JP2016167022A - Fixation device, image formation apparatus, and fixation ring form - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixation device in which off-set of toner to a fixation ring form is suppressed.SOLUTION: A fixation device 60 comprises: a fixation ring form 15 which includes a ring substrate containing a conductive agent, an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate and a release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer and has permeability to an infrared ray in at least a partial wavelength region between 600 nm and 1000 nm; a rotary member 36 which conveys a recording medium P between the fixation ring form 15 and itself by being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixation ring form 15 and rotating in the circumstantial direction; and an infrared ray laser beam irradiation unit 70 which irradiates a toner image T unfixed on the recording medium P with a laser beam I of the infrared ray via the fixation ring form 15 at the position where the fixation ring form 15 and the recording medium P are brought into contact with each other and fixes the toner image T on the recording medium P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

  Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer material type determining unit that determines the type of a transfer material, and a conductive layer application that applies a conductive layer to the transfer material based on the type of transfer material determined by the transfer material type determining unit. There is disclosed an image forming apparatus comprising: a contact portion that applies a bias to a conductive layer applied to the transfer material; and a transfer portion that transfers an image to the transfer material.

  Patent Document 2 includes a transmission portion made of a material that has an internal space and is capable of transmitting laser light, and is provided so as to face the rotation member and a rotation member that rotates the transmission portion. A contact pressure area is formed between the rotating member and the recording medium is moved and conveyed between the rotating member while pressurizing an image of the thermoplastic image forming material on the recording medium in the contact pressure area. And a pre-defined laser provided in an internal space of the rotating member and before an image made of a thermoplastic image forming material on the recording medium in the conveying path of the recording medium reaches the contact pressure area There is disclosed a fixing device comprising: a laser beam irradiation unit that irradiates a laser beam to an image of a thermoplastic image forming material on a recording medium at a light irradiation position through a transmission portion of the rotating member. ing.

JP 2012-150195 A JP 2011-128223 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device in which the offset of the toner to the fixing ring is suppressed as compared with the case where the fixing ring containing no conductive agent is applied.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
An annular base material containing a conductive agent, an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material, and a release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer, and at least a part of 600 nm to 1000 nm A fixing ring having transparency to infrared rays in the wavelength region of
A rotating member that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body and rotates in the circumferential direction to sandwich and transport a recording medium between the fixing annular body;
At a position where the fixing annular body and the recording medium come into contact, an infrared laser beam is irradiated to the recording medium through the fixing annular body on an unfixed toner image on the recording medium. An infrared laser light irradiation device for fixing a toner image;
A fixing device provided with

The invention according to claim 2
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing annular body contains an infrared absorber.

The invention according to claim 3
A primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body;
The infrared laser light from the infrared laser light irradiation device is applied to the toner image primarily transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body at a position where the fixing annular body and the recording medium are in contact with each other. A secondary transfer fixing device that irradiates through the fixing annular body and secondary-transfers and fixes the toner image to the recording medium;
The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

The invention according to claim 4
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image carrier onto a recording medium;
A fixing device according to claim 1 or 2,
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 5
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A fixing device according to claim 3;
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 6
An annular base material containing a conductive agent;
An elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate;
A release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer;
A fixing annular body having transparency to at least a part of the wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
The fixing annular body according to claim 6, comprising an infrared absorber.

  According to the first and third aspects of the invention, there is provided a fixing device in which the offset of the toner to the fixing ring is suppressed as compared with the case where the fixing ring containing no conductive agent is applied.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device that is excellent in fixing performance as compared with the case where a fixing annular body that does not contain an infrared absorber is applied.

  According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which the offset of the toner to the fixing ring is suppressed as compared with the case where the fixing ring containing no conductive agent is applied.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing ring in which the offset of the toner to the fixing ring is suppressed as compared with the case where the conductive agent is not contained in the fixing ring.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing ring having excellent fixing performance as compared with the case where no infrared absorber is contained in the fixing ring.

It is the schematic which shows an example of a structure of the cyclic | annular body for fixing concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a part of cross section of the thickness direction about the fixing | annular ring body shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device (transfer fixing device) according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the fixing device (transfer fixing device) which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the fixing device which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Fixed ring]
The fixing ring according to the present embodiment has a layer configuration of three or more layers including at least a base material, an elastic layer, and a release layer. The base material contains a conductive agent and has an annular shape, the elastic layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material, and the release layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer.
The fixing ring has transparency to infrared rays (hereinafter also simply referred to as “infrared rays”) in at least a part of the wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm.

