JP2007328115A - Image forming apparatus and image fixing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing odor caused in a toner fixing process by a simple method and to provide an image fixing apparatus to be used therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The image fixing apparatus for the electrophotographic type image forming apparatus is provided with a fixing member having a surface layer containing a catalyst for deodorization, thereby reducing the odor caused in the toner fixing process by a simple method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus used for a copying machine, a printer, and the like, and an image fixing apparatus used therefor.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic system, for example, the surface of an electrostatic charge image carrier formed in a drum shape is uniformly charged, and the surface of the electrostatic charge image carrier is used as image information. The electrostatic image is formed on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member by exposure with light controlled based on the electrostatic image, and this electrostatic image is sometimes referred to as an electrostatic image developing toner (hereinafter simply referred to as “toner”). ) To develop a visible image (toner image), which is further transferred to a transfer material such as recording paper and fixed by an image fixing device to form an image.

  Image fixing devices of various operating principles have been proposed, but the most frequently used ones are a fixing roller maintained at a predetermined temperature and a pressure roller having an elastic layer provided on the surface. In other words, the toner image is fixed by heating the material to be transferred while feeding the toner. In the case of this thermocompression bonding method, the surface of a fixing member such as a fixing roller and the toner image on the transfer material come into contact with each other under pressure, so that the thermal efficiency is very good and fixing can be performed quickly.

  When such toner is thermally fixed, a slight odor may be generated due to the generation of a very small amount of volatile components from the composition constituting the toner. Various studies have been made so far to reduce the generation of odorous components during heat fixing.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 indicate that the odor component in the toner is reduced, Patent Documents 3 and 5 indicate that a deodorizing substance is added to the toner, and Patent Documents 6 and 7 indicate the stage of toner production. Patent Documents 8 and 9 describe attaching a filter to an image forming apparatus, and Patent Document 10 describes attaching an aroma generating means to an image forming apparatus.

JP 7-49588 A JP-A-7-104514 JP 2000-29236 A JP 2002-123038 A JP 2003-173041 A JP 2000-47431 A JP 2003-149853 A JP-A-11-161122 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-232130 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-118764

  As described above, although many efforts have been made so far and the odor generated at the time of fixing the toner has been improved to a level that does not cause a problem, the problem in the office environment has become more severe, and further reduction has been achieved. It has been demanded.

  The present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of reducing odor generated during toner fixing by a simple method, and an image fixing apparatus used therefor.

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic charge image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic charge image carrier, and exposure for exposing the charged electrostatic charge image carrier to form an electrostatic charge image according to image information. Developing means for developing the electrostatic image with toner to form a toner image; transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material; and fixing for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer material And the fixing unit is an image forming apparatus including a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing catalyst.

  The present invention also provides an electrostatic charge image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic charge image carrier, and exposing the charged electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic charge image according to image information. Exposure means for developing, developing means for developing the electrostatic image with toner to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer material A fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing photocatalyst, and a light irradiating member for irradiating light on the surface of the fixing member. .

  The present invention also provides an electrostatic charge image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic charge image carrier, and exposing the charged electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic charge image according to image information. In the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes: an exposure unit configured to develop; a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic image with toner to form a toner image; and a transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image onto the transfer material. An image fixing device for fixing a transferred toner image, the image fixing device including a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing catalyst.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides an electrostatic charge image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic charge image carrier, and exposing the charged electrostatic charge image carrier to form an electrostatic charge image according to image information. In the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes: an exposure unit configured to develop; a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic image with toner to form a toner image; and a transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image onto the transfer material. An image fixing apparatus for fixing a transferred toner image, comprising: a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing photocatalyst; and a light irradiation member for irradiating light on the surface of the fixing member. is there.

  According to the present invention, an image fixing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing catalyst, thereby reducing odor generated during toner fixing by a simple method. Can do.

  According to the present invention, in the image fixing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing photocatalyst, and a light irradiation member that irradiates the fixing member surface with light. It is possible to reduce the odor generated at the time of toner fixing by a simple method.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<Image forming apparatus and image fixing apparatus>
An example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a charging unit 10, an exposure unit 12, an electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 that is an electrostatic charge image carrier, a developing unit 16, a transfer unit 18, a cleaning unit 20, and a fixing unit 22. Prepare.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the charging unit 10 that is a charging unit that charges the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 and the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 are exposed around the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 according to image information. Formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 14, an exposure unit 12 that is an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic charge image, a development unit 16 that is a development unit that develops the electrostatic image with toner and forms a toner image. A transfer unit 18 that is a transfer unit that transfers a toner image onto the surface of the transfer material 24 and a cleaning unit 20 that is a cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 after transfer are in this order. Is arranged. A fixing unit 22 that is a fixing unit (image fixing device) for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer material 24 is disposed on the left side of the transfer unit 18.

  An operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 10. Next, light is applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 by the exposure unit 12, and the charged charges in the irradiated portion are removed, and an electrostatic charge image is formed according to image information. Thereafter, the electrostatic image is developed by the developing unit 16, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 14. For example, in the case of a digital electrophotographic copying machine using an organic photoconductor as the electrophotographic photoconductor 14 and using a laser beam as the exposure unit 12, the surface of the electrophotographic photoconductor 14 is negatively charged by the charging unit 10. Then, a digital latent image is formed in a dot shape by the laser beam light, and toner is applied to the portion irradiated with the laser beam light by the developing unit 16 to be visualized. In this case, a negative bias is applied to the developing unit 16. Next, in the transfer unit 18, a transfer material 24 such as paper is superimposed on the toner image, and a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer material 24 from the back side of the transfer material 24. Is transferred to the transfer material 24. The transferred toner image is subjected to heat and pressure by a fixing member in the fixing unit 22 and is fused and fixed to the transfer material 24. On the other hand, toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 14 without being transferred is removed by the cleaning unit 20. One cycle is completed in a series of processes from charging to cleaning. In FIG. 1, the toner image is directly transferred to the transfer material 24 such as a sheet by the transfer unit 18, but may be transferred via a transfer body such as an intermediate transfer body.

  Hereinafter, a charging unit, an electrostatic charge image carrier, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a fixing unit in the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 will be described.

(Charging means)
For example, a charging device such as a corotron as shown in FIG. 1 is used as the charging unit 10 as a charging means. However, a conductive or semiconductive charging roll can be used instead of this to generate bad odor due to ozone generation. This is desirable due to the absence of A contact charger using a conductive or semiconductive charging roll may apply a direct current to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 or may superimpose an alternating current. For example, the charging unit 10 charges the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 by generating a discharge in a minute space near the contact portion with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14. Normally, it is charged to -300 to -1000V. The conductive or semiconductive charging roll may have a single layer structure or a multiple structure. Further, a mechanism for cleaning the surface of the charging roll may be provided.

(Static charge image carrier)
The electrostatic charge image carrier has a function of forming at least a latent image (electrostatic charge image). A preferable example of the electrostatic image bearing member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 14 has a coating film containing an organic photoreceptor or the like on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate. The coating film is a substrate in which a subbing layer and a photosensitive layer including a charge generating layer containing a charge generating material and a charge transporting layer containing a charge transporting material are formed in this order on the substrate as necessary. is there. The order of stacking the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer may be reversed. These are laminated photoconductors in which a charge generation material and a charge transport material are contained in separate layers (charge generation layer, charge transport layer), but both the charge generation material and the charge transport material are the same. A single-layer type photoreceptor included in the above layer may be used, and a laminated photoreceptor is preferable. Further, an intermediate layer may be provided between the undercoat layer and the photosensitive layer. In addition, other types of photosensitive layers such as an amorphous silicon photosensitive film may be used in addition to the organic photoreceptor.

(Exposure means)
There is no particular limitation on the exposure unit 12 that is an exposure unit, and for example, an optical system device that can expose a light source such as semiconductor laser light, LED light, or liquid crystal shutter light on the surface of the electrostatic charge image carrier in a desired image-like manner. Etc.

(Development means)
The developing unit 16 as a developing unit has a function of developing a latent image formed on the electrostatic image bearing member with a one-component developer or a two-component developer containing an electrostatic charge image developing toner to form a toner image. Have. Such a developing device is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-mentioned function, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, toner for developing an electrostatic image is used using a brush, a roller, or the like. A known developing device having a function of adhering to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14 may be used. For the electrophotographic photosensitive member 14, a DC voltage is usually used, but an AC voltage may be superimposed and used.

  The toner for developing an electrostatic charge image used in the developing unit 16 can be an amorphous toner, but a spherical toner is preferable from the viewpoint of improving the image quality. As a method for obtaining a spherical toner, a polymerizable monomer of a binder resin is emulsion-polymerized, and the formed dispersion is mixed with a dispersion of a colorant, a release agent, and, if necessary, a charge control agent. Then, an emulsion polymerization aggregation method for obtaining toner particles by agglomeration and heat fusion, or a solution of a polymerizable monomer and a colorant, a release agent, and a charge control agent as necessary to obtain a binder resin. Suspension polymerization method of polymerizing by suspending in aqueous solvent, dissolution suspension method of granulating by suspending solution of binder resin and colorant, mold release agent, charge control agent etc. in aqueous solvent if necessary Etc. can be used. In addition, a known method such as a production method in which the toner obtained by the above method is used as a core, and agglomerated particles are further adhered and heat-fused to give a core-shell structure can be used, but from the viewpoint of shape control and particle size distribution control Suspension polymerization method, emulsion polymerization aggregation method, and dissolution suspension method, which are produced from an aqueous solvent, are preferred, and emulsion polymerization aggregation method is particularly preferred. Moreover, as will be described later, it is preferable to partially contain anatase-type titanium oxide or the like as an external additive.

(Transfer means)
As the transfer unit 18 serving as a transfer unit, for example, a charge opposite in polarity to the toner is applied to the transfer material 24 from the back side of the transfer material 24 as shown in FIG. A transfer roll and a transfer roll pressing device using a conductive roll or a semiconductive roll that transfers directly to the surface of the transfer material 24 via the transfer material 24 can be used. . A direct current may be applied to the transfer roll as a transfer current applied to the electrostatic image carrier, or an alternating current may be applied in a superimposed manner. The transfer roll can be arbitrarily set depending on the width of the image area to be charged, the shape of the transfer charger, the opening width, the process speed (circumferential speed), and the like. Further, a single layer foam roll or the like is suitably used as a transfer roll for cost reduction. As a transfer method, a method of transferring directly to the transfer material 24 such as paper or a method of transferring to the transfer material 24 via an intermediate transfer member may be used.

  A known intermediate transfer member can be used as the intermediate transfer member. Materials used for the intermediate transfer member include polycarbonate resin (PC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyalkylene phthalate, PC / polyalkylene terephthalate (PAT) blend material, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) / PC, ETFE / PAT, PC / PAT blend materials, and the like can be mentioned. From the viewpoint of mechanical strength, an intermediate transfer belt using a thermosetting polyimide resin is preferable.

(Cleaning means)
The cleaning unit 20 as a cleaning means may be appropriately selected as long as it cleans the residual toner on the electrostatic image carrier, such as a blade cleaning method, a brush cleaning method, or a roll cleaning method. . Among these, it is preferable to use a cleaning blade. Examples of the material for the cleaning blade include urethane rubber, neoprene rubber, and silicone rubber. Among them, it is particularly preferable to use a polyurethane elastic body because of its excellent wear resistance. However, there may be a mode in which the cleaning unit 20 is not used when toner having high transfer efficiency is used.

(Transfer material)
Examples of the transfer material (paper) 24 to which the toner image is transferred include plain paper, OHP sheets, and the like used in electrophotographic copying machines and printers. In order to further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the transfer material is as smooth as possible. For example, coated paper in which the surface of plain paper is coated with resin, art paper for printing, etc. Can be preferably used.

(Fixing means)
The fixing unit 22 that is a fixing unit (image fixing device) fixes the toner image transferred to the transfer material 24 by heating, pressing, or heating and pressing, and a surface layer containing a deodorizing catalyst. A fixing member having As a result, it is possible to reduce the odor generated when the toner is fixed without performing any special treatment on the toner.

  In the present embodiment, the fixing means (image fixing device) includes a heating roll that is a fixing member in which a cylindrical mandrel is coated with at least an elastic layer and a heat source is disposed therein, and a nip portion that is in contact with the heating roll. A two-roll fixing type fixing device comprising a pressure roll in which a cylindrical mandrel is coated with at least an elastic layer, and a pressure belt having an endless end on the pressure roll side in the two-roll fixing device Instead, a fixing device of a belt nip type in which the pressure belt is wound around a heating roll at a predetermined angle and a long nip time can be secured can be used. The two-roll fixing device has higher thermal efficiency, lower power consumption, and excellent high-speed performance as compared with other hot fixing methods such as a hot-air fixing method and an oven fixing method. On the other hand, the belt nip type fixing device is excellent in instant start property (short time from switch-on to temperature at which fixing is possible), energy saving, and the like. The belt nip method includes a roll-belt nip method in which the heating side driving member is a heating roll, and a belt-belt nip method in which the heating side driving member is also an endless belt. In addition, the free belt nip method that presses the pressure belt against the heating roll with a pressure member to form a nip and keeps the pressure belt free is not required. This is advantageous from the viewpoint of simplification of structure and maintenance.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a two-roll fixing type image fixing apparatus according to the present embodiment. An image fixing device 30 shown in FIG. 2 includes a heating roll 32 that is a fixing member, a pressure roll 34 that is a pressure member disposed in pressure contact with the heating roll 32, and a temperature sensor 36 that is disposed on the surface of the heating roll 32. A heating lamp 38 disposed inside the heating roll 32 and a finger 40 are provided, and the heating roll 32 and the pressure roll 34 are disposed in pressure contact, whereby a fixing nip 42 is formed in the pressure contact portion.

  In the image fixing apparatus of FIG. 2, the heating roll 32 and the pressure roll 34 rotate in the direction of arrow A and the direction of arrow B, respectively. The heating roll 32 is heated by a heating lamp 38. The surface temperature of the heating roll 32 is constantly observed by the temperature sensor 36 and is adjusted to a temperature suitable for toner fixing by a temperature controller (not shown). The surface of the pressure roll 34 may be cooled by a cooling roll (not shown).

  The transfer material 24 having the unfixed image 44 formed with the electrostatic charge image developing toner on one surface is conveyed in the direction of arrow C by a conveying means (not shown). The conveyed transfer material 24 passes through the fixing nip 42. At this time, the unfixed image 44 is pressed against the surface of the heating roll 32 heated by the heating lamp 38 and melted. The melted unfixed image 44 is solidified after the transfer material 24 passes through the fixing nip 42, and is fixed to the transfer material 24 to become a fixed image 46.

  The finger 40 has a function of assisting the peeling of the transfer material 24 attached to the surface of the heating roll 32 in the fixing nip 42.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional structure of the heating roll 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating roll 32 may have a single-layered or laminated rubber elastic layer 50 in order on a cylindrical core 48, and may further have a release layer 52. The formation of the release layer 52 is advantageous in that the offset of the toner image can be suitably prevented and the image fixing device can be operated in a stable state. Here, the outermost rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 contains a deodorizing catalyst and functions as a surface layer exhibiting a deodorizing effect.

  As a material of the cylindrical core 48, a material having excellent heat resistance, strong strength against deformation, and good thermal conductivity is selected. For example, metals such as aluminum, stainless steel (SUS), iron, copper, and the like, Examples thereof include alloys made of other metals, fiber reinforced metal (FRM), and ceramics. Among these, aluminum or iron is preferable. The thickness of the core 48 is usually about 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm in the case of aluminum and about 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm in the case of iron.

  The thickness of the rubber elastic layer 50 is preferably 0.1 mm to 3 mm, particularly preferably 0.3 mm to 2 mm. When the thickness of the rubber elastic layer 50 of the heating roll 32 exceeds 3 mm, the heat capacity of the heating roll 32 increases, and it takes a long time to heat the heating roll 32 to a desired temperature, and energy consumption Is also undesirable in that it increases. On the other hand, if the thickness of the rubber elastic layer 50 is too thin, less than 0.1 mm, the deformation on the surface of the heating roll 32 cannot follow the unevenness of the unfixed image 44, resulting in unevenness of melting, and rubber elasticity effective for peeling. This is not preferable in that the strain of the layer 50 cannot be obtained.

  As a material of the rubber elastic layer 50, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, or the like can be used. Among these materials, silicone rubber is preferable because it has low surface tension and excellent elasticity. The rubber hardness is preferably 70 ° (JIS-A) or less, particularly preferably 60 ° or less.

  Examples of the silicone rubber include RTV silicone rubber and HTV silicone rubber. Specifically, polydimethyl silicone rubber (MQ), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), methyl phenyl silicone rubber (PMQ), and fluorosilicone. Examples thereof include rubber (FVMQ).

  The material of the release layer 52 is not particularly limited as long as it exhibits an appropriate release property with respect to the toner image, and examples thereof include fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, and fluorine resin. Among these materials, a fluororesin is preferable.

  As fluororesins, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroethyl vinyl ether copolymer (EFA), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polyethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluorinated ethylene (PCTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and the like, and among these, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether are particularly preferred from the viewpoints of heat resistance and mechanical properties. Alcohol copolymer (PFA) of tetrafluoroethylene - perfluoro methyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), and tetrafluoroethylene - perfluoro ethyl vinyl ether (EFA) copolymers are preferably used. Since the fluororesin does not show a decrease in releasability due to adhesion or deposition of toner stains or the like, the life of the heating roll 32 can be extended.

  The thickness of the release layer 52 is usually 10 to 100 μm, preferably 15 to 30 μm. The method for forming the release layer 52 on the surface of the core 48 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a coating method in which coating is performed by a dip coating method, a spray coating method, a roll coating method, a bar coating method, a spin coating method, or the like. Can be mentioned. Moreover, the method of coat | covering the tube formed by extrusion molding is also employable.

The deodorizing catalyst contained in the rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 on the outermost surface is an odor by light such as ultraviolet light having a wavelength range of about 100 nm to about 380 nm, visible light having a wavelength range of about 380 nm to about 780 nm, etc. Platinum group metals such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr ), Cerium (Ce), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), zirconium (Zr), tungsten (W), vanadium (V ) metal such as titanium oxide (TiO), titanium _(TiO 2 dioxide), zinc oxide (ZnO), in addition to _WO 3 of oxides such as zirconium oxide (ZrO _2), La _{hP 3, FeTiO 3, Fe 2} O 3, CdFe 2 O 4, SrTiO 3, CdSe, GaAs, GaP, RuO 2, CdS, MoS 3, LaRhO 3, CdFeO 3, Bi 2 O 3, MoS 2, In 2 O ₃ , CdO, SnO _{2 and the} like, and one or more of these substances can be used in combination.

Of the above substances, TiO ₂ , WO ₃ , SrTiO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , CdS, MoS ₃ , Bi ₂ O ₃ , MoS ₂ , In ₂ O ₃ , CdO, etc. are the absolute redox potential of the equivalent electronic band. Since the value is larger than the absolute value of the redox potential of the conduction band, the oxidizing power is larger than the reducing power, and the deodorizing action by the decomposition of the organic compound is excellent.

