JPH04309984A - Fixing device - Google Patents

Fixing device

Info

Publication number
JPH04309984A
JPH04309984A JP7627391A JP7627391A JPH04309984A JP H04309984 A JPH04309984 A JP H04309984A JP 7627391 A JP7627391 A JP 7627391A JP 7627391 A JP7627391 A JP 7627391A JP H04309984 A JPH04309984 A JP H04309984A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
fixing
curvature
recording material
radius
fixing device
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.)
Granted
Application number
JP7627391A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP3066097B2 (en
Inventor
Shinichi Konno
今野真一
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Priority to JP3076273A priority Critical patent/JP3066097B2/en
Publication of JPH04309984A publication Critical patent/JPH04309984A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3066097B2 publication Critical patent/JP3066097B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a fixing device which can prevent the occurrence of down curling at the time of ejecting a recording material and improve fixing properties. CONSTITUTION:In the fixing device heating/fixing the recording material P via a thin film fixing film 18, a heating body 14 is made into a convex having downward curvature so as to face a pressure roller 21, and the radius of curvature of the upper stream side inside a region where the heating body 14 via the above-mentioned fixing film 18 is in contact with the recording material P pressurized by the pressure roller 21, is set larger than that of the down stream side. Thus, the occurrence of the down curling and the damage of the inside of the fixing film 18, at the time of ejecting the recording material P, are avoided, and further, the fixing properties are improved.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】[Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】0001

【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、薄膜の定着フィルムを
介して記録材を加熱定着させる定着装置に関するもので
ある。
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing device for heating and fixing a recording material through a thin fixing film.

【0002】0002

【従来の技術】薄膜の定着フィルムを用いた定着装置は
、たとえば、特開昭63−313182号公報に記載さ
れている。
2. Description of the Related Art A fixing device using a thin fixing film is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-313182.

【0003】また図2に示すように、薄膜の定着フィル
ム18を用いた定着装置において、記録材シートPの排
紙時のカール取り対策として、加熱体14を加圧ローラ
21と対向する方向に曲率半径R2の凸部を設けたもの
も提案されている。
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in a fixing device using a thin fixing film 18, a heating element 14 is moved in a direction facing a pressure roller 21 in order to remove curls when a recording material sheet P is ejected. A convex portion with a radius of curvature R2 has also been proposed.

【0004】0004

【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、図2に
示すように、定着フィルム18を介して加熱定着を行な
う定着装置の加熱体14に凸部を設けて曲面ヒータとし
た場合、平面ヒータに比べ、定着フィルム18の回転時
にヒータ端部のエッジにより、該フィルム18の内部を
損傷することもなく、また該シートPの排紙時に該シー
トPが加圧ロール21により加熱体14の曲面に押圧さ
れるために、下カールを防止できるという利点があった
が、逆に、該フィルム18を介した加熱体14の前記凸
部と加圧ロール21により加圧された該シートPの接触
する領域(ニップN2)が平面ヒータより狭くなるため
、定着性が低下する可能性があるという問題点があった
However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the heating body 14 of the fixing device that performs heat fixing via the fixing film 18 is provided with a convex portion to form a curved heater, the heating element 14 has a lower temperature than a flat heater. When the fixing film 18 is rotated, the inside of the film 18 is not damaged by the edge of the heater end, and when the sheet P is ejected, the sheet P is pressed against the curved surface of the heating body 14 by the pressure roll 21. However, on the contrary, the area where the convex portion of the heating body 14 and the sheet P pressed by the pressure roll 21 contact each other via the film 18 Since the (nip N2) is narrower than that of a flat heater, there is a problem in that fixing performance may deteriorate.

【0005】本発明は、上記のような問題点を解決しよ
うとするものである。すなわち、本発明は、記録材の排
紙時に下カールの発生がなく、かつ、定着性を向上させ
ることができる定着装置を提供することを目的とするも
のである。
[0005] The present invention is an attempt to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device that does not cause downward curl when discharging a recording material and can improve fixing performance.

【0006】[0006]

【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するため
に、本発明は、薄膜の定着フィルムを介して記録材を加
熱定着させる定着装置において、加熱体の形状が加圧ロ
ーラに対抗して下側へ曲率をもった凸形状になっており
、かつ、前記定着フィルムを介した該加熱体と加圧ロー
ラにより加圧された記録材との接触する領域内の上流側
の曲率半径が下流側の曲率半径より大きく設定されてい
るものとした。
[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fixing device that heats and fixes a recording material through a thin fixing film, in which the shape of the heating body is opposed to the pressure roller. It has a convex shape with a downward curvature, and the radius of curvature on the upstream side in the area where the heating body via the fixing film contacts the recording material pressed by the pressure roller is the radius of curvature on the downstream side. The radius of curvature was set to be larger than the radius of curvature on the side.