  Here, “having transparency with respect to infrared rays” means that the transmittance is at least 80% (preferably at least 90%) for infrared rays in a part of the wavelength region in the above range.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a fixing annular body according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a part of a cross section in the thickness direction of the fixing annular body shown in FIG. .
The fixing annular body 15 shown in FIG. 2 includes a base material 21, an elastic layer 22 disposed on the base material 21, and a release layer 23 disposed as an outermost layer on the elastic layer 22. Yes.

The fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment contains a conductive agent in at least a base material and has conductivity. This conductivity suppresses the phenomenon (toner offset) in which the toner after fixing on the recording medium adheres to the fixing annular body again.
Further, the toner image can be electrostatically transferred from the surface of the image holding body to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 and held, and the toner image held on the fixing annular body 15 can be held. Secondary transfer (reverse transfer) can be electrostatically transferred to the surface of the recording medium, and it can be used as a fixing ring having the function of an intermediate transfer member.

Further, since the fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment is transmissive to infrared rays, for example, the fixing annular body is used for an unfixed toner image (toner image before being fixed on the recording medium). 15, even if infrared laser light (hereinafter also referred to as “infrared laser light”) is irradiated from the inner peripheral surface side of the toner 15, the infrared laser light passes through the fixing annular body 15, and the toner image is efficiently heated. Established in
In the case where the fixing ring 15 has an intermediate transfer member function, for example, the inner peripheral surface of the fixing ring 15 is applied to the toner image primarily transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing ring 15. By irradiating infrared laser light from the side, the toner image is efficiently heated, and secondary transfer and fixing of the toner image onto the recording medium are realized.

  In addition, since the fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment includes the elastic layer 22, a nip is formed with the rotating member that rotates in the circumferential direction in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 in the fixing device. In addition, the fixability of the toner image on the recording medium can be further improved, and glossiness can be imparted to the fixed image. In addition, the transferability of the image and the fixability to thick paper, embossed paper, and the like can be improved. Furthermore, the suitability for a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade or a cleaning brush is improved, and the residual toner on the fixing annular body 15 can be further reduced.

  Note that the fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment only needs to be transmissive (at least 80% transmittance) to infrared rays in at least a part of the wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm. For example, when a semiconductor laser that emits 808 nm infrared laser light is used as the infrared laser, it is sufficient that the semiconductor laser has transparency to the 808 nm infrared laser light. For example, it transmits infrared light in the wavelength region of 800 nm to 810 nm. And may be transparent to infrared rays in the wavelength region of 780 nm or more and 830 nm or less.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

(Base material)
The base material 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is an endless ring (belt shape), contains a conductive agent, and has transparency to infrared rays (the infrared transmittance is 80% or more).

The base material 21 of the fixing ring according to the present embodiment may include a resin and a conductive agent.
Examples of the resin material contained in the base material 21 include polyimide, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethersulfone (PES), polyketonesulfonesan (PPSU), polyarylate (PAR), polyester, and polycarbonate. Examples thereof include resin materials having excellent transparency such as (PC), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone (PEK), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF).

Examples of the polyimide include aliphatic polyimides, cyclic polyimides, fluorine-containing polyimides (fluorine-substituted polyimides, substituted fluorinated alkyl derivatives of aromatic polyimides), polyamideimides of the same configuration, and polyetherimides.
Examples of the polyethylene naphthalate include polyethylene naphthalate and polycarbonate derivatives thereof.
Examples of the polyethersulfone include polyethersulfone, polyetherketone, polyphenylene, and fluorine derivatives thereof.
Examples of the polyarylate include aromatic polyarylate and aliphatic polarate.
Examples of the polyester include stretched polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, or polylactic acid, and may be a mixture of polyester and polypropylene, a mixture of polyester and polycarbonate, or a copolymer thereof.
Examples of the polycarbonate include aromatic polycarbonates and aliphatic polycarbonates.
Among the above, the material used for the substrate 21 is preferably polyethersulfone from the viewpoint of flame retardancy and heat resistance.

