JP4614086B2 - Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
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Description
本発明は、定着装置及びこれを用いた画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the same.
従来、中央部ヒータと端部ヒータを備えた定着装置は公知である（例えば特許文献１参照）。この技術は、定着ムラや皺、さらにはホットオフセットの原因となる定着ローラの長手方向での温度分布をほぼ均一化しようとするもので、配光分布特性が異なる複数の加熱手段を備えた定着ローラを備え、複数の加熱手段が、配光分布領域として平坦領域とこの平坦領域に隣接する傾斜領域とを有し、これら加熱手段同士での同じ位置における配光分布に傾斜領域を設定し、同じ位置にある傾斜領域の勾配が加熱手段同士でほぼ等しくなるように設定するものである。 Conventionally, a fixing device including a center heater and an end heater is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This technology is intended to make the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the fixing roller substantially uniform, which causes fixing unevenness, wrinkles, and hot offset, and is equipped with a plurality of heating means having different light distribution characteristics. A plurality of heating means having a flat area as a light distribution distribution area and an inclined area adjacent to the flat area, and setting the inclined area in the light distribution at the same position between the heating means; The gradients of the inclined regions at the same position are set so as to be substantially equal between the heating means.
また従来、加熱部に主発熱体と補助発熱体を設け、主発熱体には主電源装置から電力を供給し、補助発熱体にはコンデンサを有する補助電源装置から電力を供給するようにし、加熱部の加熱を開始するときに、加熱部の温度に応じて、コンデンサから補助加熱体に供給する電力量を調整する定着装置が知られている（例えば特許文献２参照）。 Conventionally, the heating unit is provided with a main heating element and an auxiliary heating element, the main heating element is supplied with electric power from the main power supply, and the auxiliary heating element is supplied with electric power from the auxiliary power supply having a capacitor. There is known a fixing device that adjusts the amount of power supplied from a capacitor to an auxiliary heating body in accordance with the temperature of the heating unit when starting the heating of the unit (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
この技術は、省電力効果を高めるとともに大電力を供給する際の突入電流や急激な電流変化によるノイズを低減し、かつ立ち上がり時間を短縮し、温度が上がりすぎることを防止するために、主電源装置と補助電源装置の両方から大容量の電力を供給して加熱部を短時間で所定の温度に立ち上げ、待機時には加熱部に電力を供給しないようにする、というものである。そして、充電器と切替装置と温度検知装置及び制御手段を有し、充電器は主電源装置から供給される電力で補助電源装置のコンデンサを充電し、切替装置は補助電源装置の充電と補助電源装置からの補助発熱体に対する電力供給を切替え、温度検知装置は加熱部の温度を検出し、制御手段は温度検知装置で検出している加熱部の温度に応じて補助電源装置から補助発熱体に供給する電力量を調整するようにしている。
本発明は、上述のような技術を発展させ、定着ローラ等の定着部材の軸方向における中央部の加熱部及び端部の加熱部を備えた定着装置において、連続通紙時の温度落ち込み防止、及び小サイズの記録媒体を連続通紙するときの非通紙部昇温の防止（温度均一化）を図ることを目的とする。 The present invention develops the above-described technology, and prevents a temperature drop during continuous sheet feeding in a fixing device including a central heating unit and an end heating unit in the axial direction of a fixing member such as a fixing roller. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the temperature rise of the non-sheet-passing portion (uniform temperature) when continuously passing a small-sized recording medium.
特に、キャパシタ等の蓄電手段を補助電源として用いた構成の定着装置における非通紙部昇温を防止する。キャパシタ等の蓄電手段を補助電源として備え、商用電源などの外部電源と接続する主電源は端部と中央部のヒータ、蓄電手段による補助電源は全域用のヒータに給電する構成とした場合、小サイズの紙等の記録媒体を連続して通紙すると、定着部材の中央部の温度は低下していくが、この中央部の温度を検知して補助電源を制御すると、補助加熱体（補助ヒータ）が点灯し続けるため、定着部材の非通紙部の温度が上昇し過ぎる傾向が出る。このため、小サイズ紙等を通紙する際には定着部材端部の温度制御が温度上昇を抑えるために重要である。 In particular, the temperature rise of the non-sheet passing portion is prevented in the fixing device configured to use the power storage means such as a capacitor as an auxiliary power source. When power storage means such as a capacitor is provided as an auxiliary power source, the main power source connected to an external power source such as a commercial power source is configured to feed the end and center heaters, and the auxiliary power source by the power storage means powers the heaters for the entire area. When a recording medium such as paper of a size is continuously fed, the temperature of the central portion of the fixing member decreases. When the temperature of the central portion is detected and the auxiliary power source is controlled, an auxiliary heating body (auxiliary heater) ) Continues to light, the temperature of the non-sheet passing portion of the fixing member tends to rise too much. For this reason, when passing small-size paper or the like, temperature control of the fixing member end is important in order to suppress temperature rise.
本発明は、キャパシタを用いた構成での非通紙部昇温を効果的に防止する技術を提供しようとするものである。また本発明は、低温環境下での画像形成時の定着品質を向上させ得るようにすることも目的とする。 The present invention intends to provide a technique for effectively preventing the temperature rise of the non-sheet passing portion in a configuration using a capacitor. Another object of the present invention is to improve the fixing quality at the time of image formation in a low temperature environment.
本発明の請求項１に係る定着装置は、一対の回転体の一方を加熱する加熱部を備え、前記一対の回転体の間に記録媒体を通過させることにより、該記録媒体上に画像を定着させる定着装置であって、前記加熱部により加熱される前記一方の回転体の回転軸方向における中央部付近の温度を検出する中央部温度検出手段と、前記一方の回転体の前記回転軸方向における端部付近の温度を検出する端部温度検出手段とを備えるとともに、前記加熱部が、前記一方の回転体の前記回転軸方向における中央部付近に配置される中央部加熱部と、前記一方の回転体の前記回転軸方向における端部付近に配置される端部加熱部と、前記中央部及び前記端部にわたって配置される全幅加熱部を含み、該加熱部の動作を制御する制御手段を備える定着装置において、該制御手段が、大サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記中央部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記全幅加熱部を制御するとともに、小サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記端部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記全幅加熱部を制御することを特徴とする定着装置である。
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device including a heating unit that heats one of the pair of rotating bodies, and the image is fixed on the recording medium by passing the recording medium between the pair of rotating bodies. A fixing unit for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the central portion of the one rotating body in the direction of the rotation axis of the one rotating body; An end portion temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the end portion, and the heating portion is disposed in the vicinity of the center portion in the rotation axis direction of the one rotating body, and the one heating portion An end heating unit disposed in the vicinity of the end of the rotating body in the direction of the rotation axis, and a full width heating unit disposed across the center and the end are provided, and includes control means for controlling the operation of the heating unit. In the fixing device When the control unit continuously passes a large-sized width recording medium between the pair of rotating bodies, the control unit controls the full width heating unit based on the output of the center temperature detection unit. , when the continuously printed between the pair of rotating bodies recording medium the width of the small-sized fixing apparatus and controls the overall width heating portion based on an output of the end portion temperature detection means It is.
同請求項２に係るものは、請求項１記載の定着装置において、大サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記制御手段が、前記中央部温度検出手段の出力と第１の設定温度との対比結果に基づいて前記全幅加熱部を制御するとともに、小サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記制御手段が、前記端部温度検出手段の出力と第２の設定温度との対比結果に基づいて前記全幅加熱部を制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the first aspect, in the case where a recording medium having a large width is continuously passed between the pair of rotating bodies, the control means includes the central portion. When the full width heating unit is controlled based on the comparison result between the output of the temperature detection means and the first set temperature, and a recording medium having a small size is continuously passed between the pair of rotating bodies. the control means controls the full-width heating unit based on the comparison result between the output and the second set temperature of the end portion temperature detection means, it is the fixing device according to claim.
同請求項３に係るものは、請求項２記載の定着装置において、前記第２の設定温度が前記第１の設定温度よりも低い、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
Which according to the claim 3 is the fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the second set temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, it is the fixing device according to claim.
同請求項４に係るものは、請求項２または３記載の定着装置において、小サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記制御手段が、前記端部温度検出手段の出力と前記第２の設定温度との対比結果に基づいて前記全幅加熱部を制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the second or third aspect , in the case where a recording medium having a small size is continuously passed between the pair of rotating bodies, the control means includes based on the comparison result between the output end temperature detection means and the second set temperature to control the braking of the full-width heating unit, it is the fixing device according to claim.
同請求項５に係るものは、請求項２から４のいずれかに記載の定着装置において、大サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記制御手段が、前記端部温度検出手段の出力と第３の設定温度との対比結果に基づいて前記端部加熱部を制御するとともに、小サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記制御手段が、前記端部温度検出手段の出力と第４の設定温度との対比結果に基づいて前記端部加熱部を制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the control is performed when a large-sized width recording medium is continuously passed between the pair of rotating bodies. Means controls the end heating section based on the comparison result between the output of the end temperature detecting means and the third set temperature, and a small-sized width recording medium is interposed between the pair of rotating bodies. when continuously printed, the control means control to control the end heating section based on comparison result between the output and the fourth set temperature of the end portion temperature detecting means, and wherein the fixing Device.
同請求項６に係るものは、請求項５に記載の定着装置において、前記第２の設定温度が、前記第４の設定温度よりも高い、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the fifth aspect, the second set temperature is higher than the fourth set temperature .
同請求項７に係るものは、請求項５に記載の定着装置において、前記第２の設定温度と前記第４の設定温度とが等しい、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
Those according to the claim 7, Te fixing device smell of claim 5, wherein the second set temperature and the fourth set temperature are equal, it is the fixing device according to claim.
同請求項８に係るものは、請求項１から７のいずれかに記載の定着装置において、前記制御手段が、復帰立上時の前記加熱部の昇温時に、前記端部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記全幅加熱部への給電を制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
Those according to the claim 8, in the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, before Symbol control means, when heating of the heating portion during the upper return elevational, of the end portion temperature detection means output for controlling the power supply to the full width heating unit based on, it is the fixing device according to claim.
