JPH0363757B2 - - Google Patents
Info
- Publication number
- JPH0363757B2 JPH0363757B2 JP18229281A JP18229281A JPH0363757B2 JP H0363757 B2 JPH0363757 B2 JP H0363757B2 JP 18229281 A JP18229281 A JP 18229281A JP 18229281 A JP18229281 A JP 18229281A JP H0363757 B2 JPH0363757 B2 JP H0363757B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- toner
- transfer
- toner image
- intermediate transfer
- temperature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 341
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 148
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 66
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 40
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 40
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 11
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 11
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 7
- YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Toluene Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC=C1 YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 5
- 108091008695 photoreceptors Proteins 0.000 description 5
- -1 polyimideamide Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004642 Polyimide Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229920001721 polyimide Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002344 surface layer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000010893 Bischofia javanica Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 240000005220 Bischofia javanica Species 0.000 description 2
- 229920001774 Perfluoroether Polymers 0.000 description 2
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 2
- XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc monoxide Chemical compound [Zn]=O XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910001120 nichrome Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene Natural products CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 2
- 238000001454 recorded image Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004073 vulcanization Methods 0.000 description 2
- WUPHOULIZUERAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-(oxolan-2-yl)propanoic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CCC1CCCO1 WUPHOULIZUERAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006364 Rulon (plastic) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- BUGBHKTXTAQXES-UHFFFAOYSA-N Selenium Chemical compound [Se] BUGBHKTXTAQXES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012644 addition polymerization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001408 amides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000740 bleeding effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052980 cadmium sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoromethane Chemical compound FC NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003779 heat-resistant material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007731 hot pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052809 inorganic oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001230 polyarylate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006254 polymer film Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052711 selenium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011669 selenium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004381 surface treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011787 zinc oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
- G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
- G03G15/1605—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer using at least one intermediate support
- G03G15/161—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer using at least one intermediate support with means for handling the intermediate support, e.g. heating, cleaning, coating with a transfer agent
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/16—Transferring device, details
- G03G2215/1676—Simultaneous toner image transfer and fixing
- G03G2215/1695—Simultaneous toner image transfer and fixing at the second or higher order transfer point
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
本発明は、中間転写体を用いたトナー像転写定
着方法および装置の改良に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in a toner image transfer and fixing method and apparatus using an intermediate transfer member.
一般に中間転写体を具える画像記録装置におい
ては、潜像が現像トナーにより現像されて形成さ
れるトナー像担持体上のトナー像を、無端ベルト
状或いはロール状の中間転写体に転写し、この中
間転写体上に転写されたトナー像を更に転写紙等
の転写材上に再転写し定着せしめて画像が記録さ
れる。斯かる装置によれば、高品位の記録画像が
得られる可能性があると共に、一度形成された潜
像を、現像及び転写を繰り返すことにより複数回
に亘つて利用して多数の同一画像を記録する、い
わゆるリテンシヨン方式の導入が可能となり、画
像記録の高速化を容易に計り得る利点がある。加
えて、一成分導電性トナーを現像トナーとして用
いた場合にも普通紙より成る転写材への転写が可
能となることから、現像系の簡略化、画質の向上
等を図ることができる利点もある。 Generally, in an image recording apparatus equipped with an intermediate transfer member, a toner image formed on a toner image carrier by developing a latent image with a developing toner is transferred to an endless belt-shaped or roll-shaped intermediate transfer member. The toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer member is further transferred and fixed onto a transfer material such as transfer paper, thereby recording an image. According to such a device, it is possible to obtain high-quality recorded images, and a latent image once formed can be used multiple times by repeating development and transfer to record many identical images. This makes it possible to introduce a so-called retention method, which has the advantage of easily increasing the speed of image recording. In addition, even when a one-component conductive toner is used as a developing toner, it can be transferred to a transfer material made of plain paper, which has the advantage of simplifying the developing system and improving image quality. be.
而して、前記中間転写体上のトナー像を転写材
に転写すると共に定着をも同時に行なうためには
種々の厳しい条件があり、良好なトナー像の転写
定着を達成することは相当に困難である。 Therefore, there are various strict conditions in order to simultaneously transfer and fix the toner image on the intermediate transfer member to the transfer material, and it is quite difficult to achieve good transfer and fixation of the toner image. be.
従来、例えば特公昭46−41679号公報に記載さ
れているように、中間転写体上のトナー像のトナ
ーを加熱せしめずに転写材を加熱し、この転写材
の熱によつてトナー像を転写定着せしめる手段が
知られている。 Conventionally, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 46-41679, for example, a transfer material is heated without heating the toner of the toner image on the intermediate transfer member, and the toner image is transferred by the heat of the transfer material. There are known means of fixation.
この手段は、中間転写体を過熱するおそれがな
くてトナー像担持体に熱的悪影響を与えることが
防止できる点では好ましいものであるが、熱の利
用率が低く、通常紙より成る転写材に相当多量の
熱エネルギーを加える必要がある。しかも通常は
紙より成る転写材の種類によつて当該転写材に与
えるべき熱エネルギー量が異なり、例えば重量の
大きい紙或いは多孔質の紙より成る転写材には多
量の熱エネルギーが必要であるが、これと同等の
熱エネルギーを重量の小さい紙或いは厚みの小さ
な紙より成る転写材に与えると過熱状態となり、
転写材が変形し或いは焼け焦げが発生するように
なり、結局良好な転写定着を達成するためには、
転写材の種類に応じて供給熱エネルギーを調整す
ることが必要となる。更にトナー像の転写定着を
高速で行なう場合には、転写材に更に多量の熱エ
ネルギーを与えることが必要となり、その結果、
消費エネルギーが増大し、転写材の円滑な搬送が
行なわれずにジヤムが起つたときには発火の危険
性が大きい。 This method is preferable in that there is no risk of overheating the intermediate transfer member and can prevent adverse thermal effects on the toner image bearing member, but it has a low heat utilization rate and is difficult to use for transfer materials made of ordinary paper. It is necessary to add a considerable amount of thermal energy. Moreover, the amount of thermal energy that should be applied to the transfer material usually differs depending on the type of transfer material made of paper. For example, transfer materials made of heavy paper or porous paper require a large amount of heat energy. If the same amount of thermal energy is applied to a transfer material made of paper with a small weight or thickness, it will become overheated.
The transfer material may become deformed or burnt, and in order to achieve good transfer fixation,
It is necessary to adjust the supplied thermal energy depending on the type of transfer material. Furthermore, when transferring and fixing toner images at high speed, it is necessary to apply even more thermal energy to the transfer material, and as a result,
Energy consumption increases, and if the transfer material is not conveyed smoothly and jams occur, there is a great risk of fire.
一方、特開昭49−78559号公報に記載されてい
るように、転写材の加熱を行なわずに、中間転写
体上のトナー像のトナーをその融解温度にまで加
熱することにより、中間転写体上のトナー像を転
写材に転写定着せしめる手段も知られている。 On the other hand, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 49-78559, by heating the toner of the toner image on the intermediate transfer body to its melting temperature without heating the transfer material, the intermediate transfer body Means for transferring and fixing the above toner image onto a transfer material are also known.
しかしながら、この手段においては、転写材が
トナーより多量の熱を奪うため、トナーの転写材
に接する側の流動性が低下して定着を確実に行な
うことが困難となり、このため実際には中間転写
体をも相当に加熱することが必要となる。この結
果、中間転写体を介してトナー像担持体に熱が加
えられることとなり、トナー像担持体が電子写真
感光体である場合には初期電位の低下による画像
濃度低下、及び中間転写体の材料成分がトナー像
担持体の表面に付着することによるカブリが発生
するようになると共に、中間転写体の劣化が速く
なつて大きな耐久性を得ることができない。 However, with this method, the transfer material absorbs more heat than the toner, which reduces the fluidity of the toner on the side in contact with the transfer material, making it difficult to securely fix the toner. It is also necessary to heat the body considerably. As a result, heat is applied to the toner image carrier through the intermediate transfer member, and if the toner image carrier is an electrophotographic photoreceptor, the image density decreases due to a decrease in initial potential, and the material of the intermediate transfer member Fog occurs due to the components adhering to the surface of the toner image bearing member, and the intermediate transfer member deteriorates rapidly, making it impossible to obtain great durability.
斯かる問題を解決するためには、中間転写体を
転写定着後の移動路領域において冷却することも
考えられるが、強制冷却する場合には更に多くの
エネルギーを消費することとなり、又自然冷却に
よる場合には、トナー像担持体と接するに至るま
での移動路を長くする必要があり、装置が大型化
することとなる。 In order to solve this problem, it may be possible to cool the intermediate transfer member in the movement path area after transfer and fixation, but forced cooling would consume even more energy, and natural cooling In this case, it is necessary to lengthen the travel path until it comes into contact with the toner image carrier, resulting in an increase in the size of the apparatus.
