JP2010072328A - Fixing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device in which a heat pipe can easily be replaced and cost of the heat pipe replacement is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: A fixing device body 10 includes a body part 11, and a separation part 12 that is attached to the body part 11 so as to be freely detached. The separation part 12 includes a support part 15 for supporting the heat pipe 3. The heat pipe 3 is installed on the support part 15 of the separate part 12 so as to be freely detached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a FAX, and an image forming apparatus having the fixing device.

Conventionally, as a fixing device, there is a fixing device including a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, a heating unit, and a heat pipe (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-55552: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-192901). Reference 2). The heating unit heats the fixing rotator. The fixing rotator and the pressure rotator fix the sheet by heating and pressing. The heat pipe is in contact with the pressure rotator.
JP 2002-55552 A JP 2007-192901 A

  However, in the above-described conventional fixing device, when the heat pipe is replaced due to exhaustion of the heat pipe, it is necessary to disassemble the inside of the fixing device such as the fixing rotator, the pressure rotator, and the heating unit and take out the heat pipe. was there. For this reason, there existed a problem which requires the cost which replaces | exchanges a heat pipe.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus that can easily replace a heat pipe and reduce the replacement cost of the heat pipe.

In order to solve the above problems, the fixing device of the present invention is:
A fixing device body;
A fixing-side rotating body and a pressure-side rotating body that are attached to the fixing device main body and fix the toner of the recording material while contacting the recording material and conveying the recording material;
A heating unit that is attached to the fixing device body and that heats the fixing-side rotating body;
A heat equalizing member in contact with the fixing side rotating body or the pressure side rotating body,
The heat equalizing member is detachably installed on the fixing device main body.

  According to the fixing device of the present invention, since the heat equalizing member is detachably installed on the fixing device main body, for example, when the heat equalizing member is replaced due to consumption of the heat equalizing member, the heat equalizing member is replaced. Only the member can be removed from the fixing device main body.

  Therefore, when replacing the soaking member, it is not necessary to disassemble the inside of the fixing device such as the fixing side rotating body, the pressure side rotating body, or the heating unit, and the soaking member can be easily replaced and the soaking member can be easily replaced. The replacement cost of the heat member can be reduced.

In the fixing device of one embodiment,
The fixing device main body has a main body portion and a separation portion that is detachably attached to the main body portion or can be opened and closed.
The separation portion is provided with a support portion that supports the heat equalizing member.

  According to the fixing device of this embodiment, the fixing device main body has a main body portion and a separation portion that is detachably attached to the main body portion, and is openable and closable. Since, for example, when the heat equalizing member is replaced, only the heat equalizing member can be taken out more easily by setting the separating portion to the separated state or the open state when the heat equalizing member is replaced. be able to.

In the fixing device of one embodiment,
The heating unit is an electromagnetic induction heating unit that induction-heats the fixing-side rotator,
The soaking member is in contact with the pressure-side rotating body,
The electromagnetic induction heating unit and the heat equalizing member are in positions facing each other across the fixing side rotating body and the pressure side rotating body.

  According to the fixing device of this embodiment, the electromagnetic induction heating unit and the heat equalizing member are at positions facing each other across the fixing side rotating body and the pressure side rotating body. An electromagnetic induction heating unit can be arranged on one side of the fixing member, and a heat equalizing member can be arranged on the other side of the fixing device main body, so that the space in the fixing device main body can be used effectively. It becomes easy to take out.

In the fixing device of one embodiment,
The soaking member is a heat pipe,
The surface of the heat pipe is subjected to a fluororesin coat, a fluororesin tube, a plating process, or an anodizing process.

  According to the fixing device of this embodiment, the surface of the heat pipe is subjected to fluororesin coating, fluororesin tube, plating treatment, or anodizing treatment. Deterioration can be prevented.

  Further, the fixing device according to an embodiment includes a cleaning unit that contacts the heat equalizing member and removes deposits attached to the surface of the heat equalizing member.