  Further, the deodorizing catalyst may be one in which these photocatalyst, air catalyst and the like are supported on at least one carrier selected from activated alumina, silica, zeolite, titanium dioxide and the like in order to increase the specific surface area.

From the viewpoint of economy and safety, the photocatalyst is selected from TiO ₂ , Fe ₂ O _3, ZnO and the like, but TiO ₂ (anatase type) having high deodorizing efficiency is preferable.

  The volume average particle size of the deodorizing catalyst and the carrier can be measured using a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (Shimadzu Corporation, SALD-2000 type). In addition, the average particle size of the deodorizing catalyst in the outermost rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 is increased 10,000 times using an FE-SEM apparatus (manufactured by Hitachi Science Systems, S4100 type). It can be determined by observing.

  The content of the deodorizing catalyst in the outermost rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 is preferably in the range of 5 to 15% as a catalyst amount per unit surface area. If the content is less than 5%, the deodorizing effect may not be sufficiently exhibited. If the content exceeds 15%, offset tends to occur and the surface of the heating roll 32 tends to wear. is there. The content of the deodorizing catalyst in the rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 on the outermost surface can be determined under the conditions of narrow scan measurement using an XPS apparatus (manufactured by JEOL Datum, JPS9000 type).

  The method for forming the rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 containing the deodorizing catalyst is not particularly limited. For example, the rubber elastic layer coating solution or release layer coating solution containing the deodorizing catalyst is used. General methods such as a method of coating the core or rubber elastic layer surface, a method of electrostatic coating, a method of dip coating, etc. can be mentioned. A method in which the rubber elastic layer coating solution or release layer coating solution is applied to the core or the rubber elastic layer surface is preferable.

  As the pressure roll 34, a cylindrical core having a release layer may be used, and a rubber elastic layer may be provided between the core and the release layer. Specific examples of the core, the rubber elastic layer, and the release layer are the same as those of the heating roll 32.

  In addition, at least one of the rubber elastic layer and the release layer of the heating roll 32 and the pressure roll 34 may contain various additives according to the purpose. For the purpose of control, carbon black, ceramic particles such as metal oxide or SiC, and the like can be given.

  In this way, by adding the deodorizing catalyst to the rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 on the outermost surface of the heating roll 32 of the image fixing device, the odor generated near the surface of the fixing member at the time of fixing is removed by the deodorizing catalyst. It can be decomposed and deodorized. Odor substances generated at the time of fixing, for example, aldehyde compounds and amine compounds, are eliminated at the same time as the surface of the fixing member, so that no odor is released to the outside of the apparatus and a more comfortable office environment is maintained. Moreover, there is no special thing attached to the apparatus, and space saving can be realized. In addition, the toner is inexpensive because it does not require any special treatment.

In this embodiment, when a photocatalyst is used as the deodorizing catalyst, a light irradiation member 54 for irradiating light to the surface of the fixing member is provided on the discharge side of the transfer material 24 as shown in FIG. As the light irradiation member 54, an ultraviolet light irradiation lamp such as a mercury lamp, an excimer lamp, or a xenon lamp, a visible light irradiation lamp such as a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or a tungsten lamp can be used. May be selected according to the light wavelength at which the deodorizing photocatalyst exhibits a decomposing effect, but when titanium oxide is used as the deodorizing photocatalyst for a small, inexpensive, and economical reason, it peaks at 300 to 400 nm. It is preferable to use a black lamp that can be irradiated with light having a wavelength (irradiation with ultraviolet light). The intensity of the ultraviolet rays is sufficient if it is about 0.5 mW / cm ² or more although it depends on the output of the lamp, and can be determined by constraints such as economy and size.

  As described above, the rubber elastic layer 50 or the release layer 52 on the outermost surface of the heating roll 32 of the image fixing apparatus contains the deodorizing photocatalyst, and the light irradiation member 54 is provided on the discharge side of the transfer material 24, so that the fixing is performed. The odor generated near the surface of the fixing member can be decomposed and deodorized by the deodorizing photocatalyst functioned by the irradiated light. Odor substances generated at the time of fixing, such as aldehyde compounds and amine compounds, are eliminated at the same time near the surface of the fixing member, so that a more comfortable office environment is maintained without releasing odors outside the apparatus. Moreover, there is no special thing except the lamp attached to the apparatus, and space saving can be realized. In addition, the toner is inexpensive because it does not require any special treatment.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a belt nip type image fixing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image fixing device 60 of the present embodiment is a belt-belt nip system, but is not limited to this.

  In FIG. 5, the heating belt 62 is formed by forming a release layer containing a mixture of a fluororesin and an elastomer on the core of a heat resistant base film (for example, a polyimide film). An endless belt 64 is disposed so as to contact the heating belt 62, and a fixing nip 66 is formed between the heating belt 62 and the endless belt 64.

  For example, an iron pressure roll 72, a reverse T-shaped pressure application member 74, and a metal pad 76 impregnated with a lubricant are provided inside the heating belt 62 at a position facing the pressing pad 70. A member 78 is disposed, and the pressure applying member 74 presses the heating belt 62 against the endless belt 64 via the pressure roll 72 so that a nip pressure is applied to the fixing nip 66. At this time, the pressure application member 74 applies a nip pressure while the metal pad 76 slides on the inner surface of the pressure roll 72. In addition, it is preferable that the inner surface of the pressure roll 72 is coated with lubricating heat-resistant oil. Further, a heating lamp 80 for heating the nip portion of the heating belt 62 is disposed inside the heating belt 62. The surface temperature of the heating belt 62 is constantly observed by a temperature sensor (not shown), and is adjusted to a temperature suitable for toner fixing by a temperature controller (not shown).

  The heating belt 62 rotates in the direction of the arrow A ′ following the pressure roll 72 rotating in the direction of the arrow D ′, and the endless belt 64 is also rotated in the direction of the arrow B ′. The transfer material 24 having the unfixed image 44 formed of the electrostatic charge image developing toner on one surface is conveyed in the direction of the arrow C ′ by a conveyance unit (not shown). The conveyed material to be transferred 24 passes through the fixing nip 66. At this time, the unfixed image 44 is pressed against the surface of the heating belt 62 heated by the heating lamp 80 and melted. The melted unfixed image 44 is solidified after the transfer material 24 passes through the fixing nip 66 and is fixed to the transfer material 24 to become a fixed image 46.

  The image fixing device 60 of the present embodiment is excellent in instant start property and energy saving as a whole because the heat capacity of the heating belt 62 as a driving member is small. Since other configurations are the same as those of the image fixing device 30, the same effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional structure of the heating belt 62. As shown in FIG. 6, the heating belt 62 has a release layer 69 on a belt-like core 68. The formation of the release layer 69 is advantageous in that the offset of the toner image can be suitably prevented and the image fixing apparatus can be operated in a stable state. Here, the release layer 69 on the outermost surface contains the same deodorizing catalyst as described above, and functions as a surface layer that exhibits a deodorizing effect.

  Examples of the material of the core 68 include thermosetting polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyamide, polyamideimide, polybenzimidazole, and the like. Among these, thermosetting polyimide and polybenzimidazole are preferable because they are excellent in heat resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and the like. Functional fillers such as inorganic particles, metal powders, metal oxides, and organic metal oxides can be appropriately added to the core 68 according to purposes such as conductivity, thermal conductivity, insulation, and reinforcement. . The thickness of the core 68 is usually 10 to 50 μm.

  As the material of the release layer 69, the same material as that of the release layer 52 can be used. The thickness of the release layer 69 is usually 1 to 10 μm, preferably 3 to 5 μm. The method for forming the release layer 69 on the surface of the core 68 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a coating method in which a dip coating method, a spray coating method, a roll coating method, a bar coating method, a spin coating method, and the like are applied. Can be mentioned.

  The heating belt 62 may have a fluororesin layer formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. As the fluororesin layer that can be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 62, the same layers as those described for the release layer can be used. However, the film tube described in JP-A-2001-249558 is used. It is also possible to use a oleophilic fluororesin applied to the inner surface of the body or a lipophilic agent combined with a fluororesin.

  The endless belt 64 is configured by forming a release layer on the outer peripheral surface of a belt-shaped core. Specific examples of the core and the release layer are the same as those of the heating belt 62.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing member includes at least a pressing pad 70 that urges the endless belt 64 with a surface, and a low friction sheet 88 that is disposed on the urging surface of the pressing pad 70 and the surface is in contact with the endless belt 64. Composed. The press pad 70 and the low friction sheet 88 may be fixed by a known means such as an adhesive or welding, and the low friction sheet 88 is not overlapped but simply overlapped. As a whole, it may be arranged fixedly or semi-fixedly.

  The pressing pad 70 is disposed inside the endless belt 64 and is fixed through which the transfer material 24 holding the unfixed image 44 can pass between the endless belt 64 and the heating belt 62 via the low friction sheet 88. The endless belt 64 is urged by the surface through the low friction sheet 88 so that the nip 66 is formed, and the surface of the heating belt 62 is pressed.

  The pressing pad 70 has a function capable of forming a fixing nip 66 through which the transfer material 24 holding the unfixed image 44 can be inserted between the endless belt 64 and the surface of the heating belt 62. If there is no restriction | limiting in particular, according to the objective, it can select from well-known things suitably. In particular, silicone rubber having a JIS-A hardness of 10 to 40 ° is preferably used from the viewpoint of hardness. There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the shape of a press pad 70, a structure, a magnitude | size, It can select suitably according to the objective. For example, the pressing pad 70 may have a structure made up of a single member or a structure made up of a plurality of members having different functions.

  In FIG. 5, the pressing pad 70 includes a support body 82 and an elastic body 84 disposed so as to be surrounded by the support body 82. A belt traveling guide 86 is attached to the support 82 so that the endless belt 64 rotates smoothly.

  As the low friction sheet 88 arranged on the urging surface of the pressing pad 70 and having a surface in contact with the endless belt 64, any material can be used as long as it has a low coefficient of friction with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the contacting endless belt 64. For example, a sheet made of fluororesin, polyimide, polyamide, polyamideimide, polybenzimidazole, graphite, and the like can be given. Among these, a fluororesin is preferable from the viewpoint of low friction, wear resistance, flexibility, and the like. Further, among fluororesins, those made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are preferably used from the viewpoint of processability and friction characteristics. The form of the low friction sheet 88 may be simply a film.

  A plurality of ribs are provided on the surface of the belt traveling guide 86 in parallel with the circumferential rotation direction of the endless belt 64, so that the contact area between the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt 64 and the belt traveling guide 86 is reduced. . At both ends of the belt traveling guide 86 (both ends of the circumferential rotation shaft of the endless belt 64, that is, the back side and the near side of the paper surface in FIG. 5), a flange-shaped member that restricts the shift of the endless belt 64 ( (Not shown) is provided. The support 82 is heat resistant and has a function of fixing the elastic body 84. The support 82 urges the heating belt 62 by a compression coil spring (not shown) through a thin film endless belt 64.

  In this embodiment, when a photocatalyst is used as the deodorizing catalyst, the light irradiation member similar to FIG. 4 irradiates the fixing member surface with light on the discharge side of the transfer material 24 as shown in FIG. 54.

  Occurs near the surface of the fixing member at the time of fixing by including a deodorizing photocatalyst in the release layer 69 on the outermost surface of the heating belt 62 of the image fixing apparatus and providing a light irradiation member 54 on the discharge side of the transfer material 24 as necessary. The deodorized odor can be decomposed and deodorized by the deodorizing catalyst. Odorous substances generated during fixing, such as aldehyde compounds and amine compounds, are generated and are simultaneously eliminated in the vicinity of the fixing member surface.

<Electrophotographic photoreceptor>
Next, each layer constituting the electrophotographic photoreceptor 14 will be described.

  As the conductive cylindrical substrate used for the electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive drum) 14, a cylindrical member having a diameter of 10 to 200 mm and a length of 250 to 1000 mm is usually used. In addition, as the material of the cylindrical substrate, conductive materials such as metal materials such as aluminum, stainless steel and nickel, polymer materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene, nylon, polystyrene and phenol resin, or insulating materials such as hard paper And the like, and those obtained by conducting metal treatment on the above insulating material, those obtained by laminating metal stays on the above insulating material, and those obtained by forming a metal vapor-deposited film on the above insulating material, and aluminum is usually used.

  Further, the cylindrical substrate may have been subjected to a surface treatment such as anodizing treatment, rough grinding treatment, or honing treatment. By such a surface treatment, the surface roughness of the conductive substrate is set within a predetermined range (preferably centerline average roughness Ra is 0.05 to 0.5 μm and maximum height Rmax is 0.5 to 5 μm). Thus, interference of light can be prevented.

  The charge generation layer is formed including a charge generation material and a binder resin (binder), and the charge generation material is dispersed in the binder resin and held in the layer. Specific examples of such charge generating materials include azo pigments, disazo pigments, quinone pigments, quinocyanine pigments, perylene pigments, indigo pigments, bisbenzimidazole pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, quinacridone pigments, pyrylium salts, azulenium salts, and trigonal crystals. Examples include selenium. The binder resin includes polycarbonate, polyacrylate, polystyrene, polymethacrylic ester, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, polysulfone, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, and cellulose esters. Etc. can be used. The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably in the range of 0.05 μm to 1.0 μm.

  The charge transport layer is formed including a charge transport material and a binder resin, and the charge transport material is dispersed in the binder resin and held in the layer. Specific examples of such a charge transport material include polycyclic aromatic compounds such as anthracene, pyrene, phenanthrene, and coronene or derivatives thereof, indole, carbazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, oxadiazole, and pyrazoline. And nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as thiadiazole and triazole or derivatives thereof, hole transport materials such as hydrazone, and the like. Further, as the binder resin, the resins exemplified in the description of the charge generation layer can be used. The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably in the range of 10 to 50 μm, more preferably 15 to 35 μm.

The undercoat layer provided as necessary includes a predetermined resin. Such resins include acetal resins such as polyvinyl butyral, acrylic resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl acetate resins, polyurethane resins, polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, and other thermoplastic resins, alkyd resins, melamines, etc. Thermosetting resins such as resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, and silicone resin may be used. A zirconium compound, a titanium compound, or the like may be blended with these resins to form an undercoat layer. The thickness of the undercoat layer is preferably in the range of 0.1 μm to 3.0 μm. The undercoat layer may be formed by including metal oxide fine particles in a binder resin. In order for the undercoat layer to exhibit sufficient leakage resistance, the metal oxide fine particles preferably have a powder resistance of about 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ¹¹ Ω · cm. Among them, it is preferable to use fine metal oxide particles such as tin oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide and zirconium oxide having the above resistance values, and zinc oxide is particularly preferably used. The thickness of the undercoat layer formed by containing metal oxide fine particles in the binder resin is preferably 15 μm or more and 30 μm or less, and more preferably 18 μm or more and 28 μm or less.

  When the undercoat layer, the charge generation layer, and the charge transport layer are formed, a coating resin obtained by dispersing a binder resin or a charge generation material or a charge transport material in a predetermined solvent is added to the predetermined layer ( It can be suitably obtained by coating on a substrate, undercoat layer, charge generation layer, charge transport layer, etc.) and drying. As such a solvent, a solvent having a high volatility and a vapor density higher than that of air is preferable. Specifically, n-butylamine, diethylamine, ethylenediamine, isopropaholamine, triethanolamine, N, N-dimethyl is used. Formamide, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, benzene, 4-methoxy-4-methylpentanone, dimethoxymethane, dimethoxyethane, 2,4-pentadione, anisole, methyl 3-oxobutanoate, monochlorobenzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform, 1 , 2-dichloroethane, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl cellosolve, ethyl Cellosolve, methyl cellosolve, and the like methyl cellosolve acetate. These organic solvents may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

  In addition, a material such as a binder resin, a charge transport material, and a charge generation material can be dispersed in these solvents by using a sand mill, colloid mill, attritor, ball mill, dyno mill, high pressure homogenizer, ultrasonic disperser, coball mill, roll mill. Etc.

  Examples of the method for applying the coating liquid include a blade coating method, a Meyer bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, and a curtain coating method.

<Toner for electrostatic image development>
As the toner used in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, a known toner containing a binder resin and a colorant as main components and a release agent or the like as necessary can be used. The toner may be produced by a dry production method such as a kneading and pulverization method, or may be produced by a wet production method such as an emulsion polymerization aggregation method, a dissolution suspension method, or a suspension polymerization method. .

  That is, as the toner binder resin, styrenes such as styrene and chlorostyrene; monoolefins such as ethylene, propylene, butylene, and isobutylene; vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl butyrate, methyl acrylate, acrylic Esters of α-methylene aliphatic monocarboxylic acids such as ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate; vinyl methyl ether , Vinyl ethers such as vinyl ethyl ether and vinyl butyl ether; homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl ketones such as vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone and vinyl isopropenyl ketone, Typical binder resins include polystyrene, styrene / alkyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / alkyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene / butadiene copolymer, styrene / maleic anhydride copolymer. Examples thereof include coalescence, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Further examples include polyester, polyurethane, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyamide, modified rosin, paraffin waxes and the like.

  Examples of the colorant include carbon black, chrome yellow, hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, selenium yellow, quinoline yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, vulcan orange, watch young red, permanent red, brillianthamine 3B, and brillianthamine. 6B, DuPont Oil Red, Pyrazolone Red, Resol Red, Rhodamine B Lake, Lake Red C, Rose Bengal, Aniline Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Calco Oil Blue, Methylene Blue Chloride, Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Green, Malachite Green Oxalate, etc. Or acridine, xanthene, azo, benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, thio Various dyes such as Ndico, Dioxazine, Thiazine, Azomethine, Indico, Thioindico, Phthalocyanine, Aniline Black, Polymethine, Triphenylmethane, Diphenylmethane, Thiazine, Thiazole, and Xanthene Or in combination of two or more.

  In the electrostatic image developing toner according to the exemplary embodiment, the content of the colorant is preferably in the range of 1 to 30 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. It is also effective to use a colorant that has been surface-treated accordingly, or to use a pigment dispersant. By appropriately selecting the type of the colorant, yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, black toner and the like can be obtained.

  Other examples of the release agent include low molecular weight polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene; silicones having a softening point upon heating; fatty acids such as oleic acid amide, erucic acid amide, ricinoleic acid amide, and stearic acid amide Amides; plant waxes such as ester wax, carnauba wax, rice wax, candelilla wax, tree wax, jojoba oil, etc .; animal waxes such as beeswax; montan wax, ozokerite, ceresin, paraffin wax, microcrystalline Mineral waxes such as waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, petroleum waxes, and modified products thereof can be used. The addition amount of the release agent can be added in the range of 50% by weight or less with respect to the toner.

  As other internal additives, magnetic materials such as metals such as ferrite, magnetite, reduced iron, cobalt, nickel and manganese, alloys thereof, and compounds containing these metals can be used. As the charge control agent, various commonly used charge control agents such as quaternary ammonium salts, nigrosine compounds, dyes composed of complexes of aluminum, iron, chromium, and triphenylmethane pigments can be used. In order to control the ionic strength which affects the stability at the time of aggregation and fusion integration, and to reduce wastewater contamination, a charge control agent that is difficult to dissolve in water is preferable.

  Examples of inorganic fine particles to be wet-added include silica, alumina, titania, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and tricalcium phosphate, all of which are usually used as external additives on the toner surface, such as ionic surfactants and It can be dispersed in a polymer acid or a polymer base and added wet.

  Surfactants used for emulsion polymerization, seed polymerization, pigment dispersion, resin particle dispersion, release agent dispersion, aggregation, or stabilization in the toner manufacturing process by a wet manufacturing method include sulfate ester salts, sulfonate salts, phosphorus Anionic surfactants such as acid esters and soaps, cationic surfactants such as amine salts and quaternary ammonium salts, and non-polyethylene glycols, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, polyhydric alcohols, etc. It is also effective to use an ionic surfactant in combination.

  The external additive used in the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and known external additives such as inorganic fine particles and organic fine particles can be used. Among them, silica, titania, alumina, cerium oxide, titanium, and the like can be used. Organic fine particles such as inorganic fine particles such as strontium acid, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and calcium phosphate, metal soap such as zinc stearate, fluorine-containing resin fine particles, silica-containing resin fine particles, and nitrogen-containing resin fine particles are preferable. Moreover, you may surface-treat on the surface of an external additive according to the objective. Examples of the surface treatment agent include a silane compound, a silane coupling agent, and a silicone oil for performing a hydrophobic treatment.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the toner preferably contains a small amount of the deodorizing catalyst of titanium oxide (anatase type) carrying a photocatalyst as an external additive. As a result, the deodorizing catalyst that has been reduced due to wear on the surface of the heating roll or the like can be replenished to the surface of the heating roll or the like. Moreover, this can reduce the amount of the deodorizing catalyst contained in the heating roll or heating belt, and can extend the life of the heating roll or heating belt. At this time, the amount of the external additive containing the deodorizing catalyst is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.1% by weight with respect to the toner. If the added amount of the external additive is less than 0.01% by weight, the effect of extending the life may not be obtained, and if it exceeds 0.1% by weight, the chargeability may be deteriorated.

<Physical properties of toner for developing electrostatic image>
The volume average particle size of the electrostatic image developing toner according to this embodiment is preferably in the range of 4 μm to 8 μm, more preferably in the range of 5 μm to 7 μm, and the number average particle size is in the range of 3 μm to 7 μm. Is preferable, and the range of 4 μm to 6 μm is more preferable.

  The volume average particle size and the number average particle size can be measured by measuring with a 100 μm aperture diameter using a Coulter Multisizer II type (manufactured by Beckman-Coulter). At this time, the measurement is performed after the toner is dispersed in an electrolyte aqueous solution (Isoton aqueous solution) and dispersed by ultrasonic waves for 30 seconds or more.

  The volume average particle size distribution index GSDv of the electrostatic image developing toner according to this embodiment is 1.27 or less, preferably 1.25 or less. When GSDv exceeds 1.27, the particle size distribution is not sharp, resolution is deteriorated, and image defects such as toner scattering and fogging are caused.

The volume average particle diameter D50v and the volume average particle size distribution index GSDv can be obtained as follows. Draw cumulative distributions from the small diameter side for the particle size range (channel) divided based on the particle size distribution of the toner measured by the above-mentioned Coulter Multisizer II type (manufactured by Beckman-Coulter). In addition, the particle diameter that is accumulated 16% is defined as volume D16v and several D16p, the particle diameter that is accumulated 50% is defined as volume D50v and several D50p, and the particle diameter that is accumulated 84% is defined as volume D84v and several D84p. At this time, D50v represents the volume average particle diameter, and the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) is determined as (D84v / D16v) ^1/2 . In addition, (D84p / D16p) ^1/2 represents a number average particle size distribution index (GSDp).

In addition, the shape factor SF1 represented by the following formula of the toner for developing an electrostatic charge image according to the exemplary embodiment is in the range of 110 to 140, and preferably in the range of 115 to 130.
SF1 = (ML ² / A) × (π / 4) × 100
[In the above formula, ML represents the maximum toner length (μm), and A represents the projected area (μm ² ) of the toner. ]
If the toner shape factor SF1 is less than 110 or exceeds 140, it may be impossible to obtain excellent chargeability, cleanability, and transferability over a long period of time.

In addition, shape factor SF1 was measured as follows using a Luzex image analyzer (manufactured by Nireco Corporation, FT). First, an optical microscopic image of toner spread on a slide glass is taken into a Luzex image analyzer through a video camera, and the maximum length (ML) and projection area (A) of 50 toners are measured. ML ² / A) × (π / 4) × 100 was calculated, and a value obtained by averaging the values was determined as the shape factor SF1.

<Electrostatic image developer>
The toner for developing an electrostatic charge image according to the exemplary embodiment is used as it is as a one-component developer or as a two-component developer. When used as a two-component developer, it is used by mixing with a carrier.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a carrier which can be used for a two-component developer, A well-known carrier can be used. Examples thereof include magnetic metals such as iron oxide, nickel and cobalt, magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite, resin-coated carriers having a resin coating layer on the surface of the core material, and magnetic dispersion carriers. Further, a resin-dispersed carrier in which a conductive material or the like is dispersed in a matrix resin may be used.

  Coating resins and matrix resins used for carriers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylic. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, acid copolymers, straight silicone resins composed of organosiloxane bonds or modified products thereof, fluororesins, polyesters, polycarbonates, phenol resins, epoxy resins and the like.

  Examples of the conductive material include metals such as gold, silver and copper, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate, potassium titanate, tin oxide, and carbon black. It is not limited.

  Examples of the core material of the carrier include magnetic metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite, and glass beads. However, in order to use the carrier for the magnetic brush method, it is a magnetic material. It is preferable. The volume average particle size of the core material of the carrier is generally in the range of 10 μm to 500 μm, and preferably in the range of 30 μm to 100 μm.

  In order to coat the surface of the core material of the carrier with a resin, there may be mentioned a method of coating with a coating layer forming solution in which the coating resin and, if necessary, various additives are dissolved in an appropriate solvent. The solvent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected in consideration of the coating resin to be used, coating suitability, and the like.

  Specific resin coating methods include an immersion method in which the carrier core material is immersed in the coating layer forming solution, a spray method in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed on the surface of the carrier core material, and the carrier core material is fluidized air. And a kneader coater method in which the carrier core material and the coating layer forming solution are mixed in a kneader coater and the solvent is removed in a kneader coater.

  The mixing ratio (weight ratio) of the toner according to the exemplary embodiment and the carrier in the two-component developer is in the range of toner: carrier = 1: 100 to 30: 100, and 3: 100 to 20: 100. A range of the degree is more preferable.