【0007】[0007]

【作用】本発明によれば、加熱体の形状が加圧ローラに
対向して下側へ曲率を持った凸形状になっているので、
記録材の排紙時に下カールの発生が防止され、またニッ
プ内における上流側の曲率半径が下流側の曲率半径より
も大きくなっているので、ニップ幅を上流側で広くなり
、画像の定着性が向上する。
[Operation] According to the present invention, since the shape of the heating body is a convex shape with a downward curvature facing the pressure roller,
This prevents downward curling when the recording material is ejected, and since the radius of curvature on the upstream side within the nip is larger than the radius of curvature on the downstream side, the nip width is widened on the upstream side, improving image fixability. will improve.

【0008】[0008]

【実施例】図3は本発明の一実施例の定着装置を使用し
ている画像形成装置の断面図である。
Embodiment FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus using a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【0009】図3において、1はガラス等の透明部材か
らなる原稿載置台で、矢印aの方向に往復動して原稿を
走査する。原稿載置台1の直下には短焦点小径結像素子
アレイ2が配置されていて、原稿載置台1上に置かれた
原稿像は証明ランプ3によって照射され、その反射光像
は該アレイ2によって感光ドラム4上にスリット露光さ
れる。なお感光ドラム4は矢印bの方向に回転する。
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a document mounting table made of a transparent member such as glass, which scans the document by reciprocating in the direction of arrow a. A short-focus, small-diameter imaging element array 2 is arranged directly below the document platform 1. The document image placed on the document platform 1 is irradiated by a proof lamp 3, and the reflected light image is reflected by the array 2. Slit exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum 4. Note that the photosensitive drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow b.

【0010】また5は帯電器であり、たとえば、酸化亜
鉛感光層あるいは有機半導体感光層等を被覆された感光
ドラム4上に一様に帯電を行なう。この帯電器5により
一様に帯電された感光ドラム4は該アレイ2によって画
像露光が行なわれた静電画像が形成される。この静電画
像は、現像器6により加熱で軟化溶融する樹脂等からな
るトナーを用いて顕像化される。
A charger 5 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 4 coated with, for example, a zinc oxide photosensitive layer or an organic semiconductor photosensitive layer. The photosensitive drum 4, which is uniformly charged by the charger 5, is subjected to image exposure by the array 2, and an electrostatic image is formed thereon. This electrostatic image is visualized by a developing device 6 using toner made of a resin or the like that softens and melts when heated.

【0011】一方、カセットS内に収納されている記録
材シートPは、給送ローラ7と感光ドラム4上の画像と
同期するようにタイミングをとって上下方向で圧接回転
される対の搬送ローラ8によって感光ドラム4上に送り
込まれる。
On the other hand, the recording material sheet P stored in the cassette S is conveyed by a pair of conveyance rollers that are rotated under pressure in the vertical direction in synchronization with the image on the feed roller 7 and the photosensitive drum 4. 8 onto the photosensitive drum 4.

【0012】そして、転写放電器9によって、感光ドラ
ム4上に形成されているトナー像は、該シートPに転写
される。その後、公知の分離手段によって感光ドラム4
から分離された記録材シートPは搬送ガイド10によっ
て定着装置11に導かれ、過熱定着処理された後にトレ
イ12上に排出される。
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer discharger 9. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 4 is separated by known separating means.
The recording material sheet P separated from the recording material sheet P is guided to a fixing device 11 by a conveyance guide 10, subjected to an overheat fixing process, and then discharged onto a tray 12.

【0013】なおトナー像を転写後、感光ドラム4上の
残留トナーはクリーナ13によって除去される。
After the toner image is transferred, residual toner on the photosensitive drum 4 is removed by a cleaner 13.

【0014】図4は図3の定着装置11の拡大断面図で
ある。図4において、14は装置に固定支持された低熱
容量線状の加熱体で、一例として、厚み1.0mm,幅
10mm,長手長240mmのアルミナ基板15に抵抗
材料16を幅1.0mmに塗工したもので、長手方向両
端から通電される。
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the fixing device 11 of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 14 denotes a low heat capacity linear heating element that is fixedly supported on the device. As an example, a resistance material 16 is coated to a width of 1.0 mm on an alumina substrate 15 with a thickness of 1.0 mm, a width of 10 mm, and a longitudinal length of 240 mm. Electricity is applied from both ends in the longitudinal direction.

