JP2007163692A - Fixing device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device which fixes an unfixed image on a recording material by heating and pressing it, while securing fixing performance corresponding to the kind of the recording material and securing a stable fixed image. <P>SOLUTION: The fixing device which fixes the unfixed image on the recording material by heating and pressing it is equipped with a rotatable fixing roll 1 which has an elastic layer 1a, a heating source 2 which heats the fixing roll 1, an endless fixing belt 3 which is pressed against the fixing roll 1 and rolls together with the fixing roll 11 to hold and convey the recording material 4, a pressure member 5 which is arranged on the reverse side of the fixing belt 3 and presses the fixing belt 3 against the fixing roll 1 and also forms a contact nip area (n) between the fixing belt 3 and fixing roll 1, and a depression varying mechanism 6 which movably supports the pressure member 5 so that downstream-side pressure has a higher pressure distribution in the contact nip area (n) than in other parts and adjusts the pressure distribution and a contact nip width W so that the contact nip width W becomes narrower as the downstream pressure P in the contact nip area (n) becomes higher. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device that heats and fixes an unfixed toner image formed on a recording material using an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, or the like, and in particular, a fixing device using an endless fixing belt. About.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic method, an unfixed toner image formed and supported on a recording material by an intermediate transfer method or a direct transfer method is used as a permanent image. As a fixing method, a heating and pressure roll type fixing device has been widely used.
In this heating and pressure roll system, the pressure roller pair of the heating roller and the pressure roller is rotated with each other, and the recording material carrying the unfixed toner image passes through the fixing nip region which is the mutual pressure contact portion of the roller pair. In this way, the toner image is fixed on the recording material by heat and pressure.

In such a fixing device using the heat and pressure roll method, the elastic layer of one or both of the heat roll and the pressure roll is distorted to form the fixing nip region, so that a desired fixing nip region is formed. For this purpose, the elastic layer of one or both of the heating roll and the pressure roll must be formed relatively thick, and the pressing force between both rolls must be increased.
This results in an increase in the thickness of the elastic layer and the core (core metal) and an increase in the heat capacity of the heating roll, and the time until the heating roll rises to the fixable temperature, that is, the warm-up time, increases on the contrary. There is a problem.

  In order to solve such a problem, a belt fixing method using an endless belt has been proposed. In this method, for example, a heat-resistant endless belt (fixing belt) is sandwiched between a heating roll (fixing roll) and a pressure member fixedly arranged to form a fixing nip region. A recording material on which a contact toner image is formed is inserted, and is nipped and conveyed together with the fixing belt, so that heat-pressure fixing is performed in the fixing nip region.

  In such a belt fixing method, since a fixed pad is usually used to press the fixing roll from the back surface of the fixing belt, the pressure is constant regardless of the type of recording material to be fixed, and the type of recording material is The current situation is that the amount of heat applied is changed accordingly. However, in recent years, the number of types of recording materials used by users has been increasing, and there has been a situation where it is difficult to respond by simply changing the amount of heat according to each recording material.

JP 10-228200 A (Embodiment of the Invention, FIG. 2)

For such problems, a movable support member is provided on the elastic pressing member (fixed pad), and the pressure in the fixing nip region (contact nip region) and the contact nip width are variably controlled, for example, thin paper, thick paper, envelope, etc. A proposal has been made to increase the adaptability of fixing conditions to recording materials to be used (see Patent Document 1).
However, in this method, although the pressure in the contact nip region and the contact nip width are variably set, the relationship between the pressure and the contact nip width varies depending on the type of recording material used. It was not clear and it was difficult to realize a stable contact nip region suitable for the type of recording material.
In the thin paper mode for applying to thin paper, the outlet side of the contact nip region is set to a high pressure and the contact width is widened. However, in such a method, the total load increases, and there is a concern in terms of durability. It will be done. Furthermore, if the contact width is widened on a thin recording material, there is a risk that the amount of heat will be excessive, and this is not necessarily an appropriate method.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and in a fixing device for heating / pressing and fixing an unfixed image on a recording material, the fixing performance according to the type of the recording material is ensured. The present invention provides a fixing device capable of securing a stable fixed image and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present invention is a fixing device for heating / pressing and fixing an unfixed image on a recording material, and a rotatable fixing roll 1 having an elastic layer 1a, A heating source 2 that heats the fixing roll 1, an endless fixing belt 3 that is pressed against the fixing roll 1 and rolls together with the fixing roll 1 to sandwich and convey the recording material 4, and a rear surface side of the fixing belt 3. And the pressing member 5 that presses the fixing belt 3 against the fixing roll 1 and forms a contact nip region n between the fixing belt 3 and the fixing roll 1, and the downstream pressure in the contact nip region n is lower than that of other portions. A pressing variable mechanism 6 that supports the pressing member 5 so as to obtain a high pressure distribution and adjusts the pressure distribution and the contact nip width W so that the contact nip width W becomes narrower as the downstream pressure P of the contact nip region n increases. Special features It is an. Note that the contact nip width W in this case means a length along the conveyance direction of the recording material 4.