  According to the fixing device of this embodiment, since the cleaning unit removes deposits attached to the surface of the soaking member in contact with the soaking member, it is possible to prevent adhesion of dirt on the surface of the soaking member. .

In the fixing device of one embodiment,
It has a roller-like brush as a cleaning unit that contacts the heat equalizing member and removes deposits attached to the surface of the heat equalizing member,
The roller brush is attached to the main body of the fixing device main body.

  According to the fixing device of this embodiment, since the roller-shaped brush is used as a cleaning unit that removes deposits attached to the surface of the heat equalizing member in contact with the heat equalizing member, the surface of the heat equalizing member is contaminated. Can be prevented.

In the fixing device of one embodiment,
A blade as a cleaning unit that contacts the heat equalizing member and removes deposits adhered to the surface of the heat equalizing member;
This blade is attached to the separation portion of the fixing device main body.

  According to the fixing device of this embodiment, since there is a blade as a cleaning unit that comes in contact with the soaking member and removes deposits attached to the surface of the soaking member, adhesion of dirt on the surface of the soaking member. Can be prevented.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the fixing device.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the fixing device is provided, maintenance, inspection, and repair work of the heat equalizing member can be easily performed.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
A fixing device body;
A fixing-side rotating body and a pressure-side rotating body that are attached to the fixing device main body and fix the toner of the recording material while contacting the recording material and conveying the recording material;
A heating unit that is attached to the fixing device body and that heats the fixing-side rotating body;
A soaking member in contact with the fixing side rotating body or the pressure side rotating body;
A recording material transport body that transports the recording material to the fixing device body, and is detachably or removably attached to the fixing device body,
The heat equalizing member is disposed at a position where the recording material conveyance body is exposed from the fixing device body when the recording material conveyance body is separated from the fixing device body or opened. .

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the heat equalizing member is positioned so as to be exposed from the fixing device main body when the recording material transport main body is separated from the fixing device main body or opened. For example, when replacing the heat equalizing member due to wear of the heat equalizing member, etc., the recording material transport main body is separated from the fixing device main body or opened so that only the heat equalizing member is Can be taken out.

  Therefore, when replacing the soaking member, it is not necessary to disassemble the inside of the fixing device such as the fixing side rotating body, the pressure side rotating body, or the heating unit, and the soaking member can be easily replaced and the soaking member can be easily replaced. The replacement cost of the heat member can be reduced.

In the image forming apparatus of one embodiment,
A transport path for transporting the recording material by the recording material transport body;
This conveyance path is exposed when the recording material conveyance main body is in a detached state or an open state with respect to the fixing device main body.

  According to the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the conveyance path is exposed when the recording material conveyance main body is separated or opened from the fixing apparatus main body. At the same time as performing maintenance and repair work, it is possible to perform maintenance, inspection and repair work on the conveyance path.

  According to the fixing device of the present invention, the heat equalizing member is detachably installed in the fixing device main body, so that the heat equalizing member can be easily replaced, and the heat equalizing member replacement cost can be reduced. Can be reduced.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the fixing device is provided, maintenance, inspection, and repair work of the heat equalizing member can be easily performed.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the heat equalizing member is positioned so as to be exposed from the fixing device main body when the recording material transport main body is separated from the fixing device main body or opened. Therefore, the soaking member can be easily replaced, and the replacement cost of the soaking member can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a simplified configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. This image forming apparatus is a color printer, and has an intermediate transfer belt 102 as a belt member at a substantially central portion inside. Below the lower horizontal portion of the intermediate transfer belt 102, four image forming units 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K respectively corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors. Are arranged side by side along the intermediate transfer belt 102. The image forming units 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K have photosensitive drums 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K, respectively.

  Around each of the photosensitive drums 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K, the charger 108, the print head unit 109, the developing device 110, and the primary transfer rollers 111Y, 111M, 111C, 111K and cleaner 112 are arranged. The primary transfer rollers 111Y, 111M, 111C, and 111K face the photoconductive drums 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K with the intermediate transfer belt 102 interposed therebetween.

