ビスＸにて固定支持される箇所を基材３０２ａの３０２ｈの領域で長手方向における長手方向中央に１か所と長手方向両端に２か所有し、長手方向計３か所以上でビスＸにより固定支持されている。そして、定着ベルト３０１の周回方向における記録材搬送方向の上流側端部は自由端となっており、加熱部材３０２の基材３０２ａの弾性反発力により、定着ベルト３０１の内周面に沿って接触するものとなっている。つまり、図５に示すように、この加熱部材３０２は、定着ベルト３０１が無く、定着ベルト３０１周回方向における記録材搬送方向の下流側端部が固定支持部により支持されている状態では記録材搬送方向の下流側方向に張り出す形状となる。 Further, the heating member 302 has an L-shaped sheet metal 304a and an I-shaped sheet metal 304a in which a region of a downstream side end portion 302h in the recording material conveying direction in the orbiting direction of the fixing belt 301 is fixed to a support portion 304 of the nip member 303 with a screw. It is fixedly supported by the screw 304 via the screw X. In the area 302h of the base material 302a, there are one place fixed and supported by the screw X at the center in the longitudinal direction and two at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and fixed by the screws X at a total of three or more places in the longitudinal direction. It is supported. The upstream end of the fixing belt 301 in the circumferential direction of the recording material conveyance direction is a free end, and the elastic repulsive force of the base material 302a of the heating member 302 makes contact along the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 301. It is supposed to do. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the heating member 302 does not have the fixing belt 301, and in the state where the downstream end of the fixing belt 301 in the circumferential direction of the recording material conveyance direction is supported by the fixed support portion, the recording material conveyance is performed. The shape is such that it projects in the downstream direction.
本構成において、加熱部材３０２は薄膜状であり、かつ記録材搬送方向の上流側端部が自由端となっている為、定着ベルト３０１との摺擦により姿勢が不安定なる場合がある。定着ベルト３０１と加熱部材３０２は回転駆動時の摩擦を抑えるためにその間にグリスやオイルなどの潤滑剤を塗布する場合がある。しかしながら、低温環境や長時間放置後に潤滑剤の粘度が上がり、回転駆動開始時に加熱部材３０２が定着ベルト３０１の回転方向に引き込まれるような挙動をする場合がある。図６ａに正常な状態での定着ベルト３０１とその内面に当接する加熱部材３０２の姿勢を示す。 In this configuration, since the heating member 302 is in the form of a thin film and has the free end at the upstream end in the recording material conveyance direction, the posture may become unstable due to the friction with the fixing belt 301. The fixing belt 301 and the heating member 302 may be coated with a lubricant such as grease or oil in order to suppress friction during rotational driving. However, the viscosity of the lubricant may increase in a low temperature environment or after being left for a long time, and the heating member 302 may be drawn in the rotation direction of the fixing belt 301 at the start of rotation driving. FIG. 6a shows the posture of the fixing belt 301 and the heating member 302 that contacts the inner surface of the fixing belt 301 in a normal state.
低温環境でのグリス粘度のばらつきや、圧バランスのばらつきなどから、図６ｂに示すように加熱部材３０２が定着ベルト３０１の回転方向に引き込まれるような挙動になった場合、定着ベルト３０１と加熱部材３０２の当接状態は不安定になり、引き込まれた加熱部材３０２が定着ベルト３０１から浮いてしまい、定着ベルト３０１の表面温度が長手でばらつきが生じてしまう。このような状態で記録材の通紙を行うとトナーの定着状態がよくない部分出てしまう。 When the heating member 302 behaves to be pulled in the rotational direction of the fixing belt 301 as shown in FIG. 6B due to variations in the grease viscosity in a low temperature environment and variations in the pressure balance, the fixing belt 301 and the heating member 302 The contact state of 302 becomes unstable, the drawn heating member 302 floats from the fixing belt 301, and the surface temperature of the fixing belt 301 varies in the longitudinal direction. If the recording material is passed in such a state, a portion where the toner fixing state is not good comes out.
