EP0433381A1 - Fusing apparatus and method. - Google Patents

Fusing apparatus and method.

Info

Publication number
EP0433381A1
EP0433381A1 EP19890910677 EP89910677A EP0433381A1 EP 0433381 A1 EP0433381 A1 EP 0433381A1 EP 19890910677 EP19890910677 EP 19890910677 EP 89910677 A EP89910677 A EP 89910677A EP 0433381 A1 EP0433381 A1 EP 0433381A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image
heating
operative
thin walled
fuser element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19890910677
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0433381B1 (en
Inventor
Benzion Landa
Naseem Yacoub
Hanna Pinhas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HP Indigo BV
Original Assignee
Spectrum Sciences BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB888821107A external-priority patent/GB8821107D0/en
Priority claimed from GB888823258A external-priority patent/GB8823258D0/en
Priority claimed from US07/293,431 external-priority patent/US5157238A/en
Application filed by Spectrum Sciences BV filed Critical Spectrum Sciences BV
Priority to EP94200756A priority Critical patent/EP0608965B1/en
Publication of EP0433381A1 publication Critical patent/EP0433381A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0433381B1 publication Critical patent/EP0433381B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G13/00—Electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G13/20—Fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
    • G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
    • G03G15/2053—Structural details of heat elements, e.g. structure of roller or belt, eddy current, induction heating
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
    • G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
    • G03G15/2064—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat combined with pressure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to imaging apparatus and techniques and more particularly to apparatus and techniques for fusing of images on a substrate.
  • U.S. Patent 4,724,303 describes an instant-on fuser including a cylindrical, relatively thin metal cylinder supporting a resistive heating foil or printed circuit secured on the inside surface of the cylinder by a high temperature adhesive.
  • the interior of the cylindrical tube contains ambient air.
  • the heating foil or printed circuit is carried on a fiber glass substrate and the heating element is connected to electrical leads extending through caps on the ends of the cylindrical support.
  • the combined thickness of the cylindrical member, the heating circuit and the adhesive is described as being between .005 and .01 inches.
  • U.S. Patent 3.948,214 also describes instant start fusing apparatus.
  • the fuser roll has a cylindrical member made of quartz or other material which transmits radiant energy from a source located on the interior of the cylindrical member.
  • the cylindrical member has a first layer made of elastomeric material which transmits radiant energy.
  • the first layer is covered with a second layer of material which absorbs radiant energy.
  • a third layer of material covers the second layer of heat absorbing material to effect a good toner release characteristic on the fuser roll surface.
  • the fuser roll layers are relatively thin and have an instant start capability to fuse toner images onto support material, such as paper.
  • U.S. Patent 3. 71.683 describes a heater roll suitable for use as a fuser roller in which heating is produced by a printed circuit formed into the surface of the roll, which receives electrical power through the roller shaft.
  • U.S. Patent 4,015.027 describes an electrophotographic toner transfer and fusing method wherein a heated image is supported on a roller or belt intermediate transfer medium employed for pressure transfer of dry toner images onto paper.
  • line 29 - column 12 line 38 there appears a detailed discussion of heating of images upon transfer thereof as proposed therein and as taught in the prior art including specifically U.S. Patent 3.591,276 to Byrne.
  • the belt comprises a 50 micron layer of aluminized Kapton having a 25 micron coating of silicon rubber.
  • Another embodiment employs a 12.5 micron layer of stainless steel instead of the Kapton together with a silicon rubber coating.
  • a reflecting layer is incorporated in the belt to reduce heating thereof.
  • the present invention seeks to provide improved fusing apparatus.
  • apparatus for fusing of an image onto a substrate including a fuser element and apparatus for heating the fuser element, the fuser element and the apparatus for heating being operative for heating the image so as to cause the image to adhere to the substrate and for cooling the ⁇ fuser element sufficiently such that the adhesion of the image thereto is less than the cohesion of the image.
  • apparatus for fusing of an image onto a substrate including a fuser element and apparatus ⁇ for heating the fuser element, and wherein the fuser element has a heat capacity sufficient to heat the image to a temperature at which adhesion to the substrate is improved, and a heat capacity low enough so that the surface temperature of the fuser element is substantially reduced during fusing.
  • the image is a toner image and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature below its melting point.
  • the image is a liquid toner image including particles and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the liquid toner image to a temperature below the melting point of the particles.
