Patent Grant
10088786
This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-055951, filed on Mar. 18, 2016, in the Japanese Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Technical Field
Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure relate to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium and an image forming apparatus incorporating the fixing device.
Description of the Background
Related-art image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, facsimile machines, printers, or multifunction printers having two or more of copying, printing, scanning, facsimile, plotter, and other functions, typically form an image on a recording medium according to image data. Thus, for example, a charger uniformly charges a surface of a photoconductor; an optical writer emits a light beam onto the charged surface of the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor according to the image data; a developing device supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to render the electrostatic latent image visible as a toner image; the toner image is directly transferred from the photoconductor onto a recording medium or is indirectly transferred from the photoconductor onto a recording medium via an intermediate transfer belt; finally, a fixing device applies heat and pressure to the recording medium bearing the toner image to fix the toner image on the recording medium, thus forming the image on the recording medium.
Such fixing device may include a fixing rotator, such as a fixing roller, a fixing belt, and a fixing film, heated by a heater and a pressure rotator, such as a pressure roller and a pressure belt, pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. As the recording medium bearing the toner image is conveyed through the fixing nip, the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator apply heat and pressure to the recording medium, melting and fixing the toner image on the recording medium.
This specification describes below an improved fixing device. In one exemplary embodiment, the fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the nip former in a recording medium conveyance direction and stretches the fixing belt. The separator is spaced apart from the pressure rotator via the fixing belt. A presser is interposed between an exit of the fixing nip and an upstream end of the separator in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator.
This specification further describes an improved image forming apparatus. In one exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form a toner image and a fixing device disposed downstream from the image forming device in a recording medium conveyance direction to fix the toner image on a recording medium. The fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which the recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the nip former in the recording medium conveyance direction and stretches the fixing belt. The separator is spaced apart from the pressure rotator via the fixing belt. A presser is interposed between an exit of the fixing nip and an upstream end of the separator in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator.
A more complete appreciation of the embodiments and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views.
In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, particularly to
Referring to
The image forming apparatus 1000 includes four image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K that form yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images, respectively. The image forming apparatus 1000 employs a tandem system in which the four image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are aligned in a rotation direction D61 of an intermediate transfer belt 61 serving as an endless belt that bears toner images as described below.
The image forming apparatus 1000 further includes a feeding path 30, a pre-transfer conveyance path 31, a bypass feeding path 32, a bypass tray 33, a registration roller pair 34, a conveyance belt unit 35, a fixing device 40, a conveyance switch device 50, an output path 51, an output roller pair 52, and an output tray 53. The image forming apparatus 1000 further includes two optical writing units 1YM and 1CK, a primary transfer unit 60, a secondary transfer unit 78, a first paper tray 101, and a second paper tray 102.
The image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K include drum-shaped photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, respectively, each of which serves as a latent image bearer that bears an electrostatic latent image. Each of the first paper tray 101 and the second paper tray 102 accommodates a sheaf of sheets P serving as a plurality of recording media. As one of feeding rollers 101a and 102a is driven and rotated selectively, the one of the feeding rollers 101a and 102a feeds an uppermost sheet P of the sheaf of sheets P toward the feeding path 30.
The bypass tray 33 is attached to a side face of a body of the image forming apparatus 1000 such that the bypass tray 33 is opened and closed relative to the body. A user opens the bypass tray 33 relative to the body of the image forming apparatus 1000 and places a sheaf of sheets P on a top face of the bypass tray 33. A feeding roller attached to the bypass tray 33 feeds an uppermost sheet P of the sheaf of sheets P placed on the bypass tray 33 toward the feeding path 30.
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the two optical writing units 1YM and 1CK.
Each of the two optical writing units 1YM and 1CK includes a laser diode, a polygon mirror, and various lenses. The optical writing units 1YM and 1CK drive the laser diodes according to image data created by a scanner separately provided from the image forming apparatus 1000 as the scanner reads an image or image data sent from a client computer. The laser diodes emit laser beams that optically scan the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K of the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively. For example, a driver drives and rotates the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K of the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively, counterclockwise in
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K.
The image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K include the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, serving as latent image bearers, and various devices surrounding the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, which are formed into four units, respectively. Each of the four units is supported by a common support and detachably attached to the body of the image forming apparatus 1000. The four image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K have a substantially identical construction except for the color (e.g., yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) of toner used in the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K. Taking the image forming unit 2Y that forms a yellow toner image, for example, the image forming unit 2Y includes a developing device 4Y in addition to the photoconductor 3Y. The developing device 4Y supplies yellow toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on an outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 3Y, thus developing the electrostatic latent image into the yellow toner image. The image forming unit 2Y further includes a charger 5Y and a drum cleaner 6Y. The charger 5Y uniformly charges the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 3Y while the photoconductor 3Y is driven and rotated. After the yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 3Y passes through a primary transfer nip described below, the drum cleaner 6Y removes residual toner failed to be transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 and therefore remaining on the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 3Y therefrom.
The photoconductor 3Y is a drum constructed of an element tube made of aluminum or the like and a photosensitive layer coating the element tube and being made of an organic sensitive material having photosensitivity. Alternatively, the photoconductor 3Y may be an endless belt instead of the drum.
The developing device 4Y includes a developing sleeve and a magnet roller. The developing sleeve is rotatable and made of a non-magnetic pipe. The magnet roller is disposed in a hollow of the developing sleeve such that the magnet roller does not rotate in accordance with rotation of the developing sleeve. The magnet roller generates a magnetic force that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 3Y with a two-component developer (hereinafter referred to as a developer) that contains magnetic carrier particles and non-magnetic yellow toner particles that is supplied onto an outer circumferential surface of the developing sleeve. A potential difference between a potential of a developing bias applied to the developing sleeve and a potential of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 3Y applies a developing potential to the yellow toner particles on the developing sleeve, which are disposed opposite the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 3Y. Conversely, a potential difference between the potential of the developing bias and a potential of a background portion on the photoconductor 3Y applies a background potential to the yellow toner particles on the developing sleeve, which are disposed opposite the background portion on the photoconductor 3Y. The developing potential and the background potential selectively adhere the yellow toner particles on the developing sleeve to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 3Y, not to the background portion, thus developing the electrostatic latent image into the yellow toner image.
