JP2005049647A - Exfoliation guide plate, exfoliation device, fixing device and image forming apparatus using same plate and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exfoliation guide plate which can smoothly guide a recording medium after exfoliation, an exfoliation device utilizing the exfoliation guide plate, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus utilizing these. <P>SOLUTION: The exfoliation guide plate 7 is arranged in a revolving direction A of the rotary body 1 so that its one side is in close vicinity of a surface of the rotary body 1 in order to exfoliate the recording medium P of a sheet shape which is carried on a surface of the revolving rotary body 1 from the rotary body 1 and to guide the conveyance. In the guide plate 7 which guides the exfoliated recording medium P so as to slide on a recording medium guiding surface F1 of a rear surface side of a surface facing the surface of the rotary body 1, the recording medium guiding surface F1 has a flat surface section with which the recording medium P comes into contact at least from one side near the surface of the rotary body 1 to prescribed length in a conveyance direction C of the recording medium P and has a depression part following the flat surface section in the conveyance direction C of the recording medium P. The exfoliation device utilizing the exfoliating guiding plate, the fixing device and the image forming apparatus utilizing these are also provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is conveyed while being adhered to the surface of a rotating body such as a fixing device or a simultaneous transfer fixing device used in an image recording apparatus, particularly an electrophotographic image recording apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile. In order to peel the sheet-like recording medium from the rotating body and guide its conveyance, a peeling guide plate that can be used in the vicinity of the rotating body, a peeling device including the peeling guide plate, and The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using these.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image recording apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile, as a fixing device for fixing a toner image transferred on a sheet surface, a toner is provided at a nip portion of a pair of rolls including a fixing roll and a pressure roll. 2. Description of the Related Art A fixing device (two-roll type fixing device) is widely used that passes a sheet on which an image has been transferred and fuses a toner image to the sheet by heating with a fixing roll and pressing with a pair of rolls.

  In this fixing method, the toner image fused to the paper comes into contact with the fixing roll. For example, as the fixing roll, a roll whose surface is coated with a fluorine-based resin having good releasability is used. However, even when such a fixing roll is used, the melted toner is soft and highly viscous, so that it easily adheres to the surface of the fixing roll, and the paper may be wound around the fixing roll. Therefore, normally, a peeling claw as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, a forced peeling device using a plastic release sheet (plastic sheet) as shown in FIG. A method is employed in which the paper is peeled off by being provided in a non-contact manner and the paper is prevented from being wound around the fixing roll.

  In addition, various types of peeling nails or peeling sheets have been proposed and used for peeling paper from the fixing roll (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Among these peeling means, the nail-like peeling nail has a difference in glossiness of the toner image between a portion where the peeling nail contacts and a portion where the peeling nail does not contact, or the toner image is damaged by the peeling nail. Therefore, a plate-like release sheet (peeling guide plate) is excellent in terms of such a low risk.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a general two-roll type fixing device provided with a peeling guide plate (baffle). The fixing device shown in FIG. 17 includes a fixing roll (heating rotator) 101 that rotates in the direction of arrow A, and a rotationally driven member that rotates following the direction of arrow B opposite to the direction of rotation A of the fixing roll 101 while contacting the fixing roll 101. And a pressure roll (pressure rotator) 106. A sheet (recording medium) P carrying a toner image T made of unfixed toner on the surface is conveyed in the direction of arrow C and is inserted into a nip portion N formed between the fixing roll 101 and the pressure roll 106. The toner image T is fixed on the surface of the paper P by being heated and pressed by the pair of rolls 101 and 106 so that the toner of the toner image T is fused.

  One side of the fixing roll 101 is close to the surface of the fixing roll 101 on the downstream side in the rotation (circumferential movement) direction A of the fixing roll 101 from the nip portion N, and the fixing roll 101 is laid in the rotation direction A of the fixing roll 101. The peeling guide plate 107 is arranged in the state where it is in contact. When the paper P carrying the toner image T in which the toner is in a molten state is inserted in the nip portion N and conveyed in the direction of arrow C, the paper P is peeled from the fixing roll 101 by the peeling guide plate 107.

  After the leading edge of the sheet P, the peeling guide plate 107 peels while sliding on the back surface of the surface facing the surface of the fixing roll 101 (FX in FIG. 17; hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “recording medium guiding surface”). In the process, if the length of the recording medium guide surface FX in the transport direction of the paper P is long, the path (time) in which the toner image T on the surface of the paper P comes into contact also becomes long. There is a problem that it is difficult to smoothly pass the recording medium guide surface FX surface. If it cannot pass smoothly, jamming of the paper P may be caused in the worst case. Of course, there is a slight concern about the influence on the image quality such as the gloss change of the image and the image disturbance.

In order to prevent this, the length of the recording medium guide surface FX in the conveyance direction of the paper P (the width of the peeling guide plate) may be shortened to make the overall shape of the peeling guide plate thinner. If too much, it becomes difficult to satisfy the rigidity required for the peeling guide plate.
This problem becomes more apparent as the fixing becomes faster and the oilless fixing becomes.

  The problems related to sheet peeling described above are basically the same in the roll-belt nip fixing device and the belt-belt nip fixing device as well as the two-roll fixing device. Furthermore, when transferring images in various printing systems, including electrostatic transfer in electrophotography, and when peeling the transfer material (photosensitive material, printing plate, etc.) from the recording medium (paper, etc.) There is a problem as described above. In addition, the above-described problem also exists when the recording medium is in close contact with some kind of rotating body (roll, belt, etc.) and needs to be peeled off. Therefore, a peeling device that can solve the above-described problem has been desired in various parts in the image forming field.

JP 59-188681 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-032875 JP 2000-250351 A JP-A-61-59468

  Therefore, the present invention is attached to the surface of a rotating body such as a fixing device or a simultaneous transfer fixing device used in an image recording apparatus, particularly an electrophotographic image recording apparatus such as an electronic copying machine or a facsimile. In order to peel the sheet-like recording medium to be conveyed from the rotating body and guide the conveyance, a peeling guide plate that can be used in the vicinity of the rotating body can be used to smoothly remove the recording medium after peeling. It is an object of the present invention to provide a peeling guide plate that can be guided to the surface. Another object of the present invention is to provide a peeling device that uses the peeling guide plate in a suitable mode, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the peeling device.

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below.
That is, the peeling guide plate of the present invention is for peeling the sheet-like recording medium conveyed on the surface of the rotating rotating body (for example, in a stuck state) from the rotating body, and for guiding the conveyance. The recording medium arranged on one side of the surface of the rotator and arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotator and peeled off is rubbed against the recording medium guide surface on the back side of the surface facing the surface of the rotator. A peeling guide plate that guides
The recording medium guide surface has at least a flat portion that comes into contact with the recording medium from one side close to the surface of the rotating body to a predetermined length in the recording medium conveyance direction. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a concave portion is provided following the plane portion.

  When the peeling guide plate of the present invention is arranged close to the surface of the rotating body, the recording medium peeled from the rotating body runs on one side of the peeling guide plate of the present invention close to the rotating body surface. Furthermore, the image surface is moved by being rubbed against the recording medium guide surface of the peeling guide plate of the present invention.

  The peeling guide plate of the present invention has a depressed portion where the recording medium does not contact the recording medium guide surface. For this reason, the length of the flat portion of the recording medium guide surface with which the recording medium abuts is relatively short in the recording medium conveyance direction. That is, when the recording medium passes through the recording medium guide surface, the recording medium does not contact with the recessed portion but only contacts with the flat surface portion, so that the recording medium rubs the recording medium guide surface. The journey (time) can be shortened, and it is guided more smoothly.

  Therefore, according to the peeling guide plate of the present invention, it is possible to smoothly guide the recording medium after peeling. Moreover, since the recording medium guide surface is merely provided with a depression, the peeling guide plate of the present invention does not change in length in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, that is, the width of the peeling guide plate, and is not thin as a whole. Therefore, it hardly affects the rigidity.

  In the present invention, the recording medium guide surface must have the flat portion and the depressed portion only in a region where the recording medium is brought into contact with the recording medium when the recording medium is conveyed. Such a configuration is not required at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Therefore, in the present invention, when discussing the relationship between the flat portion and the depressed portion on the recording medium guide surface, only the area where the recording medium is brought into contact with the recording medium is taken into consideration and the outer side (of the recording medium) is considered. The two ends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction are not considered.

  As the peeling guide plate of the present invention, the recording medium guide surface has a plurality of plane portions divided in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and has a depressed portion between the plurality of plane portions. It doesn't matter. That is, if there is a flat part first in the conveyance direction of the recording medium from one side close to the surface of the rotator and then there is a depressed part, it is a configuration of the present invention. Further, even if the depressed portion continues, this may be repeated. If the recording medium guide surface has a depressed portion, and the length (time) of the planar portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium is shortened as a whole, the recording medium after peeling while maintaining rigidity It is possible to fully exhibit the effect peculiar to the present invention that enables smooth guidance.

  In the present invention, the total length of the planar portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium (the region from the side where the planar portion is close to the surface of the rotating body to a predetermined length in the conveyance direction of the recording medium) In this case, the “total” is equal to the “predetermined length”.) Is substantially the same length at any position in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Is desirable.

  When the sum of the lengths of the plane portions is different in the direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction, the length (time) of contact / sliding on the recording medium guide surface by conveyance of the recording medium is Depending on the position in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, the image quality such as uneven gloss may be affected. Of course, the effect is hardly a problem with what is called normal high-speed fixing or high-quality images. However, there is a concern that the effect becomes obvious when higher-speed fixing is desired or when a higher image quality is desired.

  On the other hand, the concern is eliminated by making the sum of the lengths of the plane portions substantially the same in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. In particular, as described below, when one side close to the surface of the rotating body has at least one portion protruding toward the surface of the rotating body, the recording medium includes the protruding portion and the portion that does not protrude. The total length of the planar portion differs greatly in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium, but the total length of the depressed portion in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium is the same as the transport direction of the recording medium. It can be made substantially the same by adjusting according to the orthogonal direction.

As the peeling guide plate of the present invention, one side close to the surface of the rotator may have at least one portion protruding toward the surface of the rotator.
When peeling from the rotating body, a state may occur in which the recording medium itself partially peels off from the surface of the rotating body and other parts do not peel off. In this case, if the one side of the peeling guide plate that is close to the surface of the rotating body is straight and is arranged in parallel (at equal intervals) to the surface of the rotating body, the rotation of the recording medium is performed. The part peeled from the body surface tends to proceed to the back side of the surface of the peeling guide plate facing the rotating body surface, and the part not peeled follows the surface of the rotating body. It tends to proceed to the surface facing the surface of the rotating body. In other words, at the foremost part of the recording medium, there are portions that tend to travel on both sides of the peeling guide plate, and the foremost part of the recording medium hits one side of the peeling guide plate that is close to the rotating body surface. In addition to not being able to peel off, conveyance failure such as jamming will occur.

