JP2002311725A - Transfer and fixation system for liquid developing electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Transfer and fixation system for liquid developing electrophotographic device

Info

Publication number
JP2002311725A
JP2002311725A JP2001110729A JP2001110729A JP2002311725A JP 2002311725 A JP2002311725 A JP 2002311725A JP 2001110729 A JP2001110729 A JP 2001110729A JP 2001110729 A JP2001110729 A JP 2001110729A JP 2002311725 A JP2002311725 A JP 2002311725A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
transfer
temperature
fixing
print medium
toner
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.)
Pending
Application number
JP2001110729A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Hironaga Motokawa
浩永 本川
Satoshi Sakai
聡 坂井
Eri Yamanishi
絵梨 山西
Isao Osada
勲 長田
Shigeji Okano
茂治 岡野
Yutaka Nakajima
豊 中島
Tei Nishikawa
禎 西川
Akihiko Inamoto
彰彦 稲本
Satoshi Miyamoto
悟司 宮本
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.)
PFU Ltd
Original Assignee
PFU Ltd
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 PFU Ltd filed Critical PFU Ltd
Priority to JP2001110729A priority Critical patent/JP2002311725A/en
Priority to US10/344,927 priority patent/US6785501B2/en
Priority to EP02707242A priority patent/EP1378801A4/en
Priority to PCT/JP2002/003143 priority patent/WO2002082189A1/en
Publication of JP2002311725A publication Critical patent/JP2002311725A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Wet Developing In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Combination Of More Than One Step In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the transfer efficiency by enhancing the aggregation of toner and its adhesion to paper while maintaining the temperature of other members such as a photoreceptor drum, etc., connected to an intermediate transfer roller equal to or below a heat resistant temperature without the need for cooling the member so as to protect the member from the heat. SOLUTION: The toner image developed by supplying liquid toner onto an image supporting body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed is transferred to an intermediate transfer roller, the transferred toner image is transferred/fixed to a printing medium by a backup roller in a transfer/fixation part. A pressure between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller is set to be a high pressure within the extent of 10 kg/cm<2> to 60 kg/cm<2> , and also, a heating means is not arranged in the transfer and fixing part, and before the printing medium is carried to the transfer and fixation part, the printing medium is preheated up to a temperature necessary to transfer and fix the image.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 【0001】 【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、中間転写ローラに
転写されたトナー画像を、転写定着部においてバックア
ップローラを用いて印刷媒体に転写して定着させる液体
現像電子写真装置の転写定着方式に関する。 【0002】 【従来の技術】液体現像電子写真装置において、印刷媒
体に定着させる溶融転写プロセスは、トナー粒子が媒体
と接触し転写するとき、トナー粒子、媒体は共にトナー
粒子の溶融温度以上になっていることが望まれ、そのと
きに媒体裏面からのバックアップ付圧によりトナー粒子
と媒体が密着し、溶融したトナー粒子の粘着力により転
写が行われる。 【0003】従来、図10に示すように、紙への転写及
び定着をトナー溶融させてその粘着力によって行う溶融
転写定着方式において、転写効率及び定着強度を上げる
ためには転写ローラ、そしてさらにはバックアップロー
ラの温度をトナーの溶融温度に対して十分に高めに(例
えば、150℃)設定する必要があった。 【0004】このため、剥離性のよい(表面エネルギー
の小さい)中間転写ベルト上での高温加熱により、図3
に示すように、トナー凝集力が大きく低下して、中間転
写ベルトの表面エネルギーとの差が小さくなり、表面張
力で画像細りが発生していた。 【0005】さらに、中間転写ベルト上に転写する際に
は、中間転写ベルトに接続する各部材(例えば感光ドラ
ム)の熱保護のために、そして、トナーが溶融すること
により転写不良が発生するのを防ぐために、むしろ冷却
する必要がある。そこで、従来、冷却ファン等の冷却装
置を用いて冷却すると共に、溶融転写後の冷却を容易に
するために、画像形成を熱容量の小さい薄ベルト上で行
っていた。 【0006】しかし、強度保持等の観点から、ベルトの
厚みは50μm程度にしか薄くできないために熱容量の
最小化が十分でなく、冷却に多大なエネルギーを必要と
する問題があった。 【0007】 【発明が解決しようとする課題】本発明は、かかる事情
に鑑みてなされたものであって、中間転写ローラに接続
する感光ドラム等の他部材の熱保護に対する冷却を必要
とすることなく耐熱温度以下に維持しつつ、トナー凝集
力と紙への接着力をあげて転写効率を確保することを目
的としている。 【0008】また、本発明は、剥離性のよい中間転写ロ
ーラ上ではトナー凝集力の低下がなく、中間転写ローラ
の表面エネルギーに対して十分大きくして、画像細りも
発生しない高画質の印刷を行うことを目的としている。 【0009】 【課題を解決するための手段】本発明の液体現像電子写
真装置の転写定着方式は、液体トナーを静電潜像の形成
された画像支持体上に供給して現像したトナー画像を中
間転写ローラに転写し、この転写されたトナー画像を、
転写定着部においてバックアップローラを用いて印刷媒
体に転写して定着させる。そして、中間転写ローラとバ
ックアップローラとの間の圧力を10kg/cm2 〜60kg/cm
2 の範囲の高圧力に設定し、かつ、転写定着部には加熱
手段を備えずに、印刷媒体を転写定着部に搬送する前に
印刷媒体を転写定着に必要な温度まで予め加熱すること
を特徴としている。 【0010】また、本発明の液体現像電子写真装置の転
写定着方式は、液体トナーに用いる樹脂の軟化温度を感
光ドラム等の他部材の耐熱温度以下に設定し、かつ、中
間転写ローラに加熱手段を備えて、その温度を樹脂の軟
化温度以上で、他部材耐熱温度以下に設定する。そし
て、印刷媒体を転写定着部に搬送する前に印刷媒体を転