同請求項９に係るものは、請求項１から８のいずれかに記載の定着装置において、定着装置は、商用電源により充電され、前記全幅加熱部に電力供給する蓄電装置を更に備え、前記中央部加熱部と前記端部加熱部は、前記商用電源から電力供給され、大サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、該制御手段は、前記中央部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記蓄電装置が前記全幅加熱部に電力供給するように制御するとともに、小サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、該制御手段は、前記端部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記蓄電装置が前記全幅加熱部に電力供給するように制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the fixing device further includes a power storage device that is charged by a commercial power source and supplies power to the full width heating unit, When the part heating unit and the end heating unit are supplied with power from the commercial power source and continuously pass a large-size width recording medium between the pair of rotating bodies, the control means When the power storage device is controlled to supply power to the full width heating unit based on the output of the part temperature detecting means, and a small-width recording medium is continuously passed between the pair of rotating bodies. The control unit controls the power storage device to supply power to the full width heating unit based on the output of the end temperature detection unit .
同請求項１０に係るものは、請求項１から９のいずれかに記載の定着装置において、前記端部温度検出手段は、小サイズの幅の記録媒体を連続通紙する場合の非通紙域の温度を検出する位置に配置されている、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。
Non-passage when those according to the claim 10, in the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, front Kitan portion temperature detecting means for continuous passing sheet of recording medium width of the small size The fixing device is arranged at a position for detecting the temperature of the paper area .
同請求項１１に係るものは、一対の回転体の一方を加熱する加熱部を備え、前記一対の回転体の間に記録媒体を通過させることにより、該記録媒体上に画像を定着させる定着装置であって、前記加熱部が、前記一方の回転体の前記回転軸方向における小サイズの記録媒体が通過する通紙域に対応する中央部付近を加熱する中央部加熱部と、前記小サイズの記録媒体が通過しない非通紙域であって、該小サイズの記録媒体よりも幅が大きい大サイズの記録媒体が通過する通紙域を加熱可能な端部加熱部と、前記中央部加熱部が加熱する領域から前記端部加熱部が加熱する領域にわたって加熱可能な全幅加熱部とを有し、該加熱部の動作を制御する制御手段を備える定着装置において、前記一方の回転体のうち前記中央部加熱部が加熱する領域の温度を検出する中央部温度検出手段と、前記一方の回転体のうち前記端部加熱部が加熱する領域の温度を検出する端部温度検出手段と、を備え、該制御手段は、小サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記端部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記全幅加熱部を制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置である。 According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device that includes a heating unit that heats one of the pair of rotating bodies, and fixes the image on the recording medium by passing the recording medium between the pair of rotating bodies. The heating unit includes a central heating unit that heats the vicinity of the central part corresponding to the sheet passing area through which the small-sized recording medium in the rotational axis direction of the one rotating body passes, and the small-sized heating unit. An end heating unit capable of heating a non-sheet passing area through which a recording medium does not pass, and a sheet passing area through which a large size recording medium having a larger width than the small size recording medium passes, and the center heating unit the There and a heatable overall width heating portion over a region where the end portion heating part from the area of heating is heating, the fixing device comprising a control means for controlling the operation of the heating unit, the one of the one rotary body Of the area heated by the central heating section A central portion temperature detection means for detecting a degree, and a end temperature detection means said end heating section detects the temperature of the area to be heated of the one rotary body, control means, the small size when continuously printed during the recording medium width of the pair of rotating bodies, control to control the overall width heating unit based on the output of the front Kitan portion temperature detecting means, that the fixing device according to claim It is.
同請求項１２に係る画像形成装置は、請求項１ないし１１のいずれかに記載の定着装置を用いたことを特徴とする画像形成装置である。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 is an image forming apparatus using the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
本発明は、補助ヒータを用いて定着装置を加熱する構成での非通紙部昇温を防止することが可能となる。 According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the temperature rise of the non-sheet passing portion in the configuration in which the fixing device is heated using the auxiliary heater.
以下本発明を実施するための最良の形態を、図に示す実施例を参照して説明する。 The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.
図１は本発明に係る定着装置を用いる画像形成装置の全体構成の模式的断面図である。図中４１は回転体からなる像担持体の一例であってドラム形状の感光体を示している。この感光体４１の周りには、図中に矢印で示す向きの回転方向順に、帯電ローラからなる帯電装置４２、露光手段の一部を構成するミラー４３、現像ローラ４４ａを備えた現像装置４４、記録材Ｐとしての転写紙に現像画像を転写する転写装置４８、感光体４１の周面に摺接するブレード４６ａを備えたクリーニング装置４６等が配置してある。感光体４１上には、帯電装置４２と現像ローラ４４ａとの間でミラー４３を介して露光光Ｌｂが走査されるようになっている。この露光光Ｌｂの照射位置を露光部１５０と言う。 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus using a fixing device according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes an example of an image carrier made of a rotating body, which shows a drum-shaped photoconductor. Around the photosensitive member 41, a developing device 44 including a charging device 42 composed of a charging roller, a mirror 43 constituting a part of the exposure means, and a developing roller 44a in the rotation direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing, A transfer device 48 that transfers the developed image onto transfer paper as the recording material P, a cleaning device 46 that includes a blade 46 a that slides on the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 41, and the like are disposed. On the photosensitive member 41, the exposure light Lb is scanned through the mirror 43 between the charging device 42 and the developing roller 44a. The irradiation position of the exposure light Lb is referred to as an exposure unit 150.
転写装置４８は感光体４１の下面と対向させて設けてある。この転写装置４８と対向している部位が転写部４７である。この転写部４７のさらに感光体４１の回転方向で上流側の位置には、一対のレジストローラ４９が設けてある。このレジストローラ４９に向けて、図示しない搬送ガイドにより案内して図示しない給紙トレイに収納した記録材Ｐを給紙コロ１１０から送り出すようになっている。また転写部４７の感光体４１の回転方向でさらに下流の位置には、定着装置１０が配置してある。 The transfer device 48 is provided to face the lower surface of the photoreceptor 41. A portion facing the transfer device 48 is a transfer portion 47. A pair of registration rollers 49 are provided at a position upstream of the transfer portion 47 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 41. A recording material P guided by a conveyance guide (not shown) and stored in a paper supply tray (not shown) is sent out from the paper supply roller 110 toward the registration roller 49. Further, the fixing device 10 is disposed at a position further downstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 41 of the transfer unit 47.
この画像形成装置における画像形成は次のようにして行う。感光体４１が回転を始め、この回転中に感光体４１を暗中において帯電装置４２により均一に帯電させ、露光光Ｌｂを露光部１５０に照射、走査し、作成すべき画像に対応した潜像を形成する。この潜像は、感光体４１の回転により現像装置４４に移動し、ここで現像装置４４でトナーにより可視像化し、トナー像を形成する。 Image formation in this image forming apparatus is performed as follows. The photosensitive member 41 starts to rotate, and during this rotation, the photosensitive member 41 is uniformly charged by the charging device 42 in the dark, and the exposure unit 150 is irradiated and scanned with the exposure light Lb to form a latent image corresponding to the image to be created. Form. The latent image is moved to the developing device 44 by the rotation of the photoconductor 41, where the developing device 44 visualizes it with toner to form a toner image.
一方、給紙コロ１１０により給紙トレイ上の記録材Ｐの送給を開始し、図中に破線で示す搬送経路を経て一対のレジストローラ４９の位置で記録材Ｐをいったん停止させ、感光体４１上のトナー像と転写部４７で合致するように送り出しのタイミングを図る。そして好適なタイミングでレジストローラ４９が回転し、停止していた記録材Ｐを送り出し、転写部４７に向けて搬送する。そして感光体４１上のトナー像と記録材Ｐとを転写部４７で合致させ、転写装置４８による電界印加によってトナー像を記録材Ｐ上に転写する。 On the other hand, the feeding of the recording material P on the paper feeding tray is started by the paper feeding roller 110, and the recording material P is temporarily stopped at the position of the pair of registration rollers 49 via the conveyance path indicated by the broken line in the drawing, and the photoconductor The delivery timing is set so that the toner image on the toner 41 coincides with the transfer portion 47. Then, the registration roller 49 rotates at a suitable timing, and the recording material P that has been stopped is sent out and conveyed toward the transfer unit 47. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 41 and the recording material P are matched with each other by the transfer unit 47, and the toner image is transferred onto the recording material P by applying an electric field by the transfer device 48.
こうして感光体４１周りの画像形成部でトナー像を担持させた記録材Ｐは、次いで定着装置１０に向けて送り出す。記録材Ｐ上のトナー像は定着装置１０を通過する間にその記録材Ｐ上に定着させ、トナー像の定着を受けた記録材Ｐは、図示を省略した排紙部へ排紙する。 The recording material P carrying the toner image in the image forming portion around the photoreceptor 41 is then sent out to the fixing device 10. The toner image on the recording material P is fixed on the recording material P while passing through the fixing device 10, and the recording material P that has been fixed on the toner image is discharged to a paper discharge unit (not shown).
一方、転写部４７で転写されずに感光体４１上に残った残留トナーは、感光体４１の回転と共にクリーニング装置４６に至り、クリーニング装置４６を通過する間に清掃される。感光体４１は、その状態で次の画像形成に備える。 On the other hand, residual toner that is not transferred by the transfer unit 47 and remains on the photoconductor 41 reaches the cleaning device 46 along with the rotation of the photoconductor 41 and is cleaned while passing through the cleaning device 46. The photoconductor 41 prepares for the next image formation in that state.