  As the conductive agent contained in the substrate 21, a conductive agent that suppresses a decrease in infrared transmittance is preferable, and an ionic conductive agent is preferable.

Examples of the ionic conductive agent include quaternary ammonium salts (for example, lauryltrimethylammonium, stearyltrimethylammonium, octadodecyltrimethylammonium, dodecyltrimethylammonium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium, perchlorates such as modified fatty acid and dimethylethylammonium. Chlorate, borofluoride, sulfate, ethosulphate salt, benzyl halide salt (eg, benzyl bromide salt, benzyl chloride salt, etc.), aliphatic sulfonate, higher alcohol sulfate ester salt, Higher alcohol ethylene oxide addition sulfate ester salt, higher alcohol phosphate ester salt, higher alcohol ethylene oxide addition phosphate ester salt, various betaines, higher alcohol ethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol Lumpur fatty acid ester, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, various ionic liquids, fluorine-based antistatic agent (a fluorine-based ion conductive agent) and the like.
A conductive agent may be used independently and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

The content of the conductive agent contained in the base material 21 may be, for example, in a range of 0.01 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, and preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin material. 3 parts by mass or less.
Charge elimination is obtained by blending 0.01 parts by mass or more of the ionic conductive agent with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin material, and charge accumulation due to rotational transfer hardly occurs.
On the other hand, a blending amount of 10 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin material has high compatibility with the base resin, is difficult to be whitened and opaque, and easily suppresses belt chargeability deterioration due to electrical conduction.

The base material 21 includes a conductive agent so that the volume resistivity is, for example, 10 ⁶ Ωcm or more and 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm or less.
The fixing annular body according to the present embodiment preferably has a volume resistivity of, for example, 10 ⁵ Ωcm or more and 10 ¹³ Ωcm or less.

  The base material 21 is reinforced by blending transparent fibers (fluorine resin powder, polyester, polyamide, glass fibers, etc.) and fillers (inorganic particles such as silica) as long as the infrared transmittance is not hindered. There may be.

  In addition, the base material 21 may contain an infrared absorber in a range that does not hinder the infrared transmittance of the entire fixing ring 15 (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more). The inclusion of the infrared absorber will be described in detail later.

The elastic modulus of the substrate 21 is, for example, 1 GPa or more, preferably 2 GPa or more and 4 GPa or less from the viewpoint of rotating while maintaining the shape of the fixing annular body 15.
The elastic modulus is measured according to JIS-K7162 (1994, 1BA type, speed 1 mm / min).

As thickness of the base material 21, 20 micrometers or more and 1000 micrometers or less are mentioned, for example, 50 micrometers or more and 200 micrometers or less are preferable, and 60 micrometers or more and 150 micrometers or less are more preferable.
In addition, the film thickness variation is 10 from the viewpoint of transparency, suppression of belt rigidity reduction, prevention of cracking due to end fatigue due to rotation, and suppression of buckling and embrittlement. % Or less is preferable.

(Elastic layer)
The elastic layer 22 is not particularly limited as long as it has transparency to infrared rays (for example, infrared transmittance is 80% or more).
Examples of the material used for the elastic layer 22 that is transmissive to infrared rays include elastic materials such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, and olefin rubber.

Examples of the silicone rubber that transmits infrared rays include addition polymerization type two-component polydimethylsiloxanes and derivatives thereof, and photo-curing type acrylic-modified silicone rubber.
Examples of the polyurethane rubber that transmits infrared rays include polyether urethane, polyester urethane, and acrylic-modified photocured urethane resin.
Examples of the olefin rubber that transmits infrared rays include ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), polypropylene rubber, butyl rubber, cycloolefins, and norbornene rubber.

Among the materials described above, a material having heat resistance of 100 ° C. or higher is desirable for the elastic layer 22.
Here, “having heat resistance of 100 ° C. or higher” means elasticity (that is, the property of restoring to the original shape even when deformed by applying external pressure of 100 Pa or lower) even after heating to 100 ° C. or higher. Say it will not be damaged.
When the material used for the elastic layer 22 has a heat resistance of 100 ° C. or higher, elasticity that does not impair paper runnability and peelability even when heated by infrared laser light is obtained. Therefore, by maintaining the nip shape over the entire width of the recording medium (paper) and fixing by heating, the pressure unevenness at the time of pressure contact is reduced, and the elasticity and shape at the time of heating by continuous heating running are maintained. As a result, the adhesion at the interface between the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 and the surface of the recording medium is stabilized, and the generation of wrinkles is suppressed.
The heat resistance is preferably 100 ° C. or higher, more preferably 150 ° C. or higher, and further preferably 180 ° C. or higher.
The heat resistance is measured, for example, by the following method. Specifically, an elastic layer having a small change at 100 ° C. or less by a melting temperature and thermogravimetric measurement using a thermal analyzer such as DSC, DGA, or TMA, and mechanical strength evaluation is desirable.

