JP2003330294A - Fixing belt - Google Patents
Fixing beltInfo
- Publication number
- JP2003330294A JP2003330294A JP2002135671A JP2002135671A JP2003330294A JP 2003330294 A JP2003330294 A JP 2003330294A JP 2002135671 A JP2002135671 A JP 2002135671A JP 2002135671 A JP2002135671 A JP 2002135671A JP 2003330294 A JP2003330294 A JP 2003330294A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- fixing belt
- belt
- layer
- heat
- base material
- 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
Links
Landscapes
- Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【0001】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、電子写真複写機、
ファクシミリ、プリンター等の画像形成装置において、
転写紙などの転写材上に転写されたトナー画像を加熱に
より定着する定着部に用いられる定着用ベルトに関す
る。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine,
In image forming devices such as facsimiles and printers,
The present invention relates to a fixing belt used in a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred onto a transfer material such as transfer paper by heating.
【0002】[0002]
【従来の技術】従来、円筒状のポリイミドチューブの外
周面に耐熱性合成樹脂層からなる接着層を介してソフト
セグメントとハードセグメントからなる耐熱性エラスト
マー層を形成してなる定着用ベルトは知られている。
(特開平10−161448号公報参照)
ところが、上記の定着用ベルトでは高温・高圧時に伸び
てしまうという問題がある。また、このベルトは、クッ
ション性に乏しいことから定着性が悪いという問題があ
る。さらに、ポリイミド樹脂が高価であるために製品の
コストも上がるという問題とともに、製造工程が複雑で
あるので生産性が悪いという問題もある。一方、ニッケ
ル電鋳のように、基材が金属で構成されたベルトも知ら
れているが、やはり、上記の定着性の問題は解消されて
いない。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastomer layer composed of a soft segment and a hard segment is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical polyimide tube via an adhesive layer composed of a heat-resistant synthetic resin layer. ing.
(See Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-161448) However, the above fixing belt has a problem that it stretches at high temperature and high pressure. Further, this belt has a problem of poor fixing property due to poor cushioning property. Further, there is a problem that the cost of the product is increased because the polyimide resin is expensive and the productivity is poor because the manufacturing process is complicated. On the other hand, a belt in which the base material is made of metal, such as nickel electroforming, is also known, but the problem of fixing property described above has not been solved.
【0003】[0003]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】したがって、本発明の
課題は、上記の問題点を解消するとともに、低コスト化
を実現した定着用ベルトを提供することにある。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing belt which solves the above problems and realizes cost reduction.
【0004】[0004]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明者等は、定着用ベ
ルトの内層部に、安価なシリコーンゴムないしフッ素ゴ
ムで代表される耐熱性ゴム状弾性体を配してクッション
性およびグリップ性を確保しながら、その際、懸念され
る“伸び”はガラス繊維で代表される無機系繊維によっ
て抑制することに着目した結果、従来の問題を一挙に解
消するに至った。DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present inventors have arranged a heat-resistant rubber-like elastic body typified by inexpensive silicone rubber or fluororubber on the inner layer portion of a fixing belt to provide cushioning and gripping properties. As a result of paying attention to the fact that the concerned "elongation" is suppressed by the inorganic fiber typified by the glass fiber at the time of securing, the conventional problems have been solved all at once.
【0005】かくして、本発明によれば、肉厚部内に、
該ベルトの少なくとも径方向の伸びを抑制する基材層が
配され、そして、該ベルトの少なくとも内層面は耐熱性
ゴム状弾性体で構成されていることを特徴とする定着用
ベルトが提供される。Thus, according to the present invention, in the thick portion,
A fixing belt is provided, in which a base material layer that suppresses at least radial expansion of the belt is arranged, and at least an inner layer surface of the belt is made of a heat-resistant rubber-like elastic body. .