図２、図３は本発明の実施対象となり得る定着装置の概念的断面図、図４は図２、図３の定着装置の回路構成を模式的に示すブロック図である。図示のように、本例の定着装置１０は、定着部材１４、加圧部材１５を含み、定着部材１４内に加熱部１を備え、定着部材１４外に定着温度検出手段８を備えている。また定着装置１０は、制御系として定着部温度検出手段８（８ａ、８ｂ、８ｃ）からの温度情報に応じて、補助電源装置３から定着装置１０への供給電力を制御するための制御手段６０を有している。 2 and 3 are conceptual cross-sectional views of a fixing device that can be an object of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the fixing device of FIGS. As shown in the figure, the fixing device 10 of this example includes a fixing member 14 and a pressure member 15, the heating unit 1 is provided in the fixing member 14, and the fixing temperature detecting means 8 is provided outside the fixing member 14. The fixing device 10 also has a control means 60 for controlling the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device 3 to the fixing device 10 according to temperature information from the fixing portion temperature detecting means 8 (8a, 8b, 8c) as a control system. have.
定着部温度検出手段８は、定着部長手方向（図２の紙面垂直方向、図３の紙面左右方向）で、どのサイズの記録媒体Ｐでも通過する中心近傍に中央部温度検出手段８ａを配し、小サイズ紙は通過しない定着部端部に端部温度検出手段８ｂを配してある。これら温度検出手段は、サーミスタ、熱電対、赤外線温度検知装置等の適宜の手段で構成し、制御手段６０へ温度情報を送る。制御手段６０は、定着部温度検出手段８から得た温度情報をもとに、定着装置１０の加熱手段１への給電開始、給電停止、給電量増減等の制御を行える。さらに図示の定着装置１０は、図４の回路構成に示すように、制御手段６０の指令に基づいてオンオフする接点を電力制御手段（後述）として備えている。 The fixing unit temperature detecting means 8 is provided with a central temperature detecting means 8a in the longitudinal direction of the fixing unit (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2, left and right direction in FIG. 3) in the vicinity of the center where any size recording medium P passes. The end temperature detecting means 8b is arranged at the end of the fixing unit where small size paper does not pass. These temperature detection means are composed of appropriate means such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, an infrared temperature detection device, etc., and send temperature information to the control means 60. Based on the temperature information obtained from the fixing unit temperature detection unit 8, the control unit 60 can control starting, stopping, and increasing / decreasing the amount of power supplied to the heating unit 1 of the fixing device 10. Further, as shown in the circuit configuration of FIG. 4, the illustrated fixing device 10 includes a contact for turning on and off based on a command from the control unit 60 as a power control unit (described later).
また画像形成装置に電力を供給する主電源装置２は、商用電源から電力を得て画像形成装置各部の各種ユニットへ給電を行う。一般的な機器と同様に、商用電源のコンセントに電源線のプラグを挿入して接続することで、画像形成装置内の各ユニット等へ電力を供給することができる。 The main power supply 2 that supplies power to the image forming apparatus obtains power from a commercial power supply and supplies power to various units in each part of the image forming apparatus. As with general equipment, power can be supplied to each unit or the like in the image forming apparatus by inserting a plug of a power line into a commercial power outlet.
補助電源装置３は、電気二重層キャパシタ（あるいは電気二重層コンデンサ）等の蓄電手段あるいは蓄電装置を有し、主電源装置２からの充電で蓄電した電力を、主電源装置２の供給電力に加えて供給できる構成となっており、大電力を画像形成装置へ給電できる。なお、電気二重層キャパシタだけでなく、Ｌｉイオンやニッケル水素等の二次電池でも、酸化還元を利用する疑似容量キャパシタ等も補助電源装置３における蓄電に用いることができる。 The auxiliary power supply device 3 has power storage means or a power storage device such as an electric double layer capacitor (or an electric double layer capacitor), and adds the power stored by charging from the main power supply device 2 to the power supplied to the main power supply device 2. The large power can be supplied to the image forming apparatus. It should be noted that not only the electric double layer capacitor but also a secondary battery such as Li ion or nickel hydride, a pseudo-capacitance capacitor using oxidation-reduction, or the like can be used for power storage in the auxiliary power supply device 3.
定着部材１４内の加熱部１は、発熱体１ａ、１ｂ、１ｃ（ＡＣヒータ１ａ、１ｂ、ＤＣヒータ１ｃ：以下、主発熱部材１ａ、１ｂと補助発熱部材１ｃと言う）を有し、また主電源装置２、補助電源装置３に加え、充電器４、充放電切換手段５、主電源からの電力供給を制御する主電力制御手段６ａ、６ｂと補助電源からの電力供給を制御する補助電力制御手段６ｃを有している。なおこれら電力制御手段６ａ、６ｂ、６ｃは、図ではオンオフスイッチとして描いてあるが、もちろんこれに限定されず、ＦＥＴ、ＩＧＢＴ、トライアックなど、種々のタイプの制御素子等を採用できる。 The heating unit 1 in the fixing member 14 includes heating elements 1a, 1b, 1c (AC heaters 1a, 1b, DC heater 1c: hereinafter referred to as main heating members 1a, 1b and auxiliary heating member 1c). In addition to the power supply device 2 and the auxiliary power supply device 3, the charger 4, the charge / discharge switching means 5, the main power control means 6 a and 6 b for controlling the power supply from the main power supply, and the auxiliary power control for controlling the power supply from the auxiliary power supply Means 6c are provided. These power control means 6a, 6b, and 6c are illustrated as on / off switches in the figure, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of control elements such as FETs, IGBTs, and triacs can be employed.
主発熱部材１ａは、主電源装置２から電力を供給されて発熱し、定着部材１４の軸方向で小サイズ紙でも通過する位置である中央部を加熱する。例えば、Ａ４縦サイズの記録媒体を通紙する範囲を加熱するように、幅約２００ｍｍ程度の中央部を加熱する１００Ｖ、５００ｗのハロゲンヒータを用いることができる。 The main heat generating member 1a is heated by being supplied with electric power from the main power supply device 2, and heats the central portion which is a position where even a small size paper passes in the axial direction of the fixing member 14. For example, a 100 V, 500 w halogen heater that heats the central portion of about 200 mm width can be used so as to heat the area through which the A4 vertical size recording medium passes.
主発熱体１ｂは同じく主電源からの電力供給で発熱し、小サイズの記録媒体では通紙されない定着部材１４の端部を加熱する。例えば、Ａ４横通紙の範囲を加熱するように、幅約３１０ｍｍ程度の端部を加熱するように、１００Ｖ、７００ｗ程度のハロゲンヒータを用いている。定着部材１４の軸方向中央部の幅約２００ｍｍの範囲は発熱しない構成となっている。 Similarly, the main heating element 1b generates heat by supplying power from the main power source, and heats the end of the fixing member 14 that is not passed through a small-size recording medium. For example, a halogen heater of about 100 V and 700 w is used so as to heat the end of about 310 mm in width so as to heat the range of A4 landscape paper. A range of about 200 mm in width at the axial center of the fixing member 14 is configured not to generate heat.
一方、補助発熱部材１ｃは補助電源装置３からの電力供給により発熱し、定着部材１４の軸方向のほぼ全域を加熱することができる。この補助発熱部材１ｃは、例えば１００Ｖ、１２００ｗのハロゲンヒータから構成できる。 On the other hand, the auxiliary heat generating member 1 c generates heat by supplying power from the auxiliary power supply device 3 and can heat almost the entire area of the fixing member 14 in the axial direction. The auxiliary heat generating member 1c can be composed of, for example, a 100V, 1200w halogen heater.
なおこれら発熱体には、例えば、ガラス管の中に形成したフィラメントに電流を流すことで発熱するハロゲンランプあるいはハロゲンヒータを用いることができるが、本発明ではハロゲンランプ等に限らず、誘導加熱を用いた構成としても、あるいはセラミックヒータを用いた構成としてもかまわない。 As these heating elements, for example, a halogen lamp or a halogen heater that generates heat by passing a current through a filament formed in a glass tube can be used. However, in the present invention, induction heating is not limited to a halogen lamp or the like. The configuration used may be a configuration using a ceramic heater or a ceramic heater.
定着部材１４のローラ基体は、例えばアルミや鉄等の金属製であることが、耐久性や加圧による変形等の点から望ましい。またローラ表面にはトナーとの固着を防ぐための離型層を形成していることが望ましく、ローラ内面にはハロゲンヒータの熱を効率よく吸収するための黒化処理をしていることが望ましい。さらに、図示はしないがローラでなくベルトによってニップ部を形成したベルト定着構成であってもかまわない。 The roller base of the fixing member 14 is preferably made of a metal such as aluminum or iron from the viewpoint of durability, deformation due to pressure, or the like. In addition, it is desirable to form a release layer on the roller surface to prevent adhesion with the toner, and it is desirable that the inner surface of the roller be blackened to efficiently absorb the heat of the halogen heater. . Further, although not shown, a belt fixing configuration in which a nip portion is formed by a belt instead of a roller may be used.
加圧部材１５は、芯金にゴム等の弾性層を形成することで、定着部材１４との間にニップ部を形成し、このニップ部に未定着画像を形成した紙等の記録材Ｐを通紙することで熱と圧力によりトナー像を記録材Ｐ上に定着する。また、加圧部材１５として発泡層を有する加圧ローラで定着部材１４との間にニップ部を形成してもよい。この場合、発泡層の断熱効果により定着部材１４の熱が加圧ローラに伝わりにくくなるので、定着部材１４を早く昇温できる。 The pressure member 15 forms an nip portion between the fixing member 14 by forming an elastic layer such as rubber on the core metal, and a recording material P such as paper on which an unfixed image is formed on the nip portion. By passing the paper, the toner image is fixed on the recording material P by heat and pressure. Further, a nip portion may be formed between the pressure member 15 and the fixing member 14 with a pressure roller having a foam layer. In this case, the heat of the fixing member 14 is not easily transmitted to the pressure roller due to the heat insulating effect of the foam layer, so that the temperature of the fixing member 14 can be increased quickly.