又転写定着時におけるトナーは、既述のように
転写材に接する側が先行して冷却されてその流動
性が低下するため、トナーが完全に転写材に転移
せず、一部が中間転写体上に付着したまま残留す
るようになつてトナー担持体が汚染し、またオフ
セツト現像が生ずるようになる。 In addition, during transfer and fixing, the toner is cooled first on the side that contacts the transfer material as described above, reducing its fluidity, so the toner is not completely transferred to the transfer material and a portion of it is transferred onto the intermediate transfer material. The toner particles remain attached to the toner carrier, contaminating the toner carrier, and causing offset development.
本発明は、以上の如き事情に基いてなされたも
のであつて、中間転写体を利用してトナー像担持
体上のトナー像を転写材に確実に転写し定着せし
めることができ、したがつてオフセツト現像が生
ぜず、リテンシヨン方式によつても解像度の高い
高品位の記録画像を得ることができ、トナー成分
材料の選択範囲を拡大することができて、しか
も、消費エネルギーが少なくて済み、装置をコン
パクトに構成できるようなトナー像転写定着方法
および装置を提供することを目的としてなされた
ものである。 The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and is capable of reliably transferring and fixing a toner image on a toner image carrier to a transfer material by using an intermediate transfer member. Offset development does not occur, high resolution and high quality recorded images can be obtained even with the retention method, the selection range of toner component materials can be expanded, and moreover, energy consumption is low, and the device The purpose of this invention is to provide a toner image transfer and fixing method and apparatus that can be configured compactly.
本発明の上記目的は、トナー像をトナー像担持
体から中間転写体に転写し、該中間転写体から転
写材に転写、定着するトナー像転写定着方法にお
いて、上記中間転写体上のトナー像をトナーの溶
融温度より低い温度に加熱するとともに、トナー
の溶融温度より低い温度に加熱した押圧体を前記
中間転写体に圧接せしめ、該圧接部に、トナーの
溶融温度以上の温度に加熱した転写材を送り込む
ことにより、トナー像を上記転写材に転写、定着
することを特徴とするトナー像転写定着方法およ
びトナー像がトナー像担持体から中間転写体に転
写され、該中間転写体から転写材に再転写されて
定着せしめられるトナー像転写定着装置におい
て、上記中間転写体上のトナー像を該トナーの溶
融温度より低い温度に加熱する手段と、上記転写
材を中間転写体に圧接させる押圧体と、該押圧体
の溶融温度より低い温度に加熱する手段と、上記
転写材を中間転写体に圧接する前にトナーの溶融
温度以上に加熱する手段とを設けたことを特徴と
するトナー像転写定着装置によつて達成される。 The above object of the present invention is to provide a toner image transfer and fixing method for transferring a toner image from a toner image carrier to an intermediate transfer member, and transferring and fixing the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer material. A pressing member heated to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner and a pressure member heated to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer member, and a transfer material heated to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the toner is applied to the pressure contact portion. A toner image transfer fixing method characterized in that the toner image is transferred and fixed onto the transfer material by sending a In a toner image transfer and fixing device that retransfers and fixes the toner image, the toner image on the intermediate transfer member is heated to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner, and a pressing member that presses the transfer material against the intermediate transfer member. , a toner image transfer fixing device comprising: means for heating the transfer material to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the pressing body; and means for heating the transfer material above the melting temperature of the toner before pressing the transfer material against the intermediate transfer member. This is accomplished by a device.
なお、本発明において、トナーの溶融温度は、
高化式フローテスター（島津製作所製）によつて
求めた値が基準にされる。すなわち、高化式フロ
ーテスターを用い、荷重20Kg／cm2、ノズルの直径
１mm、ノズルの長さ１mm、上昇温速度６℃／min
の条件で測定を行ない、プランジヤー降下量をｈ
としたときにｈ／10だけ降下した時点の温度がト
ナーの溶融温度とされる。この測定には１cm3の量
のトナーが試料として用いられる。 Note that in the present invention, the melting temperature of the toner is
The value determined by a Koka type flow tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) is used as the standard. That is, using a Koka type flow tester, load 20Kg/cm 2 , nozzle diameter 1mm, nozzle length 1mm, temperature rise rate 6℃/min.
Measurements were made under the following conditions, and the amount of plunger descent was h.
The temperature at which the temperature drops by h/10 is defined as the melting temperature of the toner. A 1 cm 3 amount of toner is used as a sample for this measurement.
以下、本発明を図示例に基づいて説明する。 Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on illustrated examples.
第１図は本発明の一実施例の説明図であり、こ
の例では、回転ドラム型のトナー像担持体１の外
周面に沿つた領域において、潜像形成機構２、現
像機構３及びクリーニング機構４が回転方向にこ
の順に設けられ、現像機構３とクリーニング機構
４との間の転写領域Ａにおいて、無端ベルトより
成る中間転写体５が押圧ローラ６によりトナー像
担持体１の外周面に押圧される。この中間転写体
５は、押圧ローラ６のほか、熱ローラ７とテンシ
ヨンローラ８とに懸架され、前記転写領域Ａにお
いてトナー像担持体１と同方向に等速で移動され
て熱ローラ７における中間転写体加熱領域Ｂに向
う。 FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a latent image forming mechanism 2, a developing mechanism 3, and a cleaning mechanism 4 are provided in this order in the rotational direction, and in a transfer area A between the developing mechanism 3 and the cleaning mechanism 4, an intermediate transfer body 5 made of an endless belt is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the toner image carrier 1 by a pressing roller 6. Ru. The intermediate transfer body 5 is suspended by a heat roller 7 and a tension roller 8 in addition to a pressure roller 6, and is moved at a constant speed in the same direction as the toner image carrier 1 in the transfer area A. Heading towards the intermediate transfer body heating area B.
この熱ローラ７における中間転写体５の離脱点
又はその近傍における転写定着領域Ｃにおいて、
該熱ローラ７との間で中間転写体５と転写材（通
常は転写紙よりなる）を挾圧して送る熱押圧ロー
ラ９が設けられており、また、転写材が熱ローラ
７と熱押圧ローラ９とによつて挾圧されるように
なる直前の転写材移動路Ｐに沿つて転写材加熱領
域Ｄを与える転写材加熱板１０も設けられてい
る。 In the transfer fixing area C at or near the detachment point of the intermediate transfer body 5 on the heat roller 7,
A hot press roller 9 is provided between the heat roller 7 and the intermediate transfer body 5 and a transfer material (usually made of transfer paper), and the transfer material is transferred between the heat roller 7 and the heat press roller. A transfer material heating plate 10 is also provided which provides a transfer material heating area D along the transfer material moving path P immediately before being clamped and pressed by the transfer material heating plate 9.
以上のような構成の装置においては、次のよう
にしてトナー像担持体１に形成されたトナー像が
最終的に転写材に転写定着される。 In the apparatus configured as described above, the toner image formed on the toner image carrier 1 is finally transferred and fixed onto the transfer material in the following manner.
先ずトナー像担持体１上のトナー像Ｔは、潜像
形成機構２により形成された潜像を現像機構３に
より現像することによつて形成される。即ち、電
子写真法を利用する場合においては、トナー像担
持体１は、セレン系、有機化合物系、酸化亜鉛又
は硫化カドミウム系のバインダー型、その他の電
子写真感光体により構成され、潜像形成機構２に
より、トナー像担持体１の外周面を全面帯電せし
めた後画像露光を行なうことにより静電潜像を形
成する。又静電記録法を利用する場合には、トナ
ー像担持体１を導電性基体と誘電体表層より成る
誘電体により構成し、画像信号をマルチスタイラ
ス電極又はイオン制御電極により静電潜像に変換
することにより潜像を形成せしめる。又磁気記録
法を利用する場合には、トナー像担持体１を磁性
体により構成し、画像信号を磁化ヘツドにより磁
気信号に変換して磁気潜像を形成してもよい。 First, the toner image T on the toner image carrier 1 is formed by developing the latent image formed by the latent image forming mechanism 2 with the developing mechanism 3. That is, when electrophotography is used, the toner image carrier 1 is composed of a selenium-based, organic compound-based, zinc oxide or cadmium sulfide-based binder type, or other electrophotographic photoreceptor, and has a latent image forming mechanism. 2, the entire outer circumferential surface of the toner image carrier 1 is electrically charged and then imagewise exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. When electrostatic recording is used, the toner image carrier 1 is composed of a dielectric material consisting of a conductive base and a dielectric surface layer, and the image signal is converted into an electrostatic latent image using a multi-stylus electrode or an ion control electrode. By doing so, a latent image is formed. When a magnetic recording method is used, the toner image carrier 1 may be made of a magnetic material, and the image signal may be converted into a magnetic signal by a magnetized head to form a magnetic latent image.
このようにして形成された潜像は、それが静電
潜像である場合には、現像機構３により、潜像を
形成する電荷と反対極性に帯電された着色荷電粒
子であるトナーにより可視像とされる。ここに使
用されるトナーが一成分導電性磁性トナーである
場合には、トナーに誘起された電荷により現像さ
れる。一成分導電性磁性トナーを使用し磁気ブラ
シ現像法を用いた場合には、トナー層が単一粒子
層又はそれに近い薄層として形成されるので、最
終的に得られる画像の画質、耐久性、高速現像性
において優れ、又転写材を選択することなく良好
な転写が可能である点で特に好ましい。潜像が磁
気潜像である場合には、磁性トナーにより現像す
ればよく、転写時の画像のにじみの発生を防止す
ることができて鮮明な画像が得られる。 If the latent image formed in this way is an electrostatic latent image, the developing mechanism 3 makes the latent image visible using toner, which is colored charged particles charged to the opposite polarity to the charge forming the latent image. It is considered to be a statue. When the toner used here is a one-component conductive magnetic toner, development is achieved by the charge induced in the toner. When a one-component conductive magnetic toner is used and a magnetic brush development method is used, the toner layer is formed as a single particle layer or a thin layer close to it, so the image quality and durability of the final image are improved. It is particularly preferred because it has excellent high-speed developability and allows good transfer without selecting a transfer material. When the latent image is a magnetic latent image, it is sufficient to develop it with magnetic toner, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of blurring of the image during transfer and to obtain a clear image.
以上のようにして形成されたトナー像担持体１
上のトナー像Ｔを、転写領域Ａにおいて中間転写
体５上に押圧ローラ６の押圧力により転写せしめ
る。 Toner image bearing member 1 formed as described above
The upper toner image T is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 5 in the transfer area A by the pressing force of the pressing roller 6.
ここで中間転写体５は、シリコン系ゴム或いは
フツ素系ゴムなどの耐熱性の弾性体から成る転写
層と、耐熱性の基本例えばスレンレス鋼板、ポリ
イミド、ポリイミドアミド、ポリアミド、ポリエ
ステル、ポリアリレート等の樹脂を材質とする耐
熱性フイルム（例えば「Ｕシート」大平化学社
製）などの耐熱性の高分子フイルムとの積層体に
より形成されるものであり、転写層の材質は、室
温加硫型若しくは定温加硫型のシリコン系ゴムが
特に好ましい。例えば「LTV1300」、
「LTV1800」（何れも信越化学工業社製）は、付
加重合型のシリコンゴムであり、、転写層の材質
として特に好ましい材料である。これらのシリコ
ンゴム層は、定温では表面の適度な粘着性とトナ
ーを包含するゴム弾性とにより、転写領域Ａにお
いて、トナー像担持体１のトナー保持力に打ち勝
つて中間転写体側にトナーを充分に捕獲すること
ができる一方、その表面エネルギーは通常の転写
材材料に比して充分に小さいものであるため、後
述する転写定着領域Ｃにおいて、トナーの転写材
側の表面から当該トナーが加熱されて流動性を帯
びた状態で転写材が圧接せしめられると、トナー
は転写材に強く付着するようになつて転写材へ殆
ど完全に転写定着されるようになる。そして熱ロ
ーラ７により、トナー像Ｔ及び中間転写体５が高
速に加熱されることが好ましい点から、転写層及
び基体の膜厚は、所期の性能を有する範囲内で小
さい方が好ましく、例えば転写層の厚さは10〜
500ミクロン、基体の厚さは10〜500ミクロンであ
ることが最適である。 Here, the intermediate transfer body 5 includes a transfer layer made of a heat-resistant elastic material such as silicone rubber or fluorine-based rubber, and a heat-resistant material such as stainless steel plate, polyimide, polyimideamide, polyamide, polyester, polyarylate, etc. It is formed by a laminate with a heat-resistant polymer film such as a heat-resistant film made of resin (for example, "U sheet" manufactured by Ohira Kagaku Co., Ltd.), and the material of the transfer layer is room temperature vulcanization type or Particularly preferred is constant temperature vulcanization type silicone rubber. For example, "LTV1300",
"LTV1800" (both manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is an addition polymerization type silicone rubber, and is a particularly preferable material for the transfer layer. At a constant temperature, these silicone rubber layers overcome the toner retention force of the toner image carrier 1 in the transfer area A due to the moderate adhesiveness of the surface and the rubber elasticity that contains the toner, and sufficiently transfer the toner to the intermediate transfer body side. On the other hand, since the surface energy of the toner is sufficiently small compared to that of ordinary transfer material, the toner is heated from the surface of the toner on the transfer material side in the transfer fixing area C, which will be described later. When the transfer material is pressed in a fluid state, the toner strongly adheres to the transfer material and is almost completely transferred and fixed onto the transfer material. Since it is preferable that the toner image T and the intermediate transfer member 5 be heated at high speed by the heat roller 7, the thickness of the transfer layer and the substrate is preferably as small as possible within the range that provides the desired performance. The thickness of the transfer layer is 10~
500 microns, and the substrate thickness is optimally between 10 and 500 microns.
尚中間転写体としては、無端ベルトに限らず、
例えばアルミニウム又はステンレス鋼製の中空ロ
ーラ表面に転写層を設け、その中空ローラの内部
にヒータを設けるようにしてもよい。そのような
中間転写体を用いると、ベルトを用いたよりもト
ナー像転写定着装置を小型軽量化することができ
る。 Note that the intermediate transfer body is not limited to endless belts.
For example, a transfer layer may be provided on the surface of a hollow roller made of aluminum or stainless steel, and a heater may be provided inside the hollow roller. When such an intermediate transfer member is used, the toner image transfer and fixing device can be made smaller and lighter than when a belt is used.
また、図示の熱ローラ７は、中空のアルミニウ
ム等の金属ローラ内に例えば赤外線ランプ等によ
り成るヒータ７Ａを内蔵するものであり、この金
属ローラの表面を適当な範囲の温度に制御し、こ
れにより無端ベルトより成る中間転写体５との接
触開始点Ｅと、転写定着領域Ｃとの間の領域即ち
中間転写体加熱領域Ｂにおいて無端ベルトより成
る中間転写体５及びその上のトナー像Ｔを、当該
トナーの溶融温度より低い温度に加熱する。この
熱ローラ７の表面にシリコン系ゴム等よりなる耐
熱性弾性層を設けるようにしてもよい。 The illustrated heat roller 7 has a built-in heater 7A made of, for example, an infrared lamp inside a hollow metal roller made of aluminum or the like, and controls the temperature of the surface of this metal roller to an appropriate range. The intermediate transfer body 5 made of an endless belt and the toner image T thereon in the area between the contact start point E with the intermediate transfer body 5 made of an endless belt and the transfer fixing area C, that is, the intermediate transfer body heating area B, The toner is heated to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner. A heat-resistant elastic layer made of silicone rubber or the like may be provided on the surface of the heat roller 7.
上述のように加熱される中間転写体５の温度
は、転写定着領域Ｃにおいて充分に転写材上に転
写定着が行なわれるのであれば、できるだけ低温
であることが好ましい。これは中間転写体５の温
度が高くなると転写領域Ａにおいて中間転写体５
の熱によりトナー像担持体１が加熱されるように
なつてトナー像担持体１が低温で有する性能が低
下すると同時に、トナー或いは中間転写体５の材
料成分がトナー像担持体１上に移動することによ
る画像劣化が発生するようになるからである。従
つて、もし中間転写体５の温度が高くなると、従
来のように転写領域Ａの手前で強制冷却を行なう
ことが必要となる。 The temperature of the intermediate transfer member 5 heated as described above is preferably as low as possible so that sufficient transfer and fixing can be performed on the transfer material in the transfer and fixing area C. This is because when the temperature of the intermediate transfer body 5 increases, the intermediate transfer body 5
As the toner image bearing member 1 is heated by the heat of This is because image deterioration occurs due to this. Therefore, if the temperature of the intermediate transfer member 5 becomes high, it is necessary to perform forced cooling before the transfer area A as in the conventional method.
転写定着領域Ｃにおける熱押圧ローラ９として
は、中空のアルミニウム等の金属ローラ、あるい
はそれにシリコン系ゴムなどの耐熱性弾性表層を
設けた中空の内部に、例えば赤外線ランプより成
るヒータ９Ａを内蔵したものが用いられ、このヒ
ータ９Ａの発熱を適当に制御して、それにより熱
押圧ローラ９の表面温度がトナー像のトナーの溶
融温度以下であつて、好ましくは中間転写体５の
上面温度以上に保持する。そして、図示の転写材
加熱板１０は、その伝熱面が熱押圧ローラ９の外
周面に沿つて近接する形状を有し、転写材が熱押
圧ローラ９の表面と転写材加熱板１０の伝熱面と
の間を通過するときに、転写材を前記トナーの溶
融温度より充分高い温度に加熱する。ここで、熱
押圧ローラ９の表面の摩擦係数を転写材加熱板１
０の表面のそれよりも大きくしておくと、それに
よつて転写材の移動は熱押圧ローラ９の回転によ
る表面の移動に伴うことになり、加熱効率をよく
するために、固定された転写材加熱板１０の伝熱
面を転写材が接触して移動するようにしても、転
写材は円滑に転写定着領域Ｃへ搬送されることに
なる。このようにしてトナーの溶融温度より充分
高い温度に加熱された転写材は、転写定着領域Ｃ
において、予め熱ローラ７によりトナー像と共に
加熱された中間転写体５と重なり合うことにな
り、その重なりが熱ローラ７と前述のようにトナ
ー像のトナー溶融温度以下に加熱された熱押圧ロ
ーラ９により挾圧されて、それにより、トナー像
のトナーの少なくとも転写材と接する側が転写材
よりの熱によつて溶融し、さらに圧接されること
によつて、中間転写体５のトナー像は確実に転写
材に転写定着される。 The heat pressing roller 9 in the transfer fixing area C is a hollow metal roller made of aluminum or the like, or a hollow metal roller with a heat-resistant elastic surface layer made of silicone rubber or the like, and a heater 9A made of, for example, an infrared lamp is built into the hollow interior. The heat generated by the heater 9A is appropriately controlled to maintain the surface temperature of the heat pressing roller 9 below the melting temperature of the toner of the toner image, preferably above the top surface temperature of the intermediate transfer member 5. do. The illustrated transfer material heating plate 10 has a shape in which its heat transfer surface is close to the outer peripheral surface of the hot press roller 9, and the transfer material is transferred between the surface of the hot press roller 9 and the transfer material heating plate 10. When passing between the transfer material and the hot surface, the transfer material is heated to a temperature sufficiently higher than the melting temperature of the toner. Here, the friction coefficient of the surface of the hot press roller 9 is determined by the friction coefficient of the surface of the transfer material heating plate 1.
0, the movement of the transfer material will be accompanied by the movement of the surface due to the rotation of the hot press roller 9, and in order to improve the heating efficiency, Even if the transfer material is moved in contact with the heat transfer surface of the heating plate 10, the transfer material is smoothly conveyed to the transfer fixing area C. The transfer material heated to a temperature sufficiently higher than the melting temperature of the toner in this way is transferred to the transfer fixing area C.
At this time, the toner image is overlapped with the intermediate transfer body 5 which has been heated together with the toner image by the heat roller 7, and this overlap is caused by the heat roller 7 and the heat press roller 9 which is heated below the toner melting temperature of the toner image as described above. As a result, at least the side of the toner in the toner image in contact with the transfer material is melted by the heat from the transfer material, and by further being pressed, the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5 is transferred reliably. The image is transferred and fixed onto the material.
前記転写材加熱板１０は、図示の例のように、
転写材の表面に接して加熱することが最も好まし
いが、その場合には、転写材加熱板１０と転写材
との摩擦係数は小さいことが重要であり、このた
め転写材加熱板１０の伝熱面を滑面とし、或いは
フツ素系樹脂などの低い摩擦係数の材質のコーテ
イングを施すことが効果的である。例えばアルミ
ニウム、スチレン鋼等の素材にポリテトラフルオ
ロエチレン、パーフルオロアルコキシ樹脂、ポリ
フルオロエチレン・プロピレン等の樹脂をコーテ
イングすること、又はこのような樹脂中に金属
粉、無機酸化物を混合分散した、例えば「ルーロ
ン」（デイノツクス社製）等をコーテイングする
こと、或いは硬質アルマイト処理した多孔質の素
材にテフロン登録商標）を含浸させるタフラム処
理することは耐摩耗強度、低摩擦係数という点で
特に優れている。又上記コーテイング処理または
タフラム処理したものは表面エネルギドが低くて
トナー等の汚れが蓄積することがなく、この点で
も優れている。さらにハードクロムメツキによる
鏡面を有する金属板も好ましい材料である。転写
材加熱板１０のヒータとしては板状に加工したも
のが好ましく正温度特性を有する抵抗発熱体より
成るPTCプレートは温度コントロールを要せず
又電力量からみても有利である。 The transfer material heating plate 10 is, as shown in the example,
It is most preferable to heat the transfer material in contact with its surface, but in that case, it is important that the coefficient of friction between the transfer material heating plate 10 and the transfer material is small, so that the heat transfer of the transfer material heating plate 10 is reduced. It is effective to make the surface smooth or to coat it with a material with a low coefficient of friction such as fluorocarbon resin. For example, coating a material such as aluminum or styrene steel with a resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy resin, or polyfluoroethylene/propylene, or mixing and dispersing metal powder or inorganic oxide in such a resin. For example, coating with "Rulon" (manufactured by Deinox) or the like, or Taflam treatment, in which a porous material treated with hard alumite is impregnated with Teflon (registered trademark), are particularly excellent in terms of wear resistance and low coefficient of friction. There is. Moreover, the coating treated with the above-mentioned coating treatment or the Toughflam treatment has a low surface energy and does not accumulate dirt such as toner, and is also excellent in this respect. Furthermore, a metal plate with a mirror surface made of hard chrome plating is also a preferable material. The heater for the transfer material heating plate 10 is preferably one processed into a plate shape. A PTC plate made of a resistance heating element having positive temperature characteristics does not require temperature control and is advantageous in terms of power consumption.
転写材加熱板１０の伝熱面は、以上のように転
写材に接触することが好ましいが、部分的に転写
材の表面に接触するようにしてもよい。又非常に
接近した状態であれば、必ずしも接触しなくても
充分な加熱効果を得ることが可能である。この場
合において、転写材表面との離間間隔は通常３mm
以下とされる。或いは熱ローラを使用したピンチ
ローラ系を転写定着領域Ｃの前に設けることによ
り転写材を加熱することも有効である。 Although it is preferable that the heat transfer surface of the transfer material heating plate 10 contacts the transfer material as described above, it may partially contact the surface of the transfer material. Furthermore, if they are very close together, it is possible to obtain a sufficient heating effect without necessarily touching them. In this case, the distance from the surface of the transfer material is usually 3 mm.
The following shall apply. Alternatively, it is also effective to heat the transfer material by providing a pinch roller system using a heat roller in front of the transfer and fixing area C.
転写定着領域Ｃを通過した転写材は通常中間転
写体５に沿つて搬送され、テンシヨンローラ８に
より中間転写体５より分離される。ここで、テン
シヨンローラ８の径を小さくしておくと、転写材
の中間転写体５よりの分離を容易に行なうことが
できるが、更に揺動せしめることにより無端ベル
トより成る中間転写体５の偏倚を防止することも
できる。 The transfer material that has passed through the transfer fixing area C is normally conveyed along the intermediate transfer body 5 and separated from the intermediate transfer body 5 by a tension roller 8 . Here, if the diameter of the tension roller 8 is made small, the transfer material can be easily separated from the intermediate transfer body 5, but by making it swing further, the intermediate transfer body 5 consisting of an endless belt can be easily separated. It is also possible to prevent deviation.
転写定着領域Ｃを通過した中間転写体５は自然
冷却され、再び転写領域Ａにおいて転写を受け、
更に転写定着領域Ｃにおいて転写定着プロセスを
繰り返す。 The intermediate transfer body 5 that has passed through the transfer fixing area C is naturally cooled, and is transferred again in the transfer area A.
Furthermore, the transfer and fixing process is repeated in the transfer and fixing area C.
図中、１１はクリーニングローラであつて、熱
押圧ローラ９にトナーが付着したときにこれを除
去するものである。 In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a cleaning roller, which removes toner when it adheres to the hot press roller 9.
本発明においては、以上のように、トナー像担
持体１から転写された中間転写体５上のトナー像
のトナーを、これを支持する中間転写体５と共
に、当該トナーの溶融温度より低い温度に加熱す
る一方、転写材を上記溶融温度以上に加熱して、
その状態で中間転写体５と転写材とを互いに圧接
するようにしているため、トナー像の状態を乱す
ことなくこれを転写材に転写定着することができ
る。 In the present invention, as described above, the toner of the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 5 transferred from the toner image carrier 1 is heated to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner, together with the intermediate transfer body 5 that supports the toner image. While heating, the transfer material is heated above the above melting temperature,
Since the intermediate transfer member 5 and the transfer material are brought into pressure contact with each other in this state, the toner image can be transferred and fixed onto the transfer material without disturbing the state of the toner image.
即ち、中間転写体加熱領域Ｂにおいては、トナ
ー像を形成するトナーが溶融しないで固体の状態
或いは圧力下では変形するような状態をなお保持
している温度に加熱されるのみであるため、転写
定着領域Ｃに到達するトナー像はトナー像担持体
１より転写されたままの状態であつてトナーが流
動性を帯びることによる画像の乱れがなく、しか
もこの状態のトナーが転写定着領域Ｃにおいて転
写材と圧接される。従つて当該転写材よりの熱に
よつてトナーの温度が転写材と接触する側から上
昇してこの部分が溶融し、或いは圧接力によつて
変形して当該転写材に接着せしめられるため、ト
ナーが潰れることがなくてにじみが発生せず、従
つて高い解像度を保持したまま、転写定着される
こととなる。 That is, in the intermediate transfer body heating region B, the toner forming the toner image is only heated to a temperature at which it remains in a solid state without melting or in a state where it deforms under pressure. The toner image that reaches the fixing area C is in the same state as transferred from the toner image carrier 1, and there is no disturbance of the image due to fluidity of the toner, and moreover, the toner in this state is transferred in the transfer fixing area C. It is pressed against the material. Therefore, the temperature of the toner rises from the side that contacts the transfer material due to the heat from the transfer material, and this part melts or is deformed by the pressure and adheres to the transfer material, so the toner Since the image is not crushed and no bleeding occurs, the image is transferred and fixed while maintaining high resolution.
以上の如く、転写定着部Ｃに入るトナー像は、
予めそのトナーの溶融温度以下の適当な温度まで
加熱されているため、例えば前述の特公昭46−
41679号公報記載の方法におけるような、転写材
を高温に加熱することによる熱的な非効率を防ぐ
ことができる。しかもトナーは固体の状態或いは
高粘度状態を保持したままであるので、オフセツ
ト現象も極めて生じにくい。 As mentioned above, the toner image entering the transfer fixing section C is
Since the toner is heated in advance to an appropriate temperature below the melting temperature of the toner, for example,
Thermal inefficiency caused by heating the transfer material to a high temperature as in the method described in Publication No. 41679 can be prevented. Moreover, since the toner remains in a solid state or a high viscosity state, offset phenomenon is extremely unlikely to occur.
また、熱押圧ローラ９の表面温度をトナーの溶
融温度以下に保持するようにしたことは、中間転
写体５上のトナー像が、転写定着部Ｃにおいて、
トナー溶融温度より高温の転写材からの熱により
一旦トナー溶融温度以上になつて、転写材に充分
接着した後の状態を、トナー溶融温度付近または
それ以下の温度に冷却する。従つて、トナー像は
充分に定着されてから転写定着部Ｃを出ることに
なり、オフセツトが発生することはない。この効
果は、軟化特性の鋭いトナー、すなわち、温度上
昇に対して粘度低下が急激に生じるようなトナー
の使用も可能にするし、さらに、中間転写体５が
上面の粗になるような劣化をして、トナー像の付
着力が増加するようになつても、転写材への転写
が安定して完全に行なわれるようにする。 Furthermore, by keeping the surface temperature of the thermal pressure roller 9 below the melting temperature of the toner, the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 5 is
Once the toner reaches a temperature higher than the toner melting temperature due to heat from the transfer material having a temperature higher than the toner melting temperature and is sufficiently adhered to the transfer material, the toner is cooled to a temperature near or below the toner melting temperature. Therefore, the toner image leaves the transfer and fixing section C after being sufficiently fixed, and no offset occurs. This effect makes it possible to use toners with sharp softening characteristics, that is, toners whose viscosity rapidly decreases as the temperature rises, and furthermore, prevents the intermediate transfer member 5 from deteriorating such that the upper surface thereof becomes rough. Thus, even if the adhesion of the toner image increases, the transfer to the transfer material can be performed stably and completely.
さらに、中間転写体５とトナー像、転写材およ
び熱押圧ローラ９の四者を共に加熱するため、そ
の各々における必要な加熱温度を低下せしめるこ
とが可能となり、これによつてその各々を過度に
加熱することが不要となり、しかも逃散する熱量
を小さく抑制することができて全体の熱利用率を
大幅に向上せしめることができることも加わつ
て、全消費エネルギーを大幅に減少せしめること
ができる。又トナー像の転写定着を高速で行なう
ことが可能となる。 Furthermore, since the intermediate transfer body 5, the toner image, the transfer material, and the hot press roller 9 are heated together, it is possible to lower the heating temperature required for each of them, thereby making it possible to reduce the heating temperature of each of them excessively. Heating is no longer necessary, and the amount of heat dissipated can be suppressed to a small level, which greatly improves the overall heat utilization rate, and the total energy consumption can be significantly reduced. Further, it becomes possible to transfer and fix toner images at high speed.
そして、特に、熱押圧ローラ９の表面温度を中
間転写体５の上面温度以上、トナーの溶融温度以
下すなわち、実際上は中間転写体５の上面温度と
ほぼ等しい温度に保持することによつて、簡単な
制御手段で容易に安定した温度保持がなされる
し、また、熱押圧ローラ９をトナーの溶融温度以
上に設定した場合のように、中間転写体５の温度
が上昇したりする惧れはなくなる。 In particular, by maintaining the surface temperature of the thermal press roller 9 at a temperature above the top surface temperature of the intermediate transfer body 5 and below the melting temperature of the toner, that is, in practice, at a temperature approximately equal to the top surface temperature of the intermediate transfer body 5, A stable temperature can be easily maintained using a simple control means, and there is no risk that the temperature of the intermediate transfer body 5 will rise as in the case where the thermal press roller 9 is set at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the toner. It disappears.
さらにまた、転写材加熱板１０をトナーの溶融
温度より高い高温レベルに保持する一方で、中間
転写体５および熱押圧ローラ９をトナーの溶融温
度以下の低温レベルに保持するようにしたこと
は、装置内部における高温部分と低温部分を分離
することができ、したがつて高温熱源が集中でき
て、熱の雰囲気への放散を最小限にとどめること
ができる。 Furthermore, while the transfer material heating plate 10 is maintained at a high temperature level higher than the melting temperature of the toner, the intermediate transfer body 5 and the thermal press roller 9 are maintained at a low temperature level below the toner melting temperature. It is possible to separate the high-temperature and low-temperature parts inside the device, so that the high-temperature heat source can be concentrated and the dissipation of heat into the atmosphere can be kept to a minimum.
第２図および第３図は、上述の第１図の装置に
ついて、熱ローラ７と熱押圧ローラ９の挾圧部分
近傍における中間転写体５の上面温度またはトナ
ー像の温度T5、転写材の転写面温度Tpおよび熱
押圧ローラ９の表面温度T9の温度変化を示し、
横軸は熱ローラ７と熱Ｖローラ９の挾圧点より直
前の位置を０として、そこから両ローラの回転方
向にとつた距離を示している。そして、第２図
は、中間転写体５の上面温度T5が60℃になるよ
うに熱ローラ７の温度制御を行ない、熱押圧ロー
ラ９の表面温度T9が80℃になるように制御して、
転写材加熱板１０の伝熱面温度を160℃に制御し
た場合を示し、第３図は、中間転写体５の上面温
度T5の熱押圧ローラ９の表面温度t9を共に80℃に
なるように制御し、転写材加熱板１０の伝熱面温
度を140℃に制御した場合を示している。なお、
いずれの場合も、トナーの溶融温度が略100℃の
条件によつている。この第２図、第３図から分る
ように、中間転写体５の上面温度T5を低く設定
しても、それに応じて転写材加熱板１０により転
写材の転写面温度Tpを高くするようにすれば、
熱ローラ７と熱押圧ローラの挾圧点に達するとき
に中間転写体５の上面温度T5は十分トナーの溶
融温度を越え、したがつて中間転写体５上のトナ
ー像のトナーは溶融して、転写材に転写定着され
る。しかも、第２図、第３図いずれの場合も熱ロ
ーラ７と熱押圧ローラ９の挾圧点を過ぎると、転
写材の転写面温度Tpおよび中間転写体５の上面
温度T5が共にトナーの溶融温度以下になるから、
トナー像のオフセツトが防止される。 FIGS. 2 and 3 show the upper surface temperature of the intermediate transfer member 5 or the temperature T 5 of the toner image in the vicinity of the clamping portion between the heat roller 7 and the heat press roller 9, and the temperature T 5 of the transfer material in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 described above. Indicates the temperature change of the transfer surface temperature T p and the surface temperature T 9 of the hot press roller 9,
The horizontal axis indicates the distance taken in the direction of rotation of both rollers, with the position immediately before the clamping point of the heat roller 7 and the heat V roller 9 as 0. FIG. 2 shows that the temperature of the heat roller 7 is controlled so that the upper surface temperature T 5 of the intermediate transfer body 5 becomes 60°C, and the temperature of the heat roller 9 is controlled so that the surface temperature T 9 of the heat press roller 9 becomes 80°C. hand,
FIG. 3 shows a case where the temperature of the heat transfer surface of the transfer material heating plate 10 is controlled to 160°C, and FIG . The figure shows the case where the temperature of the heat transfer surface of the transfer material heating plate 10 was controlled to 140°C. In addition,
In either case, the melting temperature of the toner is approximately 100°C. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, even if the upper surface temperature T 5 of the intermediate transfer member 5 is set low, the transfer material heating plate 10 increases the transfer surface temperature T p of the transfer material accordingly. If you do this,
When the pressure point between the heat roller 7 and the heat pressure roller is reached, the upper surface temperature T5 of the intermediate transfer member 5 sufficiently exceeds the melting temperature of the toner, and therefore the toner of the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5 is melted. , is transferred and fixed onto a transfer material. Moreover, in both cases of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, after passing the clamping point between the heat roller 7 and the heat press roller 9, both the transfer surface temperature T p of the transfer material and the upper surface temperature T 5 of the intermediate transfer member 5 become the temperature of the toner. Because it is below the melting temperature of
Toner image offset is prevented.