【0015】通電は直流100Vの周期20msecの
パルス状波形で、検温素子17によりコントロールされ
た所望の温度、エネルギー放出量に応じたパルスを、そ
のパルス幅を変化させて与える。ほぼパルス幅は0.5
msec〜5msecとなる。
[0015] The current is applied in a pulse-like waveform of 100 V DC with a period of 20 msec, and pulses are given by varying the pulse width in accordance with the desired temperature and energy release amount controlled by the temperature measuring element 17. The pulse width is approximately 0.5
msec to 5 msec.

【0016】このように、エネルギー、温度制御された
加熱体14に当接して、図中、矢印の方向に定着フィル
ム18は移動する。この定着フィルム18の一例として
、厚み20μの耐熱フィルム、たとえば、ポリイミド、
ポリエーテルイミド、PES、PFAに少なくとも画像
当接面にPTFE、PAF等のふっ素樹脂に導電材を添
加した離型層を10μコートしたエンドレスフィルムで
ある。一般的には総厚100μ、より好ましくは40μ
未満である。定着フィルム18の駆動は駆動ローラ19
と従動ローラ20による駆動とテンションにより、矢印
方向に皺なく移動する。
In this way, the fixing film 18 moves in the direction of the arrow in the figure while coming into contact with the heating body 14 whose energy and temperature are controlled. As an example of this fixing film 18, a heat-resistant film with a thickness of 20 μm, such as polyimide,
It is an endless film made of polyetherimide, PES, or PFA and coated with 10μ of a release layer made of a fluororesin such as PTFE or PAF with a conductive material added to at least the image contacting surface. Generally total thickness 100μ, more preferably 40μ
less than The fixing film 18 is driven by a drive roller 19.
Driven by the driven roller 20 and tension, it moves in the direction of the arrow without wrinkles.

【0017】21はシリコンゴム等の離型性のよいゴム
弾性層を有する加圧ローラで、総圧4〜7kgで該フィ
ルム18を介して加熱体14を加圧し、該フィルム18
と圧接回転する。記録材シートP上の未定着トナーTは
入口ガイド22により定着部に導かれ、上述の加熱によ
り定着像を得るものである。
Reference numeral 21 denotes a pressure roller having a rubber elastic layer with good mold releasability, such as silicone rubber, which presses the heating body 14 through the film 18 with a total pressure of 4 to 7 kg.
and rotates in pressure contact. The unfixed toner T on the recording material sheet P is guided to the fixing section by the entrance guide 22, and a fixed image is obtained by the above-mentioned heating.

【0018】図1は図3の定着装置の加熱体14と加圧
ローラ21などを拡大して示した断面図である。
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing the heating body 14, pressure roller 21, etc. of the fixing device shown in FIG.

【0019】また図2は前述したように、従来の技術の
一例を示したもので、図1と対応させて示している。
Further, as mentioned above, FIG. 2 shows an example of the conventional technology, and is shown in correspondence with FIG. 1.

【0020】まず、図1において、定着フィルム18が
矢印の方向に回転することにより、記録材シートPが加
熱体14と加圧ローラ21の接触領域、つまり、ニップ
N1に導かれ、未定着画像が加熱定着される構成となっ
ている。
First, in FIG. 1, as the fixing film 18 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the recording material sheet P is guided to the contact area between the heating member 14 and the pressure roller 21, that is, the nip N1, and the unfixed image is removed. is configured to be heated and fixed.

【0021】ここで、加熱体14は加圧ローラ21の中
心からの鉛直の方向へ引いた線23により分割し、記録
材シートPの侵入する側が上流側、排紙される側が下流
側である。このとき、ニップN1内における上流側の曲
率半径R1が、下流側の曲率半径R2より大きく設定さ
れている。
Here, the heating body 14 is divided by a line 23 drawn in a vertical direction from the center of the pressure roller 21, and the side where the recording material sheet P enters is the upstream side, and the side where the recording material sheet P is ejected is the downstream side. . At this time, the radius of curvature R1 on the upstream side within the nip N1 is set larger than the radius of curvature R2 on the downstream side.

