JP2012212091A - Fixing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device and an image forming device that can stably perform fixation using a foam fixer.SOLUTION: A fixing device 60 includes: a foam fixer generating part 600 generating a foam fixer F from a liquid fixer TL containing a softener softening a toner; an application roller 61 receiving the supply of the foam fixer F, generated by the foam fixer generating part 600, on the surface thereof and supporting and transporting the foam fixer F to an application nip N facing the surface of transfer paper P by the surface movement to apply the foam fixer F to the surface of the transfer paper P with the application nip N. The fixing device 60 fixes an unfixed toner T, softened by the application of the foam fixer F, to the transfer paper P. A CPU for fixing device control 700 controls the heating of a fixer passage in the foam fixer generating part 600 by a first surface heater H1 and a second surface heater H2 based on a detection result of a foam state of the foam fixer F on the surface of the application roller 61, detected by a foam state detector S2.

Description

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

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimile machines, and copying machines are apparatuses that form images including characters and symbols on recording media such as paper, cloth, and OHP sheets based on image information. In particular, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are widely used in offices because they can form high-definition images on plain paper at high speed. In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a heat fixing method is widely used in which toner on a recording medium is heated and melted, and the molten toner is pressurized to fix the toner on the recording medium. Yes. This thermal fixing method is preferably used because it can provide a high fixing speed and high fixed image quality.

  However, about half or more of the power consumption in such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is consumed in heating the toner in the heat fixing method. On the other hand, a low power consumption (energy saving) fixing device is desired from the viewpoint of countermeasures for environmental problems in recent years. That is, there is a demand for a fixing method in which the temperature for heating the toner for fixing the toner is extremely lowered than before, or the toner does not need to be heated. In particular, the non-heat fixing method in which the toner is fixed to the recording medium without heating the toner at all is ideal in terms of low power consumption.

  As such a non-heat fixing method, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, a liquid fixer containing at least a softening agent that softens a resin by dissolving or swelling toner is used. In the non-heat fixing method of Patent Document 1, a liquid fixing solution is applied to the surface of a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image using an application member whose surface moves endlessly, and the toner is dissolved with the liquid fixing solution. Alternatively, after swelling, the recording medium is dried to fix the toner to the recording medium.

  In the non-heat fixing method of Patent Document 1, the thickness of the fixing liquid layer on the coating member is made thinner than the thickness of the unfixed toner layer in order to apply a small amount of liquid fixing liquid to the recording medium. In this case, the liquid film of the liquid fixing solution remaining on the surface of the coating member when the coating member separates the surface of the coating member from the proximity of the recording medium at the coating position where the coating member applies the fixing solution to the recording medium. The unfixed toner particles are pulled by the surface tension generated by. As a result, the toner particles are offset on the surface of the coating member, and the image on the recording medium is greatly disturbed. Conversely, when the thickness of the liquid fixing liquid layer on the coating member is made sufficiently thicker than the thickness of the unfixed toner layer, the amount of liquid at the position where the coating member separates after approaching the recording medium increases. Therefore, the surface tension due to the liquid film on the surface of the application member is less likely to act directly on the toner particles, and the toner is not offset to the application member side.

  However, when the thickness of the liquid fixer layer on the coating member is sufficiently thick, a large amount of the liquid fixer is applied to the surface of the recording medium, so that toner particles are flowed on the recording medium by an excessive fixer and the image quality deteriorates. Arise. Further, since the amount of the liquid is large, the drying time becomes long and a problem occurs in the fixing response. Furthermore, a noticeable residual liquid feeling (a wet feeling when the recording medium is touched by hand) occurs on the recording medium. In addition, when the liquid fixing solution contains water, if the amount of application to a recording medium containing cellulose such as paper is large, the recording medium such as paper curls remarkably, and the paper in the apparatus in the image forming apparatus etc. There is a risk of paper jam when the recording medium is discharged and conveyed. In such a configuration in which application using a coating member is performed with a liquid fixing solution, it is desirable to apply a small amount of liquid fixing solution to a toner layer on a recording medium in order to improve fixing response, reduce residual liquid feeling, and prevent curling. If the amount is small, toner offset to the coating member cannot be prevented. As described above, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult to achieve both improvement of fixing response, reduction of residual liquid feeling, curling prevention, and toner offset prevention only by adjusting the liquid fixing liquid amount.

As a fixing method capable of solving the problems in the case of using such a liquid fixing solution, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 disclose a fixing method in which fixing is performed using a foam-like fixing liquid in which the liquid fixing liquid is foamed. Proposed. These patent documents focus on the fact that a foam-like fixing solution containing a large amount of bubbles has a very low bulk density, and fixing a foam-like fixing solution to an unfixed toner layer through an application member as a contact application means. A method is described.
In Patent Document 3, an apparatus having a configuration similar to that of a micromixer (also referred to as a microreactor) generally used for mixing and reacting two types of liquids is used as a liquid fixer. A fixing device used as a foamy fixing solution generator is described.
In general, a micromixer includes two liquid supply paths that respectively supply two types of liquids and a mixing unit to which the two liquid supply paths are connected. In this configuration, liquid is mixed and reacted in the mixing section, and the result is obtained from the outlet. In the fixing device described in Patent Document 7, an air pump that sends air using one of the liquid supply paths of the micromixer as an air supply path is connected, and a fixing liquid supply pump that supplies a liquid fixer is connected to the other liquid supply path. Then, a foamy fixing solution is generated as a result by feeding air and a liquid fixing solution. Further, in the fixing device described in Patent Document 7, the liquid supply path and the air supply path of the foam-like fixing liquid generation unit are a gas that mixes gas and liquid through a plurality of micro flow paths having a narrow flow path cross-sectional area. Connected to the liquid mixing section. Then, by sending the liquid fixer and air to the foam fixer generator, the liquid fixer and air that have passed through the respective microchannels are mixed in the gas-liquid mixing unit to generate a foam fixer. is there. The foam-like fixing solution generated by the foam-like fixing solution generator is supplied onto the surface of the moving application member, forms a thin-layered foam layer, and is applied to the recording medium at the application position.

  In the fixing device described in Patent Document 3, when the fixing process of applying the foamed fixing liquid generated using the foamed fixing liquid generating unit to the recording medium is once completed, and then the fixing process is performed, There are cases where clogging has occurred in the fixing liquid flow path such as a micro flow path through which the liquid fixing liquid passes and a gas-liquid mixing section. There are two possible causes for this clogging. The first cause is mixing the fatty acid salt and the aliphatic ester contained in the fixing liquid remaining in the micro-flow path through which the liquid fixing liquid passes after completion of the fixing process or in the gas-liquid mixing portion where the foamy fixing liquid is generated. This is the gelation that occurs. This gelled fixing solution is deposited on a part of the fixing solution channel and becomes clogged. The second cause is solidification due to drying of the fixing solution remaining in the fixing solution channel. Clogging occurs when the fixer is solidified in the microchannel or the gas-liquid mixing part. When clogging occurs in a part of the micro flow path through which the liquid fixer passes, the mixing condition of the liquid fixer and air changes, and the bubble-like fixing with a predetermined bubble diameter and a predetermined bulk density is partially performed. The liquid cannot be generated. Then, a foam-type fixing liquid that does not have a predetermined bubble diameter or a predetermined bulk density is supplied to the surface of the coating member, and the toner can be sufficiently dissolved or swollen at the portion applied to the unfixed toner on the recording medium. Therefore, the toner may be insufficiently fixed. As described above, when the fixing of the toner image after fixing is insufficient, there is a problem that the image is disturbed when an external force is applied to the toner image. Further, when clogging occurs in the gas-liquid mixing part, a region where the foamy fixing liquid is insufficient is formed on a part of the surface of the coating member to which the foamy fixing liquid generated by the foamy fixing liquid generating part is supplied. The toner may be insufficiently fixed on the portion of the recording medium facing this area at the application position.

  As described above, the trouble caused by clogging in a part of the fixing solution flow path due to the solidified fixing solution composition is that the fixing solution foaming device has a device having the same configuration as the micromixer. The same problem may occur if the fixing device generates a foamy fixer by supplying a liquid fixer and a gas to the foamy fixer generator and mixing them.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus that can stably perform fixing using a foamy fixing solution.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a foam in which bubbles are dispersed in a liquid fixing solution containing a softening agent that softens resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin. A foam fixer generating means for generating a fixer and a supply of the foamy fixer generated by the foam fixer generating means on the surface moving surface, and by moving the surface, resin fine particles are formed on the surface. A fixing liquid application member that supports and conveys the foam-like fixing liquid to a coating position opposite to the surface of the fixing liquid application object to be carried, and applies the foam-like fixing liquid to the surface of the fixing liquid application object at the application position. And detecting the state of the foamed fixing solution on the surface of the coating member in a fixing device for fixing the resin fine particles softened by applying the foamed fixing solution to a recording medium. Means and said foamy fixer generating means A liquid flow path heating means for heating a fixing liquid flow path, which is a flow path through which the fixing liquid passes, and a heating control means for controlling heating by the liquid flow path heating means based on the detection result of the bubble state detection means It is characterized by having.

As a result of extensive investigations by the present inventors, the fixing solution that had been clogged by gelation or solidification was heated and heated to a certain temperature, so that it flowed more than the state of clogging. It was found that the performance was improved.
In the present invention, the fixing liquid flow path is clogged, and a foamy fixing liquid in a state different from a predetermined bubble diameter or a predetermined bulk density is supplied onto the surface of the coating member, or on the surface of the coating member. If the foam fixing solution is insufficient, the foam state detection means detects that the foam fixing solution on the surface of the coating member is in a state different from the predetermined detection state. Based on the detection result, the heating control means controls the heating by the liquid flow path heating means to heat the fixing liquid flow path. As a result, the fixing solution in the fixing solution channel is heated, and the fluidity of the fixing solution that has become clogged due to gelation or solidification is improved. In this state, a new fixing is performed in the fixing solution channel. By supplying the liquid, the fixing liquid that has been clogged can be discharged to the outside. Thereby, the clogging generated in the fixing liquid flow path is eliminated. Thus, even when the fixing solution is in a gelled or solidified state and the fixing solution flow path is clogged, the state of the foamy fixing solution on the surface of the coating member caused by the clogging is changed. Since the fluidity of the fixing solution that has been detected by the foam state detecting means and gelled or solidified by heating of the liquid flow path heating means can be improved and clogging can be eliminated, the foamy fixing solution in a predetermined state Can be stably generated.

  According to the present invention, since the foam-like fixing solution in a predetermined state can be stably generated, an excellent effect that the fixing using the foam-like fixing solution can be performed stably is achieved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copier according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged part of an internal configuration of a printer unit in the copier. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing one of four image forming units in the copier. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing which looked at the fixing liquid foaming apparatus from three directions. Explanatory drawing of the front-end | tip part of a die-coater head, (a) is expansion explanatory drawing of the front-end | tip part of a die-coater head, (b) is explanatory drawing of a die-coater head front-end | tip shutter. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit provided in the fixing device. The block diagram explaining the control circuit of the bubble state detection apparatus using a CCD sensor.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine 100), which is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by electrophotography, will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the image forming apparatus including the characterizing portion of the present invention is a copying machine will be described. However, other image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a facsimile may be used.
First, a basic configuration of the copying machine 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the copying machine 100. The copying machine 100 includes a printer unit 1, a paper feeding device 40, and a document conveyance reading unit 50. The document conveyance reading unit 50 includes a scanner unit 150 that is a document reading device fixed on the printer unit 1 and an ADF 51 that is an automatic document conveyance device supported by the scanner unit 150.

  The paper feeding device 40 has two paper feeding cassettes 42 arranged in multiple stages in the paper bank 41, and a feed roller 43 that feeds the transfer paper P from the paper feeding cassette 42. Further, a separation roller 45 is provided that separates the uppermost sheet of the transfer sheet P fed from the sheet feed cassette 42 from the other transfer sheet P and supplies it to the sheet feed path 44. Further, a plurality of transport rollers 46 for transporting the transfer paper P to the paper transport path 37 of the printer unit 1 are also provided. Then, the transfer paper P in the paper feed cassette 42 is fed into the paper transport path 37 in the printer unit 1.