図７に示すように本実施例のフランジ部材３０６は前述したように支持部３０４の両端部にそれぞれ装着され、ニップ部材３０３を加圧ローラ４０１側に押し付けるように押圧力を受けている。フランジ部材は、定着ベルトの外側や内側、またはその両方に当接しながら回転を安定させる役割や、定着ベルトの寄りを規制し、定着ベルト端部の破損を防止する役割がある。本実施例では内側で定着ベルト３０１の回転挙動をサポートする内受けフランジの構成を用いている。フランジ部材３０６はＰＰＳ、液晶ポリマー、フェノール樹脂などの耐熱樹脂により形成されており、その形状はキャップ状ある。 As shown in FIG. 7, the flange members 306 of the present embodiment are attached to both ends of the support portion 304 as described above, and receive a pressing force to press the nip member 303 toward the pressure roller 401 side. The flange member has a role of stabilizing the rotation while contacting the outer side and the inner side of the fixing belt, or both of them, and a role of regulating the deviation of the fixing belt and preventing the end portion of the fixing belt from being damaged. In this embodiment, the structure of the inner receiving flange that supports the rotational behavior of the fixing belt 301 is used inside. The flange member 306 is made of PPS, liquid crystal polymer, heat-resistant resin such as phenol resin, and has a cap shape.
図８は本実施例のフランジ部材３０６と定着ベルト３０１の短手の断面図である。 FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the flange member 306 and the fixing belt 301 of this embodiment in a short side.
加熱部材３０２の固定されている領域３０２ｈの逆側にあたる定着ベルト３０１の周回方向における記録材搬送方向の上流側領域において、フランジ部材３０６は加熱部材３０２の周方向上に加熱部材周方向突き当て部３０６ａを有している。 In the upstream region in the recording material conveyance direction in the orbiting direction of the fixing belt 301, which is the opposite side of the region 302h where the heating member 302 is fixed, the flange member 306 is a circumferentially abutting portion of the heating member 302 in the circumferential direction. It has 306a.
突き当て部３０６ａはその最外周位置が、加熱部材３０２自由端の最内周位置よりも外側に位置し、加熱部材３０２自由端が突き当たるようになっている。 The outermost position of the abutting portion 306a is located outside the innermost position of the free end of the heating member 302, and the free end of the heating member 302 abuts.
加熱部材３０２自由端が定着ベルト３０１の回転方向に引き込まれるような挙動になった場合に、フランジ部材３０６の突き当て部３０６ａが加熱部材３０２自由端と突き当たり、回転方向へ引き込まれることを防止するので加熱部材３０２の姿勢が崩れることを防ぎ、定着ベルト３０１との当接状態を維持することが可能となる。 When the free end of the heating member 302 is pulled in the rotational direction of the fixing belt 301, the abutting portion 306a of the flange member 306 abuts the free end of the heating member 302 and is prevented from being pulled in the rotational direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heating member 302 from losing its posture and maintain the contact state with the fixing belt 301.
図９に従来の構成で加熱部材３０２の姿勢が崩れた場合と、本実施例１の構成での長手温度分布を示す。図のラインＴは定着可能温度を示す。従来例では加熱部材３０２が定着ベル等回転方向に引き込まれた場合に定着ベルト３０１から浮くために、温度が低下しているが、本実施例１では引き込まれることが抑えられている為、定着可能温度を下回らず、定着状態が低下することが防止できている。 FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal temperature distribution in the case where the posture of the heating member 302 is collapsed in the conventional configuration and in the configuration of the first embodiment. The line T in the figure indicates the fixable temperature. In the conventional example, when the heating member 302 is pulled in the rotation direction of the fixing bell or the like, the heating member 302 floats from the fixing belt 301, so the temperature is lowered. It is possible to prevent the fixing state from deteriorating without falling below the possible temperature.
本構成では内受けのフランジ部材を用いたが、加熱部材３０２の周方向の延長線上に当接可能な部分を有していればよく、定着ベルトの外側から回転をサポートするフランジ部材や、定着ベルトと一緒に回転する部材を有するフランジ部材の構成でもよい。 Although the inner receiving flange member is used in this configuration, a flange member that supports rotation from the outside of the fixing belt and a fixing member may be used as long as it has a portion that can come into contact with the extension line of the heating member 302 in the circumferential direction. A flange member having a member that rotates together with the belt may be used.