  However, one side of the peeling guide plate adjacent to the surface of the rotating body has at least one portion protruding toward the surface of the rotating body, in other words, by providing a portion retracted to the one side, At least a part of the part peeled off from the surface of the rotating body in the recording medium rides on the protruding part of the peeling guide plate, and a part not peeled off is not caught by the retracted part of the peeling guide plate. In connection with the transport movement due to the circumferential movement of the rotating body, it is assumed that the peeling guide plate rides on the protruding portion and is peeled by the peeling portion. If it becomes like this, the whole recording medium will peel favorably. This action occurs only when the portion of the recording medium not peeled off from the surface of the rotating body corresponds to the retracted portion of the peeling guide plate. Probability theory. However, no matter how the protruding portion on the one side is provided, the probability that the above-described effect can be reliably achieved is increased as compared with the case where the protruding portion is not provided. Therefore, depending on the degree of difficulty of peeling, a sufficiently high peelability can be easily ensured by adding the above configuration.

  Also, for example, in peeling at the time of fixing, since a toner image is not usually formed at both ends of the recording medium in the conveyance direction, only the both ends are protruded. Depending on the situation and the state of attachment between the recording medium and the rotating body, it is possible to significantly improve the peelability by projecting an appropriate portion.

  By the way, in recent years, there is an opportunity to use coated paper with a small basis weight, or an opportunity to output an image using a large amount of toner from the leading edge of the paper, such as a photographic image, in a state where the margin at the leading edge of the paper is smaller than the conventional one. There has been a need for a peeling technique that can reliably peel off paper without affecting the image quality even under such circumstances. The present inventors have developed an APS (Air Pulse Stripping) technique as a technique for achieving this object, but the peeling guide plate of the present invention can be suitably applied to a peeling apparatus according to the technique.

  Here, the peeling device based on the APS technique is a peeling device for peeling a sheet-like recording medium transported (for example, in a state of being attached) from the rotating body, the rotating body being the rotating body. From the region where the surface advances in a curved line in the circumferential direction, or the separation guide plate arranged downstream thereof, and the region sandwiched between the surface of the rotating body and the surface of the separation guide plate facing it, the rotation It is a peeling apparatus comprised of gas discharge means for discharging a pulsed compressed gas toward the gap between the body surface and one side of the peeling guide plate adjacent to the body surface.

  Explaining the operation and effect of the peeling device by the APS technique, first, the surface of the rotating body is transported in a state where it is attached to the surface of the rotating body in a region where the surface of the rotating body advances in a curved direction or downstream thereof When the recording medium follows the rotating body, a force for peeling from the surface of the rotating body is exerted by the stiffness of the recording medium itself. However, it is difficult to remove the recording medium (for example, the toner amount of the toner image is large, the toner image is close to the tip of the recording medium, the basis weight of the recording medium is small, the recording medium is thin coated paper, etc.) In some cases, the force to peel off is weak and the peelability is not sufficient.

  Conventionally, in order to compensate for this peeling force, a peeling claw or a peeling sheet was brought into contact with the above-mentioned area or the like, or a self-stripping method was used. It was not satisfactory enough, such as the effect on the surface of the film and the insufficient peelability. Therefore, in the APS technique, the influence on the image quality is suppressed by using a compressed gas for sheet peeling. That is, since the peeling guide plate is separated from the surface of the rotating body, there is no fear of damaging the rotating body, and the recording medium is not mechanically and forcibly separated from the rotating body. No damage. In this case, similarly, the image is not damaged, and the image remains in contact with the peeling guide plate even after peeling, so that the image quality is not deteriorated.

  Furthermore, as a configuration in which a compressed gas is discharged from a region sandwiched between the surface of the rotating body and the surface of the peeling guide plate opposed thereto toward a gap between the surface of the rotating body and one side of the peeling guide plate adjacent thereto. Therefore, the discharged compressed gas is curtained in the slit-shaped gap, proceeds so as to wrap around the surface of the rotating body that is curved, and is the most distal portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium It hits. At this time, since the discharged compressed gas flow is rectified in the gap and is applied in a state where the compressed gas flow spreads to an appropriate portion of the recording medium, the use efficiency of the compressed gas is extremely high. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the discharge of the compressed gas continuous, it can be made into a pulse shape, and the amount of the compressed gas can be extremely reduced as a whole. Therefore, the apparatus does not increase in size and cost, and there is almost no concern that the supplied compressed gas convects in the apparatus, and the APS technique is extremely practical.

As described above, although it is an APS technology having extremely high peelability and practicality, it is difficult to smoothly guide the recording medium after peeling with the peeling guide plate if the process speed is further improved. It becomes. Of course, since the APS technology itself has excellent releasability and practicality, such a problem will not be manifested with high-speed fixing generally speaking, but we do not know that the demand for high-speed fixing in the market will remain, If this is to be realized at a higher level, it is desired to deal with this problem. Therefore, by applying the peeling guide plate of the present invention to the peeling device based on the APS technique, it is possible to smoothly guide the recording medium after peeling with the peeling guide plate, and meet the demand for extremely high-speed fixing. .
That is, the peeling device based on the APS technology to which the peeling guide plate of the present invention is applied (the peeling device of the present invention) is a peeling device based on the APS technology, and the peeling guide plate used for the peeling device is the peeling guide plate of the present invention. It is characterized by being.

  In the peeling apparatus of the present invention, when the most distal portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium that has been conveyed along with the circumferential movement of the rotating body approaches the position where the peeling guide plate is disposed, It is preferable that the compressed gas is discharged by the gas discharge means so that the compressed gas is hit. At this time, the compressed gas of a degree sufficient to be in a state in which the foremost portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium peeled from the surface of the rotating body by the compressed gas rides on one side close to the surface of the rotating body of the peeling guide plate The gas ejection means is controlled so that only the gas is discharged, and the portion following the most distal portion in the transport direction in the recording medium is the rotating body of the peeling guide plate as it is transported by the circumferential movement of the rotating body. Gradually ride on one side close to the surface, and the recording medium surface is rubbed and moved on the back surface of the peeling guide plate facing the surface of the rotating body. It is preferable that the entire surface of the recording medium is peeled off.

  Also in the peeling apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium guide surface of the peeling guide plate has a plurality of plane portions divided in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and a depression is provided between the plurality of plane portions. You may have the aspect which has.

  In the peeling apparatus of the present invention, as the gas discharge means, a nozzle that discharges a compressed gas is arranged in a region sandwiched between the surface of the rotating body and the surface of the peeling guide plate facing it. In addition, a plurality of the nozzles may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential movement direction of the rotating body.

  In the peeling apparatus of the present invention, the gas discharge means may include a nozzle for discharging a compressed gas in a region sandwiched between the surface of the rotating body and the surface of the peeling guide plate facing the surface (one or the rotating body). A portion that is arranged in a plurality of directions perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the plate and faces the center in the traveling direction of each compressed gas discharged by the nozzle on one side of the peeling guide plate close to the surface of the rotating body. It is preferable that the vicinity thereof has a shape protruding toward the surface of the rotating body.

  By adopting the configuration as described above, the portion where the compressed gas from the nozzle hits is peeled and lifted out of the recording medium conveyance direction most distal portion, but it corresponds to the portion, A portion of one side of the peeling guide plate that is close to the surface of the rotating body is a protruding portion. Accordingly, the foremost portion of the recording medium that is well lifted by the compressed gas is guided to the protruding portion of the peeling guide plate, and the entire surface of the recording medium is gradually peeled off. With such a configuration, the image, the recording medium, and the rotating body including the fixing roll are not damaged, and extremely high releasability is ensured and the image quality is not affected. A high peeling apparatus can be provided.

In this case, in the peeling guide plate, a portion having a shape protruding toward the surface of the rotating body has a long length in the transport direction of the recording medium among positions orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium. ing. Therefore, it is preferable that the total length of the planar portion of the peeling guide plate in the recording medium conveyance direction is substantially the same at any position orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction. Specifically, the total length of the depressed portion is adjusted in accordance with the position perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction, according to the position orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction.
By adjusting the flat portion and the depressed portion in this manner, the concern that the image quality such as gloss unevenness varies depending on the position in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium is solved.

The peeling member of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “the peeling member of the present invention” means both the peeling guide plate of the present invention and the peeling device of the present invention) is particularly high peeling. It is preferable to apply it to a fixing device that requires high performance.
That is, the fixing device of the present invention includes at least a heating rotator whose surface is heated to rotate, and a pressure rotator that contacts the surface of the heating rotator to form a nip portion, and is not fixed to the surface. The toner image is formed by inserting a sheet-like recording medium on which a toner image made of the toner is formed into the nip portion so that the surface on which the toner image is formed contacts the surface of the heating rotator. A fixing device for fixing

  After passing through the nip portion, the recording medium transported in a fused or slightly fused state to the surface of the heating rotator by the molten toner constituting the toner image is peeled from the heating rotator. And a peeling guide plate for guiding the conveyance, and the peeling guide plate is the peeling guide plate of the present invention. Further, a peeling device for peeling the recording medium from the heating rotating body may be provided, and the peeling device may be the peeling device of the present invention.

  In the fixing device of the present invention, the heating rotator may have a roll shape or an endless belt shape. Similarly, the pressure rotator may be in the form of a roll or an endless belt. That is, the fixing device of the present invention can be any of a two-roll fixing device, a roll-belt nip fixing device, and a belt-belt nip fixing device. Of course, in the case of the roll-belt nip method, either the heating rotator or the pressure rotator may be a roll or a belt. Any of the above belts may be in a state of being stretched by a plurality of rolls or in a free state of being not stretched (free belt nip method).

In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention heats at least a toner image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on the surface of a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method, and a toner image held on the surface of the recording medium. And an image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes by pressing.
The fixing unit is the fixing device of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the surface of a rotating body such as a fixing device or a simultaneous transfer fixing device used in an image recording apparatus, particularly an electrophotographic image recording apparatus such as an electronic copying machine or a facsimile, is used. The peeling guide plate that can be used in the vicinity of the rotating body is used for peeling the sheet-like recording medium conveyed in a state of being attached to the rotating body and guiding the conveyance. A peeling guide plate capable of smoothly guiding a subsequent recording medium can be provided. In addition, the present invention can provide a peeling device that uses the peeling guide plate in a suitable mode, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the peeling device.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments.
<First Embodiment>
First, a fixing device according to a first embodiment including a peeling guide plate as an example of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fixing device of this embodiment. The fixing device of this embodiment is of a two-roll type.