  A portion of the intermediate transfer belt 102 supported by the driving roller 105 is pressed against the secondary transfer roller 103, and a nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 103 and the intermediate transfer belt 102 becomes a secondary transfer region 130. ing.

  A fixing device 120 is disposed on the conveyance path on the downstream side of the secondary transfer region 130, and the fixing device 120 includes a fixing roller 1, a pressure roller 2, and an electromagnetic induction heating unit 4. A pressure contact portion between the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 is a fixing nip region 131.

  A paper feed cassette 117 is detachably disposed at the lower part of the image forming apparatus. The sheets P stacked and accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette 117 are sent out one by one from the top group to the conveyance path by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 118.

  An AIDC (image density) sensor 119 that also serves as a registration sensor is installed between the image forming unit 106K on the most downstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 102 and the secondary transfer region 130.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  When an image signal is input from an external device (for example, a personal computer) to an image signal processing unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus, the image signal processing unit converts the image signal to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) A digital image signal color-converted to black (K) is created, and the print head unit 109 of each image forming unit 106Y, 106M, 106C, 106K is caused to emit light based on the input digital signal for exposure. Do.

  As a result, the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K are respectively developed by the developing devices 110 to become toner images of the respective colors.

  Then, the toner images of the respective colors are primarily transferred in a superimposed manner on the intermediate transfer belt 102 moving in the arrow A direction by the action of the primary transfer rollers 111Y, 111M, 111C, and 111K.

  In this way, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 102 reaches the secondary transfer area 130 as the intermediate transfer belt 102 moves. In the secondary transfer region 130, the superimposed toner images of the respective colors are collectively transferred onto the paper P by the action of the secondary transfer roller 103.

  Thereafter, the toner image secondarily transferred to the paper P reaches the fixing nip region 131. In the fixing nip region 131, the toner image is fixed to the paper P by the action of the fixing roller 1 that generates heat by the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 and the pressure roller 2.

  Then, the paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 113 via the paper discharge roller 114.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 120 includes a fixing roller 1 as a fixing side rotating body, a pressure roller 2 as a pressure side rotating body, an electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 as a heating unit, and a soaking member. Heat pipe 3.

  The fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 are in contact with each other to fix the toner on the paper P while conveying the paper P as a recording material. The fixing roller 1 is heated by the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4.

  The heat pipe 3 is in contact with the pressure roller 2 and assists the heat transfer on the surfaces of the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 to make the surface temperatures of the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 uniform.

  The fixing roller 1, the pressure roller 2, and the heat pipe 3 are arranged in parallel with each other, and both end portions thereof are rotatably supported by a bearing member (not shown).

  The pressure roller 2 is urged toward the fixing roller 1 by a pressure mechanism (not shown) such as a spring to form a fixing nip region 131. Further, the heat pipe 3 is also in pressure contact with the pressure roller 2.

  The pressure roller 2 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow by a driving mechanism (not shown). The fixing roller 1 is driven to rotate by the rotation of the pressure roller 2 by the pressure frictional force with the pressure roller 2 in the fixing nip region 131. Furthermore, the heat pipe 3 is similarly rotated by the pressure frictional force of the pressure roller 2.

  The surface temperature of the fixing roller 1 is detected by the temperature sensor 9, and a signal from the temperature sensor 9 is input to the control unit 8. The temperature sensor 9 is, for example, a non-contact infrared sensor.

  The controller 8 controls heating and temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 1 based on the signal from the temperature sensor 9. That is, the control unit 8 controls the high-frequency inverter 7 based on the signal from the temperature sensor 9 and increases or decreases the power supply from the high-frequency inverter 7 to the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 so that the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1 is constant. Automatic control to reach the temperature.

  The electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 includes an exciting coil 42 and cores 44 and 45. The exciting coil 42 has a structure in which a conducting wire is wound along the width direction (axial direction) of the fixing roller 1. The exciting coil 42 is connected to the high frequency inverter 7 and supplied with high frequency power of 10 to 100 [kHz] and 100 to 2000 [W], and tens to hundreds of thin wires covered with a heat resistant resin are applied. Use bundled litz wire.

