JP2002244467A - Fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device equipped with a release agent supply device capable of uniformly supplying a release agent to a fixing roller or the like even when an image forming device is installed in an inclined state. SOLUTION: This fixing device is equipped with a fixing part consisting of the fixing roller 2 and a pressure roller 3 press-contacting with the roller 2, and the release agent supply device for supplying the release agent (silicone oil 22) to at least either the roller 2 or the roller 3. The release agent supply device is disposed above the fixing part and constituted of a cylindrical body (oil supply pipe 16) provided with a plurality of holes 23 on its upper surface in an axial direction, and a release agent supply pump (oil supply pump 14) for supplying the release agent to the cylindrical body. Then, a release agent supply pipe (oil supply tube 15) for making the release agent supply pump communicate with the cylindrical body is connected to the center part of the cylindrical body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing device used in an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to supplying a release agent (for example, silicone oil) to a fixing roller or a pressure roller pressed against the fixing roller. Device having a release agent supply device for the fixing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer is provided with a fixing device for fixing toner transferred to a recording material (paper). On the surface of a fixing roller provided in such a fixing device, a release agent such as silicone oil is usually used to offset the toner image with respect to the fixing roller and to form a stable image by preventing paper wrapping. Is supplied in the required amount. In addition, the fixing device is provided with a release agent supply device for applying silicone oil to the surface of the fixing roller.

A fixing device provided with the above-described release agent supply device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-137317. Hereinafter, a fixing device described in JP-A-8-137317 will be described. Note that members having the same functions as those of the fixing device of the present invention described later are denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

[0004] The fixing device described in the above publication is disclosed in FIG.
As shown in (1), the upper fixing roller (fixing roller) 2 and the lower fixing roller (pressure roller) are arranged so as to be in pressure contact with each other.
3 is provided. On the side of the upper fixing roller 2, an oil application roller 9 for applying the silicone oil 22 is arranged in contact with the upper fixing roller 2. Further, the fixing device is provided with a release agent supply device for supplying the silicone oil 22 to the oil application roller 9.

That is, an oil tank 13 for accumulating silicon oil 22 is provided below the fixing device. Then, the silicone oil 22 is sucked up from the oil tank 13 by the electromagnetic oil supply pump 14, and is fixed through the oil supply tube 15.
The silicon oil 22 is supplied to the oil supply pipe 16 extending in the longitudinal direction of the third oil supply line 3. A plurality of holes 23 are provided on the upper surface side of the oil supply pipe 16 to enable uniform oil supply in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rollers 2 and 3. Then, the silicone oil 22 is dropped from the plurality of holes 23 onto the oil application roller 9 and the oil supply felt 17 in a rain-like manner.

In such a releasing agent supply device, the balance of the oil supply amount in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rollers 2 and 3 is very important. That is, the fixing roller 2,
In the case where there is a portion where the supply amount of the silicone oil 22 is insufficient due to an imbalance in the oil supply amount in the longitudinal direction of 3, problems such as wrapping of the paper and offset of the toner image occur. Therefore, in the oil supply pipe 16, a plurality of holes 23 are formed upward (upper side) with respect to the installation surface (floor surface) of the image forming apparatus, and when the image forming apparatus is installed horizontally, The setting is such that the silicon oil 22 is discharged (supplied) from all the holes 23.

In order to maintain a quantitative balance of the oil supply, a plurality of holes 23 provided in the oil supply pipe 16 are provided with the oil supply pump 14 as shown in FIGS. The hole diameter is changed according to the distance. That is, the hole diameter is set so as to gradually increase from the upstream side to the downstream side of the oil supply pump 14 (φ
A <φB).

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional fixing device, the electromagnetic oil supply pump 14, which is usually used because of its low cost, supplies the silicon oil 22 by an intermittent operation. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 15, the amount of the silicon oil 22 flowing out of the plurality of holes 23 provided in the oil supply pipe 16 near the oil supply pump 14 increases, and May flow down to a position other than the location where the toner is to be supplied (the surfaces of the fixing rollers 2 and 3 and the oil wick).

As described above, when the silicon oil 22 flows down to a position other than the position where the silicon oil 22 is to be supplied, an oil leak occurs, and the inside of the image forming apparatus and the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed are soiled. The problem that occurs. In addition, the oil supply amount balance from the release agent supply device is likely to change, and the oil supply amount is reduced at a location far from the oil supply pump 14 (downstream of the oil passage). That is, there is a problem that most of the silicon oil 22 flows down to the front side.