In such technical means, the fixing roll 1 only needs to have an elastic layer 1a and can be elastically deformed. For example, a release layer such as a fluorine-based resin layer may be provided on the surface of the elastic layer 1a. The heating source 2 may be provided either inside or outside the fixing roll 1 or both. However, from the viewpoint of effectively controlling the heating by the fixing roll 1, the heating source 2 is provided inside the fixing roll 1. It is preferable to provide it.
Further, the fixing belt 3 may be any material having heat resistance, and resin-based and metal-based materials are used. From the viewpoint of improving thermal efficiency during fixing, a resin-based material is preferable. Furthermore, the pressing member 5 only needs to deform the elastic layer 1a of the fixing roll 1 and is not particularly limited in elasticity and rigidity, but at least partially elastic from the viewpoint of securing a stable contact nip region n. It is preferable to provide the member 5a. Further, among the pressing members 5, the outlet side (downstream side) of the contact nip region n is particularly harder than the upstream elastic member 5 a from the viewpoint of ensuring the separation performance of the recording material 4 from the fixing roll 1. It is preferable to provide the hard member 5b. The hard member 5b has only to be harder than the upstream elastic member 5a and the elastic layer 1a of the fixing roll 1, and includes not only metals but also resins and elastic bodies.

  In the present invention, by controlling the pressure P and the contact nip width W in the contact nip area n, it is possible to select fixing conditions suitable for the type of the recording material 4 and the like, and to ensure stable fixing conditions. Will be able to.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the pressing variable mechanism 6 in the present invention is a mechanism that movably supports the pressing member 5 so that the pressure P and the contact nip width W in the contact nip region n are variably set to three or more stages, respectively. Furthermore, it is preferable that the pressing member 5 is composed of an elastic member 5a on the upstream side of the contact nip region n and a hard member 5b on the downstream side. According to this, sufficient preliminary heating can be performed without applying excessive stress to the recording material 4 by the elastic member 5a on the upstream side, while the effect on the recording material 4 is achieved by the hard member 5b on the downstream side. Thus, the fixing of the recording material 4 to the fixing roll 1 can be effectively suppressed. Further, if the elastic member 5a is pressed against the fixing roll 1 side by the urging member via the fixing support member that fixes and supports the elastic member 5a, the elastic member 5a is uniformly moved toward the fixing roll 1 side. It becomes possible to press. Furthermore, if the hard member 5b is also used as a fixed support member that fixes and supports the elastic member 5a, the number of parts can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the aspect in which the pressing member 5 is constituted by the elastic member 5a and the hard member 5b, the pressing variable mechanism 6 is set so as to individually move and support the elastic member 5a and the hard member 5b of the pressing member 5. In this case, it is possible to fix each member under the conditions of the optimum pressure P and the contact nip width W according to the type of the recording material 4.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the pressing variable mechanism 6 moves the pressing member 5 substantially along the recording material conveyance direction. According to this, the configuration of the pressing variable mechanism 6 itself is simplified. .

The pressing variable mechanism 6 preferably has a swingable lever that supports the pressing member 5, and the pressure P and the contact nip width in the contact nip region n can be easily obtained by moving the pressing member 5 by lever operation. W can be varied. At this time, if an actuator for adjusting the swing amount of the pressing member 5 is provided on one side of the lever, the swing operation of the lever can be easily operated manually or automatically. . In addition, an actuator also includes what is operated manually.
Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a biasing member that biases the lever in a direction in which the pressing member 5 is pressed against the fixing roll 1 on a side different from the side where the actuator of the lever is provided. This operation is further stabilized, and the swinging operation of the pressing member 5 is stably performed.
Furthermore, a typical example of the actuator is a cam, and the lever may be moved by rotating the cam.
Further, in the manual operation, it is only necessary to have a mechanism capable of locking the lever. For example, the cam may be rotated to be appropriately locked. Furthermore, in automatic operation, the lever may be moved by rotating a cam, for example, a plunger using a magnetic attraction force, or a lever using a rack and pinion-like member. It can be moved.