  The magnetic flux induced by the exciting coil 42 passes through the main core 44 and the bottom core 45, penetrates the electromagnetic induction heat generating layer of the fixing roller 1, and induces eddy current in the electromagnetic induction heat generating layer to generate Joule heat.

  Next, the fixing operation will be described. When the pressure roller 2 is driven to rotate, the fixing roller 1 is also driven to rotate, and the fixing roller 1 is heated by the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 and is automatically controlled so that the surface temperature becomes a constant temperature. A sheet P on which an unfixed toner image is formed and carried is introduced into the fixing nip area 131 between the pressure roller 1 and the pressure roller 2. In this case, the carrying surface of the unfixed toner image on the paper P faces the fixing roller 1.

  The sheet P introduced into the fixing nip region 131 between the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 is heated by the fixing roller 1 while being nipped and conveyed in the fixing nip region 131, so that the unfixed toner image is transferred to the sheet P. Then, the sheet P is discharged.

  The fixing roller 1 includes a cored bar, a heat insulating layer, an electromagnetic induction heating layer, an elastic layer, and a release layer in order from the inside to the outside. The core metal is made of a nonmagnetic stainless steel material. The heat insulating layer is made of silicone sponge rubber. The electromagnetic induction heating layer is made of a metal such as Ni electroformed, SUS, Fe-based alloy, Al-based alloy, or Cu alloy. The elastic layer is made of silicone rubber. The release layer is made of a PFA resin tube.

  The pressure roller 2 has a metal core, an elastic layer, a metal layer, and a release layer in order from the inside to the outside. The core metal is made of a nonmagnetic stainless steel material. The elastic layer is made of silicone rubber or silicone sponge. The metal layer is made of Ni electroforming, SUS, Fe alloy, Al alloy or Cu alloy. The release layer is made of a PFA resin tube.

  The heat pipe 3 has a pipe part and a release layer outside the pipe part. The tube portion is made of an Fe alloy, SUS, or Al alloy. The release layer is made of a PFA resin tube. The release layer improves the image quality of the paper P by preventing toner stains from adhering to the heat pipe 3 and deterioration. The surface of the heat pipe 3 may be subjected to a fluororesin coat, a fluororesin tube, a plating process (such as Ni, Zn, Cr) or an anodizing process.

  The inside of the tube portion is filled with water as a working fluid. By the vaporization and condensation of the hydraulic fluid, heat is transferred to make the temperature in the width direction (axial direction) of the pressure roller 2 uniform.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing roller 1, the pressure roller 2, the heat pipe 3, and the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 are attached to the fixing device main body 10. The heat pipe 3 and the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 are in positions facing each other with the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 interposed therebetween.

  The fixing device main body 10 includes a main body portion 11 and a separation portion 12 that is detachably attached to the main body portion 11. The main body portion 11 corresponds to a casing, and the separation portion 12 corresponds to a cover. The separation part 12 is attached to the main body part 11 by, for example, a fixing member such as a screw, a snap fit, a magnet, or a sealing material. The separation unit 12 is positioned on the same side as the heat pipe 3 with respect to the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2, and is positioned on the opposite side of the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 with the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 interposed therebetween. To do.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the heat pipe 3 is detachably installed on the separation unit 12 of the fixing device main body 10. The separation unit 12 is provided with a support unit 15 that supports the heat pipe 3. Both ends of the heat pipe 3 are suspended by the support 15 so as to be rotatable. The heat pipe 3 is pressed to the pressure roller 2 side by the pressing member 16 via the support portion 15.

  The support portion 15 is, for example, a sliding bearing such as a resin material having sliding characteristics, or a rolling bearing such as a bearing. The pressing member 16 is, for example, a coiled spring, a bar material or a plate material having spring properties.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the heat pipe 3 can be taken out from the fixing device main body 10 by removing the separation portion 12 from the main body portion 11. The heat pipe 3 may be detached from the fixing device main body 10 while being supported by the support portion 15.