【0022】これにより、ニップN1内の圧力分布は、
上流側ではゆるやかなカーブをえがき、上流側と下流側
の境目でピークに達し、下流側では急なカーブとなって
いるため、未定着画像は、上流側において急激な加圧を
受けずにすみ、画像の乱れも生じない。
[0022] As a result, the pressure distribution within the nip N1 is as follows:
A gentle curve is drawn on the upstream side, reaching a peak at the boundary between the upstream and downstream sides, and a sharp curve on the downstream side, so the unfixed image is not subjected to sudden pressure on the upstream side. , no image disturbance occurs.

【0023】このとき、下流側の曲率半径R2の範囲は
、カール取り効果があり、かつ、最低ニップ幅を確保す
るために、5〜20mmが適切であり、上流側の曲率半
径R1の範囲は、その半径が大きいほど、ニップ幅は広
くできるが、大きすぎると、定着フィルム18の内部を
損傷してしまう可能性があるため、30〜50mmが適
切である。
[0023] At this time, the range of the radius of curvature R2 on the downstream side is appropriately 5 to 20 mm in order to have a curl removal effect and ensure the minimum nip width, and the range of the radius of curvature R1 on the upstream side is 5 to 20 mm. The larger the radius, the wider the nip width can be, but if it is too large, there is a possibility of damaging the inside of the fixing film 18, so 30 to 50 mm is appropriate.

【0024】たとえば、直径20mm、硬度40度のシ
リコンゴム製加圧ロール21を用いて6kgで加圧する
場合には、前記R1は30mm、R2は10mmにする
ことにより、ニップ幅N1は上流側で3mm、下流側で
1.5mm,合わせて4.5mmとなる。
For example, when applying pressure at 6 kg using a pressure roll 21 made of silicone rubber with a diameter of 20 mm and a hardness of 40 degrees, the nip width N1 is set on the upstream side by setting R1 to 30 mm and R2 to 10 mm. 3mm, 1.5mm on the downstream side, totaling 4.5mm.

【0025】逆に、図2のように、曲率半径の均一な加
熱体14において、曲率半径R2を図1の下流側と同様
に10mmに設定し、上記と同様の加圧ローラ21を用
いた場合、ニップ幅N2は上流側も下流側も1.5mm
で、合わせて3mmとなる。したがって、上流側の曲率
半径R1を下流側の曲率半径R2より大きく設定するこ
とにより、ニップ幅N1を広くできる。
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the heating body 14 having a uniform radius of curvature, the radius of curvature R2 was set to 10 mm as on the downstream side in FIG. 1, and the same pressure roller 21 as above was used. In this case, the nip width N2 is 1.5 mm on both the upstream and downstream sides.
So, the total length is 3mm. Therefore, by setting the radius of curvature R1 on the upstream side to be larger than the radius of curvature R2 on the downstream side, the nip width N1 can be increased.

【0026】すなわち、図1に示した本発明の一実施例
では、平面ヒータで問題のあった定着フィルム18の内
部の損傷およびカール取りは解決され、かつ、従来の曲
面ヒータによりニップ幅を広く設定できることにより、
定着性の向上が可能となる。逆に従来通りの定着性でも
よいならば、ニップ幅が広がった分だけ、加熱体14の
実質温調を下げられるという効果も得られる。
That is, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the problems of internal damage and curling of the fixing film 18, which were problems with the flat heater, are solved, and the nip width can be widened using the conventional curved heater. By being able to set
It is possible to improve fixing properties. On the other hand, if the conventional fixing performance is sufficient, an effect can be obtained in that the actual temperature control of the heating element 14 can be lowered by the increased nip width.

【0027】[0027]

【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明によれば、
加熱体の形状が加圧ローラに対向して下側へ曲率をもっ
た凸形状になっていて、かつ、上流側の曲率半径が下流
側の曲率半径よりも大きくなっているので、従来の曲面
ヒータよりもニップを広げられて、温調温度を変えずに
定着性を向上させることが可能となり、また従来通りの
下カールの防止および定着フィルムの内部の損傷の防止
という効果も、そのまま得られる。
[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
The shape of the heating body is a convex shape with downward curvature facing the pressure roller, and the radius of curvature on the upstream side is larger than the radius of curvature on the downstream side, so it is different from the conventional curved surface. The nip can be wider than that of a heater, making it possible to improve fixing performance without changing the temperature control, and also maintain the same effects as before, such as preventing downward curl and preventing internal damage to the fixing film. .