［画像形成装置］
実施例１と同一の為、説明を省略する。
[Image forming apparatus]
Since it is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
［定着装置］
図１０は実施例２の定着ベルト３０１とフランジ部材３０６の断面図である。
[Fixing device]
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the fixing belt 301 and the flange member 306 of the second embodiment.
実施例１ではフランジ部材３０６に突き当て部３０６ａを持たせ、加熱部材３０２の周方向自由端が突き当たるような形状を特徴としていたが、実施例２では加熱部材３０２の長手方向端面３０２ｆが突き当たるように長手方向突き当て部３０６ｂを持つ形状となっている。 In the first embodiment, the flange member 306 has the abutting portion 306a, and the shape is such that the circumferential free end of the heating member 302 abuts. However, in the second embodiment, the longitudinal end surface 302f of the heating member 302 abuts. It has a shape having a longitudinal abutting portion 306b.
長手方向突き当て部３０６ｂの長手位置は加熱部材３０２の長手延長線上に配置されており、その最外周位置は定着ベルトの最内周位置よりも内側に位置している。 The longitudinal position of the longitudinal abutment portion 306b is arranged on the longitudinal extension line of the heating member 302, and the outermost peripheral position thereof is located inside the innermost peripheral position of the fixing belt.
定着ベルト３０１および加熱部材３０２に片側方向への寄り力が働いた場合に、加熱部材３０２の長手端面３０２ｆはフランジ部材３０６の突き当て部３０２ｂと突き当たり、定着ベルト３０１の長手端面３０１ａはフランジ部材３０６の内側面３０６ｃに突き当たる。 When the offset force in one direction acts on the fixing belt 301 and the heating member 302, the longitudinal end surface 302f of the heating member 302 abuts against the abutting portion 302b of the flange member 306, and the longitudinal end surface 301a of the fixing belt 301 faces the flange member 306. Bumps into the inner surface 306c of the.
加熱部材３０２はグリスの粘度や定着ベルト３０１の寄りの影響で片側だけが定着ベルト３０１の回転方向に引き込まれる場合がある（図１１ｂ）。その場合も引き込まれた側の当接が不十分になるため温度ムラが発生してしまう。 Only one side of the heating member 302 may be pulled in the rotation direction of the fixing belt 301 due to the viscosity of grease and the deviation of the fixing belt 301 (FIG. 11b). In that case as well, contact with the pulled-in side becomes insufficient, resulting in uneven temperature.
その課題に対し、本実施例２のフランジ部材構成では定着ベルト３０１の回転方向に引き込まれなかった側の加熱部材長手端面３０２ｆがフランジ部材長手突き当て部材３０６ｂと当接し、長手方向の変形を規制するため、加熱部材３０２の姿勢を保ち、温度低下を防止することができる。 To address the problem, in the flange member configuration of the second embodiment, the heating member long-side end surface 302f on the side that is not pulled in the rotation direction of the fixing belt 301 contacts the flange member long-side butting member 306b, and the deformation in the longitudinal direction is restricted. Therefore, the posture of the heating member 302 can be maintained and the temperature drop can be prevented.
図１２に従来の場合と実施例２の場合の長手温度分布を示す。従来例では引き込まれた側（０〜１００ｍｍの位置）で温度低下が発生しているが、実施例２の構成では加熱部材端面３０２ｆがフランジ部材３０６の長手突き当て部材３０６ｂに突き当たり、それ以上長手端部方向へ移動しないため、加熱部材３０２の引き込まれることを防止し、温度低下も防止できている。 FIG. 12 shows the longitudinal temperature distributions in the conventional case and the second embodiment. In the conventional example, a temperature drop occurs on the retracted side (position of 0 to 100 mm), but in the configuration of the second embodiment, the heating member end surface 302f abuts the longitudinal abutting member 306b of the flange member 306, and the length is longer than that. Since it does not move in the end direction, the heating member 302 can be prevented from being pulled in and the temperature can be prevented from lowering.