  • the image is a liquid image including pig-mented particles and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented particles.
  • the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the image to a temperature at which it solvates.
  • the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are operative to cool the image below the solvation temperature.
  • the image is a toner image and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature above its melting point.
  • the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature above the melting point of the pigmented particles.
  • the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are - b -
  • the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing 5 thereof.
  • the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
  • the fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder.
  • the thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than 125 * L5 microns.
  • apparatus for fusing an image onto a substrate including a fuser element and apparatus for heating the fuser element, wherein the fuser element comprises a thin walled
  • a fuser element comprising a thin walled cylinder having a thickness less than 125 microns.
  • the 25 thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about microns. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 30 microns.
  • the thin walled cylinder comprises a layer of Kapton and a thin release layer.
  • the thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 12 microns. Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the thin walled cylinder comprises a metallic material.
  • the thin walled cylinder comprises a layer of Nickel alloy and a thin release layer.
  • apparatus for passing electrical current through the thin walled cylinder for producing direct resistance heating thereof.
  • the fuser element also comprises means for axially tensioning the thin walled cylinder.
  • the thin walled cylinder is a pneumatically pressurized thin walled cylinder. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising the steps of: providing a fuser element; and heating the fuser element to cause the image to adhere to the substrate; and cooling the fuser element sufficiently such that the adhesion of the image thereto is less than the cohesion of the image.
  • a method for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising the steps of: providing a fuser element; and heating the fuser element, wherein the fuser element has a heat capacity sufficient to heat the image to a temperature at which adhesion to the substrate is improved, and a heat capacity low enough so that the surface temperature of the fuser element is substantially reduced during fusing.
  • the image is a toner image and the step of heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature below its melting point.
  • the image is a liquid toner image including particles and the step of heating is operative to heat the liquid toner image to a temperature below the melting point of the particles.
  • the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and the step of heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented particles.
  • the step of heating is operative to heat the image to a temperature at which it solvates.
  • the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to cool the image below the solvation temperature.
  • the image is a toner image and the step of heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature above its melting point.
  • the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and the step of heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature above the melting point of the pigmented particles.
  • the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to cool the image to below the melting point. Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
  • the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
  • the fuser element comprises a thin cylinder and the method also comprises the step of passing electrical current through the thin walled cylinder for producing direct resistance heating thereof.
  • the fuser element comprises a thin cylinder and the method also comprises the step of axially tensioning the thin walled cylinder.
  • the fuser element comprises a thin cylinder and the method also comprises the step of pneumatically pressurizing the thin walled cylinder.
  • FIG. 1 is a generalized schematic sectional illustration of fuser apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines IIB - IIB of Fig. 2A;
  • Fig. 3A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines IIIB - IIIB of Fig. 3A;
  • Fig. 4A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines IVB - IVB of Fig. 4A;
  • Fig. 5A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines VB - VB of Fig. 5A.
  • Fig. 1 there is shown fusing apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and comprising a fuser roller 10 which is operative to fuse an image, such as a toner image 12, on a substrate 14, such as paper.
  • the image bearing substrate 14 moves in a direction indicated by an arrow 16 between fuser roller 10 and a platan roller 18.
  • Toners suitable for the present invention include, but are not limited to, powder toners, toners of the type described in the examples in Published Patent specification GB 2169416A, or liquid toners, comprising pigmented solid particles which solvate at temperatures below the melting point of the solid particles, as well as liquid toners which do not solvate at a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented solid particles therein.
  • the fuser apparatus of Fig. 1 may be used in.connection with and form part of imaging apparatus such as an electrostatographic printing machine or alternatively any other suitable type of imaging apparatus.
  • imaging apparatus such as an electrostatographic printing machine or alternatively any other suitable type of imaging apparatus.
  • systems in which the present invention may be employed include electrophotography, electrography, ionography, xero-printing, gravure-like printing and electrostatic printing.
  • electrophotography electrography
  • ionography ionography
  • xero-printing xero-printing
  • gravure-like printing gravure-like printing
  • electrostatic printing For convenience, the description which follows is presented in the context of an electrophotographic system employing liquid toner, but without limiting the applicability of the present invention, Reference is now made to Figs. 2A - 5B which illustrate four alternative embodiments of fuser rollers constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the fuser roller comprises a thin-walled cylinder 70.