  Among the elastic materials that transmit infrared rays, examples of materials having heat resistance of 100 ° C. or higher include silicone rubber, urethane rubber, olefin rubber, and cycloolefin rubber.

  The elastic layer 22 may contain a conductive agent such as an ionic conductive agent in a range that does not hinder the infrared transmittance of the entire fixing ring 15 (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more).

  Further, the elastic layer 22 may contain an infrared absorber in a range that does not hinder the infrared transmission of the fixing ring 15 as a whole (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more). The inclusion of the infrared absorber will be described in detail later.

  As thickness of the elastic layer 22, 50 micrometers or more and 500 micrometers or less are mentioned, for example, 150 micrometers or more and 450 micrometers or less are preferable.

(Release layer)
The release layer 23 is not particularly limited as long as it has transparency to infrared rays (for example, infrared transmittance is 80% or more), and includes, for example, a fluorine-containing resin.

  When the fixing annular body according to the present embodiment is applied to a fixing device or an image forming apparatus to be described later, the release layer 23 is provided as the outermost layer, so that the fixing of the image by the infrared laser beam is realized and the fixed image is obtained. Glossiness is easily imparted. In the embodiment in which the fixing ring 15 has the function of an intermediate transfer member, the toner image that is primarily transferred and held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing ring 15 is easily transferred to the recording medium.

Examples of the fluorine-containing resin include tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer. (THV), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a fully fluorinated cyclic ether polymer, and the like can be mentioned. From the viewpoint of infrared transparency, PFA, PVDF, a fully fluorinated cyclic ether polymer, and the like are preferable.
Furthermore, a fluorine-based release coating material or a silicon-based inorganic coating material may be used from the viewpoint of imparting surface properties and smoothness.

  Note that the release layer 23 may also contain a conductive agent such as an ionic conductive agent in a range that does not hinder the infrared transmittance of the fixing ring 15 as a whole (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more).

  In addition, the release layer 23 may contain an infrared absorber in a range that does not hinder the infrared transmittance of the entire fixing ring 15 (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more). The inclusion of the infrared absorber will be described in detail later.

The surface free energy on the outer peripheral surface of the release layer 23 is preferably 40 mN / m or less, more preferably 30 mN / m or less, and even more preferably 25 mN / m or less, from the viewpoint of toner releasability.
Here, the measurement of the surface free energy is calculated, for example, by using a contact angle meter CAM-200 (manufactured by KSV) and calculating the program in the apparatus using the Zisman method.
Further, when the refractive index of the release layer 23 is lower than the refractive index of the toner, the reflection of the infrared laser beam I at the interface between the release layer 23 and the unfixed toner image transferred to the recording medium is suppressed. Is desirable.

  As thickness of the mold release layer 23, 1 micrometer or more and 50 micrometers or less are mentioned, for example, 10 micrometers or more and 50 micrometers or less are preferable, and 12 micrometers or more and 30 micrometers or less are more preferable.

The fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment further includes other layers such as an adhesive layer between the base material 21 and the elastic layer 22 and between the elastic layer 22 and the release layer 23. Also good.
Also in the case of providing the adhesive layer, an adhesive layer having transparency to infrared rays is used.
Examples of the material used for the adhesive layer that is transmissive to infrared rays include silane couplers, silicone adhesives, and urethane adhesives.

  The overall thickness of the fixing annular body 15 is, for example, 80 μm or more and 1550 μm or less, preferably 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and more preferably 200 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

  The surface A hardness on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 is, for example, 10 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. For example, the pusher of an Asker JA type hardness meter (manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd.) is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15, and the surface A hardness is measured under a condition of 4.9 N (2 sec) load.

-Infrared absorber-
The fixing ring 15 according to the present embodiment may contain an infrared absorber within a range that does not hinder the infrared transmission of the fixing ring 15 as a whole (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more).