  The scanner unit 150 fixed above the printer unit 1 includes a fixed reading unit 151 and a moving reading unit 152 as reading means for reading an image of the document MS. A fixed reading unit 151 having a light source, a reflection mirror, an image reading sensor such as a CCD, etc. is disposed immediately below a first contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner unit 150 so as to contact the document MS. ing. When the document MS conveyed by the ADF 51 passes on the first contact glass, the image reading sensor 153 receives the light from the light source through the plurality of reflection mirrors while sequentially reflecting the light emitted from the light source on the document surface. . Thereby, the fixed reading unit 151 scans the document MS without moving the optical system including the light source and the reflection mirror.

On the other hand, the moving reading unit 152 is disposed directly below the second contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner unit 150 so as to come into contact with the document MS, and is disposed on the right side of the fixed reading unit 151 in the drawing. ing. The moving reading unit 152 can move an optical system including a light source and a reflecting mirror in the left-right direction in the drawing. Then, in the process of moving the optical system from the left side to the right side in the figure, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by a document (not shown) placed on the second contact glass. Thereafter, the reflected light from the document is received by the image reading sensor 153 fixed to the scanner body via a plurality of reflecting mirrors. Accordingly, the moving reading unit 152 scans the document MS while moving the optical system.
As described above, the document MS is scanned by the scanner unit 150, and image information is acquired by the image reading sensor 153. Then, based on the obtained image information, the optical writing device 2 drives the light source to irradiate the four drum-shaped photosensitive members 4 (K, Y, M, C) with the laser light L.

  FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a part of the internal configuration of the printer unit 1 in an enlarged manner. The printer unit 1 includes an optical writing device 2, four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) that form toner images of respective colors K, Y, M, and C, a transfer unit 90, and a paper transport unit 28. , A registration roller pair 33, a fixing device 60, and the like. Then, based on the image information described above, a light source such as a laser diode or LED (not shown) disposed in the optical writing device 2 is driven, and the four drum-shaped photoconductors 4 (K, Y, M, C) are driven. ) Is irradiated with laser light L. By this irradiation, an electrostatic latent image based on the above-described image information is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 4 (K, Y, M, C) which is a latent image carrier, and this latent image is subjected to a predetermined development process. It is developed into a toner image via. Note that the subscripts K, Y, M, and C added after the reference numerals indicate specifications for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

  Each of the image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) supports the photosensitive member 4 that is a latent image carrier and various devices disposed around the photosensitive member 4 as a single unit on a common support. It can be attached to and detached from the copying machine 100 main body. Taking the black image forming unit 3K as an example, in addition to the photoconductor 4K, the image forming unit 3K has a developing device 6K for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 4K into a black toner image. Further, it also includes a photoconductor cleaning device 15K that cleans transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 4K after passing through a K primary transfer nip described later. In the copying machine 100, a so-called tandem type in which four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) are arranged to face an intermediate transfer belt 91 described later so as to be arranged along the endless movement direction. It is configured.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, C). The four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the toners to be used are different from each other. Therefore, in FIG. , M, and C are omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming unit 3 includes a charging roller 5 as a charging device, a developing device 6, a photosensitive member cleaning device 15, a static eliminating lamp 22 as a static eliminating device, and the like around the photosensitive member 4.

  In the copying machine 100, the photosensitive member 4 is a drum-like member in which a photosensitive layer is formed by applying a photosensitive organic photosensitive material to a base tube such as aluminum. However, an endless belt may be used as the photoreceptor.

The developing device 6 carries a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier (not shown) and a non-magnetic toner on a developing roller 12 that is a developer carrying member. Then, toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 4 in the developing region which is the opposite portion between the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive member 4 to visualize the electrostatic imagination. Further, the developing device 6 includes a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the two-component developer supplied to the surface of the developing roller 12, and the agitating and conveying member that conveys the two-component developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion while stirring. Is provided.
The developing roller 12 includes a non-magnetic cylindrical developing sleeve that is rotatably arranged, and a magnet roller that is non-rotatably provided therein. The magnet roller has a plurality of magnetic poles that are sequentially arranged in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve. Each of the plurality of magnetic poles applies a magnetic force to the two-component developer on the developing sleeve at a predetermined position in the rotation direction. By the action of the magnetic force of each of the plurality of magnetic poles, the two-component developer in the developer accommodating portion is attracted and carried on the surface of the developing sleeve, and a magnetic brush along the magnetic force line is formed on the surface of the developing sleeve.
The magnetic brush is transported to the developing area after being regulated to an appropriate layer thickness when passing through a position facing a developer regulating member (not shown) as the developing sleeve rotates. Then, development is performed by transferring toner onto the electrostatic latent image by a potential difference between the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve and the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 4. Further, the two-component developer constituting the magnetic brush that has passed through the developing area and then returned to the developing device 6 again with the rotation of the developing sleeve is developed under the influence of the repulsive magnetic field formed between the magnetic poles of the magnet roller. Detach from the sleeve surface. The two-component developer separated from the surface of the developing sleeve is returned to the developer accommodating portion. A toner concentration sensor is disposed in the developer accommodating portion. Based on the detection result by the toner concentration sensor, a toner replenishing device (not shown) is controlled so that the toner concentration of the two-component developer in the developer container is within a predetermined range, and an appropriate amount of the two-component developer is controlled. Toner is replenished.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer unit 1 includes the image forming process described so far in the photosensitive members 4 (K, Y, M, C) of the four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, C). As a result, K, Y, M, and C toner images are formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a transfer unit 90 is disposed below the four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, C). The transfer unit 90 includes an intermediate transfer belt 91 as a toner image carrier stretched by a plurality of stretching rollers (92, 93, 94). Further, a belt cleaning device 32 is disposed at a position facing the first stretching roller 92 with the intermediate transfer belt 91 interposed therebetween. The belt cleaning device 32 is arranged to remove toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 91 after passing through a secondary transfer nip described later.
In the transfer unit 90, the intermediate transfer belt 91 is moved endlessly in the clockwise direction in the figure (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3) while contacting the photoreceptor 4 (K, Y, M, C). Further, four primary transfer rollers 95 (K, Y, M, C) are arranged inside the belt loop so as to contact the photoreceptor 4 (K, Y, M, C) with the intermediate transfer belt 91 interposed therebetween. Yes. The primary transfer roller 95 (K, Y, M, C) presses the intermediate transfer belt 91 toward the photosensitive member 4 (K, Y, M, C), and the photosensitive member 4 (K, Y, M, C). A primary transfer nip is formed in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 91.

A primary transfer bias is applied to the four primary transfer rollers 95 (K, Y, M, C) by a power source (not shown). Thus, the toner image on the photosensitive member 4 (K, Y, M, C) is electrostatically moved toward the intermediate transfer belt 91 as a transfer member in the primary transfer nip for K, Y, M, C. A primary transfer electric field is formed.
2 and FIG. 3, the toner image is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91 that sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C along with the endless movement in the clockwise direction in FIGS. Are superimposed and sequentially transferred. By this superimposing primary transfer, a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91.
The primary transfer device of the copying machine 100 employs a configuration including a primary transfer roller 95 as a primary transfer member, but a conductive brush, a non-contact corona charger, or the like can also be employed as the primary transfer member.

  In FIG. 4, untransferred toner that has not been primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 91 adheres to the surface of the photoreceptor 4 after passing through the primary transfer nip. This transfer residual toner is removed from the surface of the photoconductor 4 by the photoconductor cleaning device 15 of the image forming unit 3.

The photoconductor cleaning device 15 includes a polyurethane rubber photoconductor cleaning blade 16 that is in contact with the photoconductor 4, and scrapes and removes transfer residual toner from the surface of the photoconductor 4 after passing through the primary transfer nip. The photoconductor cleaning blade 16 is bonded (hot melt) to a metal support member fixed to the casing of the image forming unit 3 and is in contact with the photoconductor 4 in the counter direction. The counter direction is a blade in which the front end side of the photoconductor cleaning blade 16 that is cantilevered by the support member is positioned upstream of the rear end side (free end side) in the surface movement direction of the photoconductor 4. The direction.
Here, the toner collected by the photoconductor cleaning device 15 is collected by the developing device 6 and reused by a collection screw and a toner recycling device (not shown).

  The static eliminator included in the image forming unit 3 of the copying machine 100 is configured to include the static eliminator lamp 22, and irradiates light to initialize the surface potential of the photoreceptor 4. The surface of the photoreceptor 4 that has been neutralized by the static elimination lamp 22 is uniformly charged by a charging roller 5 that generates a discharge with the photoreceptor 4 by applying a charging bias, and then the light from the optical writing device 2 is used. Write processing is performed. The charging device included in the image forming unit 3 of the copying machine 100 is a contact charging type charging device that employs a charging roller 5. This charging device uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive member 4 by bringing the charging roller 5 into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 4 and applying a voltage to the charging roller 5. In addition, as a charging device for uniformly charging the photosensitive member 4, a charging device of a non-contact charging type using a scorotron charger or the like can be used instead of the charging roller type.

As shown in FIG. 3, a paper transport unit 28 as a secondary transfer unit is provided below the transfer unit 90 in the printer unit 1 in the drawing. The paper transport unit 28 is configured to endlessly move an endless paper transport belt 29 that is a secondary transfer belt between a driving roller 30 and a secondary transfer roller 31.
In the copying machine 100, the intermediate transfer belt 91 and the paper transport belt 29 are sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 31 of the paper transport unit 28 and the lower stretching roller 94 of the transfer unit 90. As a result, a secondary transfer nip is formed in which the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91 and the surface of the paper transport belt 29 abut. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 31 by a power source (not shown). On the other hand, the lower stretching roller 94 of the transfer unit 90 is grounded. Thereby, a secondary transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip.

  A registration roller pair 33 is disposed on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the figure. The registration roller pair 33 sends the transfer paper P sandwiched between the rollers to the secondary transfer nip at a timing at which the transfer paper P can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 91. In the secondary transfer nip, the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 91 is secondarily transferred onto the transfer paper P under the influence of the secondary transfer electric field and the nip pressure, and becomes a full color image combined with the white color of the transfer paper P. The transfer paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip and has a toner image transferred to the surface thereof is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 91 and held on the surface of the paper transport belt 29, while the endless movement of the transfer paper P is performed. It is conveyed to.

  The transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the transfer paper P at the secondary transfer nip adheres to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip. The transfer residual toner is scraped and removed by the belt cleaning device 32 that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 91.

  The transfer paper P conveyed to the fixing device 60 is sent out from the fixing device 60 after a full-color image is fixed by applying a fixing liquid in the fixing device 60 described later in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the copier 100, a switchback device 36 that is a transfer paper reversing device is disposed below the paper transport unit 28 and the fixing device 60. When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper P, the transfer paper P that has undergone image fixing processing on one side is switched by the switching claw so that the path is directed to the switchback device 36, where it is reversed and secondary transfer is performed again. Enter the nip. Then, after the secondary transfer process and the fixing process of the image are performed on the other side, the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 10.

Next, a fixing device 60 provided with a characteristic portion of the present invention applicable to the copying machine 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the fixing device 60.
Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the fixing solution that does not contain bubbles is referred to as “liquid fixing solution TL”, and the fixing solution that contains bubbles and forms foam is referred to as “foamed fixing solution F”.

  The fixing device 60 includes a foam-like fixing solution generator 600 that generates a foam-like fixing solution F from the liquid fixing solution TL, and the foam-like fixing solution F generated by the foam-like fixing solution generator 600 from unfixed toner T. And a foam-like fixing liquid application unit 70 applied to the transfer paper P carrying an unfixed image.

The foam-like fixer generating unit 600 has a die coater head 601 that applies the generated foam-like fixer F to the surface of the application roller 61 of the foam-like fixer application unit 70 in a uniform thin film shape. The die coater head 601 includes a plurality of fixing liquid foaming devices 500 that generate a foamy fixing liquid F by mixing the liquid fixing liquid TL and air. The foam-like fixer generation unit 600 also has a fixer bottle 210 that stores and stores the liquid fixer TL, and a fixer supply pump 200 that is a fixer supply unit that supplies the fixer foaming device 500 with the liquid fixer TL. And an air pump 300 as gas supply means for supplying air to the fixing liquid foaming device 500.
Further, the die coater head 601 is disposed in each of the plurality of fixing solution foaming devices 500, and in the slit-like conveyance path 511 that forms a discharge port for the foamy fixing solution F generated by the fixing solution foaming device 500. A foaming device pressure sensor S6 for measuring pressure is provided. Further, the die coater head 601 is provided with an in-head pressure sensor S5 that measures the pressure of the in-head transport path 611 that is an internal flow path, and an in-head temperature sensor S4 that measures the temperature of the in-head transport path 611. Yes.
The fixer bottle 210 is provided with a bottle temperature sensor S <b> 3 that measures the temperature of the liquid fixer TL in the fixer bottle 210.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the fixing liquid foaming device 500 as viewed from three directions. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the fixing liquid foaming device 500 as viewed from below, and is an explanatory view of a ZZ ′ cross section in FIGS. 5B and 5C. 5B is a side cross-sectional explanatory view of the XX ′ cross section in FIGS. 5A and 5C, and the direction of arrow E in FIG. 5B is the lower side in FIG. FIG. 5C is an explanatory side sectional view of the YY ′ cross section in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and the direction of arrow E in FIG. 5C is the lower side in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing liquid foaming device 500 includes a discharge-side casing 560 in which a slit-shaped conveyance path 511 is formed, and a supply-side casing 570 connected to the fixing liquid conveyance pipe 220 and the air conveyance pipe 320. Composed. In the supply-side casing 570, a liquid fixer supply path 520a and an air supply path 530a are formed. Further, on the surface of the supply-side casing 570 that faces the discharge-side casing 560, grooves serving as the liquid fixer manifold portion 520b and the air manifold portion 530b are formed. On the other hand, on the surface of the discharge-side casing 560 facing the supply-side casing 570, a plurality of grooves each serving as a plurality of liquid fixer branch channels 520c and air branch channels 530c are formed.
Then, the discharge-side casing 560 and the supply-side casing 570 are fixed as shown in FIG. 5 by bonding or the like, so that the liquid fixing solution manifold portion 520b, the air manifold portion 530b, the liquid fixing solution branch flow path 520c, and the air branch flow path. 530c is formed.
At this time, the liquid fixer supply path 520a, the liquid fixer manifold section 520b, and the liquid fixer branch path 520c become the liquid fixer path 520, and the air supply path 530a, the air manifold section 530b, and the air branch path 530c are air. A flow path 530 is formed.
A plurality of openings where the plurality of liquid fixing liquid branch channels 520 c are connected to the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 serve as a fixing liquid supply port 521, and a plurality of air branch channels 530 c are connected to the slit-shaped conveyance path 511. The plurality of openings serve as air supply ports 531.

In the fixing liquid foaming device 500, the end surface of the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 opposite to the foaming fixing liquid discharge port 501 is a wall surface. Then, the fixing liquid supply port 521 is provided on one (511f) of two inner wall surfaces (511f and 511b) facing each other in the slit depth direction in the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 at the end portion on the end surface side which becomes the wall surface. Provided, and the other (511b) is provided with an air supply port 531.
The fixing liquid supply port 521 and the air supply port 531 are at positions facing each other, and the opening pitch width P1 between the fixing liquid supply port 521 and the fixing liquid supply port 521 is 2 [mm] along the slit width direction, respectively. ]. In this embodiment, the opening pitch width P1 between the fixing solution supply port 521 and the fixing solution supply port 521 is 180 [μm].
As the arrangement of the fixing liquid supply port 521 and the air supply port 531, the fixing liquid supply port 521 and the air supply port 531 are alternately arranged on the end surface of the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 opposite to the foamy fixing liquid discharge port 501. The structure provided may be sufficient.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment uses a device having the same configuration as the micromixer as the fixing liquid foaming device 500. Such a fixing liquid foaming device 500 may have a limited length in the width direction of the transfer paper P (the front-back direction in FIG. 1 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction). mm]. For this reason, in the fixing device 60, a plurality of fixing liquid foaming devices 500 are arranged in the width direction so as to correspond to the maximum length in the width direction of the transfer paper P to be used. 15 fixing liquid foaming devices 500 are arranged.
The fixer transport pipe 220 and the air transport pipe 320 are connected to each of the plurality of fixer foaming devices 500, and the foamy fixer F generated by each of the fixer foaming devices 500 is a manifold. At 601a, the flow paths merge.

In the fixing liquid foaming device 500, the liquid fixing liquid TL and air are simultaneously supplied from the fixing liquid supply pump 200 and the air pump 300, whereby the fixing liquid is discharged from the fixing liquid supply port 521 and from the air supply port 531. Air is discharged. As a result, the liquid fixing solution TL and air are mixed in the gas-liquid mixing unit 502 positioned so that the plurality of fixing solution supply ports 521 and the air supply ports 531 face each other, thereby generating a foamy fixing solution F. The foam-like fixing liquid F generated in the gas-liquid mixing unit 502 passes through the slit-like conveyance path 511 and, as indicated by an arrow E in the figure, the slit-like conveyance path 511 provided with the foaming device internal pressure sensor S6. And is discharged from the foamy fixing solution discharge port 501.
The foam-like fixer F discharged from the foam-like fixer outlet 501 of the fixer foaming device 500 passes through the fixer flow path in the die coater head 601 and is supplied to the manifold 601a.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the tip portion of the die coater head 601. 6A is an enlarged explanatory view of the tip portion of the die coater head 601, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of the die coater head tip shutter 610 disposed at the tip of the die coater head 601.
As shown in FIG. 1, an air release valve 607 is connected to a conveyance path through which the foamy fixing solution F in the die coater head 601 passes. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a die coater head tip shutter 610 is disposed at the tip portion of the die coater head 601.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the die coater head end shutter 610 includes a cylindrical shutter portion 610a and a shutter rotation shaft 610b, and the shutter portion 610a has a shutter hole portion 610c penetrating in a diametrical direction on a side surface of the cylinder. Is provided. A shutter rotation motor M5 as a drive source is connected to the shutter rotation shaft 610b, and the cylindrical shutter portion 610a rotates in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 6 by transmitting the drive from the shutter rotation motor M5. It is. As shown in FIG. 6A, the die coater head 601 has an in-head transport path 611 through which the foamy fixing solution F passes in a die coater casing 612. In a state where the side surface of the shutter portion 610a other than the position where the shutter hole portion 610c is formed is opposed to the intra-head conveyance path 611, the intra-head conveyance path 611 is shielded, and the surface of the coating roller 61 is exposed to the surface. The supply of the foamy fixing solution F is stopped. The shutter rotation motor M5 is driven from the state where the intra-head conveyance path 611 is shielded to rotate the shutter portion 610a, and the shutter hole 610c faces the intra-head conveyance path 611 as shown in FIG. Then, the in-head transport path 611 communicates with the outside, and the foamy fixing solution F in the in-head transport path 611 is discharged toward the surface of the application roller 61.
That is, the opening / closing of the die coater head end shutter 610 can be controlled by controlling the drive transmission from the shutter rotation motor M5.
In addition, the die coater head 601 includes a head part seal member 613 for preventing air and fixer from leaking from the gap between the die coater head casing 612 and the shutter part 610a.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration including a cylindrical shutter portion 610a and a shutter rotation motor M5 as a shutter mechanism at the tip of the die coater head that opens and closes a communication path that communicates the inside and the outside at the tip of the die coater head 601 has been described. . The configuration of the shutter mechanism at the tip of the die coater head is not limited to this configuration, as long as the communication path at the tip of the die coater head 601 can be opened and closed at a desired timing. For example, a configuration may be provided that includes a shutter member that can move so as to shield or open the communication path, a shutter spring that urges the shutter member to shield the communication path, and a solenoid that controls the movement of the shutter member. In this configuration, when the solenoid is turned off, the shutter member shields the communication path by the urging force of the spring member, and when the solenoid is turned on, the shutter member is moved in a direction against the urging force of the spring. The communication path can be opened.

When the fixing device 60 is driven, the bubble-shaped fixing solution is discharged from the die coater head 601, and therefore the atmospheric pressure in the die coater head 601 and the fixing solution conveyance path is higher than the atmospheric pressure. For this reason, even if the fixing liquid supply pump 200 and the air pump 300 are stopped, the pressure in the die coater head 601 and the conveyance path is increased, so that a slight gap between the joints of the members forming the fixing liquid conveyance path In addition, the fixer may leak from a slight gap at the tip of the die coater head 601.
Therefore, in the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the atmospheric release valve 607 is released when the driving of the device is stopped, and the atmospheric pressure in the die coater head 601 and in the fixing liquid conveyance path is made equal to the atmospheric pressure. Further, the die coater head end shutter 610 shields the in-head conveyance path 611, thereby preventing the fixing liquid from leaking to the surface of the application roller 61 when the fixing device 60 is stopped.
Further, the die coater head 601 functions as a foam film forming unit that supplies the surface of the coating roller 61 so that the foam-like fixing solution F is in a thin layer state.

The foam-like fixing liquid application unit 70 serving as a fixing liquid application unit applies the foam-like fixing liquid F generated by the foam-type fixing liquid generation unit 600 to the surface of the transfer paper P on which the toner image is formed by the unfixed toner T. And a pressure roller 62 that forms a coating nip N in contact with the coating roller 61. The pressure roller 62 is a sponge roller whose surface is elastically deformed, and applies pressure for allowing the foam-like fixing solution F to penetrate into the unfixed toner T to which the foam-like fixing solution F is applied.
In addition, the foam-like fixing liquid application unit 70 is a coating roller cleaning blade 63 that constitutes a collection unit for collecting residues such as the foam-like fixing liquid F remaining on the coating roller 61 after passing through the coating nip N. Have Further, the foam-like fixing liquid application unit 70 is a collecting means for collecting residues such as the foam-like fixing liquid F adhering to the pressure roller 62 after passing through the application nip N facing the application roller 61. A pressure roller cleaning blade 64 is provided. The residue collected by the application roller cleaning blade 63 is stored in the application roller foam recovery tank 63a, and the residue recovered by the pressure roller cleaning blade 64 is stored in the pressure roller foam recovery tank 64a.

A toner image made of unfixed toner T is disposed upstream of the application nip N in which the application roller 61 applies the foam-like fixing liquid F to the transfer paper P in the transport direction of the transfer paper P (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1). A paper leading edge detection sensor S1 that detects the leading edge of the transferred transfer paper P is disposed. Further, a fixing paper feed roller pair 67 is disposed further upstream of the paper leading edge detection sensor S1, and a fixing paper feed motor M4 as a drive source is connected to the fixing paper feed roller pair 67. Of the two upper and lower rollers of the fixing paper feed roller pair 67, the upper roller has both end portions in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction) of the transfer paper P so as not to disturb the unfixed toner image on the transfer paper P. It is the structure which contacts only the margin part.
The fixing device 60 includes a coating roller driving motor M1 as a driving source for the coating roller 61 and a pressure roller driving motor M2 as a driving source for the pressure roller 62. Furthermore, although mentioned later for details, the control circuit for controlling these components is provided.

Next, problems that may occur in a fixing device using a foamy fixing solution will be described.
When the fixing process of applying the foamed fixing liquid F generated on the transfer sheet P to the transfer paper P is once completed and then the fixing process is to be performed, a micro flow through which the liquid fixing liquid passes is performed. There are cases where clogging has occurred in the fixing liquid flow path such as the liquid fixing liquid flow path 520 including the liquid fixing liquid branch flow path 520 c that is the path and the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 including the gas-liquid mixing unit 502. There are two possible causes for this clogging. The first cause is that the fatty acid salt and the fat contained in the fixing solution remaining in the liquid fixing solution channel 520 through which the liquid fixing solution TL passes after completion of the fixing process and the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 through which the foamy fixing solution F passes. It is gelation which occurs by mixing with a group ester. This gelled fixing solution is deposited on a part of the fixing solution channel and becomes clogged. The second cause is solidification due to drying of the fixer remaining in the liquid fixer flow path 520 and the slit-shaped transport path 511. Clogging occurs when the fixer is solidified in the liquid fixer flow path 520 or the slit-shaped transport path 511.