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

【図1】本発明の一実施例の加熱体を示した拡大断面図
である。
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing a heating element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【図2】従来の曲面ヒータの一例を示した拡大断面図で
ある。
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing an example of a conventional curved heater.

【図3】本発明の一実施例の定着装置を使用した画像形
成装置の断面図である。
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus using a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【図4】図3の定着装置の拡大断面図である。FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the fixing device of FIG. 3;

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

11:定着装置 14:加熱体 18:定着フィルム 21:加圧ローラ R1:上流側の曲率半径 R2:下流側の曲率半径 11: Fixing device 14: Heating body 18: Fixing film 21: Pressure roller R1: Upstream curvature radius R2: Downstream radius of curvature

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】  薄膜の定着フィルムを介して記録材を
加熱定着させる定着装置において、加熱体の形状が加圧
ローラに対向して下側へ曲率を持った凸形状になってお
り、かつ、前記定着フィルムを介した該加熱体と加圧ロ
ーラにより加圧された記録材との接触する領域内の上流
側の曲率半径が下流側の曲率半径より大きく設定されて
いることを特徴とする定着装置。
Claim 1: A fixing device that heats and fixes a recording material through a thin fixing film, wherein the heating body has a convex shape facing a pressure roller and has a downward curvature, and The fixing device is characterized in that the radius of curvature on the upstream side of the area where the heating body contacts the recording material pressed by the pressure roller via the fixing film is set larger than the radius of curvature on the downstream side. Device.
JP3076273A 1991-04-09 1991-04-09 Fixing device Expired - Fee Related JP3066097B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP3076273A JP3066097B2 (en) 1991-04-09 1991-04-09 Fixing device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP3076273A JP3066097B2 (en) 1991-04-09 1991-04-09 Fixing device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH04309984A true JPH04309984A (en) 1992-11-02
JP3066097B2 JP3066097B2 (en) 2000-07-17

Family

ID=13600647

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP3076273A Expired - Fee Related JP3066097B2 (en) 1991-04-09 1991-04-09 Fixing device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP3066097B2 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005181989A (en) * 2003-11-27 2005-07-07 Canon Inc Image heating apparatus
JP2007171749A (en) * 2005-12-26 2007-07-05 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Fixing device and image forming apparatus
US7502585B2 (en) * 2005-02-10 2009-03-10 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Fixing device with elliptically-shaped belt member and image forming apparatus using the same
JP2015106020A (en) * 2013-11-29 2015-06-08 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Conveyance device, cooling device, and image forming apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101756679B1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2017-07-12 에스프린팅솔루션 주식회사 Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005181989A (en) * 2003-11-27 2005-07-07 Canon Inc Image heating apparatus
JP4617140B2 (en) * 2003-11-27 2011-01-19 キヤノン株式会社 Image heating device
US7502585B2 (en) * 2005-02-10 2009-03-10 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Fixing device with elliptically-shaped belt member and image forming apparatus using the same
JP2007171749A (en) * 2005-12-26 2007-07-05 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Fixing device and image forming apparatus
JP2015106020A (en) * 2013-11-29 2015-06-08 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Conveyance device, cooling device, and image forming apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3066097B2 (en) 2000-07-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP2941962B2 (en) Fixing device
US5355204A (en) Image fixing apparatus without crease of fixing film
ITRM960660A1 (en) FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION EQUIPMENT A = WITH THIS DEVICE
JP3193477B2 (en) Fixing device
JPH04309984A (en) Fixing device
JPH0450883A (en) Fixing device for electrophotographic copying device
JP3376160B2 (en) Heating device and image forming device
JPH03233584A (en) Fixing device
JP3347712B2 (en) Fixing device
JPH06118818A (en) Image forming device
JP2592937B2 (en) Fixing device
JPH06274068A (en) Heating device
JPH03233585A (en) Image forming device
JP2637596B2 (en) Image forming device
JP2004258535A (en) Heating device
JPS62267788A (en) Fixing device for electrophotographic copying machine
JPH06175519A (en) Image heater and endless belt
JP2650446B2 (en) Fixing device
JPH0810375B2 (en) Fixing device
JP2000181267A (en) Fixing device
JP2527414B2 (en) Fixing device
JPH03166578A (en) Fixing device
JPH04216582A (en) Fixing device
JPH0312682A (en) Fixed film driving device for image forming device
JPH04194889A (en) Fixing device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
LAPS Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees