Patent Grant
11650527
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a heater and a heating apparatus.
In a fixing apparatus mounted on an image forming apparatus in the related art, examined to separately dispose a plurality of heat generating bodies in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a sheet and heat a toner image on the sheet. In this case, a gap is necessary between the heating bodies adjacent to each other. However, this gap portion cannot generate heat. Therefore, temperature drops in the gap portion and temperature unevenness occurs.
According to one embodiment, a heater includes a heat-resistant insulating substrate, a plurality of heat generating members arrayed in a first direction on a first surface of the substrate, and a plurality of heat radiating bodies disposed on a surface different from the first surface of the substrate at positions corresponding to gap portions between the heat generating members to passively radiate heat generated thereby.
Embodiments are explained below with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the figures, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs.
A document table 12 of transparent glass is present in an upper part of a main body 11 of the MFP 10. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 is provided on the document table 12 to be capable of opening and closing. An operation unit 14 is provided in an upper part of the main body 11. The operation unit 14 includes an operation panel having various keys and a display device of a touch panel type.
A scanner unit 15, which is a reading device, is provided below the ADF 13 in the main body 11. The scanner unit 15 reads an original document fed by the ADF 13 or an original document placed on the document table 12 and generates image data. The scanner unit 15 includes a contact-type image sensor 16 (hereinafter simply referred to as image sensor). The image sensor 16 is disposed in a main scanning direction.
If the image sensor 16 reads an image of the original document placed on the document table 12, the image sensor 16 reads a document image line by line while moving along the document table 12. The image sensor 16 executes the line-by-line reading over the entire document size to read the original document for one page. If the image sensor 16 reads an image of the original document fed by the ADF 13, the image sensor 16 is present in a fixed position (a position shown in the figure). Note that the main scanning direction is a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image sensor 16 moving along the document table 12.
Further, the MFP 10 includes a printer unit 17 in the center in the main body 11. The printer unit 17 processes image data read by the scanner unit 15 or image data created by a personal computer or the like to form an image on a recording medium (e.g., a sheet). The MFP 10 includes, in a lower part of the main body 11, a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 18 that store sheets of various sizes. Note that, as the recording medium on which an image is formed, there are an OHP sheet and the like besides the sheet. However, in an example explained below, an image is formed on the sheet.
The printer unit 17 includes photoconductive drums and includes, as exposing devices a scanning head 19 including LEDs. The printer unit 17 scans the photoconductive drums with rays from the scanning head 19 and generates images. The printer unit 17 is, for example, a color laser printer by a tandem type. The printer unit 17 includes image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K of respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
The image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are disposed in parallel from an upstream side to a downstream side on a lower side of an intermediate transfer belt 21. The scanning head 19 includes a plurality of scanning heads 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K corresponding to the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.
The image forming unit 20K includes a photoconductive drum 22K, which is an image bearing body. An electrifying charger (a charging device) 23K, a developing device 24K, a primary transfer roller (a transfer device) 25K, a cleaner 26K, a blade 27K, and the like are disposed along a rotating direction t around the photoconductive drum 22K. Light is irradiated on an exposure position of the photoconductive drum 22K from the scanning head 19K to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum 22K.
The electrifying charger 23K of the image forming unit 20K uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 22K. The developing device 24K supplies, with a developing roller 24a to which a developing bias is applied, a black toner to the photoconductive drum 22K and performs development of the electrostatic latent image. The cleaner 26K removes a residual toner on the surface of the photoconductive drum 22K using the blade 27K.
As shown in
The intermediate transfer belt 21 is stretched and suspended by a driving roller 31 and a driven roller 32 and moves in a cyclical manner. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is opposed to and in contact with photoconductive drums 22Y to 22K. A primary transfer voltage is applied to a position of the intermediate transfer belt 21 opposed to the photoconductive drum 22K by the primary transfer roller 25K. A toner image on the photoconductive drum 22K is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the application of the primary transfer voltage.
A secondary transfer roller 33 is disposed to be opposed to the driving roller 31 that stretches and suspends the intermediate transfer belt 21. If a sheet P passes between the driving roller 31 and the secondary transfer roller 33, a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the sheet P by the secondary transfer roller 33. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet P. A belt cleaner 34 is provided near the driven roller 32 in the intermediate transfer belt 21.
