EP0470860B1 - Procédé de fixage par fusion pour appareil de reproduction électrophotographique - Google Patents

Procédé de fixage par fusion pour appareil de reproduction électrophotographique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0470860B1
EP0470860B1 EP91307358A EP91307358A EP0470860B1 EP 0470860 B1 EP0470860 B1 EP 0470860B1 EP 91307358 A EP91307358 A EP 91307358A EP 91307358 A EP91307358 A EP 91307358A EP 0470860 B1 EP0470860 B1 EP 0470860B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pressure
envelope
nip
transfer medium
fuser
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91307358A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0470860A2 (fr
EP0470860A3 (en
Inventor
Stephen Alexander Oleska
Larry Joe Rice
John O'neil Schaefer
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.)
Lexmark International Inc
Original Assignee
Lexmark International Inc
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
Application filed by Lexmark International Inc filed Critical Lexmark International Inc
Publication of EP0470860A2 publication Critical patent/EP0470860A2/fr
Publication of EP0470860A3 publication Critical patent/EP0470860A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0470860B1 publication Critical patent/EP0470860B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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

  • This invention relates generally to electrophotographic reproduction apparatus, such as printers and copiers, which employ pressure for fusing a toned image onto a transfer medium.
  • the invention more particularly concerns such apparatus in which, at least some of the time, images are fused to multiple ply transfer media such as envelopes.
  • envelopes as well as cut sheets of paper can serve as the transfer media upon which information is printed.
  • a printer typically employs a fuser which fuses a toner image of the information to be printed onto the paper or envelope.
  • This fuser is usually made up of a fuser roller urged against a backup roller to form a pressure nip through which the transfer medium passes.
  • the fuser roll is heated and has a relatively rigid outer surface, while the backup roll is softer and can be deformed somewhat to form the pressure nip.
  • the present invention is characterised by the pressure at the pressure nip being substantially reduced for one or more brief intervals as the toned image on the transfer medium advances through the pressure nip.
  • the fuser takes the form of a heated fuser roll and a backup roll biased together by a spring force to form a pressure nip, wherein the spring force is substantially reduced for one or more brief intervals during fusing.
  • an electrophotographic printer 11 includes conventional imaging, development and transfer stations, designated collectively as 12, for placing a toner image on a transfer medium, such as an envelope 13.
  • a transfer medium such as an envelope 13.
  • the toner image on the envelope 13 is fused to the envelope by heat and pressure as it passes through a nip 14 between a fuser roll 16 and a backup roll 17, which are biased together by a spring 18.
  • the fuser roll 16 is heated, such as by an internal heating lamp (not shown), and the fusing of the toner image on the envelope 13 as it passes through the nip 14 is a combination of heat and pressure fusing.
  • the envelope 13 passes through the nip 14 and exits the printer 11 along the path designated 19.
  • the force of the spring 18 urging the rolls 16 and 17 together is briefly removed several times during the fusing process. This permits the layers of the envelope to move relative to one another, substantially eliminating wrinkling and creasing of the envelope during fusing.
  • a solenoid 21, operable to reduce the force of the spring 18, is momentarily activated several times as the envelope 13 passes through the nip 14.
  • a sensor 22 senses the leading edge of the envelope 13 as the envelope has begun to pass through the nip 14.
  • a function generator 23 briefly supplies a drive signal to a solenoid driver 24 to drive the solenoid 21. The drive signal is repeated several times as the envelope 13 passes through the fuser nip 14.
  • the fuser rolls 16 and 17 are mounted at each end in a frame 31.
  • the fuser roll 16 is a heated roll (heated by an interior bulb, not shown) having a hard exterior surface coated with Teflon or a similar material.
  • the backup roll 17 has a yieldable surface, formed by a layer of material such as silicon rubber.
  • the fuser roll 16 rotates within bearings 32 (shown partially broken away in Figure 2), 33 at each end of the fuser roll.
  • the backup roll 17 has a metal spindle 34 rotatably supported in a ball bearing 36 at one end of the backup roll and a corresponding spindle 37 and ball bearing 38 at its other end.
  • the spindles 34, 37 extend from a metal core (not shown) of the backup roll 17 which is surrounded by a silicon rubber layer, which contacts the fuser roll at the fuser nip.
  • the fuser roll 16 is driven through a gear 42 secured to an end of the roll 16, by the printer drive (not shown).
  • the backup roll 17 is loaded against the fuser roll 16 by the spring 18, and a spring 43 at the other end of the roll, and is driven by the fuser roll 16 through friction.
  • the loading of the soft backup roll 17 against the fuser roll 16 causes a slight flattening of the backup roll 17 along its length, this deformation defining the fuser roll nip.
  • the spring 18 is supported at its lower end by a plastic spring holder 44 (not shown in Figure 2) mounted on a portion 46 of the frame 31.
  • the top of the spring 18 is received within a portion 47 of a plastic backup roll bearing housing 48, which carries the bearing 36 for the backup roll.
  • the spring 43 is supported at its lower end on a spring holder 49 which is in turn supported on a portion 51 of the frame 31.
  • a bearing housing 52 corresponding to the bearing housing 48, receives the upper end of the spring 43 and holds the backup roll bearing 38.
  • the spring 43 urges the bearing housing 52 and bearing 38 upwardly, and the spring 18 urges the bearing housing 48 and the bearing 36 upwardly, thereby maintaining the pressure between the fuser roll 16 and the backup roll 17 at the fuser nip.
  • envelopes are fed near the end of the fuser roll nip adjacent the spring 18 and the bearing 36.
  • the pressure at the fuser roll nip at this end of the roll is momentarily relieved a number of times during the fusing of an envelope by exerting a force to overcome the force of the spring 18.
  • the force to overcome the load of the spring 18 is supplied by the solenoid 21.
  • the solenoid 21 is mounted on a bracket 53 which is attached to the frame 31.
  • a pin 57 is attached to the core 54 of the solenoid 21.
  • the pin 57 has an enlarged cylindrical head 58 received within a spring clip 59 mounted in the bearing housing 48.
  • the pin 57 extends through an opening in the bottom portion 61 of the spring clip 59 and is free to tilt and translate slightly in any direction to accommodate misalignments of the solenoid 21 and the bearing housing 48.
  • An envelope 13 is driven into the fuser nip by the printer paper feed system (not shown). As the envelope 13 passes through the nip, stresses are generated on the surface of the plys of paper of the envelope. These stresses typically cause a wave or bubble to be formed between the two layers of the envelope 13.
  • the envelope engages an exit flag 62, activating a photosensor 63.
  • the exit flag 62 and the photosensor 63 comprise the sensor 22 of Figure 1.