[0010] In addition, it is rare that the floor of the image forming apparatus is completely horizontal, and the image forming apparatus may be installed at an angle. When the image forming apparatus tilts in this manner, the oil supply pipe 16 also tilts. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, if the rear side of the oil supply pipe 16 (downstream in the oil supply direction) is inclined, the silicon oil 22 is difficult to be completely supplied to the rear side of the oil supply pipe 16. This makes it difficult for the silicon oil 22 to be supplied from the rear hole 23 in the oil supply pipe 16. For this reason, uniform oil supply in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rollers 2 and 3 cannot be performed, and there is a problem that a toner image is offset or paper is wrapped in a portion where the oil is insufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a mold release device capable of supplying a uniform release agent to a fixing roller or the like even when the image forming apparatus is installed at an angle. An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device provided with an agent supply device.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a fixing device comprising: a fixing unit including a fixing roller and a pressure roller pressed against the fixing roller; and a mold release unit for at least one of the fixing roller and the pressure roller. A release agent supply device for supplying an agent, the release agent supply device is disposed above the fixing unit, and a plurality of holes are provided on an upper surface along an axial direction. A cylindrical body, and a release agent supply pump for supplying a release agent to the cylindrical body, the release agent supply pump and the cylindrical body at the center of the cylindrical body A release agent supply pipe for communication is connected.

In this case, it is preferable that a connecting portion between the cylindrical body and the release agent supply pipe is located on an upper surface of the cylindrical body.

Further, the fixing device according to the present invention supplies a releasing agent to a fixing unit including a fixing roller and a pressure roller pressed against the fixing roller, and at least one of the fixing roller and the pressure roller. And a release agent supply device, the release agent supply device is disposed above the fixing unit, and has a cylindrical body provided with a plurality of holes on an upper surface along an axial direction. And a release agent supply pump for supplying a release agent to the cylindrical body, and for communicating the release agent supply pump and the cylindrical body to a plurality of locations of the cylindrical body. A release agent supply pipe is connected.

In this case, it is preferable that connecting portions between the cylindrical body and the release agent supply pipe are located at both ends of the cylindrical body. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cylindrical body is divided and blocked for each connection portion with the release agent supply pipe.

Usually, an electromagnetic pump is often used as a release agent supply pump because of its low cost. However, since this electromagnetic pump supplies the release agent by an intermittent operation, a large amount of oil comes out from a hole provided in the cylindrical body near the pump, and the uniformity of oil supply is lost. On the other hand, according to the present invention, by supplying oil from the central portion of the cylindrical body or by supplying oil to the cylindrical body at a plurality of positions from the supply pump, it is possible to prevent the supply balance of the oil from being lost, and to achieve uniformity. Supply is possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent the release agent from leaking due to excessive oil supply to one side, thereby soiling the inside of the apparatus and soiling the floor on which the apparatus main body is installed.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to specific examples 1 to 4 shown in the drawings.

<First Embodiment> A fixing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the fixing device. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 1 according to
A fixing unit including a (fixing roller) 2 and a lower fixing roller (pressure roller) 3 is provided, and the upper fixing roller 2 and the lower fixing roller 3 are pressed against each other.

The upper fixing roller 2 and the lower fixing roller 3
In each case, for example, a rubber layer made of silicone rubber is provided on a core made of aluminum, and heaters 4 and 5 composed of a halogen lamp or the like are provided inside the core. Around the upper fixing roller 2, an upper peeling claw 6, an upper cleaning roller 7, an upper roller temperature detector 8, and an oil application roller 9 are disposed. Around the lower fixing roller 3, a lower peeling claw 10, a lower cleaning roller 11, and a lower roller temperature detector 12 are provided. The upper peeling nail 6 and the lower peeling nail 10 are members for peeling the recording material (paper) wound around each of the fixing rollers 2 and 3 from the surface of each of the fixing rollers 2 and 3.

Each of the upper cleaning roller 7 and the lower cleaning roller 11 is a roller whose surface is made of felt. The upper cleaning roller 7 and the lower cleaning roller 11 are in sliding contact with the surfaces of the fixing rollers 2 and 3, and the offset toner adhered to the surfaces of the fixing rollers 2 and 3. Is a member for collecting the The oil application roller 9 is a roller whose surface is made of rubber, and is a member for applying a silicone oil 22 as a release agent to the surface of the upper fixing roller 2 that comes into contact.