  By including the infrared absorber in the fixing annular body, the fixing annular body 15 is caused to generate heat at the irradiation position of the infrared laser beam, and the toner fixing property can be further improved. Compared to the case where the toner contains an infrared absorbent and is irradiated with infrared laser light to melt and fix the toner, the fixing annular body contains the infrared absorbent and is fixed by heating the fixing annular body. Speed and releasability can be further improved.

The infrared absorber may be contained in any of the base material 21, the elastic layer 22, and the release layer 23, may be contained in another layer, or may be contained in a plurality of layers.
Among these, in order to enhance the infrared heat generation effect on the surface close to the recording medium, it is preferably contained in a layer closer to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15. Further, from the viewpoint of heat transfer to the toner or ink material on the surface, heat generation and cooling at the substrate, elastic layer, release layer and its interface, heat storage, and heat resistance, the fixing ring 15 It is more preferable to make it contain in the part near an outer peripheral surface.
On the other hand, since the base material 21 has a comparatively thin film thickness so that heat dissipation and compatibility can be obtained, and further, there is an advantage that the toner can be melt-fixed, it is preferable that the base material 21 is contained.

As the infrared absorber, a known one can be used as long as it has an absorption peak in a wavelength range of 600 nm to 1000 nm.
As the infrared absorber, known infrared absorbers are used. For example, indium oxide metal oxide, tin oxide metal oxide, zinc oxide metal oxide, cadmium stannate, specific amide compound, lanthanoid compound, Examples include cyanine compounds, merocyanine compounds, benzenethiol metal complexes, mercaptophenol metal complexes, aromatic diamine metal complexes, diimonium compounds, aminium compounds, nickel complex compounds, phthalocyanine compounds, anthraquinone compounds, and naphthalocyanine compounds. It is done. Further, black pigments such as carbon black, titanium black, ferrite, magnetite, and zirconium carbide, polymethine series, azanurene series, metal chelate series, betaine series dyes and the like are used.
Among these, organic dyes (cyanine-based and betaine-based) having excellent solubility as heat-transferable infrared absorbers in the thin film layer due to self-heating due to electronic polarization accompanying light absorption in the infrared region are preferable.
These may be used alone or in combination.

  The addition amount of the infrared absorber is adjusted in a range that does not hinder the infrared transmittance of the fixing ring 15 as a whole (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more). Although depending on the type, the content is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less with respect to the entire fixing annular body 15.

[Fixing device]
Next, a fixing device using the fixing ring according to this embodiment will be described.
The fixing device according to the present embodiment is provided between the fixing annular body according to the above-described embodiment and the fixing annular body by rotating in the circumferential direction in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body. In a position where the rotating member that conveys the recording medium, the fixing annular body, and the recording medium come into contact with each other, an infrared image is transmitted to the toner image that is not fixed on the recording medium via the fixing annular body. An infrared laser light irradiation device for irradiating the laser beam and fixing the toner image on the recording medium.

In the fixing device according to this embodiment, the fixing ring according to this embodiment described above may serve as an intermediate transfer member.
That is, a primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding member to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular member, and the fixing annular member and the recording medium are in contact with each other. The toner image primarily transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the annular member for irradiation is irradiated with the infrared laser light from the infrared laser light irradiation device through the fixing annular member, and the toner image is applied to the recording medium. And a secondary transfer fixing device for performing secondary transfer and fixing.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example (first embodiment) of the configuration of the fixing device according to the present embodiment. Note that the fixing device according to the first embodiment shows an aspect in which the fixing annular member plays the role of the intermediate transfer member.
A fixing device 60 shown in FIG. 3 includes an endless fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment, a secondary transfer roll 36 that rotates in the circumferential direction in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15, and fixing. An infrared transmitting member 30 that is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular member 15 on the opposite side of the secondary transfer roll 36 with the annular member 15 interposed therebetween, and has transparency to the infrared laser beam, and the fixing annular member 15 and the second annular member 15. And an infrared laser beam irradiation device 70 that irradiates the infrared laser beam I toward the contact portion 80 with the next transfer roll 36.

