Elastic roll and fixing device

Abstract

An elastic roll is used in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus. The elastic roll includes an elastic layer and a covering layer disposed on an outside of the elastic layer. The covering layer is made of a heat-resistant resin or a metal, which has higher rigidity than a material of the elastic layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to accompanied drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing an image forming apparatus incorporating an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view showing the schematic configuration of a fixing device according the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the structure of an elastic roll; and

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a 2-roll system fixing device.

Claims

1. An elastic roll used in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus, the elastic roll comprising: an elastic layer; anda covering layer disposed on an outside of the elastic layer, the covering layer being made of a heat-resistant resin or a metal, which has higher rigidity than a material of the elastic layer.

2. The elastic roll according to claim 1, wherein the elastic layer is formed of a porous body.

3. The elastic roll according to claim 1, wherein: the elastic layer defines a plurality of through holes, which pass through the elastic layer in an axial direction of the elastic layer, andthe through holes are arranged at predetermined intervals.

4. The elastic roll according to claim 1, further comprising: a release layer made of a fluorocarbon resin, the release layer disposed on an outside of the covering layer.

5. The elastic roll according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is made of a heat-resistant resin or a metal, which has a modulus of elongation in a range of 100 kg/mm2 to 21,000 kg/mm2.

6. The elastic roll according to of claim 1, wherein the covering layer has a thickness in a range of 5 μm to 200 μm.

7. The elastic roll according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is made of a stainless steel film having a thickness in a range of 5, μm to 50 μm.

8. An elastic roll used in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus, the elastic roll comprising: an elastic layer; anda covering layer formed on the elastic layer, the covering layer having a thickness in a range of 10 μm to 150 μm and being made of a polyimide belt layer or a polyamideimide belt layer.

9. An elastic roll comprising: a metal core;an elastic layer disposed in surroundings of the metal core; anda covering layer disposed on an outside of the elastic layer, the covering layer made of a heat-resistant resin or a metal, which has higher rigidity than a material of the elastic layer.

10. The elastic roll according to claim 9, wherein the covering layer is made of a stainless steel film having a thickness in a range of 5 μm to 50 μm.

11. An elastic roll comprising: a metal core;an elastic layer disposed in surroundings of the metal core; anda covering layer disposed on an outside of the elastic layer, the covering layer having a thickness in a range of 10 μm to 150 μm and being made of a polyimide belt layer or a polyamideimide belt layer.

12. A heating/pressurizing-type fixing device comprising: a pressed member; anda pressing rotation body that is in pressure-contact with the pressed member to form a nip portion between the pressed member and the pressing rotation body, the nip portion through which a recording material passes, wherein:the pressing rotation body comprises: an elastic layer that is deformed when the pressing rotation body is in pressure-contact with the pressed member; anda covering layer disposed on an outside of the elastic layer, the covering layer made of a heat-resistant resin or a metal, which has higher rigidity than a material of the elastic layer.

13. The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic layer is formed of a porous body.

14. The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein: the elastic layer defines a plurality of through holes, which pass through the elastic layer in an axial direction of the elastic layer, andthe through holes are arranged at predetermined intervals.

15. The fixing device according to claim 12, further comprising: a release layer made of a fluorocarbon resin, the release layer disposed on an outside of the covering layer.

16. The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein the covering layer is made of a heat-resistant resin or a metal, which has a modulus of elongation in a range of 100 kg/mm2 to 21,000 kg/mm2.

17. The fixing device according to of claim 12, wherein the covering layer has a thickness in a range of 5 μm to 200 μm.

18. The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein the covering layer is made of a stainless steel film having a thickness in a range of 5 μm to 50 μm.

19. A heating/pressurizing-type fixing device comprising: a pressed member; anda pressing rotation body that is in pressure-contact with the pressed member to form a nip portion between the pressed member and the pressing rotation body, the nip portion through which a recording material passes, wherein:the pressing rotation body comprises: an elastic layer; anda covering layer disposed on an outside of the elastic layer, the covering layer having a thickness in a range of 10 μm to 150 μm and being made of a polyimide belt layer or a polyamideimide belt layer.

20. An elastic roll used in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus, the elastic roll comprising: an elastic layer; andmeans for reducing strain caused on a surface of the elastic roll by deformation of the elastic layer.