The upper roller temperature detector 8 and the lower roller temperature detector 12 are members composed of thermistors for detecting the surface temperatures of the respective fixing rollers 2 and 3 with which they come into contact. The detection results from the roller temperature detecting devices 8 and 12 are sent to a fixing control unit (not shown). The fixing control unit is configured to perform the following operations based on the detection results of the roller temperature detectors 8 and 12.
The operation of a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled to turn on / off each of the heaters 4 and 5 as heat sources in each of the fixing rollers 2 and 3.
This is for controlling the temperature of each of the fixing rollers 2 and 3 by performing the OFF control.

Next, a silicone oil 2 is applied to the upper fixing roller 2.
Next, a release agent supply device for applying No. 2 will be described.
The release agent supply device includes an oil tank 13, an electromagnetic oil supply pump 14, an oil supply tube 15, an oil supply pipe 16, an oil application roller 9, an oil supply felt 17, an application blade 18, an oil pan 19, and an oil return. It is provided with a tube 20 and an oil remaining amount detection sensor 21. The oil tank 13 includes the fixing device 1
The lower part of the silicon oil 22
Can be injected. Then, the silicon oil 22 is sucked from the oil tank 13 through the oil supply tube 15 by a piezo type or electromagnetic type oil supply pump 14 installed above the oil tank 13.

The oil supply tube 15 is connected to an oil supply pipe 16 extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the fixing rollers 2 and 3, and the sucked-up silicon oil 22 is supplied to the oil supply pipe 16. The oil supply pipe 16 is provided with a plurality of holes 23 on its upper surface side to enable uniform oil supply in the longitudinal direction of each of the fixing rollers 2 and 3. The silicone oil 22 is dripped from the plurality of holes 23 onto the oil application roller 9 and the oil supply felt 17 in a rain-like manner. The oil supply felt 17 is pressed against the oil application roller 9 and is a member for stably supplying the silicon oil 22 to the oil application roller 9.

The most downstream end of the oil supply pipe 16 is subjected to a caulking process or the like so that the silicon oil 22 does not leak out. It has a simple structure. The dropped silicon oil 22 has a plurality of holes 23.
The oil is supplied to the oil application roller 9 more directly or via an oil supply felt 17. An application blade 18 made of a rubber member or the like is arranged in contact with the surface of the oil application roller 9. With this application blade 18, the silicon oil 22 can be further applied to the surface of the upper fixing roller 2 in a thin film in a uniform and constant amount.

The surplus silicon oil 22 not used for applying the silicone oil 22 to the oil application roller 9 is recovered by a dish-shaped oil pan 19 installed below the oil application roller 9 and the oil supply felt 17. Is done. And the recovered silicon oil 2
2 is returned to the oil tank 13 by an oil return tube 20 connected to an oil pan 19.

In the above-described release agent supply device, when the amount of the silicon oil 22 stored in the oil tank 13 is about to fall below the amount required for circulation, the oil tank 13
The situation is detected by an oil level detection sensor 21 installed in the inside, and a display on an operation panel or the like prompts the user to replenish the silicone oil 22 or temporarily disables the image forming apparatus. Control the state.
In this case, control may be performed such that normal operation can be performed when the silicon oil 22 is injected until the amount required for circulation is reached.

By the way, in such a releasing agent supply device, the balance of the oil supply amount in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rollers 2 and 3 is very important. That is, if there is a portion where the supply of the silicone oil 22 is insufficient due to the imbalance of the oil supply amount in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rollers 2 and 3, problems such as winding of the paper 24 and offset of the toner image occur. Would.

Originally, regardless of the installation state of the image forming apparatus, unless the silicon oil 22 is supplied as uniformly as possible on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the oil circulation path, as described above, Troubles such as offset and paper wrapping occur. Therefore, in the fixing device of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
By connecting the oil supply tube 15 for supplying the oil, the unevenness of the oil supply is prevented.

