JP2006113132A - Fixing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device for increasing the durability of a peeling member and for improving the image quality of a fixed image, and to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with the fixing device. <P>SOLUTION: The fixing device comprises a fixing roller with a heat source, a pressure roller which is brought into pressure contact with the fixing roller, and a peeling member disposed near the fixing roller in the axial direction of the fixing roller and on a downstream side of a recording medium transport direction of a fixing nip portion. The peeling member comprises a substrate with a finely roughened surface and a coat disposed on the surface side of the substrate, wherein the substrate has a surface roughness Ra of 0.1-1.0 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 1.0-9.0 μm, and the coat is formed of a material, containing a hydrolytic condensation product of a silicon-containing compound represented by Formula (I). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, as a fixing device for fixing a toner image transferred on a recording medium such as paper, a toner image is formed at a nip portion of a pair of rollers including a fixing roller and a pressure roller. 2. Description of the Related Art A fixing device that passes a transferred sheet and fuses a toner image to the sheet by heating by a fixing roller and pressurization by two rollers is widely used.
In general, in this fixing device, a toner image fused to a recording medium comes into contact with the fixing roller. Therefore, a roller having a fluorine resin having a good releasability on the surface is used as the fixing roller. However, even when such a fixing roller is used, the melted toner is soft and has a high viscosity, so that it easily adheres to the surface of the fixing roller and the paper (recording medium) may be wound around the fixing roller.

For the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, a release member formed by coating or pasting a fluororesin layer on the base material surface and the edge in contact with the fixing roller using a resin sheet or a metal sheet as a base material, A proposal has been made to dispose the fixing roller in contact with the fixing roller at the downstream side in the rotation direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
However, the fixing device as described above has a problem that the fixing roller is damaged by the hard fluororesin layer because the peeling member is in contact with the fixing roller.

  In addition, since the fluororesin is inferior in abrasion resistance, the fluororesin layer is worn out in a relatively short period of time, the base material is exposed, and the toner is fixed or image streaks occur. have. In particular, when the fluororesin layer is formed by coating, there is a problem in that bubbles and foreign substances are easily contained in the fluororesin layer, thereby causing poor printing.

  Conventionally, the fixing roller and the pressure roller are generally arranged vertically and vertically, and the recording medium ejected from the nip portion of the both is forced away from the fixing roller by gravity. Therefore, the degree to which the recording medium is peeled off by the peeling member is small. However, when the fixing roller and the pressure roller are arranged in a substantially horizontal state, the recording medium is easily wound around the fixing roller, and the recording medium is always brought into contact with the peeling member. Since it increases, it becomes a subject how to improve the durability of a peeling member.

  In particular, in fixing a full-color image, a toner image to which a large amount of toner is transferred in a superimposed manner must be fixed compared to fixing a black-and-white image. Has become an issue. In addition, in the case of a glossy color image, it is required to provide smoothness on the surface of the toner image after fixing, and for this purpose, the toner is sufficiently heated and melted to reduce the viscosity, and then the image surface is flattened. Therefore, it is necessary to make the peeling member have the function of flattening the image surface.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-184300

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device capable of increasing the durability of a peeling member and improving the image quality of a fixed image, and to provide an image forming apparatus including the fixing device. .

（ただし、式（Ｉ）中、Ｚは、式：−（Ｃ_ｋＦ_２ｋ）Ｏ−（前記式中、ｋは１〜６の整数である）で表わされる単位を含み、分岐を有しない直鎖状のパーフルオロポリアルキレンエーテル構造を有する２価の基であり、Ｒ、Ｒ’は、それぞれ独立に炭素原子数１〜８の一価炭化水素基であり、Ｘ、Ｙは、それぞれ独立に加水分解性基またはハロゲン原子であり、ｌ、ｐは、ぞれぞれ独立に１〜５の整数であり、ｍ、ｎは、それぞれ独立に０〜２の整数であり、ａ、ｂは、それぞれ独立に２または３である。）
これにより、剥離部材の耐久性を増大させるとともに、定着画像の画質を向上させることができる定着装置を提供することができる。 Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.
The fixing device according to the present invention includes a fixing roller having a heat source, a pressure roller pressed against the fixing roller, an axial direction of the fixing roller and a downstream side of the fixing nip portion in the recording medium conveyance direction and close to the fixing roller. And a peeling member disposed as
The peeling member has a substrate provided with minute irregularities on the surface thereof, and a coating provided on the surface side of the substrate,
The base material has a surface roughness Ra of 0.1 to 2.0 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 1.0 to 12 μm,
The coating film is formed of a material containing a hydrolytic condensate of a silicon-containing compound represented by the following formula (I).

(In the formula (I), Z includes a unit represented by the formula: — (C _k F _2k ) O— (wherein k is an integer of 1 to 6), and has no branch. It is a divalent group having a chain perfluoropolyalkylene ether structure, R and R ′ are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and X and Y are each independently A hydrolyzable group or a halogen atom, l and p are each independently an integer of 1 to 5, m and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 2, and a and b are Each independently 2 or 3.)
Accordingly, it is possible to provide a fixing device capable of increasing the durability of the peeling member and improving the image quality of the fixed image.

In the fixing device of the present invention, the coating film preferably has a surface roughness Ra of 0.05 to 1.0 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 1 to 10 μm.
As a result, toner adhesion and the like can be more effectively prevented.
The fixing device according to the present invention preferably includes a peeling member disposed in the vicinity of the pressure roller.
This effectively prevents the recording medium from being wound around the pressure roller or the like.

In the fixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the tip of the release member on the pressure roller side is disposed downstream of the tip of the release member on the fixing roller side in the recording medium conveyance direction.
Thereby, the gap between the tip of the peeling member on the pressure roller side and the surface of the pressure roller can be made constant more reliably.
In the fixing device of the present invention, the release member on the pressure roller side includes a base material and a material including a hydrolyzed condensate of a silicon-containing compound represented by the above formula (I) provided on the surface side of the base material It is preferable to have a coating composed of
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the melted toner from adhering to the pressure roller, and effectively prevent the recording medium such as paper from being wound around the pressure roller, and the printing unit formed on the recording medium. Can be effectively prevented from being adversely affected. Further, the durability of the peeling member can be improved.

In the fixing device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the base material has an edge at a tip portion.
As a result, even if the coating is worn out, toner sticking and image streaks can be prevented. As a result, the durability of the peeling member can be improved.

In the fixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that an intermediate layer mainly composed of an inorganic oxide is provided between the base material and the coating film.
Thereby, the adhesiveness of a base material and a film can be made especially excellent, and durability and reliability of a peeling member can be made especially excellent.
In the fixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the coating is formed by subjecting the silicon-containing compound to vacuum condensation on the intermediate layer and then hydrolytic condensation.
Thereby, the uniformity of the film thickness can be made particularly high, and the variation in thickness can be made sufficiently small even when the film thickness is relatively small. As a result, the effect of having a coating film can be obtained while more effectively exhibiting the characteristics of the substrate.

In the fixing device of the present invention, the coating is applied on the intermediate layer with a coating agent containing the silicon-containing compound or a coating agent containing the silicon-containing compound and a partial hydrolysis-condensation product of the silicon-containing compound. Then, it is preferably formed by hydrolytic condensation.
Thereby, a coating film can be formed easily and reliably in the manufacturing process of a peeling member. Moreover, even a film having a relatively large film thickness can be easily formed, and the durability of the peeling member can be made particularly high.

In the fixing device of the present invention, the coating agent is used in an amount of 0. 0 hydrolysis catalyst with respect to 100 parts by weight of the silicon-containing compound or the mixture of the silicon-containing compound and the partial hydrolysis-condensation product of the silicon-containing compound. It is preferable that it contains 01 to 5 parts by weight.
Thereby, characteristics, such as abrasion resistance, lubricity, and adhesiveness with a base material, can be made especially excellent.

（ただし、式（II）中、ｑは１以上の整数である。）
これにより、耐摩耗性、潤滑性、基材との密着性等の特性を特に優れたものとすることができる。 In the fixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that Z in the formula (I) is represented by the following formula (II).

(However, in formula (II), q is an integer of 1 or more.)
Thereby, characteristics, such as abrasion resistance, lubricity, and adhesiveness with a base material, can be made especially excellent.

（ただし、式（III）中、ｒ、ｓは、それぞれ独立に１以上の整数であり、かつｒ＋ｓは、１０〜１００の整数であり、該式中の繰り返し単位（ＯＣ_２Ｆ_４）および（ＯＣＦ_２）の配列はランダムである）
これにより、耐摩耗性、潤滑性、基材との密着性等の特性を特に優れたものとすることができる。 In the fixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that Z in the general formula (I) is represented by the following formula (III).

(In the formula (III), r and s are each independently an integer of 1 or more, and r + s is an integer of 10 to 100, and the repeating units (OC ₂ F ₄ ) and ( array of OCF ₂₎ is random)
Thereby, characteristics, such as abrasion resistance, lubricity, and adhesiveness with a base material, can be made especially excellent.

In the fixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that X and Y in the formula (I) each independently represent a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an isopropenoxy group, or a chlorine atom.
Thereby, characteristics, such as abrasion resistance, lubricity, and adhesiveness with a base material, can be made especially excellent. In addition, the surface roughness of the coating can be more surely optimized, and as a result, toner adhesion to the release member can be more effectively prevented.

In the fixing device of the present invention, the thickness of the coating is preferably 0.1 nm to 5 μm.
As a result, it is possible to make the properties such as wear resistance and lubricity particularly excellent while making the adhesion to the substrate sufficiently high.
In the fixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the fixing roller and the pressure roller are disposed in a substantially horizontal state.
As a result, the conveyance path of the recording medium such as paper can be shortened, and the space can be saved.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the fixing device of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with excellent image quality over a long period of time.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a fixing device and an image forming apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Image forming apparatus]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus of the present invention provided with a fixing device of the present invention.

  In the apparatus main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, an image carrier 3 composed of a photosensitive drum is disposed. The image carrier 3 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow shown by a driving unit (not shown). Around the image carrier 3, a charging device 4 for uniformly charging the image carrier 3 along its rotation direction, and an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 3 5, a rotary developing device 6 for developing an electrostatic latent image, and an intermediate transfer device 7 for primary transfer of a monochromatic toner image formed on the image carrier 3.

  In the rotary developing device 6, a yellow developing device 6Y, a magenta developing device 6M, a cyan developing device 6C, and a black developing device 6K are mounted on a support frame 8, and the support frame 8 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). It is configured. The plurality of developing devices 6Y, 6C, 6M, and 6K are selectively rotated so that the developing roller 6a of one developing device faces the image carrier 3 every rotation of the image carrier 3. Has been. Each of the developing devices 6Y, 6C, 6M, and 6K has a toner storage portion that stores toner of each color.

The intermediate transfer device 7 is disposed so as to face the image carrier 3 on the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11, the driving roller 9 and the driven roller 10, the intermediate transfer belt 11 driven in the direction of the arrow by the two rollers. A primary transfer roller 12, a transfer belt cleaner 13 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 11, and a drive roller 9 are arranged to face the four-color full-color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 as a recording medium ( And a secondary transfer roller 14 for transferring onto paper or the like.
A paper feeding cassette 15 is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 2, and a recording medium in the paper feeding cassette 15 passes through a pickup roller 16, a recording medium conveyance path 17, a secondary transfer roller 14, and a fixing device 19. It is comprised so that it may be conveyed to 20.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described.
When an image forming signal is input from a computer (not shown), the image carrier 3, the developing roller 6 a of the developing device 6 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 are rotationally driven. First, the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 3 is charged by the charging device 4. The exposure device 5 selectively exposes the outer peripheral surface of the uniformly charged image carrier 3 according to the image information of the first color (for example, yellow) so that the electrostatic latent image of yellow An image is formed.

  At the position of the latent image formed on the image carrier 3, the yellow developing device 6 </ b> Y rotates and the developing roller 6 a comes into contact therewith, whereby the yellow electrostatic latent image toner image is formed on the image carrier 3. Next, the toner image formed on the image carrier 3 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the primary transfer roller 12. At this time, the secondary transfer roller 14 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  In accordance with the second color, the third color, and the fourth color of the image formation signal, the above processing is repeated to form a latent image, develop, and transfer by one rotation of the image carrier 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 11, thereby forming an image. Four color toner images corresponding to the contents of the signals are superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 11. Then, at the timing when this full-color image reaches the secondary transfer roller 14, the recording medium is supplied from the conveyance path 17 to the secondary transfer roller 14, and at this time, the secondary transfer roller 14 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 11. A secondary transfer voltage is applied, and the full color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is transferred onto the recording medium. The toner image transferred onto the recording medium is fixed by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 19. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is removed by the transfer belt cleaner 13.

In the case of double-sided printing, the recording medium exiting the fixing device 19 is switched back so that the trailing edge is the leading edge, and is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 14 via the double-sided printing conveyance path 23, and the intermediate medium. The full color toner image on the transfer belt 11 is transferred onto the recording medium, and is again heated and pressed by the fixing device 19 to be fixed.
The fixing device 19 includes a fixing roller 21 having a heat source and a pressure roller 22 pressed against the fixing roller 21, and a line connecting the axes of the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22 has an angle θ from a horizontal line. Has been. Note that 0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 30 °.

[Fixing device]
Hereinafter, the fixing device of the present invention will be described in detail.
2 to 7 show details of the fixing device 19 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partially broken section of the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the peeling member shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a side view showing a mounting state of the peeling member, and FIG. 6 is a top view of the fixing device of FIG. It is a front view and FIG. 7 is sectional drawing of a peeling member.

  2 and 6, the fixing roller 21 is rotatably mounted in the housing 24, and a driving gear 28 is connected to one end of the fixing roller 21. A pressure roller 22 is rotatably mounted facing the fixing roller 21. The axial length of the pressure roller 22 is shorter than that of the fixing roller 21, and a bearing 25 is provided in the empty space, and both ends of the pressure roller 22 are supported by the bearing 25. A pressure lever 26 is rotatably provided on the bearing 25, and a pressure spring 27 is disposed between one end of the pressure lever 26 and the housing 24, whereby the pressure roller 22 and the fixing roller 21 are pressurized. It is configured to be.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing roller 21 includes a metal cylinder 21b having a heat source 21a such as a halogen lamp therein, and an elastic layer 21c made of silicon rubber or the like provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 21b. A surface layer (not shown) made of a material such as fluoro rubber or fluoro resin (for example, pertetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) coated on the surface of the elastic layer 21c, and a rotating shaft 21d fixed to the cylindrical body 21b. And have.

  The pressure roller 22 is made of a metal cylinder 22b, a rotating shaft 22d fixed to the cylinder 22b, a bearing 25 for supporting the rotating shaft 22d, silicon rubber provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 22b, and the like. The elastic layer 22c is configured, and a surface layer (not shown) made of a material such as fluororubber or fluororesin (eg, pertetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) coated on the surface of the elastic layer 22c. Yes. The thickness of the elastic layer 21 c of the fixing roller 21 is extremely smaller than the thickness of the elastic layer 22 c of the pressure roller 22, thereby forming a nip portion N where the pressure roller 22 side is recessed in a concave shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, support shafts 29 and 30 are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 24. The support shafts 29 and 30 are respectively provided with a peeling member 31 and a pressure roller 22 on the fixing roller 21 side. The side peeling member 32 is rotatably mounted. Accordingly, the peeling members 31 and 32 are disposed on the downstream side of the nip portion in the recording medium conveyance direction in the axial direction of the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the peeling member 31 on the fixing roller 21 side includes a plate-like peeling portion 31a and a bent portion that is bent in an L shape on the fixing roller 21 side behind the peeling portion 31a. 31b, a support piece 31c bent downward at both side ends of the peeling portion 31a, a fitting hole 31d formed in the support piece 31c, and a guide portion 31e extending in front of both side ends of the peeling portion 31a And have.

  The peeling portion 31 a is disposed so as to incline toward the exit of the nip portion N, and the tip of the peeling portion 31 a is in non-contact with and close to the fixing roller 21. The support shaft 29 described in FIG. 3 is fitted in the fitting hole 31d of the support piece 31c. The guide portion 31e is urged against the housing 24 by the spring 33, whereby the tip of the guide portion 31e is in contact with the fixing roller 21, and as a result, between the tip of the peeling portion 31a and the surface of the fixing roller 21. The gap is always constant.

  The peeling member 32 on the pressure roller 22 side has the same shape as the peeling member on the fixing roller 21 side, but as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tip of the peeling portion 32a is recorded more than the tip of the peeling portion 31a. It is arranged on the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction. The tip of the guide portion 32e is in contact with the peripheral surface of the bearing 25 of the pressure roller 22 at the point P, so that the gap between the tip of the peeling portion 32a and the surface of the pressure roller 22 is always constant. To be.

By the way, the conventional arrangement of the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22 is generally such that the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22 are vertically arranged in the vertical direction. Since the force acts on the medium in a direction away from the fixing roller 21 due to gravity, the degree to which the recording medium is peeled off by the peeling member is small. However, as shown in FIG. 1, when the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22 are arranged in a substantially horizontal state, the recording medium is easily wound around the fixing roller 21 side, and the recording medium discharged from the nip portion N is always peeled off. The member 31 is brought into contact with the member 31 and has a feature that its use frequency is extremely high as compared with the conventional method. Therefore, how to improve the durability of the peeling member is a problem. In particular, in fixing a full-color image, it is necessary to fix a toner image onto which a large amount of toner is superimposed and transferred compared to fixing a black-and-white image, and a large peeling force is required at the time of peeling. The smoothness of the toner image surface is required, and for that purpose, it is necessary to heat and melt the toner sufficiently to lower the viscosity, and then to flatten the image surface, and an even greater peeling force is required. In addition, the peeling member is required to have a function of flattening the image surface, and the durability of the peeling member is a very big problem.
Therefore, in the present invention, the peeling member has a base and a coating film provided on the surface side of the base and made of a material containing a hydrolyzed condensate of a silicon-containing compound represented by the following formula (I) It was decided to use.

（ただし、式（Ｉ）中、Ｚは、式：−（Ｃ_ｋＦ_２ｋ）Ｏ−（前記式中、ｋは１〜６の整数である）で表わされる単位を含み、分岐を有しない直鎖状のパーフルオロポリアルキレンエーテル構造を有する２価の基であり、Ｒ、Ｒ’は、それぞれ独立に炭素原子数１〜８の一価炭化水素基であり、Ｘ、Ｙは、それぞれ独立に加水分解性基またはハロゲン原子であり、ｌ、ｐは、ぞれぞれ独立に１〜５の整数であり、ｍ、ｎは、それぞれ独立に０〜２の整数であり、ａ、ｂは、それぞれ独立に２または３である。）

(In the formula (I), Z includes a unit represented by the formula: — (C _k F _2k ) O— (wherein k is an integer of 1 to 6), and has no branch. It is a divalent group having a chain perfluoropolyalkylene ether structure, R and R ′ are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and X and Y are each independently A hydrolyzable group or a halogen atom, l and p are each independently an integer of 1 to 5, m and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 2, and a and b are Each independently 2 or 3.)

  The peeling member having such a coating (surface layer) can prevent the molten toner from adhering to the fixing roller, and can effectively prevent a recording medium such as paper from being wound around the fixing roller. The film has excellent wear resistance and adhesion (to the substrate), and can exhibit stable characteristics over a long period of time (excellent durability). In addition, since the above-mentioned film has excellent lubricity (slidability), it is formed on the recording medium even when it comes into contact with the toner fixed on the recording medium (toner in a high temperature state). The printing section is effectively prevented from being adversely affected. Further, even if the peeling member comes into contact with a peripheral surface such as the peripheral surface of the fixing roller, the fixing roller or the like is effectively prevented from being damaged. By the way, in general, a substance excellent in lubricity (slidability) has a small surface energy, and even when trying to form a film on a substrate (work), it is difficult to sufficiently improve the adhesion to the substrate. In the present invention, the hydrolytic condensation reaction is performed after the silicon-containing compound as described above is applied, so that the adhesion of the substrate is excellent and the lubricity (slidability) is also excellent. be able to. The hydrolytic condensate produced by such a hydrolytic condensation reaction is a cured product having a three-dimensional structure generated by the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of X, and is a silicon-containing compound represented by the formula (I) Has a hydrolyzable functional group or a halogen atom at both ends, and therefore the adhesion to the substrate (particularly, in this embodiment, the adhesion to the substrate via the intermediate layer) is particularly excellent. It will be a thing. In the following description, the peeling member 31 on the fixing roller 21 side will be described, but the peeling member 32 on the pressure roller 22 side may have the same configuration. Thereby, the effect mentioned above is exhibited as a more remarkable thing.

As described above, Z in formula (I) (Z group) of the formula _:-( C _{k F} 2k O) - in (where, k is 1 to 6, preferably an integer of 1 to 4) A divalent group having a linear perfluoropolyalkylene ether structure containing a unit represented and having no branch, and when m and n in formula (I) are both 0, The terminal of the Z group bonded to O (oxygen atom) in I) is not an oxygen atom.
Examples of the Z group include those represented by the following formulas (II) and (III). In the case where the Z group is represented by these formulas, the effects as described above are more remarkable. However, the Z group is not limited to these.

（ただし、式中、ｑは１以上、好ましくは１〜５０、より好ましくは１０〜４０の整数である。）

(However, in the formula, q is 1 or more, preferably 1 to 50, more preferably an integer of 10 to 40.)

（式中、ｒ、ｓは、それぞれ独立に１以上、好ましくは１〜５０、より好ましくは１０〜４０の整数であり、かつｒ＋ｓは、１０〜１００、好ましくは２０〜９０、より好ましくは４０〜８０の整数であり、該式中の繰り返し単位（ＯＣ_２Ｆ_４）および（ＯＣＦ_２）の配列はランダムである）

(In the formula, r and s are each independently 1 or more, preferably 1 to 50, more preferably an integer of 10 to 40, and r + s is 10 to 100, preferably 20 to 90, more preferably 40. An integer of ˜80, and the arrangement of the repeating units (OC ₂ F ₄ ) and (OCF ₂ ) in the formula is random)

As described above, X and Y are each independently a hydrolyzable group or a halogen atom.
Examples of the hydrolyzable group include alkoxy groups such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group, and butoxy group, alkoxyalkoxy groups such as methoxymethoxy group, methoxyethoxy group, and ethoxyethoxy group, and alkenyl groups such as allyloxy group and isopropenoxy group. Ketoximes such as oxy group, acetoxy group, propionyloxy group, butylcarbonyloxy group, benzoyloxy group and other acyloxy groups, dimethyl ketoxime group, methyl ethyl ketoxime group, diethyl ketoxime group, cyclopentanoxime group and cyclohexanoxime group Groups, N-methylamino groups, N-ethylamino groups, N-propylamino groups, N-butylamino groups, N, N-dimethylamino groups, N, N-diethylamino groups, N-cyclohexylamino groups, and other amino groups N-methyla Toamido group, N- ethyl acetamide group, an amido group such as N- methylbenzamide group, N, N- dimethylamino group, N, can be mentioned an amino group, such as N- diethylamino group.

Moreover, as said halogen atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom etc. are mentioned, for example.
Among these, X and Y are preferably selected from the group consisting of a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an isopropenoxy group, and a chlorine atom. As a result, the effects as described above are further prominent.

  R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Examples of R include, for example, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups, butyl groups, pentyl groups, hexyl groups, heptyl groups, octyl groups and other alkyl groups, cyclopentyl groups, cyclohexyl groups and other cycloalkyl groups, phenyl groups, and tolyl groups. Group, aryl group such as xylyl group, aralkyl group such as benzyl group and phenethyl group, alkenyl group such as vinyl group, allyl group, butenyl group, pentenyl group and hexenyl group. Among these, a methyl group is preferable. As a result, the above-described effects are exhibited more significantly.

Further, as described above, m and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 2, but preferably 1. The l and p are each independently an integer of 1 to 5, preferably 3.
The above a and b are each independently 2 or 3, but are preferably 3 from the viewpoints of hydrolysis and condensation reactivity and adhesion of the coating film (surface layer) 313.

The molecular weight of the silicon-containing compound (the silicon-containing compound represented by the formula (I)) is not particularly limited, but is 500 to 20,000 in terms of number average molecular weight from the viewpoint of stability and ease of handling. Is preferable, and it is more preferable that it is 1000-10,000.
In addition, the silicon-containing compound represented by the formula (I) may be used alone, or two or more types having different structures (two or more types having different structures (I)). Or a silicon-containing compound) may be used in combination.

  The thickness of the coating 313 made of a material containing a hydrolyzed condensate of a silicon-containing compound as described above is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 nm to 5 μm, and more preferably 1 to 100 nm. preferable. When the thickness of the coating 313 is a value within the above range, the above-described effect is exhibited more significantly. Further, when the thickness of the coating 313 is a value within the above range, the surface roughness (surface roughness Ra, surface roughness Rz) of the coating 313 is more reliably set to a value within the range described later. It is possible to more reliably prevent toner from adhering to the peeling member. On the other hand, if the thickness of the coating 313 is less than the lower limit, the effect of providing the coating 313 may not be sufficiently exhibited. On the other hand, when the thickness of the coating 313 exceeds the upper limit, the adhesion of the coating 313 is lowered, and interface peeling or the like tends to occur.

Further, the film 313 preferably has a surface roughness Ra of 0.05 to 1.0 μm, more preferably 0.08 to 0.6 μm, and 0.1 to 0.4 μm. Is more preferable. When the surface roughness Ra is a value within the above range, toner adhesion and the like can be more effectively prevented.
The coating 313 has a surface roughness Rz of preferably 1 to 10 μm, more preferably 2.5 to 8.5 μm, and even more preferably 4 to 7 μm. When the surface roughness Ra is a value within the above range, toner adhesion and the like can be more effectively prevented.
The coating 313 as described above is provided on the surface side of the base material 311. The base material 311 satisfies the following conditions.

  That is, the base material 311 has a surface roughness Ra of 0.1 to 2.0 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 1.0 to 12 μm. When the base material 311 satisfies such conditions, the cured product by the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of the silicon-containing compound described above can be efficiently formed as a three-dimensional structure. As a result, the base material 311 Adhesion with the coating 313 (adhesion through the intermediate layer 312) can be made particularly excellent. Further, when the base material 311 satisfies the above conditions, the surface roughness of the coating 313 can be more reliably set to a value within the above-described range, and the toner adheres to the peeling member. Etc. can be more reliably prevented.

  As described above, in the present invention, the surface roughness Ra of the base material is 0.1 to 2.0 μm, preferably 0.11 to 1.0 μm, and preferably 0.12 to 0. More preferably, it is 5 μm. When the surface roughness Ra is a value within such a range, the above-described effects can be exhibited more significantly. Moreover, in this invention, although the surface roughness Rz of a base material shall be 1.0-12 micrometers, it is preferable that it is 1.2-9.0 micrometers, and it is 4.0-8.0 micrometers. More preferred. When the surface roughness Rz is a value within such a range, the above-described effects can be exhibited more significantly.

  The constituent material of the base member 311 of the peeling member is not particularly limited. For example, a metal such as nickel, aluminum, iron, copper, or an alloy containing at least one of them (for example, stainless steel), polyester, polyimide, etc. Examples thereof include resins. Among these, when stainless steel is used, the mechanical stability (shape stability) of the peeling member can be made particularly excellent while ensuring sufficient formability.

In the present embodiment, the coating 313 is provided on the base material 311 via the intermediate layer 312. That is, in the present embodiment, the intermediate layer 312 is provided between the base material 311 and the coating 313. By providing such an intermediate layer 312, for example, the adhesion of the coating 313 can be made particularly excellent.
The intermediate layer 312 may be made of any material, but is mainly made of an inorganic oxide such as SiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , Y ₂ O ₃ , or TiO _2. It is preferred that it is composed mainly of silicon dioxide. Thereby, especially adhesiveness with the base material 311 and the film 313 can be made excellent.

  The thickness of the intermediate layer 312 is usually sufficiently small and does not substantially affect the relationship between the surface roughness of the substrate 311 and the surface roughness of the coating 313. That is, the surface roughness of the base material 311 and the surface roughness of the intermediate layer 312 are substantially the same. Although the specific thickness of the intermediate | middle layer 312 is not specifically limited, It is preferable that it is 10-500 nm, and it is more preferable that it is 50-200 nm. If the thickness of the intermediate layer 312 is less than the lower limit, the effect of providing the intermediate layer 312 may not be sufficiently exhibited. Further, if the thickness of the intermediate layer 312 exceeds the upper limit, it may be difficult to sufficiently improve the adhesion with the coating film. Further, if the thickness of the intermediate layer 312 exceeds the upper limit value, it may be difficult to set the value within the above-described range.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, in this embodiment, the base material 311 has an edge (corner) E at the tip, and the intermediate layer 312 and the coating 313 are formed on the surface side. Are stacked. With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7B, even if the coating 313 is worn, the recording medium is only in line contact with the edge E, so that the toner can be fixed. The generation of image streaks can be prevented, and the durability of the peeling member 31 can be improved accordingly. Such an edge E can be easily and reliably formed by performing precision finishing such as mechanical polishing, electrolytic polishing, and etching.

[Method for Manufacturing Peeling Member]
Next, the manufacturing method of a peeling member is demonstrated.
First, a base material 311 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the peeling member is prepared.
Such a base material 311 may be obtained, for example, by subjecting a plate material to bending, punching, or the like. For example, in the case of a metal material, In the case of a resin material such as casting or forging, it may be molded directly into a desired shape by hot molding, injection molding or the like. Even in such a case, finishing such as polishing may be performed.

The prepared base material 311 has the surface roughness as described above.
The surface roughness as described above can be easily and reliably realized, for example, by performing blasting such as shot blasting, sand blasting, or liquid blasting on the base material 311 that has been subjected to processing such as polishing as necessary. can do.
Next, the intermediate layer 312 is formed on the surface of the substrate 311.

  The formation method of the intermediate layer 312 is not particularly limited, but for example, wet plating methods such as electrolytic plating, immersion plating, and electroless plating, chemical vapor deposition methods (CVD) such as thermal CVD, plasma CVD, and laser CVD, vacuum deposition, Examples include dry plating methods such as sputtering and ion plating, thermal spraying, spin coating, curtain flow coating, roll coating, spray coating, flow coating, brush coating, dipping, electrostatic coating, and electrodeposition coating. . In particular, when the intermediate layer 312 is made of an inorganic oxide, vacuum deposition is preferable. Thus, the intermediate layer 312 having a relatively small thickness can be formed with a uniform thickness.

Prior to the formation of the intermediate layer 312, the base material 311 may be subjected to a cleaning process such as alkali cleaning, acid cleaning, water cleaning, or organic solvent cleaning, a bombarding process, an etching process, or the like. Thereby, for example, the adhesion between the base material 311 and the intermediate layer 312 can be improved.
Next, a coating 313 is formed.

  The method for forming the film 313 is not particularly limited. For example, a method in which a coating agent containing a silicon-containing compound is applied to the intermediate layer 312 and then hydrolyzed and condensed (Method A). The method (Method B) etc. which perform vacuum evaporation using a compound are mentioned. When Method A is employed, the coating 313 can be formed easily and reliably. Moreover, even the coating 313 having a relatively large thickness can be easily formed, and the durability of the peeling member can be made particularly high. Further, when the method B is employed, the coating 313 having a high film thickness uniformity can be easily and reliably formed. In Method B, a coating 313 having a relatively small thickness can be formed sufficiently uniformly. As a result, the effect of having the coating 313 can be obtained while exhibiting the characteristics of the substrate 311 more effectively. In the case of adopting method B, since the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of the silicon-containing compound can usually proceed during vacuum deposition, the hydrolysis reaction and the condensation reaction are separately performed after film formation. This process can be omitted or simplified.

In particular, in the method of applying a coating agent containing a silicon-containing compound (Method A), if the silicon-containing compound is a fluid, it may be used as it is, but an appropriate liquid medium (for example, solvent, dispersion medium, etc.) It may be used after diluting and dispersing. When using a liquid medium, 1 type may be individual, or 2 or more types of mixtures may be sufficient.
Examples of the liquid medium that can be used include fluorine-modified aliphatic hydrocarbons such as perfluoroheptane and perfluorooctane, and fluorine-modified aromatics such as 1,3-di (trifluoromethyl) benzene and trifluoromethylbenzene. Hydrocarbon-based materials, fluorine-modified ether-based materials such as methyl perfluorobutyl ether and perfluoro (2-butyltetrahydrofuran), fluorine-modified alkylamine-based materials such as perfluorotributylamine and perfluorotripentylamine, petroleum benzine, and mineral spirits , Hydrocarbon substances such as toluene and xylene, and ketone substances such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone, and one or two or more selected from these can be used in combination. Among these, fluorine-modified substances are preferable in terms of the solubility of the silicon-containing compound and the wettability of the surface to be coated, and in particular, 1,3-di (trifluoromethyl) benzene, perfluoro (2-butyl Tetrahydrofuran) and perfluorotributylamine. In particular, in the present invention, since the substrate is adjusted to a predetermined surface roughness, such a coating liquid can be suitably applied. On the other hand, if the surface roughness of the article is too small, it becomes difficult to uniformly apply (apply) the coating liquid, and it becomes difficult to form a film having a uniform thickness.

  As the coating method, for example, various coating methods such as brush coating, dipping, spin coating, curtain flow coating, roll coating, spray coating, flow coating, electrostatic coating, and electrodeposition coating can be employed. Although the optimum processing temperature differs depending on the processing method, for example, in the case of brush coating and dipping, it is preferably performed in the range of 20 to 120 ° C. As the treatment humidity conditions, it is preferable to perform the treatment under humidification in order to accelerate the hydrolysis and condensation reaction. However, the treatment conditions differ depending on the type of silicon-containing compound used, the use of additives, etc. It is preferable that In addition, for example, when the silicon-containing compound is vacuum-deposited as in Method B, a treatment for advancing the hydrolysis and condensation reaction may be performed in the same manner as described above, if necessary.

  In addition, the coating film formed by the above application is hydrolyzed by moisture in the atmosphere (after evaporation of the liquid medium when a liquid medium is used) to form the coating film of the present invention. Accordingly, a catalyst may be added to the coating agent in order to accelerate the hydrolysis reaction of the hydrolyzable functional group or halogen atom. Examples of the catalyst include organic tin compounds such as dibutyltin dimethoxide and dibutyltin dilaurate, titanium-containing organic compounds such as tetra n-butyl titanate, organic acids such as acetic acid and methanesulfonic acid, and inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, acetic acid, tetra n-butyl titanate, and dibutyltin dilaurate are particularly preferable. When the catalyst is added, the amount added is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the silicon-containing compound. More preferred. By including the catalyst at such a ratio, a film having excellent characteristics can be formed more efficiently.

Moreover, in the coating agent, the partial hydrolysis-condensation product of the said silicon-containing compound may be contained, for example.
While the fixing device and the image forming apparatus of the present invention have been described based on the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these.
For example, each unit constituting the fixing device and the image forming apparatus can be replaced with an arbitrary configuration that can exhibit the same function.

In the above-described embodiment, the peeling member has been described as having an intermediate layer between the base material and the coating film, but such an intermediate layer may not be provided. Two or more intermediate layers may be provided between the substrate and the coating.
Further, a protective layer or the like may be provided on the surface of the peeling member. Thereby, for example, when the peeling member is stored, the constituent material of the peeling member can be effectively prevented from being deteriorated or damaged. In addition, a protective layer is not limited to what has such a function. Further, such a protective layer may or may not be removed when the fixing device is used (assembled).

  In addition, the configuration of the peeling member as described in the above-described embodiment (the configuration having a base material and a coating, and the configuration having an intermediate layer between the base material and the coating) can be applied to other members, for example. The present invention can also be suitably applied. For example, the configuration of the peeling member as described above can be suitably applied to a release layer that forms the surface of the fixing roller, a ring portion of the fixing roller, a shaft portion, a surface layer of the developing roller, and the like.

  In the present invention, at least one of the peeling members constituting the fixing device may have the above-described configuration, and only the pressure roller-side peeling member has the above-described configuration. Also good. As described above, when the fixing device includes a plurality of peeling members, at least one of the peeling member on the fixing roller side and the peeling member on the heating roller side has the above-described configuration (configuration including the base and the coating). However, it is preferable that at least the peeling member on the fixing roller side has the above-described configuration. Thereby, the effect by this invention is exhibited more reliably.

Example 1
First, a stainless steel (SUS301) base material having a shape as shown in FIG. 4 was prepared.
Next, the surface of this base material was mirror-finished by electrolytic polishing. After that, minute irregularities were formed by liquid blasting on the mirror-finished surface. Liquid blasting was performed by injecting a slurry-like substance obtained by dispersing emery powder in water onto a substrate conveyed by a roller conveyor at high pressure. Then, by performing sufficient cleaning, the grinding powder was removed and further dried. The base material subjected to the above treatment had a surface roughness Ra of 0.3 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 6.1 μm.

Next, an intermediate layer made of silicon dioxide was formed on the surface of the substrate. The intermediate layer was formed by vacuum deposition. The thickness of the intermediate layer thus formed was 100 nm. The intermediate layer had a surface roughness Ra of 0.27 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 6.0 μm.
Next, vacuum deposition using a silicon-containing compound represented by the following formula (IV) was performed on the surface of the intermediate layer to form a film composed of a hydrolysis condensate of the desired silicon compound. The number average molecular weight of this silicon-containing compound was 3500.

（ただし、式（IV）中、ｑは１０〜４０の整数である。）

(However, in formula (IV), q is an integer of 10 to 40.)

The film thus formed had a thickness of 10 nm, a surface roughness Ra of 0.26 μm, and a surface roughness Rz of 5.9 μm.
In addition, a peeling member on the pressure roller side is prepared in the same manner as described above, and a fixing device as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 is manufactured using these members. Further, using this fixing device, An image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured.

  The fixing roller has a diameter of 30 mm, a 1 mm thick elastic layer made of silicon rubber (hardness JIS A 5 °), and a 40 μm thick surface layer made of PFA. The roller had a diameter of 35 mm, and provided with a 6 mm thick elastic layer made of silicon rubber (hardness JISA 10 °) and a 40 μm thick surface layer made of PFA. The distance between the fixing nip outlet and the tip of the peeling portion 31a was set to 6.5 mm, the fixing nip width was set to 8 mm, the fixing temperature was set to 175 ° C., the paper conveyance speed was set to 215 mm / second, and the roller pressure contact load was set to 31 kgf.

(Example 2)
Except that the silicon-containing compound used for forming the coating is represented by the following formula (V), and the silicon-containing compound is applied onto the substrate by applying a coating agent containing the silicon-containing compound. In the same manner as in Example 1, peeling members (fixing roller side peeling member and pressure roller side peeling member) were produced.

（ただし、式（Ｖ）中、ｒ、ｓは、それぞれ独立に２０〜３０の整数であり、かつｒ＋ｓは、４０〜６０の整数であり、該式中の繰り返し単位（ＯＣ_２Ｆ_４）および（ＯＣＦ_２）の配列はランダムである）

(In the formula (V), r and s are each independently an integer of 20 to 30, and r + s is an integer of 40 to 60, and the repeating unit (OC ₂ F ₄ ) in the formula and The sequence of (OCF ₂ ) is random)

The number average molecular weight of this silicon-containing compound was 5000.
As the coating agent, a mixture of silicon-containing compound: 100 parts by weight, acetic acid: 0.5 parts by weight, 1,3-di (trifluoromethyl) benzene: 500 parts by weight was used.
The coating agent was applied by dipping. Moreover, the temperature of the base material and the coating liquid at the time of dipping was 25 degreeC.

Thereafter, 1,3-di (trifluoromethyl) benzene is removed under a reduced pressure heating environment, and the mixture is allowed to stand in an atmosphere of 80% RH and 80 ° C. for 90 minutes, thereby hydrolyzing and condensing the silicon-containing compound. To form a film composed of the hydrolysis-condensation product of the silicon-containing compound. The film thus formed had a thickness of 15 nm, a surface roughness Ra of 0.27 μm, and a surface roughness Rz of 6.1 μm.
In addition, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 using the peeling members (the peeling member on the fixing roller side and the peeling member on the pressure roller side) obtained as described above.

(Example 3)
A peeling member (a peeling member on the fixing roller side and a peeling member on the pressure roller side) is manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surface roughness of the base material is changed by changing the liquid blasting conditions. did. In addition, the base material processed by liquid blasting had a surface roughness Ra of 0.10 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 1.1 μm. The intermediate layer had a surface roughness Ra of 0.07 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 1.0 μm. The coating had a surface roughness Ra of 0.05 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 0.9 μm.
In addition, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 using the peeling members (the peeling member on the fixing roller side and the peeling member on the pressure roller side) obtained as described above.

Example 4
A peeling member (a peeling member on the fixing roller side and a peeling member on the pressure roller side) is manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the surface roughness of the substrate is changed by changing the liquid blasting conditions. did. In addition, the base material to which the process by the liquid blast was performed had the surface roughness Ra of 1.2 micrometers, and the surface roughness Rz was 11 micrometers. The intermediate layer had a surface roughness Ra of 1.1 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 10 μm. Further, the coating film had a surface roughness Ra of 1.1 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 9.5 μm.
In addition, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2 using the peeling members (the peeling member on the fixing roller side and the peeling member on the pressure roller side) obtained as described above.
(Example 5)
A release member (peeling member on the fixing roller side) was produced in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the silicon-containing compound used for forming the coating was the one represented by the following formula (VI).

（ただし、式（VI）中、ｑは４０〜５０の整数である。）

(However, in Formula (VI), q is an integer of 40-50.)

The number average molecular weight of this silicon-containing compound was 8000.
The formed film had a thickness of 20 μm, a surface roughness Ra of 0.2 μm, and a surface roughness Rz of 4.8 μm.
Moreover, what comprised the stainless steel (SUS301) was prepared as a peeling member by the side of a pressure roller.
Further, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 by using the fixing roller side peeling member and the pressure roller side peeling member obtained as described above.

(Example 6)
Prior to the formation of the coating, a peeling member (a peeling member on the fixing roller side) was produced in the same manner as in Example 5 except that the intermediate layer was not formed. Using this peeling member, Similarly, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured. The surface roughness Ra of the coating was 0.27 μm, and the surface roughness Rz was 5.8 μm.

(Comparative Example 1)
Except for not forming the intermediate layer and the coating film, a release member (a release member on the fixing roller side and a release member on the pressure roller side) was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.
In addition, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 using the peeling members (the peeling member on the fixing roller side and the peeling member on the pressure roller side) obtained as described above.

(Comparative Example 2)
A release member was produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that a surface layer composed of a fluororesin (polytetrafluoroethylene) was formed on the surface of the substrate.
The surface layer is formed by applying a paint containing polytetrafluoroethylene (made by Daikin Industries, trade name “Polyflon”) with an air spray so that the film thickness is about 40 μm and drying at 90 ° C. by infrared rays. This was performed by baking at 380 ° C. Further, the thickness of the formed surface layer was 30 μm. The surface roughness Ra of the surface layer was 0.9 μm, and the surface roughness Rz was 8.2 μm.
Further, using the release member obtained as described above, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Comparative Example 3)
Except that the intermediate layer was formed on the surface of the base material that was mirror-finished by buffing without forming irregularities by liquid blasting, a peeling member (a peeling member on the fixing roller side and A pressure roller side peeling member) was manufactured. Note that the mirror-finished base material had a surface roughness Ra of 0.01 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 0.4 μm. The intermediate layer had a surface roughness Ra of 0.01 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 0.4 μm. Further, the coating film had a surface roughness Ra of 0.01 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 0.3 μm.
In addition, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 using the peeling members (the peeling member on the fixing roller side and the peeling member on the pressure roller side) obtained as described above.

(Comparative Example 4)
A peeling member (a peeling member on the fixing roller side and a peeling member on the pressure roller side) is manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the surface roughness of the substrate is changed by changing the liquid blasting conditions. did. In addition, the base material to which the process by the liquid blast was given had a surface roughness Ra of 2.1 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 15 μm. The intermediate layer had a surface roughness Ra of 2.0 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 15 μm. Further, the coating film had a surface roughness Ra of 1.9 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 14 μm.
In addition, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2 using the peeling members (the peeling member on the fixing roller side and the peeling member on the pressure roller side) obtained as described above.
Table 1 summarizes the configuration of the fixing member on the fixing roller side.

[Evaluation]
[1] Image streak (after initial and durable printing (80,000 prints))
Using the image forming apparatus of each of the examples and comparative examples, a solid image was printed on the entire surface, and “streaks”, which are rubbing marks at the peeled portion, were visually observed and evaluated according to the following four criteria. did.
A: No streak is observed at all.
○: Almost no streak is observed.
(Triangle | delta): Generation | occurrence | production of a stripe is recognized slightly.
X: Generation | occurrence | production of a stripe is recognized notably.

[2] Abrasion Resistance, Peel Resistance For the image forming apparatuses of each of the above examples and comparative examples, the peeled portion after durable printing (printing 80,000 sheets) was observed with a microscope, and the coating (surface layer) was worn. The peeled state was evaluated according to the following four criteria.
(Double-circle): Wear and peeling of a film are not recognized at all.
○: Abrasion and peeling of the film are hardly observed.
Δ: Slight abrasion of the film is observed, but exposure of the intermediate layer and the substrate is not observed.
X: Wear or peeling of the film is clearly recognized, and exposure of the intermediate layer and the substrate is recognized.

[3] Toner fixing (after durable printing)
About the image forming apparatus of each said Example and each comparative example, the peeling member after durable printing (80,000 sheet printing) was observed visually, and the sticking state of the knurled was evaluated according to the following four steps criteria.
A: No toner sticking is observed.
○: The toner is hardly fixed.
Δ: Slight adhesion of toner is observed.
X: Toner sticking is remarkably recognized.
These results are summarized in Table 2.

As is apparent from Table 2, in the present invention, the abrasion resistance of the peeling member is excellent, and even after durable printing, toner sticking to the peeling member etc., streaks on the printed recording medium, etc. are not recognized. It was. From these results, it can be seen that excellent durability is obtained in the present invention.
On the other hand, in the comparative example, a satisfactory result was not obtained. That is, in each of the comparative examples, streaks occurred in the printed recording medium, and the toner adhered to the release member. Further, in Comparative Example 2 having a surface layer made of a fluororesin, the wear of the surface layer after durable printing was remarkable and inferior in durability. Moreover, in the comparative example 3 whose surface roughness of a base material is too small, the adhesiveness of the film was inadequate and peeling of the film was confirmed. Further, in Comparative Example 4 where the surface roughness of the substrate was too large, the lubricity (slidability) of the coating was low, and the effect of providing the coating was not exhibited.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus of the present invention including a fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partially broken section of the fixing device shown in FIG. 1. It is principal part sectional drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view of the peeling member shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the attachment state of the peeling member shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the fixing device of FIG. 2 as viewed from above. It is an expanded sectional view of a peeling member.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Apparatus main body 3 ... Image carrier 4 ... Charging apparatus 5 ... Exposure apparatus 6 ... Rotary developing apparatus 6Y ... Yellow developing apparatus 6M ... Magenta developing apparatus 6C ... Cyan developing apparatus 6K ... Black developing Device 6a ... Developing roller 7 ... Intermediate transfer device 8 ... Support frame 9 ... Drive roller 10 ... Drive roller 11 ... Intermediate transfer belt 12 ... Primary transfer roller 13 ... Transfer belt cleaner 14 ... Secondary transfer roller 15 ... Feed cassette 16 ... Pickup roller 17 ... Recording medium conveyance path 19 ... Fixing device 20 ... Discharge tray 21 ... Fixing roller 21a ... Heat source 21b ... Cylinder 21c ... Elastic layer 21d ... Rotating shaft 22 ... Pressure roller 22b ... Cylinder 22c ... Elastic layer 22d ... Rotary shaft 23 ... Conveying path for double-sided printing 24 ... Housing 25 ... Bearing 26 ... Pressure level -27 ... Pressure spring 28 ... Drive gear 29, 30 ... Support shaft 31 ... Peeling member 31a ... Peeling part 31b ... Bending part 31c ... Supporting piece 31d ... Fitting hole 31e ... Guide part 311 ... Base material 312 ... Intermediate layer 313 ... Coating (surface layer) 32 ... Peeling member 32a ... Peeling part 3 32e ... Guide part 33 ... Spring N ... Nip part (fixing nip part) E ... Edge

Claims (15)

A fixing roller having a heat source, a pressure roller pressed against the fixing roller, and a peeling disposed in the vicinity of the fixing roller in the axial direction of the fixing roller and downstream of the fixing nip portion in the recording medium conveyance direction. With members,
The peeling member has a substrate provided with minute irregularities on the surface thereof, and a coating provided on the surface side of the substrate,
The base material has a surface roughness Ra of 0.1 to 2.0 μm and a surface roughness Rz of 1.0 to 12 μm,
The fixing device is characterized in that the coating is made of a material containing a hydrolytic condensate of a silicon-containing compound represented by the following formula (I).

(In the formula (I), Z includes a unit represented by the formula: — (C _k F _2k ) O— (wherein k is an integer of 1 to 6), and has no branch. It is a divalent group having a chain perfluoropolyalkylene ether structure, R and R ′ are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and X and Y are each independently A hydrolyzable group or a halogen atom, l and p are each independently an integer of 1 to 5, m and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 2, and a and b are Each independently 2 or 3.)   The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising a peeling member disposed in proximity to the pressure roller.   The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein a leading end of the peeling member on the pressure roller side is disposed downstream of a leading end of the peeling member on the fixing roller side in the recording medium conveyance direction.   The release member on the pressure roller side includes a base material and a coating film provided on the surface side of the base material and made of a material containing a hydrolytic condensate of a silicon-containing compound represented by the above formula (I). The fixing device according to claim 2, which has the fixing device.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the base has an edge at a tip portion.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate layer mainly composed of an inorganic oxide is provided between the base material and the coating film.   The fixing device according to claim 6, wherein the coating is formed by subjecting the silicon-containing compound to vacuum condensation on the intermediate layer and then hydrolytic condensation.   The coating is hydrolyzed and condensed after a coating agent containing the silicon-containing compound or a coating agent containing the silicon-containing compound and a partial hydrolysis-condensation product of the silicon-containing compound is applied on the intermediate layer. The fixing device according to claim 6, wherein the fixing device is formed.   The coating agent contains 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a hydrolysis catalyst with respect to 100 parts by weight of the silicon-containing compound or a mixture of the silicon-containing compound and a partial hydrolysis-condensation product of the silicon-containing compound. The fixing device according to claim 8. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein Z in the formula (I) is represented by the following formula (II).

(However, in formula (II), q is an integer of 1 or more.) The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein Z in the general formula (I) is represented by the following formula (III).

(In the formula (III), r and s are each independently an integer of 1 or more, and r + s is an integer of 10 to 100, and the repeating units (OC ₂ F ₄ ) and ( array of OCF ₂₎ is random)   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein X and Y in the formula (I) are each independently a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an isopropenoxy group, or a chlorine atom.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of 0.1 nm to 5 μm.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing roller and the pressure roller are arranged in a substantially horizontal state.   An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1.

Images