  Hereinafter, although an example and a comparative example are given and the present invention is explained more concretely in detail, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Example 1
As shown in FIG. 3, a rubber elastic layer (material: silicone solid rubber, thickness 2.0 mm) 50 and a release layer (material: material) on a cylindrical aluminum core (thickness 1.0 mm, inner diameter 40 mm) 48. A rubber elastic layer (material: foamed silicone rubber, thickness 2.0 mm) and a separation layer on a heating roll 32 having a PFTE (thickness 20 μm) 52 and a cylindrical aluminum core (thickness 1.0 mm, inner diameter 40 mm). A pressure roll 34 having a mold layer (material: fluorine-modified silicone rubber, thickness 50 μm) was produced. In the outermost release layer 52, as a deodorizing catalyst, anatase type titanium oxide (Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd., volume average particle size 7 μm) as a photocatalyst is 5 to 15% as a catalyst amount per unit surface area. In the range, the anatase-type titanium oxide was sprayed (supported by thermal spraying technology) on the release layer 52 while being heated to 250 ° C. The heating roll 32 and the pressure roll 34 are incorporated into a DCC500CP type manufactured by Fuji Xerox, and further, a light irradiation member 54 that irradiates the surface of the heating roll 32 with ultraviolet light at a position 10 mm from the heating roll 32 on the discharge side of the transfer material. A cold cathode UV lamp (manufactured by Elebum, 6.5Φ × 310 mm, wavelength: about 350 nm, light intensity: about 0.5 mW / cm ² ) was installed.

  Next, using this image forming apparatus and a two-component developer containing an electrostatic charge image developing toner containing a styrene resin as a binder resin and carbon black as a colorant, 1000 images of an image density of 5% are continuously printed. In the meantime, 20 evaluators were allowed to smell the odor from the paper outlet, and the number of people who felt the odor was confirmed. The UV lamp was always turned on during image formation. The fixing temperature was 175 ° C. According to the following criteria, 1 out of 20 people was determined to be 1.5 and 1 was determined to be 1, but the remaining 18 were determined to be 0.5 or less.

<Evaluation criteria>
0: No smell at all.
0.5: Between 0 and 1 1: Smell that can finally be sensed (a level that does not cause any problem at all)
1.5: Between 1 and 2 2: Smell odor (level at which odor can be tolerated)
2.5: Between 2 and 3 3: Smell that can be easily detected (level that is painful if you always smell)
3.5: Between 3 and 4 4: Strong odor (level that is painful even if it smells in a short time)
4.5: Between 4 and 5 5: Strong odor (smelly level that you don't want to approach)

(Example 2)
A part of the DocuCenter Color f450 type fixing machine manufactured by Fuji Xerox equipped with the fixing machine having the configuration shown in FIG. 7 was modified. Anatase type titanium oxide (made by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd., volume average particle size 7 μm) as a deodorizing catalyst on the outermost surface of the heating belt 62 as a catalyst amount per unit surface area is in the range of 5 to 15%. The type titanium oxide was carried on the outermost surface of the heating belt 62 while being heated to 250 ° C. (by thermal spraying technology). Further, as a light irradiation member 54 for irradiating the surface of the heating belt 62 with ultraviolet light at a position on the exit side of the fixing device, a cold cathode UV lamp (manufactured by ELEVAM, 6.5Φ × 310 mm, wavelength: about 350 nm, light intensity) : About 0.5 mW / cm ² ).

  Next, using this image forming apparatus and a two-component developer containing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image for DCCf450 type containing a styrene resin as a binder resin and carbon black as a colorant, an image having an image density of 5% is obtained. While continuously printing 1000 sheets, 20 evaluators were allowed to smell the odor from the paper discharge port, and the number of people who felt the odor was confirmed. The UV lamp was always turned on during image formation. The fixing temperature was 175 ° C. Based on the above criteria, 1 out of 20 people was determined to be 1.5 and 1 was determined to be 1, but the remaining 18 were determined to be 0.5 or less.

(Comparative Example 1)
When the same test was performed with DocuCenter Color f450 made by Fuji Xerox without any remodeling, one out of 20 was determined to be 2 according to the above criteria, 5 were determined to be 1.5, and the remaining 14 were 1 Judged and felt there was odor.

  In this way, the release layer on the outermost surface of the heating roll of the image fixing apparatus contains a deodorizing photocatalyst, and a light irradiation member is provided on the transfer material discharge side to form an image while irradiating light, thereby fixing at the time of fixing. The odor generated near the surface of the member could be decomposed and deodorized by the deodorizing photocatalyst.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic sectional structure of an example of the heating roll which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an image fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an image fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic sectional structure of an example of the heating belt which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an image fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 10 charging part, 12 exposure part, 14 electrophotographic photoreceptor, 16 developing part, 18 transfer part, 20 cleaning part, 22 fixing part, 24 material to be transferred, 30, 60 image fixing apparatus, 32 heating roll , 34 Pressure roll, 36 Temperature sensor, 38, 80 Heat lamp, 40 Finger, 42, 66 Fixing nip, 44 Unfixed image, 46 Fixed image, 48 Core, 50 Rubber elastic layer, 52 Release layer, 54 Light irradiation Member, 62 heating belt, 64 endless belt, 68 core, 69 release layer, 70 pressure pad, 72 pressure roll, 74 pressure applying member, 76 metal pad, 78 pressure member, 82 support body, 84 elastic body, 86 belt Travel guide, 88 low friction sheet.

Claims (4)

An electrostatic image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic image carrier,
Exposure means for exposing the charged electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic image according to image information;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic image with toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer material;
Have
The image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing unit includes a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing catalyst. An electrostatic image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic image carrier,
Exposure means for exposing the charged electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic image according to image information;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic image with toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer material;
Have
The image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing unit includes: a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing photocatalyst; and a light irradiation member for irradiating light on the surface of the fixing member. An electrostatic image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, exposure means for exposing the charged electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic image according to image information, and In an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit that develops an electrostatic charge image with toner to form a toner image; and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a transfer material, the toner image transferred to the transfer material is An image fixing device for fixing,
An image fixing apparatus comprising a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing catalyst on a surface thereof. An electrostatic image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, exposure means for exposing the charged electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic image according to image information, and In an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit that develops an electrostatic charge image with toner to form a toner image; and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a transfer material, the toner image transferred to the transfer material is An image fixing device for fixing,
An image fixing apparatus comprising: a fixing member having a surface layer containing a deodorizing photocatalyst on a surface; and a light irradiation member for irradiating light on the surface of the fixing member.

Images