IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING DEVICE

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a fixing device which include an air blowing means for suppressing non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise.

In recent years, a copying machine and a printer which use an electrophotographic process have been used not only in a large office but also by various users in a wide variety of markets such as a small office and personal use. For that reason, as regards a recording material used in the copying machine and the printer, those having not only various kinds but also various sizes have been used.

Here, when small-width recording materials (small-size paper) narrower in width than maximum-size paper having a maximum width and passed through the copying machine and the printer and on which a toner image is fixable by a fixing device incorporated in the copying machine and the printer are not continuously passed through the fixing device, a so-called non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise occurs. That is, due to a difference in heat consumption between a passing portion and a non-passing portion of the recording materials in the fixing device, a degree of temperature rise at the non-passing portion of the recording materials becomes large.

In order to avoid this phenomenon, a fixing device in which an air blowing port (opening) through which cooling air from a cooling fan blows out is provided at each of non-sheet-passing portions which are longitudinal end portions of a fixing member of the fixing device and thus the non-sheet-passing-portions are cooled has been proposed. Further, a fixing device in which a widthwise size of an air blowing port (opening width) is made variable so as to be compatible with sizes of various recording materials with respect to a widthwise direction has also been proposed.

For example, a fixing device in which in addition to a shutter for adjusting a width of an air blowing part (opening width) depending on a width of a recording material used, the shutter is provided with a temperature detecting means in order to detect a temperature rise at a boundary between a non-sheet-passing portion and a sheet-passing portion and in which ON/OFF control of a cooling fan is carried out depending on a detection temperature has been proposed (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) 2008-032903). Thus, a constitution in which both end portions which are non-sheet-passing portions are cooled correspondingly to a detection result of a widthwise size of the recording material used for printing is employed.

In addition, an image forming apparatus in which shift detection of a recording material is carried out and then opening and closing of shutters are performed has been proposed (JP-A 2012-252194). Specifically, a sub-thermistor for detecting a temperature of a fixing (device) heater is provided at each of end portions within a maximum-size-sheet-passing region with respect to a widthwise direction of a recording material. During shift sheet passing, a shutter close to a sub-thermistor opposite from a sub-thermistor detecting a heater temperature which continuously increases and which exceeds a predetermined temperature is closed and thereafter a cooling fan is driven. As a result, a constitution in which safety at a non-sheet-passing portion is enhanced and on the other hand, a fixing property is not impaired is presented. A constitution in which thus although a shift of the recording material can be indirectly detected by detecting non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise, an opening width with respect to a widthwise direction of the recording material is divided between one end portion and the other end portion depending on a degree of the non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise and thus the non-sheet-passing portion is cooled is employed.

In these constitutions, with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material, in the case where a center of the recording material is deviated from a position (ideal position) where the recording material center overlaps (coincides) with a center of the fixing device, on one side of longitudinal end portions of the fixing device (on the same side as a side where the recording material is shifted), the cooling air is also blown to a region through which the recording material passes. As a result a new problem such that a lowering in fixing property at a portion where the cooling air is blown thereto is caused to arise. On the other hand, on the other side of the longitudinal end portions of the fixing member (on a side opposite from the side where the recording material is shifted with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material), the cooling air can be blown to an entirety of the non-sheet-passing portion with respect to the longitudinal direction, so that a problem that a suppressing effect of the non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise lowers arises.

Thus, a temperature of a fixing nip where the recording material passes is not uniformized, and therefore, it would be considered that a method in which a gap between recording materials (i.e., a recording material feeding interval) is increased in view of the lowering in fixing property and a method in which a recording material feeding speed itself is showed and temperature rise of the fixing device is a waited are employed. However, in this case, a problem such that productivity per unit time lowers arises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a fixing device which are capable of suppressing occurrences of non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise and improper fixing without lowering productivity even in the case where a feeding position of a recording material is deviated with respect to a widthwise direction of the recording material.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming portion configured to form toner images on recording materials having a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction; a fixing unit configured to form a nip in which the toner image is fixed by nipping and feeding the recording material, wherein the fixing unit is capable of fixing the toner image on the recording material having the first size which is a maximum fixable size of the recording material, wherein the fixing unit includes, an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material, air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of the heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into the fixing unit, a first opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the one end portion of the heater passes, a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of the first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction, a second opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the other end portion of the heater passes, a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of the second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction, detecting means configured to detect a deviation amount of the recording material in a widthwise direction with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material, and a controller configured to control, on the basis of an output of the detecting means and size information of the recording material, the opening widths of the first and second openings so as to be different from each other by moving the first and second shielding members, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming portion configured to form toner images on recording materials having a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction; a fixing unit configured to form a nip in which the toner image is fixed by nipping and feeding the recording material, wherein the fixing unit is capable of fixing the toner image on the recording material having the first size as a maximum fixable size of the recording material, wherein the fixing unit includes, an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material, air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of the heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into the fixing unit, a first opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the one end portion of the heater passes, a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of the first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction, a second opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the other end portion of the heater passes, a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of the second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction, detecting means configured to detect temperatures of the one and the other end portions of the heater, and a controller configured to control, on the basis of an output of the detecting means and size information of the recording material, the opening widths of the first and second openings so as to be different from each other by moving the first and second shielding members, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device for fixing toner images on recording materials in a nip by nipping and feeding the recording materials in the nip, wherein the recording materials have a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction, the first size being a maximum size of the recording material on which the toner image is fixable by the fixing device, the fixing device comprising: an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material; air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of the heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into the fixing device; a first opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the one end portion of the heater passes; a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of the first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; a second opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the other end portion of the heater passes; a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of the second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; and detecting means configured to detect a deviation amount of the recording material in a widthwise direction with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material, wherein the opening widths of the first and second openings are made different from each other by moving the first and second shielding members, respectively, on the basis of an output of the detecting means and size information of the recording material.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device for fixing toner images on recording materials in a nip by nipping and feeding the recording materials in the nip, wherein the recording materials have a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction, the first size being a maximum size of the recording material on which the toner image is fixable by the fixing device, the fixing device comprising: an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material; air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of the heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into the fixing device; a first opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the one end portion of the heater passes; a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of the first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; a second opening through which air blown from the air blowing means toward the other end portion of the heater passes; a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of the second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; and detecting means configured to detect temperatures of the one and the other end portions of the heater, wherein the opening widths of the first and second openings are made different from each other by moving the first and second shielding members, respectively, on the basis of an output of the detecting means and size information of the recording material.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a general structure of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inside of a heating unit.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 3 are schematic views for illustrating a paper (sheet) position detecting means.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 4 are perspective views of a shielding unit.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 5 are schematic views of an outer appearance of the shielding unit.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 6 are side views of a shielding frame.

FIG. 7 is a temperature curve of a heater (within a tolerance).

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 8 are operation state views of the shielding unit.

FIG. 9 is a temperature curve of the heater (out of the tolerance: R-side shift).

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 10 are perspective views of a shielding unit.

Parts (a), (b) and (c) of FIG. 11 are schematic views of an outer appearance of a shielding member.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 12 are operation state views of a shielding unit (in the case where a recording material is not shifted with respect to a widthwise direction of the recording material).

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 13 are operation state views of the shielding unit (in the case where the recording material is shifted toward an R side).

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 14 are operation state views of the shielding unit (in the case where the recording material is shifted toward an F side).