  The fixing device shown in FIG. 1 includes a fixing roll (heating rotator) 1 that rotates in the direction of arrow A, and a rotary that is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B opposite to the direction of rotation A of the fixing roll 1 while in contact with the fixing roll 1. A pressure roll (pressure rotator) 6 is provided. A sheet (recording medium) P carrying a toner image T made of unfixed toner on the surface is conveyed in the direction of arrow C, and is inserted into a nip portion N formed between the fixing roll 1 and the pressure roll 6. The toner image T is fixed on the surface of the paper P by being heated and pressed by the pair of rolls 1 and 6 and the toner of the toner image T being fused.

One side of the fixing roll 1 is close to the surface of the fixing roll 1 on the downstream side in the rotation (circulation) direction A of the fixing roll 1 from the nip portion N, and the fixing roll 1 is laid in the rotation direction A of the fixing roll 1. The peeling guide plate 7 is arranged in the state where it has been. Here, “the state laid down in the circumferential direction” means that the normal to the rotating body passing through one side (tip) of the peeling guide plate (7) close to the rotating body (fixing roll 1) is as follows: This means that the entire peeling guide plate is tilted in the circumferential direction.
When the paper P carrying the toner image T in which the toner is melted is conveyed in the direction of the arrow C through the nip portion N, the paper P is peeled from the fixing roll 1 by the peeling guide plate 7.

  Here, the fixing roll 1 in the present embodiment corresponds to a “rotating body” referred to in the present invention, and the peeling guide plate 7 is provided for peeling the paper P as a recording medium from the fixing roll 1. . In the present embodiment, the sheet P is fixed to the fixing roll by utilizing micro-strain generated by elastic deformation of the fixing roll 1 due to the pressing of the pressure roll 6 at the interface between the sheet P and the fixing roll 1. The self-stripping system configuration is employed in which the film is naturally peeled from 1. By adopting a self-stripping configuration, it exhibits sufficient peelability under ordinary fixing conditions, such as when fixing a character image on plain paper.

  The fixing roll 1 is made of aluminum, the surface of a core 5 having a thickness of 2 to 3 mm is covered with an elastic layer 3 having a thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm, and further the surface layer 4 having a thickness of 20 to 50 μm is further coated thereon. The heater 2 is arranged as a heat source inside. In the present embodiment, a silicone LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber) rubber having a rubber hardness of 25 to 45 ° is used as the elastic layer 3. As the surface layer 4, a PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer) tube is used. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the fixing roll 1 is 65 mmφ.

The material of the elastic layer 3 is not limited to silicone rubber, and various conventionally known materials can be used. For example, fluorine rubber can be used, and a plurality of layers made of silicone rubber and fluorine rubber can be used. A laminated elastic layer may be used.
As the fixing roll, a so-called hard roll without an elastic layer may be used.

Next, the peeling guide plate 7 which is an example of the peeling guide plate of this invention used in this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the peeling guide plate 7 as viewed from the surface (recording medium guide surface F1) opposite to the surface side of the fixing roll 1. In FIG. 2, W1 is the maximum width with which the paper P can come into contact, and in this embodiment, W1 is 297 mm, which is the same as the A4 long side or the A3 short side. Of course, in the present invention, an apparatus that can use a larger sheet or an apparatus that can use only a smaller sheet may be used.
3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line bb.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cross-sectional shape of the peeling guide plate 7 as a whole is a wedge-shaped triangle having the sides of the face F1, the face 7a, and the face 7b, and has the sharpest acute angle. The apex portion (tip portion 7 c) to be close to the surface of the fixing roll 1. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are cross-sectional views, the surface F1, the surface 7a and the surface 7b in the peeling guide plate 7 are actually planar or planar with depressions. 7a is a surface (referred to as "back surface") facing the surface of the fixing roll 1, F1 is the back surface (recording medium guide surface), 7b is an end surface ("edge surface") that is one side facing the tip 7c. ).
In addition, the peeling guide plate in the present invention includes, in the same way as the peeling guide plate 7 in the present embodiment, a cross-sectional shape that is not completely rectangular, but strictly not in a flat plate shape.

  In this embodiment, the peeling guide plate 7 uses a stainless steel (SUS430) material as a base material, and the recording medium guide surface F1, the back surface 7a, and the edge surface 7b are covered with a fluorine resin layer having a thickness of 30 μm. Used. Of course, in this invention, it is not limited to using a stainless steel material as a base material of a peeling guide plate, For example, you may use a heat resistant plastic material and another metal.

  In the present embodiment, the tip end portion 7 c of the peeling guide plate 7 is disposed in a non-contact manner adjacent to the surface of the fixing roll 1. At this time, the gap (gap) between the tip 7c of the peeling guide plate 7 and the surface of the fixing roll 1 is preferably selected from a range of 1 mm or less. If this gap is too large, the direction of the paper P can be changed greatly by the peeling guide plate 7, and it becomes difficult to smoothly slide on the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 and the recording medium guide surface F 1. It may cause trouble in peeling.

  The general peeling guide plate 7 has a wedge-shaped triangle as shown in FIG. 3A regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3B, a depression 7h is provided on the recording medium guide surface F1 over the region of the maximum width W1 with which the paper P can abut. It is characteristic. That is, the recording medium guide surface F1 has a flat portion 7s from the front end portion 7c toward the end edge surface 7b, and subsequently has a depressed portion 7h that is depressed with a step from the flat portion 7s.

  Therefore, the sheet P is gradually separated from the fixing roll 1 so that the leading end in the conveyance direction C is peeled off from the fixing roll 1 and rides on the leading end 7 c of the peeling guide plate 7. Then, the surface of the paper P that carries the toner image T is gradually made a recording medium guide surface F1. However, since the depressed portion 7h is provided in the recording medium guide surface F1 as described above, the sheet P does not come into contact with the depressed portion 7h but only comes into contact with the flat portion 7s and is rubbed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the length and time for which the toner image T is rubbed can be shortened, and the smooth conveyance of the paper P is realized. For this reason, there is little concern that an accident such as jamming will occur, and the influence on the image quality such as a change in image gloss or image disturbance can be made equal. Of course, even if the depression 7h is not provided on the recording medium guide surface F1, the toner image T on the paper P abuts the recording medium guide surface F1 on the surface, so that the conveyance of the paper P is smooth. Relatively high. However, when the process speed is extremely high, for example, 300 mm / S or more, smoothness is impaired if the contact area is inevitably large, so it is extremely effective to adopt the configuration of the present invention.

  In the peeling guide plate 7, the length of the flat portion 7S and the depressed portion 7h in the recording medium guide surface F1 in the conveyance direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the paper P is not preferable either too short or too long. It is desirable to design appropriately according to the conditions.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a fixing device according to a second embodiment provided with a peeling guide plate, which is another example of the present invention, will be described. The fixing device of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the peeling guide plate, and the other basic configurations are the same, and will be described with reference to FIG. 1 (however, the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment). For the peeling guide plates having different configurations, the reference numeral is “7 ′”. Therefore, the description of the configuration other than the peeling guide plate will be omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ viewed from the surface (recording medium guide surface F 2) opposite to the surface side of the fixing roll 1. In FIG. 4, W2 is the maximum width with which the paper P can come into contact. In this embodiment, W2 is 297 mm, which is the same as the A4 long side or the A3 short side, but of course the present invention is not limited to this. Absent.

5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line cc in FIG. 4, FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line dd, and FIG. 5C is an ee cross-section. FIG. 5D is an enlarged sectional view of the ff section.
As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the cross-sectional shape of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ as a whole is a wedge-shaped structure having the recording medium guide surface F2, the back surface 7′a, and the edge surface 7′b as sides. The apex portion that is a triangle and has the sharpest acute angle is close to the surface of the fixing roll 1.

  In this embodiment, one side of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ that is close to the surface of the fixing roll 1, which corresponds to the apex portion, is not straight, and is directed toward the surface of the fixing roll 1 as shown in FIG. 4. (Hereinafter, a shape having one or more portions protruding toward the surface of the rotating body in this way may be referred to as “an unusual tip shape”). As shown in FIG. 4, the deformed tip shape in the present embodiment is composed of a convex portion 8a and a concave portion 8b (note that both end portions are in a protruding state equivalent to the convex portion 8a. In the form, the portion is outside the maximum width W2 with which the paper P can come into contact and is a portion that does not contribute to paper separation, and is not included in the convex portion 8a.)

  The protrusions 8 a protrude so that their tips are in a straight line, and are provided at three locations in the longitudinal direction of the peeling guide plate 8. On the other hand, the concave portions 8b are provided between the convex portions 8a and at both ends, and recede in an arc shape. Furthermore, in the recess 8b, the degree of retraction differs between the front and back surfaces of the peeling guide plate 8, and the recording medium guide surface F2 as the back surface is retracted from the back surface 7'a, and the recess 8b In the center of the arc, a surface (8c in FIG. 5B) inclined with respect to the recording medium guide surface F2 is formed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B to 5D, the depressed portion 7 ′ is formed on the recording medium guide surface F2 over the region of the maximum width W1 with which the paper P can abut. It is characteristic that h is provided. That is, the recording medium guide surface F2 has a flat surface portion 7's from the front end portion including the convex portion 8a and the concave portion 8b toward the end edge surface 7'b, and subsequently has a step from the flat surface portion 7's. It has a depressed portion 7'h that is depressed.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the length of the plane portion 7's in the conveyance direction (up and down direction in FIG. 4) of the paper P is any of the directions perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper P (left and right direction in FIG. 4). In the position, it is substantially the same length. If it demonstrates using FIG. 5, the length L1 of planar part 7's of FIG.5 (b) used as the recessed part 8b and the planar part 7's of FIG.5 (d) used as the convex part 8a will be explained. The relationship between the length L3 and the length L2 of the plane portion 7 ′s in FIG. 5C, which is an intermediate part thereof, is as shown below.
L1 ≒ L2 ≒ L3

  In other words, in the case where the length of the recording medium guide surface F2 is different in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet P (the left-right direction in FIG. 4), the sheet of the depressed portion 7′h By adjusting the length of P in the transport direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) as appropriate, the length is adjusted to satisfy the above relational expression.

In the first embodiment, since the peeling guide plate 7 ′ itself does not have a deformed tip shape, if the depressed portion 7 h is uniformly formed without particularly adjusting the shape or the like, the planar portion is left as it is. The length of 7's in the conveyance direction of paper P (the vertical direction in FIG. 2) is substantially the same in any position in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of paper P (the left-right direction in FIG. 2). .
The fixing device according to the present embodiment is provided with the peeling guide plate 7 ′ having such a shape so that the convex portion 8 a and the concave portion 8 b are close to the surface of the fixing roll 1.

  In the vicinity of the exit of the nip portion N, the sheet P is subjected to a force for peeling from the surface of the fixing roll 1, but “the toner amount of the toner image T is large”, “the toner image T is near the front end of the sheet P”. When the paper P is difficult to peel off, such as “the basis weight of the paper P is small” or “the paper P is a thin coated paper”, the surface of the fixing roll 1 is partially due to the stiffness of the paper P itself. It is possible to cause a state in which the other part is not peeled off. In this case, if one side of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ adjacent to the fixing roll 1 is straight and is arranged in parallel (at equal intervals) to the surface of the fixing roll 1, the fixing roll 1 on the paper P is disposed. The part peeled off from the surface tends to proceed to the recording medium guide surface F2 side of the peeling guide plate 7 ′, and the part not peeled follows the surface of the fixing roll 1, so It tries to proceed to the opposite surface side (back surface 7'a side). In other words, at the leading edge of the paper P, there are parts that are going to advance on both sides of the peeling guide plate 7 ′, the leading edge of the paper P hits the leading edge of the peeling guide plate 7 ′, and the peeling cannot be performed. Or, conveyance failure such as jamming will occur.

  According to this embodiment, by providing the convex portion 8a and the concave portion 8b on one side close to the surface of the fixing roll 1 in the peeling guide plate 7 ′, a portion corresponding to at least the convex portion 8a in the most distal portion of the paper P is provided. If it has peeled off, it will ride on the convex part 8a. At this time, even if the portion corresponding to the concave portion 8b in the most distal portion of the paper P is not peeled off, the concave portion 8b is retreated with respect to the conveyance direction C of the paper P. It won't get caught. As the fixing roll 1 rotates (circulates), the unrolled portion is gradually peeled by being dragged by the peeled portion on the convex portion 8a of the peeling guide plate 7 '. If it becomes like this, the whole paper P will peel favorably.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the peeling guide plate 7 ′ has a deformed tip shape. Thus, in the peeling guide plate 7 ′ having the deformed tip shape, the length of the recording medium guide surface F2 in the conveyance direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) of the paper P is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper P (FIG. 4). There is a concern that the image quality may be affected such as uneven glossiness. This concern may become apparent only when a particularly high speed fixing and high image quality are desired.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the plane portion 7's has the conveyance direction of the paper P (up and down in FIG. 4) at any position in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P (left and right direction in FIG. 4). The length of the (direction) is substantially the same. By doing so, even with the irregular-shaped tip-shaped peeling guide plate 7 ′, there is no difference in the rubbing of the paper P against the recording medium guide surface F2 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction even when the sheet P is transported. The concern that the image quality will be affected is resolved.
In the present embodiment, the configuration (material, gap, etc.) and other configurations of the peeling guide plate not described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the peeling guide plate having a deformed tip shape that can be employed in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view seen from the back side of the surface facing the surface of the rotator, that is, the recording medium guide surface side, and the lower side in the drawing is one side having a deformed tip shape. In FIG. 6, W3 is the maximum width with which the paper P can come into contact, and in this embodiment, W3 is 297 mm, which is the same as the A4 long side or the A3 short side. In addition, about each peeling guide plate, it abbreviate | omitted and showed about the shape of the thickness direction.

  FIG. 6A shows an aspect having seven convex portions 60a that are sharply sharpened as the deformed tip shape. In this case, the total extension of the convex portions 60a adjacent to the rotating body to be peeled is extremely short, and there is a high probability of allowing a portion that is not peeled off from the surface of the rotating body at the most distal portion of the recording medium. Sex is relatively high.

  Further, for example, in peeling at the time of fixing, since toner images are not generally formed at both ends of the recording medium in the transport direction, as shown in FIG. 6B, portions corresponding to the both ends. That is, it is also effective to provide the convex portions 62a only at both ends of one side of the peeling guide plate. At both ends where the toner image is not formed, peeling after fixing occurs with a high probability even in the leading edge in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the protrusion 62a effectively acts on this, so that the peelability is extremely high. At this time, the width of the convex portion 62a may be set appropriately by considering the width in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium and the range in which the toner image can be formed.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6C, it is also effective to project only one end of one side of the peeling guide plate into a convex portion 64a and recede linearly toward the other end. . If only one end rides on the leading edge of the peeling guide plate, the peeling progresses gradually at the receding linear leading edge along with the conveyance of the recording medium, and finally the entire surface peels, so the peelability is extremely high. In addition, when toner image formation is assumed at one end of the both ends of the recording medium in the conveyance direction, an irregular tip shape adopts the peeling guide plate in this form, and toner image formation is assumed. It is effective to retreat one end of one side of the peeling guide plate corresponding to one end on the side to be formed.

  Furthermore, when there are a plurality of recording media to be used, it is also effective to provide convex portions 66a to 66a ″ corresponding to the width in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, as shown in FIG. 6D, for example, when transported in the A4 longitudinal direction, both longitudinal ends where no image is formed on the recording medium are convex portions 66a at both ends of the peeling guide plate. And the convex portion 66a ″ act effectively, and when transported in the A4 lateral direction, both ends in the short direction where no image is formed on the recording medium are in the middle of the convex portion 66a ″ at one end of the peeling guide plate. A certain convex portion 66a ′ acts effectively, and appropriate peelability is ensured.

  In any peeling guide plate having these irregular tip shapes, the recording medium guide surface has flat portions 50 s, 52 s, 54 s, and 56 s from the general shape having the irregular tip shape to a predetermined portion. Are followed by depressions 50h, 52h, 54h, 56h. As described above, the configuration of the present invention can be applied regardless of the shape of the deformed tip. These irregular tip-shaped peeling guide plates to which the configuration of the present invention is applied are the lengths of the flat portions 50s, 52s, 54s, and 56s on the recording medium guide surface in contact with the recording medium in the recording medium conveyance direction (on the drawing). When the recording medium passes through the recording medium guide surface, the recording medium does not come into contact with the depressions 50h, 52h, 54h, and 56h, but only at the flat portions 50s, 52s, 54s, and 56s. Because of the contact, the path (time) in which the recording medium rubs against the recording medium guide surface can be shortened, and the recording medium can be guided more smoothly.

  In FIG. 6, for the example of (c), the length of the flat portion 54 s in the recording medium conveyance direction is the same as the peeling guide plate (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) in the present embodiment. The lengths are substantially the same at any position in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium (left and right direction in the drawing), but this is especially true for the examples of (a), (b), and (d). is not. Of course, also in these examples, the flat portions 50 s, 52 s, 56 s and the recessed portions 50 h, 52 h, 56 h are appropriately adjusted according to the deformed tip shape, respectively, and the recording medium is conveyed by the flat portions 50 s, 52 s, 56 s. It is preferable that the length of the direction is substantially the same at any position in the direction (left and right direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a description will be given of a fixing device according to a third embodiment in which the peeling guide plate which is an example of the present invention described in the second embodiment is applied to a peeling device using the APS technique. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fixing device of this embodiment. The fixing device of this embodiment is of a two-roll type.

The fixing device of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the peeling device (including the peeling guide plate), and the other basic configuration is the same. In FIG. 7, the same as the first embodiment is the same. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are attached to the members showing the functions, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Further, as already described, the peeling guide plate used in this embodiment is the same as the peeling guide plate 7 described in the second embodiment, and therefore, in FIG. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  One side of the fixing roll 1 is close to the surface of the fixing roll 1 on the downstream side in the rotation (circulation) direction A of the fixing roll 1 from the nip portion N, and the fixing roll 1 is laid in the rotation direction A of the fixing roll 1. In this state, a peeling guide plate 7 'is arranged. A gas discharge device (gas discharge means) 10 is disposed in a region sandwiched between the surface of the fixing roll 1 and the back surface of the recording medium guide surface of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ facing the fixing roll 1.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the peeling device in this embodiment, that is, the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the gas discharge device 10 as viewed from the surface of the fixing roll 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ in the peeling device as viewed from the opposite direction to FIG. 8 (that is, as viewed from the surface opposite to the surface side of the fixing roll 1).

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, three gas ejection devices 10 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the peeling guide plate 7 '. However, in the APS technique, the number of gas discharge devices is not limited, and it is sufficient that at least one gas discharge device is provided. In the present embodiment, the gas discharge device 10 includes air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3 having an inner diameter of about 0.5 to 4 mm, electromagnetic valves 10b-1, 10b-2, 10b-3, 7 includes a gas supply device (not shown), and is configured to discharge a compressed gas flow (compressed gas) in a pulse form from the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, and 10a-3. . Here, “pulsed” means not a continuous air flow, but a short time (for example, 0.01 to 0.1 sec), or a intermittent flow at a certain time interval. .

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of the gas ejection device 10. In FIG. 9, the gas supply apparatus omitted in FIG. 8 is schematically shown, and is denoted by reference numerals 10c to 10g. That is, the gas supply device which constitutes a part of the gas discharge device 10 generates a gas reservoir (ACCUMULATOR) 10c for storing gas to be sent to each of the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3, and compressed gas. The air pump 10d for pressure feeding, the connecting pipe 10e for connecting them as shown in the figure, and the air pulse controllers 10f-1, 10f for controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valves 10b-1, 10b-2, 10b-3. -2, 10f-3, and a regulator 10g for adjusting the pressure of the compressed gas pumped from the air pump 10d.

  Air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, and 10a-3 are connected to solenoid valves 10b-1, 10b-2, and 10b-3, respectively, and are supplied from air pulse controllers 10f-1, 10f-2, and 10f-3. The discharge time and discharge timing are controlled by turning on and off the valve opening / closing signal of the solenoid valve. Further, the solenoid valves 10b-1, 10b-2, 10b-3 are connected to the air pump 10d via the gas reservoir 10c by a connecting pipe 10e, and the gas pumped from the air pump 10d is the gas reservoir 10c. After being trapped once, it is sent to each air nozzle 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3, and compressed gas protrudes. In the gas reservoir 10c, the gas supplied from the air pump 10d is stored until a predetermined pressure is reached. At this time, the pressure in the gas reservoir 10c is monitored by a pressure gauge (not shown) provided near the gas reservoir 10c in the path of the connecting pipe 10e.

  The most distal portion in the transport direction C of the paper P peeled off by the compressed gas discharged from the gas discharge device 10 rides on the recording medium guide surface F2 side of the peeling guide plate 7 ′, and thereafter the circumferential movement of the fixing roll 1 As the sheet P is conveyed, the sheet P is rubbed and moved on the recording medium guide surface F2, so that the sheet P is gradually peeled off from the surface of the fixing roll 1 and finally the entire sheet P is peeled off. In other words, only the leading edge of the paper P is peeled off by the compressed gas by the gas discharge device 10, and the peeling guide plate 7 'is responsible for peeling the portion up to the end.

This effect will be described in detail. FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the process of peeling by the APS technique step by step, taking the fixing device of the present embodiment as an example. Steps 1 and 2 are shown in FIG. 4 are shown in FIG. In each step, the left figure is a schematic cross-sectional view seen from the same direction as FIG. 7, and the right figure is seen from the opposite direction to FIG. 8 (that is, the recording medium guide surface F2). FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of only the peeling device and the paper. In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, “ON” and “OFF” are on / off of the operation of the electromagnetic valves (10b-1, 10b-2, 10b-3 in FIG. 3) in the gas discharge device 10.
In addition, the following processes are shown as a representative example to the last, and peeling by APS technique is not limited to the process of this embodiment.

  The paper (recording medium) P conveyed in the direction of arrow C and inserted into the nip N between the fixing roll (heating rotator) 1 and the pressure roll (pressure rotator) 6 is used as a rotator to be peeled off. It comes out from the exit of the nip portion N in close contact with the surface of the fixing roll 1 (in a state of being stuck). From the exit of the nip portion N, the sheet (recording medium) P travels along the curved surface in the circumferential direction (arrow A direction) along the surface of the fixing roll 1 and is discharged from the air nozzle of the gas discharge device 10. The air nozzle and the vicinity of the air nozzle of the leading edge in the conveyance direction C of the paper P (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “paper front end”) are peeled off from the surface of the fixing roll 1 and are conveyed while floating. (See step 1 in FIG. 9).

  Since the compressed gas discharged from the air nozzle is sufficient to instantaneously peel off the leading edge of the paper coming out of the nip portion N, the pulse width (discharge time) does not need to be so long. When the leading edge of the sheet is peeled off and lifted, one side (hereinafter referred to as “leading edge”) of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ provided with a slight gap from the surface of the fixing roll 1 close to the surface of the fixing roll 1 is sometimes referred to. .) Enters, and the leading edge of the sheet rides on the leading edge of the peeling guide plate 7 ′. Before and after that stage, the discharge of the compressed gas is completed (see step 2 in FIG. 10 above).

  Thereafter, the portion of the paper P following the leading edge of the conveyance direction C gradually rides on the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ as the fixing roll 1 is moved by the circumferential movement of the fixing roll 1 and rubs on the surface of the peeling guide plate 7 ′. As a result, the paper is gradually peeled off from the surface of the fixing roll 1 and finally the entire surface of the paper P is peeled off (see steps 3 and 4 in FIG. 11 above). Then, the paper P is guided by the discharge guide 11 and discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roll 12.

The surface of the peeling guide plate 7 'is preferably a release layer on the surface of a flat plate having a smooth surface or a curved surface, and the toner image is in a molten state immediately after the nip portion N exit. Since T is supported by the entire surface of the smooth peeling guide plate 7 ′ even if the surface is slightly rubbed, the image is not damaged.
Peeling by the APS technique exhibits extremely good peeling performance due to the above action.

  In the present embodiment, the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ has a deformed tip shape as described above, and only the portion corresponding to the portion that is instantaneously peeled off by the compressed gas (the convex portion 8a in FIG. 4), Projecting toward the surface of the fixing roll 1. In other words, the peeling guide plate 7 ′ has a shape that protrudes toward the surface of the fixing roll 1 only at a portion facing the center in the traveling direction of each compressed gas discharged by the air nozzle or in the vicinity thereof. .

  Accordingly, only the convex portion 8a is provided so as to form a slight gap with respect to the surface of the fixing roll 1, and this portion of the paper P first runs on the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 '. At this time, a portion that is away from the air nozzle in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction C at the forefront of the paper P (where the compressed gas does not hit) remains in close contact with the fixing roll 1 because the compressed gas does not act. However, since the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ has entered between the paper P and the fixing roll 1 in the part peeled off by the compressed gas, the part already peeled off as the paper P is transported thereafter. It is gradually peeled off by the peeling guide plate 7 ′ as a base point (the state of step 2 in FIG. 10). That is, the portion where the compressed gas at the leading edge of the paper P does not hit much is peeled off by the peeling guide plate 7 ′ later than the portion where it directly hits.

  As described above, the peeling device of the present embodiment first peels off the leading edge of the paper P coming out of the nip portion N in close contact with the fixing roll 1 with compressed gas, and the peeling guide plate 7 is peeled off. When the tip of 'enters, the entire paper is finally peeled off.

  In the peeling device using the APS technique, it is desirable that the tip of the peeling guide plate has an irregular tip shape, and this shape is also adopted for the peeling guide plate 7 ′ in this embodiment. In other words, in the peeling device using the APS technique, the shape of the tip of the peeling guide plate is close to the surface of the rotating body to be peeled, or the vicinity thereof is opposed to the center in the traveling direction of each compressed gas discharged from the nozzle. In this case, it is preferable to form a slight gap, and it is more preferable that the gap is linear. On the other side (a position away from the nozzle), the recording medium is peeled off with a delay. Therefore, it is preferable that the position is away from the surface of the rotating body. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the distal end portion of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ has a straight line where the portion facing the air nozzle (10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3 in FIG. 8) in the gas discharge device 10 and its vicinity are straight. It protrudes closest to the fixing roll 1 in the shape of an arc, and is gradually cut away from the surface of the fixing roll 1 as it moves away from the portion facing the air nozzle.

  Of course, in the peeling device using the APS technique, it is not essential that the tip of the peeling guide plate has such a deformed tip shape. For example, the tip may be a straight shape, but it may have a deformed tip shape as in this embodiment. Thus, the pressure of the compressed gas to be discharged from the nozzle, the discharge time (pulse width), and the number of nozzles to be provided can be suppressed, which is preferable from the viewpoint of downsizing and cost reduction of the apparatus.

  The air nozzles (10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3 in FIG. 8) in the gas discharge device 10 are provided in a region sandwiched between the surface of the fixing roll 1 and the surface of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ facing the surface. The tip of the nozzle is provided downstream in the circumferential movement direction A of the fixing roll 1 with respect to the gap formed between the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the fixing roll 1.

  FIG. 12 shows a schematic enlarged view for explaining the flow of the compressed gas discharged from the air nozzle (in this figure, 10a-1 is representatively shown among the three air nozzles). As shown in FIG. 12, a linear airflow (initial airflow X) discharged from the air nozzle 10 a-1 and containing a slightly radial component is formed between the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the fixing roll 1. When passing through a slit-like gap, the shape is changed to become a planar (curtain-like) airflow (gap passing airflow Y). Since the planar (curtain-like) airflow hits the leading edge of the paper P in a state close to a linear shape, it is the most efficient when compared with other airflows with the same amount of gas, and the leading edge of the paper P Can be peeled off satisfactorily. That is, the recording medium can be peeled off with a smaller amount of gas and a smaller number of nozzles by appropriately arranging the rotating body, the peeling guide plate, and the gas discharge means to be peeled.

  In the present embodiment, the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ (specifically, the convex portion 8 a) is disposed in close contact with the fixing roll 1 surface in a non-contact manner. At this time, the gap (gap) between the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ (specifically, the convex portion 8a) and the surface of the fixing roll 1 is preferably 0.05 to 1 mm, more preferably 0.1 to 1 mm. Choose between. If this gap is too large, the direction of the paper P can be changed greatly by the peeling guide plate 7 ′, and it becomes difficult to smoothly slide on the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the recording medium guide surface F2, and the paper guide It may become stress and interfere with peeling. If the gap is too large, the leading edge of the sheet must be floated so that the leading edge of the sheet is placed on the leading edge of the peeling guide plate 7 ', and the gap passing airflow Y in FIG. There is also a concern that the pressure and pulse width of the compressed gas required will increase because of the difficulty of becoming an airflow. On the other hand, if the gap is too small, the compressed gas becomes a resistance when passing through the gap, and there is a concern that the discharge force of the converted planar (curtain-like) airflow may be reduced. The gap adjustment may be appropriately set in accordance with the pressure of the compressed gas discharged from the air nozzle 10a-1, the discharge timing, and the discharge time (pulse width) within the above range.

  The air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, and 10a-3 are sandwiched in a non-contact manner between the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the surface of the fixing roll 1, and particularly the protrusions 8a of the peeling guide plate 7 ′. The tip of the discharge port of the air nozzle is arranged at a position close to the tip. When this position is away, the discharge force of the compressed gas that acts on the most advanced portion of the paper P is weakened, and the effectiveness may be suppressed. Therefore, it is desirable that the discharge nozzle tip of the air nozzle is disposed as close as possible to the tip of each convex portion 8a of the peeling guide plate 7 'as long as it does not interfere with the surface of the fixing roll 1 and the peeling guide plate 7'.

  The peeling guide plate 7 ′ is arranged in a state where it is laid down in the circumferential movement direction A of the fixing roll 1. The degree of tilting is preferably such that the traveling direction of the recording medium peeled from the surface of the rotating body is not changed as much as possible. The tangent of the rotating body at the point (peeling point) at which the recording medium starts to peel from the surface of the rotating body and the peeling It is desirable that the back surface (recording medium guide surface F2) of the guide plate facing the surface of the rotating body is nearly parallel (the angle between them is small).

  The arrangement of the peeling guide plate will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the positional relationship between the fixing roll, which is a rotating body, and the peeling guide plate. In FIG. 13, the periphery of the part where the paper P peels from the surface of the fixing roll 1 is shown in an enlarged manner, and the configuration other than the paper P, the fixing roll 1 and the peeling guide plate 7 ′ is not shown.

In FIG. 13, the paper P conveyed while being stuck to the surface of the fixing roll 1 is peeled off from the surface of the fixing roll 1 at a peeling point S by a compressed gas by a gas discharge device 10 (not shown).
The leading edge of the paper P peeled off at the peeling point S rides on the tip G of the peeling guide plate 7 ′. FIG. 13 shows this state. The vicinity of the leading edge of the paper P is conveyed along a locus substantially the same as the tangent line E at the peeling point S on the surface of the fixing roll 1. The closer the tangent line E and the trajectory of the paper P are, the more the stiffness of the paper P can be utilized for peeling the paper P. Therefore, the pressure and pulse width of the compressed gas can be suppressed. It can be smoothly peeled off.

  Accordingly, the position of the tip G of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ is preferably a gap range as described above, but besides that requirement, it is on the tangent line E or on the fixing roll 1 surface side from the tangent line E. It is preferable that it is closer to the tangent line E, and most preferably on the tangent line E.

Further, a straight line connecting the peeling point S and the leading end G of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ (in FIG. 13, since the straight line is the same as the tangent line E, it is indicated as a straight line E) and the recording medium of the peeling guide plate 7 ′. The angle θ formed by the guide surface F2 (strictly, its flat surface portion 7 ′s) is preferably −35 ° or more and + 20 ° or less, and is preferably closer to 0 °. If this angle becomes too large on the negative side (the recording medium guide surface F2 of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ is farther from the surface of the fixing roll 1 than the straight line E), the direction of the paper P is greatly changed by the peeling guide plate 7 ′. As a result, it becomes difficult to smoothly slide on the front end of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the recording medium guide surface F2, which may cause stress on the paper guide and hinder peeling. On the other hand, if this angle becomes too large on the plus side, it will be difficult to arrange the gas ejection device 10 at an appropriate position.
Therefore, the best mode is a state in which the tangent line E and the recording medium guide surface F2 are overlapped, in which the paper P is transported along substantially the same locus as the tangent line E.

  The separation position (peeling point S) of the paper P on the fixing roll 1 works more effectively for the separation of the leading edge of the paper P by the compressed gas as the distance from the nip N exit is longer. For example, when the discharge force F (N) of the compressed gas is applied to the leading edge of the paper P in the state where the leading edge of the paper P is k (mm) from the nip portion N outlet, the paper P Since the N exit is fixed as a fulcrum, a moment of approximately F × k acts on the most distal portion of the paper P. This overcomes the stiffness of the sheet P with the force of the sheet P adhering to the fixing roll 1 and the nip portion N exit as a fulcrum, and guides the leading edge of the sheet P to the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′. The k value should be larger. However, if k is too large, it takes a long time for the paper P to be carried around the fixing roll 1, and the toner image T carried on the surface of the paper P is overheated. Gross unevenness may occur in the resulting image. Therefore, the peeling point S at which the discharge force of the compressed gas effectively acts on the outermost end portion of the paper tip P while considering the image quality.

  The position of the peeling point S is appropriately adjusted according to conditions such as the direction, pressure, and pulse width of the compressed gas by the gas discharge device 10, and conditions such as the thickness of the paper P to be used, stiffness, and the toner amount of the toner image to be formed. That's fine. Generally, it adjusts so that the said compressed gas may become a position which hits first.

In the present embodiment, the convex portion 8 a in the peeling guide plate 7 ′ has a width substantially parallel to the axial direction of the fixing roll 1. The preferable range of the width cannot be generally specified, but is preferably selected from about 5 to 80 mm.
In the present embodiment, the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3 are provided independently between the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the fixing roll 1, but in the APS technique, a rotating body is provided. A configuration in which a pulsed compressed gas can be discharged from a region sandwiched between the surface and the surface of the peeling guide plate facing the surface toward the gap between the surface of the rotating body and one side of the peeling guide plate adjacent thereto. As long as it is sufficient, the position where it is arranged is not limited (for example, a mode in which the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, and 10a-3 are further retracted), and the peeling guide plate also serves as the nozzle. Even if it is a structure, it does not interfere in one direction (for example, a nozzle having an opening directed from the back surface 7′a of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ so as to aim at the gap between the surface of the fixing roll 1 and the tip of the peeling guide plate 7 ′. Examples of prominent aspects )

The discharge time (pulse width) of the compressed gas discharged from the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3 varies depending on various conditions. About 1 sec is desirable.
When the discharge time exceeds 0.1 sec, a very large amount of gas is released by one discharge, which makes it difficult to cope with high-speed continuous paper feeding and lacks versatility. In addition, a large pump having a large gas supply capability is required as the air pump 10d, and a large-capacity ACCUMULATOR is required as the gas reservoir 10c. As a result, an increase in the size of the apparatus becomes obvious and costs increase, making it impractical. there is a possibility.
On the other hand, if the discharge time is less than 0.01 sec, the open / close response of the solenoid valves 10b-1, 10b-2, and 10b-3 is deteriorated, and variation in valve open / close timing is increased, so that there is a possibility that the reliability is lacking. is there.

  The discharge time may be set appropriately according to the conveyance speed (process speed) of the paper P, but may be variable according to the conveyance speed. In addition to this, it is possible to make the discharge time of the compressed gas variable according to the length (blank part) from the leading edge of the paper P to the image portion where the toner image T exists. It is possible to apply the compressed gas only to the margin at the tip, and consideration can be given so that the compressed gas does not act on the toner image T. Further, the compressed gas can be wedged between the fixing roll 1 and the paper P and peeled off even if there is almost no margin at the leading edge of the paper. Therefore, even if the compressed gas hits the toner image T, the image quality is usually not greatly affected.

  The pressure of the compressed gas discharged from the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3 is preferably 0.05 to 0.5 MPa or less. If the pressure exceeds 0.5 MPa, a large pump having a large gas supply capability is required as the air pump 10d, leading to an increase in the size of the device, and measures for air leakage are required, leading to an increase in the cost of the device. In order to reduce the size of the apparatus and achieve good sheet tip separation at low cost, it is desirable to reduce the pressure and to reduce the amount of compressed air discharged at one time. By selecting the minimum pressure and the shortest discharge time required for peeling the leading edge of the paper P as the compressed gas discharged from the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3, a high-speed copying machine It is also applicable to printers and printers.

  The pressure of the compressed gas may be variable according to conditions such as the type of paper P to be inserted and the conveyance speed. For example, when the paper P is a solid paper and the toner image T has a large amount of toner up to the vicinity of the leading edge of the conveyance direction C on the paper P, the toner having a strong adhesive force is close to the front end of the paper P. For this reason, it is difficult to peel the paper P from the fixing roll 1. Therefore, if the pressure of the gas to be discharged is set high in order to peel off the leading edge of the paper P with a strong compressed gas, the paper P can be reliably peeled off. The pressure of the air pump 10d is adjusted by a regulator 10g disposed between the gas reservoir 10c and the air pump 10d.

The amount of compressed gas is mainly determined by the pressure of the gas, the orifice diameter of the solenoid valve, the number of nozzles (three in this embodiment), and the open time of each solenoid valve.
The gas used as the compressed gas is not particularly limited, but generally air in the atmosphere is used as it is.

  You may control appropriately the temperature of the compressed gas discharged from air nozzle 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3 as needed. In order to achieve higher image quality with less image quality unevenness, the temperature of the compressed gas to be discharged is preferably set higher than room temperature. If the temperature difference between the temperature of the compressed gas and the toner temperature in the toner image T on the surface of the paper P immediately after passing through the nip portion N is large, image quality unevenness may occur. In addition, since the toner that is still in a high temperature state may be rapidly cooled, it is desirable that the temperature of the compressed gas is higher than room temperature.

  Further, the temperature of the compressed gas is preferably close to the temperature near the softening point of the toner, the temperature immediately after the exit of the nip portion N of the toner image T, that is, the sheet P is separated from the fixing roll 1 and the supply of heat is finished. It is more preferable that the temperature be close to the toner temperature immediately after the natural cooling by heat dissipation has started. Specifically, the temperature is preferably within ± 40 ° C. with respect to the softening point of the toner, and is preferably within a range of −5 ° C. to −80 ° C. with respect to the surface temperature of the fixing roll 1.

You may control the temperature of peeling guide plate 7 'as needed. After the compressed gas is discharged, the toner image T surface of the paper P is led out to the discharge guide 11 while rubbing the surface 8a of the release guide plate 7 ′. If the temperature difference between the toner temperature in the toner image T on the surface of the paper P when reaching the recording medium guide surface F2 and the recording medium guide surface F2 is large, the image quality may be affected during rubbing. There is. Therefore, it is preferable to control the temperature of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ so that the two temperatures are not separated (the temperature difference is preferably within 80 ° C., more preferably within 60 ° C.).
The method for controlling the temperature of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ is not particularly limited. For example, a heater for heating the peeling guide plate 7 ′ is separately provided, or residual heat of the fixing roll 1 is used. .

  In consideration of the case where the paper P is skewed when being inserted through the nip portion N, the electromagnetic valves 10b-1, 10b-2, 10b- connected to the air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3. 3 opening / closing timing may be controlled. That is, when the paper P is skewed, the timing at which the leading edge of the paper P reaches the peeling point in FIG. 12 is shifted in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P. Therefore, the electromagnetic valve 10b- It is preferable to control the opening / closing timing of 1, 10b-2, 10b-3.

  Specifically, the timing at which the rear end portion of the sheet P in the traveling direction passes through a predetermined position before being inserted through the nip portion N is detected by a plurality of sensors arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet P. Then, the skew amount is determined from the detection signal, and the opening / closing timing of the electromagnetic valves 10b-1, 10b-2, 10b-3 (that is, the discharge timing of the compressed gas) may be controlled according to the skew amount. The sensor can know the amount of skew by detecting at least two locations perpendicular to the transport direction of the trailing edge of the paper P in the traveling direction.

  In the present embodiment, the projection 8a of the peeling guide plate 7 ′ and the corresponding air nozzles 10a-1, 10a-2, and 10a-3 are exemplified as three cases, respectively. Of course, the number of protrusions is not limited to three. For example, the peeling guide plate may be provided with convex portions of about 1 to 10, and air nozzles may be provided for all the convex portions. You may provide an air nozzle only in arbitrary several places or one place.

  As described above, the peeling guide plate and the peeling device of the present invention and the fixing device using the same are described by giving examples of the fixing device according to the three aspects of the first embodiment to the third embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example. For example, the shape of the flat portion and the depressed portion, and the deformed tip shape are all examples, and an appropriate shape may be selected each time according to the purpose and desired performance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium guide surface has only the shape in which the depressed portion is suddenly depressed from the flat end portion. However, the boundary between the flat portion and the depressed portion is strict. Alternatively, it may be a form that is depressed gently and / or stepwise.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium guide surface has been described as having both one flat portion and one depressed portion. However, in the present invention, two or more flat portions are provided, and the flat portions are mutually connected. It does not matter as an aspect having a depression between them. FIG. 14 is a plan view seen from the recording medium guiding surface side, showing two examples having a plurality of flat portions on the recording medium guiding surface, and the lower side in the drawing is one side close to the rotating body surface. In FIG. 14, W3 is the maximum width with which the recording medium can come into contact. 14A shows an example having two flat portions 70s, and FIG. 14B shows an example having three flat portions 72s. The depressed portions 70h and 72h are formed between the flat portions 70s and 72s, respectively. positioned.

  As described above, an aspect having two or more plane portions is also included in the scope of the present invention since the action and effect of the peeling guide plate of the present invention can be expected, but the recording medium is transported from one side close to the surface of the rotating body. The condition is that the predetermined region in the direction (vertical direction in the drawing) is a plane portion.

  As can be seen from FIG. 14, the flat portion 70s and the flat portion 72s are connected and integrated at both ends, so that it can be understood that there is only one flat portion on the outer shape. The problem is only on the inside of the maximum width W3 where the recording medium can come into contact, and both ends on the outside do not contribute to peeling. Therefore, the interpretation of the phrase “two or more plane portions” is also considered in consideration of only the region where the recording medium that contributes to peeling can come into contact. In addition, about the definition regarding the peeling guide plate of this invention, all shall be understood similarly.

  When there are a plurality of flat portions on the recording medium guide surface, “the total length of the flat portions in the recording medium conveyance direction is substantially the same at any position in the direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction. In the interpretation of the definition of “the length”, it means that the lengths of the individual plane portions are measured so that the sum thereof is substantially the same length.

  14A, the sum (s1 + s2) of the length (s1 and s2) of the plane portion 70s in the recording medium conveyance direction (vertical direction in the drawing) is the conveyance direction of the recording medium. It means that the length is substantially the same in any position in the direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction (left and right direction in the drawing). In the example of FIG. 14B, s3 + s4 + s5 will be examined. Of course, in the example of FIGS. 14A and 14B, the requirement of “same length” is satisfied.

  In the above-described embodiment, a two-roll type fixing device has been described as an example of the fixing device. However, a roll-belt nip type fixing device stretched by a plurality of rolls, a free belt nip method, and the like. Also, the peeling device of the present invention can be suitably applied to a belt-belt nip type fixing device, and both constitute the fixing device of the present invention. However, in the APS technique, when the rotating body to be peeled is a belt-like shape, the attachment position of the peeling guide plate is set in a region where the surface of the rotating body advances in a curved direction in the circumferential direction, or downstream thereof. It is necessary to do.

  FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the contact state between the belt-like rotating body to be peeled and the paper for considering the mounting position of the peeling guide plate. In FIG. 15, reference numeral 25 denotes a belt-like rotator, which is stretched by a roll 26 and other rolls (not shown), and moves in the direction of arrow Q.

The recording medium to be peeled is transported in the direction of the arrow Q along with the peripheral movement of the rotating body 25 in a state where the recording medium to be peeled adheres (sticks) to the surface of the rotating body 25 to be separated. Figure 15 is a case where the recording medium is assumed to remain in intimate contact, shows only leading end of the recording medium P _a to P _e which moves together with the conveying by a dotted line.
The rotary body 25 the recording medium P _a which is conveyed in the arrow Q direction in close contact with the surface, since the rotary body 25 is proceeding linearly in Shudo direction, the leading end of the recording medium P _a is The peeling force due to its own stiffness does not work.

  Since the rotator 25 is stretched around the roll 26, the rotator 25 travels in a curved line in the circumferential direction at a point where the roll 26 is wound around and its traveling direction is switched. Specifically, in the region partitioned from the straight line L by the straight line M, the rotating body 25 advances while drawing a curve in the circumferential movement direction.

Therefore, the leading end of the recording medium P _b that approaching this region beyond the boundaries of the linear L, the peel force begins to act. The action of the peeling force is surely generated while the leading end portion of the recording medium is between the areas partitioned by the straight line L and the straight line M. In other words, the above-described action naturally occurs in the recording medium P _c in which the most advanced portion is located between the areas.

Furthermore, if the entire recording medium draws a curve for a while after finishing this region, the peeling force still acts due to its own stiffness. In other words, the above-described operation occurs also for the recording medium P _{d in} which the most advanced portion is located downstream of this region beyond the boundary of the straight line M.
Thereafter, ready to proceed again rotating body 25 linearly in Shudo direction, the recording medium P _e in a state of close contact with the rotating member 25 in the position, by the peeling force due its stiffness will not occur.

With respect to the recording medium shown in FIG. 15, the recording medium between P _{b and} P _d can be peeled off, and these effectively utilize the peeling force due to their own stiffness or compensate for this peeling force. The point of the APS technology is to peel off the entire surface of the recording medium by peeling only the tip, and considering this point, the recording medium between P _{b and} P _d , in other words, the surface of the rotating body rotates. It is required to peel off when the forefront portion of the recording medium is located in the region from the straight line L to the straight line M, which advances in a curved line in the direction, or downstream thereof.

  Of course, the tip of the peeling guide plate can be placed almost on the straight line L if the distance between the one side (tip) of the peeling guide plate close to the rotating body surface and the surface of the rotating body is reduced. There is also a point that the tip of the peeling guide plate can be arranged at a position considerably downstream from the straight line M. Therefore, as described above, the attaching position of the peeling guide plate needs to be a region where the surface of the rotating body advances in a curved line in the circumferential direction, or downstream thereof. Here, the specific range of “downstream” cannot be generally described because it changes depending on the thickness and material of the recording medium, the area of the toner image, the toner amount of the toner image, and the like.

  The above example is a problem only when the rotating body to be peeled is a belt, and when this is a cylinder as in each of the above embodiments, the surface is always curved in the circumferential direction. Since the action of the peeling force occurs even at the position, the requirement regarding the installation position of the peeling guide plate does not matter. The concept regarding the position of the peeling guide plate is not limited to the case where the peeling device of the present invention is applied to a fixing device, but is the same when applied to any part of the image forming device, for example, an image forming device described later. It is.

  The fixing device having the above configuration (the fixing device of the present invention) can be used in a conventionally known electrophotographic image forming apparatus. That is, a toner image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on the surface of a sheet-like recording medium by electrophotography, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image held on the surface of the recording medium by heating and pressing. By using the fixing device of the present invention having the above-described configuration as a fixing unit, an image forming device that is excellent in peelability and transportability and can satisfy high image quality and high speed is provided. it can.

As the toner image forming means, for example, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier and a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner were obtained. And a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a sheet-like recording medium.
Any configuration other than the fixing device known in the art can be used as long as it is not contrary to the object of the present invention. Furthermore, the peeling guide plate or the peeling device of the present invention may be applied to components other than the fixing device.

  As described above, the peeling guide plate, the peeling device, the fixing device using the peeling device, and the image forming apparatus using the peeling guide plate of the present invention have been described with some examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these configurations. There is no problem as long as it has the essential constituent elements in the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various changes based on known knowledge.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, the present invention
It is not limited at all by the following examples.
<Example 1>
Paper peelability and image quality evaluation tests were performed using the two-roll fixing device having the configuration of the third embodiment.
Specific specifications are shown below.

(Specifications of fixing unit)
Fixer roll 1 configuration: black and white fixing hard roll (fluorine resin-coated hard roll having a 40 mm diameter aluminum core covered with a 20 μm thick PFA tube) and color fixing soft roll (outer diameter 62 mm, inner diameter) An aluminum core formed in a cylindrical shape having a length of 55 mm and a length of 350 mm is covered with silicone LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber) rubber (JIS-A rubber hardness: 35 degrees) to a thickness of 2 mm, and an elastic layer. 2 types of rolls in which a PFA tube is further formed as a surface layer with a thickness of 30 μm.

-Rotation speed of fixing roll 1 (process speed): 400 mm / s
・ Surface temperature of fixing roll 1: controlled to 160 ° C. ・ Nip pressure between fixing roll 1 and pressure roll 6: 490 to 686 N (50 to 70 kgf))
Paper P (recording medium): Fuji Xerox OK top coat paper (basis weight 64 g / m ² , low basis weight low-weight paper), both A4 size, and Fuji Xerox OK top coat paper with a humidity of 90 % Was selected for moisture absorption for 24 hours or more. This means that paper with a smaller basis weight and less stiffness, and paper with a smoother surface (for example, coated paper) are more difficult to peel off, and the paper is originally difficult to peel off. It is still difficult to peel off. Therefore, the latter paper gives the most severe conditions for peeling. Note that the conveyance direction of the paper was long feed as shown in FIG.

-Toner: Color polymerization toner for oilless fuser (Fuji Xerox oilless color polymerization toner, EA toner: Pigment and wax particles, and emulsion polymerization resin particles that combine them are chemically reacted in aqueous solution and heat-molded)
Unfixed toner image T: a solid image of process black consisting of three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan electrostatically transferred over substantially the entire width of the paper P. A toner amount of 15 g / m ² was prepared for each level of 40 sheets, and all were fixed. The following evaluation was performed throughout the test with two toner amounts. The margin at the leading edge of the paper was 3 mm as shown in FIG. The unfixed black and white toner image is obtained by electrostatic transfer of a solid black 6 g / m ² image.

(Specifications of the gas discharge device 10)
・ Air pump 10d: Commercially available air supply capacity 8 liter / min pump ・ Gas reservoir 10c: ACCUMULATOR with a tank capacity of 200 cc
-Number of air nozzles: 3-Orifice diameter of solenoid valve: 1.5 mm
-Compressed gas: Air was used, the pressure was 0.1 to 0.3 MPa, and the discharge time was 0.025 msec.
・ Compressed gas discharge timing: Perform a compressed gas discharge experiment in advance and set it to an appropriate state.

(Specifications of peeling guide plate 7 ')
As the peeling guide plate 7 ′, the one having a modified tip shape adapted to the length in the A4 longitudinal direction of the shape having three convex portions 8 a as shown in FIG. 4 was adopted. Specific dimensions include a length of 392 mm in the longitudinal direction, a length of 32 mm on the side of the recording medium guide surface F2 and the back surface 7′a in FIG. 5B, and a length of 5 mm on the side of the edge surface 7′b. The width of the convex portion 8a is 36 mm, the radius of curvature of the concave portion 8b on the recording medium guide surface F2 side is about 60 mm, and the radius of curvature on the back surface 7'a side is about 50 mm.

  In addition, the recording medium guide surface F2 has a convex portion at the leading end at a position that is uniformly retracted by 5 mm from the leading end portion including the convex portion 8a and the concave portion 8b in the transport direction of the paper P (from the lower end to the upper side in FIG. 4). A depressed portion 7′h is provided so as to start from the shape drawn by the portion 8a and the recessed portion 8b and reach the edge surface 7′b. The depressed portion 7 ′ h is depressed by 1 mm from the flat surface portion 7 ′, and has a width of 305 mm (greater than the maximum width W2 of the paper P = 297 mm) in the longitudinal direction of the peeling guide plate 7 ′.

-Material of the peeling guide plate 7 ': Stainless steel-Angle θ formed by the surface 8a with respect to the tangent line E of the peeling point S on the surface of the fixing roll 1 (see Fig. 13, minus sign is a direction away from the roll): -35 °
-Gap between the peeling guide plate 7 'tip and the surface of the fixing roll 1: 0.5 mm
-Installation position of peeling guide plate 7 ': Adjust appropriately (4-15mm from nip N exit)

  Using a fixing device (including a peeling device) under the above conditions, two types of paper P and two types of fixing roll 1 were fixed at a total of four levels, and a peelability evaluation test was performed. In the evaluation test, the paper P on which the unfixed toner image T was electrostatically transferred was passed through the nip portion of the fixing device twice twice in succession, and the paper P was smoothly jammed (no jamming occurred). It was investigated whether it can be peeled stably.