［画像形成装置］
実施例１と同一の為、説明を省略する。
[Image forming apparatus]
Since it is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
［定着装置］
実施例３では加熱部材長手端面３０２ｆとフランジ部材長手突き当て部材３０６ｂとの突き当て距離が、定着ベルト３０１の長手端面３０１ａとフランジ部材内側面３０２ｃとの突き当て距離よりも小さくなるような形状となっている。
[Fixing device]
In the third embodiment, the abutting distance between the heating member longitudinal end surface 302f and the flange member longitudinal abutting member 306b is smaller than the abutting distance between the longitudinal end surface 301a of the fixing belt 301 and the flange member inner side surface 302c. Has become.
定着ベルト３０１は長手の圧分布や用紙の斜行、小サイズ紙の通紙による加圧部材端部の膨張などで片側に寄る場合がある。また、本構成のような片側が自由端となっている加熱部材を持つ場合、加熱部材３０２の姿勢が崩れると定着ベルト３０１を片側に寄らせる力が定着ベルト３０１の内面から働くことになり、定着ベルト３０１の寄り力を大きくしてしまう。 The fixing belt 301 may shift to one side due to the longitudinal pressure distribution, the skew of the paper, the expansion of the end portion of the pressure member due to the passage of small size paper, and the like. Further, in the case of having a heating member having a free end on one side as in the present configuration, when the posture of the heating member 302 is collapsed, the force for biasing the fixing belt 301 to one side acts from the inner surface of the fixing belt 301, The deviation force of the fixing belt 301 is increased.
片側への寄りがあるまま使用され続けると最終的に定着ベルト３０１の端部が破損し、異常高温などの事態が引き起こされる。また、定着ベルト３０１の破損に伴い、加熱部材３０２までも破損してしまう事態が引き起こされる可能性がある。 If the fixing belt 301 is continuously used with one side of the fixing belt 301 being used, the end portion of the fixing belt 301 is eventually damaged, and an abnormally high temperature or the like occurs. Further, along with the breakage of the fixing belt 301, the heating member 302 may be damaged.
実施例３は上記課題に対し、加熱部材３０２に寄りが発生した場合でも定着ベルト３０１の寄り力が破損に至るほど大きくなることを防止するものである。 In contrast to the above problem, the third embodiment prevents the fixing belt 301 from being so large that the deviation force of the fixing belt 301 is damaged even when the heating member 302 is deviated.
図１３は、定着ベルト３０１と加熱部材３０２の長さの関係に応じて、加熱部材長手端面と３０２ｆとフランジ部材長手突き当て部材３０６ｂとの突き当て距離と、定着ベルト長手端面３０１ａとフランジ部材３０６内側面３０６ｃの突き当て距離を設定したものである。 FIG. 13 shows an abutting distance between the heating member longitudinal end face 302f and the flange member longitudinal abutting member 306b, and the fixing belt longitudinal end face 301a and the flange member 306 according to the relationship between the lengths of the fixing belt 301 and the heating member 302. The abutting distance of the inner side surface 306c is set.
定着ベルト３０１長さ＞加熱部材３０２長さの場合においても、定着ベルト３０１長さ＜加熱部材３０２長さの場合においても、加熱部材長手端面３０２ｆとフランジ部材長手突き当て部材３０６ｂとの突き当て距離ｌ２＋ｌ２が、定着ベルト３０１長手端面３０１ａとフランジ部材内側面３０６ｃの突き当て距離Ｌ１＋Ｌ２よりも短くなるようにフランジ部材３０６の突き当て部材３０６ｂの長手内面方向端部位置が設けられている。 When the length of the fixing belt 301> the length of the heating member 302 and the length of the fixing belt 301 <the length of the heating member 302, the abutting distance between the heating member longitudinal end surface 302f and the flange member longitudinal abutting member 306b The end position of the abutting member 306b of the flange member 306 in the longitudinal direction is provided so that l2 + l2 is shorter than the abutting distance L1 + L2 between the longitudinal end face 301a of the fixing belt 301 and the inner surface 306c of the flange member.
