Patent Grant
8467712
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-232531 filed on Oct. 15, 2010.
The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the same.
According to an aspect of the invention, a fixing device includes:
a laser light source that irradiates an irradiation region with a laser light, the irradiation region extending along a direction crossing a transporting direction of a recording medium with respect to a heating-fixable image which is on the recording medium;
a reflective member that is provided to enclose the irradiation region and includes a reflective surface reflecting a reflected light so that the irradiation region is re-irradiated with the reflected light from the irradiation region by the laser light radiated from the laser light source; and
a light absorption member that is provided so as to continue to an end of a side of the reflective member directed to the recording medium and includes a portion facing a transporting surface of the recording medium and extending toward an outside of the reflective member, and is capable of absorbing the laser light.
Exemplary Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
(Outline of Exemplary Embodiment)
First, an outline of an embodiment model of a fixing device in which the invention is applied will be described.
In
Here, as a representative material forming an image on the recording medium P, a toner used in an electro-photographic method may be exemplified. However, the material forming the image is not limited to the toner, for example, the material may be ink of a heating fusion type used in an ink jet method or the like.
Moreover, as the recording medium P used, a continuous form (for example, a roll paper) or a sheet-like form (for example, cut paper) may be exemplified as representative examples. However, as the medium, the recording medium is not limited only to being a paper medium but may also be a film medium or the like.
Moreover, as a representative form of the laser light source 1, a laser array type may be exemplified in which plural of emitting portions of the laser light Li is installed in one row along an extended direction of the irradiation region IR.
The reflective surface side of the reflective member 2 may be, for example, a curved shaped-mirror surface. Further, the reflective surface side may be a reflective surface having recursiveness or a scattering surface, and may include a reflective surface which reflects so that the irradiation region IR is re-irradiated with the reflected light Lr. At this time, the irradiation region IR re-irradiated with the light may be re-radiated to a region including the irradiation region IR, and it is not limited to the irradiation region IR.
Moreover, since the light absorption member 3 is provided so as to be continuous with an end of a side directed to the recording medium P of the reflective member 2, the laser light Li does not leak between the reflective member 2 and the light absorption member 3. Further, since the light absorption member 3 includes the portion facing the transporting surface of the recording medium P, the laser light Li is effectively absorbed to the light absorption member 3. In addition, the light intensity of the laser light Li, which is leaked from an opening section between the light absorption member 3 and the recording medium P toward the outside, is greatly decreased. Further, the light absorption member 3 may include a portion facing the transporting surface of the recording medium P, and, for example, may include a portion which is extended along the reflective surface of the reflective member 2. “Facing the transporting surface of the recording medium P” means that the portion may be parallel or not parallel to the transporting surface, or may include the configuration which faces and extends to the transporting surface of the recording medium P. The light absorption member 3 may have heat resistance and absorb the laser light Li, and, for example, the light absorption member may include an aluminum alloy processed with a black color-anodic film formation.
Moreover, a facing member may be provided on a rear surface side of the recording medium P, and the facing member may be oppositely disposed so that the recording medium P is held toward the laser light source 1 side. Further, a transmission light which has been transmitted through the recording medium P of the laser light Li may be reflected on the facing member (a flat plate shaped member or a curved shape member). Further, the other curved shape reflective member (a rear surface side reflective member 5 described below) may be provided in a position which is separated from the recording medium P, or nothing may be provided.
Moreover, from the view of preventing the leakage of the reflected light (including the scattering light) from the irradiation region IR of the laser light Li radiated in the irradiation region IR to the outside, as illustrated in
Therefore, a reflected light Lr is absorbed by the light absorption member 3 even when the reflected light Lr is reflected in the direction which is along the tangential surface CS. Further, the reflected light Lr reflected from the irradiation region IR by the laser light Li radiated from the laser light source 1 toward the irradiation region IR does not leak from between the light absorption member 3 and the recording medium P to the outside. In addition, needless to say, the transporting path of the recording medium P is set so as to match the configuration of the light absorption member 3.
