Patent Application
20170255145
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-042314 filed Mar. 4, 2016.
The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a fixing device including a first belt that heats a developer image on a recording medium; a support member that is arranged inside the first belt and supports the first belt; a second belt that sandwiches the recording medium with the first belt; a pressing roller that is provided with the second belt having an inner peripheral surface wound around the pressing roller, is provided rotatably in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the recording medium as an axial direction, presses the second belt and the first belt toward the support member, and hence forms a first press region; and a forming member that is provided inside the second belt, at an upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the pressing roller, presses the second belt and the first belt toward the support member, and hence forms a second press region having a larger width than a width of the first press region in the transport direction.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
Examples of a fixing device and an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment are described.
In the following description, it is assumed that a direction indicated by arrow Y in
The image forming section 14 includes an image forming unit 20, and a controller 22 that controls operation of respective portions of the image forming unit 20 and causes the image forming unit 20 to form a toner image G on a sheet P. The image forming unit 20 executes, for example, respective processes of charge with electricity, exposure to light, development, and transfer, which are included in a known electrophotographic system.
The fixing device 30 is described next.
The fixing device 30 shown in
A part at which the outer peripheral surface of a fixing belt 36 (described later) and the outer peripheral surface of a pressing belt 56 (described later) sandwich the sheet P, and at which the toner image G (the toner T) on the sheet P is heated and pressed is called nip part N. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, the nip part N is formed linearly along the Y direction when viewed in the Z direction.
The heating unit 32 includes the fixing belt 36, a holder 38, a pad 42, a halogen lamp 44, a reflecting member 46, a heat transfer member 48, a slide sheet 52, and a thermistor 54. The fixing belt 36 is an example of a first belt. The pad 42 is an example of a support member.
The fixing belt 36 is an endless belt having a larger width in the Z direction than the width of the sheet P. For example, the fixing belt 36 includes a base layer and a mold release layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the base layer. The material of the base layer may be a polymer, such as polyimide, polyamide, or polyimideamide; or a metal, such as stainless steel, nickel, or copper. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, polyimide is used. The mold release layer is made of, for example, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoalkylvinylether copolymer (PFA).
Also, the fixing belt 36 is arranged rotatably (turnably) around the Z direction as its axial direction, at the −X side with respect to the transport path E of the sheet P. To be specific, the fixing belt 36 is sandwiched between the pressing belt 56 (described later) and the slide sheet 52 (the pad 42). The fixing belt 36 is rotated by the rotation of a pressing roller 58 and the movement of the pressing belt 56. Further, the fixing belt 36 plots a movement locus close to a semicircle by the rigidity against an external force acting toward the inside of the fixing belt 36 in an area except the nip part N.
Also, the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt 36 contacts the toner image G on the sheet P transported through the transport path E. The fixing belt 36 is heated by the heat transfer member 48 (described later), and hence heats the toner image G on the sheet P. At both end portions of the fixing belt 36, guide members (not shown) that restrict meandering of the fixing belt 36 in the Z direction are provided.
The holder 38 is a long member that is made of a sheet metal and is longer than the width of the fixing belt 36 in the Z direction. The holder 38 has a J-shaped X-Y cross section. Also, the holder 38 is arranged inside the fixing belt 36 in a state open to the −X side. The holder 38 is supported by a bracket (not shown).
For example, the pad 42 is a resin member made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is as substantially long as the width in the Z direction of the fixing belt 36. Also, the pad 42 has an L-shaped X-Y cross section. Further, the pad 42 is arranged inside the fixing belt 36, and is fixed at the X side of a wall portion extending along the Y direction of the holder 38. In addition, the slide sheet 52 (described later) is in contact with the surface at the X side of the pad 42. An end portion at the −Y side (the entry side of the sheet P) of the pad 42 has a round shape to protrude toward the fixing belt 36. The pad 42 indirectly supports the fixing belt 36.