A yellow toner supply device supplies yellow toner, that is, yellow toner particles, contained in a yellow toner bottle 103Y to the developing device 4Y in a proper amount. A toner density sensor serving as a toner density detector is disposed in the developing device 4Y. The toner density sensor detects a magnetic permeability of the developer that is caused by carrier particles as a magnetic material. A main controller described below controls driving of the yellow toner supply device based on a comparison between an output value output by the toner density sensor and a target output value, that is, a target toner density value, output by the toner density sensor, thus adjusting a density of toner contained in the developer within a predetermined range (e.g., a range of from 4 weight percent to 9 weight percent). Similarly, the main controller controls driving of a magenta toner supply device, a cyan toner supply device, and a black toner supply device that supply magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner supplied from a magenta toner bottle 103M, a cyan toner bottle 103C, and a black toner bottle 103K to developing devices of the image forming units 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively.
The drum cleaner 6Y includes a cleaning blade made of polyurethane rubber. The cleaning blade contacts the photoconductor 3Y to scrape residual toner failed to be transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 and therefore remaining on the photoconductor 3Y from the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 3Y. Alternatively, the drum cleaner 6Y may employ other cleaning method. In order to enhance cleaning performance, the drum cleaner 6Y includes a rotatable fur brush that contacts the photoconductor 3Y in addition to the cleaning blade. The fur brush also scrapes a fine, powdery lubricant off a solid lubricant and applies the fine, powdery lubricant to the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 3Y.
Above the photoconductor 3Y is a discharge lamp. The discharge lamp is a part of the image forming unit 2Y. The discharge lamp is disposed downstream from the drum cleaner 6Y in the rotation direction D3 of the photoconductor 3Y and discharges the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 3Y by optical illumination. The charger 5Y uniformly charges the discharged outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 3Y. Thereafter, the optical writing unit 1YM performs optical scanning as described above. The charger 5Y is driven and rotated while the charger 5Y receives a charging bias from a power supply. Alternatively, the charger 5Y may employ a scorotron charger that charges the photoconductor 3Y without contacting the photoconductor 3Y.
The above describes the construction of the image forming unit 2Y that forms the yellow toner image. Each of the image forming units 2M, 2C, and 2K that form the magenta, cyan, and black toner images, respectively, has a construction similar to the construction of the image forming unit 2Y.
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the primary transfer unit 60.
Below the four image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K is the primary transfer unit 60. The primary transfer unit 60 includes the intermediate transfer belt 61 serving as an image bearer stretched taut across a plurality of rollers (e.g., rollers 63, 67, 69, and 71). While the intermediate transfer belt 61 contacts the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, one of the plurality of rollers is driven and rotated to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 61 clockwise in
In proximity to the four primary transfer nips are primary transfer rollers 62Y, 62M, 62C, and 62K disposed inside a loop formed by the intermediate transfer belt 61. The primary transfer rollers 62Y, 62M, 62C, and 62K press the intermediate transfer belt 61 against the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, respectively. A primary transfer power supply applies a primary transfer bias to each of the primary transfer rollers 62Y, 62M, 62C, and 62M. Accordingly, a primary transfer electric field that electrostatically transfers the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, respectively, onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 is produced at each of the four primary transfer nips.
As the intermediate transfer belt 61 rotates clockwise in
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the secondary transfer unit 78.
Below the intermediate transfer belt 61 is the secondary transfer unit 78. The secondary transfer unit 78 includes an endless, secondary transfer belt 77, a grounded driven roller 72, a driving roller, a secondary transfer belt cleaner 76, and a toner adhesion amount sensor 64. The secondary transfer belt 77 is stretched taut across the grounded driven roller 72 and the driving roller that are disposed inside a loop formed by the secondary transfer belt 77. As the driving roller is driven and rotated, the driving roller rotates the secondary transfer belt 77 counterclockwise in
The secondary transfer belt 77 of the secondary transfer unit 78 at a looped position where the secondary transfer belt 77 is looped over the grounded driven roller 72 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 61 of the primary transfer unit 60 at a looped position where the intermediate transfer belt 61 is looped over a secondary transfer bias roller 68, thus forming a secondary transfer nip between the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the secondary transfer belt 77. The secondary transfer bias roller 68 disposed inside the loop formed by the intermediate transfer belt 61 is applied with a secondary transfer bias output by a secondary transfer power supply described below. Conversely, the grounded driven roller 72 disposed inside the loop formed by the secondary transfer belt 77 is grounded. Accordingly, a secondary transfer electric field is created at the secondary transfer nip.
On the right of the secondary transfer nip in
After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 is adhered with residual toner failed to be secondarily transferred onto the sheet P. An intermediate transfer belt cleaner 75 of the primary transfer unit 60 removes the residual toner from the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61.
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the conveyance belt unit 35.
After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the sheet P is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the secondary transfer belt 77 and is delivered to the conveyance belt unit 35. The conveyance belt unit 35 includes a driving roller 37, a driven roller 38, and an endless, conveyance belt 36 stretched taut across the driving roller 37 and the driven roller 38. As the driving roller 37 is driven and rotated, the driving roller 37 rotates the conveyance belt 36 counterclockwise in
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the fixing device 40.
The sheet P sent to the fixing device 40 is sandwiched between an endless, fixing belt and a pressure roller at a fixing nip formed between the fixing belt and the pressure roller. The fixing belt and the pressure roller fix the full color toner image on a surface of the sheet P under heat and pressure.
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the conveyance switch device 50.