Moreover, as illustrated in
Moreover, from the view of using effectively the transmission light of which the laser light Li radiated in the irradiation region IR which has been transmitted through the recording medium P, in an aspect in which the facing member for abutting the rear surface side of the recording medium P is not provided, a rear surface side reflective member 5 for reflecting the transmission light may be further provided so that the region of the rear surface side of the recording medium P corresponding to the irradiation region IR is re-irradiated with the transmission light radiated from the laser light source 1 and transmitted through the recording medium P. Further, the reflective member 5 may be provided in the region facing the reflective member 2 which interposes the recording medium P therebetween.
Moreover, from the view of further suppressing the leakage of the laser light Li to the outside, as illustrated in
In this case, the configuration of the light absorption member 3 is not especially limited, and the following configuration may be adopted. That is, in the portion of the light absorption member 3 facing the transporting surface of the recording medium P, when drawing a straight line (a dotted line of
Moreover, from the view of stabilizing the performance of the light absorption in the light absorption member 3, as illustrated in
When applying the fixing device to the image forming apparatus, an image forming portion for forming a heating-fixable image on the recording medium P, and the fixing device for fixing the image which is formed on the recording medium P in the image forming portion are provided, and the fixing device described above may be used as the fixing device.
Further, in the image forming apparatus, the recording medium P, which is continuous along the transporting direction, may be used as the recording medium P.
Next, the invention will be described in further detail based on the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
(First Exemplary Embodiment)
The image forming apparatus of the first embodiment uses the continuous state recording medium P as the recording medium. The image forming apparatus of the embodiment includes: an image forming body device 10A that forms the image on the recording medium P; a feeding device 10B that feeds the recording medium P to both sides of the image forming body device 10A; and a receiving device 10C for receiving the recording medium P on which the image is formed. Further, a roll-shaped recording medium may be used as the recording medium P. For example, a collapsed recording medium may be used, but the first embodiment is described as the roll-shaped recording medium.
For example, the image forming body device 10A of the first embodiment uses an electro-photographic method. The image forming body device 10A includes: image forming portions 20 (specifically, a yellow image forming portion 20Y, a magenta image forming portion 20M, a cyan image forming portion 20C, and a black image forming portion 20K) of respective colors for forming toner images of plural of colors on the recording medium P by using, for example, toners of four colors; a fixing device 40 for fixing the toner images which are formed in a state where the toner images are multiplexed on the recording medium P in the image forming portions 20 of the respective colors; and plural of appropriately installed roll members 16 to 19, or the like.
Here, the roll member 16 is a position adjusting roll which performs the position adjustment when guiding the recording medium P to the image forming portions 20, and the roll member 17 is a pull-suspension roll which guides the recording medium P toward the fixing device 40. Further, the roll members 18 and 19 are tension applying rolls which properly apply the tension when transporting the recording medium P toward the receiving device 10C after fixing.
Moreover, since the image forming portions 20 of the respective colors have approximately the same configuration except for the toners used, the black image forming portion 20K is described as a representative example. The black image forming portion 20K includes a cylindrical photoconductor drum 21 which has a photoconductive layer (not shown in drawings) and is rotated to the direction of an arrow E. In the periphery of the photoconductor drum 21, a charging unit 22 for charging the photoconductive layer of the photoconductor drum 21 to a predetermined electric potential, an exposure unit 23 for selectively irradiating the photoconductive layer charged in the charging unit 22 by using, for example, laser light and for forming an electrostatic latent image in the photoconductor drum 21, a developing unit 24 for visualizing by developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure unit 23 through the toner, a transfer unit 25 for transferring the toner image, which is on the photoconductor drum 21, on the recording medium P, a cleaning unit 26 for cleaning the toner which remains on the photoconductor drum 21 after transferring, or the like are arranged.
Moreover, the arrangement of the toner colors of the image forming portions 20 is not limited to this, other arrangements may be used, and needless to say, only one of the image forming portions 20 may be provided.