補助電源装置３は主電源装置２からの電力を充電して補助発熱部材１ｃへ給電するための電源である。主電源からの電力を電圧調整やＡＣ／ＤＣ変換して補助電源へ供給する充電器４により主電源から供給される電力を蓄えることができ、充放電切換手段５により、加熱部１へ補助電力を供給することができる。 The auxiliary power supply 3 is a power supply for charging the power from the main power supply 2 and supplying power to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c. The power supplied from the main power source can be stored by the charger 4 that supplies the power from the main power source to the auxiliary power source after voltage adjustment or AC / DC conversion, and the auxiliary power is supplied to the heating unit 1 by the charge / discharge switching means 5. Can be supplied.
具体的には、主電源装置２はプラグ５１で商用電源のコンセントから電力を得て、画像形成装置各部のユニットに給電を行う。日本では１００Ｖの電圧で１５Ａ程度の電流容量に制限され、主電源装置２からの電力は１５００Ｗ程度が最大電力となることが多い。なお、電圧の調整及び交流と直流の整流や電圧を安定化する等の機能を有していてもよい。 Specifically, the main power supply device 2 obtains electric power from the outlet of a commercial power supply with the plug 51, and supplies power to the units of each part of the image forming apparatus. In Japan, the current capacity is limited to about 15 A at a voltage of 100 V, and the power from the main power supply 2 is often about 1500 W. It may have functions such as voltage adjustment, AC and DC rectification, and voltage stabilization.
補助電源装置３は、例えば電気二重層キャパシタからなるキャパシタセルを複数個接続して構成し、主電源装置２からの充電で蓄電した電力を、立上時や連続通紙時等より多くの電力供給が望まれるとき等に供給する構成とすることで、主電源装置２の供給電力を越えた電力を画像形成装置に給電することを可能としている。 The auxiliary power supply device 3 is configured by connecting a plurality of capacitor cells made of, for example, electric double layer capacitors, and the electric power stored by charging from the main power supply device 2 is larger than that at the time of start-up or continuous paper passing. By adopting a configuration that supplies power when it is desired, it is possible to supply power exceeding the power supplied to the main power supply 2 to the image forming apparatus.
一構成例としての補助電源装置３は、２．５ｖ、８００Ｆで、内部抵抗が５ｍΩ以下の、径が３５ｍｍ、長さが１２０ｍｍ程度のキャパシタセルを、４０本直列に接続することで１００Ｖのモジュールを構成したものを用いる。直列に接続する際の各セルの電圧バランスを確保するために、図示しない電圧バランス回路を備えることで動作の長期的な安定性を確保することが可能である。また、内部抵抗が５ｍΩ以下とすると、立上時の２０Ａを越える大電流でも補助電源装置３の端子間電圧の低下がリチウム電池やニッケル水素電池等の二次電池よりも小さくて済む。また、キャパシタの中でも小さい値であるため、より少ないキャパシタセル本数で大電力を得られ、そのため装置サイズとコストの面で有利である。 The auxiliary power supply 3 as an example of the configuration is a module of 100 V by connecting 40 capacitor cells having a diameter of 35 mm and a length of about 120 mm in series with 2.5 V and 800 F, an internal resistance of 5 mΩ or less. Is used. In order to ensure the voltage balance of each cell when connected in series, it is possible to ensure long-term stability of operation by providing a voltage balance circuit (not shown). If the internal resistance is 5 mΩ or less, the voltage drop between the terminals of the auxiliary power supply 3 can be smaller than that of a secondary battery such as a lithium battery or a nickel metal hydride battery even at a large current exceeding 20 A at the time of startup. Moreover, since it is a small value among capacitors, large power can be obtained with a smaller number of capacitor cells, which is advantageous in terms of device size and cost.
そして補助電源装置３は充放電可能な電源であり、大容量コンデンサである電気二重層キャパシタを用い、電気二重層キャパシタが二次電池と異なり、化学反応を伴わないため、充電時間が短く、寿命が長いという優れた特徴を有する。 The auxiliary power supply 3 is a chargeable / dischargeable power supply, and uses an electric double layer capacitor that is a large-capacity capacitor. Unlike the secondary battery, the electric double layer capacitor does not involve a chemical reaction. Has the excellent feature of being long.
すなわち、二次電池として一般的なニッケル−カドミウム電池を用いた補助電源では、急速充電を行っても数十分〜数時間の時間を要するため、一日の大電力供給可能回数が数時間おきに数回しか実現できず、実用的ではなかった。これに対し、コンデンサを用いた補助電源では数１０秒〜数分程度の急速な充電が可能であるため、充電時間が短くて済み、例えば印刷をしておらず、主電源の供給電力に余裕のあるときに充電を行い、補助電源を用いた加熱の回数を実用的な回数にまで増やすことができる。 In other words, an auxiliary power source using a general nickel-cadmium battery as a secondary battery requires several tens of minutes to several hours even if quick charging is performed. This was not practical because it could be realized only a few times. On the other hand, an auxiliary power source using a capacitor can be rapidly charged for several tens of seconds to several minutes, so the charging time is short, for example, printing is not performed, and there is a margin in the power supply of the main power source. It is possible to charge the battery at a certain time and increase the number of times of heating using the auxiliary power source to a practical number.
また、ニッケル−カドミウム電池は充放電の繰り返し回数が５００から１０００回であるため、加熱時用補助電源としては寿命が短く、交換の手間やコストが問題となる。これに対し、コンデンサを用いた補助電源は１万回以上の寿命を有し、繰り返しの充放電による劣化も少ない。また、鉛蓄電池のように液交換や補充等も必要がないため、メンテナンスがほとんどいらない。 Further, since the nickel-cadmium battery has 500 to 1000 charge / discharge cycles, it has a short life as an auxiliary power source for heating, and there is a problem in labor and cost of replacement. On the other hand, an auxiliary power source using a capacitor has a life of 10,000 times or more, and is less deteriorated by repeated charge and discharge. Also, unlike lead-acid batteries, there is no need for liquid replacement or replenishment, so there is almost no maintenance.
そして近年では、コンデンサにも多量の電気エネルギーを蓄えられるものが開発されてきており、電気自動車等への採用も検討してある。例えば、日本ケミコン（株）の開発した電気二重層コンデンサ等は２．５Ｖで２０００Ｆ程度の静電容量を有しており、数秒から数１０秒の電力供給には十分な容量を備えている。また、日本電気（株）は、ハイパーキャパシタ（商品名）と称する８０Ｆ程度のコンデンサを実現している。さらに、日本電子（株）は、耐電圧を３．２〜３．５Ｖへ上げて電力量密度を５０〜７５ｗｈ／ｋｇと従来の５〜１０倍にしたナノゲートキャパシタ（商品名）という技術を発表している。 In recent years, capacitors that can store a large amount of electric energy have been developed, and their use in electric vehicles and the like is also under consideration. For example, an electric double layer capacitor developed by Nippon Chemi-Con Co., Ltd. has a capacitance of about 2000 F at 2.5 V, and has a sufficient capacity for supplying power for several seconds to several tens of seconds. In addition, NEC Corporation has realized a capacitor of about 80F called a hypercapacitor (trade name). Furthermore, JEOL Ltd. increased the withstand voltage to 3.2 to 3.5 V and increased the energy density to 50 to 75 wh / kg, a technology called nanogate capacitor (trade name) that is 5 to 10 times the conventional one. Announcing.
上述のように加熱部１は主発熱部材１ａ、１ｂ、補助発熱部材１ｃを有しているが、これにはハロゲンヒータを用い
ることができ、ガラス管の中に形成したフィラメントに電流を流すことで発熱させている。ただし、本発明ではハロゲンランプあるいはハロゲンヒータに限らず、誘導加熱を用いても、セラミックヒータを用いた構成としてもかまわない。
As described above, the heating unit 1 includes the main heat generating members 1a and 1b and the auxiliary heat generating member 1c. For this, a halogen heater can be used, and a current is passed through the filament formed in the glass tube. It generates heat. However, the present invention is not limited to the halogen lamp or the halogen heater, and induction heating may be used or a ceramic heater may be used.
前述のような加熱部１に供給する電力は、主電源装置２から加熱部１の主発熱部材１ａに供給する構成にしてあるとともに、補助発熱部材１ｃに対しても補助電源装置３からも電力を供給可能である。補助電源装置３では、あらかじめ充電器４によって電力を蓄えておくことができ、任意のタイミングで補助発熱部材１ｃに電力を供給することができる。 The electric power supplied to the heating unit 1 as described above is configured to be supplied from the main power supply device 2 to the main heat generating member 1a of the heating unit 1, and power is supplied from the auxiliary power supply device 3 to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c. Can be supplied. In the auxiliary power supply device 3, electric power can be stored in advance by the charger 4, and electric power can be supplied to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c at an arbitrary timing.
また主電源装置２に加えて補助電源装置３の電力を加熱部１に供給することで、主電源装置２による供給電力を上回る大量の電力を加熱部１に供給することができる。このため、図５（Ａ）に示すように加熱部１の温度が室温から所定の温度になるまでの温度上昇時間は、主電源装置２だけを用いるよりも、主電源装置２と補助電源装置３を同時に用いたほうが昇温時間を短くすることができる。 In addition to supplying the power from the auxiliary power supply 3 to the heating unit 1 in addition to the main power supply 2, a large amount of power exceeding the power supplied by the main power supply 2 can be supplied to the heating unit 1. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5A, the temperature rise time until the temperature of the heating unit 1 changes from room temperature to a predetermined temperature is higher than that using only the main power supply device 2 and the main power supply device 2 and auxiliary power supply device. The temperature raising time can be shortened by using 3 at the same time.
また図５（Ｂ）に示すように、連続通紙で紙等の記録材に奪われる熱量が多い場合、主電源装置２からの給電だけでは所定の最低温度を下回ってしまう場合でも、補助電源装置３からの給電を加えた場合には落ち込みを小さくすることが可能である。このため、単位時間当たりの通紙をより多くした機械の高速化が可能である。 Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when a large amount of heat is taken away by a recording material such as paper by continuous paper passing, even if power supply from the main power supply 2 alone is below a predetermined minimum temperature, the auxiliary power supply When power is supplied from the device 3, the drop can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to increase the speed of the machine with more paper passing per unit time.