  According to the fixing device having the above configuration, since the heat pipe 3 is detachably installed in the fixing device main body 10, for example, when the heat pipe 3 is replaced due to exhaustion of the heat pipe 3, the heat pipe 3. Only from the fixing device main body 10.

  Therefore, when replacing the heat pipe 3, there is no need to disassemble the interior of the fixing device such as the fixing roller 1, the pressure roller 2, and the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4, and the heat pipe 3 can be easily replaced. The replacement cost of the heat pipe 3 can be reduced. Even when the heat pipe 3 is reused, the heat pipe 3 can be easily recovered.

  The fixing device main body 10 includes a main body portion 11 and a separation portion 12 that is detachably attached to the main body portion 11. The separation portion 12 includes a support portion 15 that supports the heat pipe 3. Thus, for example, when the heat pipe 3 is replaced, the heat pipe 3 alone can be taken out more easily by setting the separating portion 12 to the detached state from the main body portion 11.

  Further, since the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 and the heat pipe 3 are in positions facing each other with the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 interposed therebetween, the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 is disposed on one side in the fixing device main body 10. In addition, the heat pipe 3 can be disposed on the other side of the fixing device body 10, the space in the fixing device body 10 can be effectively used, and the heat pipe 3 can be easily taken out from the fixing device body 10.

  According to the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, since the fixing device is provided, maintenance, inspection, and repair work of the heat pipe 3 can be easily performed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the fixing device main body is different. Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the fixing device main body 10A includes a main body portion 11A and a separation portion 12A attached to the main body portion 11A so as to be freely opened and closed. That is, a part of the separation part 12A is swingably connected to the main body part 11A.

  Therefore, by making the separation part 12A open with respect to the main body part 11A, it is not necessary to remove the separation part 12A, and only the heat pipe 3 can be taken out. The separation unit 12A may be slidably attached to the main body unit 11A.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the configuration of the cleaning unit is different. Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, it has a roller-shaped brush 21 as a cleaning unit that contacts the heat pipe 3. The brush 21 rotates so as to oppose the rotation of the heat pipe 3 and removes deposits (such as toner and paper dust) adhering to the surface of the heat pipe 3.

  The brush 21 is attached to the main body 11 of the fixing device main body 10. When the separation unit 12 is removed from the main body unit 11, the brush 21 remains in the fixing device main body 10. The brush 21 can be cleaned or replaced by removing the separation unit 12.

  Therefore, since the brush 21 is provided as a cleaning unit, it is possible to prevent the dirt on the surface of the heat pipe 3 from being attached.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention. The differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the structures of the fixing device main body and the cleaning unit are different. Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the fixing device main body 10B includes a main body portion 11B and a separation portion 12B that is detachably attached to the main body portion 11B. The separation part 12B constitutes a unit, and in addition to the support part 15, peripheral members (not shown) are attached. A part of the separation part 12B may be swingably connected to the main body part 11B, and the separation part 12B may be attached to the main body part 11B so as to be openable and closable.

  In addition, a blade 22 as a cleaning unit that contacts the heat pipe 3 is provided. The blade 22 removes deposits (such as toner and paper dust) adhered to the surface of the heat pipe 3. The blade 22 is made of, for example, rubber, metal, nonwoven fabric, or the like.

  The blade 22 is attached to the separation unit 12B of the fixing device main body 10B. By removing the separation part 12B from the main body part 11B in the direction of the arrow, the blade 22 together with the heat pipe 3 can be removed from the fixing apparatus main body 10B, and the blade 22 can be cleaned or replaced.

  Therefore, since the blade 22 is provided as a cleaning unit, it is possible to prevent the dirt on the surface of the heat pipe 3 from being attached.

(Fifth embodiment)
10A and 10B show a fifth embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention. The differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the position of the heat pipe and the configuration of the fixing device main body are different. Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the fixing device main body 10C includes a main body portion 11C and a separation portion 12C that is detachably attached to the main body portion 11C. The separation portion 12C is slidably moved in the arrow direction of FIG. 10B with respect to the main body portion 11C by the guide rail 31. A part of the separation part 12C may be swingably connected to the main body part 11C, and the separation part 12C may be attached to the main body part 11C so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The heat pipe 3 is in contact with the fixing roller 1. The heat pipe 3 and the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 are disposed on the same side with respect to the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2.