Further, the feeding device 10B includes: a feeding roll 12 for holding the recording medium P wound as a roll on a core material; tension applying rolls 14 and 15 for applying the tension while transporting so as to feed the recording medium P to the image forming body device 10A side, and the like. On the other hand, the receiving unit 10C includes a winding up roll 13 for winding and receiving the recording medium P on the core material, or the like.
In the image forming apparatus, the toner images of the respective colors are transferred on the recording medium P fed from the feeding device 10B in the image forming portions 20 of the respective colors of the image forming body device 10A, and are multiplexed on the recording medium P. The recording medium P on which the unfixed and multiplexed toner images are formed is fixed in the fixing device 40, and then, wound and received in the receiving device 10C.
Next, in the image forming apparatus described above, the fixing device 40 will be described based on
In
It is illustrated in the embodiment that the laser array 41 uses five high-output semiconductor lasers. However, the number of lasers, for example, is not limited, and any number of lasers may be used. However, a length capable of covering a width of the image in the width direction of the recording medium P is necessary. Further, the laser array 41 includes, for example, an optical system so as to focus the laser light Li in the irradiation region IR which is on the recording medium P. Moreover, since the laser light Li emitted from the adjacent high-output semiconductor array is overlapped in the mutual end portions, the irradiation region IR is set so that the irradiation intensity of the laser light Li is approximately the same along the extended direction of the irradiation region IR.
Moreover, the reflective member 42 includes a long slot 42a in order to radiate the laser light Li from the laser array 41 toward the irradiation region IR in the approximate center portion of the half-cylinder. Further, in respect to the laser light Li from the laser array 41 to the reflective member 42, needless to say, for example, a shield member (not shown) shields the laser light for preventing the leakage of the laser light Li to the outside.
In
On the other hand, the transmission light Lt transmitted through the recording medium P of the laser light Li is re-radiated to the region corresponding to the irradiation region IR at the rear surface side of the recording medium P by the reflective surface 43b of the rear surface side reflective member 43.
The reflected light Lr is reflected over substantially all directions from the irradiation region IR which is on the recording medium P. However, most of the reflected light is reflected at the reflective surface 42b of the reflective member 42, and the intensity thereof is decreased by repeating the reflection described above.
However, since it is necessary to maintain a gap between the reflective member 42 and the recording medium P in order to transport the recording medium P, an opening section a is formed. Therefore, the reflective light Lr, which is reflected in a direction close to the surface of the recording medium P from the irradiation region IR, is not reflected at the reflective member 42 and proceeds unchanged to the side of the opening section α.
As illustrated in
Generally, the light intensity distribution of the reflected light of the light radiated on the recording medium P is as illustrated in
Therefore, the light intensity of the light Lr1 illustrated in
If the light absorption member 44b is not installed, for example, the lights of Lr1 to Lr3 are leaked, and the light intensity of the light leaked from the opening section α is somewhat strong.
Here, the light absorption member 44b of the one side is described. However, as illustrated in
Generally, in the product using the laser light, a class classification or a reference level is defined by “a safety standards of laser products” of JIS C 6802.
Therefore, in the embodiment, the laser light discharged to the outside from the opening region (here, corresponding to the opening section cc between the recording medium P and the light absorption member 44) of the fixing device 40 needs to satisfy an AEL (Accessible Emission Limit) of the class 1 defined in JIS C 6802. Specifically, the leaked light measured by a detector, which has a diameter of 7 mm and is installed at 100 mm away from the opening section α, needs to be within the AFL regardless of location. That is, when the wavelength of the laser light used is near-infrared, for example, it is necessary that the wavelength is equal to or less than 2.3×10−4 W at the time of continuous oscillation.
According to the exemplary embodiment, since the reflective member 42 and the rear surface side reflective member 43 are used, and the light absorption member 44 and the rear surface side light absorption member 45 are used, a use efficiency of the laser light Li is enhanced during fixing. Further, the safety of the leaked light (the light leaked from the opening section α) is also improved. In addition, needless to say, the light intensity of the leaked light satisfies the standard described above.