図６は、薄肉ローラを使っても定着部材の温度落ち込みがなくて高速昇温が可能な高速機を実現できる例を説明するための図である。まず初期状態では、商用電源から電力を供給して、電気二重層キャパシタ等の急速充電が可能な大容量コンデンサ等を有する補助電源装置３へ充電をしておく。電気的な放電が小さいので、一晩程度では充分電力を保持できていると共に、通常はコンセントもつなぎっぱなしであるため、もし放電が所定値より低下しても商用電源から充電を行うことができるので、朝一番で主電源を入れた際の使用にも充電を待つ必要はない。 FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a high-speed machine capable of high-temperature temperature rise without a temperature drop of the fixing member even when a thin roller is used. First, in an initial state, power is supplied from a commercial power source, and the auxiliary power supply device 3 having a large-capacity capacitor capable of rapid charging such as an electric double layer capacitor is charged. Since the electrical discharge is small, enough power can be maintained for about one night, and since the outlet is usually kept connected, it is possible to charge from a commercial power source even if the discharge falls below a predetermined value. You can use it when you turn on the main power in the morning.
立上時には、定着ローラ等の定着部材１４の温度を、室温から短時間で昇温するときに主電源装置２に加えて補助電源装置３の電力を加熱部材へ供給することで、加熱部材１に投入されるトータルの電力を主電源装置２だけの時よりも多く供給することができ、このため短時間で加熱部材１の温度を上昇させることができる。例えば、径が４０ｍｍで厚さｔが０．７ｍｍのアルミ製薄肉ローラを定着部材に使用し、主電源からの１２００ｗ電力を主発熱部材１ａ、１ｂに補助電源からの１２００ｗヒータの電力を加えて、全体で約２４００ｗの電力を供給することで、主電源だけでは３０秒の立上時間であったものが、約１５秒へ短縮することが可能である。なお図７では、朝一番の立上に補助電源３からの電力を使わない場合、補助電力を商用電力に加える復帰時の昇温よりも時間が掛かることを示している。 At the time of start-up, when the temperature of the fixing member 14 such as a fixing roller is raised from room temperature in a short time, in addition to the main power supply device 2, the power of the auxiliary power supply device 3 is supplied to the heating member 1. The total electric power supplied to can be supplied more than when only the main power supply device 2 is used, and therefore the temperature of the heating member 1 can be raised in a short time. For example, an aluminum thin roller having a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness t of 0.7 mm is used as a fixing member, and 1200 W power from the main power source is applied to the main heating members 1 a and 1 b by applying 1200 W heater power from the auxiliary power source. By supplying about 2400 w of electric power as a whole, it is possible to shorten the startup time of 30 seconds with only the main power source to about 15 seconds. FIG. 7 shows that when the power from the auxiliary power supply 3 is not used for the first rise in the morning, it takes longer than the temperature rise at the time of return when the auxiliary power is added to the commercial power.
またなお、補助電源がキャパシタであるため、給電中に電圧が低下することで供給電力は１２００ｗから徐々に低減する。この特徴により、所定の時間が経つと非常に小さい供給電力となり、紙が発火するような５００℃といった温度まで昇温するような場合には昇温速度が低下する構成が可能である。これにより安全に短時間昇温を実現する構成を提供することができる。 In addition, since the auxiliary power supply is a capacitor, the supply power gradually decreases from 1200 w due to the voltage drop during power feeding. Due to this feature, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which, when a predetermined time elapses, the power supply becomes very small, and when the temperature is raised to a temperature of 500 ° C. at which paper is ignited, the rate of temperature rise is reduced. Thereby, the structure which implement | achieves temperature rising safely for a short time can be provided.
なお安全確保のために、システムが暴走した際を想定して温度ヒューズやサーモスタット等の安全回路で直接電源回路を遮断して電力供給を終了させる安全装置を設置することが望ましい。 In order to ensure safety, it is desirable to install a safety device that shuts off the power supply circuit directly by a safety circuit such as a temperature fuse or a thermostat in the event that the system runs out of control.
また、単純に電力を増やす方法としては、商用電源を２系統にして電力を増やしたり、二次電池や燃料電池等を使うことも考えられるが、これらの方法ではほぼ継続的に大電力を供給することができるため、昇温時間が短くなるとこれら安全回路の反応時間が遅くて昇温速度に追いつかなくなる。このため、安全回路が作動する頃には加熱部の温度が高くなり過ぎ、最悪の場合は発火してしまうこともありうる。一方、キャパシタを用いた構成ではシステムが暴走して制御がきかなくなり、電力供給が続いても、所定の電力を使い果たしてしまうと発熱部材の発熱が終了し、その温度上昇が自然にストップしてくれるため、キャパシタを熱源として用いることで、安全に昇温時間の短縮を実現することができる。 In addition, as a method of simply increasing the power, it is possible to increase the power by using two commercial power sources, or to use a secondary battery or a fuel cell, but these methods supply a large amount of power almost continuously. Therefore, when the temperature rise time is shortened, the reaction time of these safety circuits is slow and the temperature rise rate cannot be caught up. For this reason, when the safety circuit is activated, the temperature of the heating part becomes too high, and in the worst case, it may ignite. On the other hand, in a configuration using capacitors, the system runs out of control and control is not possible, and even if power supply continues, if the specified power is used up, the heat generation of the heat generating member ends, and the temperature rise stops naturally. Therefore, by using the capacitor as a heat source, it is possible to safely shorten the heating time.
通紙については、薄肉ローラであるため、単位時間あたりの通紙枚数が多いとローラ温度が低下しやすいが、通紙時に補助電力を主電力に加えて供給して温度低下を防ぐことができるため、高速層でも薄肉ローラを使用して昇温時間が短くて使い勝手の良い画像形成装置を提供することができる。 As for the sheet passing, since it is a thin roller, the roller temperature tends to decrease when the number of sheets passed per unit time is large, but it is possible to prevent the temperature drop by supplying auxiliary power in addition to the main power during sheet passing. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus that uses a thin roller even in a high-speed layer and has a short temperature rise time.
本画像形成装置においては、通紙直後の温度低下が防止できるため、通常であれば６０ｃｐｍ程度が限界であった薄肉ローラでも、７５ｃｐｍでの高速な画像形成が可能である。 In this image forming apparatus, since the temperature drop immediately after the paper can be prevented, a high-speed image formation at 75 cpm is possible even with a thin roller that is normally limited to about 60 cpm.
充電については、主電源装置２からの給電に余裕のある待機状態で、主電源装置２から補助電源装置３へ電力を供給して充電をしておく。キャパシタを補助電源に用いると充電時間を数分程度と短くできる。そして、この充電中の数分以内であれば加熱部材が冷めないため補助電源を使わずにすむか、もしくは途中までの充電電力で間に合う。このため、次の利用者が充電を待つ必要がなく快適な機能を提供することができる。 Regarding charging, power is supplied from the main power supply device 2 to the auxiliary power supply device 3 in a standby state in which power supply from the main power supply device 2 has a margin. When a capacitor is used as an auxiliary power source, the charging time can be shortened to about several minutes. And if it is within several minutes during this charge, since a heating member does not cool, it is unnecessary to use an auxiliary power supply, or it is in time with the charging power to the middle. For this reason, it is not necessary for the next user to wait for charging, and a comfortable function can be provided.
図８、図９は、本発明の実施例における記録媒体通紙時のＡＣ、ＤＣ給電フローチャートであり、図８は大サイズ時の温度制御、図９は小サイズ時の温度制御を示す。なおこれらの制御フローに入る前に、通紙する記録媒体のサイズを判定するフローが存在するが、従来公知あるいは周知のフローを用いれば良いので、図示及び説明を省略する。 8 and 9 are AC and DC power supply flowcharts when the recording medium is fed in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows temperature control for a large size, and FIG. 9 shows temperature control for a small size. Before entering the control flow, there is a flow for determining the size of the recording medium to be passed. However, since a conventionally known or well-known flow may be used, illustration and description are omitted.