FIG. 15 is a temperature curve of a heater 24.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
(Image Forming Apparatus)

An outline of a general structure of an image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the general structure of a full-color laser beam printer which is an example of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a cassette sheet feeding means 80 is provided at a lowermost portion and a manual sheet feeding means 70 is provided at a right-hand portion. The cassette sheet feeding means 80 is provided with a paper (sheet) position detecting means (described specifically later) capable of detecting both end portion positions (both end positions) of a recording material P with respect to a direction (widthwise direction) perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material P. Above the cassette sheet feeding means 80, a registration roller 51 and an registration opposite roller 52 which register (positionally align) a leading end position of the recording material P and which feed the recording material P are provided.

Similarly, above the cassette sheet feeding means 80, a laser scanner unit 30 for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member as an image bearing member is provided. Immediately on the laser scanner unit 30, a scanner frame 31 is provided and the laser scanner unit 30 is fixed to the scanner frame 31.

Above the scanner frame 31, four process cartridges 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C and 10Bk) are provided. On the process cartridges 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C and 10Bk), an intermediary transfer unit 40 is provided so as to oppose the process cartridges 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C and 10Bk). The intermediary transfer unit 40 includes an intermediary transfer belt 41. Inside the intermediary transfer belt 41, primary transfer rollers 42 (42Y, 42M, 42C and 42Bk), a driving roller 43, a secondary transfer opposite roller 44 and a tension roller 45 are provided, and outside the intermediary transfer belt 41, a cleaning means 46 is provided.

On a right side of the intermediary transfer unit 40, a secondary transfer unit 90 is provided. The secondary transfer unit 90 includes a secondary transfer roller 91 as a part of an image forming portion so as to oppose the secondary transfer opposite roller 44. Here, the primary transfer rollers 42 (42Y, 42M, 42C and 42Bk), the intermediary transfer belt 41 and the secondary transfer roller 91 constitute the image forming portion.

Above the intermediary transfer unit 40 and the secondary transfer unit 90, a fixing unit (fixing device) 20 is provided. Inside the fixing unit 20, a heating unit 21 for heating the recording material P and a pressing roller (nip-forming member) 22 for pressing (urging) the recording material P against the heating unit 21 are provided so as to form a nip in which the recording material P is nipped and fed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 21 is provided with an elongated heater 24 extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording material P and is provided with at least two temperature detecting elements 23 for detecting the temperature of the heater 24. In the heating unit 21 in this embodiment, around the heater 24 supported by a heater holder 25, an unshown endless belt (film) is rotatably provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing unit 20 is provided with a cooling unit 100 including a cooling fan 101 for cooling both end portions of the heating unit 21 and is provided with a shielding unit 110 capable of changing a cooling portion for the heating unit 21. The shielding unit 110 is disposed in the neighborhood of the fixing unit 20.

Leftward above the fixing unit 20, a sheet discharging unit 60 is provided. The sheet discharging unit 60 includes a sheet discharging roller pair 61, a both-side feeding portion 62, a reversing roller pair 63 and a both-side flapper 64 which is a branching means. An image formation controller 2 collectively controls an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

(Printing Operation)

As shown in FIG. 1, when printing data including a print instruction and image information and the like are inputted from an unshown host computer or the like to the image formation controller 2, the image formation controller 2 provides instructions to respective devices of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to start a printing operation. The recording material P is subjected to detection of a widthwise position thereof by the sheet position detecting means and is fed from the cassette sheet feeding means 80 by a feeding roller 81, a sheet feeding roller 82 and a sheet feeding opposite roller 83 and thus is sent to a feeding path.

During image formation on a first sheet, the recording material P once stops in front of the secondary transfer roller 91 in a state of being nipped between the registration roller 51 and the registration opposite roller 52 for synchronization between feeding timing thereof and a forming operation of an image formed on the intermediary transfer belt 41. Then, the recording material P is fed after awaiting until image formation is carried out, but a second sheet and later sheets are continuously fed without being once stopped.

In synchronism with an operation of feeding the recording material P, developer images of respective colors which are developed from electrostatic latent images by the process cartridges (10Y, 10M, 10C and 10Bk) are successively transferred onto the intermediary transfer belt 41. The developer images (color image) superposed and transferred on the intermediary transfer belt 41 are moved together with the intermediary transfer belt 41 to a position of the secondary transfer opposite roller 44. Then, the once stopped recording material P is started to be fed by rotation of the registration roller 51 and the registration opposite roller 52, and enters a nip between the secondary transfer roller 91 and the intermediary transfer belt 41 in synchronism with the developer images, so that secondary transfer of the developer images onto the recording material P is carried out.

The color image transferred on the recording material P is heated by the heating unit 21 at a temperature set depending on a kind of the recording material P by the heater 24 and is melt-fixed on the recording material P by being pressed by the pressing roller 22. At this time, all the disposed temperature detecting elements 23 measure temperatures of the heater 24 at a predetermined sampling interval. The temperature detecting elements 23 send, to the image formation controller 2, temperature values from before the recording material P reaches a nip between the heating unit 21 and the pressing roller 22 until a trailing end of the recording material P comes out of the nip. The recording material P after fixing is discharged onto a discharge tray 65 by a sheet discharging roller pair 61, and then a normal color image forming operation is ended.

On the intermediary transfer belt 41, a cleaning means 46 is provided, and the developer remaining on the intermediary transfer belt 41 is scraped off by a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade, so that the image forming apparatus 1 prepares for subsequent image formation.

(Shift Amount Detection of Recording Material With Respect to Widthwise Direction)

In the following, a shift (deviation) amount detection of the recording material P with respect to the widthwise direction by the sheet position detecting means in this embodiment will be described. In part (a) of FIG. 3, in order to detect positions of the recording material P (widthwise size: W) at both end portions with respect to a widthwise direction perpendicular to a recording material feeding direction, LED arrays Q (Q1 and Q2) and linear (one-dimensional) image pick-up (sensor) elements R (R1 and R2) are provided. Below the linear image pick-up elements R (R1 and R2) in part (a) of FIG. 3, lenses L shown in part (b) of FIG. 3 are provided, respectively. A light quantity distribution of light received by the linear image pick-up elements R with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material is such that a light quantity of the light when the light is reflected from the recording material is larger than a light quantity of the light reflected from a position deviated from the recording material (i.e., a recording material mounting surface or a position deviated from the recording material on a recording material feeding surface). As a result, due to a difference in light quantity, the positions of the recording material at both end portions with respect to the widthwise direction are detectable.

Here, ideal positions of the recording material at both end portions with respect to the widthwise direction in the case where the recording material does not shift in the widthwise direction are stored together with values of respective sizes of recording materials in advance in the image forming apparatus depending on the respective sizes of the recording materials P. As a result, in the case where the recording material P shifts in the widthwise direction, a shift amount of the recording material from an ideal position is detected.

A detecting means for detecting the shift amount of such a recording material in the widthwise direction is provided inside the cassette sheet feeding means 80 (FIG. 1) so as to oppose the recording material mounting surface or is provided so as to oppose the recording material feeding surface of a recording material feeding path toward the fixing unit 20 (FIG. 1). The case where the recording material mounting surface or a region deviated from the recording material on the recording material feeding surface is colored black is preferable since a difference in light quantity is large and thus the positions of the recording material at both end portions with respect to the widthwise direction are easily detected.

Incidentally, the shift amount detection of the recording material with respect to the widthwise direction may also be carried out using a transmission type, not a reflection type in which the LED arrays Q (Q1 and Q2) and the linear image pick-up elements R (R1 and R2) are disposed on the same side, with respect to the recording material. That is, the LED arrays Q (Q1 and Q2) and the linear image pick-up elements R (R1 and R2) are may also be disposed on opposite sides with respect to the recording material.