【0006】[0006]
【発明の実施の形態】以下、基材層としてガラス繊維
層、また内・外層部にシリコーンゴムを配してなる肉厚
部が3層構造である円筒状の定着用ベルトの一例につい
て、図面を参照しながら説明する。図1は、本発明の定
着用ベルトの一例を示す縦断面図で、(1)は内層部、
(2)はベルトの少なくとも径(円周)方向の伸びを抑
制する基材層、(3)は外層部である。本発明で特徴的
なことは、内層部(1)と外層部(3)との間に、定着
用ベルトの少なくとも径方向の伸びを抑制する基材層
(2)を配し、しかも、少なくとも内層部(1)ひいて
はベルト内周面を耐熱性ゴム状弾性体で構成した点に在
る。このような構成を採ることにより、
a.ベルト自体、それが懸架されるローラに対する改善
されたグリップ性(スリップ防止能)を呈し、しかも
b.肉厚方向ではクッション性が確保されるので、トナ
ーを押し潰す懸念もなくなり、良好な定着性が得られ、
そして、
c.基材層の介在により、高温・高圧下においても該ゴ
ム状弾性体の伸びが確実に抑制される、ことになる。こ
のような基材層(2)としては、ガラス繊維等の無機系
繊維層が安定且つ安価であるので、好ましい。ガラス繊
維層は、適宜縦添えを施した横巻層、さらには編組層等
のシームレス状の集合体構造で供されるが、生産性・コ
ストの点では横巻き、伸びの抑制効果としては編組層の
方が優れているので、ベルトの要求特性に応じて、これ
らの構造を適宜使い分ければよい。この場合、ガラス繊
維の線径は5μm〜200μm、編組の厚みは10μm
〜300μm程度であればよく、そして、最終的にはガ
ラス繊維層の厚みを5μm〜300μmの範囲に調整す
ることが望ましい。また、ガラス繊維層を耐熱性樹脂と
の複合層にすると、伸びを抑制する効果がさらに強調さ
れ、より好ましい。この場合の耐熱性樹脂としては、一
般に耐熱性樹脂と称されているものであれば特に制約は
ないが、その中でもポリイミド樹脂が好ましく用いられ
る。そして、この複合層は、例えば、上述の横巻層や編
組層にポリイミドワニスを含浸させることにより形成さ
れる。本発明において、内層部(1)に配される耐熱性
ゴム状弾性体としては、シリコーンゴムあるいはフッ素
ゴム等が挙げられるが、コストの点からはシリコーンゴ
ムがより好ましい。この内層部(1)の厚さは、グリッ
プ性と強度の両面を考慮したとき、 10μm〜300
μmの範囲にあることが望ましい。一方、外層部(3)
には、上述の耐熱性樹脂ないし耐熱性ゴム状弾性体が配
される。この場合、トナーとの離型性が優先するときは
フッ素樹脂が、高耐熱性が特に要求されるときはポリイ
ミド樹脂が、そして、コストが重視されるときはシリコ
ーンゴムが、それぞれに好ましく用いられる。ここに、
フッ素樹脂の具体例としては、テトラフルオロエチレン
樹脂(PTFE)、テトラフルオロエチレン/パーフル
オロアルコキシエチレン共重合体(PFA)、テトラフ
ルオロエチレン/ヘキサフルオロプロピレン共重合体
(FEP)等が挙げられる。これらの中で、離型性や屈
曲性の面からテトラフルオロエチレン/パーフルオロア
ルコキシエチレン共重合体(PFA)が特に好ましい。
さらに、ポリイミド樹脂としては、東レ株式会社製「ト
レニース#3000」(商品名)やIS.T製「SKY
BOND」(商標名)が、また、シリコーンゴムとして
は、信越化学工業株式会社製「RTV(X−201
8)」や「RTV(X32−1032)」(いずれも商
品名)が挙げられる。この外層部(3)の厚さは離型性
と耐久性の両方を考慮したとき、10μm〜300μm
の範囲にあることが望ましい。以上のような材料からな
る定着用ベルト全体の肉厚は500μm以下とするが、
望ましくは50μm〜300μm、さらに望ましくは5
0μm〜150μmである。この厚さがあまり薄いとベ
ルトの強度が弱くなり、反対に厚すぎるとベルトの熱伝
導性が低下する。次に、本発明の定着用ベルトの製造方
法について、一例を挙げて説明する。先ず、要求される
ベルトの内径に合せた管状体(アルミ芯金にPFA樹脂
をコーティングしたもの)に液状シリコーンゴムをコー
ティングする。次に、コーティングしたシリコーンゴム
を加流・固化させて内層部(1)を形成する。この内層
部(1)の外周且つ円周方向にガラス繊維を横巻方式で
巻き付けて、基材層(2)を形成する。その後、再度液
状シリコーンゴムをコーティングした後加硫・固化し
て、シリコーンゴムが含浸・固化したガラス繊維基材層
(2)および外層部(3)を形成する。最後に、この複
層構造体を管状物から引き抜くことにより、本発明の定
着用ベルトが得られる。また、上記の態様で、内層部
(1)を比較的薄くしてもよいときは、前記の管状体の
外周面との間に隙間が形成されるように、ガラス繊維を
緩く巻きつけるか編組してガラス繊維層を形成した状態
で、液状シリコーンゴムを該繊維層より厚くコーティン
グしてもよい。このときは、該隙間を埋めたシリコーン
ゴムが内層部(1)を、そして、ガラス繊維層の外周面
に上乗せされたシリコーンゴムが外層部(3)となる。
これらのベルトには、必用に応じて表面研磨等の仕上げ
処理を施してもよい。以上の態様では、定着用ベルトの
少なくとも径方向の伸びを抑制する基材層(2)とし
て、ガラス繊維層を1層設けた例で説明したが、伸び抑
制効果をさらに上げるために基材層(2)を2層以上と
してもよい。BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of a cylindrical fixing belt having a glass fiber layer as a base material layer and a three-layered thick portion formed by arranging silicone rubber on inner and outer layers will be described below. Will be described with reference to. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the fixing belt of the present invention, in which (1) is an inner layer portion,