The halogen lamp 44 is provided inside the fixing belt 36, at the −X side with respect to the reflecting member 46 (described later), in a non-contact manner with the reflecting member 46. The halogen lamp 44 has its longitudinal direction in the Z direction. A light emitting portion of the halogen lamp 44 has a length in the Z direction being substantially the same as the length in the Z direction of a sheet P with the maximum width among sheets P to be used in the image forming apparatus 10 (see
The reflecting member 46 is a member formed by bending a sheet material, having its longitudinal direction in the Z direction, at plural positions in the short-side direction. The reflecting member 46 is arranged to cover the −X side of the holder 38, and faces the halogen lamp 44. The reflecting member 46 reflects the light of the halogen lamp 44 to the side opposite to the nip part N side (to the −X side).
The heat transfer member 48 is a member having a larger length in the Z direction than the length in the Z direction of the fixing belt 36. The heat transfer member 48 is arranged inside the fixing belt 36, at the −X side with respect to the halogen lamp 44. Also, the heat transfer member 48 is curved in a C shape open to the X side when viewed in the Z direction. One end portion of the heat transfer member 48 is fixed to the holder 38 together with the reflecting member 46. A curved portion curved from the center to the other end of the heat transfer member 48 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 36. The heat transfer member 48 absorbs the radiation heat of the halogen lamp 44 and transfers the heat to the fixing belt 36 in a contact state with the fixing belt 36.
The slide sheet 52 is fixed to the pad 42 to cover the surface at the X side of the pad 42. Also, the slide sheet 52 is sandwiched between the fixing belt 36 and the pad 42 when the fixing belt 36 is pressed by the pressing unit 34. Further, the slide sheet 52 is formed of a material so that the friction coefficient between the fixing belt 36 and the slide sheet 52 is smaller than the friction coefficient between the fixing belt 36 and the pad 42.
The thermistor 54 is fixed to the holder 38 inside the fixing belt 36, and includes a detector that detects the temperature. The detector is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 36. The controller 22 (see
The pressing unit 34 includes, for example, the pressing belt 56, the pressing roller 58, a motor 59, a holder 62, a forming member 64, and a slide sheet 66. The pressing belt 56 is an example of a second belt. The motor 59 is an example of a driving source.
The pressing belt 56 is an endless belt having a larger width in the Z direction than the width of the sheet P. For example, the pressing belt 56 includes a base layer and a mold release layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the base layer. The material of the base layer may be a polymer, such as polyimide, polyamide, or polyimideamide; or a metal, such as stainless steel, nickel, or copper. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, polyimide is used. The mold release layer is made of, for example, PFA.
Also, the pressing belt 56 is arranged rotatably (turnably) around the Z direction as its axial direction, at the X side with respect to the transport path E of the sheet P. To be specific, the pressing belt 56 is sandwiched between the fixing belt 36, and the pressing roller 58 (described later) and the slide sheet 66 (the forming member 64). The pressing belt 56 is rotated by the rotation of the pressing roller 58. Further, the pressing belt 56 is wound around the pressing roller 58 and the holder 62, and is in contact with the forming member 64.
In addition, the pressing belt 56 forms a nip part N at which the pressing belt 56 sandwiches the sheet P with the fixing belt 36 as described above. The outer peripheral surface of the pressing belt 56 contacts a surface of the sheet P at the side opposite to the toner image G side of the sheet P transported through the transport path E. The pressing belt 56 is pressed by the pressing roller 58 and the forming member 64, and hence presses the toner image G on the sheet P.
The pressing roller 58 is arranged inside the pressing belt 56, at the Y side (the downstream side in the transport direction of the sheet P). The inner peripheral surface of the pressing belt 56 is wound around a portion of the outer periphery of the pressing roller 58. Further, the pressing roller 58 includes a columnar core metal 58A having its axial direction in the Z direction, and an elastic layer 58B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core metal 58A. The elastic layer 58B is made of, for example, silicon rubber. The core metal 58A is rotated (driven) by the motor 59 (described later).
Both end portions in the axial direction of the core metal 58A are rotatably supported by bearings mounted on brackets (not shown). Also, the core metal 58A is pushed by a spring (not shown) toward the pressing belt 56 so that the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 58B contacts the inner peripheral surface of the pressing belt 56 and hence forms a first press region N1. As described above, the pressing roller 58 is provided rotatably around the Z direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet P as its axial direction, presses the pressing belt 56 and the fixing belt 36 toward the pad 42, and hence forms the first press region N1.