As described above, the electromagnetic oil supply pump 14 supplies the silicon oil 22 by an intermittent operation. In the fixing device according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, by connecting the oil supply tube 15 to a substantially central portion of the oil supply pipe 16, the distance to the downstream side of the oil supply pipe 16 is reduced. It is halved as compared with the conventional release agent supply device (see FIG. 4B). That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the front side of the conventional fixing device,
Comparing the difference in the oil supply amount on the rear side with the difference in the oil supply amount on the front side and the rear side in the fixing device of the first embodiment, the difference in the oil supply amount in the fixing device of the first embodiment is reduced by half. are doing.

Therefore, the shortage and unevenness of the silicon oil 22 on the upstream side of the oil supply pipe 16 caused by the difference in the position of the hole 23 provided in the oil supply pipe 16 can be prevented. Thereby, troubles such as image offset and paper wrapping can be eliminated. Further, since there is no oil leakage from the oil supply pipe 16, the inside of the image forming apparatus,
The inconvenience that the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed becomes dirty with the silicone oil 22 can be eliminated.

Further, in the fixing device of the first embodiment,
As shown in (a), by supplying the silicon oil 22 to the oil supply pipe 16 from above, it is possible to prevent the disadvantage that the silicon oil 22 leaks from the oil supply pipe 16 to the entire image forming apparatus. it can. That is, in the conventional fixing device, as shown in FIG. 4B, an oil supply tube 15 is connected to one end of an oil supply pipe 16 and silicon oil 22 is supplied to the oil supply pipe 16 from a lateral direction. I was When such a connection method is adopted, the oil supply pipe 16
In addition to the drop of the silicone oil 22 from the vicinity of the hole 23, the silicone oil 22 travels along the surface of the oil supply pipe 16 and moves toward the oil supply pump 14 to cause oil leakage.

On the other hand, in the fixing device of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, by connecting the oil supply tube 15 to the upper surface of the oil supply pipe 16,
Since the silicon oil 22 does not travel along the surface of the oil supply pipe 16 and moves toward the oil supply pump 14, oil leaks occur, and the inside of the image forming apparatus is soiled or the image forming apparatus is installed. Does not pollute the floor.

Second Embodiment A fixing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the fixing device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of an oil supply pipe.

The overall configuration of the fixing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as that of the above-described fixing device of the first embodiment, and an oil supply tube 15 is connected to an oil supply pipe 16. Only the configuration for the difference is different.
Therefore, in the fixing device of the second embodiment, only the configuration for connecting the oil supply tube 15 to the oil supply pipe 16 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the fixing device of the second embodiment, an oil supply tube 15 for supplying silicon oil 22 from an oil supply pump 14 is provided at a plurality of positions above an oil supply pipe 16. Connected with. Thus, by providing a plurality of connection points to the oil supply tube 15 with respect to the oil supply pipe 16, unevenness of the oil supply is prevented.

In the conventional fixing device, the oil supply pipe 1
The silicone oil 22 is supplied from one end of 6,
With such a configuration, the oil supply amount is reduced at a location far from the oil supply pump 14 (downstream of the oil circulation). On the other hand, in the fixing device of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the oil supply tube 15 from which the silicon oil 22 is sent from the oil supply pump 14.
And the oil supply pipe 16 and the connection tube 25a,
Connections are made at three locations using b and c. The lengths of the connection tubes 25a, 25b and 25c are the same.

With such a configuration, the distance from the oil supply pump 14 to the connection point to the oil supply pipe 16 becomes equal, and the connection point of the oil supply tube 15 to the oil supply pipe 16 and the oil supply pipe 16 , The difference in the distance between the holes 23 provided in the holes is reduced.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the difference between the oil supply amounts on the front side and the rear side in the conventional fixing device and the difference between the oil supply amounts at each connection point in the fixing device of the second embodiment are shown. In comparison, in the fixing device of the second embodiment, the variation in the difference in the oil supply amount is small.
Therefore, the oil supply pipe 16, which is generated based on the difference in the position of the hole 23 provided in the oil supply pipe 16,
Shortage and non-uniformity of the silicon oil 22 on the upstream side can be prevented.

Thus, troubles such as image offset and paper wrapping can be solved. Further, since there is no oil leakage from the oil supply pipe 16, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the inside of the image forming apparatus and the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed are stained with the silicon oil 22.