(2) is a base material layer that suppresses elongation of the belt in at least the diameter (circumferential) direction, and (3) is an outer layer portion. A feature of the present invention is that a base material layer (2) that suppresses at least radial extension of the fixing belt is disposed between the inner layer portion (1) and the outer layer portion (3), and at least The inner layer portion (1), and hence the inner peripheral surface of the belt, is composed of a heat-resistant rubber-like elastic body. By adopting such a configuration, a. The belt itself exhibits an improved grip (anti-slip capability) for the roller on which it is suspended, and b. Since the cushioning property is secured in the thickness direction, there is no concern of crushing the toner, and good fixing property can be obtained.
And c. The interposition of the base material layer ensures that the elongation of the rubber-like elastic body is suppressed even under high temperature and high pressure. As such a base material layer (2), an inorganic fiber layer such as glass fiber is preferable because it is stable and inexpensive. The glass fiber layer is provided with a horizontally wound layer appropriately vertically attached, and further provided in a seamless aggregate structure such as a braided layer, but from the viewpoint of productivity and cost, the effect of suppressing the horizontal winding and elongation is braided. Since the layer is superior, these structures may be appropriately used according to the required characteristics of the belt. In this case, the wire diameter of the glass fiber is 5 μm to 200 μm, and the thickness of the braid is 10 μm.
˜300 μm, and finally it is desirable to adjust the thickness of the glass fiber layer to a range of 5 μm to 300 μm. Further, it is more preferable to use a composite layer of the glass fiber layer and the heat resistant resin, because the effect of suppressing elongation is further emphasized. The heat resistant resin in this case is not particularly limited as long as it is generally called a heat resistant resin, but among them, a polyimide resin is preferably used. The composite layer is formed, for example, by impregnating the above-mentioned horizontal winding layer or braided layer with a polyimide varnish. In the present invention, examples of the heat-resistant rubber-like elastic body arranged in the inner layer portion (1) include silicone rubber and fluororubber, but from the viewpoint of cost, silicone rubber is more preferable. The thickness of the inner layer portion (1) is 10 μm to 300 when considering both grip performance and strength.