As shown in
A tabular heating member 46 (a heater) is provided between the belt conveying rollers 43 and 44 on the inner side of the fixing belt 41. The heating member 46 is in contact with the inner side of the fixing belt 41. The heating member 46 is disposed to be opposed to the press roller 42 via the fixing belt 41. The heating member 46 is pressed in the direction of the press roller 42 and forms a fixing nip having a predetermined width between the fixing belt 41 and the press roller 42.
If the sheet P passes the fixing nip, a toner image on the sheet P is fixed on the sheet P with heat and pressure. A driving force is transmitted to the press roller 42 by a motor and the press roller 42 rotates (a rotating direction is indicated by an arrow t in
In the fixing belt 41, which is the rotating body, a silicon rubber layer (an elastic layer) having thickness of 200 μm (micrometers) is formed, for example, on the outer side on a SUS or nickel substrate having thickness of 50 μm or polyimide, which is heat-resistant resin having thickness of 70 μm. The outermost circumference of the fixing belt 41 is covered by a surface protecting layer of PFA or the like. In the press roller 42, which is the pressurizing body, for example, a silicon sponge layer having thickness of 5 mm is formed on the surface of an iron bar of ϕ10 mm. The outermost circumference of the press roller 42 is covered by a surface protecting layer of PFA or the like. A detailed configuration of the heating member 46 is explained below.
The CPU 100 controls the entire MFP 10. The CPU 100 realizes a processing function for image formation by executing a computer program stored in the ROM 120 or the RAM 121. The ROM 120 stores a control program, control data, and the like for controlling a basic operation of image formation processing. The RAM 121 is a working memory.
The ROM 120 (or the RAM 121) stores, for example, control programs for the image forming unit 20, the fixing apparatus 36, and the like and various control data used by the control programs. Specific examples of the control data in this embodiment include a correspondence relation between the size (the width in the main scanning direction) of a printing region in a sheet and a heat generating member to be energized.
A fixing temperature control program of the fixing apparatus 36 includes a determination logic for determining the size of an image forming region in a sheet on which a toner image is formed. The fixing temperature control program includes a heating control logic for selecting a switching element of a heat generating member corresponding to a position where the image forming region passes and energizing the switching element before the sheet is conveyed into the inside of the fixing apparatus 36 and controlling heating in the heating member 46.
The I/F 122 performs communication with various apparatuses such as a user terminal and a facsimile. The input and output control circuit 123 controls an operation panel 14a and a display device 14b. An operator can designate, for example, a sheet size and the number of copies of an original document by operating the operation panel 14a.
The paper feed and conveyance control circuit 130 controls a motor group 131 and the like that drive the paper feeding rollers 35, the conveying roller 37 in a conveying path, or the like. The paper feed and conveyance control circuit 130 controls the motor group 131 and the like on the basis of control signals from the CPU 100. The paper feed and conveyance control circuit 130 controls the motor group 131 and the like taking into account detection results of various sensors 132 near the paper feeding cassettes 18 or on the conveying path.
The image formation control circuit 140 controls the photoconductive drum 22, the charging device 23, the exposing device (the scanning head) 19, the developing device 24, and the transfer device 25 respectively on the basis of control signals from the CPU 100.
The fixing control circuit 150 controls, on the basis of a control signal from the CPU 100, a driving motor 151 that rotates the press roller 42 of the fixing apparatus 36. The fixing control circuit 150 controls energization to a heat generating member (explained below) of the heating member 46. The fixing control circuit 150 receives input of temperature information of the heating member 46 from a temperature detecting member 152 such as a thermistor and controls the temperature of the heating member 46.
Note that, in this embodiment, the control program and the control data of the fixing apparatus 36 are stored in a storage device of the MFP 10 and executed by the CPU 100. However, an arithmetic operation device and a storage device may be separately provided exclusively for the fixing apparatus 36.