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the aspect in which the rear surface side reflective member 43 and the rear surface side absorption member 45 are used is illustrated. However, the reflective member 43 and the light absorption member 45 need not be used. In this case, the laser output may be slightly increased as compared to a case where the rear surface side reflective member 43 is installed, but needless to say, the light intensity of the leaked light satisfies the above described standard.
Since the laser light Li is absorbed in the light absorption member 44 and the rear surface side light absorption member 45, temperatures of the members are increased. However, deformation due to heat expansion through the increase of temperatures of the members is suppressed by installing the heat-dissipation pins 46. Further, the performance of the light absorption is stably maintained.
Here, the aspect in which the heat-dissipation pins 46 are installed as the cooling unit is illustrated, but ventilation may be attached to the heat-dissipation pins 46. For example, the light absorption member 44 may be cooled by the ventilation without installing the heat-dissipation pins 46. Moreover, when ventilation is performed, it is preferable in the view of fixing efficiency that the ventilation directed to the irradiation region IR is suppressed.
Moreover,
The protection members 47 are made of a material in which the laser light Li is transmissive, and an attenuation of the protection member is small with respect to the laser light Li, the reflected light Lr, and the transmission-light Lt (refer to
Generally, in the method in which the toner, which is on the recording medium P, is heated, fused so as to be fixed, when the toner is heated and fused, for example, an additive agent constituting the toner is evaporated. Therefore, for example, if the vaporized material is attached to the reflective surface 42b of the reflective member 42, the reflection efficiency of the reflective surface 42b is decreased. Further, since the recording medium P itself is also heated, the evaporation of water or the like is caused. Therefore, the water is also added and the reflection efficiency of the reflective surface 42b is further decreased. Further, this is also similarly generated in the rear surface side reflective member 43.
In this case, by installing the protection members 47, the reflection efficiency of the reflective surface 42b of the reflective member 42 or the reflective surface 43b of the rear surface side reflective member 43 is maintained, and the fixing efficiency is maintained in the state of stability. Further, the vaporized material is attached to the protection members 47, but the protection members may be properly cleaned. In addition, the attenuation of the laser light Li due to the attachment of the protection members 47 is remarkably small, and the effect due to the attachment is small as compared to the effect due to the decrease of the reflection efficiency in the reflective surfaces 42b and 43b.
Here, the aspect in which the protection members 47 are directly installed in the reflective member 42 or the rear surface side reflective member 43 is illustrated. However, the protection members may be installed separating to the reflective member 42 or the rear surface side reflective member 43.
Moreover,
In the third modification, the slot 42a of the reflective member 42 is installed at a position which is offset to the downstream side in the transporting direction of the recording medium P along the reflective surface 42b.
By adopting the disposition described above, the reflected light Lr from the irradiation region IR rather than the laser light Li from the laser array 41 is reflected more toward the upstream side in the transporting direction of the recording medium P than the slot 42a of the reflective member 42. However, since the upstream side portion is provided with the broad reflective surface 42b, the reflected light Lr is easily re-radiated toward the irradiation region IR. Therefore, the advancement of the fixing efficiency is improved. Further, in this case, the above effect is similarly applied even when the slot 42a of the reflective member 42 is provided so as to be offset to the upstream side in the transporting direction of the recording medium P.
Moreover, in the third modification, the aspect is illustrated in which the lens array 41 is installed in positions more distant from the recording medium P than from the reflective member 42. However, for example, the lens array 41 may be close to the recording medium P side and may radiate the laser light Li from a position which is same as the position of the reflective surface 42b of the reflective member 42. Further, the lens array may be disposed at the inner side (further in than the reflective surface 42 toward the recording medium P side) of the reflective member 42.
Further, in the third modification, the configuration is illustrated in which the continuous form is used as the recording medium P. However, the sheet-like form may be used as the recording medium, and in this case, for example, a guide mechanism for guiding the recording medium P toward the fixing device 40 or a transporting mechanism for transporting the recording medium P may be separately provided.