写定着に必要な温度まで予め加熱する。 【0011】 【発明の実施の形態】以下、実施の形態に従って本発明
を詳細に説明する。図1に、本発明を適用することので
きる液体トナーを用いる電子写真装置の全体構成を図示
する。図示したように、電子写真装置は主要構成部材と
して、感光体と、帯電器と、露光装置と、色毎の現像機
(2つのみ図示)と、中間転写体IMRと、バックアッ
プローラとを備える。 【0012】帯電器は、感光体を約700Vに帯電させ
る。露光装置は、780nmの波長を持つレーザ光を使
って感光体を露光することで、露光部分の電位が約10
0Vとなる静電潜像を感光体に形成する。 【0013】現像機は、通常、イエロー/マゼンタ/シ
アン/ブラックに対応付けて設けられ、約400〜60
0V(E1)にバイアスされ、かつ、トナー粘度が40
0〜4000mPa・Sで、キャリア粘度が20cSt
を持つ液体トナーを用いて、現像ローラに2〜3μmの
厚さのトナー層を形成する。現像ローラは、感光体との
間の電界に従って、正に帯電しているそのトナー粒子を
感光体に供給することで、約100Vに帯電される感光
体の露光部分(あるいは未露光部分)にトナー粒子を付
着させる。 【0014】中間転写体IMRは、約−800V(E
2)にバイアスされて、感光体との間の電界に従って、
感光体に付着されたトナーを転写する。この中間転写体
IMRは、先ず最初に、例えば、感光体に付着されるイ
エローのトナーを転写し、続いて、感光体に付着される
マゼンタのトナーを転写し、続いて、シアンのトナーを
転写し、続いて、ブラックのトナーを転写することにな
る。 【0015】中間転写体IMRに付着されたトナーは、
詳細は後述するように、中間転写体及びバックアップロ
ーラによっては加熱せずに、印刷紙を転写前に予め加熱
することにより、そして、バックアップローラにより高
圧力を加えることにより、定着に必要な熱エネルギーを
印刷紙に保持させることにより定着強度の確保を行う。 【0016】図2は、本発明を適用することのできる転
写定着構成の第1の例を示す図である。図示の例におい
て、バックアップローラに加熱装置は備えておらず、ま
た、中間転写ローラ上のトナーが転写定着部に至る前に
加熱する手段も備えていない。中間転写ローラとバック
アップローラとの間に作用する圧力は、10kg/cm2 〜60
kg/cm2 の範囲の高圧力に設定する。これによって、ト
ナー凝集力と印刷媒体への接着力を向上させることがで
き、100 %の転写を行うことができる。 【0017】図9は、転写圧力と転写効率の実験結果を
示す表と、そのグラフである。図示したように、転写効
率は、圧力の増加につれて上昇し、圧力10kgf/cm
2 で、転写効率は99%を越える。但し、圧力60kgf/
cm2 を越えると、画像流れが発生することがわかった。 【0018】さらに、転写前に予め印刷媒体を定着に必
要な温度にまで加熱しておき、その熱エネルギーと転写
部での高圧力により、定着度確保を行う。これによっ
て、中間転写体に接する感光ドラム等の他部材の熱保護
に対する冷却を必要とせず、従来冷却対応で用いられて
いた薄厚ベルト等を用いる必要もなく、構造が簡単にな
り、低コスト化が可能になる。さらに、剥離性のよい
(表面エネルギーの小さい)中間転写ローラ上では、ト
ナー凝集力の低下がなく、中間転写ローラの表面エネル
ギーに対して十分大きくなり、図4に示すように、表面
張力による画像細りも発生しない。 【0019】トナーを溶融定着させるのに必要とされる
熱エネルギー密度(単位厚み当たりの熱量)は一定でよ
いため、厚い印刷媒体に必要とされる熱量を事前加熱で
与える設定では、薄い印刷媒体に対しては熱量が過大に
なる。トナーを溶融定着させるのに必要とされる熱エネ
ルギー密度をKとして、媒体厚み:厚紙L1、薄紙L2
とすると、事前加熱に必要な熱エネルギーは、 厚紙: K×L1 > 薄紙: K×L2 となる。そこで印刷媒体の厚み(設定もしくは検出によ
り取得)によって、事前加熱の温度設定(及び加熱時
間)を可変させることで、常に最適な熱エネルギーを与
えることができて省エネルギーとなる。 【0020】また、図7に示すような媒体種類別の熱伝
導率対応の補正テーブルを、プリンタドライバ内に記憶
しておくことで、可変事前設定温度値(及び加熱時間)
に対して補正を行い、より最適な熱エネルギーを与える
ことができて、省エネルギーとなる。 【0021】以下、この印刷媒体の事前加熱制御につい
て、さらに図8のフローチャートを参照して説明する。
まず、ステップ(S1)において、印刷媒体の厚みL
を、検出により或いは設定値より取得する。次に、単位
厚み当たりの必要熱量Kと、取得した厚みLとより、基
本必要熱量Q1を、Q1=K×Lとして算出する(S
2)。ステップ(S3)において、印刷媒体の種類を、
検出により、或いは設定により取得する。取得した印刷
媒体の種類に基づき、補正テーブルから、補正熱量値H
を読みとり、補正後必要熱量Qを、Q=Q1+Hとして
算出する(S4)。そして、算出された必要熱量Qに基
づき、温度及び時間を決定して、事前加熱制御を行う。 【0022】図5は、本発明を適用することのできる転
写定着構成の第2の例を示す図である。図示の例におい
て、バックアップローラに加熱装置は備えていないが、
中間転写ローラには、比較的低い温度(例えば60℃)
に設定した加熱手段を備えている。また、前述の第1の
例と同じく、中間転写ローラとバックアップローラとの
間に作用する圧力を高圧力に設定すると共に、転写前に
予め印刷媒体を定着に必要な温度にまで加熱する。 【0023】トナーに用いる樹脂(レジン)の軟化温度
(TG)を、感光ドラム等の他部材の耐熱温度以下に設定
する。そして、中間転写ローラに備えた加熱手段により
設定した温度を、レジンの軟化温度(TG)<中間転写ロ
ーラ温度<他部材耐熱温度、に設定する。これによっ
て、中間転写ローラの冷却不要を維持しつつ、トナーが
半凝集状態になり、媒体への転写を更に容易に行うこと
ができる。このため、第1の例と比較して、印刷媒体の
事前加熱温度を低めに設定すること、及び中間転写ロー
ラ部の圧力も低めに設定することが可能となる。 【0024】図6は、本発明を適用することのできる転
写定着構成の第3の例を示す図である。第1の例と同様
に、バックアップローラ及び中間転写ローラに加熱装置
は備えておらず、また、中間転写ローラとバックアップ
ローラとの間に作用する圧力を高圧力に設定すると共
に、転写前に予め印刷媒体を定着に必要な温度にまで加
熱する。 【0025】図示の第3の例においては、さらに、中間
転写ローラとバックアップローラ間にトナーが移動可能
な方向のバイアスを印加する。これによって、印刷媒体
への転写を容易に行うことができるので、第1の例と比
較して、印刷媒体の事前加熱温度を低めに設定するこ
と、及び転写ローラ部の圧力も低めに設定することが可
能となる。 【0026】また、このようなバイアス印加手段は、前
述の図5に示した第2の例にも、組み合わせることがで
き、これによって、印刷媒体への転写を更に容易に行う
ことができ、印刷媒体の事前加熱温度を低めに設定し、
転写ローラ部の圧力も低めに設定することが可能とな
る。 【0027】 【発明の効果】本発明は、中間転写ローラの温度を接続
する感光ドラム等の他部材の耐熱温度以下に設定し、さ
らに、高圧力によりトナー凝集力と紙への接着力をあげ
て転写効率を確保し、転写前に紙をあらかじめ加熱する
ことで紙に定着に必要な熱エネルギーを保持させること
により定着強度確保を行うものであるから、他部材の熱
保護に対する冷却を必要とせず、さらに、剥離性のよい
表面エネルギーの小さい中間転写ローラ上では、トナー
凝集力の低下がなく、中間転写ローラの表面エネルギー
に対して十分大きくなり、画像細りも発生しないという
効果を生じる。
Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid for transferring and fixing a toner image transferred to an intermediate transfer roller to a printing medium using a backup roller in a transfer and fixing unit. The present invention relates to a transfer fixing method of a developing electrophotographic apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art In a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus, a fusion transfer process for fixing to a print medium is such that when the toner particles are brought into contact with the medium and transferred, both the toner particles and the medium are at or above the melting temperature of the toner particles. At this time, the toner particles adhere to the medium due to the backup pressure from the back surface of the medium, and transfer is performed by the adhesive force of the melted toner particles. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 10, in a fusion transfer fixing method in which toner is transferred and fixed on paper by the adhesive force of the toner, in order to increase transfer efficiency and fixing strength, a transfer roller, and further, It was necessary to set the temperature of the backup roller sufficiently higher than the melting temperature of the toner (for example, 150 ° C.). [0004] For this reason, high-temperature heating on an intermediate transfer belt having good releasability (small surface energy) causes a problem in FIG.