  The separation unit 12 </ b> C constitutes a unit, and in addition to the support unit 15, the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4 is attached. By removing the separation part 12C from the main body part 11C in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10B, the electromagnetic induction heating part 4 together with the heat pipe 3 can be removed from the fixing apparatus main body 10C.

(Sixth embodiment)
11A and 11B show a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the sixth embodiment, the configurations of the fixing device main body and the recording material conveyance main body are different. Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the image forming apparatus includes a recording material conveyance main body 50 attached to the fixing device main body 10D. The recording material conveyance main body 50 conveys a sheet as a recording material to the fixing device main body 10D. The recording material transport body 50 is attached to the fixing device body 10D so as to be freely opened and closed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11B. That is, a part of the recording material conveyance body 50 is swingably connected to the fixing device body 10D.

  The heat pipe 3 is attached to the recording material transport body 50 side. The heat pipe 3 is disposed at a position where it is exposed from the fixing device main body 10D when the recording material conveyance main body 50 is opened in the arrow direction of FIG. 11B with respect to the fixing device main body 10D. Yes.

  The image forming apparatus includes a conveyance path 51 that conveys a sheet by the recording material conveyance main body 50. The conveyance path 51 is exposed when the recording material conveyance main body 50 is opened with respect to the fixing apparatus main body 10D. .

  The recording material transport body 50 is provided with a protective cover 52, and this protective cover 52 is formed by an elastic force such as a spring (not shown) when the recording material transport body 50 is opened with respect to the fixing device body 10D. It is comprised so that the heat pipe 3 may be covered. Therefore, burns and injuries can be prevented without touching the heat pipe 3 carelessly.

  The fixing device main body 10D is provided with a door 13D that can be freely opened and closed. When the recording material conveyance main body 50 is closed with respect to the fixing device main body 10D, the heat pipe 3 is connected to the fixing device main body from the door 13D. Inserted in 10D. When the recording material conveyance body 50 is opened with respect to the fixing device body 10D, the heat pipe 3 is taken out of the fixing device body 10D, and the door portion 13D is moved by an elastic force such as a spring (not shown). Closed state. Therefore, burns and injuries can be prevented without touching the pressure roller 2 carelessly.

  According to the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the heat pipe 3 is disposed at a position where the heat pipe 3 is exposed from the fixing device body 10D when the recording material conveyance body 50 is opened with respect to the fixing device body 10D. Therefore, for example, when the heat pipe 3 is replaced due to exhaustion of the heat pipe 3 or the like, only the heat pipe 3 can be taken out by opening the recording material conveyance body 50 with respect to the fixing device body 10D. it can.

  Therefore, when replacing the heat pipe 3, there is no need to disassemble the interior of the fixing device such as the fixing roller 1, the pressure roller 2, and the electromagnetic induction heating unit 4, and the heat pipe 3 can be easily replaced. The replacement cost of the heat pipe 3 can be reduced.

  Further, the conveyance path 51 of the image forming apparatus is exposed when the recording material conveyance main body 50 is opened with respect to the fixing apparatus main body 10D, so that maintenance, inspection, and repair work of the heat pipe 3 is performed at the same time. The maintenance, inspection and repair work of the transport path 51 can be performed.

  The recording material conveyance main body 50 may be detachably attached to the fixing device main body 10D. The heat pipe 3 is fixed when the recording material conveyance main body 50 is separated from the fixing device main body 10D. It only has to be arranged at a position where it is exposed from the apparatus main body 10D. Further, the heat pipe 3 may be attached to the fixing device main body 10D side, and the heat pipe 3 is removed from the fixing device main body 10D when the recording material conveyance main body 50 is separated from the fixing device main body 10D or opened. It suffices if it is arranged at a position where it is exposed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, in the first to fifth embodiments, the heat pipe may be detachably installed on the main body portion of the fixing device main body, and the separation portion of the fixing device main body is in a detached state with respect to the main body portion or It is sufficient that the heat pipe is exposed from the fixing device main body when it is in the open state.