本発明の装置によれば、以上述べたように、転
写領域Ｃを通過した中間転写体５の温度を低く抑
えることができ、中間転写体５を強制冷却せしめ
る必要がなくて自然放熱による冷却で十分であ
り、トナー像担持体１が光導電性感光体のよう
な、その基本特性において熱に対して繊細な性質
を有するものであつてもその良好な特性を阻害す
ることがなく、或いは中間転写体５の材料成分の
一部がトナー像担持体１に付着すること、等の不
都合を防止することができると共に、中間転写体
５が高温に加熱されず又温度変化に曝されないこ
とによりその耐久性を長期間に亘つて保有せしめ
ることができ、或いは当該中間転写体５の材質に
必要とされる耐熱性の条件が緩和され、材質の選
択範囲が拡大されてコストの低下を図ることがで
きる。 According to the apparatus of the present invention, as described above, the temperature of the intermediate transfer body 5 that has passed through the transfer area C can be kept low, and there is no need to forcefully cool the intermediate transfer body 5, and cooling can be performed by natural heat radiation. It is sufficient that even if the toner image bearing member 1 is a photoconductive photoreceptor whose basic characteristics are sensitive to heat, the good characteristics thereof will not be impeded or It is possible to prevent problems such as part of the material components of the transfer body 5 adhering to the toner image carrier 1, and also because the intermediate transfer body 5 is not heated to high temperatures or exposed to temperature changes. Durability can be maintained for a long period of time, or the heat resistance conditions required for the material of the intermediate transfer body 5 can be relaxed, the range of material selection can be expanded, and costs can be reduced. can.
又トナーの定着は既述のように行なわれるの
で、転写定着領域Ｃにおけるトナー像の中間転写
体５よりの分離が略完全に行なわれ、従つて転写
定着後に中間転写体５にはトナーが残留すること
がなくてトナー像担持体１が汚れること、並びに
オフセツト現像の発生が防止される。 Furthermore, since toner fixation is performed as described above, the toner image in the transfer and fixing area C is almost completely separated from the intermediate transfer member 5, so that no toner remains on the intermediate transfer member 5 after transfer and fixation. This prevents the toner image bearing member 1 from becoming dirty and from generating offset development.
本発明においては、中間転写体５或いはトナー
像担持体１の強制冷却を禁ずるものではない。 In the present invention, forced cooling of the intermediate transfer member 5 or the toner image bearing member 1 is not prohibited.
本発明においては、無端ベルトにより構成され
た中間転写体５及びトナーは、図示の例における
ように当該中間転写体５の懸架支持を兼ねて中間
転写体５と接触する熱ローラ７よりの伝導熱によ
つて加熱されており、熱使用の効率上好ましい。
又この場合において、中間転写体５を当該熱ロー
ラ７の中心角90度以上の中間転写体加熱領域Ｂに
おいて接触加熱せしめることが望ましい。このよ
うに中間転写体加熱領域Ｂを充分大きくとること
により、転写定着領域Ｃに達したときには中間転
写体５と熱ローラ７との温度がほぼ平衡となつた
状態が得られ、中間転写体５上のトナーの転写定
着領域Ｃに入る直前の温度を高い精度で制御する
ことができて安定した転写定着を行なうことがで
き、併せて熱ローラ７を小径なものとすることに
より装置の小型化を図ることができる。 In the present invention, the intermediate transfer body 5 constituted by an endless belt and the toner are heated by conductive heat from a heat roller 7 that also serves as suspension support for the intermediate transfer body 5 and is in contact with the intermediate transfer body 5, as in the illustrated example. This is preferable in terms of heat usage efficiency.
In this case, it is desirable to heat the intermediate transfer member 5 by contact in the intermediate transfer member heating region B of the heat roller 7 having a center angle of 90 degrees or more. By making the intermediate transfer member heating area B sufficiently large in this way, a state is obtained in which the temperatures of the intermediate transfer member 5 and the heat roller 7 are almost in equilibrium when the transfer fixing area C is reached, and the intermediate transfer member 5 The temperature just before the upper toner enters the transfer and fixing area C can be controlled with high precision, making it possible to perform stable transfer and fixing.In addition, by making the heat roller 7 smaller in diameter, the device can be made more compact. can be achieved.
中間転写体５及びトナー像のトナーを加熱する
ためには、第４図に示すように前記熱ローラ７を
単なるローラ１２に代え、これにヒータ１３Ａを
有する熱ローラ１３を接触して回転するよう設け
てもよい。この熱ローラ１３の表層はテフロンす
なわちフツ素系或いはシリコン系のゴムにより形
成して離型性を有せしめることが好ましい。この
場合においてはローラ１２と熱ローラ１３との接
触幅は大きいことが望ましい。 In order to heat the intermediate transfer member 5 and the toner of the toner image, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat roller 7 is replaced with a simple roller 12, and a heat roller 13 having a heater 13A is brought into contact with the roller 12 and rotated. It may be provided. The surface layer of the heat roller 13 is preferably made of Teflon, ie, fluorine-based or silicone-based rubber, so as to have mold releasability. In this case, it is desirable that the contact width between the roller 12 and the heat roller 13 be large.
第５図は本発明の他の実施例を示し、この例
は、第１図の例における転写材加熱板１０の代り
に、ヒータ１４Ａを有する転写材加熱ローラ１４
を熱押圧ローラ９に対接して設け、更に転写材ガ
イド板１５を設けたものである。そして転写材は
第６図に示すように、転写材加熱ローラ１４と熱
押圧ローラ９との挾圧部による転写材加熱領域Ｄ
を通過するときに転写材加熱ローラ１４により加
熱された後転写材ガイド板１５に沿つて転写定着
領域Ｃに至り、その後は第１図の例と同様にして
中間転写体５上のトナー像が転写材上に転写定着
される。前記転写材加熱ローラ１４は第１図の場
合と異なり、転写材に瞬時的に熱を与えるもので
ある。この転写材加熱ローラ１４の表面には、ト
ナー等が付着しないよう、例えばポリテトラフル
オロエチレン、パーフルオロアルコキシ樹脂、或
いはポリフルオロエチレン・プロピレン等のフツ
素系樹脂のコーテイング処理又はタフラム処理を
行なつて離型性を付与しておくことが好ましく、
或いは付着トナーを除去するためにフエルト若し
くはブレードを並設してもよい。 FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which a transfer material heating roller 14 having a heater 14A instead of the transfer material heating plate 10 in the example of FIG.
A transfer material guide plate 15 is further provided. As shown in FIG.
The toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5 is heated by the transfer material heating roller 14 when passing through the intermediate transfer member 5, and then reaches the transfer fixing area C along the transfer material guide plate 15. Thereafter, the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5 is The image is transferred and fixed onto the transfer material. Unlike the case shown in FIG. 1, the transfer material heating roller 14 instantaneously applies heat to the transfer material. The surface of the transfer material heating roller 14 is coated with a fluorine-based resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy resin, or polyfluoroethylene/propylene, or subjected to Taflam treatment to prevent toner from adhering to the surface. It is preferable to impart mold releasability by
Alternatively, felts or blades may be provided in parallel to remove adhering toner.
第７図は本発明の更に他の実施例を示し、この
例は、熱押圧ローラ９とテンシヨンローラ１６と
に無端ベルト１７を懸架し、その無端ベルト１７
の直進部を転写材移動路Ｐに沿つて配置すると共
に、これに対接するように転写材加熱板１０を設
けたものであり、転写材加熱板１０は支持部１８
において回動自在に枢支されている。１９はヒー
タである。このような構成によれば、転写材加熱
板１０と転写材との接触時間を自由に長くするこ
とが可能であつて、転写材を高速で移動せしめな
がら確実に加熱することができる。又転写材の搬
送が確実となつて大きな信頼性が得られ、更に転
写材加熱板１０の形状も平板でよいので製造が容
易となる。 FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which an endless belt 17 is suspended between a heat pressing roller 9 and a tension roller 16.
A straight advancing portion of the transfer material is disposed along the transfer material movement path P, and a transfer material heating plate 10 is provided so as to be opposed to this.
It is rotatably supported at. 19 is a heater. According to such a configuration, it is possible to freely lengthen the contact time between the transfer material heating plate 10 and the transfer material, and it is possible to reliably heat the transfer material while moving it at high speed. In addition, the transfer material can be transported reliably, resulting in high reliability, and since the transfer material heating plate 10 can be formed into a flat plate, manufacturing is facilitated.