As shown in (1), the toner cohesive force was greatly reduced, the difference from the surface energy of the intermediate transfer belt was reduced, and the image was thinned due to the surface tension. Further, when transferring onto the intermediate transfer belt, defective transfer occurs due to thermal protection of each member (for example, a photosensitive drum) connected to the intermediate transfer belt and melting of the toner. Rather, it needs to be cooled. Therefore, conventionally, in order to perform cooling using a cooling device such as a cooling fan and to facilitate cooling after fusion transfer, image formation is performed on a thin belt having a small heat capacity. However, from the viewpoint of maintaining strength, the thickness of the belt can be reduced to only about 50 μm, so that the heat capacity is not sufficiently minimized, and a large amount of energy is required for cooling. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and requires cooling for thermal protection of other members such as a photosensitive drum connected to an intermediate transfer roller. It is an object of the present invention to increase the toner cohesive force and the adhesive force to paper while maintaining the transfer efficiency below the heat-resistant temperature. Further, the present invention provides high-quality printing without causing a reduction in toner cohesion on an intermediate transfer roller having good releasability and sufficiently increasing the surface energy of the intermediate transfer roller to prevent image thinning. It is intended to do. In the transfer fixing method of the liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention, a liquid toner is supplied to an image support on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a toner image is developed. Transferred to an intermediate transfer roller, and the transferred toner image is
In the transfer / fixing section, the image is transferred to a print medium and fixed using a backup roller. Then, the pressure between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller is increased from 10 kg / cm 2 to 60 kg / cm.
Set the high pressure in the range of 2 , and do not equip the transfer and fixing unit with a heating means, and preheat the print medium to the temperature required for transfer and fixing before transporting the print medium to the transfer and fixing unit. Features. Further, in the transfer fixing method of the liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention, the softening temperature of the resin used for the liquid toner is set to be equal to or lower than the heat resistant temperature of another member such as a photosensitive drum, and the intermediate transfer roller is heated by a heating means. And the temperature is set to be equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the resin and equal to or lower than the heat resistance temperature of other members. Then, before transporting the print medium to the transfer fixing unit, the print medium is heated in advance to a temperature required for transfer fixing. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to embodiments. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid toner to which the present invention can be applied. As illustrated, the electrophotographic apparatus includes, as main components, a photoconductor, a charger, an exposure device, a developing machine for each color (only two are shown), an intermediate transfer body IMR, and a backup roller. . The charger charges the photoreceptor to about 700V. The exposure apparatus exposes the photoreceptor using a laser beam having a wavelength of 780 nm, so that the potential of the exposed portion becomes about 10