(Constitution of Cooling Unit and Shielding Unit)

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling unit 100 includes the cooling fan 101. The cooling fan 101 draws outside air into the image forming apparatus 1 and blows the outside air to a duct 102. The blown outside surface is sent to the shielding unit 110.

Part (a) of FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shielding unit 110 as seen from the cooling fan 101 side, and part (b) of FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shielding unit 110 as seen from the fixing unit 20 side. In the following description, “F-side” added as a prefix of each of respective members means that the member is provided on a front side of the image forming apparatus, and “R-side” added as a prefix of each of respective members means that the member is provided on a rear side of the image forming apparatus.

The shielding unit 110 includes a shielding frame 116. The shielding frame 116 holds (supports) an F-side driving motor 115 provided with an F-side pinion 115a and an R-side driving motor 117 provided with an R-side pinion 117a. The shielding frame 116 is provided with an inlet port 116a for receiving the outside air sent from the duct 102 and exhaust ports 116b and 116c as openings for blowing the outside air to a heating roller 21.

A shielding member 111 capable of changing an opening width of the opening at one end portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fixing member is attached to the shielding frame 116. Further, a shielding member 112 capable of changing an opening width of the opening at the other end portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fixing member is attached to the shielding frame 116.

The F-side shielding member 111 includes a driven portion 111a, for the F-side shielding member 111, having a shape such that drive is transmittable from the F-side pinion 115a and, in addition, includes an F-side cap portion (shielding portion) 111b, provided separately from the driven portion 111a, for shielding the exhaust port 116b. The F-side cap portion 111b is provided with F-side rails 111c having a projection shape.

On the other hand, R-side shielding member 112 includes a driven portion 112a, for the R-side shielding member 111, having a shape such that drive is transmittable from the R-side pinion 117a and, in addition, includes an F-side cap portion (shielding portion) 112b, provided separately from the driven portion 112a, for shielding the exhaust port 116c. The R-side cap portion 112b is provided with R-side rails 112c having a projection shape.

Here, in FIG. 5 showing a side view of the shielding frame 116, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 5 which is the side view of the shielding frame 116 on the F side, the shielding frame 116 is provided with guiding portions 116d. The F-side rails 111c enter the guiding portions 116d and are movable while being guided by the guiding portions 116d. As a result, the F-side shielding member 111 is supported by the shielding frame 116 and is slidable (movable) relative to the shielding frame 116.

Similarly, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 5 which is the side view of the shielding frame 116 on the R side, the shielding frame 116 is provided with guiding portions 116e. The R-side rails 112c enter the guiding portions 116e and are movable while being guided by the guiding portions 116e. As a result, the R-side shielding member 112 is supported by the shielding frame 116 and is slidable (movable) relative to the shielding frame 116.

(Shielding Unit Operation)

An actual operation of the shielding unit 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. When a user sets the recording materials P in the cassette sheet feeding means 80, positions (for example, both end portion positions (both end positions)) with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P are detected by the sheet position detecting means described above with reference to FIG. 3. A detection result is sent to the image formation controller 2, and whether or not detected values coincide with the predetermined values (reference positions) is discriminated by the image formation controller 2.

First, the case where the positions of the end portions of the recording material P with respect to the widthwise direction control with the predetermined values (reference positions) will be described. In the case where the recording material P is disposed and set at the predetermined position (in the case where detection that the recording material P is not shifted in the widthwise direction is made in FIG. 3), the above-described printing operation is started. As shown in part (a) of FIG. 6, depending on a width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 to the F-side driving motor 115 and the R-side driving motor 117.

The F-side pinion 115a is rotated in an arrow A direction and drive is transmitted to the driven portion 111a for the F-side shielding member 111, so that the F-side shielding member 111 is moved in an arrow B direction. Simultaneously, the R-side pinion 117a is rotated in an arrow C direction and drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in an arrow D direction.

At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the F-side driving motor 115 and the R-side driving motor 117, an instruction for moving the F-side shielding member 111 and the R-side shielding member 112 together by a movement amount x depending on the width of the recording material P is provided. As a result, both of opening amounts of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c are x (i.e., the opening widths are controlled so as to be equal to each other). As regards the movement amount x depending on the width of the recording material P, when the width of the recording material P is W and a length of the shielding unit 110 with respect to the longitudinal direction is U, in part (a) of FIG. 6, the following formula is satisfied.

U=W+2x

By performing such an operation, the opening amounts of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c are caused to coincide with each other, so that the outside air sent from the cooling fan 101 can be blown to positions of the heating roller 21 outside the both end positions of the width of the recording material P, and thus only necessary portions can be cooled.

Next, the case where the positions (for example, both end portion positions (both end positions)) with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P do not coincide with the predetermined values (reference positions) and are shifted toward the rear side (R side) of the image forming apparatus by a shift amount y will be described.

First, depending on a widthwise position of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 to the F-side driving motor 115 and the R-side driving motor 117.

As shown in part (b) of FIG. 6, the F-side pinion 115a is rotated in an arrow A direction and drive is transmitted to the driven portion 111a for the F-side shielding member 111, so that the F-side shielding member 111 is moved in an arrow B direction. Simultaneously, the R-side pinion 117a is rotated in an arrow C direction and drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in an arrow D direction.

At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the F-side driving motor 115, an instruction for moving the F-side shielding member 111 by a total amount of the predetermined movement amount x and the shift amount y depending on the width position of the recording material P is provided, and from the image formation controller 2 to the R-side driving motor 117, an instruction for moving the R-side shielding member 112 by an amount obtained by subtracting the shift amount y from the predetermined movement amount x depending on the width position of the recording material P is provided. As a result, on the basis of an output of the detecting means for detecting the shift amount of the recording material P from a reference position with respect to the widthwise direction and a size of the recording material P with respect to the widthwise direction, the opening amount of the exhaust port 116b is x+y, and the opening amount of the exhaust port 116c is x−y (i.e., the opening widths are controlled so as to be different from each other).

By performing such an operation, the opening amounts of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c can be changed corresponding to shifted positions of the recording material P relative to the fixing device. As a result, the outside air sent from the cooling fan 101 can be blown to positions of the heating roller 21 outside the both (side) and positions of the width of the recording material P, so that only necessary portions (non-sheet-passing regions) can be cooled.

Here, in the case where the widthwise end portion positions of the recording material P are shifted toward an opposite side 8the front side of the fixing device), the opening amount of the exhaust port 116b is x−y, and the opening amount of the exhaust port 116c is x+y.

As described above, in this embodiment, the longitudinal (widthwise) end portion positions of the openings corresponding to first and second end portions of the fixing member with respect to the longitudinal direction can be caused to coincide with the associated end portion positions (side end positions) of the recording material P with respect to the widthwise direction. As a result, at each of the first and second end portions, the non-sheet-passing width and the opening width can be caused to coincide with each other.

As a result, in this embodiment, even in the case where a widthwise center of the recording material when passing through the fixing device does not coincide with a reference position, the non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise can be properly prevented irrespective of the recording material size. Further, a deterioration of a fixing property on a side where the recording material widthwise center is shifted is suppressed and temperature rise in a region through which the recording material does not pass in the fixing member can be suppressed with reliability. Further, a lowering in fixing property is prevented, so that productivity can be maintained.

Second Embodiment

In First Embodiment, a constitution in which the widthwise positions of the recording material P are detected by the sheet position detecting means and the shielding unit 110 is operated depending on a detection result was employed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a constitution in which the shielding unit 110 is operated on the basis of values sent from the plurality of temperature detecting elements 23 and values which are stored in the image formation controller 2 in advance and which depend on the kind (size information) of the recording material P may also be employed. In the following, a constitution in which the shielding unit 110 is operated on the basis of the values sent from the plurality of the temperature detecting elements 23 and values which are stored in the image formation controller 2 in advance and which depend on the kind of the recording material P will be described.