Third Embodiment A fixing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the oil supply pipe of the fixing device according to the third embodiment. The overall configuration of the fixing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is almost the same as the fixing device of the first embodiment described above, and is a configuration for connecting the oil supply tube 15 to the oil supply pipe 16. Only differ. Therefore, in the fixing device of the third embodiment, the oil supply pipe 16
Only the configuration for connecting the oil supply tube 15 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fixing device of the third embodiment has separate oil supply pumps 1 at both ends (front side and rear side) of an oil supply pipe 16.
Oil supply tubes 15a and 15b for supplying silicone oil 22 from 4a and 4b are connected. As described above, the connection points to the oil supply tubes 15a and 15b are provided at both ends of the oil supply pipe 16, thereby preventing uneven oil supply.

In the conventional fixing device, the oil supply pipe 1
The silicone oil 22 is supplied from one end of 6,
With such a configuration, the oil supply amount is reduced at a location far from the oil supply pump 14 (downstream of the oil circulation). On the other hand, in the fixing device according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, an oil supply tube to which the silicon oil 22 is sent from the oil supply pumps 14 a and 14 b to both ends of the oil supply pipe 16. 15a, b
Are connected respectively.

With this configuration, the silicon oil 22 supplied from both ends of the oil supply pipe 16 merges at the center of the oil supply pipe 16, so that the difference in oil supply amount is smaller than that of the conventional fixing device. Halve. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the difference between the oil supply amounts on the front side and the rear side in the conventional fixing device, and the difference between the oil supply amounts on the front side, the rear side, and the center in the fixing device of the third embodiment. In the fixing device of the third embodiment, the difference between the oil supply amounts is reduced by half.

Therefore, shortage and unevenness of the silicon oil 22 on the upstream side of the oil supply pipe 16 caused by the difference in the positions of the holes 23 provided in the oil supply pipe 16 can be prevented. Thereby, troubles such as image offset and paper wrapping can be solved. Further, since there is no oil leakage from the oil supply pipe 16, the inside of the image forming apparatus,
The inconvenience that the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed becomes dirty with the silicone oil 22 can be eliminated.

Fourth Embodiment A fixing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of an oil supply pipe of a fixing device according to a fourth embodiment. The overall configuration of the fixing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the fixing device of the first embodiment described above, and is a configuration for connecting the oil supply tube 15 to the oil supply pipe 16. Only differ. Therefore, in the fixing device according to the fourth embodiment, only the configuration for connecting the oil supply tube 15 to the oil supply pipe 16 will be described.

In the fixing device of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, an oil supply tube 15 for supplying silicon oil 22 from an oil supply pump 14 is connected to an upper portion of an oil supply pipe 16 at a plurality of points. are doing. Further, a plurality of partitions 26 are provided inside the oil supply pipe 16 so as to divide each connection portion.

As described above, by providing the partition wall 26 inside the oil supply pipe 16 and partitioning and blocking each connection portion, the oil supply pipe 16 is inclined because the installation position of the image forming apparatus is not horizontal. Even when the rear side is higher than the front side (oil supply side), it is possible to prevent the oil supply amount from becoming uneven. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the conventional fixing device, when the oil is not sufficiently supplied to the rear oil supply pipe 16,
The difference in oil supply between the front side and the rear side increases.

On the other hand, in the fixing device according to the fourth embodiment, the inside of the oil supply pipe 16 is shut off at two places, and the connection tubes 25a, b, and c are divided every three blocks.
By connecting the oil supply tube 15 via the supply of the silicon oil 22, the length of the pipe in each block is reduced to 1/3, and the difference in the oil supply amount is divided into three places. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the difference in the difference in the oil supply amount is smaller than that in the conventional fixing device. Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus is installed at an angle, the release agent can be uniformly supplied to the fixing roller or the pressure roller.

[0049]

Since the fixing device according to the present invention has the above-described structure, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, in the fixing device according to the present invention, by supplying the release agent from the central portion of the cylindrical body, it is possible to prevent the supply balance of the release agent from being lost and to supply the release agent uniformly. it can. Therefore, troubles such as image offset and paper wrapping are eliminated. In addition, since the release agent is not excessively supplied to one side of the cylindrical body, the release agent leaks and the inside of the image forming apparatus and the floor where the image forming apparatus is installed are separated. The inconvenience of staining with a mold agent can be eliminated.

Further, in the fixing device of the present invention, the connecting portion between the cylindrical body and the release agent supply pipe is located on the upper surface of the cylindrical body, so that the releasing agent leaks from the connecting portion and the image forming operation is stopped. The inconvenience that the inside of the apparatus, the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed, and the like are stained with the release agent can be eliminated.