  • Cylinder 70 preferably is formed of two rigid end portions 72 and 74 and a thin cylindrical layer 76 typically coated with a release layer 78.
  • Typical materials and thicknesses are as follows: Layer 76 - Material: Kapton (DuPont) - Thickness: 20 microns
  • the layer 76 may be a 10 micron thick film of nickel alloy, such as nickel cobalt or nickel chromium and the release layer may be a 2 micron thick layer of Teflon.
  • the thin cylindrical layer 76 is axially tensioned, as by a spring arrangement 80, sufficient to eliminate most surface irregularities.
  • a suitable tension is 200 Kg/cm .
  • enhanced rigidity and surface uniformity of the thin-walled cylinder 70 is provided by pneumatically pressurizing the interior of the cylinder, by any suitable pressurized gas.
  • a valve 82 may be provided for this purpose.
  • the thin walled cylinder 70 is heated by the passage of electrical current along layer 76 via conductors 84 and 86, which establish an electrical circuit via end portions
  • layer 76 must either be or include a layer which is an electrical conductor of suitable characteristics.
  • the electrical power required to provide desired heating of fusing element 70 is relatively low.
  • Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate an alternative embodiment of heated fuser element wherein heating is provided by radiation.
  • a heating lamp 0 is disposed interior of a radiation transmissive tube 92, such as a quartz tube.
  • a fuser layer 96 Disposed in generally coaxial surrounding relationship with quartz tube 92 and supported on annular end supports 94 is a fuser layer 96 having formed therein a release layer 98.
  • layers 9 and 98 may be identical to layers 76 and 78 in the embodiment of Figs. 2A and 2B.
  • tensioning apparatus of the type illustrated in Fig. 2A is preferably employed.
  • Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate an alternative arrangement of heated fuser roller.
  • the roller 100 is preferably of the thin walled type described above. Heating of the roller 100 is provided externally of the roller by a heating station 102.
  • the heating station 102 employs radiant heaters, which heat the roller by radiation. Alternatively the heating station 102 may heat the roller 100 by conduction through direct contact with the roller.
  • a roller 110 is preferably thin walled. Heating of the roller 110 is provided by an internal radiant heater assembly 112 which is mounted internally of roller 110. Radiant heater 112 comprises an elongate radiative heat source 114 which is associated with a reflector 116, which prevents direct radiation from source 114 from reaching the area at which fusing occurs, thus providing differential heating of roller 110 and permitting cooling of the image during fusing as described hereinabove.
  • the weight of the reflector 116 ensures that when the reflector 116 is pivotably mounted with respect to the roller, they will retain the orientation illustrated notwithstanding - lb -
  • the hot fuser roller has a heat capacity per unit area which is sufficient to heat the toner material to the proper fusing temperature during the contact period, with the effective heat capacity per unit area being such that the thermal transfer to the paper is high enough to reduce the temperature of the roller surface, so that adhesion of the image to that surface is reduced.
  • the thin cylindrical member has an effective heat capacity sufficient to heat the toner material during fusing sufficiently, and then cool itself, before disengagement from the paper-image combination.
  • the fuser roller delivers a measured amount of heat energy while cooling.
  • the particular features of provision of the tensioning and/or pressurizing features of the roller allow for the use of material thin enough to provide this particular amount of heat capacity, and thin enough so that lateral heat transfer is relatively small, without which features the thin walled cylinder would not have the required rigidity.
  • the temperature to which the image must be heated and cooled depends on the characteristics of the material. For solid toners and for non solvating liquid toners this temperature preferably approximates the melting point of the solids, for solvating toners, this temperature preferably approximates the solvation temperature.
  • a fuser element including a thin surface or member which supports the image during transfer, the thin surface having an effective heat capacity which is less than that of the substrate.
  • the thin surface may be a cylindrical surface or any other suitable configuration. Normally, due to its thinness, the thermal conductivity along the surface is sufficiently small such that the thermal mass of the supports, such as end rollers for a cylindrical surface such as that shown in the drawings, may be disregarded.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Fuses (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de fixage d'une image thermoplastique sur un substrat comprenant un élément de fixation comportant un élément de fixage, ainsi qu'un appareil permettant de tendre l'élément de fixage mince.An apparatus for fixing a thermoplastic image to a substrate includes a fixing member having a fixing member, and an apparatus for tensioning the thin fixing member.