-Infrared laser beam irradiation device-
The infrared laser light irradiation device 70 is disposed on the inner side (inner peripheral surface side) of the fixing ring 15 and emits infrared laser light having a wavelength of 600 nm to 1000 nm. Specifically, for example, a laser beam irradiation apparatus including a light source such as a semiconductor laser or a solid-state laser can be used.
The irradiation intensity of the infrared laser light, for example, 10 mW / cm ² or more 100 mW / cm ² or less and the intensity becomes recited in the contact portion 80. As the infrared radiation amount to the unfixed toner image T, for example, 50 mJ / cm ² or more 5000 mJ / cm ² or less.

The infrared transmitting member 30 sandwiches the annular protective member 71 that is rotatably supported, the lens member 72 that condenses the infrared laser light I emitted from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70, and the fixing annular body 15. The sliding member 74 is disposed between the lens member 72 and the protective member 71 at a position facing the secondary transfer roll 36.
In addition, a lubricant supply member 76 that supplies a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 71, a lens member 72, a sliding member 74, and a support member 78 that supports the lubricant supply member 76 are provided.

-Protective member-
The protection member 71 is an annular member that protects the lens member 72 disposed inside, and is formed of glass or resin that transmits infrared rays.
The resin material constituting the protective member 71 is not particularly limited as long as it contains a fluorine-containing resin and has a property of transmitting infrared rays (for example, the infrared transmittance is 80% or more).
Examples of the fluorine-containing resin include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoro. Examples include propylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer (THV), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and perfluorinated cyclic ether polymers. PFA, polyvinylidene fluoride, perfluorinated cyclic ether polymers, and the like are preferable.
Further, instead of providing the protective member 71 for protecting the lens member 72, a coating material may be applied as a surface protective layer of the fixing annular body 15. It is preferable to provide a surface protective layer by spray coating or dip coating with a releasable coating such as Lumiflon (registered trademark) copolymer fluororesin polymer or silicon-based inorganic nanoglass coating as the fluorine coating material.

-Lens member-
The lens member 72 is not limited as long as it has transparency to infrared rays having a wavelength of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less and collects infrared laser light. Examples of the material used for the lens member 72 include glass and acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
For example, the lens member 72 may be selected to have a focal length at which the focal point of the infrared laser beam comes to the contact portion 80. By adjusting the positions of the lens member 72 and the infrared laser beam irradiation device 70, the focal point of the lens member 72 may be selected. The position may be controlled.

-Sliding member-
The sliding member 74 prevents the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 71 and the lens member 72 from coming into direct contact with each other during the rotation of the protection member 71 and prevents the surfaces of these members from being damaged. For example, the surface of the lens member 72 is damaged. This is a member for preventing a decrease in the transmittance of infrared rays and the like.
As the sliding member 74, a material that is transparent to infrared rays having a wavelength of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less and that is made of a material that has a small friction coefficient and excellent wear resistance with respect to the protective member 71 is suitable. .
The material of the sliding member 74 is, for example, a resin that is transparent to infrared rays (specifically, urethane rubber, olefin rubber, etc. in which a lubricating filler such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is dispersed). And transparent liquid silicone rubber impregnated or surface-treated with PFA resin reinforced with fibers such as glass, silicone oil, and silicone-based surfactant.
Moreover, as thickness of the sliding member 74, 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less are mentioned, for example.
Further, the foaming member impregnated with wax, silicone oil or the like is provided inside the sliding member 74 to improve lubricity, and the frictional resistance between the sliding member 74 and the protective member 71 when the protective member 71 rotates. In addition, the friction may be reduced and the influence on these members may be reduced.

-Lubricant supply member-
The lubricant supply member 76 is a member that holds the lubricant and supplies the lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 71.
Examples of the lubricant include silicone oil, paraffin oil, fluorine oil, and other synthetic lubricant greases, waxes and the like in which solid substances and liquids are mixed.
In this embodiment, the lubricant is supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the protective member 71, but the lubricant may not be used.

-Secondary transfer roll-
The secondary transfer roll 36 is disposed on the outer side (outer peripheral surface side) of the fixing annular body 15, forms a contact portion 80 with the fixing annular body 15, and sandwiches the recording medium P between the fixing annular body 15. It is a rotation member conveyed by. The secondary transfer roll 36 is not particularly limited as long as it has a shape in which the recording medium P is sandwiched between the fixing annular body 15. Specific examples of the secondary transfer roll 36 include a pressure roll having a cylindrical cored bar and a transparent elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical cored bar. A release layer may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer.
As a material constituting the elastic layer, a foamed conductive rubber material such as urethane, olefin, or NBR may be used.