The sheet P secondarily transferred with the full color toner image on a first side of the sheet P at the secondary transfer nip and fixed with the full color toner image on the first side of the sheet P by the fixing device 40 is sent to the conveyance switch device 50. The image forming apparatus 1000 includes the conveyance switch device 50, a refeeding path 54, a switch-back path 55, and a post switch-back conveyance path 56, which construct a refeeder. The conveyance switch device 50 switches destination of the sheet P received from the fixing device 40 between the output path 51 and the refeeding path 54.
For example, if the image forming apparatus 1000 receives a one-sided print job to form a toner image on the first side of the sheet P, the conveyance switch device 50 directs the sheet P to the output path 51. The conveyance switch device 50 sends the sheet P bearing the toner image on the first side of the sheet P to the output roller pair 52 through the output path 51. The output roller pair 52 ejects the sheet P onto the output tray 53 disposed outside the body of the image forming apparatus 1000. If the image forming apparatus 1000 receives a two-sided print job to form a toner image on both sides, that is, the first side and a second side, of the sheet P, the conveyance switch device 50 directs the sheet P bearing the toner image on both sides of the sheet P to the output path 51 as the conveyance switch device 50 receives the sheet P from the fixing device 40. The conveyance switch device 50 sends the sheet P bearing the toner image on both sides of the sheet P to the output tray 53 disposed outside the body of the image forming apparatus 1000.
Conversely, if the image forming apparatus 1000 receives a two-sided print job to form a toner image on both sides of the sheet P, the conveyance switch device 50 directs the sheet P bearing the toner image on the first side of the sheet P to the refeeding path 54 as the conveyance switch device 50 receives the sheet P bearing the toner image on the first side on the sheet P from the fixing device 40. Since the refeeding path 54 is coupled to the switch-back path 55, the sheet P sent to the refeeding path 54 enters the switch-back path 55. When the sheet P enters the switch-back path 55 entirely in a sheet conveyance direction, the switch-back path 55 reverses the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet P to switch back the sheet P. Since the post switch-back conveyance path 56, in addition to the refeeding path 54, is coupled to the switch-back path 55, the sheet P that is switched back enters the post switch-back conveyance path 56. Accordingly, the sheet P is reversed. The reversed sheet P is resent to the secondary transfer nip through the post switch-back conveyance path 56 and the feeding path 30. The sheet P secondarily transferred with another toner image on the second side of the sheet P at the secondary transfer nip is sent to the fixing device 40 where the another toner image is fixed on the second side of the sheet P. Thereafter, the sheet P bearing the fixed toner image is ejected onto the output tray 53 through the conveyance switch device 50, the output path 51, and the output roller pair 52.
A description is provided of a construction of the fixing device 40 incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1000 having the construction described above.
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the fixing belt 43.
The fixing belt 43 is an endless belt constructed of a polyimide (PI) layer and an outer circumferential surface layer coating the PI layer and being made of an offset inhibitor such as tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer (PFA) film. Each of the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 45 is a rubber roller. As the pressure roller 45 is pressed against the fixing roller 41 radially via the fixing belt 43, a fixing nip N1 is formed between the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43. The tension roller 47 places tension to the fixing belt 43. The tension roller 47 includes an aluminum tube that is tubular or cylindrical.
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the pressure roller 45.
The pressure roller 45 separably contacts the fixing belt 43. While a sheet P is conveyed through the fixing device 40 for a fixing job, a pressurization assembly presses the pressure roller 45 against the fixing belt 43 to form the fixing nip N1 therebetween. Conversely, while the fixing device 40 is in a standby mode to wait for the fixing job, the pressurization assembly releases pressure exerted to the pressure roller 45 to separate the pressure roller 45 from the fixing belt 43.
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the heating roller 42.
The heating roller 42 is a hollow roller being made of aluminum or iron and accommodating a heater 44 (e.g., a halogen heater) serving as a heater or a heat source. Alternatively, the heater 44 may be an induction heater (IH). A thermistor 11 (e.g., a temperature sensor element) is disposed opposite the heating roller 42 via the fixing belt 43. The heater 44 is controlled based on a temperature of the fixing belt 43 that is detected by the thermistor 11 so that the heater 44 heats the fixing belt 43 to a target temperature.
A detailed description is now given of a configuration of the fixing roller 41.
A driver (e.g., a motor and a reduction gear train) is coupled to the fixing roller 41 to drive and rotate the fixing roller 41 clockwise in
A description is provided of a construction of a polisher 10 incorporated in the fixing device 40.
The polisher 10 is interposed between the tension roller 47 and the heating roller 42 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43. The polisher 10 polishes an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt 43. The polisher 10 includes a polishing roller 10a, an opposed roller 10b, and a spring 10c. The polishing roller 10a contacts the outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt 43. The opposed roller 10b is disposed opposite the polishing roller 10a via the fixing belt 43. The spring 10c presses the polishing roller 10a against the fixing belt 43. Each of the polishing roller 10a and the opposed roller 10b comes into contact with and separates from the fixing belt 43. While the polishing roller 10a is not requested to polish the fixing belt 43, the polishing roller 10a and the opposed roller 10b are separated from the fixing belt 43 to extend the life of the fixing belt 43.
While the sheet P is conveyed through the fixing nip N1, burrs produced on the sheet P by cutting may scratch and damage the outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt 43, resulting in abrasion of the fixing belt 43. Accordingly, abrasion of an inboard span of the fixing belt 43 that corresponds to a width of a frequently used size sheet P in an axial direction of the fixing belt 43 is different from abrasion of an outboard span of the fixing belt 43 that is outboard from the inboard span in the axial direction of the fixing belt 43. Consequently, while a large sheet P having a width greater than the width of the frequently used size sheet P in the axial direction of the fixing belt 43 is conveyed over the fixing belt 43, since the large sheet P is conveyed over the outboard span of the fixing belt 43, abrasion of the outboard span of the fixing belt 43 may damage a toner image T on the large sheet P. To address this circumstance, according to this exemplary embodiment, the polishing roller 10a of the polisher 10 polishes the outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt 43, evening abrasion of the fixing belt 43 in the axial direction thereof and thereby preventing the fixing belt 43 from damaging the toner image T on the sheet P.