  • a pulse from the activation of the photosensor 63 initiates the operation of the electrical driver circuit 24 and the function generator 23, which drive the solenoid 21.
  • the solenoid allows the stresses on the envelope 13 to relax and permits bubbles to disappear. As the envelope 13 continues to move through the nip, more stresses are generated, and additional bubbles form. Therefore, after a selected time interval from the first actuation of the solenoid 21, the solenoid is again actuated to release the pressure between the fuser and backup rolls at the solenoid end of the rolls.
  • the spacing between pulses of the solenoid is chosen in dependence upon various parameters. Stresses build up in envelopes at rates which depend upon the weight of the paper used to form the envelope (for example 60 g/m 2 , (16 pounds) to 90 g/m 2 (24 pounds)), and upon humidity conditions. In the illustrated fuser system, a spacing of approximately 38 to 51 mm (1.5 to 2 inches) between activations of the solenoid has been found to operate satisfactorily over a range of papers and for humidities normally encountered.
  • upper and lower redrive rollers 64, 66 in the printer pull the envelope 13 along the path 19 as the envelope moves through and out of the fuser roll nip.
  • the function generator 23 and driver 24 continue pulsing the solenoid as the envelope 13 is pulled along the paper path 19 until the trailing end of the envelope 13 exits the fuser nip.
  • the current to the solenoid from the solenoid driver is controlled to rise and fall in a profile to be described subsequently.
  • the current profile minimizes the dynamics of the backup roll/solenoid system, to provide quiet operation of the system.
  • the duration of the solenoid pulse is such that separation between the fuser roll 16 and the backup roll 17 occurs for about 20 milliseconds. This provides time for the removal of the built-up stresses on the envelope 13 and yet maintains all portions of the envelope in the fuser nip under pressure for a sufficient time to provide adequate fuse quality of the toner image on the envelope.
  • the envelope 13 enters the fuser nip at a velocity of 51 mm/s (two inches per second).
  • a pressure load of approximately 6.8 kg (15 pounds) between the silicon rubber backup roll and the rigid fuser roll creates a deformation in the backup roll of approximately 2.54 mm (0.100 inches). Therefore, a given section of the envelope is in the fuser nip for about 50 milliseconds.
  • the set-point temperature for the fuser roll nip is about 180°C. This pressure, heat and time is sufficient to attain good fuse quality over a wide range of operating conditions.
  • a time interval sufficient to allow the leading edge of the envelope to reach the redrive rollers (64,66 in Figure 2) is allowed to pass before the first solenoid pulse is initiated.
  • This delay interval causes the first pulse to occur approximately 38 mm (1.5 inches) from the leading edge of the envelope. This distance is designated X0 in Figure 4.
  • the number of pulses and spacing therebetween are controlled by the function generator 23 in the illustrated form of the invention.
  • a Wavetek 175 arbitrary waveform generator has been used for this purpose in one form of the invention.
  • the function generator signals could be produced by the control software for the printer as part of the general printer control function.
  • the pulses occur about one second apart, or each 51mm (two inches) along the envelope. This results in four pulses (as shown in Figure 4) for a number 10 (240mm (9 1/2 inch)) envelope, or three pulses for a number 7 3/4 (190mm (7 1/2 inch)) envelope.
  • the length of the envelope can be automatically determined in the pre-fuser portion 12 of the printer 11 such as by measuring the time differential between making and breaking a paper sensor switch. This information can be used by the function generator 23 to determine the number of solenoid pulses required.
  • the current pulse produced by the driver 24 tracks the voltage produced by the function generator 23, and takes the form shown in Figures 5 and 6.
  • the current pulse to the solenoid 21 results in a displacement of the backup roll as shown in Figure 6.
  • the motion required to separate the rolls in the illustrated form of the invention is approximately 0.762mm (0.030 inches) .
  • the time of separation for proper function can be as short as 5 milliseconds and as long as 20 milliseconds. Between these limits, the envelope has sufficient time to "relax" and the fuse grade is not significantly affected.
  • the heated fuser roll is a one millimeter thick aluminum tube having a 0.025mm (0.001 inch) thick coating of Teflon or Silverstone or the like.
  • the backup roll is made up of a 10 millimeter diameter steel rod inside a 6 millimeter thick 25 dur SHORE A silicon rubber roll.
  • the present invention provides a method of forming an image in an electrophotographic reproduction apparatus of the foregoing type in which creasing, folding, and treeing of envelopes is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Combination Of More Than One Step In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Color Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Color, Gradation (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Procédé de formation d'une image sur un support de transfert (13) dans un appareil de reproduction électrophotographique, comprenant les étapes de :
    développement d'une image de toner et transfert de cette image au dit support de transfert ; et
    fixage de l'image de toner au support de transfert par avance du support de transfert, portant l'image de toner, à travers un pincement sous pression (14) ; caractérisé en ce qu'on réduit sensiblement la pression, à l'endroit du pincement sous pression, pendant un ou plusieurs brefs intervalles tandis que l'image de toner sur le support de transfert avance à travers le pincement sous pression.
  2. Procédé suivant la revendication 1, dans lequel la position du support de transfert (13) est détectée lorsque celui-ci commence à passer dans le pincement sous pression (14) et un signal de position est engendré.
  3. Procédé suivant la revendication 2, dans lequel la pression à l'endroit du pincement sous pression (14) est sensiblement réduite en réponse au signal de position.
  4. Procédé suivant une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la pression à l'endroit du pincement sous pression (14) est sensiblement réduite pendant un bref intervalle compris entre 5 et 20 millisecondes.
  5. Procédé suivant une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la pression à l'endroit du pincement sous pression (14) est sensiblement réduite, en une série d'impulsions régulièrement espacées.
  6. Procédé suivant la revendication 5, dans lequel il est prévu une temporisation avant la première impulsion, afin que le support de transfert (13) avance assez loin à travers le pincement sous pression (14) pour atteindre un groupe de rouleaux de reprise (64, 66).
  7. Procédé suivant la revendication 6, dans lequel la première impulsion se produit à 38 mm environ du bord avant du support de transfert (13).
  8. Procédé suivant la revendication 5, 6 ou 7, dans lequel les impulsions sont mutuellement espacées d'une distance comprise entre 38 et 51 mm le long du support de transfert (13).
  9. Procédé suivant la revendication 5, 6 ou 7, dans lequel les impulsions sont mutuellement espacées d'une seconde environ.
EP91307358A 1990-08-10 1991-08-09 Procédé de fixage par fusion pour appareil de reproduction électrophotographique Expired - Lifetime EP0470860B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US56558390A 1990-08-10 1990-08-10
US565583 1990-08-10