The heat generating members 51 are formed, for example, directly or by stacking a glaze layer and a heat generation resistance layer on one surface of the ceramic substrate 50. As explained above, the heat generation resistance layer configures the heat generating members 51. The heat generation resistance layer is formed of a known material such as TaSiO2. The heat generating members 51 are divided into a predetermined length and a predetermined number of pieces in the longitudinal direction of the heating member 46. Details of the disposition of the heat generating members 51 are explained below. Electrodes 52a and 52b are formed at both end portions in a latitudinal direction of the heating member 46, that is, a sheet conveying direction of the heat generating members 51 (the vertical direction in the figure).
Note that the sheet conveying direction (the latitudinal direction of the heating member 46) is explained as a Y direction in the following explanation. The longitudinal direction of the heating member 46 is a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. The longitudinal direction of the heating member 46 corresponds to the main scanning direction in forming an image on a sheet, that is, a sheet width direction. The longitudinal direction of the heating member 46 is explained as an X direction in the following explanation.
As specific examples of the driving ICs 531 to 534, a switching element formed by an FET, a triac, a switching IC, and the like can be used. Switches of the driving ICs 531 to 534 are turned on, whereby the heat generating members 51 are energized by the driving source 54. Therefore, the driving ICs 531 to 534 configure switching units of the heat generating members 51. As the driving source 54, for example, an AC power supply (AC) and a DC powers supply (DC) can be used. Note that, in the following explanation, the driving ICs 531 to 534 are sometimes collectively referred to as driving ICs 53.
A thermostat 55 may be connected to the driving source 54 in series. The thermostat 55 is turned off if the temperature of the heating member 46 reaches temperature (a dangerous temperature) set in advance. If the thermostat 55 is turned off, the thermostat 55 disconnects the driving source 54 and the heat generating members 51 and prevents the heating member 46 from being abnormally heated.
Before the sheet P is conveyed into the fixing apparatus 36, the size of the printing region of the sheet P is determined. As a method of determining the printing region of the sheet P, there is a method of using an analysis result of image data read by the scanner unit 15 and image data created by a personal computer or the like. There is also a method of determining the printing region on the basis of printing format information such as margin setting on the sheet P. Further, there is, for example, a method of determining the printing region on the basis of a detection result of an optical sensor.
Therefore, in
For example, among the four kinds of sizes, a first heat generating member 511 is provided in the center in the X direction to correspond to the width (148 mm) of the A5 size, which is the minimum size. Second heat generating members 512 and 513 are provided on the outer side in the X direction of the first heat generating member 511 to correspond to the width (210 mm) of the A4 size larger than the A5 size. Similarly, third heat generating members 514 and 515 are provided on the outer side of the second heat generating members 512 and 513 to correspond to the width (257 mm) of the B4 size larger than the A4 size. Fourth heat generating members 516 and 517 are provided on the outer side of the third heat generating members 514 and 515 to correspond to the width (297 mm) of the A4 landscape size larger than the B4 size.
The electrodes 52a of the heat generating members (511 to 517) are connected to one end of the driving source 54 via the driving ICs 531 to 537. The electrodes 52b are connected to the other end of the driving source 54. Note that the number of the heat generating members (511 to 517) and the widths of the heat generating members (511 to 517) shown in
In
For example, the first heat generating member 511 is provided on the leftmost side in the X direction to correspond to the width of the A5 size, which is the minimum size, among the four kinds of sizes. The second heat generating member 512 is provided on the right side of the heat generating member 511 to correspond to the width of the A4 size larger than the A5 size. Similarly, the third heat generating member 513 is provided on the right side of the second heat generating member 512 to correspond to the width of the B4 size larger than the A4 size. The fourth heat generating member 514 is provided on the right side of the third heat generating member 513 to correspond to the width of the A4 landscape size larger than the B4 size.
The electrodes 52a of the heat generating members (511 to 514) are connected to one end of the driving source 54 via the driving ICs 531 to 534. The electrodes 52b of the heat generating members (511 to 514) are connected to the other end of the driving source 54. Note that the number of the heat generating members (511 to 514) and the widths of the heat generating members shown in
In
In this embodiment, a line sensor 40 (see
Incidentally, in the heating member 46 shown in
Therefore, in the heater and the fixing apparatus according to the first embodiment, a ceramic substrate is formed in a multiplayer structure. The plurality of heat generating members 51 are arrayed in the X direction on a first surface (a first layer) of the ceramic substrate. A heat radiating body that actively or passively generates heat (radiates stored heat) is disposed on a second surface (a second layer) to compensate for gaps among the plurality of heat generating members 51. That is, the heat radiating body disposed on the second surface corresponding to gap portions among the plurality of heat generating members.