Moreover, in the above described embodiments and modifications, the aspect in which one irradiation region IR is provided is illustrated. However, for example, plural of laser arrays 41 may be provided in the transporting direction of the recording medium P.
In the configuration of the fourth modification, first, the irradiation region IRA is irradiated with the laser light Li by the upstream side-laser array 41A with respect to the image which is on the recording medium P. Then, after a predetermined time elapses, the laser light Li again radiates the irradiation region IRB by the downstream side-laser array 41B.
When irradiating as described above, in a portion having a high image density on the recording medium P (for example, a beta image portion), an interface temperature between the toner and the recording medium P is slightly increased in the upstream side-irradiation region IRA. Thereafter, since the interface temperature is gradually decreased in portions in which the laser light does not radiate, a distribution area having a high image density becomes small, and a heat-dissipation amount is decreased. Therefore, a temperature decrease is suppressed to be small.
Next, by heating the downstream side-irradiation region IRB once again, the interface temperature is sufficiently increased, and a sufficient adhesion is secured.
On the other hand, the interface temperature is sufficiently increased in a portion having a low image density (for example, a highlighted image portion), but the temperature is rapidly decreased. Further, the portion is heated in the downstream side-irradiation region IRB once again, and the increase of the interface temperature is accomplished once again. That is, the interface temperature is secured by irradiating in the portion having the low image density once while the interface temperature is secured by irradiating in the portion having the high image density twice, and the above process is repeated.
Therefore, sufficient adhesion is secured in any one case regardless of the image density of the recording medium P. Further, the leakage of the light to the outside is suppressed by the light absorption member 44 and the rear surface side light absorption member 45.
Moreover, in the case where two places of the irradiation region IR are provided as the described above, the following may be performed.
The laser output of the upstream side-irradiation region IRA is less than the laser output of the downstream side-irradiation region IRB, and the irradiation region length is longer along the transporting direction of the recording medium P by that degree. Therefore, the irradiation time of the downstream side-irradiation region IRB is long. At this time, needless to say, the irradiation density or the irradiation region length matches the portion having the high image density so as to sufficiently heat and fuse the image in the upstream side-irradiation region IRA.
When the irradiation described above is performed, the adhesion of the portion having the high image density is sufficiently secured in the upstream side-irradiation region IRA, and it is not a problem even when irradiation of a short duration is performed in the downstream side-irradiation region IRB. On the other hand, in the portion having the low image density, as a contact area between a toner particle and outside air is broad in the irradiation by the upstream side-irradiation region IRA, the heat-dissipation amount is increased and the toner may not be sufficiently heated and fused. However, since the irradiation intensity is increased in the downstream side-irradiation region IRB, sufficient fusion is improved and the adhesion is secured. That is, sufficient heating and fusion of the toner is achieved regardless of the image density of the recording medium P.
Moreover, in the case where plural of irradiation regions IR is provided, for example, as illustrated in
(Second Exemplary Embodiment)
The fixing device 40 of the second embodiment does not include the rear surface side reflective member different to the fixing device 40 of the first embodiment (for example, refer to
In
In the fixing device 40 described above, since the recording medium P is always transported while sliding on the facing member 48, the floppiness of the recording medium P in the irradiation region IR is also suppressed, and the laser output directed to the recording medium P in the irradiation region IR is easily equalized.
Further, by using the facing member 48, since the transmission light in which the irradiation region IR which transmitted through the recording medium P irradiated with the laser light Li is reflected by the surface of the facing member 48, even in the aspect where the rear surface side reflective member is not provided, the reflected light reflected from the transmission light which is close to the irradiation region IR is re-radiated, and therefore, the fixing efficiency is improved.