A description is provided of a configuration of a separation aid 48 incorporated in the fixing device 40.
The separation aid 48 serving as a first separator is disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing belt 43 and disposed downstream from the fixing nip N1 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43. For example, the separation aid 48 is made of metal such as SUS stainless steel and a rigid body such as resin. The separation aid 48 is a curved block or a substantially arcuate block in cross-section. The separation aid 48 contacts an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 43 at a downstream position disposed downstream from the fixing nip N1 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43. The fixing belt 43 is looped over the separation aid 48 such that the separation aid 48 stretches the fixing belt 43 in a separation direction in which the fixing belt 43 separates from the fixing roller 41 to change the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 sharply. For example, the separation aid 48 changes the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 sharply to increase a curvature of the fixing belt 43 and decrease a radius of curvature of the fixing belt 43. The increased curvature of the fixing belt 43 facilitates separation of the sheet P, improving separation performance of the fixing device 40.
The separation aid 48 includes an arcuate contact face 48b that contacts the fixing belt 43. The fixing belt 43 slides over the arcuate contact face 48b of the separation aid 48 smoothly.
The separation aid 48 further includes an arcuate opposed face that is disposed opposite the fixing roller 41 and curved along an outer circumferential surface of the fixing roller 41. Accordingly, the separation aid 48 is disposed inside a limited space inside the loop formed by the fixing belt 43 without contacting the fixing roller 41.
The separation aid 48 extends in an axial direction of the fixing roller 41 throughout the entire span of the fixing roller 41 in the axial direction thereof. Both lateral ends of the separation aid 48 in the axial direction of the fixing roller 41 are mounted on or secured to side faces of the frame of the fixing device 40, respectively. The separation aid 48 does not press against the pressure roller 45, enhancing durability of the pressure roller 45 and preventing a torque of the motor from increasing.
A description is provided of a configuration of a separation plate 46 and a presser 49 incorporated in the fixing device 40.
The separation plate 46 serving as a second separator is disposed opposite the separation aid 48 via the fixing belt 43. A front end 46a of the separation plate 46 is disposed opposite the fixing belt 43 with a slight interval therebetween. The front end 46a of the separation plate 46 is tapered off and has a sharp edge. The presser 49 is interposed between the fixing nip N1 and the separation aid 48 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 and in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 43. The presser 49 presses the fixing belt 43 against the pressure roller 45.
A description is provided of a fixing operation of the fixing device 40 to fix a toner image T on a sheet P.
As the sheet P bearing the toner image T is conveyed through the fixing nip N1, toner of the toner image T is melted and fixed on the sheet P under heat and pressure. The separation plate 46 and the like disposed downstream from an exit N1e of the fixing nip N1 in a sheet conveyance direction DP separate or peel the sheet P from the fixing belt 43. Thereafter, the sheet P is ejected from the fixing device 40. An ejection sensor is disposed in proximity to an exit of the fixing device 40 to detect that the sheet P has passed through the fixing nip N1 at a predetermined time. If the ejection sensor does not detect that the sheet P has passed through the fixing nip N1 at the predetermined time, the main controller determines that the sheet P is jammed at the fixing nip N1 and activates a jam handling mode in which the main controller notifies the user to remove the jammed sheet P from the fixing device 40.
A description is provided of a construction of a comparative fixing device 40C.
To address this request, a separation aid 48C disposed opposite the separation plate 46C via the fixing belt 43 is made of a rigid body to suppress change in the interval d between the fixing belt 43 and the separation plate 46C due to deformation of the separation aid 48C. If the separation aid 48C made of the rigid body presses against the pressure roller 45 via the fixing belt 43, the separation aid 48C may be deformed resiliently by pressure from the pressure roller 45, resulting in change in the interval d between the fixing belt 43 and the separation plate 46C. Further, the durability of the pressure roller 45 may decrease. As illustrated in Table 1 below, that indicates a result of a durability test of the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43, if the separation aid 48C is retracted from the pressure roller 45 by a length of 2 mm, the separation aid 48C substantially doubles the life of the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43.
However, since the separation aid 48C is spaced apart from the pressure roller 45, the sheet P adhered to the fixing belt 43 is not exerted with pressure from the pressure roller 45 in a separation span of the fixing belt 43 that is defined from a nip position disposed opposite the fixing nip N1 to a separation position disposed opposite the front edge of the separation plate 46C. As the sheet P is heated by the fixing belt 43 at the fixing nip N1, moisture contained in the sheet P is vaporized into steam. While the sheet P is conveyed through the fixing nip N1, since the sheet P receives substantial surface pressure of about 40 [N/cm2], steam is not discharged from the sheet P. Conversely, when the sheet P is ejected from the fixing nip N1, since the sheet P receives no pressure, steam is discharged from the sheet P.
As illustrated in
Steam mainly discharged from the back side of the sheet P that is disposed opposite the pressure roller 45 remains in the decreased gap between the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43 stretched by the separation aid 48C. Steam is reabsorbed by the sheet P and moistens the sheet P. Steam discharged to the gap between the fixing belt 43 and the non-image section on the sheet P remains in the decreased gap. Steam is reabsorbed by the sheet P and moistens the sheet P. As the sheet P is moistened, fiber of the sheet P stretches. Accordingly, the sheet P waves.
In the comparative fixing device 40C depicted in
To address this circumstance, the fixing device 40 according to this exemplary embodiment depicted in
A detailed description is now given of a construction of the presser 49.
The presser 49 engages the pressure roller 45 by 0.4 mm. The presser 49 is resiliently deformed to press the fixing belt 43 against the pressure roller 45 with a predetermined load. Accordingly, the presser 49 forms a post nip N2 that is disposed downstream from the fixing nip N1 in the sheet conveyance direction DP.