In addition, the components of the fixing solution used for chemical fixing include a foaming agent for foaming. As this foaming agent, an anionic surfactant is generally suitable.
Since this anionic surfactant is anionic, it is easy to bind to other ionic members, and solidification in which part of the composition of the liquid fixer becomes insoluble in water due to changes in the operating environment temperature As a result, it may separate from water in the liquid fixer. Even if shear force is applied to the solidified liquid fixing solution or the liquid fixing solution is stirred, a foamy fixing solution having a predetermined bubble diameter and a predetermined bubble density can be produced. Is difficult.

Such a problem is caused by liquid fixing from a plurality of fine flow paths for flowing a liquid fixing solution such as the liquid fixing liquid branch flow path 520c and a plurality of fine gas flow paths such as an air branching flow path 530c. The configuration is not limited to the configuration of the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment in which the liquid and the gas are simultaneously supplied to the gas-liquid mixing unit and are instantaneously merged and mixed.
For example, the same problem may occur in a configuration in which air is entrained to give a foam while applying a shearing force to the liquid fixer, or in a configuration in which the liquid fixer is stirred to take in air to make a foam.
In particular, in a configuration including a plurality of fine flow paths for flowing the liquid fixer, such as the liquid fixer branch path 520c of the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the liquid fixer including a gelled or solidified state. May exist in the fixer foaming device, the gelled or solidified composition of the fine flow path of the liquid fixer may occur. When the gelled or solidified composition is clogged and clogging occurs in a part of the fine flow path of the liquid fixer, the mixing ratio of the liquid fixer and air collapses, resulting in a predetermined bubble density and a predetermined bubble diameter. It becomes difficult to produce a foamy fixing solution.

Further, even when a foam-like fixing liquid having a predetermined bubble diameter or a predetermined bubble density is applied to the unfixed toner on the recording medium, the toner cannot be sufficiently dissolved or swollen, and the toner is not sufficiently fixed. It becomes. Further, when the gelation or solidification state in the liquid fixing solution further progresses, the amount of the fixing solution of the foamy fixing solution produced is insufficient, and the foaming fixing solution is not partially applied on the surface of the coating member. A region is formed. Thus, when a region where the foamy fixing solution is not applied is formed on the surface of the coating member, the region of the recording medium facing this region at the coating nip is not provided with the foamy fixing solution to the unfixed toner, Fixing failure occurs.
In addition, the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 that is a flow path through which the foam-like fixing liquid F in the fixing liquid foaming apparatus 500 of the present embodiment passes is a flow path having a length of 300 [μm] or less in the slit depth direction. If the flow path through which the foam-like fixing solution passes is configured as a narrow flow path, the fixing device 60 is left in a stopped state for a long time, so that the fixing solution is gelated or solidified. The composition of the liquid fixing solution thus formed may block a part of the flow path of the foam-like fixing solution and become clogged and prevent passage of the foam-like fixing solution F. When the passage of the foam-like fixing solution is prevented in a part of the flow path in this way, a region where the foam-like fixing solution F is not partially applied is formed on the surface of the application roller 61. When a region where the foamy fixing solution F is not applied is formed on the surface of the application roller 61 in this way, the region of the transfer paper P facing the region at the application nip N is in contact with the unfixed toner. Is not applied, resulting in poor fixing.
As described above, when the fixing solution is gelled or solidified, the toner image after fixing is insufficiently fixed, or the toner image is defectively fixed. Arise.

As a configuration for solving such a problem, the fixing device 60 to which the present invention is applied includes a bubble state detecting device S2, a first surface heater H1, a second surface heater H2, and a fixing device control functioning as a heating control means. CPU700 is provided.
The bubble state detection device S2 includes an optical sensor and a CCD camera, and is a bubble state detection unit that detects the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61. Further, the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 are liquid flow paths that heat a fixing liquid flow path that is a flow path through which the fixing liquid passes in the foamy fixing liquid generation unit 600 that is a foamy fixing liquid generation unit. It is a heating means. In particular, the first surface heater H1 heats the fixer bottle 210 containing the liquid fixer TL, and the second surface heater H2 heats the die coater head 601. The fixing device control CPU 700 controls heating by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 based on the detection result of the bubble state detection device S2.
With such a configuration, the fixing device 60 detects the state of the foam-like fixing solution F on the surface of the application roller 61, and the foam state in which the desired foam-like fixing solution F is not formed on the surface of the application roller 61 is abnormal. When the state occurs, heating by the first surface heater H1 or the second surface heater H2 eliminates clogging caused by gelation or solidification of the fixing solution. As a result, problems such as clogging in the die coater head 601 caused by gelation or solidification of the fixing solution can be eliminated, and fixing quality can be maintained.

  Further, as a configuration that can contribute to solving the above-described problems, the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment includes an in-head pressure sensor S5, a first surface heater H1, a second surface heater H2, and a fixing device control CPU 700. With. Further, a foaming device pressure sensor S6 that measures the pressure in the slit-like conveyance path 511 of the fixing solution foaming device 500 and monitors the pressure change is disposed in each of the plurality of fixing solution foaming devices 500. . In this manner, the plurality of foaming device pressure sensors S6 arranged in each of the plurality of fixing liquid foaming devices 500 constitute the foaming device pressure sensors S6-1 to N.

  That is, a clogging check operation is performed to check whether clogging has occurred in the die coater head 601 based on the detection results of the in-head pressure sensor S5 and the foaming device internal pressure sensor S6. When clogging occurs in the die coater head 601, the value of the in-head pressure sensor S5 for monitoring the pressure change in the die coater head 601 when each pump is driven increases, or each of the fixing liquid foaming devices 500 has its value. It is conceivable that an abnormality may occur, for example, the pressure per unit time decreases compared to a state where there is no clogging in the foaming device pressure sensor S6 that monitors the pressure change at the discharge port. By detecting such an abnormal pressure change in the die coater head 601, it can be detected that clogging may have occurred.

  Although details will be described later, in the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, after the foam is filled in the die coater head 601, each air release valve 607 provided in the die coater head 601 is 0FF (opened), and each pump , And the pressure change in the die coater head 601 and the pressure change at each discharge port of each fixer foaming device 500 are confirmed by the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming device. Data in a normal state with no clogging of these pressure changes is acquired in advance, and the fixing device control CPU 700 compares the data in the normal state with the detection result of the in-head pressure sensor S5. Based on the comparison result, the pressure change per unit time is compared with a normal value, and it is determined that a clogging is detected in which an abnormality in the pressure change due to the clogging is detected when the value is low.

The in-head pressure sensor S5 is installed in the in-head transport path 611 on the upstream side of the discharge port of the die coater head 601. The pressure change of the in-head pressure sensor S5 in a state where the inside of the die coater head 601 is sealed is monitored, and clogging or leakage is determined according to the result. However, since the intra-head transport path 611 extends over the entire width direction of the die coater head 601, there is little pressure fluctuation width due to partial clogging or leakage. For this reason, it is difficult to accurately determine the occurrence of clogging or leakage with only the in-head pressure sensor S5 disposed in the in-head transport path 611.
For this reason, in the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the foaming device internal pressure sensor S6 is provided in the slit-shaped conveyance path 511 that forms the discharge port for each of the plurality of fixing liquid foaming devices 500 arranged in the width direction. ing.

  With such a configuration, only the atmospheric release valve 607 is opened (OFF) while the inside of the die coater head 601 is sealed, and the change in bubble pressure per unit time is monitored in a state where the head temperature sensor S4 has not reached the freezing temperature. . When the sensor values of the plurality of foaming device pressure sensors S6 arranged in the respective fixing liquid foaming devices 500 detect that the pressure change per unit time is below the normal pressure, the fixing is performed. It is determined that clogging has occurred in the liquid foaming apparatus 500, and a refresh operation is executed.

  In addition, the die coater head 601 is hermetically sealed and the air release valve 607 is also closed (ON), and the unit time (1 [second] to 5 [seconds] between the foaming device pressure sensor S6 and the head pressure sensor S5. ]) The pressure change in the die coater head 601 is monitored several times, or after waiting for a certain time (10 seconds), the pressure change is monitored again, and the pressure change is normal. If the pressure is below the pressure at the bottom, it is determined that a leak has occurred.

  Further, the inside of the die coater head 601 is sealed, and only the atmosphere release valve 607 is opened (OFF), and the unit time (1 [second] to 5 [seconds] between the foaming device pressure sensor S6 and the head pressure sensor S5. ]) And the detection result of the in-head temperature sensor S4 are combined to determine whether the die coater head 601 is frozen or not when the temperature in the die coater head 601 is 0 ° C. or lower. to decide.

  When it is determined that clogging has occurred in such a clogging check operation, the fixing device control CPU 700 controls heating by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2.

  With the configuration for performing such a clogging checking operation, in the fixing device 60, the pressure sensor S5 in the head that detects the pressure in the die coater head 601 with the die coater head front shutter 610 closed and only the air release valve 607 opened. However, when an abnormal pressure increase is detected or the measured value of the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming device that monitors the pressure change at each discharge port provided in the fixing liquid foaming device 500 is lower than the normal pressure value. If confirmed, the fluidity of the gelated or solidified fixing solution can be increased by heating with the first surface heater H1 or the second surface heater H2. As a result, problems such as clogging in the die coater head 601 caused by gelation or solidification of the fixing solution can be eliminated, and fixing quality can be maintained.

  The above-described operation for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 (hereinafter referred to as a foam state confirmation operation) and clogging confirmation operation are performed by turning on the power of the copier 100 at the interval between sheets or at the end of the print job. This is performed at the time of initialization operation. As a result of detecting the state of the foam-like fixing solution F by the bubble state confirmation operation, the surface of the coating roller 61 such as unevenness of the foam-like fixing solution F on the surface of the coating roller 61 or a region not carrying the foam-like fixing solution F is detected. When it is detected that the upper foam-like fixing liquid F is in a state different from the predetermined detection state, heating by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 is started. Also, when an abnormal pressure increase is detected in the clogging confirmation operation, heating by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 is started. With such heating, the operation of the fixing device 60 is stopped, and the transfer paper P in the copying machine 100 is discharged.

Next, a series of fixing operations of the fixing device 60 will be described using a block diagram of a control circuit.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit included in the fixing device 60.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit of the fixing device 60 includes a fixing device control CPU 700 having A / D and D / A terminals and storage means such as a ROM and a RAM, an external timer 710, a memory 711, and a memory. It is composed of the illustrated number counter and the like. The fixing device control CPU 700 controls the rollers, the driving motors (M1 to M5), the fixing liquid supply pump 200, the air pump 300, and the like in accordance with input signals from the sensors (S1 to S6, etc.). The bubble state detection device S2 shown in FIG. 7 is an example using an optical sensor.
Further, the fixing device CPU 700 provided in the fixing device 60 and the copying machine main body CPU 750 provided in the copying machine 100 main body communicate with each other by exchanging commands and statuses. 730 is connected. In the fixing device CPU 700, signals such as a power ON / OFF signal, a print start signal, and an emergency stop signal are input from the interrupt terminal via the I / F communication connection unit 730.

When the power of the copying machine 100 is turned on, the fixing device control CPU 700 provided in the fixing device 60 and the copying machine main body CPU 750 communicate with each other through the I / F communication connection unit 730, and the power of the copying machine 100 is turned on. The fixing device control CPU 700 recognizes that it has been inserted.
After the recognition, the copying machine main body CPU 750 performs an initialization operation of the printer unit 1 that is a toner image forming unit, and the fixing device control CPU 700 starts an initialization operation of the fixing device 60.

Hereinafter, the initialization operation of the fixing device 60 will be described.
When the power supply of the copying machine 100 is turned on, the fixing device control CPU 700 turns on the atmosphere release valve 607 (closes the atmosphere release) to block the in-head conveyance path 611 of the die coater head 601. As a configuration for shielding the intra-head conveyance path 611, the rotational position of the cylindrical shutter portion 610a is detected by a position sensor (not shown), and the shutter hole portion 610c of the shutter portion 610a is located at a position facing the intra-head conveyance path 611. In this case, the shutter rotation motor M5 is driven to rotate the shutter unit 610a to a position where the side surface of the shutter unit 610a faces the in-head conveyance path 611, and stops.

Next, the air release valve 607 is turned off (opened) while the die coater head front shutter 610 at the tip of the die coater head 601 is closed. Next, the air pump 300 and the fixing liquid supply pump 200 are operated, and air and the liquid fixing liquid TL are fed into the fixing liquid foaming device 500.
In the fixer foaming device 500 to which air and the liquid fixer TL are fed, the liquid fixer TL passes through the liquid fixer branch channel 520c, and the air passes through the air branch channel 530c, and the liquid fixer. TL and air flow into the gas-liquid mixing unit 502. In the gas-liquid mixing unit 502, the liquid fixing solution TL and air are mixed to generate a foamy fixing solution F.
The generated foamy fixing solution F passes through the slit-shaped transport path 511 in which the foaming device internal pressure sensor S6 is arranged, and is supplied from the foamy fixer discharge port 501 to the in-head transport path 611. The foamy fixer F supplied to the in-head transport path 611 reaches the manifold 601a having a wider channel cross-sectional area than the other part of the in-head transport path 611. In the manifold 601a having a large flow path cross-sectional area, the fluid resistance is lower than that in the upstream and downstream in-head transport paths 611. It is easier to spread in the manifold 601a than to flow into the path 611. For this reason, after the foamy fixing solution F is filled in the manifold 601a, it flows into the in-head transport path 611 on the downstream side of the manifold 601a and is filled up to the position of the die coater head front shutter 610.

At this time, the fixing device control CPU 700 uses the detection result of the in-head pressure sensor S5 and the measurement function of the timer 710 to grasp the change in the pressure in the in-head conveyance path 611 per unit time. Then, the voltage applied to each pump is controlled by sending the rotational speed variable data of the air pump 300 and the fixing liquid supply pump 200 to the motor driver while comparing the change in the radial pressure with the normal change in the radial pressure. Then, by controlling the number of rotations of each pump, the pressure in the in-head transport path 611 is controlled to be kept almost constant at all times, and it is confirmed that the change in pressure with time in the die coater head 601 is normal. .
After that, the fixing device control CPU 700 uses the measurement function of the timer 710 to drive each pump for a certain period of time, and when the time sufficient for filling the die coater head 601 has elapsed, the die coater head 601 is provided. The atmosphere release valve 607 is turned ON (closed state), and the pressure in the die coater head 601 is increased. Thereafter, the atmosphere release valve 607 is turned off again and opened. At this time, the above-described clogging confirmation operation for confirming the pressure change at the position where each of the head internal pressure sensor S5 and the foaming apparatus internal pressure sensor S6 is arranged is executed.
When the clogging confirmation operation is completed, the application roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 are driven by transmitting ON signals of the motors (M1 and M2).

  When the application roller drive motor M1 and the pressure roller drive motor M2 start to rotate and the pressure in the die coater head 601 increases, the fixing device control CPU 700 causes the die coater head end shutter 610 to open. M5 is driven. When the die coater head end shutter 610 is in the open state, the driving of the shutter rotation motor M5 is stopped, the value preset in the ROM of the memory 711 is compared with the count value of the timer 710, and the application roller 61 A foamy fixing solution F is supplied onto the surface.

Thus, while the foam-like fixing liquid F is being supplied onto the surface of the application roller 61, the fixing device control CPU 700 detects the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61. Execute the confirmation operation.
The state of the foam-like fixing liquid F is detected by the foam state detection device S2 disposed so as to face the surface of the coating roller 61 between the position where the die coater head 601 faces on the surface of the coating roller 61 and the coating nip N. Be detected. As shown in FIG. 7, the foam state detection device S2 detects the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F using a plurality of foam application state sensors (sensors 1 to 4 in FIG. 7).
The plurality of foam application state sensors provided in the foam state detection device S <b> 2 of this embodiment are reflective optical sensors (foam application presence / absence confirmation sensors), and are configured to be movable in the axial direction of the application roller 61.

As the foam application state sensor moves in the axial direction, the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F in each detection region assigned to each sensor is indicated, and the amount of return light from the light emitting side of the reflective optical sensor on the application roller 61 is received on the light receiving side. The element is compared with the reference potential of the comparator. Then, if the return voltage from the light receiving side element is below the reference value, it is determined that the background portion of the application roller 61 is in a state close to exposure. That is, it shows that the carrying state of the foamy fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 is uneven. On the other hand, if the return voltage from the light receiving side element exceeds the reference value, the foam-like fixing liquid F is sufficiently carried on the application roller 61 and the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61. It is determined that there is no unevenness in the carrying state.
At this time, it is necessary to change the thickness of the target foam film on the application roller 61 according to the environment and the paper type. The fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment is realized by changing the reference voltage value (CONT signal) from the fixing device control CPU 700 via D / A conversion.
The application roller 61 has a surface color that varies depending on the material used, and may be brown or black. For this reason, it is necessary to set the reference value of the return voltage from the light receiving side element according to the color of the application roller 61 to be used.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, an example in which four optical sensors are used as the bubble state detection device S <b> 2 is shown, but the scanning range by one sensor can be narrowed by using many optical sensors. The detection speed can be increased.
Thus, in the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the bubble state confirmation operation is performed using the optical sensor.

Further, as another example of the bubble state detection device S2, a method using a CCD sensor is also conceivable.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit of the bubble state detection device S2 using a CCD sensor. As shown in FIG. 8, the return value of the bubble state detection device S2 composed of a CCD sensor is digitized by changing the A / D converter, and the fixing device control CPU 700 compares it with the set reference DATA value by the comparator, The state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 is confirmed based on whether the comparison result exceeds the reference DATA value as in the configuration described in the optical sensor described above.
As shown in FIG. 8, by using a CCD sensor in the bubble state detection device S2, the state of the bubble-like fixing liquid F in many areas on the surface of the application roller 61 can be confirmed simultaneously. For this reason, the resolution can be further increased as compared with the method using the optical sensor, and the fine change of the foamy fixing solution F can be confirmed. Further, by digitizing it, it becomes possible to make it more resistant to noise in handling data, and it becomes possible to confirm finer changes in the foam-like fixing liquid F.

  As described above, the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 used for the confirmation operation during the initialization operation is collected by the application roller cleaning blade 63, collected in the application roller foam recovery tank 63a, and finally. Discarded. Further, when the pressure roller 62 is in contact with the application roller 61 in the application nip N, a part of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 adheres to the pressure roller 62. As described above, the foam-like fixing liquid F adhering to the surface of the pressure roller 62 is collected by the pressure roller cleaning blade 64, collected in the pressure roller foam recovery tank 64a, and finally discarded.

When the supply operation of the foam-like fixing liquid F necessary for the foam state confirmation operation to the application roller 61 is completed, the driving of the air pump 300 and the fixing liquid supply pump 200 is stopped, and then the die coater provided at the tip of the die coater head 601 The head end shutter 610 is closed and the atmosphere release valve 607 is opened.
By stopping the driving of each pump and closing the die coater head end shutter 610, the supply of the foamy fixing solution F to the surface of the coating roller 61 is stopped, but on the surface of the coating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, The foamy fixing solution F remains. For this reason, even after the air release valve 607 is opened, the time during which all the foamy fixing solution F remaining on the surface of each roller can be collected (the value set in the ROM data in the memory 711 and the count value of the timer 710 are set). Only when the application roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 are driven to rotate, the rollers are stopped.

The detected value of the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming device for monitoring the pressure change in the die coater head 601 and the pressure change at each discharge port provided in the plurality of fixing liquid foaming devices 500 in the clogging confirmation operation described above is normal. If it is confirmed that the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the application roller 61 is normal in the foam state confirmation operation, the fixing device control CPU 700 performs the copying machine main body CPU 750 via the I / F. In response to this, a ready signal indicating that there is no abnormality is transmitted.
On the other hand, an abnormal rise in pressure in the die coater head 601 in the clogging confirmation operation or a detected value of the plurality of foaming device internal pressure sensors S6 is higher than a normal pressure value in the slit-like conveyance path 511 of the fixing liquid foaming device 500. When a low value is confirmed, or when the foamed state of the foamed fixing liquid F is unevenly confirmed on the surface of the application roller 61 by the foam state confirmation operation, a “refresh operation” described later is performed to cause clogging. Is solved. If the clogging is eliminated by the “refresh operation” and each confirmation result is normal in the subsequent clogging confirmation operation and bubble state confirmation operation, the fixing device control CPU 700 sends an image to the copying machine main body CPU 750 via the I / F. On the other hand, a ready signal indicating that there is no abnormality is transmitted.
The series of initialization operations of the fixing device 60 is thus completed.

  Further, before the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation in the initialization operation described above, the foam-like fixing liquid F is supplied from the die coater head 601 to the application roller 61 for a certain period of time, and then each confirmation operation is performed. This is because, at the start of the initialization operation, the foam-like fixer F already stored in the slit-like transport path 511 and the in-head transport path 611 or the fixer that has become liquid by breaking the foam-like fixer F is discharged. It is to do. For this reason, the foam-like fixer F is supplied to the application roller 61 for a certain period of time required to discharge the fixer stored in the slit-like transport path 511 and the in-head transport path 611, and then the clogging confirmation operation And check the bubble status.

  As described above, in the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the foam fixing solution F in the die coater head 601 is filled by turning on / off the air release valve 607 with the die coater head front shutter 610 closed. Yes. As a method for filling the die-coater head 601 with the foam-like fixing solution F, there is a method in which the air release valve 607 is not used. More specifically, the fixing solution supply pump 200 and the air pump 300 are operated with the die coater head end shutter 610 opened to generate the foamy fixing solution F in the slit-shaped transport path 511 and send it to the intra-head transport path 611. By filling the die coater head end shutter 610 when the filling of the foam-like fixing liquid F into the in-head conveyance path 611 is completed, the foam-like fixing liquid F can be filled.

Next, a pressure sensor in the foaming device that monitors an abnormal rise in pressure change in the die coater head 601 and a pressure change in each of the discharge ports provided in the plurality of fixing liquid foaming devices 500 in the clogging check operation described above. This is carried out when the measured value of S6 is confirmed to be lower than the normal pressure value, or when unevenness is confirmed in the carrying state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 by the above-described foam state confirmation operation. The “refresh operation” will be described.
If irregularities are detected in the pressure change abnormality in the clogging confirmation operation or the carrying state of the foamy fixing liquid F on the surface of the coating roller 61 in the bubble state confirmation operation, the fixing liquid of the foamy fixing liquid generator 600 is detected. The fixing device control CPU 700 turns on the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 shown in FIG. 1 on the assumption that clogging due to gelation or solidification of the fixing solution occurs in the flow path. . Accordingly, the fixing device control CPU 700 returns values from the in-bottle temperature sensor S3 and the in-head temperature sensor S4 so that the fixer bottle 210 and the die coater head 601 are in the range of 40 [° C.] to 50 [° C.]. Is controlled by the A / D conversion terminal, and the control is performed by changing the ON / OFF time of each surface heater or the voltage value to be applied.

In this way, the member that forms the flow path of the fixing solution is heated so that the fixing solution in the inside thereof is controlled within a predetermined temperature range, thereby fixing the gelled or solidified clogging. The fluidity of the liquid is improved, and by supplying a new fixing liquid into the fixing liquid flow path in this state, the fixing liquid that has been clogged can be discharged to the outside. In the die coater head 601 of the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the clogging generated in the fixing liquid flow path is eliminated by discharging from the front end of the die coater head 601 onto the surface of the application roller 61 and collecting it with the application roller cleaning blade 63. The As described above, even when the fixing liquid is in a gelled or solidified state and the fixing liquid flow path in the die coater head 601 is clogged, the foamy fixing liquid on the surface of the coating roller 61 caused by the clogging. The change in the state of F is detected by the bubble state detection device S2, and clogging can be eliminated by heating with the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2.
When each surface heater is turned on and the fixing liquid bottle 210 and the die coater head 601 are in the range of 40 [° C.] to 50 [° C.], the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation described above are performed again, and the die coater head 601 The change in pressure measured by the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming device that monitors the pressure change at each discharge port provided in the fixing liquid foaming device 500 is normal, and the target foam film on the surface of the coating roller 61 When it is confirmed that is formed, the refresh operation is finished.