As shown in
A heat generation resistance layer is directly stacked on a first surface (e.g., the ceramic substrate 501 of the first layer) of the ceramic substrate 50. A heat generation resistance layer is directly stacked on a second surface (e.g., the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer) of the ceramic substrate 50. The heat generation resistance layers configure the heat generating members 51. The heat generating members 51 are formed of a known material such as TaSiO2. Alternatively, the heat generating members 51 may be configured by stacking glaze layers and heat generation resistance layers on the ceramic substrates 501 and 502. The plurality of heat generating members 51 on the second surface are members for temperature equalization and configure a heat radiating body that actively radiates stored heat.
The heat generating members 51 on the ceramic substrate 501 of the first layer are arrayed in the longitudinal direction (the X direction) of the ceramic substrate 501 with predetermined gaps 57 apart from one another. The heat generating members 51 on the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer are also arrayed in the longitudinal direction (the X direction) of the ceramic substrate 502 with the predetermined gaps 57 apart from one another.
However, the heat generating members 51 disposed on the second layer are disposed to compensate for the gaps 57 among the heat generating members 51 of the first layer. That is, the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer overlap each other.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction without a gap and can be controlled to uniform temperature. Further, a protecting layer 503 may be provided on the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer. The protecting layer 503 is made of a material different from the ceramic substrate. The protecting layer 503 is formed of, for example, Si3N4 to cover the heat generating members 51.
Electric conductors 58 for wiring are connected to the aluminum layers (the electrodes 52a and 52b) at both ends of the heat generating members 51. The electric conductors 58 are connected to, by through-hole patterns (silver paste is filled in through-holes), wiring patterns 59 formed on the ceramic substrates 501 and 502 by screen printing or the like. The wiring patterns 59 are respectively joined to the switching elements of the driving ICs 53. Therefore, power feed to the heat generating members 51 is performed from the driving source 54 via the wiring patterns 59, the electric conductors 58, and the switching elements of the driving ICs 53.
Further, the protecting layer 503 is formed in a top section to cover all of the heat generating members 51, the aluminum layers (the electrodes 52a and 52b), the electric conductors 58, and the like on the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer. AC or DC is supplied to the heat generating member group from the driving source 54. Note that the switching elements (triacs or FETs) of the driving ICs are desirably switched by a zero-cross circuit to take into account flicker.
The heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer overlap each other. Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction without a gap and can be controlled to uniform temperature.
In the example shown in
The heat generating members (516 and 512) of the first layer and the heat generating members (514 and 511) of the second layer are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. Both the end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members of the first layer overlap both the end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members of the second layer. Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction without a gap and can be controlled to uniform temperature.
By equalizing the temperature of the heating member 46, possible to reduce temperature unevenness of the fixing belt 41 and achieve temperature equalization. Therefore, toner uniformly adheres during image formation, color unevenness decreases, and the quality of an image can be improved.
Note that the heating member 46 shown in
It is possible to further achieve the temperature equalization if the heat generating members on the first surface (the first layer) and the heat generating members on the second surface (the second layer) are set such that a heat generation amount of the heat generating members of a layer (the first layer) far from the surface of the ceramic substrate 50 (a position where the heating member 46 is in contact with the fixing belt 41) is large.
That is, if the heating member 46 is set in contact with the fixing belt 41, the ceramic substrate 501 of the first layer forming the base layer of the ceramic substrate 50 is located at a distance away from the fixing belt 41. Therefore, a heat generation amount of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer is set larger than a heat generation amount of the heat generating members 51 of the second layer closer to the fixing belt 41. Therefore, a heat generation amount in the longitudinal direction of the heating member 46 in contact with the fixing belt 41 is substantially uniform. It is possible to heat the fixing belt 41 at uniform temperature.
To increase a heat generation amount of the heat generating members in a layer far from the position in contact with the fixing belt 41, a heat generation resistance layer made of a different material is desirably used. Alternatively, to increase the heat generation amount, a heat generation resistance layer having large thickness is desirably formed of the same material. If viewed from the surface of the ceramic substrate 50, the length in the Y direction of the heat generating member of the far layer may be reduced.