Moreover, in the second exemplary embodiment, the light absorption member 44 is installed so as to be directed to the rear surface side light absorption member 45 side rather than to the end of the reflective member 42 side while the rear surface side light absorption member 45 is installed along the curved shape of the facing member 48. That is, since the light absorption member 44 includes a surface which crosses to a tangential surface (a surface which is extended to the tangential direction) abutting the surface of the recording medium P in the irradiation region IR, a reflected light Lr4, which is approximately parallel to the surface of the recording medium (the direction corresponding to the tangential surface described above) in the irradiation region IR of the reflected light Lr reflected from the irradiation region IR, is absorbed in the light absorption member 44. Therefore, the leakage of the light to the outside is further suppressed. At this time, since the length of the irradiation region IR along the transporting direction of the recording medium P is shortened, the reflected light Lr which is close to the recording medium P out of the reflected light Lr reflected from the irradiation region IR substantially matches the reflected light Lr4.
Moreover, in the facing member 48 of the second exemplary embodiment, the curvature of the curved shape is especially not limited. That is, the curved shape may not deform the transported recording medium P, and, for example, the curved shape may be flat in the irradiation region IR. Further, the facing member 48 may be made of a metal material as long as the material has heat resistance, and it is preferable that the facing member has a high reflectivity so as to not easily absorb the transmission light in the irradiation region IR.
(Third Exemplary Embodiment)
In
Further, in the third exemplary embodiment, a reflective member 42 is provided to enclose the irradiation region IR in a state of extending to a position which crosses a tangential surface of the recording medium P in the irradiation region IR. In addition, a light absorption member 44′ (44a′ and 44b′) is provided in which the light absorption member includes a curved portion which is extended from the ends of the reflective member toward the surface side of the recording medium P and a straight line portion which faces the transporting surface of the recording medium P and is directed to the outside of the reflective member 42.
In the fixing device 40 of the third exemplary embodiment, as compared to the fixing device 40 having the aspect where the recording medium P is transported in the approximate straight line direction (for example, refer to
In the third exemplary embodiment, the aspect is illustrated in which the light absorption member 44′ includes the curved portion which is extended to the reflective member 42. However, the reflective member 42 may include the curved portion. In this case, the reflective surface 42b becomes larger, and the use efficiency of the laser light Li is further improved.
(Fourth Exemplary Embodiment)
In
Here, the image forming portions 20 of the respective colors have an approximately similar configuration except for the toners used. Further, since the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the fourth exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the image forming apparatus 20 of the first exemplary embodiment (refer to
The intermediate transfer 30 of the fourth exemplary embodiment is hung over plural of pull-suspension rolls 31 to 36. For example, the pull-suspension roll 31 is rotated as a driving roll, and the pull-suspension roll 34 is rotated as a tension roll.
Further, the secondary transfer unit 56 is arranged with the pull-suspension roll 35 as a backup roll, and a belt-cleaning unit 37 for cleaning the toner which remains on the intermediate transfer 30 is provided at a position, which is the position facing the pull-suspension roll 31, which interposes the intermediate transfer 30.
Moreover, a receiving portion 52 of the recording medium for receiving the recording medium P is provided downward from the intermediate transfer 30 within the image forming apparatus. Further, plural of transporting rolls 53 to 55 is provided between the receiving portion 52 of the recording medium and the secondary transfer unit 56 in a transporting path of the recording medium P transported from the receiving portion of the recording medium. In addition, a transporting belt 57 for transporting the recording medium P ended with the secondary transfer toward the fixing device 40, and a discharging roll 58 for discharging the recording medium P fixed by the fixing device 40 to the outside of the image forming apparatus are provided in the transporting path.
Therefore, in the fourth exemplary embodiment, since the toner images of the respective colors formed on a photoconductor drum 21, which is rotated in the F direction of
The adsorption-transporting device 60 includes: two roll members 62 and 63; a belt member 61 which is cyclically rotated and hung over the two roll members 62 and 63; and a charging member 64 for applying electrification to the belt member 61.
In the fixing device 40 of the fourth exemplary embodiment, when the recording medium P on which the unfixed toner image is transferred reaches the fixing device 40, since the belt member 61 of the adsorption-transporting device 60 is charged by the charging member 64, the recording medium P is electrostatically adsorbed to the belt member 61 side, and is transported unchanged according to the rotation of the belt member 61. After the recording medium P transported by the rotation of the belt member 61 is irradiated by the laser light Li from the lens array 41 in the irradiation region IR, the recording medium P is transported unchanged to the downstream side again according to the rotation of the belt member 61. Further, since a peeling member is provided for easily peeling the recording member P from the adsorption-transporting device 60 after fixing, peeling of the recording medium P from the belt member 61 is also performed easily.