In the above description, the configuration for executing the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation when the power of the copying machine 100 is turned on has been described. However, after the fixing operation of the fixing device 60 is completed (= after the printing operation of the copying machine 100 is completed), it takes time until the next printing, and the foamy fixing solution F and the liquid fixing solution TL remaining in the die coater head 601 remain. If left untreated, there is a risk that gelation or solidification of the fixing solution that has already occurred at the end of the printing operation proceeds during the waiting time until the next printing.
For this reason, the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation may be executed when the print job ends and enters the standby mode. In this case, when the fixing device control CPU 700 receives a standby command (or signal) from the copying machine main body CPU 750 via the I / F, the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation described above are executed.

As described above, by performing the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation at the time of the initialization operation or when entering the standby mode, the fixing device 60 is gelated or solidified before and after the fixing device 60 performs the fixing operation. The occurrence of clogging due to the occurrence of crystallization can be confirmed. However, even if clogging due to gelation or solidification of the fixing solution occurs during the fixing operation, this clogging cannot be detected until the next clogging confirmation operation or bubble state confirmation operation is performed. . In particular, when clogging occurs in the flow path of the fixing solution in the die coater head 601 due to gelation or solidification, the clogging occurs when the generation of the foamy fixing solution F is continued with the clogging occurring. Further, the composition of the fixing solution that has been gelled or solidified may be caught at the spot, and clogging may progress.
Therefore, the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation may be frequently performed not only at the time of the initialization operation or when entering the standby mode, but also at the start of printing, at the end of printing a predetermined number of sheets, or after a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, when unevenness occurs in the carrying state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61, it is possible to detect a state where an abnormal image may be generated at an early stage.

When the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F is not in a desired state, such as unevenness in the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61, as described above, the fixing liquid is gelled or solidified. It can be attributed to this. However, even if a pressure leak occurs in the die coater head 601, the desired foam-like fixing solution F cannot be supplied from the die coater head 601 to the surface of the application roller 61, and the foam state on the surface of the application roller 61 is not satisfied. The state of the fixing liquid F may be different from a desired state.
In the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the die coater head 601 is provided with the in-head pressure sensor S5, and the pressure in the in-head transport path 611 and the measurement of the in-foaming device pressure sensor S6 provided in the fixing liquid foaming device 500 are used. The pressure in the flow path inside the die coater head 601 is monitored by measuring the pressure change at the discharge port. Thereby, when it is detected that the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F is not in a desired state based on the detection result of the foam state detection device S2, the atmosphere release valve 607 and the die coater head tip shutter 610 are closed, and the die coater If the measured value of the in-head pressure sensor S5 is below a desired pressure after a certain time has elapsed with the head 601 sealed, it is determined that the bubble state abnormality is caused by pressure leakage in the die coater head 601. Can do.

In the pressure leak checking operation, the air release valve 607 and the die coater head end shutter 610 are closed with the air release valve 607 and the die coater head end shutter 610 closed when executing an initialization operation when the copier 100 is turned on or entering a standby mode. 200 is activated. At this time, the pressure change in the die coater head 601 is confirmed using the in-head pressure sensor S5.
When abnormality is confirmed in the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61, the air pump 300 and the fixing liquid supply pump 200 are operated with the air release valve 607 and the die coater head end shutter 610 closed. Nevertheless, if the measured value by the in-head pressure sensor S5 does not increase with time, the fixing device control CPU 700 determines that a pressure leak has occurred. At this time, the fixing device control CPU 700 transmits a signal notifying the copying machine main body CPU 750 that a pressure leak has occurred via the I / F. Upon receiving this signal, the copying machine main body CPU 750 stops the system as the image forming apparatus, and displays the reason for the system stop by the service man call on the operation panel 751 and the screen of the personal computer which is an external device. Informs that the system has stopped.

On the other hand, when an abnormality is confirmed in the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61, only the air release valve 607 is opened and the die coater head end shutter 610 is closed, and the air pump 300 and the fixing liquid are supplied. When the measured value by the pressure sensor S5 in the head increases over time by operating the pump 200, or when the value of the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming device provided in the fixer foaming device 500 is lower than the normal value, The fixing device control CPU 700 determines that gelation or solidification has occurred in the fixing solution. At this time, the fixing device control CPU 700 heats the liquid fixing solution TL in each flow path by heating with the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2, and the eye caused by gelation or solidification. Clear clogging.
At this time, the fixing device control CPU 700 transmits a signal notifying that the refresh operation is started to the copying machine main body CPU 750 via the I / F. Upon receiving this signal, the copying machine main body CPU 750 puts the system as the image forming apparatus into a standby state, displays on the operation panel 751 or the screen of the personal computer that it is warming up, and the system is waiting for the user. Notify that. During the warm-up, heating is performed by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 for a predetermined time when it is determined that the clogging is eliminated, and during that time, the system of the copying machine 100 is set in a standby state.
When it is determined that the warm-up has reached a predetermined time, a clogging confirmation operation and a bubble state confirmation operation are performed again, and a confirmation operation is performed when it is confirmed that a normal foam film is formed on the surface of the application roller 61. Exit.

Further, since the fixing solution used in the fixing device 60 contains a large amount of water, there is a sufficient possibility that it will freeze at low temperatures such as in winter. When the fixing solution in the foam fixing solution generator 600 is frozen, the desired foam fixing solution F can be generated in the same manner as the solidified composition in the fixing solution becomes clogged in the flow path. As a result, the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 is not in a desired state, and an abnormal bubble state occurs. At this time, if clogging occurs in the flow path due to freezing rather than gelation or solidification, freezing can be eliminated without increasing the temperature to eliminate gelation or solidification. If the temperature is increased, clogging may be eliminated.
For this reason, a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the use environment temperature of the fixing device 60 is provided, and the fixing device control CPU 700 freezes clogging in the foam-like fixing liquid generation unit 600 based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor. It is judged whether it is caused by the gelation or solidification of the fixing solution. When an abnormality is confirmed in the state of the foamed fixing solution F on the surface of the application roller 61, if the measurement result of the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature, it is assumed that clogging occurs due to freezing. Heating is stopped at a temperature lower than the temperature at which solidification is eliminated, and each confirmation operation is executed. As a result, if it is determined that the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 is normal, the refresh operation is terminated and it is determined that the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F is abnormal, or the die coater head If it is determined that clogging has occurred in 601, or if it is partly solidified, it is further heated to a temperature. By providing the temperature sensor in this way, it is possible to determine whether the clogging in the foam-like fixing liquid generating unit 600 is caused by freezing or due to gelation or solidification of the fixing liquid. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the warm-up operation time in the refresh operation and to optimize the power consumption.

In the configuration including the temperature sensor, the following control is performed.
When an abnormality is confirmed in the state of the foamed fixing liquid F on the surface of the coating roller 61, only the air release valve 607 is opened, and the air release valve 607 and the die coater head end shutter 610 are closed. When the fixing liquid supply pump 200 is operated, the value measured by the in-head pressure sensor S5 increases with time, or the value of the foaming apparatus pressure sensor S6 provided in the fixing liquid foaming apparatus 500 is normal. When the temperature is low, the fixing device control CPU 700 determines that the fixing solution is clogged or frozen due to gelation or solidification.
At this time, the fixing device control CPU 700 confirms the measurement result of the temperature sensor, and if the measurement temperature is 0 [° C.] or less, it is determined that clogging due to freezing may have occurred, After heating to a temperature that is lower than the temperature at which clogging is eliminated and to the extent that freezing can be eliminated, heating is stopped and each confirmation operation is performed. Thereby, the clogging resulting from freezing can be eliminated.
When performing the heating operation to eliminate the freezing in this way, the fixing device control CPU 700 transmits a signal notifying that the refresh operation is started to the copier body CPU 750 via the I / F. Upon receiving this signal, the copying machine main body CPU 750 puts the system as the image forming apparatus into a standby state, displays on the operation panel 751 and the screen of the personal computer that the system is warming up due to the low temperature of the system, and uses it. Informs the user that the system is waiting. During the warm-up, the fixing device control CPU 700 monitors the temperature in the flow path based on the detection results of the bottle temperature sensor S3 and the head temperature sensor S4, and determines that the temperature has reached a temperature at which freezing can be released. Performs the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation again. Thereby, it is confirmed that the pressure change in the die coater head 601 is normal, and when it is confirmed that a normal bubble film is formed on the surface of the application roller 61, the confirmation operation is finished.

On the other hand, when the fixing device control CPU 700 determines that the fixing solution is clogged due to gelation or solidification or freezing, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is 15 [° C.] or more, it is caused by clogging. Thus, it is determined that the desired bubble generation has not been achieved. When the measured temperature is 0 [° C.] or higher and 15 [° C.] or lower, it is determined that it is difficult to pass through the flow path in the die coater head 601 because the viscosity of the fixing solution has increased. When the fixing device control CPU 700 determines that a desired bubble cannot be generated due to clogging of the fixing solution, the fixing solution bottle 210 and the die coater head 601 can eliminate the solidification of the fixing solution. Heating by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 is performed based on the measurement results of the bottle temperature sensor S3 and the head temperature sensor S4 so that the temperature is in the range of 40 [° C.] to 50 [° C.]. Control. Thereby, clogging caused by gelation or solidification of the fixing solution can be eliminated. Further, when the viscosity of the fixing solution is increased, if it is determined that it is difficult to pass through the flow path in the die coater head 601, the fixing temperature is lower than the temperature at which clogging caused by gelation or solidification can be eliminated. After heating to a temperature at which the viscosity of the liquid can be suppressed, the heating is stopped and each confirmation operation is executed. As a result, clogging caused by an increase in the viscosity of the fixing liquid can be eliminated.
When performing the heating operation to eliminate the state in which the viscosity of the fixing liquid is increased, the fixing device control CPU 700 transmits a signal notifying that the refresh operation is started to the copying machine main body CPU 750 via the I / F. . Upon receiving this signal, the copying machine main body CPU 750 puts the system as the image forming apparatus into a standby state, displays on the operation panel 751 and the screen of the personal computer that the system is warming up due to the low temperature of the system, and uses it. Informs the user that the system is waiting.
During the warm-up, the fixing device control CPU 700 monitors the temperature in the flow path based on the detection results of the bottle temperature sensor S3 and the head temperature sensor S4, and aims to reduce the viscosity of the fixing solution (15). [° C.] or higher), the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation are executed again, and the pressure change in the die coater head 601 and the inside of the foaming device provided in the fixing liquid foaming device 500 are performed. When the value of the pressure sensor S6 indicates a normal value, it is confirmed that the pressure sensor S6 is normal, and when it is confirmed that a normal bubble film is formed on the surface of the application roller 61, the confirmation operation is terminated. As described above, since the heating is stopped at a target temperature at which the viscosity of the fixing solution can be reduced, it is not necessary to heat to a temperature (40 [deg.] C. to 50 [deg.] C.) that can eliminate the clogging of the fixing solution. It is possible to shorten the warm-up operation time in the refresh operation and optimize the power consumption.

  In the above-described configuration, the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation are performed when the copying machine 100 is initialized when the power is turned on and the standby mode is entered, and the clogging occurs. However, as a configuration for monitoring the temperature of the fixing solution, the temperature may be constantly monitored regardless of whether the power of the copying machine 100 is turned on or off. By constantly monitoring the temperature, if there is a risk that the temperature of the fixing solution will freeze, each surface heater can be turned on to prevent the fixing solution from freezing and preventing the viscosity from increasing.