Further, in the aspect in which the lever is automatically operated, the control device has a control device for controlling the pressure P and the contact nip width W in the contact nip region n according to the type of the recording material 4 used, and the control device is a recording material to be used. It is preferable to control the actuator according to the four types.
In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a control device that controls the pressure P and the contact nip width W in the contact nip area n according to the type of color image or monochrome image formed on the recording material 4. It is preferable to control the actuator accordingly. As described above, by changing the pressure P and the contact nip width W in the contact nip region n depending on the type of the recording material 4 and the type of image, a more appropriate fixing condition can be selected.

  Furthermore, the present invention is intended not only for the fixing device described above but also for an image forming apparatus. In this case, an image carrier that carries a toner image and a toner image on the image carrier are recorded on the recording material. 4 and a fixing device for fixing the unfixed toner image transferred onto the recording material 4, and the fixing device described above may be disposed as the fixing device.

According to the present invention, a recording material is sandwiched and conveyed between a fixing roll and a fixing belt to fix an unfixed toner image on the recording material. The pressing member is movably supported so that the downstream pressure in the contact nip region has a higher pressure distribution than other parts, and the contact nip width becomes narrower as the downstream pressure in the contact nip region increases. The pressure variable mechanism that adjusts the pressure distribution and the contact nip width as described above makes it possible to appropriately select the pressure and contact nip width conditions in the contact nip region according to the recording material type and the like, and stable fixing. Condition becomes possible. For this reason, a fixing device capable of performing stable fixing conditions on basis weight (thin paper, ultra-thick paper, etc.) that is usually difficult to handle, coated paper that has poor releasability during fixing, special paper such as envelopes, etc. Can be provided.
Also, by using this fixing device, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of fixing according to the type of recording material.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 shows Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with an apparatus main body 10 having an image forming unit 20 capable of forming a color image, and an image reading unit 11 for reading a document on the upper part of the apparatus main body 10. At the same time, a document feeding device 12 for feeding a document to the image reading unit 11 is disposed above, while a multi-stage feed for supplying paper as a recording material is provided below the image forming unit 20 of the apparatus body 10. The paper cassettes 51 to 53 are arranged so that they can be pulled out.

  The image forming unit 20 used in the present embodiment employs, for example, an electrophotographic system, and includes four colors of yellow (Y color), magenta (M color), cyan (C color), and black (K color). This is a so-called tandem configuration in which the color image forming units 21 (21 a to 21 d) are arranged in parallel on the intermediate transfer belt 30. Therefore, the toner images of the respective colors formed by the respective image forming units 21 (21a to 21d) are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 and multiplexed, and the multiplexed toner images are fed to the paper feed cassettes 51 to 51. The paper is transferred and fixed on the paper conveyed from 53 at the same time. The color arrangement of the four-color image forming units 21 is not limited to this order, and may be in other orders.

  The image forming unit 21 (21a to 21d) in the present embodiment includes a photosensitive drum 22 that forms and supports each color component toner image, a charging device 23 such as a charging roll that charges the photosensitive drum 22, and a charged photosensitive member. A laser exposure device 24 that forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum 22, a developing device 25 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 22, and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 22 are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30. For example, a primary transfer device 26 including a primary transfer roll and a cleaning device 27 for cleaning residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 22 are configured. The laser exposure device 24 in the present embodiment exposes the entire four-color image forming unit 21 with a single device.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 30 is stretched around a plurality of stretching rolls 31 to 33, and is circulated and conveyed using, for example, the stretching roll 31 as a driving roll. For example, a secondary transfer device 35 including a secondary transfer roll. However, the tension roll 33 is disposed opposite to the backup roll. Further, a belt cleaning device 36 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is disposed at a position facing the tension roll 31 of the intermediate transfer belt 30.

Here, the paper transport system in the present embodiment is as follows. A vertical conveyance path 61 extending substantially vertically upward from each of the paper feed cassettes 51 to 53, a main conveyance path 62 extending substantially horizontally on the downstream side of the vertical conveyance path 61, and substantially in the vicinity of the most downstream of the main conveyance path 62. A retreat conveyance path 63 extending downward in a Y shape and a reversal conveyance path 64 extending substantially horizontally from the retreat conveyance path 63 and leading to the vertical conveyance path 61 are configured.
In the main conveyance path 62, a registration roll 54 that regulates the positioning of the paper, a secondary transfer device 35 that collectively transfers the toner images multiplexed on the intermediate transfer belt 30, and a paper on which the toner images are collectively transferred. A conveying belt 55 that conveys the toner, a fixing device 40 that fixes the toner image on the sheet, a discharge roll 56 that discharges the sheet to a storage tray 57 that is provided on the side of the apparatus body 10 and stores the sheet, and the like are provided. In these conveyance paths 61 to 64, conveyance members such as a conveyance roll and a conveyance guide for ensuring the conveyance of the paper are appropriately disposed.

  In particular, the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. In the figure, a fixing roll 41 having a heating source 42 such as a halogen lamp inside, an endless belt (fixing belt) 43 that rolls with the fixing roll 41 and holds and conveys paper, and a back surface side of the endless belt 43 are provided. And a nip mechanism 70 that forms a contact nip region n between the fixing roll 41 and the endless belt 43.

The fixing roll 41 in the present embodiment includes a cylindrical core 41a made of metal such as aluminum having excellent mechanical strength and good thermal conductivity, and an elastic layer 41b made of silicone rubber or the like formed on the surface of the core 41a. And a release layer 41c that covers the surface of the elastic layer 41b and prevents offset of an unfixed toner image on the paper.
Here, the material of the core 41a is not particularly limited as long as it has mechanical strength and good thermal conductivity. For example, a metal such as stainless steel, steel, brass, or an alloy can be used.
Further, the elastic layer 41b is not limited to silicone rubber, and may be, for example, fluorine rubber as long as it has heat resistance. The method of forming the elastic layer 41b on the surface of the core 41a is not particularly limited, An injection molding method or a coating method can be employed.
Further, the release layer 41c may be any layer having heat resistance and appropriate release properties for the toner. For example, fluorine rubber or fluorine resin is used.
Furthermore, the heating source 42 in the fixing roll 41 is not particularly limited as long as it has a shape and structure that can be accommodated in the core 41a, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

  In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 44 that detects the surface temperature of the fixing roll 41 is disposed around the fixing roll 41, and the temperature sensor 44 causes the surface temperature of the fixing roll 41 to be a predetermined temperature. The temperature control of the heating source 42 is performed. The temperature sensor 44 is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the surface temperature of the fixing roll 41. For example, a temperature sensitive element such as a thermistor or a posistor can be used.

Further, a peeling member 45 that prevents the sheet from being wound around the fixing roll 41 is provided at a position facing the fixing roll 41 downstream of the contact nip region n.
The peeling member 45 is, for example, a guide 45 a that is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the fixing device 40, and is held by the guide 45 a so that the fixing roller 41 and the substantially leading end are in contact with each other in the axial direction of the fixing roller 41. And the release sheet 45b to be formed. As the release sheet 45b, a heat-resistant resin sheet such as polyimide resin, polyamide resin, or polyamide-imide resin, or a metal thin plate such as stainless steel or steel material can be used.

On the other hand, the endless belt 43 may have a single layer structure, but in the present embodiment, a belt having a laminated structure in which a release layer is provided on the surface of the substrate is used.
As the base material of the endless belt 43, if it has heat resistance, for example, a resin base material such as thermosetting polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyamide, or polyamideimide, or a metal base material such as stainless steel, nickel, or copper is used. . Further, the release layer preferably has good releasability of the toner adhering to the surface, and examples of the material include PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer). ) And FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer).

  Further, the nip mechanism 70 in the present embodiment is in direct contact with the back surface side of the endless belt 43 in the width direction of the endless belt 43 (the axial direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction) and causes the endless belt 43 to contact the fixing roll 41. A pressing member 71 that presses to the side, a subframe 72 that is provided below the pressing member 71 and serves as a skeleton on the endless belt 43 side, and an endless belt for smoothly rotating the endless belt 43 outside the subframe 72 The belt travel guide 75 is made of a resin having rigidity and low thermal conductivity provided along the inner peripheral surface of the belt 43.

Further, the pressing member 71 is provided on the downstream side of the contact nip area n and is made of a rigid pad 71a made of a rigid resin or the like, and the elastic pad 71b is provided on the upstream side of the contact nip area n and made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. And a substantially L-shaped support member 71c that supports the elastic pad 71b, and a spring 74 is interposed between the support member 71c and a concave member 73 that is fixed to a part of the subframe 72. It is inserted. Therefore, the elastic pad 71b is pressed and urged toward the fixing roll 41 side.
A pre-nip region where preheating is performed by the elastic pad 71b is formed in the upstream portion of the contact nip region n, while a post-nip region where main fixing is performed is formed by the fixed pad 71a in the downstream portion. The fixed pad 71a is not limited to a rigid resin, and may be made of a metal material made of a metal or an alloy such as aluminum, stainless steel, steel, copper, or brass. Note that a low friction sheet made of, for example, a fluorine resin sheet is adhered to the surface of the elastic pad 71b in order to keep the frictional resistance with the endless belt 43 small and make the rotation of the endless belt 43 even smoother. There is no problem. In this case, as a low friction sheet, from the viewpoint of workability and low friction, a sheet of PTFE resin, PFA resin or the like, or a glass fiber as a base and impregnated with a fluorine resin or bonded with a fluorine resin sheet, etc. Is mentioned. In the present embodiment, a high-rigidity material is used for the fixed pad 71a. However, for example, an elastic material may be used as long as the material is harder than the elastic layer 41b of the fixing roll 41 and the elastic pad 71b.

  And in this Embodiment, the movable mechanism 80 as a press variable mechanism which makes the press member 71 variable is provided. The movable mechanism 80 is provided outside the endless belt 43 and on one end side of the subframe 72 of the nip mechanism 70 so as to be in contact with one end side of the nip lever 81 and a nip lever 81 that is long along the sheet conveyance direction. An eccentric cam 82 serving as an actuator, a motor 83 for rotating the eccentric cam 82, a control device 85 for driving and controlling the motor 83, and the other side of the nip lever 81 are provided. It is comprised with the nip spring 84 biased in the orthogonal direction. The nip spring 84 has one end fixed to a nip lever 81 (hereinafter abbreviated as a lever) and the other end fixed to, for example, the apparatus main body 10 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the nip spring 84 urges the lever 81 to lift the nip spring 84 side (upward in the drawing).

In addition, the control device 85 according to the present embodiment inputs the type of paper to be used (in this example, usually classified as thin paper or thick paper) by an operation from a UI (User Interface) screen or the like. As a result, one of three modes, the normal mode 86, the thin paper mode 87, and the thick paper / envelope mode 88, is selected, and the motor 83 is controlled in accordance with the selected mode.
Since the movable mechanism 80 in the present embodiment employs such a configuration, the eccentric cam 82 rotates about the pivot 82a as the rotation axis depending on the selected mode, and one end of the lever 81 is the sheet. By moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction (up and down direction in the figure), the inclination of the nip mechanism 70 along the paper transport direction changes. FIG. 3 shows a layout in the normal mode 86.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described first with reference to FIG. 2 focusing on the sheet conveyance system of the image forming apparatus.
The sheet sent out from any of the sheet feeding cassettes 51 to 53 advances along the vertical conveyance path 61, is positioned and regulated by a registration roll 54 provided on the main conveyance path 62, and then proceeds to the secondary transfer device 35. .
On the other hand, the color toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the image forming unit 21 (21 a to 21 d) are conveyed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 and reach the secondary transfer device 35.
Then, in the secondary transfer device 35, the multiplexed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 30 are collectively transferred onto the paper. The sheet on which the toner images are collectively transferred is conveyed by the conveying belt 55 and reaches the fixing device 40. Then, the toner image on the sheet is fixed by the fixing device 40, proceeds as it is in the main conveyance path 62, and is discharged and stored in the storage tray 57 from the discharge roll 56.

  When performing double-sided recording on a sheet, the sheet once fixed by the fixing device 40 is retreated from the main conveyance path 62 to the retreat conveyance path 63 side. Then, after sufficiently proceeding through the retreat conveyance path 63, when the rear end of the sheet exceeds the entrance of the reversal conveyance path 64, a predetermined conveyance roll in the retreat conveyance path 63 performs a reversing operation, and The sheet is reversed and conveyed to the reverse conveyance path 64 side. The reversely transported sheet is transported again to the main transport path 62 with the front and back sides of the sheet reversed, and a new toner image is formed. Thereafter, the toner is discharged and stored in the storage tray 57 from the fixing device 40 through the discharge roll 56.

  At this time, the operation of the fixing device 40 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 3, when the paper on which the toner images are collectively transferred is inserted into the fixing device 40, sufficient temperature and pressure are applied mainly at the preheating portion formed by the elastic pad 71b, and the fixing is gradually performed. Progresses. Then, the fixing is completed by applying sufficient pressure at the fixing portion by the fixed pad 71a. At this time, the effect of preventing the paper from being wound around the fixing roll 41 by a sufficient pressure also acts, and the peeling performance is ensured.

Here, the various modes will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the lever 81 in the normal mode 86 as described above. On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the lever 81 in the thin paper mode 87. When the motor 83 is controlled by the control device 85, the eccentric cam 82 rotates, and the eccentric cam 82, the lever 81, Is moved downward (moved downward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper transport direction) so that the lever 81 is inclined upward in the paper transport direction by the urging force of the nip spring 84. Become. For this reason, the pressing member 71 moves toward the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and the contact nip width of the contact nip area n is narrowed. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of the lever 81 in the cardboard / envelope mode 88. When the motor 83 is controlled by the controller 85, the eccentric cam 82 rotates, and the eccentric cam 82 and the lever are controlled. When the contact position with 81 moves upward, the lever 81 inclines in a downward direction toward the paper transport direction against the urging force of the nip spring 84. For this reason, the pressing member 71 moves toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and the contact nip width of the contact nip area n is increased. In any mode, it goes without saying that the pivot point of the lever is inside the endless belt 43.

In the present embodiment, the pressure state also changes when the contact nip width changes in such a contact nip region n.
6A to 6C are schematic diagrams for explaining the nip state between the pressing member 71 and the fixing roll 41 in the present embodiment. When FIG. 6B is set to the normal mode, FIG. Mode (c) shows a cardboard / envelope mode.
When fixing a sheet such as plain paper in the normal mode, the contact nip area n between the fixing roll 41 and the pressing member 71 is equal to the pre-nip area with the upstream elastic pad 71b as shown in FIG. The total of the post-nip area with the fixed pad 71a is added, and predetermined fixing conditions (pressure and contact nip width) when fixing to plain paper or the like are added.
Next, when fixing paper such as thin paper, as shown in (a), the mode is switched to the thin paper mode, and the pressing member 71 is moved upstream. In this case, the pre-nip area between the elastic pad 71b and the fixing roll 41 is narrowed, and the total contact nip area n is also narrowed. However, since the fixed pad 71a bites into the fixing roll 41 deeply, the peak pressure in the post-nip area is reduced. Becomes larger than normal mode.
When fixing paper such as thick paper, as shown in (c), the mode is switched to the thick paper / envelope mode, and the pressing member 71 is moved downstream from the normal mode. In this case, the pre-nip area between the elastic pad 71b and the fixing roll 41 is expanded, but the fixed pad 71a moves in a direction to escape from the fixing roll 41, so that the peak pressure in the post-nip area is smaller than that in the normal mode.

In each of these modes, pressure changes in the sheet conveyance direction (process direction) in the contact nip region n between the fixing roll 41 and the pressing member 71 are as shown in FIGS.
That is, in the normal mode, as shown in (b), the contact nip width is medium and the peak pressure is medium, but in the thin paper mode, the contact nip width is narrow as shown in (a). However, the peak pressure increases. In this case, the fixing ability is slightly reduced. However, sufficient fixing performance is maintained with thin paper, and the peak pressure on the outlet side (downstream side) is increased. Can be easily peeled from the fixing roll 41.
On the other hand, when the cardboard / envelope mode is selected, as shown in (c), the contact nip width is increased and the peak pressure is reduced, but the fixing performance is improved, so that sufficient fixing can be performed. Note that the decrease in the peak pressure has little influence on the peeling performance because the thick paper itself has a slight strength in the case of thick paper.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the pressing member 71 can be moved according to the type of paper to be used, and the fixing condition adapted to the paper using the contact nip area with the fixing roll 41, that is, It becomes possible to set a desired pressure and a desired contact nip width.

In this embodiment, the type of paper is input by an input operation from the UI screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a sensor (detects surface roughness, paper thickness, etc.) in a predetermined paper conveyance path. And the control device 85 may be operated according to the type of paper obtained by this sensor.
Further, in the present embodiment, the mode in which the fixing conditions are switched according to the normal mode, the thin paper mode, and the thick paper / envelope mode has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the three modes, and may be further divided into a large number. Also, for example, the fixing conditions may be changed depending on the type of image to be formed, that is, a color image or a monochrome image. Further, in this case, for the color image and the monochrome image, the image quality can be further improved by changing the temperature of the heating source 42 at the same time in consideration of the melting temperature of the toner.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a method in which the pressing member 71 is moved integrally has been shown. However, for example, the elastic pad 71b and the fixed pad 71a may be moved individually. It suffices if the contact nip width can be variably set as the pressure increases.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the fixing device 40 (see FIG. 3) in the normal mode 86, for example, in the embodiment described above. In this example, the elastic pad 71b is mounted on a rigid support member 71d having a recess in the cross section, and the support member 71d also serves as a fixed pad. The support member 71d is fixed to the subframe 72, and is not provided with a biasing member such as a spring. Therefore, the nip mechanism 70 is simplified.
Even in such a configuration, the eccentric cam 82 rotates about the pivot 82a as the rotation axis depending on the selected mode, and one end of the lever 81 is in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper transport direction (shown in the figure). By moving in the vertical direction, the inclination of the nip mechanism 70 along the paper transport direction changes.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 9 shows an outline of the fixing device of the second embodiment used in the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Unlike the movable mechanism 80 of the first embodiment (see, for example, FIG. 3), the movable mechanism 90 in the present embodiment moves the pressing member 71 substantially parallel to the paper transport direction. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In FIG. 9, a movable mechanism 90 in the present embodiment moves a substantially V-shaped arm 91 fixed to a nip mechanism (not shown) provided inside the endless belt 43 and the arm 91 in one direction. The driving device 92 and a control device 94 that controls the driving device 92 are configured. Further, the arm 91 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 91a at one end thereof, and this protrusion 91a is inserted into a long hole 93a provided in a slide plate 93 fixed to the apparatus main body side of the image forming apparatus, for example. It has come to be. Therefore, the protrusion 91a can slide along the long hole 93a. Needless to say, the pressing member 71 can move integrally with the arm 91.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 94 controls the driving device 92 according to the paper used, so that the arm 91 moves along the paper transport direction. Therefore, the pressing member 71 moves in accordance with the movement of the arm 91, and the state of the contact nip area between the elastic pad 71b and the fixed pad 71a and the fixing roll 41 can be variably controlled. An effect similar to that of Embodiment 1 can be obtained.

Embodiment 3
FIG. 10 shows an outline of a fixing device according to Embodiment 3 used in an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The movable mechanism 100 in the present embodiment is configured to move the pressing member 71 in substantially the same manner as the movable mechanism 80 (see FIG. 3) of the first embodiment. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In FIG. 10, the movable mechanism 100 in the present embodiment includes a substantially V-shaped arm 101 fixed to a nip mechanism (not shown) provided inside the endless belt 43, and the arm 101 orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. And a control device 104 that controls the drive device 102. Further, the arm 101 is provided with a protrusion 101a at one end thereof, and is rotatably supported by the protrusion 101a, for example, with a bracket 103 fixed to the apparatus main body. The arm 101 is supported by the protrusion 101a. Can be rotated about the support shaft. Further, a protrusion 101 b is provided on the other end side of the arm 101, and this protrusion 101 b is rotatably supported by a swing piece 102 a extending from the drive device 102. Needless to say, the pressing member 71 can move integrally with the arm 101.

In the present embodiment, the control device 104 controls the driving device 102 in accordance with the paper used, so that the swing piece 102a moves in the vertical direction (substantially perpendicular to the paper transport direction), thereby The arm 101 rotates about the protrusion 101a as a support shaft, the angle at which the pressing member 71 contacts the fixing roll 41 can be changed, and the state of the contact nip region can be variably controlled. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the same effect as in the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 101a of the arm 101 is used as a support shaft. For example, the position of this support shaft is set to the inside of the endless belt 43 (a position that does not hinder the rotation of the endless belt 43). By doing so, the pressing member 71 is moved more remarkably, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

Embodiment 4
FIG. 11 shows an outline of a fixing device according to a fourth embodiment used in an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the movable mechanism 110 in the present embodiment, the pressing member 71 moves in substantially the same manner as the movable mechanism 80 (see FIG. 3) in the first embodiment. However, the movable member 110 is operated manually instead of being controlled by the control device. It is what I did. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

In FIG. 11, the movable mechanism 110 in the present embodiment moves in a direction in which the arm 111 is tilted and a substantially V-shaped arm 111 fixed to a nip mechanism (not shown) provided inside the endless belt 43. And the mechanism to make it. The arm 111 is provided with a hole 111 a at one end thereof, and a support column 115 is inserted into the hole 111 a so that the arm 111 can slide along the support column 115. Therefore, a spring 116 that urges the arm 111 upward is fixed in the vicinity of the hole 111a of the arm 111. The other end of the spring 116 is fixed to, for example, a frame of the apparatus main body.
On the other hand, a columnar projection 111b is provided on the other end side of the arm 111, and this projection 111b is inserted into the elongated hole 112a of the bracket 112 which is fixed to the apparatus body and has an elongated hole 112a, for example.