In this way, the heating member 46 sets the heat generation amount of the heat generating members on the first surface and the heat generation amount of the heat generating members (the heat radiating body) on the second surface to be different. That is, possible to further achieve the temperature equalization by setting the heat generation amount of the heat generating members 51 present in the layer (the first layer) far from the contact position (a nip) with the fixing belt 41 to be larger than the heat generation amount of the heat generating members 51 present in the layer (the second layer) close to the contact position.
Heat generation resistance layers are respectively directly stacked and formed on the rear surface (the first surface) and the front surface (the second surface) of the ceramic substrate 501. Alternatively, glaze layers and heat generation resistance layers may be stacked and formed on the rear surface and the front surface of the ceramic substrate 501. The heat generation resistance layers configure the heat generating members 51 and are formed of a known material such as TaSiO2.
The heat generating members 51 formed on the rear surface (the first surface) of the ceramic substrate 501 are arrayed in the longitudinal direction (the X direction) with the predetermined gaps 57 apart from one another. The heat generating members 51 formed on the front surface (the second surface) of the ceramic substrate 501 are also arrayed in the longitudinal direction (the X direction) with the predetermined gaps 57 apart from one another. However, the heat generating members 51 disposed on the front surface are disposed to compensate for the gaps 57 among the heat generating members 51 on the rear surface. The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 disposed on the rear surface and the heat generating members 51 disposed on the front surface overlap each other.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction without a gap and can be controlled to uniform temperature. Further, the protecting layer 503 may be provided on the upper surface side of the ceramic substrate 501. A protecting layer 504 may be provided on the lower surface side. The protecting layers 503 and 504 are formed of, for example, Si3N4.
The electric conductors 58 for wiring are connected to the electrodes 52a and 52b at both ends of the heat generating members 51. The electric conductors 58 are connected to wiring patterns 59 formed on the ceramic substrate 501 by screen printing or the like. The wiring patterns 59 are respectively joined to the switching elements of the driving ICs 53.
In
The heat generating members 51 on the rear surface side and the heat generating members 51 on the front surface side are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. The end portions in the X direction of the respective heat generating members 51 overlap each other. Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction without a gap. Therefore, possible to control the heating member 46 to uniform temperature.
In the example shown in
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction without a gap. Therefore, possible to control the heating member 46 to uniform temperature. By equalizing the temperature of the heating member 46, possible to reduce temperature unevenness of the fixing belt 41 and achieve temperature equalization and improve quality during image formation.
Note that the heat generating members on the first surface (the rear surface) and the heat generating members on the second surface (the front surface) are desirably set such that a heat generation amount of the heat generating members on the surface (the rear surface) far from the surface of the ceramic substrate 501 (a position where the heating member 46 is in contact with the fixing belt 41) is large. As a result, possible to further equalize the temperature of the heating member 46.
Note that the heating member 46 shown in
The heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. However, the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer coincide with the gaps 57 opposed thereto without the end portions in the X direction thereof overlapping. That is, the gaps 57 are set to coincide with the width in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction without a gap and can be controlled to uniform temperature. As shown in
However, the end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer do not overlap. The gaps 57 are set lightly larger than the width in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the second layer. Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction with a few gaps.
In the example shown in
Note that the configuration in which the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer do not overlap can be applied to the heating member 46 shown in
As explained above, with the heater and the fixing apparatus according to the first embodiment, in the plurality of heat generating members in the heating member 46 (the heater), insulation among the heat generating members is secured and occurrence of temperature unevenness can be reduced.
Note that, in the first embodiment, ceramics is explained as the example of the heat-resistant insulating substrate. However, it is evident that the same effect is obtained with a heat-resistant insulating substrate such as a glass epoxy substrate or a glass composite substrate. A higher layer in an upper part of a heat generation resistance layer may be made of SiO2.
A heater and a fixing apparatus according to a second embodiment are explained. In the heating member 46 in the second embodiment, a ceramic substrate is formed in, for example, a multilayer structure and a plurality of heat generating members 51 are arrayed in the X direction on a first surface of the ceramic substrate (on the ceramic substrate of the first layer). A plurality of good heat conductors 60 are arrayed on a second surface (on the ceramic substrate of the second layer) to compensate for gaps among the plurality of heat generating members. The plurality of good heat conductors 60 on the second surface are members for temperature equalization and configure a heat radiating body that passively generates heat (radiates stored heat).