The pressing portion 49b of the presser 49 has a shape corresponding to an outer circumferential surface of the pressure roller 45 to press the fixing belt 43 against the pressure roller 45 evenly. At an exit of the post nip N2, the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 changes sharply along a curve of the peel-off portion 49a of the presser 49. Accordingly, the curvature of the fixing belt 43 increases at the exit of the post nip N2. In other words, the radius of curvature of the fixing belt 43 decreases at the exit of the post nip N2. According to this exemplary embodiment, the peel-off portion 49a of the presser 49 is curved such that the radius of curvature of the fixing belt 43 is 6 mm at the exit of the post nip N2.
The sheet P ejected from the fixing nip N1 is conveyed while the sheet P receives pressure from the pressure roller 45 at the post nip N2 continuously after the sheet P receives pressure at the fixing nip N1. Since pressure exerted to the sheet P at the post nip N2 is smaller than pressure exerted to the sheet P at the fixing nip N1, the sheet P discharges steam at the post nip N2. As the sheet P discharges steam, the sheet P is susceptible to drying of fiber and shrinking. However, since the presser 49 presses the sheet P against the pressure roller 45 via the fixing belt 43, fiber of the sheet P does not shrink and therefore the sheet P is immune from waving caused by discharging of steam.
Steam discharged at the post nip N2 remains between the sheet P and the fixing belt 43 and the like as air bubbles and is reabsorbed by the sheet P, moistening the sheet P. However, while the sheet P absorbs steam, the presser 49 presses the sheet P against the pressure roller 45 via the fixing belt 43. Accordingly, even if fiber of the sheet P that absorbs steam and moistens is susceptible to stretch, since the presser 49 presses the sheet P against the pressure roller 45 via the fixing belt 43, fiber of the sheet P does not stretch and therefore the sheet P is immune from waving caused by absorption of steam.
Since the sheet P is immune from waving, even when the sheet P ejected from the fixing nip N1 is sandwiched and conveyed by the output roller pair 52 depicted in
According to this exemplary embodiment, the presser 49 presses the sheet P against the pressure roller 45 via the fixing belt 43 to prevent fiber of the sheet P from contracting and expanding as the sheet P discharges and absorbs steam. Pressure with which the presser 49 presses the sheet P against the pressure roller 45 via the fixing belt 43 is sufficiently smaller than pressure with which the pressure roller 45 presses the sheet P against the fixing roller 41 via the fixing belt 43 at the fixing nip N1. According to this exemplary embodiment, pressure exerted to the sheet P at the post nip N2 is about 5 [N]. The presser 49 suppresses waving of the sheet P with pressure great enough to prevent the streaked creases S on the sheet P illustrated in
In a configuration in which the presser 49 presses the fixing belt 43 toward the pressure roller 45 such that the fixing belt 43 does not contact the pressure roller 45, if the slight interval between the fixing belt 43 and the pressure roller 45 is equivalent to a thickness of the sheet P, the sheet P ejected from the fixing nip N1 is conveyed while the sheet P is sandwiched between the fixing belt 43 and the pressure roller 45. Thus, the presser 49 suppresses waving of the sheet P more effectively.
At the exit of the post nip N2, the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 changes sharply along the curve of the peel-off portion 49a of the presser 49. Accordingly, the sheet P is separated from the fixing belt 43 by the curvature of the fixing belt 43 at the exit of the post nip N2. A soft sheet P such as thin paper or a sheet P bearing a toner image T extending to a leading end of the sheet P is not separated from the fixing belt 43 by the curvature of the fixing belt 43 at the exit of the post nip N2 and is conveyed to a separation position of the fixing belt 43 that is disposed opposite a front edge of the separation plate 46 while the sheet P adheres to the fixing belt 43. However, steam generated by the sheet P while the sheet P is conveyed through the fixing nip N1 is already discharged from the sheet P while the sheet P is conveyed through the post nip N2. Accordingly, steam is barely discharged from the sheet P while the sheet P moves to the separation position of the fixing belt 43 that is disposed opposite the front edge of the separation plate 46.
Additionally, an increased gap between the fixing belt 43 and the pressure roller 45 at a position in proximity to the exit of the post nip N2 is greater than the decreased gap between the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43 depicted in
Steam not reabsorbed by the sheet P at the post nip N2 is discharged to the surroundings at the exit of the post nip N2. However, since the increased gap between the fixing belt 43 and the pressure roller 45 at the position in proximity to the exit of the post nip N2 is greater than the decreased gap between the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43 depicted in
Since the presser 49 presses the fixing belt 43 against the pressure roller 45, the fixing belt 43 is hung freely without contacting any component in a free span defined from the exit of the post nip N2 to the separation aid 48 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43. The free span of the fixing belt 43 of the fixing device 40 depicted in
A thermal capacity of the presser 49 made of a plate is smaller than a thermal capacity of the presser 49 made of a block, suppressing conduction of heat from the fixing belt 43 to the presser 49 formed in the plate. Accordingly, compared to the presser 49 made of the block, the presser 49 made of the plate shortens a waiting time for the user to wait until the fixing belt 43 is heated to a target temperature. Additionally, compared to the presser 49 made of the block, the presser 49 made of the plate suppresses power consumption, saving energy.
Since the presser 49 is made of a resilient material, the presser 49 deforms along the outer circumferential surface of the pressure roller 45 readily compared to the presser 49 made of a rigid body. Thus, the presser 49 presses the fixing belt 43 against the pressure roller 45 evenly with a predetermined load.
According to this exemplary embodiment, the sheet P separates from the fixing belt 43 at three separation positions thereon. The three separation positions include a first separation position where the fixing belt 43 is curved at the exit of the post nip N2 formed between the peel-off portion 49a of the presser 49 and the pressure roller 45; a second separation position where the fixing belt 43 is curved by the separation aid 48; and a third separation position where the fixing belt 43 is disposed opposite the front edge of the separation plate 46. Accordingly, the fixing belt 43 attaining the three separation positions separates the sheet P from the fixing belt 43 precisely, preventing the sheet P from being jammed between the fixing belt 43 and the pressure roller 45 effectively.
A description is provided of a first variation of the presser 49.
A description is provided of a second variation of the presser 49.
A description is provided of two third variations of the presser 49.