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0470860A2 EP0470860A2 (fr) 1992-02-12
EP0470860A3 EP0470860A3 (en) 1992-07-22
EP0470860B1 true EP0470860B1 (fr) 1996-11-20

Family

ID=24259265

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91307358A Expired - Lifetime EP0470860B1 (fr) 1990-08-10 1991-08-09 Procédé de fixage par fusion pour appareil de reproduction électrophotographique

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0470860B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3219791B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR9103425A (fr)
DE (1) DE69123197T2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8346147B2 (en) 2009-05-07 2013-01-01 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Fixing unit and image forming apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111703945B (zh) * 2019-08-23 2021-10-12 杭州富阳新堰纸制品有限公司 一种用于塑料膜的去皱设备

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0413941A2 (fr) * 1989-08-25 1991-02-27 International Business Machines Corporation Procédé et appareil de fixage à chaleur d'enveloppes

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4119831A (en) * 1977-03-14 1978-10-10 Rank Xerox, Ltd. Contact pressure adjusting device in heating pressing fixing apparatus for electrophotographic copiers
US4753543A (en) * 1985-06-24 1988-06-28 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Electrostatic printing apparatus with heated adjustable pressure toner fixing rolls
JPS6292979A (ja) * 1985-10-18 1987-04-28 Mita Ind Co Ltd 定着装置

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0413941A2 (fr) * 1989-08-25 1991-02-27 International Business Machines Corporation Procédé et appareil de fixage à chaleur d'enveloppes

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8346147B2 (en) 2009-05-07 2013-01-01 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Fixing unit and image forming apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0470860A2 (fr) 1992-02-12
DE69123197D1 (de) 1997-01-02
EP0470860A3 (en) 1992-07-22
DE69123197T2 (de) 1997-04-17
BR9103425A (pt) 1992-05-19
JPH06342248A (ja) 1994-12-13
JP3219791B2 (ja) 2001-10-15

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