通紙する記録媒体Ｐのサイズが大サイズ時の温度制御は、図８（Ａ）に示すように、定着部材１４の軸方向中央部の温度Ｔｃを検出し（ステップ１）、設定温度Ｔ０（例えば１９０度）と対比し（ステップ２）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｃ＜Ｔ０であれば中央部ヒータである主発熱部材１ａをオンとし（ステップ３）、Ｔｃ＜Ｔ０でなければ主発熱部材１ａをオフとする（ステップ４）制御を行い、通紙が終了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ５：チェックは適宜公知の手段を用いればよい。以下同じ。）、通紙中であればステップ１へ戻り、通紙終了であれば処理を終了する。更に、図８（Ｂ）に示すように、定着部材１４の軸方向端部の温度Ｔｒを検出し（ステップ６）、設定温度Ｔ０と対比し（ステップ７）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ０であれば端部ヒータである主発熱部材１ｂをオンとし（ステップ８）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ０でなければ主発熱部材１ｂをオフとする（ステップ９）制御を行い、通紙が終了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ１０）、通紙中であればステップ６へ戻り、通紙終了であれば処理を終了する。更に、図８（Ｃ）に示すように、定着部材１４の軸方向中央部の温度Ｔｃを検出し（ステップ１１）、設定温度Ｔ１（例えば１８０度）と対比し（ステップ１２）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｃ＜Ｔ１であれば全幅ヒータである補助発熱部材１ｃをオンとし（ステップ１３）、Ｔｃ＜Ｔ１でなければ補助発熱部材１ｃをオフとする（ステップ１４）制御を行い、通紙が終了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ１５）、通紙中であればステップ１１へ戻り、通紙終了であれば処理を終了する。 As shown in FIG. 8A, the temperature control when the size of the recording medium P to be passed is large is detected by detecting the temperature Tc at the central portion in the axial direction of the fixing member 14 (step 1), and the set temperature T0 ( For example, the main heating member 1a, which is the central heater, is turned on if Tc <T0 (step 3). If Tc <T0, the main heating member 1a is compared. Is turned off (step 4), and it is checked whether or not the paper has been passed (step 5: a known means can be used as appropriate, the same applies hereinafter). Returning to 1, if the paper passing is completed, the process is terminated. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the temperature Tr at the axial end of the fixing member 14 is detected (step 6) and compared with the set temperature T0 (step 7). Based on the result, Tr <T0. If so, the main heating member 1b as an end heater is turned on (step 8), and if Tr <T0, the main heating member 1b is turned off (step 9). Is checked (step 10), the process returns to step 6 if the paper is being passed, and the process is ended if the paper is passed. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, the temperature Tc at the axial center of the fixing member 14 is detected (step 11) and compared with the set temperature T1 (for example, 180 degrees) (step 12). Based on this, if Tc <T1, the auxiliary heating member 1c, which is a full width heater, is turned on (step 13), and if not Tc <T1, the auxiliary heating member 1c is turned off (step 14). It is checked whether or not the paper has been passed (step 15). If the paper is being passed, the process returns to step 11;
上記通紙する記録媒体Ｐのサイズが大サイズ時の温度制御においては、設定温度Ｔ０と中央部温度Ｔｃの対比結果に基づき、中央部ヒータをオンオフ制御し、設定温度Ｔ０と端部温度Ｔｒの対比結果に基づき、端部ヒータをオンオフ制御し、設定温度Ｔ１と中央部温度Ｔｃの対比結果に基づき、全幅ヒータをオンオフ制御する。なお、本実施例では、補助電源を用いる全幅ヒータの設定温度を中央ヒータの設定温度よりも低くすることにより、電力ロスを低減している。 In the temperature control when the size of the recording medium P to be passed is large, the central heater is turned on / off based on the comparison result between the set temperature T0 and the central temperature Tc, and the set temperature T0 and the end temperature Tr are controlled. The end heater is turned on / off based on the comparison result, and the full width heater is turned on / off based on the comparison result between the set temperature T1 and the center temperature Tc. In this embodiment, the power loss is reduced by making the set temperature of the full width heater using the auxiliary power source lower than the set temperature of the central heater.
通紙する記録媒体Ｐのサイズが小サイズ時の温度制御は、図９（Ａ）に示すように、定着部材１４の軸方向中央部の温度Ｔｃを検出し（ステップ２１）、設定温度Ｔ０と対比し（ステップ２２）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｃ＜Ｔ０であれば中央部ヒータである主発熱部材１ａをオンとし（ステップ２３）、Ｔｃ＜Ｔ０でなければ主発熱部材１ａをオフとする（ステップ２４）制御を行い、通紙が終了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ２５）、通紙中であればステップ２１へ戻り、通紙終了であれば処理を終了する。更に、図９（Ｂ）に示すように、定着部材１４の軸方向端部の温度Ｔｒを検出し（ステップ２６）、設定温度Ｔ２（例えば１３０度）と対比し（ステップ２７）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ２であれば端部ヒータである主発熱部材１ｂをオンとし（ステップ２８）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ２でなければ主発熱部材１ｂをオフとする（ステップ２９）制御を行い、通紙が終了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ３０）、通紙中であればステップ２６へ戻り、通紙終了であれば処理を終了する。更に、図９（Ｃ）に示すように、定着部材１４の軸方向端部の温度Ｔｒを検出し（ステップ３１）、設定温度Ｔ２と対比し（ステップ３２）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ２であれば全幅ヒータである補助発熱部材１ｃをオンとし（ステップ３３）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ２でなければ補助発熱部材１ｃをオフとする（ステップ３４）制御を行い、通紙が終了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ３５）、通紙中であればステップ３１へ戻り、通紙終了であれば処理を終了する。 As shown in FIG. 9A, the temperature control when the size of the recording medium P to be passed is small is detected by detecting the temperature Tc at the central portion in the axial direction of the fixing member 14 (step 21), and the set temperature T0. Contrast (step 22), based on the result, if Tc <T0, the main heating member 1a as the central heater is turned on (step 23), and if Tc <T0, the main heating member 1a is turned off (step T). Step 24) Control is performed to check whether or not the paper has been passed (step 25). If the paper is being passed, the process returns to step 21. If the paper is passed, the process is terminated. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the temperature Tr at the axial end of the fixing member 14 is detected (step 26) and compared with the set temperature T2 (for example, 130 degrees) (step 27). Based on this, if Tr <T2, the main heating member 1b, which is an end heater, is turned on (step 28), and if Tr <T2, the main heating member 1b is turned off (step 29). It is checked whether or not the printing has been completed (step 30). If the paper is being passed, the process returns to step 26, and if the paper has been passed, the process is terminated. Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the temperature Tr at the axial end of the fixing member 14 is detected (step 31) and compared with the set temperature T2 (step 32). Based on the result, Tr <T2 If so, the auxiliary heating member 1c, which is a full width heater, is turned on (step 33), and if Tr <T2, the auxiliary heating member 1c is turned off (step 34). A check is made (step 35). If the paper is being passed, the process returns to step 31. If the paper is passed, the process is terminated.
上記通紙する記録媒体Ｐのサイズが小サイズ時の温度制御においては、設定温度Ｔ０と中央部温度Ｔｃの対比結果に基づき、中央部ヒータをオンオフ制御し、設定温度Ｔ２と端部温度Ｔｒの対比結果に基づき、端部ヒータをオンオフ制御し、設定温度Ｔ２と端部温度Ｔｒの対比結果に基づき、全幅ヒータをオンオフ制御する。 In the temperature control when the size of the recording medium P to be passed is small, the central heater is turned on / off based on the comparison result between the set temperature T0 and the central temperature Tc, and the set temperature T2 and the end temperature Tr are controlled. The end heater is controlled to be turned on / off based on the comparison result, and the full width heater is turned on / off based on the comparison result between the set temperature T2 and the end temperature Tr.
次に、本発明の特徴である端部昇温防止の動作を詳しく説明する。図１０（Ａ）は、大サイズ紙の場合の動作を示す図である。各グラフの横軸が時間で、縦軸は中央部と端部の温度、給電状態として主電源から中央部、主電源から端部、補助電源から補助加熱体への給電状態を示す模式図である。図１０（Ａ）は、図８（Ａ）〜（Ｃ）のフローチャートに対応している。通紙巾の大きいサイズ、例えばＡ４用紙を横方向（幅：約３００ｍｍ）で連続的に印刷する際の動作時は、主電源装置２からは中央部温度検知手段８ａの検知温度Ｔｃに応じて主発熱部材１ａへ給電を行い、端部温度検知手段８ｂの検知温度Ｔｒに応じて主発熱部材１ｂへの給電を行う。補助電源装置３からは、中央部温度検知手段８ａの検知温度Ｔｃに応じて補助発熱部材１ｃへ給電し、中央部の温度低下が検知されると補助発熱部材１ｃへの給電により温度低下を防止する。 Next, the operation for preventing temperature rise at the end, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described in detail. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case of large-size paper. The horizontal axis of each graph is time, and the vertical axis is the schematic diagram showing the power supply state from the main power source to the central part, the main power source to the end, and the auxiliary power source to the auxiliary heating body as the power supply state at the center and end temperatures. is there. FIG. 10A corresponds to the flowcharts of FIGS. At the time of continuous printing of a large paper passing width, for example, A4 paper in the horizontal direction (width: about 300 mm), the main power supply device 2 supplies the main temperature according to the detected temperature Tc of the central temperature detecting means 8a. Power is supplied to the heat generating member 1a, and power is supplied to the main heat generating member 1b according to the detected temperature Tr of the end temperature detecting means 8b. The auxiliary power supply device 3 supplies power to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c according to the detected temperature Tc of the central temperature detecting means 8a. When a temperature decrease in the central portion is detected, the temperature decrease is prevented by supplying power to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c. To do.
図１０（Ｂ）は、従来と同様の小サイズ紙の場合の動作を示す図である。通紙幅の小さいサイズ、例えばＡ４用紙を縦方向（幅：約２１０ｍｍ）で連続的に印刷する際の動作時は、主電源装置２からは中央部温度検知手段８ａの検知温度Ｔｃに応じて主発熱部材１ａへ給電を行い、端部温度検知手段８ｂの検知温度Ｔｒに応じて主発熱部材１ｂへの給電量を制御する。補助電源装置３からは、温度の低下しやすい中央部温度検知手段８ａの検知温度Ｔｃに応じて補助発熱部材１ｃへ給電する。そのため、通紙域全域を加熱する補助加熱部材１ｃへの給電が多くなり、端部の非通紙域が過度に温度上昇してしまう。 FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case of a small-size sheet similar to the conventional one. At the time of continuous printing of a size with a small sheet passing width, for example, A4 sheets in the vertical direction (width: about 210 mm), the main power supply device 2 performs main processing according to the detected temperature Tc of the central temperature detecting means 8a. Power is supplied to the heat generating member 1a, and the amount of power supplied to the main heat generating member 1b is controlled according to the detected temperature Tr of the end temperature detecting means 8b. Electric power is supplied from the auxiliary power supply 3 to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c according to the detected temperature Tc of the central temperature detecting means 8a where the temperature tends to decrease. For this reason, power is supplied to the auxiliary heating member 1c for heating the entire sheet passing area, and the temperature of the non-sheet passing area at the end portion is excessively increased.