It is preferably in the range of μm. On the other hand, the outer layer part (3)
The above-mentioned heat-resistant resin or heat-resistant rubber-like elastic body is arranged in the. In this case, a fluororesin is preferably used when releasability from the toner is prioritized, a polyimide resin is preferably used when high heat resistance is particularly required, and a silicone rubber is preferably used when cost is important. . here,
Specific examples of the fluororesin include tetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP) and the like. Among these, a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer (PFA) is particularly preferable in terms of mold releasability and flexibility.
Further, as the polyimide resin, "Treney # 3000" (trade name) manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc. and "SKY" manufactured by IS.T.
“BOND” (trademark) is also used as the silicone rubber as “RTV (X-201) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
8) ”and“ RTV (X32-1032) ”(both are trade names). The thickness of the outer layer portion (3) is 10 μm to 300 μm, considering both releasability and durability.
It is desirable to be in the range of. The total thickness of the fixing belt made of the above materials is 500 μm or less,
Desirably 50 μm to 300 μm, more desirably 5
It is 0 μm to 150 μm. If this thickness is too thin, the strength of the belt will be weakened, while if it is too thick, the thermal conductivity of the belt will be reduced. Next, a method for manufacturing the fixing belt of the present invention will be described with reference to an example. First, a liquid silicone rubber is coated on a tubular body (an aluminum cored bar coated with PFA resin) matching the required inner diameter of the belt. Next, the coated silicone rubber is heated and solidified to form the inner layer portion (1). A glass fiber is wound around the outer circumference and the circumferential direction of the inner layer portion (1) in a horizontal winding method to form a base material layer (2). Then, the liquid silicone rubber is coated again and then vulcanized and solidified to form the glass fiber base material layer (2) and the outer layer portion (3) impregnated and solidified with the silicone rubber. Finally, the fixing belt of the present invention is obtained by pulling out the multilayer structure from the tubular material. Further, in the above aspect, when the inner layer portion (1) may be made relatively thin, the glass fiber is loosely wound or braided so that a gap is formed between the inner layer portion (1) and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body. The liquid silicone rubber may be coated thicker than the fiber layer with the glass fiber layer formed. At this time, the silicone rubber filling the gap becomes the inner layer portion (1), and the silicone rubber placed on the outer peripheral surface of the glass fiber layer becomes the outer layer portion (3).
These belts may be subjected to finishing treatment such as surface polishing, if necessary. In the above embodiment, an example in which one glass fiber layer is provided as the base material layer (2) that suppresses at least radial expansion of the fixing belt has been described. However, in order to further increase the elongation suppression effect, the base material layer (2) may have two or more layers.
【0007】以下に、本発明の定着用ベルトの具体例を
示す。上述した製造方法において、内層部(1)を、厚
さ100μm、幅350mmのシリコーンゴム層とし、
その外周に線径が10μmのガラス繊維を単層に横巻き
して、厚さが100μmから110μmの基材層(2)
を形成した。さらに、該基材層(2)の外周に厚さが1
00μmのシリコーンゴムの外層部(3)を形成して、
ベルト全体の肉厚が200μm、幅 350mmの円筒
状の定着用ベルトを作成した。このようにして作成した
定着用ベルトの各層間の接着力を180°剥離試験によ
り測定した所、いずれも500gf/cmであり、十分
な接着力が得られた。また、このベルトを実機(コピー
機)に使用した所、ベルトの滑りも発生せず、シリコー
ンゴム層による十分な弾力性に因り画像の定着性も良好
であることが確認された。Specific examples of the fixing belt of the present invention are shown below. In the manufacturing method described above, the inner layer portion (1) is a silicone rubber layer having a thickness of 100 μm and a width of 350 mm,
A base material layer (2) having a thickness of 100 μm to 110 μm, which is obtained by horizontally winding a glass fiber having a wire diameter of 10 μm in a single layer on the outer periphery thereof.
Was formed. Furthermore, the outer periphery of the base material layer (2) has a thickness of 1
Forming an outer layer (3) of silicone rubber of 00 μm,
A cylindrical fixing belt having a wall thickness of 200 μm and a width of 350 mm was prepared. When the adhesive force between the layers of the fixing belt thus produced was measured by a 180 ° peel test, all were 500 gf / cm, and sufficient adhesive force was obtained. Further, when this belt was used in an actual machine (copier), it was confirmed that the belt did not slip and the image fixing property was good due to the sufficient elasticity of the silicone rubber layer.
