JP2015194639A - Metal substrate manufacturing device, metal substrate, fixing belt, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a metal substrate manufacturing device that suppresses a reduction in peelability and releasability of a metal film from a mold member, and eliminates the need of adjustment such as precise alignment.SOLUTION: In a metal substrate manufacturing device including an electroforming device that forms a metal film M on the outer peripheral surface of a mold member 110 and a peeling device, the mold member 110 has recesses 110b extending from an end of the outer peripheral surface 110a in the shaft direction formed on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of an upper end, and the peeling device includes a driven roller 154 (pressing member) that is pressed against the metal film M being formed on the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end of the rotating mold member 110, and a pressing mechanism that presses the driven roller 154 (pressing member) against the metal film M being formed on the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end for a predetermined period.

Description

  The present invention relates to a metal substrate manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an endless belt-shaped metal substrate, a metal substrate manufactured by such a metal substrate manufacturing apparatus, a fixing belt using such a metal substrate, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus. It is about.

  An image forming apparatus using a so-called electrophotographic process is equipped with a fixing device that fixes an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet on the sheet by heating and pressing. Some fixing devices have an endless belt shape and have a fixing belt that is pressed against an unfixed toner image on a sheet while being heated.

  Many of such fixing belts have a configuration in which an elastic layer or the like is formed on the surface of an endless belt-shaped substrate. The fixing belt is required to have sufficient heat resistance because it is heated at the time of fixing. Therefore, an endless belt-shaped metal substrate formed of a metal such as nickel is often used as the substrate.

  As an example of a method for producing an endless belt-shaped metal substrate, a metal film is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a metal mold member having a cylindrical shape (including a substantially cylindrical shape) by electroforming, and the metal film is peeled off from the mold member. And a method of obtaining an endless belt-shaped metal substrate by pulling it out from the mold member.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing formation of a metal film by electroforming. When the metallic mold member 51 is immersed in an electroforming solution and energized, metal is deposited on the surface thereof to form a metal film 52. The mold member 51 is immersed in the electroforming liquid or pulled up from the electroforming liquid by a moving mechanism (not shown) via a holding part 53 formed of an insulator attached to the end part. Here, at the time of electroforming, the electroforming liquid permeates between the end portion of the mold member 51 and the holding portion 53, and as a result, is applied to the end portion of the mold member 51 (on the end surface of the mold member 51. In some cases, the metal film 52 may be formed. A portion 52 a of the metal film 52 that is hung on the end of the mold member 51 may interfere with the peeling of the metal film 52 from the mold member 51 and withdrawing the metal film 52 from the mold member 5. Hereinafter, peeling the metal film 52 from the mold member 51 is referred to as “peeling”, and pulling out the metal film 52 from the mold member 5 is referred to as “release”.

  Conventionally, the following method is known as a method for smoothly performing a process from peeling to mold release after electroforming. For example, a method of performing electroforming by covering the mold member 51 with an insulating tape is known.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing electroforming performed by covering a mold member with an insulating tape. In the example of FIG. 14, the end of the mold member 51 is covered with an insulating tape 54 over the entire circumference. Since no metal is deposited in the vicinity of the end of the mold member 51 covered with the insulating tape 54, the metal film 52 is applied to the end of the mold member 51 when the metal film 52 is pulled out from the mold member 5. Is avoided. Thereby, the process from peeling of the metal film 54 to mold release is performed smoothly, and an endless belt-shaped metal substrate is obtained.

  Further, as a method for smoothly performing the process from peeling to mold release, a method of performing electroforming by covering a mold member with a cylindrical masking material is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the method described in Patent Document 1, the masking material is also formed of metal, and the metal film is formed from the outer peripheral surface of the mold member to the outer peripheral surface of the masking material. Here, a slight gap is opened between the inner peripheral surface of the masking material and the outer peripheral surface of the mold member. Then, in the mold release after the metal film is peeled from the mold member, the integrated body of the metal film and the masking material is pulled out so that the mold member is removed from the masking material side. Since there is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the masking material and the outer peripheral surface of the mold member as described above, the mold release is performed smoothly. After release, the end of the metal film containing the masking material is cut to obtain an endless belt-shaped metal substrate.

  In addition, as a method for smoothly performing the process from peeling to mold release, a portion of the metal film formed by electroforming is formed in a strip shape in the circumferential direction before peeling of the metal film. A stripping method is also known (for example, see Patent Document 2). Even if the metal film is hung on the end portion of the mold member, the portion hung as such is removed by the above-described peeling. For this reason, the release after the metal film is peeled off from the mold member is smoothly performed, and an endless belt-shaped metal substrate is obtained.

  Here, in the method of obtaining the endless belt-shaped metal substrate by covering the end of the mold member with an insulating tape and performing electroforming, the tape is rewound every time the metal film is formed, and the formed metal film In order to have the same edge shape, it is necessary to precisely adjust the winding method of the tape every time. In this method, the outer peripheral surface of the mold member may be damaged while the tape is repeatedly wound and peeled off. And the damage | wound attached to the outer peripheral surface of the type | mold member may reduce the peeling property from the type | mold member of a metal film, and a mold release property by extension.

  Moreover, in the method of patent document 1 which obtains an endless-belt-shaped metal base body by carrying out electroforming by covering a masking material on a mold member, a slight gap is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the masking material and the outer peripheral surface of the mold member. Is open. For this reason, the configuration from the peeling of the metal film to the mold release is basically performed in a non-contact manner with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the mold member, and a situation in which the outer peripheral surface is damaged is avoided. However, this method requires precise position adjustment of the masking material with respect to the mold member when the masking material is put on the mold member or when the mold is released. Further, such precise position adjustment is required every time the metal film is formed.