Description

Fusing apparatus and method.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to imaging apparatus and techniques and more particularly to apparatus and techniques for fusing of images on a substrate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various techniques for image fusing are known in the patent literature. The Background of the Invention section of U.S. Patent ,724,303 includes a survey of the patent literature relating to the use of thermal energy for fixing toner images. The disclosure of U.S. Patent 4,724,303 describes an instant-on fuser including a cylindrical, relatively thin metal cylinder supporting a resistive heating foil or printed circuit secured on the inside surface of the cylinder by a high temperature adhesive. The interior of the cylindrical tube contains ambient air. The heating foil or printed circuit is carried on a fiber glass substrate and the heating element is connected to electrical leads extending through caps on the ends of the cylindrical support. The combined thickness of the cylindrical member, the heating circuit and the adhesive is described as being between .005 and .01 inches.
U.S. Patent 3.948,214 also describes instant start fusing apparatus. Here the fuser roll has a cylindrical member made of quartz or other material which transmits radiant energy from a source located on the interior of the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member has a first layer made of elastomeric material which transmits radiant energy. The first layer is covered with a second layer of material which absorbs radiant energy. A third layer of material covers the second layer of heat absorbing material to effect a good toner release characteristic on the fuser roll surface. The fuser roll layers are relatively thin and have an instant start capability to fuse toner images onto support material, such as paper. U.S. Patent 3. 71.683 describes a heater roll suitable for use as a fuser roller in which heating is produced by a printed circuit formed into the surface of the roll, which receives electrical power through the roller shaft.
U.S. Patent 4,015.027 describes an electrophotographic toner transfer and fusing method wherein a heated image is supported on a roller or belt intermediate transfer medium employed for pressure transfer of dry toner images onto paper. At column 11, line 29 - column 12, line 38 there appears a detailed discussion of heating of images upon transfer thereof as proposed therein and as taught in the prior art including specifically U.S. Patent 3.591,276 to Byrne.
Reference is made to Figs. 5a - c, 6a - 6c, 7 and Jb of U.S. Patent 4,015,027- It is seen that in nearly all cases described, the toner is heated to at least its melting point during the transfer stage. In a technique proposed in U.S. Patent 4,015,027 and exemplified by Fig. 6(a), the toner is heated to at least its melting point prior to the transfer zone. In the transfer zone, the toner cools below its melting point during transfer and fusion. A belt construction characterized in that it has a very low heat capacitance and a thickness of between 15 and about 200 microns is proposed in U.S. Patent 4,015,027. In one embodiment the belt comprises a 50 micron layer of aluminized Kapton having a 25 micron coating of silicon rubber. Another embodiment employs a 12.5 micron layer of stainless steel instead of the Kapton together with a silicon rubber coating. A reflecting layer is incorporated in the belt to reduce heating thereof.
Reference is now made to the following published patent applications and issued patents in the field of electrophotography: GB published Patent Applications Nos. 2.169.416A and 2.176.904A and U.S. issued Patents Nos. 3.990,696, 4,233,381, 4,253,656, 4,256,820, 4,269.504, 4,278,884, 4,286,039, 4,302,093, 4,326,644, 4,326,792, 4,334.762, 4,350,333, 4,355,883, 4,362,297. 4,364,460, 4,364,657, 4,364,661, 4,368,881, 4,378,422, 4,392,742, 4,396,187, 4,400,079, 4,411,976, 4,412,383, 4,413,048, 4,418,903, 4,420,244, 4,435,068, 4,439,035, 4,454,215, 4,460,667, 4,473,865, 4,480,825, 4,501,486, 4,522,484, 4,531,824, 4,538,899. 4,582,774, 4,585,329, 4,586,810, 4,589,761, 4,598,992, 4,603,766, 4,620,699, 4,627,705, 4,678,317, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide improved fusing apparatus.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for fusing of an image onto a substrate including a fuser element and apparatus for heating the fuser element, the fuser element and the apparatus for heating being operative for heating the image so as to cause the image to adhere to the substrate and for cooling the θ fuser element sufficiently such that the adhesion of the image thereto is less than the cohesion of the image.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for fusing of an image onto a substrate including a fuser element and apparatus ~ for heating the fuser element, and wherein the fuser element has a heat capacity sufficient to heat the image to a temperature at which adhesion to the substrate is improved, and a heat capacity low enough so that the surface temperature of the fuser element is substantially reduced during fusing. 0 In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the image is a toner image and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature below its melting point.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention
5 the image is a liquid toner image including particles and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the liquid toner image to a temperature below the melting point of the particles.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention the image is a liquid image including pig-mented particles and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented particles.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the image to a temperature at which it solvates.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are operative to cool the image below the solvation temperature. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the image is a toner image and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature above its melting point.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and the apparatus for heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature above the melting point of the pigmented particles.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are - b -
operative to cool the image to below the melting point.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing 5 thereof.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fuser element and the apparatus for heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof. ]_0 Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than 125 *L5 microns.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided apparatus for fusing an image onto a substrate including a fuser element and apparatus for heating the fuser element, wherein the fuser element comprises a thin walled