As illustrated in
Additionally, as toner of the toner image T thermally expands, air contained in the toner of the toner image T leaks from the toner, generating air bubbles between the sheet P and the fixing belt 43. As the sheet P enters the post nip N2 exerted with pressure greater than pressure exerted to the border N2s, the air bubbles are pushed and moved by the presser 49 pressing against the pressure roller 45 via the fixing belt 43. Thus, the air bubbles move over the surface of the sheet P. Since the toner of the toner image T on the sheet P immediately after passing through the fixing nip N1 is not solidified completely, as the air bubbles move over the surface of the sheet P, the air bubbles may damage the toner image T, resulting in formation of a faulty toner image T having variation in gloss or the like.
To address this circumstance, the presser 49 presses the fixing belt 43 against the pressure roller 45 in an elongated span extending to a position in proximity to the fixing nip N1 to decrease the border N2s. The decreased border N2s suppresses generation of the air bubbles. For example, according to this exemplary embodiment, the presser 49 includes a downstream end 49h in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43, serving as a fixed end, mounted on the support plate 24 and extending toward the pressure roller 45; the intermediate portion 49i bent toward the fixing nip N1; and an upstream end 49j in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43, serving as a free end. Compared to a configuration in which the presser 49 is bent and directed in the sheet conveyance direction DP, not directed to the fixing nip N1, such that the downstream end 49h of the presser 49 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 is a free end, the presser 49 depicted in
Similarly, in order to address the disadvantages described above, pressure exerted from the presser 49 to the fixing belt 43 is even or decreases in the sheet conveyance direction DP to cause pressure exerted from a downstream end (e.g., the intermediate portion 49i) of the presser 49 in the sheet conveyance direction DP to be not greater than pressure exerted from an upstream end (e.g., the upstream end 49j) of the presser 49 in the sheet conveyance direction DP. Accordingly, air bubbles produced by steam discharged from the sheet P are not pushed to the post nip N2 and do not move over the surface of the sheet P. Consequently, the presser 49 suppresses formation of a faulty toner image T having variation in gloss or the like at the post nip N2.
Table 2 below illustrates a result of an evaluation test of a length of the border N2s in the sheet conveyance direction DP.
The evaluation test was performed with a solid toner image formed on an A3 size sheet under surface pressure of 40 [N/cm2] exerted at the fixing nip N1 and surface pressure of 2.84 [N/cm2] (0.29 [kg/cm2]) exerted at the post nip N2. The solid toner image was visually checked to evaluate variation in gloss. Each of the surface pressures was measured with I-SCAN. In the “Prevention of variation in gloss of toner image” column of Table 2, good indicates that variation in gloss was not identified and evaluation is leveled as good. Very poor and poor indicate that variation in gloss was identified and evaluation is leveled as very poor and poor. The surface pressure exerted at the border N2s indicates an average pressure of pressures exerted in a span from the exit N1e of the fixing nip N1 to the upstream end 49j of the presser 49 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43. The surface pressure exerted at the post nip N2 indicates an average pressure of pressures exerted in a span from the upstream end 49j to the downstream end 49h of the presser 49 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43. The surface pressure exerted at the post nip N2 slightly decreases from an upstream end to a downstream end of the post nip N2 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43. The surface pressure exerted at the upstream end of the post nip N2 in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 is about 8 [N/cm2].
As illustrated in Table 2, if the length of the border N2s in the rotation direction D43 of the fixing belt 43 is not greater than 2.8 mm, generation of air bubbles is suppressed at the border N2s, preventing air bubbles from being pushed to the post nip N2 and moving over the surface of the sheet P. As a result, no variation in gloss appears on the solid toner image, attaining evaluation leveled as good.
As illustrated in
Conversely, when the angle θ is not smaller than 45 degrees, the sheet P is less susceptible to heat from the fixing roller 41 at the border N2s. Accordingly, the amount of steam discharged from the sheet P at the border N2s and the amount of thermal expansion of air contained in toner of the toner image T on the sheet P decrease and therefore the size of the air bubble generated at the border N2s does not increase. Consequently, the air bubble may barely be spread or enlarged as the air bubble receives pressure at the post nip N2. Thus, variation in gloss of the toner image T on the sheet P is not identified.
If the presser 49 brings the fixing belt 43 into contact with the pressure roller 45 constantly, the presser 49 exerts pressure to the fixing belt 43 and the pressure roller 45 constantly, shortening the life of the fixing belt 43 and the pressure roller 45. Additionally, if the presser 49 brings the fixing belt 43 into contact with the pressure roller 45 when the fixing belt 43 is driven and rotated while no sheet P is conveyed through the fixing device 40, for example, while the fixing device 40 is warmed up, the presser 49 frictionally contacting the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 43 may cause the fixing belt 43 to suffer from abrasion earlier. To address this circumstance, while no sheet P is conveyed through the fixing device 40 or while a sheet P, such as thick paper and an OHP transparency that is not susceptible to waving due to discharging and absorption of steam, is conveyed through the fixing device 40, the presser 49 does not bring the fixing belt 43 into contact with the pressure roller 45.
When thick paper is conveyed through the fixing device 40, a leading edge of the thick paper may strike the free end of the presser 49 via the fixing belt 43, bending or directing the free end of the presser 49 downstream in the sheet conveyance direction DP or the fixing belt 43 may be sandwiched between the leading edge of the thick paper and the free end of the presser 49, damaging the fixing belt 43. To address this circumstance, when thick paper is conveyed through the fixing device 40, the presser 49 is situated at an isolation position where the presser 49 isolates the fixing belt 43 from the pressure roller 45.
A description is provided of a construction of a mover 20 that moves the presser 49 between a contact position where the presser 49 brings the fixing belt 43 into contact with the pressure roller 45 and the isolation position where the presser 49 isolates the fixing belt 43 from the pressure roller 45.