As described above, in the configuration in which the clogging check operation and the bubble state check operation are frequently executed at the start of printing, at the end of printing a predetermined number of sheets, or after a certain period of time, only when the initialization operation or standby mode is entered. It is possible to detect a state in which an abnormal image is likely to occur earlier than a configuration in which the confirmation operation is performed.
However, even in such a configuration, the abnormal image generated due to the clogging is subjected to the next clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation such as when a predetermined number of prints are completed or a certain time has elapsed. There is a problem that it cannot be discovered until
For such a problem, only the bubble state confirmation operation may be executed between the sheets during the fixing operation. Specifically, even during the continuous fixing operation during continuous printing, it is not necessary to supply the foamy fixing solution F to the coating nip N between the papers, so that the coating roller 61 corresponding to the space between the papers. At the timing when the surface of the sheet passes through the portion facing the die coater head 601, the die coater head tip shutter 610 is closed to stop the supply of the foam-like fixing liquid F to the application roller 61. On the other hand, after the surface of the application roller 61 corresponding to the transfer paper P before the paper passes through the portion facing the die coater head 601, the timing of closing the die coater head front shutter 610 between the paper is delayed. Thereby, the foam film of the foam-like fixing liquid F can be formed on the surface of the application roller 61 corresponding to the space between the sheets, and the foam state can be confirmed by the foam state detection device S2. Further, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the timing for closing the die coater head front shutter 610 is delayed, and the die coater head front shutter 610 once closed may be opened between sheets. In this way, by checking the bubble state between the papers, it is possible to check the bubble state in units of one sheet without the need for a clogging confirmation operation. Even if this occurs, abnormal images can be minimized.
However, when performing the bubble state confirmation operation between papers, it is necessary to widen the paper space, and frequent confirmation operations are not suitable for high-speed and high-speed image forming apparatuses that have almost no paper space. . However, if the operation for checking the state of bubbles between papers is performed in units of multiple sheets, the detection of abnormal images will be delayed compared to the configuration for checking each sheet, but high-speed performance can be achieved even with high-speed image forming devices with narrow spaces between papers. It is possible to realize without having to drop too much. The period of the confirmation operation when the operation for confirming the bubble state between sheets is performed in units of printing of a plurality of sheets is appropriately set when the image forming apparatus is designed.
Note that the bubble state confirmation operation performed between the sheets is performed in the same manner as the bubble state confirmation operation performed in the above-described initialization operation.

  Further, in the bubble state detection device S2 of the present embodiment, the bubble state on the surface of the application roller 61 is detected using a non-contact type sensor such as an optical sensor or a CCD sensor. In this way, if it is a non-contact type sensor, it does not affect the detection target foamy fixing solution F. The foam state of the foamed fixing solution F may be confirmed on the surface of the application roller 61. In this configuration, the fixing device control CPU 700 continues to check the bubble state while the bubble film is formed on the application roller 61. As described above, since the foam state can always be confirmed if the foam state of the foam-like fixing liquid F applied to the unfixed image is confirmed on the surface of the application roller 61, the foam film on the surface of the application roller 61 can be confirmed. Even if an abnormality occurs in the bubble state, such as unevenness, abnormal images can be minimized. Further, unlike the configuration in which the bubble state confirmation operation is performed between sheets, it is not necessary to widen the distance between sheets, so that the present invention can be applied to a high-speed image forming apparatus.

The bubble state confirmation operation was performed during the fixing operation, such as a configuration for confirming the foam state of the foam-like fixing solution F between the papers and a configuration for confirming the foam state of the foam-like fixing solution F applied to the transfer paper P. When an abnormality in the bubble state is confirmed, the fixing device control CPU 700 performs the following control.
If the fixing device control CPU 700 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the bubble state based on the detection result of the bubble state detection device S2, the abnormality in the bubble state is detected with respect to the copier body CPU 750 via the I / F. A bubble state abnormality signal indicating that the bubble has occurred is transmitted. Upon receiving this signal, the copying machine main body CPU 750 puts the system as the image forming apparatus of the copying machine 100 such as paper feeding and image formation into a standby state, and the bubble state is normally performed from the fixing device control CPU 700. The system is set in a standby state until a signal (= ready signal) notifying that it has been established is transmitted.
On the other hand, the fixing device control CPU 700 that has transmitted the bubble state abnormality signal to the copying machine main body CPU 750 performs the refresh operation similar to the above-described initialization operation ”to eliminate the clogging. If the clogging is eliminated by the “refresh operation” and the confirmation result of the state of the foamy fixing liquid F on the application roller 61 is normal in the subsequent confirmation operation, the fixing device control CPU 700 performs the I / F via the I / F. Then, a ready signal indicating that there is no abnormality in the bubble state is transmitted to the copying machine main body CPU 750.
Receiving the ready signal, the copying machine main body CPU 750 restarts the system as the image forming apparatus of the copying machine 100 such as paper feeding and image formation. Thereafter, the transfer paper P on which the unfixed toner image is formed is conveyed to the fixing device 60, the unfixed toner image is fixed, and the printing operation is performed as usual.

In the fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment described above, when the abnormality of the bubble state of the foam film on the application roller 61 is detected and it is determined that clogging has occurred in the flow path in the foam-like fixing liquid generation unit 600, We try to eliminate clogging by heating with each side heater. However, it is also conceivable that abnormalities in the bubble state such as unevenness of the bubble film occur due to the impurities mixed in the bubble-like fixing solution F. Such an abnormality in the bubble state occurs only at the position where the impurities are mixed, and therefore it is not necessary to perform the refresh operation. Even though the refresh operation is not necessary, heating with each heater until the fixing solution reaches a desired temperature is a waste of power consumption. Furthermore, a certain amount of time is required until the fixing solution reaches a desired temperature, and during this time, the printing operation is stopped, which leads to a reduction in operating efficiency. However, it is difficult to determine whether it is caused by impurities or clogging only by detecting the bubble state.
To solve such a problem, the refresh operation is not performed when the first bubble state abnormality is detected from the state where there is no abnormality in the bubble state, and the refresh operation is performed when the second bubble state abnormality is detected. You may control to perform.
The abnormality in the bubble state due to the impurities is eliminated when the bubble-like fixing liquid F in the portion where the impurities are mixed passes through the detection position by the bubble state detection device S2, and therefore the abnormality in the second bubble state is not detected. On the other hand, since the abnormality in the bubble state due to clogging recurs unless the clogging is eliminated, the second bubble abnormality is detected. Therefore, it is unnecessary when a bubble abnormality caused by impurities occurs while eliminating a bubble state abnormality caused by clogging by performing a refresh operation including heating when a bubble abnormality after the second time is detected. Without heating, waste of power consumption and reduction in operating efficiency can be prevented.

  In the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the fixing liquid foaming device 500 uses a device having the same configuration as a micromixer. The fixing solution foaming device 500 is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which air is entrained to form a foam while applying a shearing force to the liquid fixing solution, or a bubble is obtained by stirring the liquid fixing and taking in air. Even in the configuration, the state of the foam film of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application member is detected as in the present embodiment, and the fixing liquid in the foam-like fixing liquid generating unit is detected based on the detection result. It is possible to apply a configuration for heating the passage. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, air is mixed with the liquid fixing solution TL to form bubbles. However, the gas is not limited to air as long as it does not affect the components of the fixing solution.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
[Aspect A]
Bubbles such as a foam-like fixing solution F in which bubbles are dispersed in a liquid fixing solution such as a liquid fixing solution TL containing a softening agent that softens resin fine particles such as toner by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin. The foam-fixing-solution generating means such as the foam-fixing-solution generating unit 600 for generating the foam-fixing solution and the foam-fixing solution generated by the foam-fixing-solution generating means on the surface moving surface are supplied and moved on the surface. Thus, the foam-like fixing liquid is carried and conveyed to the application position such as the application nip N facing the surface of the fixing liquid application target such as the transfer paper P carrying the resin fine particles on the surface, and the foam-like fixing liquid is applied at the application position. And a fixing liquid application member such as an application roller 61 for applying the toner to the surface of the fixing liquid application target, and fixing the fine resin particles softened by applying a foamy fixing liquid onto a recording medium such as transfer paper P Fixing device such as 60 A foam state detection means such as a foam state detection device S2 for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing liquid on the surface of the coating member, and a fixing liquid flow which is a flow path through which the fixing liquid in the foam-like fixing liquid generating means passes. Fixing device control CPU 700 for controlling heating by the liquid flow path heating means based on the detection result of the liquid flow path heating means such as the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 for heating the passage and the bubble state detection means. Heating control means. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the fixing device 60 detects the state of the foam-like fixing solution F on the surface of the application roller 61, and the desired foam-like fixing solution F on the surface of the application roller 61. When an abnormal state occurs in the bubble state where no is formed, clogging caused by gelation or solidification of the fixing solution is eliminated by heating with the first surface heater H1 or the second surface heater H2. As a result, problems such as clogging in the die coater head 601 resulting from the gelation or solidification of the fixing solution can be eliminated, and the fixing quality can be maintained. In the clogging confirmation operation, when it is confirmed that the pressure change in the die coater head 601 is abnormally increased even though the air release valve 607 is opened, the fixing liquid foaming device 500 is provided. Even when the value of the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming apparatus is lower than the normal value, the fixing liquid is gelled or solidified by heating with the first surface heater H1 or the second surface heater H2. The resulting clogging can be eliminated.
[Aspect B]
In [Aspect A], as a detection result of the foam state detection means such as the foam state detection device S2, the carrying state of the foam-like fixing liquid such as the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the coating member such as the coating roller 61 is uneven. When this is detected, the heating control means such as the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 performs control to start heating by the liquid flow path heating means such as the fixing device control CPU 700. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, as a result of the clogging confirmation operation with the fixing liquid supply pump 200 and the air pump 300 driven, a pressure change in the die coater head 601 opens the atmosphere release valve 607. In the case where the pressure rises abnormally despite being in the state, or the value of the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming device provided in the fixer foaming device 500 is confirmed to be lower than the normal value, the abnormal pressure is When it is determined that it is caused by clogging, or as a result of detection by the bubble state detection device S2, it is determined that the bubble film on the surface of the application roller 61 is uneven, and it is determined that the unevenness is caused by clogging. In this case, the fixer bottle 210 and the die coater head 601 are heated by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2. As a result, problems such as clogging in the die coater head 601 resulting from the gelation or solidification of the fixing solution can be eliminated, and the fixing quality can be maintained.
[Aspect C]
In [Aspect A] or [Aspect B], the foam fixing solution such as the foam fixing solution F generated by the foam fixing solution generator such as the foam fixing solution generator 600 is applied to the application member such as the application roller 61. As a foam-type fixing solution applying means to be applied on the surface, the foam-type fixing solution filled in the internal fixing solution channel is discharged onto the surface of the coating member by facing the foam-shaped fixing solution on the surface of the coating member. And a discharge member internal pressure detecting means such as a head internal pressure sensor S5 for detecting the internal pressure of the discharge member and a foaming device internal pressure sensor S6. Is. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, in the configuration in which the foam-like fixing liquid F is supplied onto the surface of the application roller 61 using the die coater head 601, the cause of the abnormality in the foam state is fixing. Not only gelation or solidification of the liquid but also pressure leakage inside the die coater head 601 can be considered. For this reason, when the pressure inside the die coater head 601 is detected using the pressure sensor S5 in the head or the pressure sensor S6 in the foaming apparatus, the cause of the abnormal state in the foam state is caused by the fixing liquid. It can be determined whether it is due to clogging or due to pressure leakage inside the die coater head 601.
[Aspect D]
In any one of [Aspect A] to [Aspect C], an environmental temperature detection means such as a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the use environmental temperature of the apparatus is provided, and a heating control means such as a fixing device control CPU 700 is provided. The heating by the liquid flow path heating means such as the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 is controlled based on the detection result of the environmental temperature detection means and the foam state detection means such as the foam state detection device S2. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, in the configuration in which the foam-like fixing liquid F is supplied onto the surface of the application roller 61 using the die coater head 601, the cause of the abnormality in the foam state is It is conceivable that the liquid fixing solution TL is frozen or the viscosity is increased due to a decrease in the environmental temperature. In this way, when a malfunction due to a decrease in the operating environment temperature occurs, the degree of freezing can be released or the viscosity can be reduced without increasing the temperature of the liquid fixing solution TL to a level at which clogging can be eliminated. If it is heated to such a temperature that it can be heated, it may be possible to eliminate the cause of the abnormal bubble state. For this reason, by detecting the operating environment temperature using a temperature sensor (not shown), if an abnormal state occurs in the bubble state, the cause is due to clogging of the fixing liquid, or to a low temperature. It can be judged whether it is caused by freezing or viscosity increase. And by performing heating according to each cause, when an abnormal state is generated in the bubble state due to freezing or viscosity increase, it is possible to prevent excessive heating and save energy. be able to.
[Aspect E]
In any one of [Aspect A] to [Aspect D], a bubble temperature is detected by providing flow path temperature detecting means such as a bottle temperature sensor S3 and a head temperature sensor S4 for detecting the temperature of the fixing liquid flow path. Based on the detection result of the bubble state detection means such as the device S2, the heating by the liquid flow path heating means such as the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 is controlled, and the flow of the fixing liquid flow path is detected by the flow path temperature detection means. When it is detected that the temperature has reached the desired temperature, the state of the foam-like fixing liquid such as the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the coating member such as the coating roller 61 is again detected by the foam-state detecting means. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the fixing device control CPU 700 controls heating by the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 based on detection results of various sensors. When the bottle temperature sensor S3 and the head temperature sensor S4 detect that the temperature of each fixing liquid channel has reached a desired temperature, the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation are performed again. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the clogging has been eliminated. When it is determined that the clogging has been eliminated, the heating is terminated, and when it is determined that the clogging has not been eliminated, the heating is performed again as necessary. If the manufacturer does not resolve the problem after heating for an arbitrary number of times, it is determined that some abnormality that cannot be avoided by the device itself is occurring in the die coater head 601, and a stop command signal is sent to the main body via the interface. Then, maintenance is requested by the serviceman by displaying the serviceman call to the operator.
[Aspect F]
In any one of the [Aspect A] to [Aspect E], the foam-like fixing of the foam-like fixing liquid F or the like on the surface of the application member such as the application roller 61 by the foam-state detection means such as the foam-state detection device S2 When the bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the liquid state is performed and an abnormality is detected in the state of the foam-like fixing liquid, the liquid flow of the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 is detected at the first abnormality detection. Heating is not performed by the path heating means, but when the second abnormality is detected. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when an abnormal increase in pressure in the die coater head 601 is detected by the clogging confirmation operation, or an abnormality is detected in the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F by the foam state detection operation. In this case, the first surface heater H1 and the second surface heater H2 may not be heated when the first abnormality is detected, and may be heated when the second abnormality is detected. This eliminates the need for abnormalities in bubbles caused by impurities while eliminating the abnormalities in the state of bubbles due to clogging by performing a refresh operation that includes heating when the second and subsequent bubble abnormalities are detected. Without unnecessary heating, it is possible to prevent waste of power consumption and reduction in operating efficiency.
[Aspect G]
In any one of [Aspect A] to [Aspect F], the foam fixing of the foam fixing liquid F or the like on the surface of the application member such as the application roller 61 by the foam state detection means such as the foam state detection device S2 The bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the liquid state is performed after applying a fixing liquid to a predetermined number of recording media such as transfer paper P or when a predetermined time has elapsed. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is not limited to the initialization operation or the standby mode, but frequently includes a clogging check operation such as at the start of printing, at the end of printing a predetermined number of sheets, or after a predetermined time has elapsed. You may perform bubble state confirmation operation | movement. As a result, when an abnormal increase in pressure in the die coater head 601 occurs or when unevenness occurs in the carrying state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61, a state in which an abnormal image may be generated. It becomes possible to discover early.
[Aspect H]
In any one of the [Aspect A] to [Aspect G], the foam fixing of the foam fixing liquid F or the like on the surface of the application member such as the application roller 61 by the foam state detection means such as the foam state detection device S2. The bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the liquid state is executed during the fixing operation. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the bubble state confirmation operation can be executed during the fixing operation, and the carrying state of the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the application roller 61 is uneven. Thus, it is possible to achieve both early detection of a state in which an abnormal image is likely to occur and prevention of lowering of the operation efficiency of the fixing device 60 due to the bubble state confirmation operation.
[Aspect I]
A toner image forming unit such as a printer unit 1 that forms a toner image on a recording medium such as transfer paper P using a toner containing resin fine particles containing a resin and a colorant, and a toner image to be transferred to the recording medium. A copying machine comprising: a fixing unit that applies a foam-like fixing solution such as a foam-like fixing solution F to the surface of a toner image carrier or the surface of a recording medium that carries a toner image, and fixes the toner image on the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus 100 or the like, a fixing device such as the fixing device 60 according to any one of [Aspect A] to [Aspect H] is used as a fixing unit. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent deterioration in fixing quality due to clogging in the flow path of the fixing solution, and maintain image quality.
[Aspect J]
In [Aspect I], when the apparatus main body such as the copying machine 100 is turned on, the surface of the application member such as the application roller 61 by the bubble state detection means such as the bubble state detection device S2 in the fixing device such as the fixing device 60 is displayed. A bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing solution such as the foam-like fixing solution F is performed. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the clogging confirmation operation and the bubble state confirmation operation are executed during the initialization operation when the power to the apparatus main body is turned on, so that the fixing liquid can be removed while the apparatus is stopped. Even if clogging occurs in the flow path, it can be detected before resuming image formation, and by eliminating the clogging, good image formation can be performed immediately after the start of use.
[Aspect K]
In [Aspect I] or [Aspect J], when a standby mode is entered after completion of a predetermined image forming operation of the apparatus main body such as the copying machine 100, the bubble state of the bubble state detection device S2 or the like in the fixing device such as the fixing device 60 A bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing liquid such as the foam-like fixing liquid F on the surface of the coating member such as the coating roller 61 by the detecting means is executed. As described in the above embodiment, in the image forming apparatus, if clogging occurs before the standby mode is left for a long time, the clogging may be deteriorated during the standby mode. According to this aspect, as described in the above-described embodiment, when the clogging check operation or the bubble state check operation is performed when the standby mode is set, clogging occurs in the flow path of the fixer during the fixing operation. When it is, it can be found before entering the standby mode, and by eliminating the clogging, it is possible to prevent the clogging from deteriorating during standing for a long time.
[Aspect L]
In any one of the [Aspect I] to [Aspect K], the foam state on the surface of the application member such as the application roller 61 by the bubble state detection means such as the bubble state detection device S2 in the fixing device such as the fixing device 60. When the bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing solution such as the fixing solution F is performed and an abnormality is detected in the state of the foam-like fixing solution, the toner image forming means such as the printer unit 1 transfers the transfer paper. The operation of forming a toner image on a recording medium such as P is stopped, and the recording medium conveyed through the image forming unit toward the toner image forming unit is discharged out of the apparatus. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the clogging confirmation operation is executed and an abnormal increase is detected in the pressure change in the die coater head 601, or in the foaming device provided in the fixing liquid foaming device 500 When the value of the pressure sensor S6 is lower than the normal value, and further, when the bubble state confirmation operation is executed and an abnormality is detected in the state of the foam-like fixing liquid F, the transfer paper is transferred by the printer unit 1. The transfer operation for forming a toner image on P is stopped, and the transfer paper P conveyed inside the copying machine 100 toward the printer unit 1 and toward the printer unit 1 is discharged out of the copying machine 100. Thereby, contamination in the apparatus such as toner contamination due to an unfixed toner image can be minimized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer part 3 Image forming unit 60 Fixing device 61 Application roller 62 Pressure roller 70 Foam-like fixing liquid application part 90 Transfer unit 100 Copying machine 200 Fixing liquid supply pump 210 Fixing liquid bottle 300 Air pump 500 Fixing liquid foaming apparatus 502 Gas-liquid Mixing part 511 Slit-like conveyance path 520 Liquid fixer flow path 521 Fixing liquid supply port 530 Air flow path 531 Air supply port 600 Foam-like fixer generation part 601 Die coater head 607 Atmospheric release valve 610 Die coater head end shutter 611 In-head conveyance path 700 CPU for fixing device control
750 Copy machine CPU
F Foam-like fixing solution H1 First surface heater H2 Second surface heater P Transfer paper S2 Foam state detection device S3 Bottle temperature sensor S4 Head temperature sensor S5 Head pressure sensor S6 Foaming device pressure sensor T Unfixed toner TL Liquid fixer

JP 2006-78573 A JP 2007-219105 A JP 2010-286816 A

Claims (12)

A foam fixing solution generating means for generating a foam fixing solution in which bubbles are dispersed in a liquid from a liquid fixing solution containing a softening agent that softens resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin;
The application position facing the surface of the fixing liquid application target carrying the resin fine particles on the surface by receiving the supply of the foamy fixing liquid generated by the foaming fixing liquid generating means on the surface moving and moving the surface A fixing liquid application member that carries and conveys the foamy fixing liquid until the coating position is applied to the surface of the fixing liquid application target.
In a fixing device for fixing the fine resin particles softened by applying the foamy fixing solution to a recording medium,
A foam state detection means for detecting the state of the foamy fixing solution on the surface of the coating member;
A liquid flow path heating means for heating a fixer flow path, which is a flow path through which the fixer in the foamy fixer generating means passes,
And a heating control unit that controls heating by the liquid flow path heating unit based on a detection result of the bubble state detection unit. The fixing device according to claim 1.
When it is detected as a detection result of the bubble state detection means that there is unevenness in the carrying state of the foam fixing solution on the surface of the coating member, the heating control means controls to start heating by the liquid flow path heating means A fixing device. The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2,
As the foam-type fixing solution application unit for applying the foam-type fixing solution generated by the foam-type fixing solution generation unit on the surface of the coating member, the foam-type fixing solution filled in the internal fixing solution channel is used as the foam-type fixing solution. A discharge member that supplies a foam-like fixing liquid to the surface of the application member by discharging it to an opposing position on the surface of the application member;
A fixing device comprising discharge member internal pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure inside the discharge member. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Equipped with an ambient temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature of the device,
The fixing device characterized in that the heating control means controls heating by the liquid flow path heating means based on detection results of the environmental temperature detection means and the bubble state detection means. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A channel temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the fixing solution channel;
Controlling the heating by the liquid flow path heating means based on the detection result of the bubble state detecting means,
When the flow path temperature detecting means detects that the temperature of the fixer flow path has reached a desired temperature,
The fixing device characterized in that the state of the foamy fixing solution on the surface of the coating member is detected again by the foam state detecting means. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the bubble state detection operation for detecting the state of the foamy fixing solution on the surface of the coating member is performed by the bubble state detecting means, and abnormality is detected in the state of the foamy fixing solution, the first time A fixing device characterized in that heating by the liquid flow path heating means is not performed when an abnormality is detected, and heating is performed when an abnormality is detected a second time. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A foam state confirmation operation for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing liquid on the surface of the coating member by the foam state detecting means is performed after applying the fixing liquid to a predetermined number of recording media or when a predetermined time has elapsed. A fixing device characterized by the above. In the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A fixing device, wherein a foam state confirmation operation for detecting a state of the foam-like fixing liquid on the surface of the coating member by the foam state detection means is executed during a fixing operation. A toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a recording medium using a toner containing resin fine particles containing a resin and a colorant;
A foam-like fixing liquid is applied to the surface of the toner image carrier that carries the toner image to be transferred to the recording medium or the surface of the recording medium that carries the toner image,
An image forming apparatus comprising fixing means for fixing the toner image on the recording medium,
An image forming apparatus using the fixing device according to claim 1 as the fixing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.
An image formation characterized in that when the power to the apparatus main body is turned on, a bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing liquid on the surface of the coating member by the bubble state detection means in the fixing device is executed. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10,
When a standby mode is entered after completion of a predetermined image forming operation of the apparatus main body, a bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the state of the foam-like fixing liquid on the surface of the coating member by the bubble state detection unit in the fixing device is executed. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
When a bubble state confirmation operation for detecting the state of the foamy fixing solution on the surface of the coating member is performed by the bubble state detecting means in the fixing device, and an abnormality is detected in the state of the foamy fixing solution. The toner image forming unit stops the operation of forming a toner image on the recording medium, and the recording medium conveyed through the image forming unit toward the toner image forming unit is discharged out of the apparatus. Forming equipment.

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