(Shielding Unit Operation)

Next, an actual operation of the shielding unit 110 will be described. When a printing operation is started by the user, the recording material P is started to be subjected to the above-described printing operation. The heater 24 is heated so that a temperature thereof is a predetermined temperature. The temperature of the heater 24 when the recording material P reaches the nip between the heating unit 21 and the pressing roller 22 is detected by the plurality of the temperature detecting elements 23, and detected values are sent to the image formation controller 2. The image formation controller 2 compares the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23 with the preliminarily stored values depending on the kind (size information) of the recording material P and discriminates whether or not a difference therebetween falls within a tolerable value.

First, the case where the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23 and the values which are stored in the image formation controller 2 in advance and which depend on the kind of the recording material P falls within a tolerable value, i.e., the case where the widthwise positions of the recording material P coincide with predetermined positions determined in advance will be described. FIG. 7 shows a temperature curve of the heater 24 with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P. In a graph of FIG. 7, an abscissa represents the widthwise direction, and an ordinate represents the temperature of the heater 24. In this embodiment, with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P, one temperature detecting element 23 was disposed at each of both ends of a sheet-passing region where a maximum-size recording material P (maximum-size paper (sheet)) on which the toner image is fixable by the fixing unit 20 passes, and the temperature of the heater 24 was measured. As shown in FIG. 7, the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23F and 23R and the preliminarily stored values depending on a recording material P (small-size paper) smaller in width than the maximum-size paper fall within a tolerable (predetermined) range, and therefore, the image formation controller 2 discriminates that the positions of the recording material P do not shift relative to the heater 24 in the widthwise direction of the paper.

Depending on the width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 to the F-side driving motor 115 and the R-side driving motor 117.

Next, the case where the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23 and the values which are stored in the image formation controller 2 in advance and which depend on the kind (size information) of the recording material P exceeds the predetermined range will be described. FIG. 9 shows a temperature curve of the heater 24 with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P in the case of exceeding the predetermined range. In a graph of FIG. 9, an abscissa represents the widthwise direction, and an ordinate represents the temperature of the heater 24. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23F and 23R do not coincide with the preliminarily stored range depending on the kind of the recording material P and in which the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23F is high and the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23R is low.

Thus, in the case where the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23R is lower than the predetermined range depending on the kind of the recording material P, the image formation controller 2 discriminates that with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P, an associated end of the recording material P is closer to the temperature detecting element 23R than the end of the recording material P when the recording material P is in an ideal position is. This is because it would be considered that a detection temperature of the temperature detecting element 23R lowers since the associated end of the recording material P approaches the temperature detecting element 23 compared with that when the recording material P is in the ideal position and heat of the heater 24 is conducted to the recording material P in a larger amount.

Similarly, in the case where the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23F is higher than the predetermined range depending on the kind of the recording material P, the image formation controller 2 discriminates that with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P, an associated end of the recording material P is remotor from the temperature detecting element 23F than the end of the recording material P when the recording material P is in an ideal position is. This is because it would be considered that a detection temperature of the temperature detecting element 23F increases since the associated end of the recording material P is spaced away from the temperature detecting element 23 compared with that when the recording material P is in the ideal position and heat of the heater 24 is not dissipated without being conducted to the recording material P.

Further, with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P, the image formation controller 2 not only discriminates that a center position of the recording material P is shifted (deviated) from a position (ideal position) where the recording material center position overlaps (coincides) with a center position of the fixing unit 20 (the heater 24) but also predicts the shift amount (deviation amount) from the difference between the value depending on the kind of the recording material P and each of the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23F and 23R.

Further, depending on a widthwise position of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 to the F-side driving motor 115 and the R-side driving motor 117.

As shown in part (b) of FIG. 9, the F-side pinion 115a is rotated in an arrow A direction and drive is transmitted to the driven portion 111a for the F-side shielding member 111, so that the F-side shielding member 111 is moved in an arrow B direction. Simultaneously, the R-side pinion 117a is rotated in an arrow C direction and drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in an arrow D direction.

At this time, by the image formation controller 2, the F-side driving motor 115 is driven so that the F-side shielding member 111 is moved in a total amount of the predetermined movement amount x and the shift amount y depending on the width position of the recording material P, and by the image formation controller 2, the R-side driving motor 117 is driven so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in an amount obtained by subtracting the shift amount y from the predetermined movement amount x depending on the width position of the recording material P. As a result, on the basis of an output of the detecting means for detecting the shift amount of the recording material P from a reference position with respect to the widthwise direction and size information of the recording material P with respect to the widthwise direction, the opening amount of the exhaust port 116b is x+y, and the opening amount of the exhaust port 116c is x−y (i.e., the opening widths are controlled so as to be different from each other).

Here, in the case where the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23F is low and the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23R is high, the image formation controller 2 can discriminate that the recording material P shifts toward the temperature detecting element 23F side, so that the opening amount of the exhaust port 116b is x−y, and the opening amount of the exhaust port 116c is x+y.

Thus, in this embodiment, the longitudinal (widthwise) end portion positions of the openings corresponding to first and second end portions of the fixing member with respect to the longitudinal direction can be caused to coincide with the associated end positions of the recording material P with respect to the widthwise direction by detecting the temperature of the heater 24 by the plurality of temperature detecting elements 23 and then by predicting the shift amount from a detection result. As a result, at each of the first and second end portions, the non-sheet-passing width and the opening width can be caused to coincide with each other.

Third Embodiment

In First Embodiment, the driving motors and the pinions which correspond to those for F side and the R side are separately provided, but in this embodiment, a driving motor and a pinion are common to the F side and the R side. Incidentally, constituent elements and operations which are similar to those in First Embodiment are represented by the same reference numerals or symbols and will be omitted from description.

(Shielding Unit Structure)

Part (a) of FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shielding unit 210 in this embodiment as seen from an upper portion of the cooling fan 101 (FIG. 1). Part (b) of FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shielding unit 210 in this embodiment as seen from an upper portion of the fixing unit 20 (FIG. 1). The shielding unit 210 includes a shielding frame 116 which holds a driving motor 220 provided with a pinion 220a.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an F-side shielding member 211 in this embodiment is constituted by an F-side driving member 213 to which drive is transmitted from the pinion 220a and by an F-side cap member 214 as a shielding member for shielding the exhaust port 116b. The F-side cap member 214 is provided with F-side rails 214c having a projection shape. The F-side rails 214c enter the guiding portions 116d (part (a) of FIG. 6) of the shielding frame 116, so that the F-side shielding member 213 is movable.

Part (b) of FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of the F-side shielding member 211 (part (a) of FIG. 11). As shown in part (a) of FIG. 11, the F-side driving member 213 is provided with an elongated hole (long hole) 213a extending in a movement direction of the F-side shielding member 211 with a substantially same short diameter. The F-side cap member 214 is provided with a shaft 214a, and the shaft 214a enters the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213, so that the F-side driving member 213 and the F-side cap member 214 are engaged and connected with each other with respect to a height direction of the image forming apparatus. A long diameter of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 is set at a length which is a sum of a shaft diameter of the shaft 214a and left and right gaps t adjacent to the shaft 214a.

That is, in this embodiment, the driving motor 220 as a common driving source for changing widths of the openings corresponding to the first and second end portions, respectively, of the fixing member with respect to the longitudinal direction is provided. Further, a moving mechanism portion including a movement dead region such that only a first predetermined amount is not changed when the opening width for one of the first and second end portions is intended to be changed with respect to a first direction of the longitudinal direction and that only a second predetermined amount is not changed when the opening width for one of the first and second end portions is intended to be changed with respect to a second direction opposite to the first direction of the longitudinal direction is provided. Here, the first predetermined amount and the second predetermined amount can be made the same value t.

Further, the F-side cap member 214 is connected with the F-side driving member 213 as a drive transmitting portion to which drive (driving force) is transmitted from the driving source, and the F-side driving member 213 is provided with the elongated hole 213a extending in the longitudinal direction. Further, the F-side cap member 214 includes the shaft 214a forming play on both sides thereof relative to the elongated hole 213a.

(Shielding Unit Operation)

An actual operation of the shielding unit 210 in this embodiment will be described.

1) Case Where Widthwise Positions (For Example, Both End Portion Positions (Both Side End Positions) of Recording Material P Coincide With Predetermined Values (Reference Positions)

When detection that the recording material P is disposed and set at a predetermined position is made by the sheet position detecting means of FIG. 3, the above-described printing operation is started. As shown in part (a) of FIG. 12, depending on the width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 (FIG. 1) to the driving motor 220 (part (a) of FIG. 8). The pinion 220a rotates in the arrow A direction and the drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in the arrow B direction. Similarly, the deviation 220a transmits the drive to the F-side driving member 213, so that the F-side driving member 213 is moved in the arrow C direction.

At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220, an instruction for moving the R-side shielding member 112 in a distance corresponding to a sum of a movement amount x portion the width of the recording material P and a gap t is provided. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 12, an opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is x+t.

On the other hand, the F-side driving member 213 moves in the arrow C direction, but as described above with reference to part (b) of FIG. 11, the gaps t are provided between the shaft 214a of the F-side shielding member 214 and longitudinal ends of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213. For this reason, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved until the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 abuts against the shaft 214a of the F-side cap member 214 (i.e., corresponding to the gap t). Then, after contact of the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 with the shaft 214a of the F-side cap member 214, the F-side cap member 214 is moved. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 12, an opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is x.

Here, an unshown spring (urging means) provided on the shielding frame 116 always urges the F-side cap member 214 including the shaft 214a and thus prevents the F-side cap member 214 from moving. That is, a brake (braking force) is exerted on the F-side cap member 214, and due to friction generating at a contact portion between the longitudinal end of the elongated hole 213a and the shaft 214a, the F-side cap member 214 is prevented from moving together with the F-side driving member 213.

Next, the image formation controller 2 provides an instruction for moving the pinion 220a from the above-described state of part (a) of FIG. 12 in the arrow D direction (opposite to the arrow A direction) shown in part (b) of FIG. 12. Then, the pinion 220a rotates in the arrow D direction and moves the R-side shielding member 112 in the arrow C direction. Similarly, the pinion 220a moves the F-side driving member 213 in the arrow B direction. At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220, an instruction for moving the R-side shielding member 112 by the gap t is provided. For that reason, the opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is x (part (b) of FIG. 12).

On the other hand, the F-side driving member 213 including the elongated hole 213a (part (b) of FIG. 11) moves in a distance corresponding to the gap tin the arrow B direction shown in part (b) of FIG. 12. However, the associated end of the elongated hole 213a is merely spaced from the shaft 214a and the other end of the elongated hole 213a does not contact the shaft 214a, so that the F-side cap member 214 is not moved. Therefore, the opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is kept unchanged at x.

By performing such an operation, the opening amounts of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c are caused to coincide with each other (part (b) of FIG. 12), so that the outside air sent from the cooling fan 101 can be blown to outsides of the both end positions of the width of the recording material P of the heating roller 21 and thus only necessary portions can be cooled.

2) Case Where Widthwise Positions (For Example, Both End Portion Positions (Both Side End Positions) of Recording Material P Do Not Coincide With Predetermined Values (Reference Positions)

Next, the case where detection that the recording material P moved toward the rear side (R side) of the fixing device with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P is made by the sheet position detecting means of FIG. 3 and the case where detection that the recording material P moved toward the front side (F side) of the fixing device with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P is made by the sheet position detecting means will be described in a named order.

2-a) Case Where Recording Material Moved Toward Rear Side (R Side) of Fixing Device

First, the widthwise positions (for example, both end portion positions (both side end positions) of the recording material P does not coincide with the predetermined positions (reference positions) and where the recording material P moved toward the rear side (R side) of the fixing device with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P in a distance corresponding to the shift amount deviation amount y will be described. As shown in part (a) of FIG. 13, depending on the width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 (FIG. 1) to the driving motor 220 (part (a) of FIG. 8). The pinion 220a rotates in the arrow A direction and the drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in the arrow B direction. Similarly, the deviation 220a transmits the drive to the F-side driving member 213, so that the F-side driving member 213 is moved in the arrow C direction.

At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220, an instruction for moving the R-side shielding member 112 in a distance corresponding to a sum of a movement amount x portion the width of the recording material P, the gap t and the shift amount y is provided. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 13, an opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)+y.

On the other hand, the F-side driving member 213 moves in the arrow C direction, but as described above with reference to part (b) of FIG. 11, the gaps t are provided between the shaft 214a of the F-side shielding member 214 and longitudinal ends of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213. For this reason, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved until the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 abuts against the shaft 214a of the F-side cap member 214 (i.e., corresponding to the gap t). Then, after contact of the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 with the shaft 214a of the F-side cap member 214, the F-side cap member 214 is moved. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 13, an opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is x+y.

Next, the image formation controller 2 provides an instruction for moving the pinion 220a from the above-described state of part (a) of FIG. 13 in the arrow D direction (opposite to the arrow A direction) shown in part (b) of FIG. 13. Then, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 13, the pinion 220a rotates in the arrow D direction and moves the R-side shielding member 112 in the arrow C direction. Similarly, the pinion 220a moves the F-side driving member 213 in the arrow B direction. At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220, an instruction for moving the R-side shielding member 112 by a sum of the gap t and twice the shift amount y is provided. For that reason, the opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)+y−(t+2y)=x−y (part (b) of FIG. 13).

On the other hand, the F-side driving member 213 moves in a distance corresponding to the sum of the gap t and twice the shift amount y in the arrow B direction. However, the associated end of the elongated hole 213a is merely spaced from the shaft 214a, and as regards a sum of the left and right gaps t (twice the gap t) of the shaft 214a, the other end of the elongated hole 213a does not contact the shaft 214a, and therefore, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved. Therefore, the opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is kept unchanged at x+y when twice the gap t is made larger than the sum of the gap t and twice the shift amount y, i.e., when the gap t is made larger than twice the shift amount y.

By the above-described operation, even when the side end positions of the recording material P shift in the widthwise direction from the reference positions where the recording material P should be originally located, the positions of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c can be changed so that opening regions of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c control with end portion regions of the fixing member deviated from the reference positions of the recording material P. That is, the outside air sent from the cooling fan 101 can be blown to the both end regions deviated from the (original) widthwise regions of the recording material P on the heating roller 21, so that only necessary portions can be cooled.

2-b) Case Where Recording Material Moved Toward Front Side (F Side) of Fixing Device

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 14, depending on the width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220. The pinion 220a rotates in the arrow A direction and the drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in the arrow B direction. Similarly, the deviation 220a transmits the drive to the F-side driving member 213, so that the F-side driving member 213 is moved in the arrow C direction.

At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220, an instruction for moving the R-side shielding member 112 in a distance corresponding to an amount obtained by subtracting the shift amount z from the sum of the movement amount x portion the width of the recording material P and the gap t is provided. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 14, an opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)−z.