  Further, in the method described in Patent Document 2, a portion of the metal film in the vicinity of the end of the mold member is stripped in a strip shape in the circumferential direction before the metal film is peeled to obtain an endless belt-shaped metal substrate. During the repetition, the outer peripheral surface of the mold member may be damaged. And the damage | wound attached to the outer peripheral surface of the type | mold member may reduce the peeling property from the type | mold member of a metal film, and a mold release property by extension.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a metal substrate manufacturing apparatus that suppresses a decrease in peelability and releasability of a metal film from a mold member and does not require adjustment such as precise alignment.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an electroforming apparatus for forming a metal film by electroforming on an outer peripheral surface of a metal mold member having a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape, and the metal film as described above. A metal substrate manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an endless belt-shaped metal substrate made of the metal film, wherein the mold member is a portion in the vicinity of both axial ends of the outer peripheral surface. A recess extending in the axial direction from an end of the outer peripheral surface is formed in at least one portion of the outer peripheral surface, and the peeling device moves the mold member having the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface around its central axis. A rotating mechanism for rotating the metal member, a pressing member provided to be pressed against the metal film formed on the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating mold member, and the metal film is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface. So that the pushing part A pressing mechanism that presses the metal film formed on the portion of the outer peripheral surface for a predetermined time, and the outer peripheral surface of the mold member so as to peel the metal film from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member. The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that a fluid is sprayed between the portion and the metal film peeled from the portion.

  In the invention according to claim 1, in the mold member, a recess is formed in at least one of the portions in the vicinity of both ends in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface where the pressing member is pressed and the metal film is peeled off. ing. When the fluid is sprayed by the fluid ejecting nozzle, the fluid is likely to enter from between the metal film and the dent peeled at that portion. As a result, the metal film is smoothly peeled from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member due to the intrusion of such fluid. In addition, the formation of the dent makes the peripheral length of the portion on the outer peripheral surface of the mold member longer than the peripheral length at other locations. For this reason, the peeled cylindrical metal film has a shape in which the inner surface of the outer peripheral surface is peeled from the above portion, that is, the inner diameter of the opening portion is wider than the inner diameter of the other portion. Therefore, when the metal film is pulled out (released) from the mold member after peeling, the mold member can be smoothly pulled out from the widened opening portion while being prevented from being caught. In the first aspect of the present invention, the pressing member is only pressed against the metal film and does not directly touch the mold member, and the fluid ejecting nozzle sprays fluid and does not contact the mold member. For this reason, according to invention of Claim 1, the damage | wound etc. of the outer peripheral surface of a mold member are suppressed, As a result, the fall of the peelability and mold release property mentioned above will be suppressed. Further, in the first aspect of the invention, precise positioning or the like is not necessary for the pressing of the pressing member and the spraying of the fluid by the fluid ejecting nozzle. As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is a metal substrate manufacturing apparatus that suppresses a decrease in the peelability and releasability of the metal film from the mold member and does not require adjustment such as precise alignment. ing.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing device mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the metal base | substrate manufacturing apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the type | mold member, driven roller, and fluid injection nozzle which are shown by FIG. It is a graph which shows about the increase in the accuracy of the mold release success by pressing of a driven roller. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section orthogonal to the central axis of the mold member of 1st Example near the upper end. In the peeling apparatus of 1st Example, it is a figure which shows a mode that the driven roller was pressed against the metal film formed in the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of a type | mold member. In the peeling apparatus of 2nd Example, it is a figure which shows a mode that the driven roller was pressed by the metal film formed in the outer peripheral surface of the upper end vicinity of a type | mold member. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section orthogonal to a central axis of the mold member of 3rd Example near the upper end. In the peeling apparatus of 3rd Example, it is a figure which shows a mode that the driven roller was pressed by the metal film formed in the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of a type | mold member. In the peeling apparatus of 4th Example, it is a figure which shows a mode that the driven roller was pressed by the metal film formed in the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of a type | mold member. It is a graph which shows the mold release success rate in the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the 1st-4th Example and the 1st-5th comparative example. It is a schematic diagram which shows formation of the metal film by electroforming. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electroforming performed by covering a type | mold member with an insulating tape.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, a basic configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 is a full-color printer. A two-stage sheet feeding unit 12 is disposed below the image forming apparatus 1, and an image forming unit 13 is disposed above the sheet feeding unit 12. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a control unit 1a that controls the operation of the image forming unit 13 and the like.

  The image forming unit 13 is provided with a transfer belt device 14 that is disposed so as to be inclined so that the paper feed side is facing down and the paper discharge side is facing up. The transfer belt device 14 has an endless belt-shaped transfer belt 14a wound around a plurality of tension roller groups, and when one of the tension rollers is driven by a driving source, the transfer belt 14a is It is designed to move cyclically.

  Four image forming units 15M, 15C, and 15Y for magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) are sequentially arranged on the upper portion of the transfer belt 14a from the upstream side in the moving direction of the transfer belt 14a. , 15Bk are arranged in parallel. A fixing device 2 is disposed on the downstream side in the moving direction of the transfer belt 14a. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called tandem type color printer in which the image forming units 15M, 15C, 15Y, and 15Bk are arranged in parallel.

  Each of the image forming units 15M, 15C, 15Y, and 15Bk is provided with a photoconductor 16 as an image carrier, and the photoconductor 16 is rotated clockwise in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). It has become. Around the photosensitive member 16, a charging roller 17 as a charging unit, an optical writing unit 18 for writing by exposure using laser light, a developing device 19, and a cleaning device 20 are arranged.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, first, in the magenta image forming unit 15 </ b> M, the photoconductor 16 is charged by the charging roller 17, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 16 by exposure with laser light from the optical writing unit 18. . The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 19 and visualized as a magenta toner image. On the other hand, the paper S is fed from the paper supply unit 12 onto the transfer belt 14a, and the paper S reaches the transfer position facing the photoconductor 16 by the movement of the transfer belt 14a. At this transfer position, a magenta toner image is transferred onto the paper S by the action of the transfer roller 14b provided on the back side of the transfer belt 14a.

  Similarly, toner images are formed in the other image forming units 15C, 15Y, and 15Bk, and these toner images are sequentially transferred onto the sheet S conveyed by the transfer belt 14a.

  A combination of the image forming unit 13 and the transfer belt device 14 corresponds to an example of the image forming device according to the present invention. Here, as an example of the image forming apparatus, a mode in which a toner image is directly transferred from the photoreceptor 16 to the paper S is illustrated. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this form. For example, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive member 16 to an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt, and the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the paper S. It may be a form. In this case, the intermediate transfer member corresponds to a part of the image forming apparatus referred to in the present invention.

  The paper S that has been transferred by all of the image forming units 15M, 15C, 15Y, and 15Bk is sent to the fixing device 2, and the paper S is pressed by pressurizing while the toner adhering to the paper S is melted by heat. It is supposed to be fixed on the top. The fixed sheet S is discharged from a discharge port (not shown). The fixing device 2 corresponds to an example of the fixing device according to the present invention.

  Here, a tandem type color printer is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a tandem type color printer. The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be of a type other than the tandem type such as a rotary type, or may be a monochrome printer. The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be an image forming apparatus other than a printer, such as a copying machine or a facsimile.

  Next, the fixing device mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing device mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  The fixing device 2 in FIG. 2 includes a fixing belt 21 having an endless belt shape and a pressure roller 22. The fixing belt 21 is wound around a plurality of stretching rollers 23a and 23b.

  The fixing belt 21 has an endless belt-shaped metal base 21a and an elastic layer 21b made of rubber or the like coated on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Although not specified here, the fixing belt 21 has an inner peripheral diameter of φ30 mm to φ60 mm and a thickness of 20 μm to 50 μm. Although not specified here, the metal base 21a has an inner peripheral diameter of φ30 mm to φ60 mm and a thickness of 10 μm to 40 μm, and is a single layer film of nickel or a three-layer film of nickel-copper-nickel. ing. The elastic layer 21b has a thickness of about 10 μm and is made of silicone rubber. The elastic layer 21b is further coated with a fluororesin such as PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer) as a release layer for suppressing adhesion of the paper S and the pressure roller 22 on the surface layer. Yes. The fixing belt 21 corresponds to an example of the fixing belt according to the present invention, and the metal substrate 21a corresponds to an example of the metal substrate according to the present invention. Note that the various dimensions and materials described here are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these dimensions and materials.

  The pressure roller 22 is pressed against one tension roller 23a with the fixing belt 21 interposed therebetween. As a result, the pressure roller 22 and the fixing belt 21 are in pressure contact with each other. The pressure roller 22 is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown) and rotates in the direction of arrow A in the drawing. Then, the fixing belt 21 circulates in the direction of arrow B in the figure following the rotation of the pressure roller 22. In the fixing device 2, the metal base 21 a, that is, the fixing belt 21 is heated by electromagnetic induction heating. The heating method of the fixing belt 21 is not limited to electromagnetic induction heating, and may be a heating method using a heat source such as a halogen heater.

  The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred by the image forming unit 13 in FIG. 1 is sent to the fixing device 2 in the direction of arrow C from the right side in FIG. The sheet S moves according to the movement of the fixing belt 21 and passes through the pressure contact portion D between the fixing belt 21 and the pressure roller 22. Then, the unfixed toner image is fixed on the sheet S by the heat from the fixing belt 21 and the pressure from the pressure roller 22 at the pressure contact portion D.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the endless belt-shaped metal base 21a in the fixing belt 21 is manufactured by a metal base manufacturing apparatus. The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus forms a metal film on the outer peripheral surface of a metal mold member having a cylindrical shape (including a substantially cylindrical shape) by electroforming, and after removing the metal film from the mold member, the metal film is pulled out from the mold member. An endless belt-shaped metal substrate is obtained. Hereinafter, this metal substrate manufacturing apparatus will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the metal substrate is a nickel single-layer film, and accordingly, the metal film formed by electroforming is also a nickel single-layer film. Further, in the following, peeling the metal film from the mold member is referred to as “peeling”, and pulling off the peeled metal film from the mold member is referred to as “release”.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a metal substrate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes a mold member 110, a mold rotating unit 120, a mold moving mechanism 130, an electroforming apparatus 140, a peeling apparatus 150, and a mold release apparatus 160. Have.

  The mold member 110 is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape (including a substantially cylindrical shape), and a metal film is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the electroforming apparatus 140. As shown in FIG. 3, the mold rotation unit 120 holds the mold member 110 in an upright state, and rotates the mold member 110 around its central axis. The mold moving mechanism 130 carries the mold member 110 together with the mold rotation unit 120 to each of the electroforming apparatus 140, the peeling apparatus 150, and the mold release apparatus 160. The electroforming apparatus 140 forms a metal film on the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 by electroforming. The peeling device 150 peels the formed metal film from the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110. The release device 160 releases the peeled metal film from the mold member 110.

  The electroforming apparatus 140 includes a liquid tank 142 in which a nickel electroforming liquid 141 is stored, and an electroforming motor 143 that applies a rotational driving force to the mold rotating unit 120 transported to the electroforming apparatus 140. An opening 144 is provided on the upper surface of the liquid tank 142, and the mold member 110 is carried up to above the opening 144 by the mold moving mechanism 130 in a standing state, and is inserted into the liquid tank 142 from the opening 144. It is immersed in the electroforming liquid 141. At this time, the mold rotation unit 120 is connected to the electroforming motor 143. Thereafter, the mold rotating unit 120 that receives the rotational driving force from the electroforming motor 143 rotates the mold member 110. Furthermore, the mold member 110 is energized with a cathode by a power source (not shown), whereby nickel in the electroforming liquid 141 is deposited on the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 and a nickel metal film is formed on the outer peripheral surface. The electroforming apparatus 140 forms a metal film with a uniform film thickness on the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 by depositing nickel while rotating the mold member 110. After forming the metal film, the mold member 110 is pulled up from the opening 144 by the mold moving mechanism 130 and is carried to the adjacent peeling device 150. The electroforming apparatus 140 corresponds to an example of an electroforming apparatus according to the present invention.

  The peeling device 150 includes a housing 151, a lower end holding portion 152, a peeling motor 153, a driven roller 154, a pressing mechanism 155, a fluid ejection nozzle 156, and a fluid supply device 157. An opening 158 is provided on the upper surface of the casing 151, and the mold member 110 is carried to a position above the opening 158 by the mold moving mechanism 130 in a standing state, and is inserted into the casing 151 from the opening 158. At this time, the mold rotation unit 120 is connected to the peeling motor 153. Further, the lower end of the inserted mold member 110 is held by the lower end holding portion 152. Thereafter, the mold rotation unit 120 that receives the rotational driving force from the peeling motor 153 rotates the mold member 110. Further, the pressing mechanism 155 presses the driven roller 154 toward the mold member 110 for a predetermined time. The driven roller 154 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper and lower ends of the mold member 110 so that the rotation shaft thereof extends in parallel with the mold member. Due to the above-described pressing by the pressing mechanism 155, the driven roller 154 is a roller formed of an elastic body such as rubber, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper and lower ends of the mold member 110. It is pressed against the metal film for a predetermined time. And it rotates following the rotation of the mold member 110. As will be described in detail later, the metal film formed mainly on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the upper and lower ends is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface near the upper end by the pressing of the driven roller 154. Then, the fluid ejection nozzle 156 that receives the supply of fluid from the fluid supply device 157 sprays high-pressure fluid between the peeled metal film and the outer peripheral surface near the upper end. As a result, the fluid that has entered between them spreads between the outer peripheral surface of the other part of the mold member 110 and the metal film, and the metal film is peeled from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110.