Here, the effect of the air pulse that peels off the leading end portion of the paper P is the same as that of Comparative Example 1 described later, and therefore, there is no problem at the leading end portion of the paper P without causing a jam even in the comparative example. The “jam” in the present survey refers to what has occurred in the step of peeling the paper after the leading end of the paper P (step of peeling only with the peeling guide plate).
The evaluation items were the peeling performance of the paper P and the image quality of the obtained image, and the evaluation was made according to the following criteria. The results are summarized in Table 1 below.

(Peeling performance)
○: Good.
Δ: Jam may occur.
X: Jam occurs.

(image quality)
○: No defects are found even when staring.
(Triangle | delta): If it stares, there will be a micro defect.
X: Defects that can be visually observed may occur.

<Comparative Example 1>
The peeling guide plate 7 ′ is removed from the fixing device of the first embodiment, and instead of having the depressed portion 7′h, the cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction is as shown in FIG. An evaluation test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1 using the fixing device of Comparative Example 1 to which the peeling guide plate having such a shape was attached. The results are summarized in Table 1 below.

<Consideration of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1>
In the fixing device of Comparative Example 1, jamming did not occur in the peeling process using the paper peeling guide plate, but the image quality was defective. This is presumably because the paper was caught against the peeling guide plate and smooth conveyance was not performed.

  On the other hand, the fixing device of Example 1 showed good peeling performance, did not cause jamming, and could obtain a recorded image with good image quality. From this result, it can be seen that by using the peeling guide plate 7 ′ of the present invention having the flat portion and the recessed portion, the paper P is smoothly conveyed without being caught on the peeling guide plate 7 ′.

<Example 2>
In Example 1, the gas discharge device 10 was not operated and the compressed air was not discharged, the margin at the leading end of the sheet when the unfixed toner image T was formed was 7 mm, and the sheet P was Fuji The fixing device (exfoliation guide plate is the same as in Example 1) except that the evaluation was made using only Xerox OK topcoat paper that had been absorbed at a humidity of 90% for 24 hours or more. Fixing) and peeling were performed under the conditions of (including) and an evaluation test of peeling performance and image quality was conducted. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

<Comparative example 2>
An evaluation test was performed using the same fixing device as the fixing device of Comparative Example 1 under the same conditions as in Example 2. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

<Consideration of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2>
In the fixing device of Comparative Example 2, a jam occurred only once in the peeling process of the paper P by the peeling guide plate, but the image quality is defective. This is presumably because the paper was caught against the peeling guide plate and smooth conveyance was not performed.

  On the other hand, the fixing device of Example 2 showed good peeling performance, did not cause jamming, and could obtain a recorded image with good image quality. From this result, it can be seen that by using the peeling guide plate 7 ′ of the present invention having the flat portion and the recessed portion, the paper P is smoothly conveyed without being caught on the peeling guide plate 7 ′.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixing device that employs the peeling device according to the first or second embodiment. It is the top view which looked at the peeling guide plate in 1st Embodiment from the recording-medium guide surface. (A) is sectional drawing to which the aa cross section in FIG. 2 was expanded, (b) is sectional drawing to which the bb cross section in FIG. 2 was expanded. It is the top view which looked at the peeling guide plate in 2nd Embodiment from the recording medium guide surface. (A) is a sectional view in which the cc section in FIG. 4 is enlarged, (b) is a sectional view in which the dd section is enlarged, (c) is a sectional view in which the ee section is enlarged, (d ) Is an enlarged sectional view of the ff section. It is a top view which shows the modification of the unusual front-end | tip shape of a peeling guide plate. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixing device that employs a peeling device according to a third embodiment. It is the enlarged plan view of the peeling apparatus in FIG. 7 seen from the fixing roll surface side. It is a schematic block diagram which represents typically the whole structure of the gas discharge apparatus in the peeling apparatus in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating later on about the effect | action of the peeling apparatus by APS technique, and the process 1 and 2 are shown. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating after a process about the effect | action of the peeling apparatus by APS technique, and the process 3 and 4 are shown. It is a model enlarged view for demonstrating the flow of the compressed gas discharged from the air nozzle. It is a partial expanded sectional view for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning relationship between the fixing roll which is a rotary body, and the peeling guide plate. It is the top view seen from the recording-medium guide surface which shows the modification of the peeling guide plate of this invention. It is a partial expanded sectional view for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning relationship between the fixing roll which is a rotary body, and the peeling guide plate. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sheet for explaining a state of an unfixed toner image formed in an evaluation test of an example. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a general two-roll fixing device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101: Fixing roll, 2,102: Heater, 3,103: Elastic layer, 4,104: Surface layer, 5,105: Core, 6,106: Pressure roll, 7, 7 ′, 107: Stripping guide Plate, 7a, 7'a: back surface, 7b, 7'b: edge surface, 7s, 7's, 50s, 52s, 54s, 56s, 70s, 72s: plane portion, 7h, 7'h, 50h, 52h, 54h, 56h, 70h, 72h: depressions 8a, 60a, 62a, 64a, 66a: convex portions, 8b: concave portions, 10: gas discharge device, 10a: air nozzle, 10b: solenoid valve, 10c: gas reservoir, 10d: Air pump, 10e: connecting pipe, 10f: air pulse controller, 10g: regulator, 11, 111: discharge guide, 12, 112: discharge roll, 16: pressure rotating body, 17: pressure pad, 8: lead roll, 19: pressure roll, 20: tension roll, 21: endless belt, 25: rotating body, 26: roll, E: tangent (straight line), G: tip, N: nip, P: paper ( recording medium), P _a ~P _e: recording medium, S: peeling point, F1, F2, F3, FX : recording medium guide surface, T: toner image, W1 to W3: paper width, X: initial stream, Y: Air flow through gap

Claims (15)

In order to peel the sheet-like recording medium conveyed on the surface of the rotating body rotating from the rotating body and guide the conveyance, one side is close to the surface of the rotating body, and the direction of rotation of the rotating body A peeling guide plate for guiding the recording medium disposed and peeled so as to rub the recording medium guide surface on the back side of the surface facing the surface of the rotating body,
The recording medium guide surface has at least a flat portion that comes into contact with the recording medium from one side close to the surface of the rotating body to a predetermined length in the recording medium conveyance direction. An exfoliation guide plate having a depressed portion following the flat portion. 2. The peeling guide according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium guide surface has a plurality of plane portions divided in a conveyance direction of the recording medium, and has a depressed portion between the plurality of plane portions. Board. The total length of the planar portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium is substantially the same length at any position in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. 2. The peeling guide plate according to 2. 2. The peeling guide plate according to claim 1, wherein one side close to the surface of the rotating body has at least one portion protruding toward the surface of the rotating body. A peeling device for peeling a sheet-like recording medium conveyed on the surface of a rotating rotating body from the rotating body,
From the area where the surface of the rotating body advances in a curved line in the circumferential direction, or from the peeling guide plate disposed downstream thereof, and the area sandwiched between the surface of the rotating body and the surface of the peeling guide plate facing it A gas discharge means for discharging a pulsed compressed gas toward the gap between the surface of the rotating body and one side of the peeling guide plate adjacent thereto,
The peeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peeling guide plate is the peeling guide plate according to claim 1. When the most distal portion in the transport direction of the recording medium that has been transported with the rotation of the rotating body approaches the position where the peeling guide plate is disposed, the compressed gas strikes the most distal portion so that 6. The peeling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the compressed gas is discharged by the gas discharge means. Only the compressed gas is discharged so that the leading edge of the recording medium in the transport direction separated from the surface of the rotating body by the compressed gas is on the side of the peeling guide plate that is close to the surface of the rotating body. As described above, the gas discharge means is controlled, and the portion following the most distal portion in the transport direction in the recording medium is close to the surface of the rotating body of the peeling guide plate along with the transport by the circumferential movement of the rotating body. As the surface of the recording medium slides on the recording medium guide surface of the peeling guide plate, the surface of the recording medium is gradually rubbed off from the surface of the rotating body, and finally the entire surface of the recording medium is peeled off. The peeling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the peeling apparatus is configured. 6. The recording medium guide surface of the peeling guide plate has a plurality of plane portions divided in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and has depressions between the plurality of plane portions. The peeling apparatus described in 1. 6. The peeling according to claim 5, wherein the gas discharge means is configured by arranging a nozzle for discharging a compressed gas in a region sandwiched between the surface of the rotating body and the surface of the peeling guide plate facing the surface. apparatus. The peeling device according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of the nozzles are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a circumferential movement direction of the rotating body. A part of the one side of the peeling guide plate that is close to the surface of the rotating body that opposes the center of the direction of travel of each compressed gas discharged by the nozzle or the vicinity thereof has a shape protruding toward the surface of the rotating body. The peeling apparatus according to claim 10. The total length of the planar portion of the peeling guide plate in the recording medium conveyance direction is substantially the same length at any position orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction. Item 12. The peeling apparatus according to Item 11. At least, a heating rotator whose surface is heated to rotate and a pressure rotator that abuts on the surface of the heating rotator to form a nip portion, and a toner image made of unfixed toner is formed on the surface. A fixing device that fixes the toner image by inserting the sheet-like recording medium into the nip portion so that a surface on which the toner image is formed contacts the surface of the heating rotator,
After passing through the nip portion, the recording medium transported in a fused or slightly fused state to the surface of the heating rotator by the molten toner constituting the toner image is peeled from the heating rotator. And a peeling guide plate for guiding the conveyance, wherein the peeling guide plate is the peeling guide plate according to claim 1. At least, a heating rotator whose surface is heated to rotate and a pressure rotator that abuts on the surface of the heating rotator to form a nip portion, and a toner image made of unfixed toner is formed on the surface. A fixing device that fixes the toner image by inserting the sheet-like recording medium into the nip portion so that a surface on which the toner image is formed contacts the surface of the heating rotator,
After passing through the nip portion, the recording medium transported in a fused or slightly fused state to the surface of the heating rotator by the molten toner constituting the toner image is peeled from the heating rotator. A fixing device, comprising: a peeling device that performs the peeling device according to claim 5. At least toner image forming means for forming an unfixed toner image on the surface of a sheet-like recording medium by electrophotography, and fixing means for fixing the toner image held on the surface of the recording medium by heating and pressing. An image forming apparatus comprising:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fixing unit is the fixing device according to claim 13.

Images