As illustrated in
In order to move the presser 49 to the isolation position depicted in
As described above, when the sheet P conveyed toward the fixing nip N1 is the type of the sheet that is not susceptible to waving, such as the thick paper and the OHP transparency, the presser 49 is situated at the isolation position where the presser 49 isolates the fixing belt 43 from the pressure roller 45, thus decreasing a load imposed on the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43 and thereby extending the life of the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43. Additionally, the presser 49 situated at the isolation position decreases friction between the presser 49 and the fixing belt 43. For example, according to this exemplary embodiment, the presser 49 situated at the isolation position depicted in
For example, when the thick paper as the sheet P is conveyed through the fixing device 40, the presser 49 situated at the isolation position depicted in
Additionally, when no sheet P is conveyed through the fixing device 40, the presser 49 is situated at the isolation position where the presser 49 isolates the fixing belt 43 from the pressure roller 45, suppressing abrasion of the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43 and thereby extending the life of the pressure roller 45 and the fixing belt 43. For example, in a standby mode in which the fixing device 40 waits for a fixing job, the presser 49 is situated at the isolation position depicted in
The above describes the exemplary embodiments of the fixing device 40 installed in the image forming apparatus 1000 such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, and an MFP that forms a toner image T on a sheet P by electrophotography. Alternatively, the exemplary embodiments of the fixing device 40 may be applied to a fixing device that dries an ink image formed on a sheet with ink and is installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, and an MFP that forms an ink image on a sheet by an inkjet printing system, for example.
The exemplary embodiments described above are one example of a fixing device (e.g., the fixing devices 40, 40S, and 40T) and attain advantages below in a plurality of aspects 1 to 11.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 1.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A description is provided of a construction of a comparative fixing device in which streaked creases (e.g., the streaked creases S depicted in
The comparative fixing device includes a fixing belt stretched taut across a plurality of stretchers and heated by a heater. A pressure rotator (e.g., a pressure roller) is pressed against a nip former (e.g., a fixing roller), serving as one of the plurality of stretchers, via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator while the pressure rotator rotates. As a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed through the fixing nip, the fixing belt and the pressure rotator fix the toner image on the recording medium.
After the recording medium passes through the fixing nip, a separating mechanism separates the recording medium from the fixing belt. For example, the separating mechanism includes a separation claw disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. A front edge of the separation claw is disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt with a predetermined interval therebetween. A separator contacts an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to increase a curvature or decrease a radius of curvature of an opposed portion of the fixing belt that is disposed opposite the separation claw. The separator is separated from the pressure rotator via the fixing belt.
After the recording medium passes through the fixing nip, the recording medium may wave. While the waved recording medium is conveyed by the output roller pair 52 depicted in
Waving of the recording medium may occur in the comparative fixing device due to reasons described below.
As an image side of a recording medium that bears an unfixed toner image is heated by the fixing belt under pressure while the recording medium is conveyed through the fixing nip, toner of the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording medium. After the recording medium is ejected from the fixing nip, the recording medium is conveyed to the separation position where the separator separates the recording medium from the fixing belt in a state in which the melted toner of the toner image on the recording medium adheres to the fixing belt. When the recording medium reaches the separation position, the separator separates the recording medium from the fixing belt. As the recording medium is heated by the fixing belt at the fixing nip, moisture contained in the recording medium is vaporized into steam. However, since the fixing belt and the pressure rotator sandwich the recording medium with substantial pressure at the fixing nip, steam is not discharged from the recording medium easily.
Conversely, while the recording medium is conveyed from the fixing nip to the separation position in the state in which the melted toner of the toner image on the recording medium adheres to the fixing belt, since the recording medium receives no pressure, steam generated at the fixing nip is discharged from the recording medium easily. Steam is mainly discharged from a back side of the recording medium that is disposed opposite the pressure rotator. A height of a non-image section on the recording medium that does not bear the toner image is smaller than a height of an image section on the recording medium that bears the toner image. Accordingly, a gap is produced between the fixing belt and the non-image section on the recording medium. Steam is discharged from the recording medium to the gap also. As the recording medium discharges steam, fiber of the recording medium dries. Accordingly, the recording medium shrinks and waves.
Steam discharged to the gap between the fixing belt and the non-image section on the recording medium remains in the gap. Steam is reabsorbed by the recording medium. As the recording medium reabsorbs steam discharged therefrom and moistens, fiber of the recording medium stretches. Accordingly, the recording medium waves.
While the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separation position, fiber of the recording medium suffers from contraction as the recording medium discharges steam and dries and expansion as the recording medium reabsorbs steam and moistens. Accordingly, the recording medium waves.
To address this circumstance, in the aspect 1 of the fixing device, the presser presses the fixing belt against the pressure rotator so that the recording medium ejected from the fixing nip is conveyed in a state in which the recording medium is sandwiched between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator or in a state in which a gap is barely produced between the recording medium and the pressure rotator, thus attaining advantages below. While the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separation position, even if the recording medium is susceptible to waving after the recording medium discharges steam and dries, the recording medium contacts the fixing belt and the pressure rotator that prevent the recording medium from waving. Accordingly, even while the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separator, the presser prevents the recording medium from waving due to discharging of steam.
Additionally, while the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separator, even if the recording medium is susceptible to waving as the recording medium reabsorbs steam discharged therefrom, the fixing belt and the pressure rotator prevent the recording medium from waving. Accordingly, even while the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separator, the presser prevents the recording medium from waving due to reabsorption of steam.
After the recording medium passes through the fixing nip, the presser suppresses waving of the recording medium, preventing the waved recording medium from being conveyed by the output roller pair 52 and therefore preventing streaked creases from being produced on the recording medium.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 2.
According to the aspect 1, the presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator.
Accordingly, the recording medium ejected from the fixing nip is conveyed to the separation position in a state in which the recording medium is sandwiched between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator. Even if the recording medium discharges steam, the presser presses the fixing belt and the recording medium against the pressure rotator while the recording medium discharges steam. Although fiber of the recording medium is susceptible to shrink as the recording medium discharges steam, the presser presses the recording medium against the pressure rotator entirely, preventing fiber of the recording medium from shrinking. Consequently, even while the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separator, the presser prevents the recording medium from waving due to discharging of steam.