  The fluid sprayed by the fluid ejecting nozzle 156 may be a liquid such as pure water, but may be a gas such as dry nitrogen.

  Here, the peeling of the metal film will be described in detail with reference to another drawing. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the mold member, the driven roller, and the fluid ejection nozzle shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows a side view of the mold member 110 viewed from the upper end side in FIG. 3 together with the driven roller 154. FIG. 4B shows a front view of the mold member 110 viewed from the front side in FIG. 3 together with the driven roller 154 and the fluid ejection nozzle 156. A connecting shaft 111 connected to the mold rotating unit 120 is fixed to the upper end of the mold member 110, and an insulating part 112 formed of an insulator and held by a lower end holding part 152 is fixed to the lower end. In the electroforming apparatus 140 described above, the mold member 110 is immersed in the electroforming liquid 141 up to the edge on the upper end side together with the insulating portion 112 on the lower end side. At this time, the mold member 110 is immersed in the electroforming liquid 141 so that the electroforming liquid 141 does not touch the connecting shaft 111. As a result, the nickel metal film M is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 formed in the electroforming liquid 141 and made of metal. Note that the connecting shaft 111 is covered with an insulating tape in the vicinity of the boundary with the mold member 110 in place of preventing the electroforming solution 141 from being touched as described above. It is good also as immersing in the electroforming liquid 141.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the mold member 110, a recess 110 b extending in the axial direction from the edge of the mold member 110 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 110 a near the upper end thereof. As a result, the peripheral length of the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end including the inner peripheral length of the recess 110b is longer than the peripheral lengths of the outer peripheral surfaces 110c and 110d in places other than the vicinity of the upper end. In the present embodiment, a plurality (four in the example of FIG. 4) of the recesses 110b are formed on the outer peripheral surface 110a near the upper end along the circumferential direction. The mold member 110 corresponds to an example of the mold member according to the present invention, and the recess 110b corresponds to an example of the recess according to the present invention.

  The “mold member” referred to in the present invention is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a columnar shape.

  Moreover, the number of the dents referred to in the present invention is not limited to a plurality and may be one. Moreover, when forming two or more, the number is not restricted to four and may be another number. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the dent 110b is formed only in the outer peripheral surface 110a near the upper end, the dent described in the present invention may be formed in the outer peripheral surface near the upper and lower ends.

  In the peeling apparatus 150, the mold rotation unit 120 rotates the mold member 110 in the direction of arrow E. Then, the pressing mechanism 155 presses the outer peripheral surface of the driven roller 154 against the metal film M formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper and lower ends of the mold member 110 in the arrow F direction for a predetermined time. Since the mold member 110 is rotating, the driven roller 154 is pressed against the metal film M over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110. As a result, a force is applied to the metal film M against which the outer peripheral surface of the driven roller 154 is pressed in the rotation direction of the mold member 110 (arrow F direction). This force is repeatedly applied while the driven roller 154 is pressed, whereby the metal film M is peeled off. Further, this force is stronger on the upper end side where the recess 110b is formed, and the peeling of the metal film M occurs mainly on the upper end side.

  When the space is formed between the outer peripheral surface 110a near the upper end of the mold member 110 and the metal film M due to the separation, the fluid ejecting nozzle 156 sprays a high-pressure fluid toward the space. A recess 110b is formed in the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end, and the sprayed fluid enters from a relatively wide space between the recess 110b and the metal film M, and eventually from the outer peripheral surface of the other part. While peeling off the metal film M, it penetrates into every corner. In this embodiment, the driven roller 154 is also pressed against the metal film M formed on the outer peripheral surface 110c near the lower end of the mold member 110. At this time, the metal film M is pressed against the outer peripheral surface near the lower end. A force for peeling from 110c is applied. As described above, this force is smaller than that at the upper end side, but serves to assist the penetration of the fluid that has entered from the upper end side while peeling off the metal film M as described above.

  In this way, the metal film M is peeled from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110. At this time, between the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 and the metal film M, a film made of a fluid that has permeated between the two is formed. With the film formed, the mold member 110 is pulled up from the opening 158 by the mold moving mechanism 130 and carried to the adjacent mold release device 160.

  The peeling device 150 described above corresponds to an example of the peeling device according to the present invention. Further, the peeling motor 153 corresponds to an example of the rotation mechanism according to the present invention, the driven roller 154 corresponds to an example of the pressing member according to the present invention, and the pressing mechanism 155 corresponds to the pressing mechanism according to the present invention. It corresponds to an example of a mechanism. The fluid ejection nozzle 156 corresponds to an example of the fluid ejection nozzle referred to in the present invention. The driven roller 154 corresponds to an example of the driven roller according to the present invention.

  Here, in the present embodiment, a plurality of driven rollers 154 are arranged in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surfaces near the upper and lower ends (two in the example of FIG. 4) along the circumferential direction. However, the pressing member (driven roller) according to the present invention may be disposed only in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface near the upper end. Further, the number of arrangement along the circumferential direction is not limited to a plurality and may be one. Furthermore, when arranging two or more along the circumferential direction, the number is not restricted to two, and may be another number.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the driven roller 154 is illustrated as an example of the pressing member said to this invention. However, the pressing member referred to in the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a non-rotating cylindrical object or a rectangular object.

  Next, returning to FIG. 3, the mold release device 160 in the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 will be described. The release device 160 includes a housing 161 and a release mechanism 162. An opening 163 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 161. Then, the mold member 110 in a state where the fluid film is formed between the metal film peeled as described above and the outer peripheral surface is carried to the upper side of the opening 163 by the mold moving mechanism 130 in a standing state. This opening 163 is inserted into the housing 161.

  When the mold member 110 is inserted as described above, the mold release mechanism 162 holds the metal film that is peeled off from the mold member 110 but still covers the outer peripheral surface. Then, the mold moving mechanism 130 pulls up the mold member 110 while the mold release mechanism 162 holds the metal film in this way. At this time, the fluid film formed between the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 and the metal film plays a role of lubrication. Thereby, the metal film is released from the mold member 110.

  Here, suppose that the high pressure fluid is merely sprayed by the fluid ejection nozzle 156 without pressing the driven roller 154. Even in this case, since the recess 110b is formed on the outer peripheral surface 110a near the upper end of the mold member 110, the metal film M is formed on the outer peripheral surface 110a near the upper end as compared with the case where the mold member has a complete cylindrical shape. Peeling easily occurs. However, with only the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed, peeling near the upper end is insufficient, and peeling from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 is also insufficient, and as a result, the final metal film may fail to be released. is there.

  In this embodiment, not only the recess 110b is provided on the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member 110, but also the driven roller 154 is pressed. The accuracy of mold release success is increasing.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing an increase in the accuracy of successful release by pressing the driven roller. In the graph G1 shown in FIG. 5, the pressing load of the driven roller 154 is taken on the horizontal axis, and the release success rate is taken on the left vertical axis in the drawing. Here, the release success rate is a rate of success when the metal film is extracted from the mold member (that is, released) a predetermined number of times. In addition, this graph G1 also shows that the failure to peel from the outer peripheral surface 110a near the upper end of the mold member 110 is reduced by pressing the driven roller. In this graph G1, the failure rate for this separation is taken on the right vertical axis in the figure. The peeling failure rate referred to here is the rate of failure when the metal film is peeled from the mold member a predetermined number of times prior to the above mold release. In the graph G1, the release success rate is plotted with ◇, and the peeling failure rate is displayed with a bar graph. In this graph G1, the release success rate and the peeling failure rate are shown for the case where the pressing is not performed (the pressing load “0” N) and the case where the driven roller 154 is pressed. Yes. For the pressing, the release success rate for the case where the driven roller 154 is pressed with a pressing load of “32” N and the case where the driven roller 154 is pressed with a pressing load of “76” N The peeling failure rate is shown.

  From this graph G1, it can be seen that pressing the driven roller 154 increases the release success rate and reduces the peeling failure rate. Further, it can be seen that when the driven roller 154 is pressed, the higher the pressing load, the greater the effect of increasing the release success rate and the effect of reducing the peeling failure rate. In this embodiment, the metal film is peeled and released under a high release success rate and a low release failure rate by pressing the driven roller 154.

  The cylindrical metal film obtained in this way is cut at both ends, leaving a length necessary for the fixing belt 21 shown in FIG. 2, and the metal substrate 21a is completed. Thereafter, silicone rubber or the like is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the metal base 21a to form the elastic layer 21b, and the fixing belt 21 is completed.

  In the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, in the mold member 110, the driven roller 154 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 110 a near the upper end where the metal film M is peeled off. A recess 110b is formed. When the fluid is sprayed by the fluid ejection nozzle 156, the fluid easily enters from between the metal film M peeled in the vicinity of the upper end and the recess 110b. As a result, the metal film M is smoothly peeled from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 due to such intrusion of the fluid. Further, due to the formation of the recess 110b, the peripheral length of the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member 110 is longer than the peripheral lengths of the outer peripheral surfaces 110c and 110d in places other than the vicinity of the upper end. For this reason, the peeled cylindrical metal film M has a shape in which the inner surface of the portion peeled from the outer peripheral surface 110a near the upper end, that is, the inner diameter of the opening portion is wider than the inner diameter of the other portion. Therefore, when the metal film M is released from the mold member 110 after peeling, the mold member 110 can be smoothly removed from the widened opening portion while being prevented from being caught. In the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the driven roller 154 is only pressed against the metal film M and does not directly touch the mold member 110, and the fluid ejecting nozzle 156 just sprays the fluid onto the mold member 110. Is non-contact. For this reason, according to the metal base | substrate formation apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the damage | wound etc. of the outer peripheral surface of the type | mold member 110 are suppressed, As a result, the fall of the peelability and mold release property mentioned above will be suppressed. . Furthermore, in the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, precise positioning or the like is not necessary for the pressing of the driven roller 154 or the spraying of the fluid by the fluid ejection nozzle 156. As described above, the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that suppresses the deterioration of the peelability and release property of the metal film M from the mold member 110 and does not require adjustment such as precise alignment. It has become.

  In the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the member pressed against the metal film M is the driven roller 154. Since the driven roller 154 contacts the metal film M while being driven as the mold member 110 rotates, damage due to excessive rubbing of the surface of the metal film M in the circumferential direction and the like can be suppressed.

  Further, in the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality (four in this case) of the dents 110 b are formed along the circumferential direction of the mold member 110. Thereby, when the metal film M is peeled from the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end where the recess 110b is formed, a large space is formed between the metal film M and the outer peripheral surface 110a. As a result, the fluid ejected by the fluid ejecting nozzle 156 easily enters between the metal film M and the outer peripheral surface 110a, and the peelability from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 is improved. .

  In the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality of (here, two) driven rollers 154 are provided in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110 in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member 110 where the recess 110b is formed. Are arranged along. Thereby, the force which peels the metal film M from the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end is increased, and the peelability from the outer peripheral surface 110a in the vicinity of the upper end is improved.

  In the metal substrate forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the driven roller 154 is formed of an elastic body. As a result, deformation and the like of the mold member 110 when the driven roller 154 is pressed against the metal film M on the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110 are suppressed. Suppression of deterioration of moldability is to be achieved over a long period of time.

  The embodiment described above is merely a representative form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, those skilled in the art can implement various modifications in accordance with conventionally known knowledge without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, such a modification is included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes any of the metal substrate forming apparatus, the fixing belt, the fixing apparatus, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  Next, an example in which a metal substrate is actually formed using the metal substrate forming apparatus corresponding to the above-described embodiment will be described. In the following embodiments, various dimensions and materials of the mold member 110, the number of driven rollers 154, and the like will be specifically described. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. .

(First embodiment)
First, in the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment, the mold member is formed of a stainless steel material of SUS316, has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of φ30 mm and a total length of 450 mm. What formed such a dent was used.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section orthogonal to the central axis in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member of the first embodiment. In the mold member 110-1 of the first embodiment, one recess 110-1b is formed on the outer peripheral surface 110-1a near the upper end. The recess 110-1b has a radius of curvature of 36.25 mm with an axis 50 mm away from the central axis of the mold member 110-1. Further, the edge of the recess 110-1b is rounded with a radius of 5 mm and smoothly connected to the outer peripheral surface 110-1a near the upper end.

  The electroforming apparatus has a liquid tank of a size required for the mold member 110-1 to be stowed in a standing state, and a nickel electroforming liquid is stored in the liquid tank. Further, the electroforming motor attached to the electroforming apparatus rotates the mold member 110-1 at a rotation speed of 180 rpm via a mold rotation unit connected to the electroforming motor. . In this electroforming apparatus, a metal film having a thickness of 40 μm is formed.

  The peeling device presses the driven roller against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member as follows.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the driven roller is pressed against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member in the peeling apparatus of the first embodiment. In the peeling apparatus of the first embodiment, one driven roller 154-1 is arranged in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-1 in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member 110-1. Moreover, in the peeling apparatus of 1st Example, the one driven roller 154-1 is arrange | positioned in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-1 also near the lower end of the mold member 110-1. The driven roller 154-1 is made of polyurethane and has a total length of 10 mm, an outer diameter of 30 mm, and a hardness Shore A70.

  In the peeling apparatus of the first embodiment, the peeling motor that rotates the mold member 110-1 moves the mold member 110-1 at a rotational speed of 60 rpm via a mold rotating unit connected to the peeling motor. It rotates in the direction of arrow E. The single driven roller 154-1 is pressed in the direction of arrow F for 5 seconds against the metal film M formed on the outer peripheral surface 110-1a in the vicinity of the upper end of the rotating mold member 110-1. Then, the metal film M is peeled from the outer peripheral surface 110-1a near the upper end. Further, in the peeling apparatus of the first embodiment, the driven roller 154-1 can be pressed by two types of pressing loads of “32” N and “76” N.

Furthermore, in the peeling apparatus of the first embodiment, the fluid jet nozzle that blows fluid between the metal film M peeled as described above and the outer peripheral surface 110-1a in the vicinity of the upper end has purified water 3 The spraying pressure is 0.9 MPa to 4.0 MPa. By this spraying, the metal film M is peeled from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110-1.
The mold release device has a housing of a size necessary for the mold member 110-1 to be stowed in a standing state, and the mold release mechanism 162 has an inner diameter that covers the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 110-1. Has a structure capable of holding the metal film M having a diameter of 30 mm and a thickness of 40 mm.

(Second embodiment)
In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the second embodiment, as the mold member, one recess 110-2b is provided on the outer peripheral surface 110-2a in the vicinity of the upper end, like the mold member 110-1 of the first embodiment described above. The same stainless steel as the mold member 110-1 of the first embodiment was used. In the peeling device according to the second embodiment, the peeling device presses the driven roller against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member as follows.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the driven roller is pressed against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member in the peeling apparatus of the second embodiment. In the peeling device of the second embodiment, a total of four driven rollers 154-2 are arranged near the upper end of the mold member 110-2, one at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-2. Has been. Moreover, in the peeling apparatus of 2nd Example, the four driven rollers 154-2 are arrange | positioned in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-2 also near the lower end of the mold member 110-2. Then, the four driven rollers 154-2 are placed on the metal film M formed on the outer peripheral surface 110-2a in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member 110-2 rotating in the arrow E direction for 5 seconds in the arrow F direction. The metal film M is peeled from the outer peripheral surface 110-2a near the upper end. In the peeling device according to the second embodiment, each driven roller 154-2 can be pressed with two types of pressing loads of "32" N and "76" N.

  The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment described above, except for the structure described above.

(Third embodiment)
In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the third embodiment, the mold member has the same shape as the mold member 110-1 of the first embodiment, except for the number of dents formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end. The same stainless steel as the mold member 110-1 of the first embodiment was used.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section orthogonal to the central axis in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member of the third embodiment. The mold member 110-3 of the third embodiment has a total of four indentations 110-3b, one every 90 ° in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-3, on the outer peripheral surface 110-3a near the upper end. Is formed. Each dent 110-3b has a radius of curvature of 36.25 mm with an axis 50 mm away from the central axis of the mold member 110-3. Further, the edge of the recess 110-3b is rounded with a radius of 5 mm and smoothly connected to the outer peripheral surface 110-3a in the vicinity of the upper end.

  In the peeling device according to the third embodiment, the peeling device presses the driven roller against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member as follows.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the driven roller is pressed against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member in the peeling apparatus of the third embodiment. In the peeling device of the third embodiment, one driven roller 154-3 is disposed in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-3 in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member 110-3. Moreover, in the peeling apparatus of 3rd Example, the one driven roller 154-3 is arrange | positioned in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-3 also near the lower end of the mold member 110-3. Then, the one driven roller 154-3 is pressed against the metal film M formed on the outer peripheral surface 110-3a near the upper end of the rotating mold member 110-3 for 5 seconds in the direction of arrow F. Then, the metal film M is peeled from the outer peripheral surface 110-3a near the upper end. Also in the peeling apparatus of the third embodiment, the driven roller 154-3 can be pressed by two types of pressing loads of “32” N and “76” N.

  The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the third embodiment is the same as the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment described above except for the structure described above.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, four dents 110-4b are provided on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the upper end as the mold member, similar to the mold member 110-3 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. The same stainless steel as the mold member 110-1 of the first embodiment was used. In the peeling device according to the fourth embodiment, the peeling device presses the driven roller against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member as follows.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the driven roller is pressed against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member in the peeling apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the peeling apparatus of the fourth embodiment, a total of four driven rollers 154-4 are arranged near the upper end of the mold member 110-4, one at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-4. Has been. Moreover, in the peeling apparatus of 4th Example, the four driven rollers 154-4 are arrange | positioned in the circumferential direction of the mold member 110-4 also near the lower end of the mold member 110-4. Then, the four driven rollers 154-4 are placed on the metal film M formed on the outer peripheral surface 110-4a near the upper end of the mold member 110-4 rotating in the arrow E direction for 5 seconds in the arrow F direction. The metal film M is peeled from the outer peripheral surface 110-4a in the vicinity of the upper end. Also in the peeling device of the fourth embodiment, each driven roller 154-4 can be pressed with two types of pressing loads of "32" N and "76" N.

  The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the fourth embodiment is the same as the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment described above except for the structure described above.

(First comparative example)
In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first comparative example, a mold member made of a stainless steel material of SUS316, having a simple cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of 30 mm and a total length of 450 mm was used. Further, in the peeling device of the first comparative example, only one driven roller described above is disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the simple cylindrical shape.

  Furthermore, in the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first comparative example, prior to electroforming, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, an insulating tape is wound around the upper end of the mold member. After electroforming, the insulating tape is peeled off from the mold member, and then the mold member is stored in the peeling device. In the peeling device, one driven roller is disposed near the lower end of the mold member. In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first comparative example, the peeling performed without pressing the driven roller (the pressing load is “0” N) without pressing the driven film on the outer peripheral surface near the lower end of the mold member, and the driven roller It is possible to perform peeling by pressing. The driven roller can be pressed with two types of pressing loads of “32” N and “76” N. When the driven roller is pressed, one driven roller is pressed against the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface near the lower end of the mold member for 5 seconds.

  In the peeling device of the first comparative example, when the driven roller is not pressed, when the pressing is performed immediately after storing the mold member, the fluid ejecting nozzle is applied after the pressing. The metal film is peeled off by the injection of pure water from. The injection pressure at this time is 3.9 MPa to 4.0 MPa as in the first embodiment described above.

  The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first comparative example is equivalent to the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment described above except for the structure described above.

(Second comparative example)
The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the second comparative example is such that the operation of the pressing mechanism is stopped in the peeling apparatus of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the peeling device of the second comparative example, the metal film is peeled off by spraying pure water from the fluid jet nozzle without pressing the driven roller.

(Third comparative example)
The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the third comparative example is such that the operation of the pressing mechanism is stopped in the peeling apparatus of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. Even in the peeling device of the third comparative example, the metal film is peeled off by spraying pure water from the fluid jet nozzle without pressing the driven roller.

(Fourth comparative example)
The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the fourth comparative example is such that the operation of the pressing mechanism is stopped in the peeling apparatus of the third embodiment described with reference to FIGS. Even in the peeling device of the fourth comparative example, the metal film is peeled off by spraying pure water from the fluid jet nozzle without pressing the driven roller.

(Fifth comparative example)
The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the fifth comparative example is such that the operation of the pressing mechanism is stopped in the peeling apparatus of the fourth embodiment described with reference to FIG. Even in the peeling device of the fifth comparative example, the metal film is peeled off by spraying pure water from the fluid jet nozzle without pressing the driven roller.

(Evaluation)
In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatuses of the first to fourth examples and the first to fifth comparative examples obtained as described above, the metal substrate having an inner diameter of 30 mm and a thickness of 40 mm was repeatedly manufactured.

  In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatuses of the first to fourth embodiments, the metal substrate is manufactured for each of the cases where the pressing load of the driven roller is “32” N and “76” N, respectively. I went there once.

  In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus of the first comparative example, the driven roller is not pressed (that is, the pressing load is “0” N), and the driven roller pressing load is “32” N. In each case of “76” N, the metal substrate was manufactured 1500 times.

  In the metal substrate manufacturing apparatuses of the second to fifth comparative examples, since the operation of the pressing mechanism is stopped, the pressing of the driven roller is not performed (that is, the pressing load is “0” N), The metal substrate was manufactured 1500 times.

  The ratio of successful release of the metal film from the mold member in the 1500 times of manufacturing the metal substrate was calculated as the release success rate. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the release success rate in the metal substrate manufacturing apparatuses of the first to fourth examples and the first to fifth comparative examples. In the graph G2 shown in FIG. 12, the horizontal axis represents the pressing load, and the vertical axis represents the release success rate.

  In this graph G2, the release success rate when the pressing load is “32” N and “76” N in the first embodiment is plotted by □, and the pressing load in the second embodiment is plotted. The release success rate in the case of “32” N and “76” N is plotted with Δ marks. Further, in the graph G2, the release success rate when the pressing load is “32” N and “76” N in the third embodiment is plotted with × marks, and the pressing in the fourth embodiment is The release success rate when the load is “32” N and “76” N is plotted with *.

  Further, in the graph G2, the release success rate when the pressing load is “0” N, “32” N, and “76” N in the first comparative example is plotted with ◇. . In the graph G2, the release success rate in the second comparative example is plotted with a mark ● at the position of the pressing load “0” N, and the release success rate in the third comparative example is the pressing load “0”. It is plotted with a ▽ mark at the N position. Further, in the graph G2, the release success rate in the fourth comparative example is plotted with a circle at the position of the pressing load “0” N, and the release success rate in the fifth comparative example is the pressing load “0”. Plotted with a asterisk at the N position.

Each mold release success rate plotted in this way was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria.
○: Successful mold release rate is 95% or more ×: Successful mold release rate is less than 95%

Furthermore, durability was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria for the metal substrate manufacturing apparatuses of the first to fourth examples and the first to fifth comparative examples.
○: The metal substrate could be produced continuously 1000 times or more without replacing the mold member.
X: Replacement of the mold member or the like occurred in the middle, and the metal substrate could not be manufactured continuously 1000 times or more.

In addition, the metal substrate manufacturing apparatuses of the first to fourth examples and the first to fifth comparative examples were also evaluated as to whether or not precision adjustment such as precise alignment was necessary. This accuracy adjustment includes alignment of the insulating tape, which is necessary in the first comparative example. Evaluation was performed based on the following evaluation criteria.
○: Not required ×: Required

And comprehensive evaluation was performed based on the evaluation results of the above three items. Evaluation was performed based on the following evaluation criteria.
○: All the evaluation results of the three items are “◯”. ×: One of the evaluation results of the three items is “×”.

  The above evaluation results are shown in Table 1 below.

  From Table 1, a dent is formed on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the upper end of the mold member, and in the first to fourth embodiments in which the driven roller is pressed against the outer peripheral surface at the time of peeling, all are separated in 1500 times of production. The mold success rate is as high as 95% or more. On the other hand, only by covering the upper end of the mold member with the insulating tape, no dent is formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end, and the driven roller is not pressed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end. In the example, the successful mold release rate does not reach 95%. Similarly, even in the second to fifth comparative examples in which the recess is formed but the driven roller is not pressed, the rate of successful mold release does not reach 95%. From this, it can be seen that the lowering of releasability is suppressed by the formation of the dent and the pressing of the driven roller. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 5, a high release success rate means that the peeling failure rate when peeling the metal film from the outer peripheral surface near the upper end is low. That is, it can be seen from the above evaluation results that deterioration of the peelability and releasability is suppressed by the formation of the dent and the pressing of the driven roller. Moreover, it can be seen from the graph G2 shown in FIG. 12 that the larger the pressing load of the driven roller is, the higher the effect of suppressing the decrease in peelability and releasability.

  Furthermore, from the evaluation results on durability in Table 1, in the first to fourth examples in which formation, peeling and release of the metal film are performed in a non-contact manner with respect to the mold member, the possible number of continuous production of the metal substrate is 1000. High durability of more than once is obtained. Further, only the driven roller is not pressed, and the basic structure of the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus is the same as that of the first to fourth embodiments, and the same durability is obtained in the second to fifth comparative examples. On the other hand, in the first comparative example in which the insulating tape is frequently applied and peeled off from the mold member, the number of times that the metal base can be continuously manufactured is less than 1000 times. This is presumably because the outer peripheral surface of the mold member was damaged due to the application or removal of the insulating tape as described above, and the releasability and releasability were lowered until it could not be used. For this reason, the metal film is formed, peeled off, and released in a structure that does not require the contact with the mold member, such as the formation of the recess and the pressing of the driven roller. It can be seen that the decrease in moldability is suppressed.

  In addition, as shown in Table 1, in the first to fourth embodiments in which the metal film is formed, peeled off, and released in a structure that does not require the contact with the mold member, precise alignment is performed. It is not necessary to adjust the accuracy. This is the same in the second to fifth comparative examples in which the basic structure of the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus is the same as in the first to fourth examples. On the other hand, in the first comparative example in which the insulating tape is frequently applied to and removed from the mold member, precise alignment of the insulating tape is required.

  From the evaluation results described above, a depression is formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the mold member, and the driven roller is pressed against the outer peripheral surface, so that the decrease in peelability and releasability is suppressed. It can be seen that such a structure does not require adjustment such as precise alignment.

  Further, in the graph G2 shown in FIG. 12, in particular at the position of “76” N, the release success rate in the other examples (instead of the release success rate in the first example indicated by the □ mark) ( For example, the release success rate in the fourth embodiment indicated by * is high. This is because, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the number of depressions is one and the number of driven rollers is one. This means that the second to third embodiments having a plurality of driven rollers are more advantageous in terms of releasability. That is, it can be seen from this evaluation result that a plurality of dents are desirable and a plurality of driven rollers are also desirable.

1 Image forming apparatus (an example of an image forming apparatus)
2 Fixing device (an example of a fixing device)
13 Image forming unit (a part of an example of an image forming apparatus)
14 Transfer belt device (part of an example of image forming device)
21 Fixing Belt 21a Metal Base 100 Metal Base Forming Device (Example of Metal Base Forming Device)
110 type member 110b dent (an example of a dent)
140 Electroforming apparatus 150 Peeling apparatus 153 Peeling motor (an example of a rotation mechanism)
154 Follower roller (an example of a pressing member)
155 Pushing mechanism 156 Fluid injection nozzle

JP 2006-213960 A JP 2012-58644 A

Claims (9)

An electroforming apparatus for forming a metal film by electroforming on the outer peripheral surface of a metal mold member having a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape, and a peeling apparatus for peeling the metal film from the outer peripheral surface of the mold member, In a metal substrate manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an endless belt-shaped metal substrate made of the metal film,
The mold member is formed with a recess extending in the axial direction from an end of the outer peripheral surface in at least one of the portions in the vicinity of both axial ends of the outer peripheral surface,
The peeling device is
A rotation mechanism for rotating the mold member having the metal film formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof around a central axis thereof;
A pressing member provided so as to be able to press against the metal film formed in the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating mold member;
A pressing mechanism that presses the pressing member against the metal film formed on the portion of the outer peripheral surface for a predetermined time so as to peel the metal film from the outer peripheral surface;
Fluid is sprayed between the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the mold member and the metal film peeled from the portion so as to peel the metal film from the entire outer peripheral surface of the mold member. Metal substrate manufacturing equipment.   The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is a driven roller that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the mold member when pressed against the metal film.   3. The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the recesses are formed in the peripheral portion in the circumferential direction.   4. The metal substrate according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the pressing members are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the mold member so as to face the portion of the outer peripheral surface. manufacturing device.   The metal substrate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pressing member that is pressed against the metal film is formed of an elastic body. In endless belt-shaped metal substrate,
A metal substrate manufactured by the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. Mounted on a fixing device that fixes an unfixed toner image formed on the paper on the paper by heating and pressurizing in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the paper, and has an endless belt shape and is circulated In the fixing belt that is pressed against the unfixed toner image on the paper while being moved while being moved,
A fixing belt comprising an endless belt-shaped metal substrate manufactured by the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. In a fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image formed on the paper on the paper by heating and pressing in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the paper,
An endless belt shape, comprising a fixing belt that circulates and is pressed against the unfixed toner image on the paper while its outer peripheral surface is heated;
6. A fixing device, wherein the fixing belt has an endless belt-shaped metal substrate manufactured by the metal substrate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an unfixed toner image on a sheet; and a fixing apparatus that fixes the unfixed toner image on the sheet by heating and pressing.
The fixing device has an endless belt shape, and includes a fixing belt that circulates and is pressed against the unfixed toner image on the paper while the outer peripheral surface thereof is heated.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing belt has an endless belt-shaped metal base manufactured by the metal base manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images