図１０（Ｃ）は、図９（Ａ）〜（Ｃ）のフローチャートに対応している。本発明の実施例では、図１０（Ｃ）に示すように、主電源装置２からは、中央部温度検知手段８ａの検知温度に応じて主発熱部材１ａへ給電を行い、端部温度検知手段８ｂの検知温度に応じて主発熱部材１ｂへの給電量を制御する。また補助電源装置３からは、温度の低下しにくい端部温度検知手段８ｂの検知温度Ｔｒに応じて補助発熱部材１ｃへ給電する。このため、通紙域全域を加熱する補助発熱部材１ｃへの給電が少なくなり、そのために定着部材１４の軸方向端部の非通紙域において、加熱による過度な温度上昇を抑えることが可能となる。 FIG. 10C corresponds to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10 (C), the main power supply device 2 supplies power to the main heating member 1a according to the detected temperature of the central temperature detecting means 8a, and the end temperature detecting means. The power supply amount to the main heat generating member 1b is controlled according to the detected temperature of 8b. Further, power is supplied from the auxiliary power supply device 3 to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c in accordance with the detected temperature Tr of the end temperature detecting means 8b in which the temperature is hardly lowered. For this reason, the power supply to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c for heating the entire sheet passing area is reduced, and therefore, an excessive temperature rise due to heating can be suppressed in the non-sheet passing area at the axial end portion of the fixing member 14. Become.
図１１は、本発明の別実施例における小サイズの記録媒体通紙時のＡＣ、ＤＣ給電フローチャートである。上記図９（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）の給電フローチャートにおいては、主発熱部材１ｂと補助発熱部材１ｃの設定温度を、同じ設定温度Ｔ２としている。本実施例においては、主発熱部材１ｂと補助発熱部材１ｃの設定温度を異なった設定温度としている。制御フローに入る前に、通紙する記録媒体のサイズを判定するフローが存在するが、従来公知あるいは周知のフローを用いれば良いので、図示及び説明を省略する。 FIG. 11 is an AC and DC power supply flowchart when a small-size recording medium is fed in another embodiment of the present invention. 9B and 9C, the set temperature of the main heating member 1b and the auxiliary heating member 1c is the same set temperature T2. In this embodiment, the set temperatures of the main heat generating member 1b and the auxiliary heat generating member 1c are set to different set temperatures. Before entering the control flow, there is a flow for determining the size of the recording medium to be passed. However, since a conventionally known or well-known flow may be used, illustration and description are omitted.
小サイズの記録媒体Ｐが通紙される場合の温度制御は、図１１に示すように、定着部材１４の軸方向端部の温度Ｔｒを検出し（ステップ４１）、設定温度Ｔ２（例えば１３０度）と対比し（ステップ４２）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ２であれば端部ヒータである主発熱部材１ｂをオンとし（ステップ４３）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ２でなければ主発熱部材１ｂをオフとする（ステップ４４）制御を行う。更に、ステップ４１で検知した定着部材１４の軸方向端部の温度Ｔｒと設定温度Ｔ１（例えば１８０度）とを対比し（ステップ４５）、その結果に基づき、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ１であれば全幅ヒータである補助発熱部材１ｃをオンとし（ステップ４６）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ１でなければ補助発熱部材１ｃをオフとする（ステップ４７）制御を行い、通紙が終了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ４８）、通紙中であればステップ４１へ戻り、通紙終了であれば処理を終了する。 As shown in FIG. 11, the temperature control when the small-sized recording medium P is passed is performed by detecting the temperature Tr at the axial end of the fixing member 14 (step 41) and setting the temperature T2 (for example, 130 degrees). ) (Step 42), based on the result, if Tr <T2, the main heating member 1b as an end heater is turned on (step 43), and if Tr <T2, the main heating member 1b is turned off. (Step 44) Control is performed. Further, the temperature Tr at the axial end of the fixing member 14 detected at step 41 is compared with the set temperature T1 (for example, 180 degrees) (step 45). Based on the result, if Tr <T1, the full width heater is used. A certain auxiliary heat generating member 1c is turned on (step 46), and if Tr <T1 is not satisfied, the auxiliary heat generating member 1c is turned off (step 47) to check whether or not the sheet passing is completed (step 48). If the paper is being passed, the process returns to step 41, and if the paper is passed, the process is ended.
上記通紙する記録媒体Ｐのサイズが小サイズ時の温度制御においては、補助発熱部材１ｃの設定温度を、通紙する記録媒体Ｐのサイズが大サイズの時の設定温度（例えば１８０度）と同じにし、主発熱部材１ｂの設定温度を低い温度（例えば１３０度）に設定することにより、定着部材１４の通紙域全域を加熱する補助発熱部材１ｃへの給電が少なくなり、そのために定着部材１４の軸方向端部の非通紙域において、加熱による過度な温度上昇を抑えることが可能となる。 In the temperature control when the size of the recording medium P to be passed is small, the set temperature of the auxiliary heating member 1c is set to the set temperature (for example, 180 degrees) when the size of the recording medium P to be passed is large. In the same manner, by setting the set temperature of the main heat generating member 1b to a low temperature (for example, 130 degrees), the power supply to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c for heating the entire sheet passing area of the fixing member 14 is reduced. In the non-sheet passing region at the axial end portion of 14, it is possible to suppress an excessive temperature rise due to heating.
また、小サイズの記録媒体Ｐが通紙される場合の温度制御の変形例として、全幅ヒータである補助発熱部材１ｃの温度制御を、中央部温度検知手段８ａの出力を基に、大サイズ制御時の制御温度よりも低い温度で制御してもよい。具体的には、定着部材１４の軸方向中央部の温度Ｔｃと、設定温度Ｔ２（例えば１３０度）とを対比し、その結果に基づき補助発熱部材１ｃへの給電をオンオフ制御する。本変形例においては、大サイズ制御時の設定温度Ｔ１（例えば１８０度）よりも低い設定温度Ｔ２（例えば１３０度）を基に、補助発熱部材１ｃへの給電を実施する為、通紙する記録媒体Ｐのサイズが大サイズの場合と比較して、定着部材１４の通紙域全域を加熱する補助発熱部材１ｃへの給電が少なくなり、そのために定着部材１４の軸方向端部の非通紙域において、加熱による過度な温度上昇を抑えることが可能となる。 Further, as a modification of the temperature control when the small-size recording medium P is passed, the temperature control of the auxiliary heating member 1c, which is a full width heater, is performed based on the output of the central temperature detecting means 8a. You may control by temperature lower than the control temperature of time. Specifically, the temperature Tc at the central portion in the axial direction of the fixing member 14 is compared with a set temperature T2 (for example, 130 degrees), and on / off control of power supply to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c is performed based on the result. In the present modification, recording is performed to feed paper in order to supply power to the auxiliary heating member 1c based on a set temperature T2 (for example, 130 degrees) lower than the set temperature T1 (for example, 180 degrees) during large size control. Compared to the case where the size of the medium P is large, the power supply to the auxiliary heat generating member 1c for heating the entire sheet passing area of the fixing member 14 is reduced, and therefore, the non-sheet passing at the axial end portion of the fixing member 14 is reduced. In the region, an excessive temperature rise due to heating can be suppressed.
ところで、上述の実施例１のような定着装置でも、通紙後しばらく不使用状態のままでいると、電源節約等のためにオフモードに移行して定着部材である定着ローラ中央部、端部温度とも降下するが、端部は画像形成装置内でギヤや側板等と接触していることが機構的に多いため、中央部よりも放熱しやすく、したがって温度降下が大きい。そのような状態で、復帰立上を開始する場合、従来と同様の動作によって本願発明者が実験を行ったところ、中央部温度は設定時間（１０秒）で立上できたが、端部温度は１０秒以上も立上に時間を要し、目標の時間内に昇温させることができなかった。 By the way, even in the fixing device as in the above-described first embodiment, when the sheet is not used for a while after the sheet is passed, the mode shifts to the off mode in order to save power and the fixing roller central portion and the end portion are fixing members. Although the temperature also decreases, the end portion is often in contact with a gear, a side plate or the like in the image forming apparatus, so that heat is radiated more easily than the central portion, and thus the temperature drop is large. In such a state, when the start-up of the return is started, the inventor of the present application conducted an experiment by the same operation as in the past, and the center temperature was able to rise in the set time (10 seconds). Took more than 10 seconds to start, and the temperature could not be raised within the target time.
これは、補助電源装置３から給電を使うかどうかを温度低下しにくい定着部材１４の軸方向中央部で判断していたためである。すなわち、復帰立上時に補助電源装置３のキャパシタをオンするためのスレッシュ温度（約１３０℃）を、定着部材１４の軸方向中央部の温度Ｔｃと比較していたため、温度低下の大きい端部では補助給電無しの際には電力が足りず、１０秒という設定時間内では昇温しないのである。そこで本発明の実施例では、復帰立上時に、補助電源装置３のキャパシタをオンとするためのスレッシュ温度（約１３０℃）を、定着部材１４の軸方向端部温度Ｔｒと比較するのである。これらの温度変化状態を図１２に示す。従来の温度変化は図１２中に点線で示す。また本発明の実施例の動作は図１２に実線で示す。 This is because whether or not to use the power supply from the auxiliary power supply device 3 is determined at the central portion in the axial direction of the fixing member 14 where the temperature does not easily decrease. That is, since the threshold temperature (about 130 ° C.) for turning on the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply device 3 at the time of return startup is compared with the temperature Tc at the axial central portion of the fixing member 14, When there is no auxiliary power supply, there is not enough power and the temperature does not rise within the set time of 10 seconds. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the threshold temperature (about 130 ° C.) for turning on the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply device 3 is compared with the axial end portion temperature Tr of the fixing member 14 at the time of return startup. These temperature change states are shown in FIG. The conventional temperature change is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention is shown by a solid line in FIG.