As shown in
The good heat conductors 60 are arrayed on the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer with predetermined gaps apart from one another to compensate for gap 56 portions among the heat generating members 51 on the ceramic substrate 501 of the first layer. The good heat conductors 60 are members for temperature equalization made of a metal layer of aluminum, copper, or the like. The good heat conductors 60 receive the heat of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer to generate heat. That is, the good heat conductors 60 configure a heat radiating body that passively radiates stored heat. The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the good heat conductors 60 of the second layer overlap each other.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction such that the gaps 56 are hidden by the good heat conductors 60. The heat of the heat generating members 51 is transmitted to the good heat conductors 60 to reduce a temperature drop in the gap 56 portions. Consequently, possible to control the heating member 46 to uniform temperature. Further, the protecting layer 503 may be provided on the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer. The protecting layer 503 is formed of, for example, Si3N4 or SiO2.
The electric conductors 58 for wiring are connected to the aluminum layers (the electrodes 52a and 52b) at both ends of the heat generating members 51. The electric conductors 58 are connected to, by through-hole patterns, wiring patterns 59 formed on the ceramic substrate 501 by screen printing or the like. The wiring patterns 59 are respectively joined to the switching elements of the driving ICs 53. Therefore, power feed to the heat generating members 51 is performed from the driving source 54 via the wiring patterns 59, the electric conductors 58, and the switching elements of the driving ICs 53.
The good heat conductors 60 are arrayed with predetermined gaps apart from one another on the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer to compensate for the gap 56 portions among the heat generating members 51 on the ceramic substrate 501 of the first layer. Further, the protecting layer 503 is formed in a top section to cover all of the good heat conductors 60 and the like on the ceramic substrate 502 of the second layer.
The good heat conductors 60 arrayed in the second layer are arrayed with predetermined gaps apart from one another to compensate for the gaps 56 of the first layer. The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the good heat conductors 60 of the second layer overlap each other. Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed such that the gaps 56 are hidden by the good heat conductors 60. It is possible to reduce a temperature drop in the gap 56 portions by transferring the heat of the heat generating members 51 to the good heat conductors 60. Therefore, possible to control the heating member 46 to uniform temperature.
In the example shown in
The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 511, 512, 514, and 516 of the first layer and the good heat conductors 60 of the second layer overlap each other. Therefore, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction such that the gaps 56 are hidden by the good heat conductors 60. It is possible to reduce a temperature drop in the gap 56 portions by transferring the heat of the heat generating members 51 to the good heat conductors 60.
With the fixing apparatus according to the embodiment shown in
The heat generated by the heating member 46 is diffused by a substrate, an elastic layer, a surface protecting layer, and the like of the fixing belt 41. Therefore, the good heat conductors 60 are desirably disposed to extend across the gap 56 portions among the heat generating members 51.
In the second embodiment, heat generation in a portion equivalent to an image size is explained. However, it is also possible to segment the heater and heat only a place where an image is present or heat a place where a temperature difference is partially present because of some reasons while correcting the temperature difference.
As shown in
The good heat conductors 60 are arrayed with predetermined gaps apart from one another on the surface of the ceramic substrate 501 to compensate for the gap 56 portions among the heat generating members 51 formed on the rear surface. The good heat conductors 60 are metal layers of aluminum or copper. The heat generating members 51 on the rear surface of the ceramic substrate 501 and the good heat conductors 60 on the front surface are arrayed such that the end portions in the X direction overlap each other.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction such that the gaps 56 are hidden by the good heat conductors 60. A temperature drop in the gap 56 portions is reduced by transferring the heat of the heat generating members 51 to the good heat conductors 60. Consequently, possible to control the heating member 46 to uniform temperature.
Further, the protecting layer 503 may be provided on the front surface of the ceramic substrate 501 and the protecting layer 504 may be provided on the rear surface. The protecting layers 503 and 504 are formed of, for example, Si3N4 or SiO2.