20 cylinder of thickness less than 125 microns.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a fuser element comprising a thin walled cylinder having a thickness less than 125 microns.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the 25 thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about microns. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 30 microns.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the thin walled cylinder comprises a layer of Kapton and a thin release layer.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 12 microns. Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the thin walled cylinder comprises a metallic material.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the thin walled cylinder comprises a layer of Nickel alloy and a thin release layer.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is also provided apparatus for passing electrical current through the thin walled cylinder for producing direct resistance heating thereof. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element also comprises means for axially tensioning the thin walled cylinder.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment- of the invention, the thin walled cylinder is a pneumatically pressurized thin walled cylinder. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising the steps of: providing a fuser element; and heating the fuser element to cause the image to adhere to the substrate; and cooling the fuser element sufficiently such that the adhesion of the image thereto is less than the cohesion of the image. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising the steps of: providing a fuser element; and heating the fuser element, wherein the fuser element has a heat capacity sufficient to heat the image to a temperature at which adhesion to the substrate is improved, and a heat capacity low enough so that the surface temperature of the fuser element is substantially reduced during fusing. Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the image is a toner image and the step of heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature below its melting point.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the image is a liquid toner image including particles and the step of heating is operative to heat the liquid toner image to a temperature below the melting point of the particles. Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and the step of heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented particles.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the step of heating is operative to heat the image to a temperature at which it solvates.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to cool the image below the solvation temperature.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the image is a toner image and the step of heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature above its melting point.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and the step of heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature above the melting point of the pigmented particles.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to cool the image to below the melting point. Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element and the step of heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element comprises a thin cylinder and the method also comprises the step of passing electrical current through the thin walled cylinder for producing direct resistance heating thereof.
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the fuser element comprises a thin cylinder and the method also comprises the step of axially tensioning the thin walled cylinder.
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fuser element comprises a thin cylinder and the method also comprises the step of pneumatically pressurizing the thin walled cylinder.
1 t
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a generalized schematic sectional illustration of fuser apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines IIB - IIB of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines IIIB - IIIB of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines IVB - IVB of Fig. 4A;
Fig. 5A is a side sectional illustration of a heated thin-walled fuser element constructed and operative in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 5B is a sectional illustration taken along the lines VB - VB of Fig. 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown fusing apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and comprising a fuser roller 10 which is operative to fuse an image, such as a toner image 12, on a substrate 14, such as paper. The image bearing substrate 14 moves in a direction indicated by an arrow 16 between fuser roller 10 and a platan roller 18.
Toners suitable for the present invention include, but are not limited to, powder toners, toners of the type described in the examples in Published Patent specification GB 2169416A, or liquid toners, comprising pigmented solid particles which solvate at temperatures below the melting point of the solid particles, as well as liquid toners which do not solvate at a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented solid particles therein.
The fuser apparatus of Fig. 1 may be used in.connection with and form part of imaging apparatus such as an electrostatographic printing machine or alternatively any other suitable type of imaging apparatus. Examples of systems in which the present invention may be employed include electrophotography, electrography, ionography, xero-printing, gravure-like printing and electrostatic printing. For convenience, the description which follows is presented in the context of an electrophotographic system employing liquid toner, but without limiting the applicability of the present invention, Reference is now made to Figs. 2A - 5B which illustrate four alternative embodiments of fuser rollers constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fuser roller comprises a thin-walled cylinder 70. Cylinder 70 preferably is formed of two rigid end portions 72 and 74 and a thin cylindrical layer 76 typically coated with a release layer 78. Typical materials and thicknesses are as follows: Layer 76 - Material: Kapton (DuPont) - Thickness: 20 microns
Release layer 78 - Material: Teflon (DuPont) - Thickness: 10 microns According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the layer 76 may be a 10 micron thick film of nickel alloy, such as nickel cobalt or nickel chromium and the release layer may be a 2 micron thick layer of Teflon.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thin cylindrical layer 76 is axially tensioned, as by a spring arrangement 80, sufficient to eliminate most surface irregularities. For the above-described example employing Kapton, 2 a suitable tension is 200 Kg/cm .