On the other hand, the F-side driving member 213 moves in the arrow C direction, but as described above with reference to part (b) of FIG. 11, the gaps t are provided between the shaft 214a of the F-side shielding member 214 and longitudinal ends of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213. For this reason, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved until the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 abuts against the shaft 214a of the F-side cap member 214 (i.e., corresponding to the gap t). Then, after contact of the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 with the shaft 214a of the F-side cap member 214, the F-side cap member 214 is moved. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 14, an opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is x−z.

Next, the image formation controller 2 provides an instruction for moving the pinion 220a from the above-described state of part (a) of FIG. 14 in the arrow D direction (opposite to the arrow A direction) shown in part (b) of FIG. 14. Then, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 14, the pinion 220a rotates in the arrow D direction and moves the R-side shielding member 112 in the arrow C direction. Similarly, the pinion 220a moves the F-side driving member 213 in the arrow B direction. At this time, from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220, an instruction for moving the R-side shielding member 112 by an amount obtained by subtracting twice the shift amount z from the gap t is provided. For that reason, the opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)−z−(t−2z)=x+z (part (b) of FIG. 14).

On the other hand, the F-side driving member 213 moves in a distance corresponding to the amount obtained by subtracting twice the shift amount z from the gap tin the arrow B direction. However, the associated end of the elongated hole 213a is merely spaced from the shaft 214a, and the sum of the left and right gaps t (twice the gap t) is larger than the amount obtained by subtracting twice the shift amount z from the gap t, so that the shaft 214a. For this reason, the opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is kept unchanged at x−z.

As described above, in the above-described embodiments, even in the case where widthwise centers of the recording materials do not coincide with each other when the recording materials pass through the fixing device, the non-sheet-passing portion temperature rise can be properly prevented irrespective of the size of the recording material. Further, deterioration of the fixing property on a side the widthwise center of the recording material is deviated is suppressed, so that temperature rise in a region through which the recording material does not pass in the fixing member can be suppressed with reliability. Further, a lowering in fixing property is prevented, so that productivity can be maintained.

Fourth Embodiment

In Fourth Embodiment, similarly as in third Embodiment, while employing the constitution including the shielding unit 110 in which the driving motor and the pinion are common to the F side and the R side, similarly as in Second Embodiment, the constitution in which the shielding unit 110 is operated on the basis of the values sent from the plurality of temperature detecting elements 23 and the preliminarily stored values portion the kind of the recording material P is employed. This constitution will be described below. Incidentally, constituent elements and operations which are similar to those in First Embodiment are represented by the same reference numerals or symbols and will be omitted from description.

(Shielding Unit Operation)

An actual operation of the shielding unit 210 in this embodiment will be described.

1) Case Where Values Sent From Temperature Detecting Elements 23 and Preliminarily Stored Values Depending on Kind (Size Information) of Recording Material P Fall Within Tolerable Range

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 12, depending on the width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 (FIG. 1) to the driving motor 220. The pinion 220a rotates in the arrow A direction and the drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in the arrow B direction. Similarly, the deviation 220a transmits the drive to an F-side driven member 213, so that the F-side driven member 213 is moved in the arrow C direction.

At this time, the image formation controller 2 causes the driving motor 220 to be driven so that the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112 and the F-side driven member 213 are moved in a distance corresponding to a sum of a movement amount x portion the width of the recording material P and a gap t is provided. For that reason, the R-side shielding member 112 moves in the distance corresponding to the sum of the movement amount x and the gap t, so that an opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is x+t.

On the other hand, the F-side driven member 213 moves in the arrow C direction, but as described above with reference to part (b) of FIG. 11, the gaps t are provided between the shaft (projection portion) 214a of the F-side shielding member 214 and longitudinal ends of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213. For this reason, as shown in part (c) of FIG. 11, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved until the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213 abuts against the projection portion 214a of the F-side cap member 214 (i.e., corresponding to the gap t). Then, after contact of the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213 with the projection portion 214a of the F-side cap member 214, the F-side cap member 214 is moved. For that reason, the F-side cap member 214 does not move in a distance corresponding to the gap t, and therefore, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 12, an opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is x.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, a constitution in which an unshown spring (urging means) is provided on the shielding frame 116 is employed, and the spring always urges the F-side cap member 214 against the shielding frame 116 and thus prevents the F-side cap member 214 from moving relative to the shielding frame 116. That is, a braking force is exerted by the spring on the F-side cap member 214 so as not to move limitlessly while ensuring a state in which the F-side cap member 214 is supported by the shielding frame 116, and due to a frictional force generating during sliding between an inner surface of the elongated hole 213a and the projection portion 214a, the F-side cap member 214 is prevented from moving.

Next, the image formation controller 2 provides an instruction for moving the pinion 220a from the above-described state of part (a) of FIG. 12 in the arrow D direction (opposite to the arrow A direction) shown in part (b) of FIG. 12. Then, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 12, the pinion 220a rotates in the arrow D direction and moves the R-side shielding member 112 in the arrow C direction. Similarly, the pinion 220a moves the F-side driven member 213 in the arrow B direction. At this time, the image formation controller 2 causes the driving motor 220 to be driven so that the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112 is moved by the gap t. For that reason, the R-side shielding member 112 moves in a distance corresponding to the gap t, and therefore, the opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is x (part (b) of FIG. 10).

On the other hand, the F-side driven member 213 moves in a distance corresponding to the gap tin the arrow B direction shown in part (b) of FIG. 10. However, the associated end of the elongated hole 213a is spaced from the shaft 214a and is in a position in the elongated hole 213a with a gap t with respect to each of the arrow B direction and the arrow C direction. Thus, the other end of the elongated hole 213a does not contact the projection portion 214a, so that the F-side cap member 214 is not moved. Therefore, the opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is kept unchanged at x.

By performing such an operation, the opening amounts of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c are caused to coincide with each other (part (b) of FIG. 12), so that the outside air sent from the cooling fan 101 can be blown to outsides of the both end positions of the width of the recording material P of the heating unit 21 and thus only necessary portions can be cooled.

2) Case Where Values Sent From Temperature Detecting Elements 23 and Preliminarily Stored Values Depending on Kind (Size Information) of Recording Material P Do Not Fall Within Tolerable Range

Next, the case where detection that the recording material P moved toward the rear side (R side) of the fixing device with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P is made on the basis of differences between the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23F and 23R and the values depending on the kind of the recording material P and the case where detection that the recording material P moved toward the front side (F side) of the fixing device with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P is made on the basis of the differences between the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23F and 23R and the values depending on the kind of the recording material P will be described in a named order.

2-a) Case Where Recording Material Moved Toward Rear Side (R Side) of Fixing Device

First, as shown in FIG. 13, the case where detection that the widthwise position of the recording material P moved toward the rear side of the fixing device in a distance corresponding to an amount y is made on the basis of the differences between the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23F and 23R and the values depending on the kind of the recording material P will be described. Depending on the width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 (FIG. 1) to the driving motor 220. The pinion 220a rotates in the arrow A direction and the drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in the arrow B direction. Similarly, the deviation 220a transmits the drive to the F-side driven member 213, so that the F-side driven member 213 is moved in the arrow C direction.

At this time, the image formation controller 2 causes the driving motor 220 to be driven so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in a distance corresponding to a sum of a movement amount x portion the width of the recording material P, the gap t and the shift amount y is provided. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 13, the R-side shielding member 112 moves in a distance of (x+t)+y, so that an opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)+y.

On the other hand, the F-side driven member 213 moves in the arrow C direction, but as described above with reference to part (b) of FIG. 11, the gaps t are provided between the projection portion 214a of the F-side shielding member 214 and longitudinal ends of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213. For this reason, as shown in part (c) of FIG. 11, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved until the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213 abuts against the projection portion 214a of the F-side cap member 214 (i.e., corresponding to the gap t). Then, after contact of the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213 with the projection portion 214a of the F-side cap member 214, the F-side cap member 214 is moved. For that reason, the movement amount of the F-side cap member 214 is x+y, and as shown in part (a) of FIG. 13, an opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is x+y.

Next, the image formation controller 2 provides an instruction for moving the pinion 220a from the above-described state of part (a) of FIG. 13 in the arrow D direction (opposite to the arrow A direction) shown in part (b) of FIG. 13. Then, the pinion 220a rotates in the arrow D direction and moves the R-side shielding member 112 in the arrow C direction. Similarly, the pinion 220a moves the F-side driven member 213 in the arrow B direction. At this time, the image formation controller 2 causes the driving motor 220 to be driven so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in a distance corresponding to a sum of the gap t and twice the shift amount y. For that reason, the opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)+y−(t+2y)=x−y (part (b) of FIG. 13).

On the other hand, the F-side driven member 213 moves in a distance corresponding to the sum of the gap t and twice the shift amount y in the arrow B direction. However, the associated end of the elongated hole 213a is merely spaced from the projection portion 214a, and as regards a sum of the left and right gaps t (twice the gap t) of the projection portion 214a, the other end of the elongated hole 213a does not contact the projection portion 214a, and therefore, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved. Therefore, the opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is kept unchanged at x+y when twice the gap t is made larger than the sum of the gap t and twice the shift amount y, i.e., when the gap t is made larger than twice the shift amount y.

By the above-described operation, even when the side end positions of the recording material P shift in the widthwise direction from the reference positions where the recording material P should be originally located, the positions of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c can be changed so that opening regions of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c control with end portion regions of the fixing member deviated from the reference positions of the recording material P. That is, the outside air sent from the cooling fan 101 can be blown to the both end regions deviated from the (original) widthwise regions of the recording material P on the heating unit 21, so that only necessary portions can be cooled.

2-b) Case Where Recording Material Moved Toward Front Side (F Side) of Fixing Device

Next, the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23 and the preliminarily stored values depending on the kind of the recording material P exceed the tolerable range and where the recording material P moved toward the front side (F side) of the fixing device with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P in a distance corresponding to a shift amount deviation amount z will be described using FIG. 14. Although FIG. 14 and FIG. 13 are consistent with each other based on the relationship of z=−y, description will be made specifically below. FIG. 15 shows a temperature curve of the heater 24 with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P in the case of exceeding the tolerable range (predetermined range). In a graph of FIG. 15, the abscissa represents the widthwise direction of the recording material P, and the ordinate represents the temperature of the heater 24. At this time, in the case where the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23F is lower than the predetermined range depending on the kind of the recording material P, so that the image formation controller 2 discriminates that with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P, an associated end of the recording material P is closer to the temperature detecting element 23F than the end of the recording material P when the recording material P is in an ideal position is. Similarly, the value sent from the temperature detecting element 23R is higher than the predetermined range depending on the kind of the recording material P, so that the image formation controller 2 discriminates that with respect to the widthwise direction of the recording material P, an associated end of the recording material P is remotor from the temperature detecting element 23R than the end of the recording material P when the recording material P is in an ideal position is. Thus, the image formation controller 2 discriminates that the recording material P shifts toward the temperature detecting element 23F side compared with that when the recording material P is in the ideal position. Further, the image formation controller 2 predicts the shift amount z on the basis of the differences between the values sent from the temperature detecting elements 23F and 23R and the values depending on the kind of the recording material P.

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 14, depending on the width of the recording material P, an operation instruction is provided from the image formation controller 2 to the driving motor 220. The pinion 220a rotates in the arrow A direction and the drive is transmitted to the driven portion 112a for the R-side shielding member 112, so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in the arrow B direction. Similarly, the deviation 220a transmits the drive to the F-side driven member 213, so that the F-side driven member 213 is moved in the arrow C direction.

At this time, the image formation controller 2 causes the driving motor 220 to be driven so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved in a distance corresponding to an amount obtained by subtracting the shift amount z from the sum of the movement amount x portion the width of the recording material P and the gap t is provided. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 14, an opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)−z.

On the other hand, the F-side driven member 213 moves in the arrow C direction, but as described above with reference to part (b) of FIG. 11, the gaps t are provided between the shaft 214a of the F-side shielding member 214 and longitudinal ends of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213. For this reason, the F-side cap member 214 is not moved until the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driving member 213 abuts against the projection portion 214a of the F-side cap member 214 (i.e., corresponding to the gap t). Then, as shown in part (c) of FIG. 11 after contact of the associated end of the elongated hole 213a of the F-side driven member 213 with the projection portion 214a of the F-side cap member 214, the F-side cap member 214 is moved. For that reason, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 14, an opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is x−z.

Next, the image formation controller 2 provides an instruction for moving the pinion 220a from the above-described state of part (a) of FIG. 14 in the arrow D direction (opposite to the arrow A direction) shown in part (b) of FIG. 14. Then, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 14, the pinion 220a rotates in the arrow D direction and moves the R-side shielding member 112 in the arrow C direction. Similarly, the pinion 220a moves the F-side driven member 213 in the arrow B direction. At this time, the image formation controller 2 causes the driving motor 220 is moved to be driven so that the R-side shielding member 112 is moved by an amount obtained by subtracting twice the shift amount z from the gap t. For that reason, the opening amount of the R-side exhaust port 116c is (x+t)−z−(t−2z)=x+z (part (b) of FIG. 14).

On the other hand, the F-side driven member 213 moves in a distance corresponding to the amount obtained by subtracting twice the shift amount z from the gap tin the arrow B direction. However, from the state of part (c) of FIG. 11, the associated end of the elongated hole 213a is merely spaced from the shaft 214a, and the shift amount z is smaller than the sum of the left and right gaps t (twice the gap t) of the projection portion 214a, and therefore the projection portion 214a. For this reason, the opening amount of the F-side exhaust port 116b is kept unchanged at x−z.

By the above-described operation, even when the side end positions of the recording material P shift in the widthwise direction from the reference positions where the recording material P should be originally located, the positions of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c can be changed so that opening regions of the exhaust ports 116b and 116c control with end portion regions of the fixing member deviated from the reference positions of the recording material P. That is, the outside air sent from the cooling fan 101 can be blown to the both end regions deviated from the (original) widthwise regions of the recording material P on the heating unit 21, so that only necessary portions can be cooled.

Modified Embodiments

In the above-described embodiments, preferred embodiments of the present invention were described, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention.

Modified Embodiment 1

In the above-described embodiments, shown in FIG. 3, the linear image pick-up elements R1 and R2 each having a short widthwise length were separately provided, but a single long image pick-up element may also be used. In this case, not only the shift amount 8 deviation amount) of the recording material with respect to the widthwise direction but also the size of the recording material with respect to the widthwise direction can be detected.

Modified Embodiment 2

In the above-described embodiments, the fixing device using the heating roller and the pressing roller as the first and second fixing members for forming the nip in which the recording material carrying the toner image thereon is nipped and fed was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A fixing device of a film heating type in which an endless belt for rotating one or both of the first and second fixing members may also be used.

Modified Embodiment 3

In the above-described embodiments, recording paper (sheet) was described as the recording material, but the recording material in the present invention is not limited to the paper (sheet). In general, the recording material is a sheet-like member on which the toner image is formed by the image forming apparatus and includes, for example, regular-shaped or irregular-shaped recording materials such as plain paper, thick paper, thin paper, an envelope, a postcard, a seal, a resin sheet, an OHP sheet and glossy paper. Incidentally, in the above-described embodiments, for convenience, handling of the recording material P (sheet) was described using terms such as sheet passing, but by this, the recording material in the present invention is not limited to the paper.