The electric conductors 58 for wiring are connected to the electrodes 52a and 52b at both ends of the heat generating members 51. The electric conductors 58 are connected to the wiring patterns 59 formed on the ceramic substrate 501 by screen printing or the like. The wiring patterns 59 are respectively joined to the switching elements of the driving ICs 53.
In
The heat generating members 51 formed on the rear surface of the ceramic substrate 501 are arrayed in the X direction of the ceramic substrate 501 with the gaps 56 having the predetermined width apart from one another. The good heat conductors 60 arrayed on the front surface of the ceramic substrate 501 are arrayed with predetermined gaps apart from one another to compensate for the gaps 56 of the heat generating members 51. The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 51 on the rear surface and the good heat conductors 60 on the front surface overlap each other.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 are disposed such that the gaps 56 are hidden by the good heat conductors 60. The good heat conductors 60 receive the heat from the heat generating members 51 and passively generate heat to reduce a temperature drop in the gap 56 portions. Consequently, possible to control the heating member 46 to uniform temperature.
In the example shown in
The end portions in the X direction of the heat generating members 511, 512, 514, and 516 and the good heat conductors 60 overlap each other. Therefore, the heat generating members 51 are disposed in the X direction such that the gaps 56 are hidden by the good heat conductors 60. The good heat conductors 60 receive the heat from the heat generating members 51 and passively generate heat to reduce a temperature drop in the gap 56 portions.
With the fixing apparatus according to the embodiment shown in
Note that the heating member 46 shown in
The heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the good heat conductors 60 are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. The width in the X direction of the good heat conductors 60 coincides with the gaps 56 opposed thereto.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 and the good heat conductors 60 are disposed in the X direction without a gap. That is, as shown in
The heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the good heat conductors 60 of the second layer are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. The end portions in the X direction do not overlap. The width in the X direction of the good heat conductors 60 is slightly smaller than the gaps 56.
Therefore, if the heating member 46 is viewed from right above the figure, the heat generating members 51 and the good heat conductors 60 are disposed in the X direction with a few gaps. As shown in
Note that the configuration in which the heat generating members 51 of the first layer and the heat generating members 51 of the second layer do not overlap can be applied to the heating member 46 shown in
A driving force is transmitted to the press roller 42 by a motor and the press roller 42 rotates. A rotating direction of the press roller 42 is indicated by an arrow t in
An arcuate guide 47 is provided on the inner side of the fixing belt 411. The fixing belt 411 is attached along the outer circumference of the guide 47. The heating member 46 is supported by a supporting member 48 attached to the guide 47. The heating member 46 is in contact with the inner side of the fixing belt 411 and pressed in the direction of the press roller 42. Therefore, a fixing nip having a predetermined width is formed between the fixing belt 411 and the press roller 42. If the sheet P passes the fixing nip, a toner image on the sheet P is fixed on the sheet P with heat and pressure.
That is, the fixing belt 411 revolves around the heating member 46 while being supported by the guide 47. The heating member 46 has the basic configuration shown in
Operation during printing of the MFP 10 configured as explained above is explained with reference to a flowchart of
First, in Act 1, the scanner unit 15 reads image data. The CPU 100 executes an image formation control program in the imaging forming unit 20 and a fixing temperature control program in the fixing apparatus 36 in parallel.
If image formation processing is started, in Act 2, the CPU 100 processes the read image data. In Act 3, an electrostatic latent image is written on the surface of the photoconductive drum 22. In Act 4, the developing device 24 develops the electrostatic latent image.
On the other hand, if fixing temperature control processing is started, in Act 5, the CPU 100 determines a sheet size and the size of a printing range of the image data. The determination in Act 5 is performed on the basis of, for example, a detection signal of the line sensor 40, sheet selection information by the operation panel 14a, or an analysis result of the image data.
In Act 6, the fixing control circuit 150 selects, as a heat generation target, a heat generating member group disposed in a position corresponding to the printing range of the sheet P. For example, in the example shown in
Subsequently, in Act 7, the CPU 100 turns on a temperature control start signal to the selected heat generating member group. According to a start of temperature control, energization to the selected heat generating member group is performed and temperature rises.