The first press region N1 is a region being a portion of the aforementioned nip part N. The first press region N1 forms a downstream-side portion of the nip part N (an output-side portion of the sheet P) in the transport direction of the sheet P (the Y direction). It is assumed that L1 denotes a width in the Y direction of the first press region N1. The length of a portion of the pressing belt 56 wound around the pressing roller 58 has a larger length in the circumferential direction than the length of the first press region N1.
The motor 59 is controlled to be rotated and stopped by the controller 22 (see
The holder 62 includes, for example, a body portion 62A made of resin, and a mount portion 62B made of a sheet metal. The mount portion 62B is fixed to the body portion 62A, and is supported by a bracket (not shown). Also, the holder 62 is arranged at a position inside the pressing belt 56, at the −Y side (the upstream side in the transport direction of the sheet P), and at the X side. A portion of the slide sheet 66 (described later) is wound around a surface at the −Y side of the body portion 62A and a surface at the X side of the mount portion 62B. A recessed portion 62C is formed in a portion at the −X side of the body portion 62A. The recessed portion 62C is open to the −X side.
The forming member 64 is provided, for example, inside the pressing belt 56, at the upstream side (the −Y side) in the transport direction of the sheet P with respect to the pressing roller 58. The forming member 64 includes a leaf spring portion 64A and a pad portion 64B extending in the Z direction as the longitudinal direction. The leaf spring portion 64A is formed in a U shape open to the Y side when viewed in the Z direction. One end portion at the X side of the leaf spring portion 64A is mounted at the recessed portion 62C of the holder 62.
The pad portion 64B is, for example, a plate-shaped member made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Also, the pad portion 64B is fixed to the other end portion at the −X side of the leaf spring portion 64A. By applying an elastic force toward the −X side form the leaf spring portion 64A, the pressing belt 56 and the fixing belt 36 are pushed toward the pad 42 through the slide sheet 66 (described later). That is, the forming member 64 presses the pressing belt 56 and the fixing belt 36 toward the pad 42, and hence forms a second press region N2.
The second press region N2 is a region being a portion of the aforementioned nip part N. The second press region N2 forms an upstream-side portion of the nip part N (an entry-side portion of the sheet P) in the transport direction of the sheet P. Also, a width L2 of the second press region N2 in the transport direction of the sheet P (the Y direction) is larger than the width L1 of the aforementioned first press region N1 in the Y direction. A region between the first press region N1 and the second press region N2 in the nip part N is referred to as intermediate region M.
In the intermediate region M, the fixing belt 36 is supported by the pad 42 from the inner side, and the pressing belt 56 is not supported from the inner side. Hence, almost no pressing force acts on the sheet P in the intermediate region M. However, since the pressing belt 56 has a tension by pressing in the first press region N1 and pressing in the second press region N2, the sheet P is hardly bent. A width L3 in the Y direction of the intermediate region M is smaller than the width L1 in the Y direction of the first press region N1.
Although not shown, regarding a force per unit area acting on the sheet P in the nip part N, it is assumed that PS1 is a pressing force in the first press region N1, PS2 is a pressing force in the second press region N2, and PS3 is a pressing force in the intermediate region M. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, a relationship of PS1>PS2>PS3 is established.
The slide sheet 66 is formed of a material so that the friction coefficient between the pressing belt 56 and the slide sheet 66 is smaller than the friction coefficient between the pressing belt 56 and the pad portion 64B. Also, the slide sheet 66 is wound around the holder 62 and the pad portion 64B. Further, the pressing belt 56 is wound around the slide sheet 66.
In this exemplary embodiment, a width X2 in the X direction at the forming member 64 side of the pressing belt 56 is larger than a width X1 in the X direction at the pressing roller 58 side of the pressing belt 56. Accordingly, since the space for arranging the forming member 64 is ensured, the forming member 64 may be changed to a large member having a strong pushing force, and hence a pressing force (pushing force) in the second press region N2 is ensured.
A configuration in which the width L1 of the first press region N1 is larger than the width L2 of the second press region N2 serves as a fixing device according to a comparative example. In the fixing device of the comparative example, when the width of the first press region N1 is increased to increase the total width of the width L1 and the width L2, the width L1 is not increased unless the elastic layer 58B (the outer peripheral portion) of the pressing roller 58 is further depressed. However, if the elastic layer 58B of the pressing roller 58 is excessively depressed, the peripheral velocity of the pressing belt 56 is easily varied at the boundary between the portion of the first press region N1 and the portion other than the first press region N1. As the result, transport performance of the sheet P may be decreased. As described above, there is scope for improvement to increase the total width of the width L1 and the width L2 in the fixing device according to the comparative example.