An electrostatic latent image of 0 V is formed on the photoconductor. The developing machines are usually provided in association with yellow / magenta / cyan / black and have a developing device of about 400 to 60.
0V (E1) and the toner viscosity is 40
0 to 4000 mPa · S, carrier viscosity 20 cSt
Is formed on the developing roller using a liquid toner having the following formula: The developing roller supplies the toner particles, which are positively charged, to the photosensitive member according to the electric field between the photosensitive member and the toner. Attach the particles. The intermediate transfer member IMR is about -800 V (E
2) biased according to the electric field between the photoreceptor and
The toner attached to the photoconductor is transferred. The intermediate transfer member IMR firstly transfers, for example, yellow toner adhered to the photoreceptor, subsequently transfers magenta toner adhered to the photoreceptor, and subsequently transfers cyan toner. Then, the black toner is transferred. The toner attached to the intermediate transfer member IMR is
As will be described in detail later, the heat energy required for fixing is obtained by preheating the printing paper before transfer and applying high pressure by the backup roller without heating by the intermediate transfer body and the backup roller. Is held on the printing paper to secure the fixing strength. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a transfer fixing configuration to which the present invention can be applied. In the illustrated example, the backup roller is not provided with a heating device, and is not provided with a means for heating the toner on the intermediate transfer roller before reaching the transfer fixing unit. The pressure acting between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller is 10 kg / cm 2 -60
Set high pressure in the range of kg / cm 2 . As a result, the toner cohesive force and the adhesive force to the print medium can be improved, and 100% transfer can be performed. FIG. 9 is a table showing experimental results of transfer pressure and transfer efficiency, and a graph thereof. As shown, the transfer efficiency increases as the pressure increases, and the pressure increases to 10 kgf / cm.
In 2 , the transfer efficiency exceeds 99%. However, the pressure is 60kgf /
It was found that when the size exceeded cm 2 , image deletion occurred. Further, before the transfer, the print medium is heated in advance to a temperature necessary for fixing, and the fixing degree is secured by the heat energy and the high pressure in the transfer section. This eliminates the need for cooling for thermal protection of other members such as the photosensitive drum in contact with the intermediate transfer member, eliminates the need for using a thin belt or the like that has been used for cooling, simplifies the structure, and reduces costs. Becomes possible. Further, on the intermediate transfer roller having good releasability (small surface energy), the toner cohesive force does not decrease and becomes sufficiently large with respect to the surface energy of the intermediate transfer roller. As shown in FIG. No thinning occurs. Since the heat energy density (the amount of heat per unit thickness) required for fusing and fixing the toner may be constant, the setting is such that the amount of heat required for a thick print medium is given by preheating, and the thin print medium is set. The amount of heat becomes excessive. Assuming that the thermal energy density required for fusing and fixing the toner is K, the medium thickness is thick paper L1, thin paper L2.
Then, the thermal energy required for preheating is as follows: thick paper: K × L1> thin paper: K × L2. Therefore, by changing the preheating temperature setting (and the heating time) depending on the thickness of the printing medium (acquired by setting or detection), it is possible to always provide the optimal heat energy and save energy. By storing a correction table corresponding to the thermal conductivity for each type of medium as shown in FIG. 7 in the printer driver, a variable preset temperature value (and heating time) can be obtained.