In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the light absorption member 44 (44a and 44b) is provided with the portion which extending to the end portion of the side toward the recording medium P of the reflective member 42 and facing the transporting surface of the recording medium P and extending the outside of the reflective member 42
In the fourth exemplary embodiment, similarity to the first exemplary embodiment, the leakage of light from the fixing device 40 is suppressed.
Further, in the fourth exemplary embodiment, by using the adsorption-transporting device 60, the posture of the recording medium P is stably maintained in the irradiation region IR even when the recording medium P is sheet-like, and the irradiation intensity of the laser light Li is also equalized in the irradiation region IR. Further, as the belt member 61 used in the adsorption-transporting device 60, the surface thereof may be made so that the transmission light which transmitted through the recording medium P rather than the laser light Li of the irradiation region IR reflects in the rear surface side of the recording medium P, and, for example, a white-type pigment may be added to the belt member.
Here, the aspect in which the charging member 64 abuts the belt member 61 is illustrated. However, for example, by using a corona charger or the like, the belt member 61 may be charged in a state where the charging member is separated from the belt member 61. Further, the aspect in which the recording medium P is electrostatically adsorbed by the adsorption-transporting device 60 is illustrated. However, the recording medium may be air-sucked from the rear surface side of the belt member 61. In addition, the method in which the belt member 61 is pull-suspended by two roll members 62 and 63 is illustrated. However, for example, a facing member (for example, a roll-shaped member) is provided corresponding to the irradiation region IR, and the vicinity of the irradiation region IR may be protruded toward the lens array 41 side.
(Fifth Exemplary Embodiment)
In the exemplary embodiments and modifications described above, it is possible to view the reflective surface 42b of the reflective member 42 from the opening section α (refer to
Therefore, in the fifth exemplary embodiment, by considering the shape of the light absorption member 44 and the transporting path of the recording medium P, the leakage of the light is substantially suppressed.
Referring to
Therefore, even when viewing the irradiation region IR from the opening section α, the facing surface 44c of the light absorption member 44 is viewed, and the irradiation region IR direction is not viewed.
Therefore, the irradiation region IR or the reflective surface 42b of the reflective member 42 are not viewed from the opening section α, and, for example, the light reflected from the reflective surface 42b of the reflective member 42 does not leak from the opening section α toward the outside, and safety is further enhanced.
Here, it is illustrated that the light absorption member 44 has a bending shape, but the light absorption member 44 may have a curved shape. Further, as the shape of the absorption member 44, for example, the absorption member may be a serpentine. The point is as follows: it is preferable that in the portion facing the transporting surface of the recording medium P in the light absorption member 44, the transporting path of the recording medium P is provided between the straight line connecting two different points in the transporting direction of the recording medium of the facing surface 44 facing the transporting surface of the recording medium P and surfaces which are further distant from the recording medium P of the facing surface 44c than from the straight line 1.
Moreover,
Referring to
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The exemplary embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various exemplary embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2010-232531 | Oct 2010 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6175715 | Hirao et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6674990 | Rohde et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 8260185 | Matsubara et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| A-S55-162257 | Nov 1980 | JP |
| A-S9-128569 | Jul 1984 | JP |
| A-S61-005271 | Jan 1986 | JP |
| A-S62-181969 | Nov 1987 | JP |
| A-06-301304 | Oct 1994 | JP |
| A-07-191560 | Jul 1995 | JP |
| A-11-202653 | Jul 1999 | JP |
| A-2000-131893 | May 2000 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Office Action issued Jan. 8, 2013 in counterpart Japanese Application No. 2010-232531, with English translation. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120093552 A1 | Apr 2012 | US |