The core metal is a cylindrical bar made of a metal such as iron or SUS. The elastic layer is formed of, for example, a blend rubber of NBR, GECO (epichlorohydrin-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer) and EPDM blended with a conductive agent such as carbon black, urethane ion conductive rubber, etc. It is a sponge-like cylindrical roll having a volume resistivity of 10 ^6.0 Ωcm or more and 10 ^9.0 Ωcm or less.

  Examples of the surface A hardness on the outer peripheral surface of the secondary transfer roll 36 include 10 degrees or more and 95 degrees or less.

  The width of the contact portion 80 between the fixing annular body 15 and the secondary transfer roll 36 is, for example, from 0.01 mm to 30 mm, and preferably from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

  In the fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment, the secondary transfer roll 36 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 is rotated (moved) in the direction of arrow B in the fixing annular body 15. Following rotation, the fixing ring 15 rotates in the circumferential direction C opposite to the rotation direction B. On the other hand, the protective member 71 in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing ring 15 rotates in the same circumferential direction R as the rotation direction B of the fixing ring 15 following the rotation of the fixing ring 15.

A toner image formed on the surface of an image holding member (not shown) is primarily transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular member 15, and the toner image T held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular member 15 is transferred to the fixing annular member 15. And the secondary transfer roll 36 are conveyed to a contact portion 80.
The toner image T primarily transferred to the fixing annular member 15 uses, for example, a toner containing an infrared absorber (a component that absorbs infrared rays and releases energy as heat) as an internal additive or an external additive. Is used.

On the other hand, the infrared laser beam I is irradiated toward the contact portion 80 from the infrared laser beam irradiation device 70 provided inside the fixing annular body 15. The infrared laser beam I emitted from the infrared laser beam irradiation device 70 passes through the infrared transmitting member 30 (the protective member 71, the lens member 72, and the sliding member 74) and the fixing annular body 15, and reaches the contact portion 80. To do.
Then, the recording medium P is conveyed to the contact portion 80, and the infrared laser beam I is emitted while the toner image T held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 is sandwiched between the fixing annular body 15 and the recording medium P. When irradiated, the infrared absorbent contained in the toner image T absorbs the infrared laser light I and then releases heat. The unfixed toner image T is instantaneously heated and melted while pressure is applied by the fixing annular body 15 and the secondary transfer roll 36 to realize secondary transfer and fixing (secondary transfer fixing), and recording. A fixed image F is formed on the medium P.

  Note that the toner image T held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 is surely secondary-transferred by the recording medium (paper) P, so that the toner image T is electrostatically secondary-transferred onto the paper P. Also good.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the heating and pressing time (that is, the time during which the unfixed toner image T is melted by the temperature rise and is flattened by the pressure contact with the fixing annular body 15) is as short as several milliseconds, and is fast-fixed. In addition, since the unfixed toner image T is heated by the high-energy infrared laser beam, the unfixed toner image T is fixed without heating the recording medium P. Therefore, the fixability at the time of double-sided fixing is stable and the recording medium peelability does not change, so that it does not penetrate from thin paper to thick paper, embossed paper, continuous paper, coated paper, PET film, shrink film, etc. Applicable to a wide range of recording media such as media.

  Further, in the fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment, secondary transfer fixing is performed by infrared laser light, so that the image forming apparatus can be miniaturized and the toner image can be transferred and fixed at high speed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a fixing device according to a second embodiment using the fixing ring according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example (second embodiment) of the fixing device according to the present embodiment. Note that the fixing device according to the second embodiment shows an aspect in which the fixing annular member plays the role of an intermediate transfer member.
A fixing device 90 shown in FIG. 4 includes a lens member 72 and a sliding member 74 that are formed in an arc shape on the side facing the fixing annular body 15, and the fixing annular body 15 is brought into contact with the secondary transfer roll 36. An arcuate contact portion 80 is formed by being deformed inward. In addition, the same code | symbol is used about the structure similar to the fixing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment, The detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The fixing device 90 according to the second embodiment includes an endless belt-like fixing annular body 15 having conductivity and transparency to infrared rays, and a secondary transfer roll that forms the arcuate contact portion 80 with the fixing annular body 15. 36, an infrared laser light irradiation device 70 provided inside the fixing annular body 15, a lens member 72 that transmits infrared laser light emitted from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70 as an infrared transmission member, and a fixing member And a sliding member 74 provided between the inner peripheral surface of the annular body 15 and the lens member 72.