Further, in the fixing device of the present invention, a release agent supply pipe for connecting the release agent supply pump and the cylindrical body is connected to a plurality of positions of the cylindrical body, thereby releasing the release agent. It is possible to uniformly supply the ink, and it is possible to solve the problem that the release agent leaks and the inside of the image forming apparatus and the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed are stained with the release agent.
Further, even when the image forming apparatus is installed inclined in the front-rear direction, the release agent can be stably supplied, so that it is possible to increase the margin for the specification of the amount of inclination in the image forming apparatus. Become.

Further, in the fixing device of the present invention, by supplying the release agent from both ends of the cylindrical body, the release agents supplied from both ends at the center of the cylindrical body join, and the release agent is released. The agent can be supplied uniformly. For this reason, it is possible to solve the problem that the release agent leaks and the inside of the image forming apparatus and the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed are stained with the release agent.

Further, in the fixing device of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is installed obliquely in the front-rear direction by partitioning and blocking the inside of the cylindrical body for each connection portion with the release agent supply pipe. Even in the case where the release agent is used, it is possible to solve the problem that the release agent leaks and the inside of the image forming apparatus and the floor on which the image forming apparatus is installed are soiled with the release agent, and it is also possible to solve the problem of image formation. It is possible to increase the margin for the specification of the amount of tilt in the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the fixing device according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oil supply pipe of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal sectional view of an oil supply pipe according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional oil supply pipe.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram comparing a difference in oil supply amount between the fixing device of the first embodiment and a conventional fixing device.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a fixing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of an oil supply pipe according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram comparing a difference in oil supply amount between the fixing device of the second embodiment and a conventional fixing device.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of an oil supply pipe according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram comparing a difference in oil supply amount between the fixing device according to the third embodiment and a conventional fixing device.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of an oil supply pipe according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram comparing a difference in oil supply amount between the fixing device of the fourth embodiment and a conventional fixing device.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a conventional fixing device.

FIG. 14 shows a conventional oil supply pipe,
(A) is a plan view and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining an oil outflow amount in a conventional oil supply pipe.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a state of a conventional oil supply pipe at the time of inclined installation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fixing apparatus 2 Upper fixing roller 3 Lower fixing roller 4, 5 Heater 6 Upper peeling claw 7 Upper cleaning roller 8 Upper roller temperature detector 9 Oil application roller 10 Lower peeling claw 11 Lower cleaning roller 12 Lower roller temperature detector 13 Oil Tank 14 Oil supply pump 15 Oil supply tube 16 Oil supply pipe 17 Oil supply felt 18 Coating blade 19 Oil pan 20 Oil return tube 21 Oil remaining amount detection sensor 22 Silicon oil 23 Hole 24 Paper 25 Connection tube 26 Partition wall

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yasunori Mizuguchi 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Toshiya Mikita 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Matsuyama 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term (reference) 2H033 AA16 BA44 BA45 4F040 AA05 AA14 BA12 CB16 CB27 4F042 AA03 AA10 CA03 CB02 CB11 CB19

Claims (5)

[Claims] A fixing unit including a fixing roller and a pressure roller pressed against the fixing roller; a release agent supply device for supplying a release agent to at least one of the fixing roller and the pressure roller; In the fixing device, the release agent supply device is provided above the fixing unit, and has a cylindrical body having a plurality of holes formed on an upper surface along an axial direction. A release agent supply pump for supplying a mold release agent, and a release agent supply pipe for connecting the release agent supply pump and the cylindrical body is connected to a central portion of the cylindrical body. A fixing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein a connecting portion between the cylindrical body and the release agent supply pipe is located on an upper surface of the cylindrical body. 3. A fixing unit comprising a fixing roller and a pressure roller pressed against the fixing roller, a release agent supply device for supplying a release agent to at least one of the fixing roller and the pressure roller. In the fixing device, the release agent supply device is provided above the fixing unit, and has a cylindrical body having a plurality of holes formed on an upper surface along an axial direction. A release agent supply pump for supplying a mold release agent, and a release agent supply pipe for connecting the release agent supply pump and the cylinder to each other at a plurality of positions of the cylindrical body. A fixing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein connection portions between the cylindrical body and the release agent supply pipe are located at both ends of the cylindrical body. 5. The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical body is divided and blocked for each connection portion with the release agent supply pipe.