前記無端ベルト１７の材質は、シリコン系ゴ
ム、ポリイミド、ポリイミドアミド等の耐熱性弾
性体とするのが好ましく、その厚さは材質によつ
て異なるが、例えば0.1〜５mm、得にシリコン系
ゴムの場合には0.5〜３mmであることが好ましい。
転写材加熱板１０には、既述のように適当な表面
処理を施してその摩擦係数を小さくし、耐摩耗性
更には離型性を与えることが好ましい。又無端ベ
ルト１７との摩擦力を大きくするために、熱押圧
ローラ９及びテンシヨンローラ１６の外周面に溝
を形成してもよく、この場合に溝の深さは0.1mm
程度とするのが好ましい。尚テンシヨンローラ１
６は、無端ベルト１７の片寄りを防止するため
に、中央部の外径を両端部に比して大きくしたク
ラウンローラにより構成すると一層好ましい。 The material of the endless belt 17 is preferably a heat-resistant elastic material such as silicone rubber, polyimide, polyimide amide, etc. The thickness thereof varies depending on the material, but is, for example, 0.1 to 5 mm, particularly silicone rubber. In some cases, it is preferably 0.5 to 3 mm.
It is preferable that the transfer material heating plate 10 be subjected to an appropriate surface treatment as described above to reduce its coefficient of friction and provide wear resistance and release properties. Further, in order to increase the frictional force with the endless belt 17, grooves may be formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the heat pressing roller 9 and the tension roller 16, and in this case, the depth of the grooves is 0.1 mm.
It is preferable to set it as approximately. Tension roller 1
In order to prevent the endless belt 17 from being shifted to one side, it is more preferable that the belt 6 is constituted by a crown roller having a larger outer diameter at the center than at both ends.
第８図は本発明の他の実施例を示し、この例に
おいては、転写材移動路Ｐにおける転写定着領域
Ｃより上流側において、熱押圧ローラ９とは独立
して、転写材加熱ローラ１４と、これと共に転写
材を挾圧するローラ２０を設けて構成される。こ
のような構成によれば、転写材の加熱が熱押圧ロ
ーラ９とは無関係に行なわれるため、熱押圧ロー
ラ９を加熱することが抑制され、ローラ２０は単
に転写材を転写材加熱ローラ１４に圧接せしめる
機能を果せばよいから、転写材加熱ローラ１４の
加熱効率の向上と、転写材の加熱温度の制御制度
の向上を図ることができ、従つて過度の加熱によ
るオフセツト現象の発生を防止することができ
る。しかも転写材の加熱が、熱押圧ローラ９と分
離した位置で行なわれるため、熱押圧ローラ９に
付着したトナーが熱によつて転写材に付着するこ
とが防止される。１５Ａ，１５Ｂは転写材ガイド
板である。 FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the transfer material heating roller 14 is installed independently of the thermal pressing roller 9 on the upstream side of the transfer fixing area C in the transfer material moving path P. , and a roller 20 that clamps and presses the transfer material. According to such a configuration, since the heating of the transfer material is performed independently of the hot press roller 9, heating of the hot press roller 9 is suppressed, and the roller 20 simply transfers the transfer material to the transfer material heating roller 14. Since it is sufficient to perform the function of pressing the transfer material, it is possible to improve the heating efficiency of the transfer material heating roller 14 and the control precision of the heating temperature of the transfer material, thereby preventing the occurrence of offset phenomenon due to excessive heating. can do. Moreover, since the transfer material is heated at a location separate from the hot press roller 9, toner adhering to the hot press roller 9 is prevented from adhering to the transfer material due to heat. 15A and 15B are transfer material guide plates.
実施例 １
使用トナーは、溶融温度が115℃であるものを
用いた。中間転写体として、50μｍのベルト状の
ポリイミド基体に50μｍの厚さに、信越化学工業
製のシリコンエラストマーRTV−KE1300をトル
エンに溶解し、50μｍスプレー塗布したベルト状
中間転写体を用いた。感光体上の一次画像を転写
部において、中間転写体に転写し、中間転写体の
内側に50φ2mm厚のアルミロールに２mm厚のシリ
コンゴムを被覆したゴムロールを設け、支持ロー
ルとし、支持ロールの内部に設けたハロゲンラン
プのヒータにより中間転写体上のトナー像を中間
転写体とともに60℃に加熱した。熱押圧ロールと
しては50φ2mm厚のアルミロールに１mm厚のシリ
コンゴムを被覆したものを用いて、内部に設けた
ハロゲン・ランプのヒータにより80℃に加熱し、
これを中間転写体に押圧することによつて転写定
着部を構成した。板状のシリコン内部に膜状のニ
クロム系発熱体を埋込んだ面状発熱体をアルミ板
に接着した加熱板により、160℃に加熱した転写
紙をこの転写定着部へ、ラインスピード150mm／
mm給紙速度で通過させたところ、高温高湿の悪条
件下においても定着性にすぐれ、しかも文字や線
ににじみ、ふとりがなく、また黒ベタや写真など
のハーフ・トーンまでの再現性のよい最終画像を
得ることができた。Example 1 The toner used had a melting temperature of 115°C. As an intermediate transfer member, a belt-like intermediate transfer member was used, in which silicone elastomer RTV-KE1300 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. was dissolved in toluene and spray-coated to a thickness of 50 μm on a belt-like polyimide base having a thickness of 50 μm. The primary image on the photoreceptor is transferred to an intermediate transfer body in a transfer section, and a rubber roll made of a 50φ2mm thick aluminum roll coated with 2mm thick silicone rubber is installed inside the intermediate transfer body as a support roll. The toner image on the intermediate transfer member was heated to 60° C. together with the intermediate transfer member using a halogen lamp heater installed in the holder. As the hot press roll, we used a 50φ2mm thick aluminum roll coated with 1mm thick silicone rubber, and heated it to 80℃ using a halogen lamp heater installed inside.
A transfer and fixing section was constructed by pressing this onto an intermediate transfer member. Transfer paper heated to 160°C is transferred to this transfer fixing section using a heating plate made by bonding a planar heating element, in which a film-like nichrome heating element is embedded inside a silicon plate, to an aluminum plate, at a line speed of 150mm/
When the paper was passed through the paper at a feeding speed of I was able to get a good final image.
実施例 ２
使用トナーは溶融温度が115℃であるものを用
いた。中間転写体として、２mm厚50φのSUSロー
ラの表面に２mm厚のシリコンゴムを被覆したゴム
ロールの表面に信越化学工業社製のシリコンエラ
ストマーRTV−KE1300をトルエンに溶解し、
100μｍの厚さにスプレー塗布したロール状の中
間転写体を用いた感光体上の一次画像を転写部に
おいて、この中間転写体に押圧転写し、このトナ
ー像を中間転写体の内部に設けたハロゲン・ラン
プのヒータにより中間転写体とともに60℃に加熱
した。押圧ロールとしては、50φ2mm厚のアルミ
ロールに１mm厚のシリコンゴムを被覆したゴムロ
ールを用いた。中間転写体と、これに押圧する熱
押圧ロールにより転写定着部を構成した。熱押圧
ロールは内部に設けたハロゲン・ランプヒータに
より80℃に加熱した。板状のシリコンゴム内部に
膜状のニクロム系発熱体を埋込んだ面状発熱体を
アルミ板に接着した加熱板により160℃に加熱し
た転写紙をこの転写定着部へ、ライン・スピード
150mm／mmの給紙速度で通過させたところ、高温
高湿の悪条件下においても定着性にすぐれ、しか
も文字や線ににじみ、ふとりがなく、黒ベタや写
真などのハーフ・トーンまで再現性のよい最終画
像を得ることができた。Example 2 The toner used had a melting temperature of 115°C. As an intermediate transfer body, silicone elastomer RTV-KE1300 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. was dissolved in toluene on the surface of a rubber roll whose surface was a 2mm thick 50φ SUS roller coated with 2mm thick silicone rubber.
The primary image on a photoreceptor using a roll-shaped intermediate transfer member spray-coated to a thickness of 100 μm is pressure-transferred onto this intermediate transfer member in a transfer section, and this toner image is transferred to a halogen film provided inside the intermediate transfer member.・Heated to 60°C together with the intermediate transfer body using a lamp heater. As the pressure roll, a rubber roll made of a 50φ2 mm thick aluminum roll coated with 1 mm thick silicone rubber was used. A transfer and fixing section was composed of an intermediate transfer member and a hot press roll that pressed the intermediate transfer member. The hot press roll was heated to 80°C by a halogen lamp heater installed inside. The transfer paper heated to 160℃ is heated to 160℃ by a heating plate made of a sheet of silicone rubber with a sheet of nichrome heating element embedded in it and bonded to an aluminum plate.
When the paper was passed through the paper at a feed speed of 150 mm/mm, it showed excellent fixation even under adverse conditions of high temperature and high humidity, and there was no smearing or smearing on letters or lines, and it was reproducible even in solid black and half tones of photographs. I was able to obtain a good final image.