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, enhanced rigidity and surface uniformity of the thin-walled cylinder 70 is provided by pneumatically pressurizing the interior of the cylinder, by any suitable pressurized gas. A valve 82 may be provided for this purpose.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thin walled cylinder 70 is heated by the passage of electrical current along layer 76 via conductors 84 and 86, which establish an electrical circuit via end portions
72 and 74. In this case layer 76 must either be or include a layer which is an electrical conductor of suitable characteristics.
Ill the above stated example, the electrical power required to provide desired heating of fusing element 70 is relatively low.
Reference is now made to Figs. 3A and 3B which illustrate an alternative embodiment of heated fuser element wherein heating is provided by radiation. Here a heating lamp 0 is disposed interior of a radiation transmissive tube 92, such as a quartz tube. Disposed in generally coaxial surrounding relationship with quartz tube 92 and supported on annular end supports 94 is a fuser layer 96 having formed therein a release layer 98. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, layers 9 and 98 may be identical to layers 76 and 78 in the embodiment of Figs. 2A and 2B. In such a case tensioning apparatus of the type illustrated in Fig. 2A is preferably employed. Reference is now made to Figs. 5A and 5B, which illustrate an alternative arrangement of heated fuser roller. The roller 100 is preferably of the thin walled type described above. Heating of the roller 100 is provided externally of the roller by a heating station 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating station 102 employs radiant heaters, which heat the roller by radiation. Alternatively the heating station 102 may heat the roller 100 by conduction through direct contact with the roller.
Reference is now made to Figs. 4A and 4B, which illustrate a further alternative of heated fuser roller. Here, once again, a roller 110 is preferably thin walled. Heating of the roller 110 is provided by an internal radiant heater assembly 112 which is mounted internally of roller 110. Radiant heater 112 comprises an elongate radiative heat source 114 which is associated with a reflector 116, which prevents direct radiation from source 114 from reaching the area at which fusing occurs, thus providing differential heating of roller 110 and permitting cooling of the image during fusing as described hereinabove.
The weight of the reflector 116 ensures that when the reflector 116 is pivotably mounted with respect to the roller, they will retain the orientation illustrated notwithstanding - lb -
rotation of the roller 110.
It will be understood that it is a particular feature of the invention that the hot fuser roller has a heat capacity per unit area which is sufficient to heat the toner material to the proper fusing temperature during the contact period, with the effective heat capacity per unit area being such that the thermal transfer to the paper is high enough to reduce the temperature of the roller surface, so that adhesion of the image to that surface is reduced. Simply stated, the thin cylindrical member has an effective heat capacity sufficient to heat the toner material during fusing sufficiently, and then cool itself, before disengagement from the paper-image combination. Functionally, the fuser roller delivers a measured amount of heat energy while cooling. Furthermore, the particular features of provision of the tensioning and/or pressurizing features of the roller allow for the use of material thin enough to provide this particular amount of heat capacity, and thin enough so that lateral heat transfer is relatively small, without which features the thin walled cylinder would not have the required rigidity.
As the image is cooled, its viscosity and cohesiveness are increased. The adhesion of the image to the substrate is greater than its adhesion to the release coated fuser roller, thus substantially preventing transfer of the image to the roller. Clearly the temperature to which the image must be heated and cooled depends on the characteristics of the material. For solid toners and for non solvating liquid toners this temperature preferably approximates the melting point of the solids, for solvating toners, this temperature preferably approximates the solvation temperature.
Additionally, it is the provision of a thin walled cylinder which makes the direct heating of the surface possible. Additionally, the low heat capacity and transverse heat conduction combine to allow the fuser to heat substantially during the relatively long period before the fusing operation, without high heat requirements and without excessive heat transfer to the paper.
It is thus a particular feature of the present invention that there is provided a fuser element including a thin surface or member which supports the image during transfer, the thin surface having an effective heat capacity which is less than that of the substrate.