  Further, the fixing-side rotator and the pressure-side rotator may have a belt shape in addition to the roller shape. Further, instead of the heat pipe 3, a metal cylindrical member may be used as the soaking member. Moreover, you may use a heater instead of an electromagnetic induction heating part as a heating part.

  The image forming apparatus may be any one of a monochrome / color copying machine, a printer, a FAX, and a complex machine of these.

1 is a simplified configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a simplified configuration diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic view of a fixing device. It is an enlarged view of the periphery of a heat pipe. It is a top view of the periphery of a heat pipe. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the periphery of a heat pipe. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the state which attached the separation part to the main-body part while showing 5th Embodiment of the fixing device of this invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fixing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and a state in which a separation unit is removed from a main body unit. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention and a state in which a recording material conveyance main body is closed with respect to a fixing device main body. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention and a state in which a recording material conveyance main body is opened with respect to a fixing device main body.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fixing roller (fixing side rotating body)
2 Pressure roller (Pressure side rotating body)
3 Heat pipe (soaking material)
4 Electromagnetic induction heating unit (heating unit)
10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Fixing device main body 11, 11A, 11B, 11C Main body part 12, 12A, 12B, 12C Separating part 15 Supporting part 16 Pressing member 21 Roller brush (cleaning part)
22 Blade (cleaning part)
50 Recording material transport body 51 Conveyance path

Claims (10)

A fixing device body;
A fixing-side rotating body and a pressure-side rotating body that are attached to the fixing device main body and fix the toner of the recording material while contacting the recording material and conveying the recording material;
A heating unit that is attached to the fixing device body and that heats the fixing-side rotating body;
A heat equalizing member in contact with the fixing side rotating body or the pressure side rotating body,
The fixing device, wherein the heat equalizing member is detachably installed on the fixing device main body. The fixing device according to claim 1,
The fixing device main body has a main body portion and a separation portion that is detachably attached to the main body portion or can be opened and closed.
The fixing device is characterized in that the separation portion is provided with a support portion for supporting the heat equalizing member. The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The heating unit is an electromagnetic induction heating unit that induction-heats the fixing-side rotator,
The soaking member is in contact with the pressure-side rotating body,
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic induction heating unit and the heat equalizing member are in positions facing each other across the fixing side rotating body and the pressure side rotating body. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The soaking member is a heat pipe,
A fixing device in which the surface of the heat pipe is subjected to a fluororesin coating, a fluororesin tube, a plating process, or an anodizing process. In the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A fixing device, comprising: a cleaning unit that removes deposits attached to the surface of the soaking member in contact with the soaking member. The fixing device according to claim 2,
It has a roller-like brush as a cleaning unit that contacts the heat equalizing member and removes deposits attached to the surface of the heat equalizing member,
The roller-like brush is attached to the main body portion of the fixing device main body. The fixing device according to claim 2,
A blade as a cleaning unit that contacts the heat equalizing member and removes deposits adhered to the surface of the heat equalizing member;
The fixing device is characterized in that the blade is attached to the separation portion of the fixing device main body.   An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1. A fixing device body;
A fixing-side rotating body and a pressure-side rotating body that are attached to the fixing device main body and fix the toner of the recording material while contacting the recording material and conveying the recording material;
A heating unit that is attached to the fixing device body and that heats the fixing-side rotating body;
A soaking member in contact with the fixing side rotating body or the pressure side rotating body;
A recording material transport body that transports the recording material to the fixing device body, and is detachably or removably attached to the fixing device body,
The soaking member is disposed at a position where the recording material conveying body is exposed from the fixing device body when the recording material transport body is in a detached state or an open state with respect to the fixing device body. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.
A transport path for transporting the recording material by the recording material transport body;
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the conveyance path is exposed when the recording material conveyance main body is in a detached state or an open state with respect to the fixing device main body.

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