Subsequently, in Act 8, the CPU 100 detects the surface temperature of the heat generating member group with the temperature detecting member 152 disposed on the inner side or the outer side of the fixing belt 41. Further, in Act 9, the CPU 100 determines whether the surface temperature of the heat generating member group is within a predetermined temperature range. If determining that the surface temperature of the heat generating member group is within the predetermined temperature range (Yes in Act 9), the CPU 100 proceeds to Act 10. On the other hand, if determining that the surface temperature of the heat generating member group is not within the predetermined temperature range (No in Act 9), the CPU 100 proceeds to Act 11.
In Act 11, the CPU 100 determines whether the surface temperature of the heat generating member group exceeds a predetermined temperature upper limit value. If determining that the surface temperature of the heat generating member group exceeds the predetermined temperature upper limit value (Yes in Act 11), in Act 12, the CPU 100 turns off energization to the heat generating member group selected in Act 6 and returns to Act 8.
If determining that the surface temperature of the heat generating member group does not exceed the predetermined temperature upper limit value (No in Act 11), the surface temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature lower limit value according to the determination result in Act 9. Therefore, in Act 13, the CPU 100 maintains the energization to the heat generating member group in the ON state or turns on the energization again and returns to Act 8.
Subsequently, in Act 10, the CPU 100 conveys the sheet P to a transfer section a state in which the surface temperature of the heat generating member group is within the predetermined temperature range. In Act 14, the CPU 100 transfers a toner image onto the sheet P. After transferring the toner image onto the sheet P, the CPU 100 conveys the sheet P into the fixing apparatus 36.
Subsequently, in Act 15, the fixing apparatus 36 fixes the toner image on the sheet P. In Act 16, the CPU 100 determines whether to end the print processing of the image data. If determining to end the print processing (Yes in Act 16), in Act 17, the CPU 100 turns off the energization to all the heat generating member groups and ends the processing. On the other hand, if determining not to end the print processing of the image data yet (No in Act 16), the CPU 100 returns to Act 1. That is, if printing target image data remains, the CPU 100 returns to Act 1 and repeats the same processing until the processing ends.
As explained above, in the fixing apparatus 36 according to the embodiment, the heat generating member group of the heating member 46 (the heater) is disposed in the direction (the X direction) orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction Y. The heating member 46 is disposed in contact with the inner side of the fixing belt 41. Any one of the heat generating member groups is selectively energized to correspond to a printing range (an image forming region) of image data. Therefore, possible to prevent abnormal heat generation of a non-paper passing portion of the sheet of the heating member 46 and suppress useless heating of the non-paper passing portion. Therefore, possible to greatly reduce thermal energy.
Even if the heat generating members of the heating member 46 are disposed with predetermined gaps apart from one another, it is possible to suppress a temperature drop in the gap portions and equalize temperature with heat generation members complementarily disposed in multiple layers and a good heat conductor layer. Therefore, possible to improve fixing quality.
Note that the formation of the heat generation resistance layer and the good heat conductor layer on the ceramic substrate 50 and the formation of the wiring patterns can also be configured by an LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired ceramics) multilayer substrate. The LTCC multilayer substrate is known as a low-temperature baked stacked ceramics substrate formed by simultaneously baking a wiring conductor and a ceramics substrate at low temperature of, for example, 900° C. or less. Also possible to realize the LTCC multilayer structure by forming a layer of a heat-resistant insulating body through various film formation (thin film and thick film) processes.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel apparatus described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the apparatus described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-121446 | Jun 2016 | JP | national |
| 2017-059366 | Mar 2017 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/088,467, filed on Nov. 3, 2020, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/722,786, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,859,952, issued on Dec. 8, 2020, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/396,423, filed on Apr. 26, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,551,776, issued on Feb. 4, 2020, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/621,498, filed on Jun. 13, 2017, which application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-121446, filed on Jun. 20, 2016, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-059366, filed on Mar. 24, 2017, the entire contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 17088467 | Nov 2020 | US |
| Child | 17591544 | US | |
| Parent | 16722786 | Dec 2019 | US |
| Child | 17088467 | US | |
| Parent | 16396423 | Apr 2019 | US |
| Child | 16722786 | US | |
| Parent | 15621498 | Jun 2017 | US |
| Child | 16396423 | US |