The thin surface may be a cylindrical surface or any other suitable configuration. Normally, due to its thinness, the thermal conductivity along the surface is sufficiently small such that the thermal mass of the supports, such as end rollers for a cylindrical surface such as that shown in the drawings, may be disregarded.
The advantages of the use of a fuser element having the proper effective thermal mass are summarized below: a. enabling the image being fused to cool during transfer, as has already been described; b. enabling rapid cooling of the fuser; c. limiting the amount of thermal energy passed to the paper and thus limiting paper deformation. d. low electrical power requirements. e. "instant on" start up.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

C L A I M S
1. Apparatus for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising: a fuser element; and means for heating said fuser element, said fuser element and said means for heating being operative for heating the image so as to cause the image to adhere to the substrate and for cooling said fuser element sufficiently such that the adhesion of the image thereto is less than the cohesion of the image.
2. Apparatus for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising: a fuser element; and means for heating said fuser element, wherein said fuser element has a heat capacity sufficient to heat the image to a temperature at which adhesion to the substrate is improved, and a heat capacity low enough so that the surface temperature of said fuser element is substantially reduced during fusing.
3. Apparatus for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising: a fuser element; and mesa.ns for heating said fuser element, wherein said fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder of thickness less than 125 microns.
4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the image is a toner image and wherein said means for heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature below its melting point.
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the image is a liquid toner image including particles and wherein said means for heating is operative to heat the liquid toner image to a temperature below the melting point of the particles.
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and wherein said means for heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented particles.
7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said means for heating is operative to heat the image to a temperature at which it solvates.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 and wherein said fuser element and said means for heating are operative to cool the image below the solvation temperature.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the image is a toner image and wherein said means for heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature above its melting point.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and wherein said means for heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature above the melting point of the pigmented particles.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said fuser element and said means for heating are operative to cool the image to below its melting point.
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said fuser element and said means for heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
13- Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said fuser element and said means for heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than 125 microns.
16. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said fuser element and said means for heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
17. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said fuser element and said means for heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
18. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than 125 microns.
20. A fuser element comprising a thin walled cylinder having a thickness less than 125 microns.
21. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 5 microns.
22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 30 microns.
23- Apparatus according to claims 3 or 20 wherein said thin walled cylinder comprises a layer of Kapton and a thin release layer.
24. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 12 microns.
25. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said thin walled cylinder comprises a metallic material.
26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said thin walled cylinder comprises a layer of Nickel alloy and a thin release layer.
27. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 50 microns.
28. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 30 microns.
2 . Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 12 microns.
30. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said thin walled . cylinder has a thickness less than about 50 microns.
31- Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 30 microns.
32. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said thin walled cylinder has a thickness less than about 12 microns.
33- Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said thin walled cylinder comprises a metallic material.
34. Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said thin walled 0 cylinder comprises a metallic material.
35- Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said thin walled cylinder comprises a metallic material.
36. Apparatus according to claim 20 and also comprising means -, 5 for passing electrical current through said thin walled cylinder for producing direct resistance heating thereof.
37- Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said fuser element also comprises means for axially tensioning said thin walled 20 cylinder.
38. Apparatus according to claim 14 and wherein said thin walled cylinder is a pneumatically pressurized thin walled cylinder.
25
39- Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 20 wherein said fuser element also comprises means for axially tensioning said thin walled cylinder.
40. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 20 and wherein said thin walled cylinder is a pneumatically pressurized thin walled cylinder.
41. A method for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising the steps of: providing a fuser element; and heating said fuser element to cause the image to adhere to the substrate; and
-cooling said fuser element sufficiently such that the adhesion of the image thereto is less than the cohesion of the image.
42. A method for fusing of an image onto a substrate comprising the steps of: providing a fuser element; and heating said fuser element, wherein said fuser element has a heat capacity sufficient to heat the image to a temperature at which adhesion to the substrate is improved, and a heat capacity low enough so that the surface temperature of said fuser element is substantially reduced during fusing.
3. A method according to claim 4l or 42 wherein the image is a toner image and wherein said step of heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature below its melting point.
44. A method according to claim 4l or 42 wherein the image is a liquid toner image including particles, and wherein said step of heating is operative to heat the liquid toner image to a temperature below the melting point of the particles.
45. A method according to claim 4l or 42 wherein the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and wherein said step of heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature below the melting point of the pigmented particles.
46. A method according to claim 44 wherein said step of heating is operative to heat the image to a temperature at which it solvates.