【0008】[0008]
【発明の効果】本発明では、耐熱性ゴム状弾性体により
改善されたグリップ性とクッション性とを確保しつつ、
該弾性体の採用に伴って懸念されるベルトの伸びの問題
をガラス繊維という安価な材料からなる基材層の導入に
より解消したので、高温・高圧下の使用時でさえ伸びが
生じることもなく、併せて滑りも発生することなく定着
性に優れた安価な定着用ベルトが提供される。しかも、
本発明の定着用ベルトは構造が簡単なため、製造時の作
業性が格段に改善され、生産性も向上する。According to the present invention, the heat-resistant rubber-like elastic body ensures improved grip and cushioning,
Since the problem of belt elongation, which is a concern with the adoption of the elastic body, has been solved by introducing a base material layer made of an inexpensive material called glass fiber, elongation does not occur even when used under high temperature and high pressure. In addition, an inexpensive fixing belt having excellent fixing properties without slippage is also provided. Moreover,
Since the fixing belt of the present invention has a simple structure, workability during manufacturing is significantly improved and productivity is also improved.
【図1】図1は、本発明の定着用ベルトの一例を示す縦
断面図である。FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing belt of the present invention.
1 定着用ベルトの内層部 2 定着用ベルトの伸びを抑制する基材層 3 定着用ベルトの外層部 1 Inner layer of fixing belt 2 Base material layer that suppresses elongation of the fixing belt 3 Outer layer of fixing belt
フロントページの続き Fターム(参考) 2H033 AA13 AA21 BA11 BA12 BB01 4F100 AA00A AG00 AK01A AK49 AK52 AN00A AN00B AN00C AT00A BA02 BA03 BA07 BA10B BA10C DA11 DG00A GB41 JJ03A JJ03B JJ03C JK07B JK07C JL04A Continued front page F term (reference) 2H033 AA13 AA21 BA11 BA12 BB01 4F100 AA00A AG00 AK01A AK49 AK52 AN00A AN00B AN00C AT00A BA02 BA03 BA07 BA10B BA10C DA11 DG00A GB41 JJ03A JJ03B JJ03C JK07B JK07C JL04A
Claims (5)
向の伸びを抑制する基材層が配され、そして、該ベルト
の少なくとも内層部は耐熱性ゴム状弾性体で構成されて
いることを特徴とする定着用ベルト。1. A base material layer for suppressing at least radial expansion of the belt is disposed in the thick portion, and at least an inner layer portion of the belt is made of a heat-resistant rubber-like elastic body. A characteristic fixing belt.
ある請求項1に記載の定着用ベルト。2. The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the base material layer for suppressing the elongation is an inorganic fiber.
し耐熱性樹脂との複合層で配されている請求項2に記載
の定着用ベルト。3. The fixing belt according to claim 2, wherein the inorganic fibers are arranged in a composite layer of a heat resistant rubber-like elastic body or a heat resistant resin.
ないし耐熱性樹脂で構成されている請求項1〜3のいず
れかに記載の定着用ベルト。4. The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer portion of the belt is made of a heat resistant rubber-like elastic body or a heat resistant resin.
請求項1〜4のいずれかに記載の定着用ベルト。5. The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the belt is 500 μm or less.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002135671A JP2003330294A (en) | 2002-05-10 | 2002-05-10 | Fixing belt |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002135671A JP2003330294A (en) | 2002-05-10 | 2002-05-10 | Fixing belt |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
JP2003330294A true JP2003330294A (en) | 2003-11-19 |
Family
ID=29697940
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002135671A Pending JP2003330294A (en) | 2002-05-10 | 2002-05-10 | Fixing belt |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
JP (1) | JP2003330294A (en) |
-
2002
- 2002-05-10 JP JP2002135671A patent/JP2003330294A/en active Pending
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