In this embodiment, an eccentric cam 113 is provided below the arm 111 in the vicinity of the protrusion 111b. The eccentric cam 113 has a handle 114 attached to the rotation shaft of the eccentric cam 113 itself.
Therefore, by rotating the handle 114, the eccentric cam 113 rotates, and the arm 111 moves up and down along the long hole 112a of the bracket 112. Accordingly, as in the first embodiment, the pressing member 71 moves relative to the fixing roll 41, and the pressure in the contact nip region and the contact nip width can be varied. Needless to say, when the eccentric cam 113 is rotated by the operation of the handle 114, the eccentric cam 113 is locked, and the pressing member 71 can be moved integrally with the arm 111. Absent.

(A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the fixing device based on this invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fixing device according to the first embodiment in a normal mode. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fixing device according to the first embodiment in a thin paper mode. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fixing device according to the first embodiment in a cardboard / envelope mode. It is an enlarged view of the contact nip area in each mode, (a) is a thin paper mode, (b) is a normal mode, (c) is a thick paper / envelope mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pressure distribution of the contact nip area | region in each mode, (a) is a thin paper mode, (b) is a normal mode, (c) is a thick paper and envelope mode. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fixing device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fixing device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fixing device according to a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fixing roll, 1a ... Elastic layer, 2 ... Heat source, 3 ... Fixing belt, 4 ... Recording material, 5 ... Pressing member, 5a ... Elastic member, 5b ... Hard member, 6 ... Pressing variable mechanism, n ... Contact nip Area, P ... pressure, W ... contact nip width

Claims (16)

In a fixing device for heating / pressing and fixing an unfixed image on a recording material,
A rotatable fixing roll having an elastic layer;
A heating source for heating the fixing roll;
An endless fixing belt that is pressed against the fixing roll and rolls together with the fixing roll to sandwich and convey the recording material;
A pressing member disposed on the back side of the fixing belt and pressing the fixing belt against the fixing roll and forming a contact nip region between the fixing belt and the fixing roll;
The pressure member is movably supported in the contact nip area so that the downstream pressure has a higher pressure distribution than other parts, and the pressure distribution and the contact nip become narrower as the downstream pressure in the contact nip area increases. A fixing device comprising: a pressing variable mechanism that adjusts the width. The fixing device according to claim 1.
The pressing variable mechanism is a fixing device that movably supports the pressing member so that the pressure in the contact nip region and the contact nip width are each variably set in three or more stages. The fixing device according to claim 1.
The fixing device is configured by an elastic member provided on the upstream side of the contact nip region and a hard member provided on the downstream side of the contact nip region and having a hardness higher than that of the elastic member. The fixing device according to claim 3.
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is pressed to the fixing roll side by a biasing member via a fixed support member that fixes and supports the elastic member. The fixing device according to claim 3.
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the hard member also serves as a fixed support member that fixes and supports the elastic member. The fixing device according to claim 3.
The fixing device is characterized in that the pressing variable mechanism is set so as to individually move and support the elastic member and the rigid member of the pressing member. The fixing device according to claim 1.
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing variable mechanism is configured to move the pressing member substantially along the recording material conveyance direction. The fixing device according to claim 1.
The fixing device characterized in that the pressing variable mechanism has a swingable lever that supports the pressing member. The fixing device according to claim 8.
The pressing variable mechanism includes an actuator that adjusts a swing amount of the pressing member on one side of the lever. The fixing device according to claim 9.
The pressing variable mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the lever in a direction in which the pressing member is pressed against the fixing roll on the other side of the lever. The fixing device according to claim 9.
The fixing device, wherein the actuator is manually operated. The fixing device according to claim 9.
The fixing device, wherein the actuator is automatically operated. The fixing device according to claim 9.
An actuator is a fixing device in which a lever is moved by rotation of a cam. The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein
It has a control device that controls the pressure in the contact nip region and the contact nip width depending on the type of recording material used, and the control device controls the actuator according to the type of recording material used. A fixing device characterized. The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein
It has a control device that controls the pressure and contact nip width in the contact nip area according to the type of color image or monochrome image formed on the recording material, and the control device controls the actuator according to the type of image. A fixing device characterized by that. An image carrier for carrying a toner image;
A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the image carrier onto a recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing device according to claim 1 for fixing an unfixed toner image transferred onto a recording material.

Images