, And more optimal heat energy can be given, thereby saving energy. Hereinafter, the pre-heating control of the printing medium will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in step (S1), the thickness L of the print medium
Is obtained by detection or from a set value. Next, from the required heat amount K per unit thickness and the acquired thickness L, the basic required heat amount Q1 is calculated as Q1 = K × L (S
2). In step (S3), the type of print medium is
Acquired by detection or by setting. Based on the acquired print medium type, the correction calorie value H
Is read, and the required heat quantity Q after correction is calculated as Q = Q1 + H (S4). Then, based on the calculated required heat quantity Q, the temperature and time are determined, and preheating control is performed. FIG. 5 is a view showing a second example of a transfer fixing configuration to which the present invention can be applied. In the illustrated example, the backup roller does not have a heating device,
A relatively low temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) for the intermediate transfer roller
Is provided. Further, similarly to the above-described first example, the pressure acting between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller is set to a high pressure, and the print medium is heated to a temperature necessary for fixing before transfer beforehand. The softening temperature (TG) of the resin (resin) used for the toner is set to be lower than the heat-resistant temperature of other members such as the photosensitive drum. Then, the temperature set by the heating means provided in the intermediate transfer roller is set to be a softening temperature (TG) of the resin <the temperature of the intermediate transfer roller <the heat resistance temperature of other members. This allows the toner to be in a semi-agglomerated state while maintaining the need for cooling the intermediate transfer roller, and transfer to the medium can be performed more easily. Therefore, compared to the first example, it is possible to set the pre-heating temperature of the print medium to be lower and to set the pressure of the intermediate transfer roller unit to be lower. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third example of a transfer fixing configuration to which the present invention can be applied. As in the first example, the backup roller and the intermediate transfer roller are not provided with a heating device, and the pressure acting between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller is set to a high pressure, and the pressure is set before the transfer. The print medium is heated to the temperature required for fixing. In the third example shown, a bias is applied between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller in a direction in which the toner can move. Thereby, the transfer to the print medium can be easily performed, so that the pre-heating temperature of the print medium is set lower and the pressure of the transfer roller unit is set lower than in the first example. It becomes possible. Further, such a bias applying means can be combined with the second example shown in FIG. 5 described above, whereby the transfer to the printing medium can be performed more easily. Set the pre-heating temperature of the medium lower,
It is also possible to set the pressure of the transfer roller portion to be lower. According to the present invention, the temperature of the intermediate transfer roller is set to be equal to or lower than the heat-resistant temperature of the other members such as the photosensitive drum to be connected, and the toner cohesion and the adhesion to paper are increased by high pressure. The transfer efficiency is secured by preheating the paper before transfer to maintain the heat energy required for fixing on the paper to secure the fixing strength.Therefore, cooling for thermal protection of other members is required. On the other hand, on the intermediate transfer roller having good peelability and low surface energy, the toner cohesive force does not decrease, and the surface energy of the intermediate transfer roller becomes sufficiently large, so that there is an effect that image thinning does not occur.

【図面の簡単な説明】 【図1】本発明を適用することのできる液体トナーを用
いる電子写真装置の全体構成を図示する。 【図2】本発明を適用することのできる転写定着構成の
第1の例を示す図である。 【図3】表面張力による画像細りが発生することを説明
するための図である。 【図4】表面張力による画像細りが発生しないことを説
明するための図である。 【図5】本発明を適用することのできる転写定着構成の
第2の例を示す図である。 【図6】本発明を適用することのできる転写定着構成の
第3の例を示す図である。 【図7】媒体種類別の熱伝導率対応の補正テーブルを示
す図である。 【図8】印刷媒体の事前加熱制御について説明するため
のフローチャートを示す図である。 【図9】転写圧力と転写効率の実験結果を示す表と、そ
のグラフを示す図である。 【図10】紙への転写及び定着をトナー溶融させてその
粘着力によって行う従来技術の溶融転写定着方式を示す
図である。
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an overall configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid toner to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a transfer fixing configuration to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining that image thinning occurs due to surface tension. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining that image thinning due to surface tension does not occur. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a transfer fixing configuration to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third example of a transfer fixing configuration to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a correction table corresponding to thermal conductivity for each type of medium. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for describing pre-heating control of a print medium. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a table showing experimental results of transfer pressure and transfer efficiency, and a graph thereof. FIG. 10 is a view showing a conventional fusion transfer fixing method in which toner is transferred and fixed on paper by the adhesion of the toner.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (51)Int.Cl.7 識別記号 FI テーマコート゛(参考) G03G 21/00 370 G03G 21/00 370 (72)発明者 山西 絵梨 石川県河北郡宇ノ気町字宇野気ヌ98番地の 2 株式会社ピーエフユー内 (72)発明者 長田 勲 石川県河北郡宇ノ気町字宇野気ヌ98番地の 2 株式会社ピーエフユー内 (72)発明者 岡野 茂治 石川県河北郡宇ノ気町字宇野気ヌ98番地の 2 株式会社ピーエフユー内 (72)発明者 中島 豊 石川県河北郡宇ノ気町字宇野気ヌ98番地の 2 株式会社ピーエフユー内 (72)発明者 西川 禎 石川県河北郡宇ノ気町字宇野気ヌ98番地の 2 株式会社ピーエフユー内 (72)発明者 稲本 彰彦 石川県河北郡宇ノ気町字宇野気ヌ98番地の 2 株式会社ピーエフユー内 (72)発明者 宮本 悟司 石川県河北郡宇ノ気町字宇野気ヌ98番地の 2 株式会社ピーエフユー内 Fターム(参考) 2H027 DA39 DC02 DE07 DE09 EA11 EC06 ED24 ED25 EE07 EE08 2H033 AA32 BA25 BD05 BE09 CA16 CA30 CA35 CA39 CA48 2H074 AA03 AA41 CC28 EE07 EE09 2H078 AA08 AA18 BB01 BB12 CC06 DD41 DD42 DD51 DD56 DD61 2H200 FA15 FA16 GA01 GA04 GA07 GA10 GA23 GA28 GA43 GA47 GB22 GB23 GB30 GB40 HA02 HB02 HB12 JA02 JA07 JA08 JB10 JC02 JC07 JC18 JC19 LA31 NA02 PA02 PA14 PA15 PB25 PB35 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. 7 Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 370 G03G 21/00 370 (72) Inventor Erin Yamanishi Unoki-nu, Unoki-cho, Kawakita-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture 98-2 In PFU Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Isao Nagata Unoki-nu, Unoki-cho, Hebei-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture 98-2 Inventor P72 Co., Ltd. Inventor 72 98-2 In PFU Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yutaka Nakajima Unoki-nu, Unoki-cho, Kawakita-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture 98-2 Inventor Pac. 98 No. 2 PFU Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiko Inamoto Unoki 98, Unoki-cho, Kawakita-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture 2 PFU Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Satoshi Miyamoto 98 Unoki Nu, Unoki-cho, Kawakita-gun, Ishikawa 2 F-term within PFU Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H027 DA39 DC02 DE07 DE09 EA11 EC06 ED24 ED25 EE07 EE08 2H033 AA32 BA25 BD05 BE09 CA16 CA30 CA35 CA39 CA48 2H074 AA03 AA41 CC28 EE07 EE09 2H078 AA08 AA18 BB01 BB12 CC06 DD41 DD42 DD51 DD56 DD61 2H200 FA15 FA16 GA01 GA04 GA07 GA10 GA23 GA28 GA43 GA47 GB22 GB23 GB30 GB40 J02J02J07 J08 NA02 PA02 PA14 PA15 PB25 PB35