本発明においては中間転写体をトナーの溶融温
度より低いことが要件の１つとなつているが、中
間転写体は望ましくはトナーの溶融温度より１〜
60℃低く加熱される。また、押圧体は１〜40℃低
く、転写紙は０〜60℃高く加熱されるのが望まし
い。 In the present invention, one of the requirements for the intermediate transfer member is that the temperature is lower than the melting temperature of the toner.
Heated at a low temperature of 60℃. Further, it is desirable that the pressing body be heated 1 to 40°C lower, and the transfer paper heated 0 to 60°C higher.
以上、本発明の実施例について説明したが、本
発明はそれに限られるものではなく、例えば熱押
圧ローラ９のヒータ９Ａを装着しないようにして
もよい。その場合も、中間転写体５を加熱する熱
ローラ７や転写材加熱板１０からの熱により、平
衡状態において熱押圧ローラ９がトナーの溶融温
度以下の適当な温度に上昇して、本発明の目的を
達成することが可能である。 Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto; for example, the heater 9A of the thermal press roller 9 may not be installed. In this case, the heat from the heat roller 7 that heats the intermediate transfer member 5 and the transfer material heating plate 10 raises the heat pressure roller 9 to an appropriate temperature below the toner melting temperature in an equilibrium state, and the present invention It is possible to achieve the goal.
本発明によれば、中間転写体５上のトナー像を
高い解像度を保持したまま確実に又好適に転写材
に転写定着できる上、トナー像担持体１上のトナ
ーが押圧によつて中間転写体５上に転写され、従
つてトナー像担持体１上の潜像を基本的に破壊す
ることがないからこの潜像を再び現像することに
よつて同一の鮮明なトナー像を形成することがで
き、従つてリテンシヨン方式を確実に実現するこ
とができる。 According to the present invention, the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5 can be reliably and suitably transferred and fixed onto the transfer material while maintaining high resolution, and the toner on the toner image carrier 1 can be transferred to the intermediate transfer member by pressure. Therefore, since the latent image on the toner image carrier 1 is basically not destroyed, the same clear toner image can be formed by developing this latent image again. Therefore, the retention method can be reliably realized.
第１図は本発明の一実施例における装置の構成
を示す説明図、第２図および第３図は第１図の例
におけるトナー像を有する中間転写体と転写材お
よび熱押圧体の温度変化を示すグラフ、第４図お
よび第５図はそれぞれ本発明の他の実施例を示す
部分図、第６図は第５図の例における全体図、第
７図および第８図もそれぞれ本発明の他の実施例
を示す装置の構成説明図である。
１……トナー像担持体、２……潜像形成機構、
３……現像機構、５……中間転写体、６……押圧
ローラ、７……熱ローラ、７Ａ……ヒータ、８…
テンシヨンローラ、９……熱押圧ローラ、９Ａ…
ヒータ、１０……転写材加熱板、１３……熱ロー
ラ、１４……転写材加熱ローラ、１５……転写材
ガイド板、１６……テンシヨンローラ、１７……
無端ベルト、１８……支持部、１９……ヒータ、
Ａ……転写領域、Ｂ……中間転写体加熱領域、Ｃ
……転写定着領域、Ｄ……転写材加熱領域、Ｐ…
転写材移動路、Ｔ……トナー像。
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are temperature changes of an intermediate transfer member having a toner image, a transfer material, and a hot pressing member in the example of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are partial views showing other embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an overall view of the example of FIG. 5, and FIGS. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of an apparatus showing another embodiment. 1... Toner image carrier, 2... Latent image forming mechanism,
3...Development mechanism, 5...Intermediate transfer body, 6...Press roller, 7...Heat roller, 7A...Heater, 8...
Tension roller, 9...Heat pressure roller, 9A...
Heater, 10... Transfer material heating plate, 13... Heat roller, 14... Transfer material heating roller, 15... Transfer material guide plate, 16... Tension roller, 17...
Endless belt, 18... Support part, 19... Heater,
A... Transfer area, B... Intermediate transfer body heating area, C
...Transfer fixing area, D...Transfer material heating area, P...
Transfer material movement path, T...toner image.
Claims (1)
転写し、該中間転写体から転写材に転写、定着す
るトナー像転写定着方法において、上記中間転写
体上のトナー像をトナーの溶融温度より低い温度
に加熱するとともに、トナーの溶融温度より低い
温度に加熱した押圧体を前記中間転写体に圧接せ
しめ、該圧接部にトナーの溶融温度以上の温度に
加熱した転写材を送り込むことにより、トナー像
を上記転写材に転写、定着することを特徴とする
トナー像転写定着方法。 ２ トナー像がトナー像担持体から中間転写体に
転写され、該中間転写体から転写材に再転写され
て定着せしめられるトナー像転写定着装置におい
て、上記中間転写体上のトナー像をトナーの溶融
温度より低い温度に加熱する手段と、上記転写材
を中間転写体に圧接させる押圧体と、核押圧体を
トナーの溶融温度より低い温度に加熱する手段
と、上記転写材を中間転写体に圧接する前にトナ
ーの溶融温度以上に加熱する手段とを設けたこと
を特徴とするトナー像転写定着装置。 ３ 前記トナー像担持体と中間転写体とが共にそ
れぞれロール状またはベルト状の回動体である特
許請求の範囲第２項記載のトナー像転写定着装
置。 ４ 前記中間転写体の上面がシリコン系ゴムまた
はフツ素系ゴムよりなる特許請求の範囲第２項ま
たは第３項記載のトナー像転写定着装置。 ５ 前記中間転写体上のトナー像を加熱する手段
が中間転写体の下面側に接して中間転写体を回動
せしめる熱ローラであり、前記押圧体が上記熱ロ
ーラとの間で中間転写体と転写材とを挟圧して送
る加熱手段を内蔵した熱押圧ローラである特許請
求の範囲第３項または第４項記載のトナー像転写
定着装置。 ６ 前記中間転写体がベルト状の回動体であり、
前記熱ローラとは別に中間転写体の下面側に中間
転写体をトナー像担持体に圧接させる押圧ローラ
が設けられている特許請求の範囲第５項記載のト
ナー像転写定着装置。[Scope of Claims] 1. A toner image transfer and fixing method in which a toner image is transferred from a toner image carrier to an intermediate transfer member, and transferred and fixed from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer material, wherein the toner image on the intermediate transfer member is transferred and fixed. A pressing body heated to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner and heated to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer body, and a transfer material heated to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the toner is applied to the pressure contact portion. A toner image transfer and fixing method characterized in that the toner image is transferred and fixed onto the transfer material by feeding the toner image. 2. In a toner image transfer fixing device in which a toner image is transferred from a toner image carrier to an intermediate transfer member, and then retransferred from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer material and fixed, the toner image on the intermediate transfer member is transferred by toner melting. a means for heating the transfer material to a temperature lower than the toner temperature, a pressing member for pressing the transfer material against the intermediate transfer member, a means for heating the core pressing member to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the toner, and a pressing member for pressing the transfer material against the intermediate transfer member. 1. A toner image transfer fixing device, comprising means for heating the toner to a temperature higher than the melting temperature thereof before the toner is heated to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the toner. 3. The toner image transfer and fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the toner image bearing member and the intermediate transfer member are both roll-shaped or belt-shaped rotating bodies. 4. The toner image transfer and fixing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the upper surface of the intermediate transfer member is made of silicone rubber or fluorine rubber. 5. The means for heating the toner image on the intermediate transfer body is a heat roller that contacts the lower surface side of the intermediate transfer body and rotates the intermediate transfer body, and the pressing body is heated between the heat roller and the intermediate transfer body. The toner image transfer fixing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the toner image transfer fixing device is a heat pressing roller having a built-in heating means for feeding the transfer material while pressing the transfer material. 6. The intermediate transfer body is a belt-shaped rotating body,
6. The toner image transfer and fixing device according to claim 5, further comprising a pressure roller provided on the lower surface side of the intermediate transfer member for pressing the intermediate transfer member against the toner image carrier, in addition to the heat roller.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP18229281A JPS5885463A (en) | 1981-11-16 | 1981-11-16 | Method and device for transfer and fixing of toner image |
| US06/439,426 US4430412A (en) | 1981-11-13 | 1982-11-05 | Method and apparatus for transferring and fixing toner image using controlled heat |
| DE19823241816 DE3241816A1 (en) | 1981-11-13 | 1982-11-11 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING AND FIXING A TONER IMAGE |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP18229281A JPS5885463A (en) | 1981-11-16 | 1981-11-16 | Method and device for transfer and fixing of toner image |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS5885463A JPS5885463A (en) | 1983-05-21 |
| JPH0363757B2 true JPH0363757B2 (en) | 1991-10-02 |
Family
ID=16115726
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP18229281A Granted JPS5885463A (en) | 1981-11-13 | 1981-11-16 | Method and device for transfer and fixing of toner image |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5885463A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7274902B2 (en) | 2005-03-30 | 2007-09-25 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printer transfer member |
-
1981
- 1981-11-16 JP JP18229281A patent/JPS5885463A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS5885463A (en) | 1983-05-21 |
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