Operation According to the First Exemplary Embodiment is Described Next.
In the image forming apparatus 10 shown in
To be specific, as shown in
Then, as shown in
Then, as shown in
In the fixing device 30 shown in
Also, in the fixing device 30, since the pressing roller 58 is not excessively depressed, the difference between the radius of the pressed portion and the radius of the non-pressed portion of the elastic layer 58B of the pressing roller 58 is smaller than that of the configuration in which the pressing roller 58 is excessively depressed. Accordingly, the variation in peripheral velocity at a position near the boundary between the pressed portion and the non-pressed portion while the pressing roller 58 is rotated is decreased. Hence, variation in velocity of the sheet P when the sheet P enters the first press region N1 is restricted, and misregistration of the toner image G on the sheet P is restricted.
Further, in the fixing device 30, the width of the region where the toner image G on the sheet P entering the nip part N is heated and pressed is increased toward the upstream side of the nip part N. Hence, the period of time for heating and pressing the toner image G may be set long until the sheet P enters the intermediate region M where the smallest pressing force acts on the sheet P. Accordingly, since the amount of the toner image G, which is not sufficiently fixed to the sheet P and enters the intermediate region M, is decreased. Misregistration of the toner image G in the intermediate region M is restricted.
In addition, in the fixing device 30, the width in the Y direction of the nip part N is a width (L1+L2+L3) equal to or larger than the total width of the width L1 of the first press region N1 and the width L2 of the second press region N2. Hence, the width in the Y direction of the nip part N is further increased as compared with a configuration that fixes a toner image G by using a pair of rollers. Accordingly, the toner image G may be fixed to the sheet P even if the fixing temperature is set low, as compared with the configuration that fixes the toner image G by using the pair of rollers.
Also, in the fixing device 30, since the pressing belt 56 is used in addition to the fixing belt 36, the sheet P is supported by the pressing belt 56 in the intermediate region M between the first press region N1 and the second press region N2. Hence, a bend of the sheet P in the intermediate region M is restricted as compared with a configuration without the pressing belt 56.
Further, in the fixing device 30, the pressing belt 56 is wound around the pressing roller 58 in an area larger than the first press region N1 among the outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 58. Hence, even if the width of the first press region N1 in the Y direction is decreased, the pressing belt 56 may be driven by the rotation of the pressing roller 58, and a slip in the moving direction of the pressing belt 56 is restricted.
In the image forming apparatus 10 (see
Examples of a fixing device and an image forming apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment are described. The same reference signs as those of the first exemplary embodiment are applied to the basically same members and portions as those of the first exemplary embodiment, and redundant description is omitted.
Operation according to the second exemplary embodiment is described next.
In the fixing device 70 shown in
The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.
The pressing belt 83 is configured similarly to the above-described pressing belt 56 (see
The pressing roller 84 is arranged inside the pressing belt 83, at the Y side (the downstream side in the transport direction of the sheet P). Also, the pressing belt 83 is wound around a portion of the outer periphery of the pressing roller 84. Further, the pressing roller 84 includes a columnar core metal 84A having its axial direction in the Z direction, and a rubber layer 84B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core metal 84A. The core metal 84A is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown). Also, the core metal 84A is rotated when driven by the motor 59. The pressing roller 84 presses the pressing belt 83 and the fixing belt 36 toward the pad 42, and hence forms a first press region N1.
The pushing roller 85 is arranged inside the pressing belt 83, at the −Y side (the upstream side in the transport direction of the sheet P). Also, the pressing belt 83 is wound around a portion of the outer periphery of the pushing roller 85. Further, the pushing roller 85 includes a columnar core metal 85A having its axial direction in the Z direction, and a sponge layer 85B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core metal 85A. The core metal 85A is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown).