本実施例３の構成によれば、回転駆動状態において、定着ベルト３０１と加熱部材３０２が長手方向の一方向の端部側に偏り、定着ベルト３０１長手端面３０１ａがフランジ部材内側面３０６ｃに突き当たった場合でも、加熱部材３０２は定着ベルト３０１長手端面３０１ａが当接すフランジ部材内側面３０６ｃより手前のフランジ部材突き当て部３０６ｂに当接し、定着ベルト３０１以上に片側に寄ることを規制されている為、定着ベルト３０１以上に寄り力を増加させることはない。 According to the configuration of the third embodiment, in the rotational driving state, the fixing belt 301 and the heating member 302 are biased toward one end in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal end surface 301a of the fixing belt 301 abuts the inner surface 306c of the flange member. Even in this case, the heating member 302 contacts the flange member abutting portion 306b on the front side of the inner surface 306c of the flange member on which the longitudinal end surface 301a of the fixing belt 301 abuts, and is restricted from moving closer to one side than the fixing belt 301. The biasing force is not increased beyond the fixing belt 301.
図１４は本構成と従来構成の寄り力を示したものである。左右の加圧のバランスを崩した状態で回転駆動させ、一定時間後の寄り力を測定すると、従来例が１２０秒で定着ベルト３０１の破損領域（破線Ｂ）まで達しているのに対し、本構成では１２０秒経過しても寄り力の上昇は緩やかであり、破損領域に至ることはない。 FIG. 14 shows the bias force of this configuration and the conventional configuration. When the rotational force is driven in a state where the left and right pressures are unbalanced and the deviation force is measured after a certain period of time, the conventional example has reached the damaged region (broken line B) of the fixing belt 301 in 120 seconds. With the configuration, the increase in the offset force is gentle even after 120 seconds have passed, and does not reach the damaged region.
このように、本構成のフランジ部材を用いることで、加熱部材の姿勢が崩れることを防止し、定着ベルトに過度の寄り力を生じさせることを抑制させ、定着ベルトの端部破損を防止することができる。 As described above, by using the flange member of the present configuration, it is possible to prevent the posture of the heating member from collapsing, suppress the excessive deviation force of the fixing belt, and prevent the end portion of the fixing belt from being damaged. You can
１００ 画像形成装置、１１１ 定着装置、３０１ 定着ベルト、
３０１ａ 定着ベルト長手端面、３０２ −板状加熱部材、３０２ａ 基材、
３０２ｂ 発熱層、３０２ｃ 絶縁層、３０２ｄ，３０２ｅ 給電部、
３０２ｆ 加熱部材長手端面、３０３ ニップ形成部材、３０４ 支持部、
３０４ａ Ｌ字型板金、３０４ｂ ニップ部材支持板金、
３０４ｃ Ｉ字型板金、３０６ フランジ部材、
３０６ａ フランジ部材周方向突き当て部材、
３０６ｂ フランジ部材長手方向突き当て部材、
３０６ｃ フランジ部材内側面、４０１ 加圧ローラ
100 image forming device, 111 fixing device, 301 fixing belt,
301a fixing belt longitudinal end surface, 302-plate heating member, 302a base material,
302b heating layer, 302c insulating layer, 302d, 302e power feeding unit,
302f heating member longitudinal end surface, 303 nip forming member, 304 supporting portion,
304a L-shaped sheet metal, 304b Nip member supporting sheet metal,
304c I-shaped sheet metal, 306 flange member,
306a Flange member circumferential butting member,
306b Flange member longitudinal direction butting member,
306c inner surface of flange member, 401 pressure roller
Claims (4)
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|---|---|---|---|
| JP2018198044A JP2020067473A (en) | 2018-10-22 | 2018-10-22 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same |
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2018198044A JP2020067473A (en) | 2018-10-22 | 2018-10-22 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| JP2020067473A true JP2020067473A (en) | 2020-04-30 |
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| JP2018198044A Pending JP2020067473A (en) | 2018-10-22 | 2018-10-22 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same |
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