Even if the recording medium reabsorbs steam discharged therefrom while the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separator, the presser presses the fixing belt and the recording medium against the pressure rotator while the recording medium reabsorbs steam. Although fiber of the recording medium is susceptible to stretch as the recording medium absorbs steam, the presser presses the recording medium against the pressure rotator entirely, preventing fiber of the recording medium from stretching. Accordingly, even while the recording medium moves from the fixing nip to the separator, the presser prevents the recording medium from waving due to reabsorption of steam.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 3.
According to the aspect 1 or 2, the fixing device further includes a secondary separator (e.g., the separation plate 46) including a front end (e.g., the front end 46a) isolated from an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt and disposed opposite the separator. A rigidity of the separator is greater than a rigidity of the presser.
Accordingly, as described above in the exemplary embodiments, deformation of the separator is suppressed. Change in a slight interval (e.g., the interval d) between the secondary separator and the fixing belt is suppressed. Accordingly, the fixing belt does not come into contact with the front end of the secondary separator and therefore the secondary separator does not damage the outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt. Additionally, a leading edge of the recording medium in the recording medium conveyance direction, even if the recording medium adheres to the fixing belt, does not come into contact with the secondary separator, suppressing separation failure of the secondary separator.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 4.
According to any one of the aspects 1 to 3, the separator includes a contact face (e.g., the contact face 48b) that is arcuate in cross-section and in contact with the fixing belt.
Accordingly, as described above in the exemplary embodiments, the fixing belt slides over the arcuate contact face of the separator smoothly.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 5.
According to any one of the aspects 1 to 4, the presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. The presser is made of a resilient plate.
Accordingly, as described above in the exemplary embodiments, compared to a configuration in which the presser is a block, the presser made of the resilient plate attains a reduced thermal capacity. Thus, the presser draws less heat from the fixing belt and thereby suppresses waste of heat. Accordingly, compared to the configuration in which the presser is the block, the presser made of the resilient plate shortens a waiting time for a user to wait until the fixing belt is heated to a target temperature. Additionally, compared to the presser made of the block, the presser made of the resilient plate suppresses power consumption, saving energy.
Since the presser is resilient, the presser deforms readily to curve along an outer circumferential surface of the pressure rotator precisely, thus pressing the fixing belt against the pressure rotator precisely.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 6.
According to the aspect 5, the presser includes a pressing portion (e.g., the pressing portion 49b) and a peel-off portion (e.g., the peel-off portion 49a). The pressing portion comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator. The peel-off portion is disposed downstream from the pressing portion in the rotation direction of the fixing belt or the recording medium conveyance direction. The peel-off portion is bent in a separation direction in which the peel-off portion separates from the pressure rotator.
Accordingly, the pressing portion presses the recording medium against the pressure rotator properly. The fixing belt sandwiched between the pressing portion and the pressure rotator moves along the bent peel-off portion that changes the rotation direction of the fixing belt sharply. Thus, the peel-off portion defines a curvature of the fixing belt that separates the recording medium from the fixing belt. Consequently, the recording medium is separated from the fixing belt precisely at a plurality of positions on the fixing belt by the curvature of the fixing belt that is defined by the peel-off portion and the curvature of the fixing belt that is defined by the separator.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 7.
According to the aspect 5 or 6, the presser includes the pressing portion that comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to bring the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. The pressing portion is contoured along the outer circumferential surface of the pressure rotator.
Hence, as described above in the exemplary embodiments, the presser presses the fixing belt against the pressure rotator evenly. Accordingly, air bubbles disposed between the recording medium and the fixing belt and the like are not pushed to a pressurization span such as a post nip (e.g., the post nip N2) where the presser presses the fixing belt against the pressure rotator and do not move over a surface of the recording medium. Consequently, the pressing portion suppresses formation of a faulty toner image having variation in gloss or the like at the post nip.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 8.
According to any one of the aspects 5 to 7, an upstream end (e.g., the upstream end 49j) of the presser in the rotation direction of the fixing belt is a free end.
Accordingly, as described in the exemplary embodiments, since the presser is disposed in proximity to the fixing nip, the presser decreases a border (e.g., the border N2s) interposed between the fixing nip and the pressurization span, such as the post nip where the presser presses the fixing belt against the pressure rotator, in the recording medium conveyance direction, thus suppressing variation in gloss of the toner image on the recording medium.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 9.
According to any one of the aspects 1 to 8, a distance between the exit of the fixing nip and the upstream end of the presser in the rotation direction of the fixing belt is not greater than 2.8 mm.
Accordingly, as described in the exemplary embodiments, the presser suppresses decrease in surface pressure at the border interposed between the fixing nip and the pressurization span such as the post nip where the presser presses the fixing belt against the pressure rotator in the recording medium conveyance direction, thus suppressing variation in gloss of the toner image on the recording medium.
A description is provided of advantages of the fixing device in the aspect 10.
According to any one of the aspects 1 to 9, the presser includes a downstream end (e.g., the peel-off portion 49a) and an upstream end (e.g., the upstream end 49j) disposed upstream from the downstream end in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. Pressure exerted by the downstream end to the fixing belt is not greater than pressure exerted by the upstream end to the fixing belt.
Accordingly, as described in the exemplary embodiments, the pressurization span such as the post nip where the presser presses the fixing belt against the pressure rotator suppresses variation in gloss of the toner image on the recording medium.
A description is provided of advantages of an image forming apparatus incorporating the fixing device in the aspect 11.
As illustrated in
Accordingly, the fixing device and the image forming apparatus suppress flapping of the fixing belt and waving of the recording medium that bears the fixed toner image.
According to the exemplary embodiments described above, the fixing belt 43 serves as a fixing belt. Alternatively, a fixing film, a fixing sleeve, or the like may be used as a fixing belt. Further, the pressure roller 45 serves as a pressure rotator. Alternatively, a pressure belt or the like may be used as a pressure rotator.
The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention.
Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.
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