図１３は、上述のような、通紙後不使用の状態から復帰立上を行う際のフローチャートである。まず通紙が完了したか否かをチェックし（ステップ５１）、通紙が完了していればＤＣヒータである補助発熱部材１ｃはＯＦＦ、ＡＣヒータである主発熱部材１ａ、１ｂは温度制御を継続し（ステップ５２）、所定時間の経過後（ステップ５３）、主発熱部材１ａ、１ｂをともにオフとし（ステップ５４）、不使用状態（オフモード）となり、復帰立上の指令があれば（ステップ５５）、定着部材１４の軸方向中央部の温度Ｔｃと設定温度Ｔ０（例えば１９０度）とを対比し（ステップ５６）、Ｔｃ＜Ｔ０であれば中央部ヒータである主発熱部材１ａをオンとし（ステップ５７）、またＴｃ＜Ｔ０でなければ主発熱部材１ａをオンとすることなく、定着部材１４の軸方向端部の温度Ｔｒと設定温度Ｔ０とを対比し（ステップ５８）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ０であれば端部ヒータである主発熱部材１ｂをオンとし（ステップ５９）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ０でなければ主発熱部材１ｂをオンとすることなく、定着部材１４の軸方向端部の温度Ｔｒと設定温度Ｔ３（例えば１２０度）とを対比し（ステップ６０）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ３であれば全幅ヒータである補助発熱部材１ｃをオンとし（ステップ６１）、Ｔｒ＜Ｔ３でなければ次の処理へと移行する。 FIG. 13 is a flowchart when the return start-up is performed from the non-use state after the sheet passing as described above. First, it is checked whether or not the sheet passing is completed (step 51). If the sheet passing is completed, the auxiliary heat generating member 1c which is a DC heater is turned off, and the main heat generating members 1a and 1b which are AC heaters are controlled in temperature. Continue (step 52), and after the elapse of a predetermined time (step 53), both the main heat generating members 1a and 1b are turned off (step 54), become non-use state (off mode), and if there is a return start command ( Step 55) compares the temperature Tc at the central portion in the axial direction of the fixing member 14 with the set temperature T0 (for example, 190 degrees) (Step 56). If Tc <T0, the main heating member 1a as the central heater is turned on. (Step 57), and if Tc <T0, the temperature Tr at the axial end of the fixing member 14 is compared with the set temperature T0 without turning on the main heat generating member 1a (step 58), and Tr < T If so, the main heating member 1b as an end heater is turned on (step 59). If Tr <T0, the main heating member 1b is not turned on, and the temperature Tr at the axial end of the fixing member 14 is set. The temperature T3 (for example, 120 degrees) is compared (step 60). If Tr <T3, the auxiliary heating member 1c, which is a full width heater, is turned on (step 61). If Tr <T3, the process proceeds to the next process. To do.
即ち本発明では、大サイズ通紙時には蓄電装置から給電される全幅加熱部により加熱することにより、連続通紙時の温度の落ち込みを防止する一方で、小サイズ通紙時には、被加熱負荷が小さいため、蓄電装置から給電される全幅加熱部により中央部を加熱しなくても、中央部の温度が落ち込むおそれが小さい。また、小サイズ通紙時に、高温の中央部と低温の端部とに温度差が生じた場合、蓄電装置から給電される全幅加熱部により端部を加熱することにより、中央部と端部の温度を均一にすることができ、それにより小サイズ通紙後に大サイズ通紙を開始する場合でも、中央部と端部の温度差に起因して通紙開始が遅れるおそれが少ない。なお、小サイズ通紙時における端部温度制御は、その後の大サイズ通紙に備えるためであるから、中央部ほど高温にする必要はない。上記実施例では、主電源装置２と補助電源装置３から加熱部１への給電制御を、オンオフ制御としているが別の方法、例えばＰＩＤ制御など時間あたりの供給電力量を調整する制御を利用してよい。 That is, in the present invention, when the large size paper is passed, heating is performed by the full width heating unit that is fed from the power storage device, thereby preventing a temperature drop during continuous paper feeding, while the small heating load is small. Therefore, even if the central portion is not heated by the full width heating portion fed from the power storage device, the temperature of the central portion is less likely to drop. In addition, if a temperature difference occurs between the hot central part and the low temperature end part during small size paper passing, the end part is heated by the full width heating part fed from the power storage device, so that the central part and the end part are heated. The temperature can be made uniform, so that even when a large-size sheet is started after a small-size sheet is passed, there is little possibility that the start of the sheet passing will be delayed due to the temperature difference between the central part and the end part. Note that the edge temperature control at the time of small-size sheet feeding is for preparing for the subsequent large-size sheet feeding, and therefore does not need to be as high as the central part. In the above embodiment, power supply control from the main power supply device 2 and the auxiliary power supply device 3 to the heating unit 1 is on / off control, but another method, for example, control for adjusting the amount of power supplied per time such as PID control is used. It's okay.
１ 加熱部
１ａ、１ｂ 主発熱部材
１ｃ 補助発熱部材
２ 主電源装置
３ 補助電源装置
４ 充電器
５ 充放電切換手段
６ａ 主電力制御手段
６ｂ 補助電力制御手段
８、８ａ、８ｂ 定着温度検出手段
１０ 定着装置
１４ 定着部材
１５ 加圧部材
４１ 感光体
４２ 帯電装置
４３ ミラー
４４ 現像装置
４６ クリーニング装置
４７ 転写部
４８ 転写装置
４９ レジストローラ
６０ 制御手段
１１０ 給紙コロ
１５０ 露光部
Ｌｂ 露光光
Ｐ 記録材
Ｔ１ 第１の設定温
Ｔ２ 第２の設定温
Ｔｃ 定着部材の軸方向中央部の温度
Ｔｒ 定着部材の軸方向端部の温度
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heating part 1a, 1b Main heat generating member 1c Auxiliary heat generating member 2 Main power supply device 3 Auxiliary power supply device 4 Charger 5 Charge / discharge switching means 6a Main power control means 6b Auxiliary power control means 8, 8a, 8b Fixing temperature detection means 10 Fixing Device 14 Fixing member 15 Pressure member 41 Photoconductor 42 Charging device 43 Mirror 44 Developing device 46 Cleaning device 47 Transfer unit 48 Transfer device 49 Registration roller 60 Control means 110 Paper feed roller 150 Exposure unit Lb Exposure light P Recording material T1 First Set temperature T2 second set temperature Tc temperature at the axial center of the fixing member Tr temperature at the axial end of the fixing member
Claims (12)
前記第２の設定温度と前記第４の設定温度とが等しい、
ことを特徴とする定着装置。 Te fixing device smell of claim 5,
The second set temperature and the fourth set temperature are equal;
A fixing device.
前記制御手段が、復帰立上時の前記加熱部の昇温時に、前記端部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記全幅加熱部への給電を制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置。 In the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
A fixing device before Symbol control means, when heating of the heating portion during the upper return elevational, controls the power supply to the full width heating unit based on the output of said end portion temperature detection means, characterized in that.
前記加熱部が、前記一方の回転体の前記回転軸方向における小サイズの記録媒体が通過する通紙域に対応する中央部付近を加熱する中央部加熱部と、前記小サイズの記録媒体が通過しない非通紙域であって、該小サイズの記録媒体よりも幅が大きい大サイズの記録媒体が通過する通紙域を加熱可能な端部加熱部と、前記中央部加熱部が加熱する領域から前記端部加熱部が加熱する領域にわたって加熱可能な全幅加熱部とを有し、該加熱部の動作を制御する制御手段を備える定着装置において、
前記一方の回転体のうち前記中央部加熱部が加熱する領域の温度を検出する中央部温度検出手段と、
前記一方の回転体のうち前記端部加熱部が加熱する領域の温度を検出する端部温度検出手段と、
を備え、
該制御手段は、 小サイズの幅の記録媒体を前記一対の回転体の間に連続通紙する場合には、前記端部温度検出手段の出力に基づいて前記全幅加熱部を制御する、ことを特徴とする定着装置。 A fixing device that includes a heating unit that heats one of a pair of rotating bodies, and that fixes an image on the recording medium by passing the recording medium between the pair of rotating bodies.
The heating unit heats the central portion corresponding to the paper passing area through which the small size recording medium in the rotation axis direction of the one rotating body passes, and the small size recording medium passes. A non-sheet-passing area, an end heating section capable of heating a sheet-passing area through which a large-sized recording medium having a width larger than that of the small-sized recording medium passes, and an area heated by the central heating section A fixing device including a full width heating unit that can be heated over a region heated by the end heating unit, and including a control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit .
A central part temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of a region heated by the central part heating part of the one rotating body;
An end portion temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of a region heated by the end portion heating portion of the one rotating body;
With
Control means, when the continuously printed between the pair of rotating bodies recording medium the width of the small-sized control to control the overall width heating unit based on the output of the front Kitan portion temperature detecting means a fixing device, characterized in that.
An image forming apparatus using the fixing device according to claim 1.
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| JP4803583B2 (en) * | 2006-02-03 | 2011-10-26 | 株式会社リコー | Power supply device and image forming apparatus |
| US7855471B2 (en) | 2007-03-15 | 2010-12-21 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Power supply device and image forming apparatus |
| JP2009145503A (en) * | 2007-12-12 | 2009-07-02 | Murata Mach Ltd | Fixing device and control method for fixing device |
| JP4940162B2 (en) * | 2008-02-01 | 2012-05-30 | 株式会社リコー | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
| JP6024108B2 (en) * | 2012-01-19 | 2016-11-09 | 株式会社リコー | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
| JP5751428B2 (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2015-07-22 | 株式会社リコー | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
| JP2013182178A (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2013-09-12 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
| JP7175154B2 (en) * | 2018-10-24 | 2022-11-18 | 東芝テック株式会社 | image forming device |
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| JPS61277986A (en) * | 1985-05-31 | 1986-12-08 | Mita Ind Co Ltd | Fixing device |
| JPH08220932A (en) * | 1995-02-20 | 1996-08-30 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Fixing device |
| JP2002268444A (en) * | 2001-03-12 | 2002-09-18 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Fixing device |
| JP2003084621A (en) * | 2001-09-13 | 2003-03-19 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Fixing device and image forming device |
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| JPS61277986A (en) * | 1985-05-31 | 1986-12-08 | Mita Ind Co Ltd | Fixing device |
| JPH08220932A (en) * | 1995-02-20 | 1996-08-30 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Fixing device |
| JP2002268444A (en) * | 2001-03-12 | 2002-09-18 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Fixing device |
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