The pushing roller 85 presses the pressing belt 83 and the fixing belt 36 toward the pad 42 by a pushing force of the spring member 86, and hence forms a second press region N2. As described above, even if the forming member includes the rotational body and the spring, the total width of the width L1 and the width L2 is increased without excessive depression of the pressing roller 84. In the fixing device 80, the diameter of the pressing roller 84 is smaller than the diameter of the pressing roller 58 (see
The pressing belt 104 is configured similarly to the above-described pressing belt 56 (see
The forming member 106 is arranged inside the pressing belt 104, at the −Y side (the upstream side in the transport direction of the sheet P). Also, the forming member 106 is made of resin and formed in a rectangular-parallelepiped shape having its longitudinal direction in the Z direction. The forming member 106 has a side surface 106A along a Y-Z plane. The side surface 106A is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pressing belt 104 in the nip part N. The forming member 106 presses the pressing belt 104 and the fixing belt 36 toward the pad 42 without a pushing force by a spring but by managing the arrangement, and hence forms a second press region N2. As described above, even if the second press region N2 is formed by the forming member 106 without a spring or the like, the total width of the width L1 and the width L2 is increased without excessive depression of the pressing roller 84.
The fixing device 120 includes a pressing roller 122 instead of the pressing roller 58 (see
The pressing roller 122 is arranged at a position to face a portion located downstream of the center of the pad 42 in the Y direction, to have its axial direction in the Z direction. Also, the pressing roller 122 includes a cylindrical core metal 123 being an example of a shaft portion, and the elastic layer 58B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core metal 123. Both end portions in the axial direction of the core metal 123 are rotatably supported by bearings mounted on brackets (not shown). In this way, the pressing roller 122 is a roller in which the rotating core metal 123 is hollow when viewed in the Z direction.
The core metal 123 is pushed by a spring (not shown) toward the pressing belt 56 so that the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 58B contacts the inner peripheral surface of the pressing belt 56 and hence forms a first press region N1. As described above, the pressing roller 122 is provided rotatably around the Z direction as its rotational axis, presses the pressing belt 56 and the fixing belt 36 toward the pad 42, and hence forms the first press region N1. The motor 59 is connected with one end portion in the Z direction of the core metal 123 through a gear (not shown) and hence rotates the pressing roller 122 around the axis.
In the fixing device 120, the second press region N2 having the larger width in the Y direction than the width of the first press region N1 using the pressing roller 122 is arranged at the upstream side of the nip portion N. Hence, the total width of the width L1 and the width L2 is increased by the second press region N2 using the forming member 64, without excessive depression of the elastic layer 58B of the pressing roller 122 in the first press region N1. That is, the total width of the first press region N1 and the second press region N2 is increased without excessive depression of the pressing roller 122 as compared with the configuration in which the width L2 is smaller than the width L1 in the Y direction.
Further, in the fixing device 120, the core metal 123 of the pressing roller 122 is hollow. Hence, in the fixing device 120, the thermal capacity of the pressing roller 122 is decreased as compared with a configuration in which a pressing roller has a solid core metal. The heat of the fixing belt 36 is prevented from being removed by the pressing roller.
With the combination of the pressing roller and the pad, the distance between the members is decreased as compared with the combination of the pressing roller and the pushing roller, and hence the fixing device may be decreased in size. In this way, by arranging the first press region N1 and the second press region N2 close to each other, the intermediate region M may be eliminated. Also, the second press region N2 may be formed of plural forming members arranged in the transport direction of the sheet P.
The configuration of each fixing device is not limited to the configuration in which the pressing roller 58 is rotated (driven) by the motor 59. For example, caps may be fitted on both end portions in the Z direction of the fixing belt 36 like the fixing device 90, and the caps may be rotated by the motor.
The pad portion 64B may be pushed to the pressing belt 56 by providing a rubber member instead of the leaf spring portion 64A.
The heating unit of the fixing belt 36 is not limited to the halogen lamp 44 or the planar heating element 112. For example, a heat generating layer made of metal may be provided at the fixing belt 36, and the heat generating layer may generate heat by an electromagnetic induction effect of a magnetic field generated by energization to a coil.
Oil or grease may be applied to the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 36, and the inner peripheral surface of the pressing belt 56, 83, or 104.
In the fixing device 70, the pressing roller 58 may be replaced with the pressing roller 122.
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 embodiments were 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-042314 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |