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】 【請求項1】 液体トナーを静電潜像の形成された画像
支持体上に供給して現像したトナー画像を中間転写ロー
ラに転写し、この転写されたトナー画像を、転写定着部
においてバックアップローラを用いて印刷媒体に転写し
て定着させる液体現像電子写真装置の転写定着方式にお
いて、 中間転写ローラとバックアップローラとの間の圧力を10
kg/cm2 〜60kg/cm2の範囲の高圧力に設定し、かつ、 前記転写定着部には加熱手段を備えずに、印刷媒体を転
写定着部に搬送する前に印刷媒体を転写定着に必要な温
度まで予め加熱する、 ことから成る液体現像電子写真装置の転写定着方式。 【請求項2】 液体トナーを静電潜像の形成された画像
支持体上に供給して現像したトナー画像を中間転写ロー
ラに転写し、この転写されたトナー画像を、転写定着部
においてバックアップローラを用いて印刷媒体に転写し
て定着させる液体現像電子写真装置の転写定着方式にお
いて、 液体トナーに用いる樹脂の軟化温度を感光ドラム等の他
部材の耐熱温度以下に設定し、かつ、中間転写ローラに
加熱手段を備えて、その温度を前記樹脂の軟化温度以上
で、他部材耐熱温度以下に設定し、かつ、 印刷媒体を転写定着部に搬送する前に印刷媒体を転写定
着に必要な温度まで予め加熱する、 ことから成る液体現像電子写真装置の転写定着方式。 【請求項3 】 中間転写ローラとバックアップローラ間
にトナーが移動可能な方向のバイアスを印加した請求項
1又は2に記載の液体現像電子写真装置の転写定着方
式。 【請求項4】 印刷媒体の厚みに基づき、印刷媒体を予
め加熱する温度或いは時間を可変することにより、最適
な熱エネルギーを与える請求項1〜請求項3のいずれか
に記載の液体現像電子写真装置の転写定着方式。 【請求項5】 印刷媒体の種類別の熱伝導率対応テーブ
ルを記憶しておくことで、前記加熱温度或いは加熱時間
に対して補正を行う請求項4に記載の液体現像電子写真
装置の転写定着方式。
Claims 1. A liquid toner is supplied onto an image support on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developed toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer roller. In a transfer fixing method of a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus in which a transfer roller fixes and transfers to a print medium using a backup roller, a pressure between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller is set to 10
Set high pressure in the range of kg / cm 2 ~60kg / cm 2 , and, without providing the heating means in the transfer and fixing unit, the print medium before conveying the print medium in the transfer and fixing section to transfuse A transfer fixing method for a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus, which comprises preheating to a required temperature. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: supplying a liquid toner onto the image support having the electrostatic latent image formed thereon, transferring the developed toner image to an intermediate transfer roller, and transferring the transferred toner image to a backup roller in a transfer fixing unit. In a transfer-fixing method of a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus for transferring and fixing to a print medium by using, a softening temperature of a resin used for a liquid toner is set to be equal to or lower than a heat-resistant temperature of another member such as a photosensitive drum, and an intermediate transfer roller is used. A heating means, the temperature of which is set to be equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the resin and equal to or lower than the heat resistance temperature of other members, and to a temperature necessary for transfer and fixing the print medium before transporting the print medium to the transfer and fixing unit. A transfer fixing method for a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus, comprising heating in advance. 3. The transfer-fixing method according to claim 1, wherein a bias is applied between the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller in a direction in which the toner can move. 4. The liquid-developed electrophotography according to claim 1, wherein an optimum thermal energy is given by changing a temperature or a time for preheating the print medium based on the thickness of the print medium. Transfer fixing method of the device. 5. The transfer and fixing of the liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the heating temperature or the heating time is corrected by storing a thermal conductivity correspondence table for each type of print medium. method.
JP2001110729A 2001-04-03 2001-04-10 Transfer and fixation system for liquid developing electrophotographic device Pending JP2002311725A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001110729A JP2002311725A (en) 2001-04-10 2001-04-10 Transfer and fixation system for liquid developing electrophotographic device
US10/344,927 US6785501B2 (en) 2001-04-03 2002-03-29 Transfer-and-fixation system with preheated printing medium for creating images using liquid-development electrophotographic apparatus
EP02707242A EP1378801A4 (en) 2001-04-03 2002-03-29 Transferring/fixing system of liquid developing electrophotographic system
PCT/JP2002/003143 WO2002082189A1 (en) 2001-04-03 2002-03-29 Transferring/fixing system of liquid developing electrophotographic system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001110729A JP2002311725A (en) 2001-04-10 2001-04-10 Transfer and fixation system for liquid developing electrophotographic device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2002311725A true JP2002311725A (en) 2002-10-25

Family

ID=18962436

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2001110729A Pending JP2002311725A (en) 2001-04-03 2001-04-10 Transfer and fixation system for liquid developing electrophotographic device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2002311725A (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007139986A (en) * 2005-11-16 2007-06-07 Ricoh Co Ltd Fixing device
US7330687B2 (en) 2003-12-16 2008-02-12 Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. Image fixing unit having preheating means for image forming apparatus and image fixing method using the same
US7406274B2 (en) 2005-01-13 2008-07-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Controlling apparatus for developing roller, image forming device having the same, and developer controlling method thereof
JP2013167874A (en) * 2012-01-16 2013-08-29 Konica Minolta Inc Wet type image forming apparatus, method for adjusting image forming condition, and method for determining image noise
JP2020529043A (en) * 2017-10-13 2020-10-01 エイチピー・インディゴ・ビー・ブイHP Indigo B.V. Liquid electrophotographic printing on cloth ground

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7330687B2 (en) 2003-12-16 2008-02-12 Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. Image fixing unit having preheating means for image forming apparatus and image fixing method using the same
US7406274B2 (en) 2005-01-13 2008-07-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Controlling apparatus for developing roller, image forming device having the same, and developer controlling method thereof
JP2007139986A (en) * 2005-11-16 2007-06-07 Ricoh Co Ltd Fixing device
JP2013167874A (en) * 2012-01-16 2013-08-29 Konica Minolta Inc Wet type image forming apparatus, method for adjusting image forming condition, and method for determining image noise
JP2020529043A (en) * 2017-10-13 2020-10-01 エイチピー・インディゴ・ビー・ブイHP Indigo B.V. Liquid electrophotographic printing on cloth ground
JP7043586B2 (en) 2017-10-13 2022-03-29 エイチピー・インディゴ・ビー・ブイ Liquid xerographic printing on cloth ground
US11487225B2 (en) 2017-10-13 2022-11-01 Hp Indigo B.V. Liquid electrophotography printing on fabrics

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP4368711B2 (en) Transfer fixing device, image forming apparatus including the same, and transfer fixing method
WO2003065128A1 (en) Full-color electrophotographic device using liquid toner
US20120045261A1 (en) Fusing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same, and heating apparatus
US6487388B2 (en) System and method for duplex printing
WO2001098841A1 (en) Liquid development full-color electrophotographic device
JP2002311725A (en) Transfer and fixation system for liquid developing electrophotographic device
JP2017134270A (en) Fixation device, image formation device, control method of fixation device and control program of fixation device
JPH07219360A (en) Method and apparatus for formation of powder image
JP2001356616A (en) Electrophotographic device
US6785501B2 (en) Transfer-and-fixation system with preheated printing medium for creating images using liquid-development electrophotographic apparatus
JP2002099159A (en) Image forming device and toner image transferring and fixing method
JP3370085B2 (en) Image forming device
JP2002202667A (en) Image forming device
JP3282492B2 (en) Multicolor image forming device
JP3631661B2 (en) Liquid development full color electrophotographic apparatus
JP2008275794A (en) Intermediate transfer device and image forming apparatus with the same
JPH0268582A (en) Fixing roller
JP3779646B2 (en) Melt transfer method and apparatus for liquid development electrophotography
JP2003091172A (en) Image forming apparatus
JPH09269692A (en) Heating/fixing device
JP2001042672A (en) Image forming method
JP4082563B2 (en) Full-color electrophotographic apparatus using nonvolatile high-viscosity, high-concentration liquid toner
JP2001305868A (en) Liquid developing electrophotographic device
JP3370082B2 (en) Image forming device
JP2002072701A (en) Image forming device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A621 Written request for application examination

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621

Effective date: 20040116

A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20050719

A521 Written amendment

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20050909

A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20051011

A521 Written amendment

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20051115

A02 Decision of refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A02

Effective date: 20051220