Modified Embodiment 4

In the above-described embodiments, the fixing device for fixing the unfixed toner image on the sheet was described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is also similarly applicable to a device for heating and pressing a toner image temporarily fixed on the sheet (also in this case, the device is referred to as the fixing device).

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2017-181187 filed on Sep. 21, 2017, and 2018-130867 filed on Jul. 10, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming portion configured to form toner images on recording materials having a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction;a fixing unit configured to form a nip in which the toner image is fixed by nipping and feeding the recording material, wherein said fixing unit is capable of fixing the toner image on the recording material having the first size which is a maximum fixable size of the recording material,wherein said fixing unit includes,an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material,air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of said heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into said fixing unit,a first opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said one end portion of said heater passes,a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction,a second opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said the other end portion of said heater passes,a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of said second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction,detecting means configured to detect a deviation amount of the recording material in a widthwise direction with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material, anda controller configured to control, on the basis of an output of said detecting means and size information of the recording material, the opening widths of said first and second openings so as to be different from each other by moving said first and second shielding members, respectively.
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a deviation amount of an end portion position of the recording material from a reference position with respect to the widthwise direction, and wherein said controller causes an end portion position of each of said first and second openings at said one end the other end portions, respectively, with respect to the longitudinal direction to coincide with an associated end portion position of the recording material with respect to the widthwise direction.
3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a common driving source configured to move said first and second shielding members, wherein said first shielding member includes a first shielding portion configured to shield said first opening, said first shielding portion being fixed to a first driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source, andwherein said second shielding member includes a second shielding portion configured to shield said second opening, said second shielding portion being movable by a predetermined amount in a movement direction relative to a second driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source.
4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with an elongated hole extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the other of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with a projection inserted in said elongated hole so as to be movable inside said elongated hole with respect to the longitudinal direction.
5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first driving source configured to change the opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; anda second driving source different from said first driving source and configured to change the opening width of said second driving source with respect to the longitudinal direction.
6. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming portion configured to form toner images on recording materials having a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction;a fixing unit configured to form a nip in which the toner image is fixed by nipping and feeding the recording material, wherein said fixing unit is capable of fixing the toner image on the recording material having the first size which is a maximum fixable size of the recording material,wherein said fixing unit includes,an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material,air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of said heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into said fixing unit,a first opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said one end portion of said heater passes,a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction,a second opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said the other end portion of said heater passes,a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of said second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction,detecting means configured to detect temperatures of said one and the other end portions of said heater, anda controller configured to control, on the basis of an output of said detecting means and size information of the recording material, the opening widths of said first and second openings so as to be different from each other by moving said first and second shielding members, respectively.
7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said detecting means detects the temperatures of said one and the other end portions of said heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material passes through the nip, and wherein said controller controls the opening widths of said first and second openings so as to be different from each other by moving said first and second shielding members, respectively, on the basis of a difference between each of said one and the other end portions of said heater and a value stored therein in advance depending on the size information of the recording material.
8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a common driving source configured to move said first and second shielding members, wherein said first shielding member includes a first shielding portion configured to shield said first opening, said first shielding portion being fixed to a first driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source, andwherein said second shielding member includes a second shielding portion configured to shield said second opening, said second shielding portion being movable by a predetermined amount in a movement direction relative to a second driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source.
9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with an elongated hole extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the other of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with a projection inserted in said elongated hole so as to be movable inside said elongated hole with respect to the longitudinal direction.
10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a first driving source configured to change the opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; anda second driving source different from said first driving source and configured to change the opening width of said second driving source with respect to the longitudinal direction.
11. A fixing device for fixing toner images on recording materials in a nip by nipping and feeding the recording materials in the nip, wherein the recording materials have a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction, the first size being a maximum size of the recording material on which the toner image is fixable by said fixing device, said fixing device comprising: an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material;air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of said heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into said fixing device;a first opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said one end portion of said heater passes;a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction;a second opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said the other end portion of said heater passes;a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of said second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; anddetecting means configured to detect a deviation amount of the recording material in a widthwise direction with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material,wherein the opening widths of said first and second openings are made different from each other by moving said first and second shielding members, respectively, on the basis of an output of said detecting means and size information of the recording material.
12. A fixing device according to claim 11, wherein said detecting means detects a deviation amount of an end portion position of the recording material from a reference position with respect to the widthwise direction, and wherein said controller causes an end portion position of each of said first and second openings at said one end the other end portions, respectively, with respect to the longitudinal direction to coincide with an associated end portion position of the recording material with respect to the widthwise direction.
13. A fixing device according to claim 11, further comprising a common driving source configured to move said first and second shielding members, wherein said first shielding member includes a first shielding portion configured to shield said first opening, said first shielding portion being fixed to a first driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source, andwherein said second shielding member includes a second shielding portion configured to shield said second opening, said second shielding portion being movable by a predetermined amount in a movement direction relative to a second driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source.
14. A fixing device according to claim 13, wherein one of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with an elongated hole extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the other of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with a projection inserted in said elongated hole so as to be movable inside said elongated hole with respect to the longitudinal direction.
15. A fixing device according to claim 11, further comprising: a first driving source configured to change the opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; anda second driving source different from said first driving source and configured to change the opening width of said second driving source with respect to the longitudinal direction.
16. A fixing device for fixing toner images on recording materials in a nip by nipping and feeding the recording materials in the nip, wherein the recording materials have a first size and a second size smaller than the first size with respect to a longitudinal direction, the first size being a maximum size of the recording material on which the toner image is fixable by said fixing device, said fixing device comprising: an elongated heater extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material;air blowing means configured to blow air toward one end portion and the other end portion of said heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material having the second size is inserted into said fixing device;a first opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said one end portion of said heater passes;a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction;a second opening through which air blown from said air blowing means toward said the other end portion of said heater passes;a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of said second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; anddetecting means configured to detect temperatures of said one and the other end portions of said heater,wherein the opening widths of said first and second openings are made different from each other by moving said first and second shielding members, respectively, on the basis of an output of said detecting means and size information of the recording material.
17. A fixing device according to claim 16, wherein said detecting means detects the temperatures of said one and the other end portions of said heater with respect to the longitudinal direction when the recording material passes through the nip, and wherein said controller controls the opening widths of said first and second openings so as to be different from each other by moving said first and second shielding members, respectively, on the basis of a difference between each of said one and the other end portions of said heater and a value stored therein in advance depending on the size information of the recording material.
18. A fixing device according to claim 16, further comprising a common driving source configured to move said first and second shielding members, wherein said first shielding member includes a first shielding portion configured to shield said first opening, said first shielding portion being fixed to a first driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source, andwherein said second shielding member includes a second shielding portion configured to shield said second opening, said second shielding portion being movable by a predetermined amount in a movement direction relative to a second driven portion configured to receive drive from said driving source.
19. A fixing device according to claim 18, wherein one of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with an elongated hole extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the other of said second driven portion and said second shielding portion is provided with a projection inserted in said elongated hole so as to be movable inside said elongated hole with respect to the longitudinal direction.
20. A fixing device according to claim 16, further comprising: a first driving source configured to change the opening width of said first opening with respect to the longitudinal direction; anda second driving source different from said first driving source and configured to change the opening width of said second driving source with respect to the longitudinal direction.

Priority Claims (2)

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2017-181187	Sep 2017	JP	national
2018-130867	Jul 2018	JP	national

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING DEVICE

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Priority Claims (2)