7. A method according to claim 46 and wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to cool the image below the solvation temperature.
48. A method according to either of claims 41 or 42 wherein the image is a toner image and wherein said step of heating is operative to heat the toner image to a temperature above its melting point.
49- A method according to either of claims 4l or 42 wherein the image is a liquid image including pigmented particles and wherein said step of heating is operative to heat the liquid image to a temperature above the melting point of the pigmented particles.
50. A method according to claim 48 and wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to cool the image to below said melting point.
51- A method according to either of claims 4l or 42 and wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
52. A method according to either of claims 4l or 42 wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
53- A method according to claim 46 and wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to increase -the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
54. A method according to claim 46 wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
55- A method according to claim 48 and wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
56. A method according to claim 48 wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
57- A method according to claim 49 and wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to increase the viscosity of the image during fusing thereof.
58. A method according to claim 49 wherein said fuser element and said step of heating are operative to produce increased cohesion of the image during fusing thereof.
59- A method according to claim 4l or 42 and wherein said fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder and also comprising the step of passing electrical current through said thin walled cylinder for producing direct resistance heating thereof.
6θ. A method according to claim 4l or 42 and wherein said fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder and also comprising the step of axially tensioning said thin walled cylinder.
61. A method according to claim 4l or 42 and wherein said fuser element comprises a thin walled cylinder and also comprising the step of pneumatically pressurizing said thin walled cylinder.
EP89910677A 1988-09-08 1989-09-07 Fusing apparatus and method Expired - Lifetime EP0433381B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94200756A EP0608965B1 (en) 1988-09-08 1989-09-07 Fusing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB888821107A GB8821107D0 (en) 1988-09-08 1988-09-08 Fusing apparatus
GB8821107 1988-09-08
GB8823258 1988-10-04
GB888823258A GB8823258D0 (en) 1988-10-04 1988-10-04 Fusing apparatus
US293431 1989-01-04
US07/293,431 US5157238A (en) 1988-09-08 1989-01-04 Fusing apparatus and method
PCT/NL1989/000066 WO1990002977A2 (en) 1988-09-08 1989-09-07 Fusing apparatus and method

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94200756A Division EP0608965B1 (en) 1988-09-08 1989-09-07 Fusing apparatus
EP94200756.8 Division-Into 1994-03-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0433381A1 true EP0433381A1 (en) 1991-06-26
EP0433381B1 EP0433381B1 (en) 1995-02-01

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EP89910677A Expired - Lifetime EP0433381B1 (en) 1988-09-08 1989-09-07 Fusing apparatus and method

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EP (1) EP0433381B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3054162B2 (en)
DE (2) DE68928572T2 (en)
HK (2) HK147295A (en)
WO (1) WO1990002977A2 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0505030A3 (en) * 1991-03-16 1993-03-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Fixing apparatus

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US3813516A (en) * 1969-12-29 1974-05-28 Ibm Apparatus for temperature control for a heated rotating cylinder
US3948215A (en) * 1972-03-14 1976-04-06 Ricoh Co., Ltd. Fixing toner images in electrophotography
US4001544A (en) * 1973-11-16 1977-01-04 Wifo Wissenschaftliches Forschungs-Institut A.G. Apparatus for fixing electrophotographic images
JPS52127341A (en) * 1976-04-19 1977-10-25 Canon Inc Fixing device for copying machne for electronic photography
JPS57189170A (en) * 1981-05-18 1982-11-20 Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd Thermal roller type fixing device
US4533231A (en) * 1981-08-04 1985-08-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Fixing device
JPS5938772A (en) * 1982-08-30 1984-03-02 Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd Image forming method
US4512649A (en) * 1983-10-11 1985-04-23 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser apparatus
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US4653897A (en) * 1984-12-24 1987-03-31 Xerox Corporation Low mass conformable heat and pressure fuser
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68928572D1 (en) 1998-03-05
EP0433381B1 (en) 1995-02-01
DE68928572T2 (en) 1998-08-13
JP3054162B2 (en) 2000-06-19
DE68921005T2 (en) 1995-08-31
WO1990002977A2 (en) 1990-03-22
DE68921005D1 (en) 1995-03-16
JPH04501921A (en) 1992-04-02
HK1008757A1 (en) 1999-05-14
HK147295A (en) 1995-09-22
WO1990002977A3 (en) 1990-04-19

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