  Further, the pressing roll 86 and the pressing roll 87 provided at a distance from each other inside the fixing ring 15 press the fixing ring 15 against the secondary transfer roll 36, thereby pressing the fixing ring 15. A region between the roll 86 and the pressing roll 87 is deformed inward to form a contact portion 80.

  The lens member 72 is arranged inside the fixing annular body 15 so as to be pressed against the secondary transfer roll 36 via the fixing annular body 15. Further, the sliding member 74 reduces sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 and the lens member 72, and the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 and the lens member 72 are in direct contact with each other. In order to prevent scratches, the lens member 72 is provided on an arcuate curved surface facing the fixing annular body 15.

The fixing ring 15 rotates in the direction of the arrow B, and accordingly, the secondary transfer roll 36 rotates in a direction C opposite to the rotation direction of the fixing ring 15. On the other hand, the lens member 72 and the sliding member 74 are fixed by a support member (not shown), and the lens member 72 and the sliding member 74 remain stationary even when the fixing annular body 15 rotates.
Further, since the sliding member 74 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 and the lens member 72, the sliding member 74 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15. The fixing annular body 15 rotates.

  Then, the toner image T held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing ring 15 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow B as the fixing ring 15 rotates, and the fixing ring 15, the recording medium P, and the recording medium P are conveyed at the contact portion 80. In addition, the infrared laser light I generated from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70 toward the contact portion 80 passes through the lens member 72 and the sliding member 74 and is applied to the toner image T. The toner image T is secondarily transferred to the recording medium P and fixed to become a fixed image F.

  As a width | variety (nip width | variety) of the contact part 80 in 2nd Embodiment, 0.005 cm or more and 1 cm or less are mentioned, for example. If the width of the contact portion 80 is increased, good fixability can be obtained even when, for example, a toner having a relatively long time from irradiation with infrared laser light to fixing on the recording medium is used.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a fixing device according to a third embodiment using the fixing ring according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example of the fixing device according to the present exemplary embodiment. Note that the fixing device according to the third embodiment shows an aspect in which the fixing annular member does not play the role of the intermediate transfer member.
The fixing device of FIG. 5 includes an endless belt-shaped fixing ring as the fixing ring of the present embodiment. The fixing ring is in contact so as to wind the rotating member, and the fixing ring is deformed inward. Thus, the fixing device has a contact portion. Note that a detailed description of the same configuration as that of the fixing device according to the first embodiment is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing device 160 according to the third embodiment includes, for example, a fixing annular body 92 that is transparent to infrared rays and has an endless belt shape (tubular shape), and a fixing annular body 92. The rotating member 45 is provided so as to be wound around, and an infrared laser light irradiation device 70 provided outside the fixing annular body 92.
The fixing annular body 92 is supported by a drive roll 82 and a support roll 84 disposed inside. Also, the pressing roll 86 and the pressing roll 87 provided inside the fixing annular body 92 with a space therebetween are pressed against the rotating member 45 via the fixing annular body 92, so that the pressing roll in the fixing annular body 92 is pressed. A region between the roller 86 and the pressing roll 87 is deformed inward, and the contact portion 80 is formed.
Further, inside the fixing annular body 92, a lens member 72 that condenses the infrared laser light I emitted from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70, and between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 92 and the lens member 72. And a sliding member 74 provided on the surface. The lens member 72 is arranged inside the fixing annular body 92 so as to be pressurized against the rotating member 45 via the fixing annular body 92. The sliding member 74 reduces the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 92 and the lens member 72, and scratches caused by the direct contact between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 92 and the lens member 72. In order to prevent this, the lens member 72 is provided on a surface in contact with the fixing annular body 92.

In the fixing annular body 92, the fixing annular body 92 rotates in the direction of arrow S by the rotation of the driving roll 82, and accordingly, the rotating member 45 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the fixing annular body 92.
On the other hand, the lens member 72 and the sliding member 74 are fixed by a support member (not shown), and the lens member 72 and the sliding member 74 remain stopped even when the fixing annular body 92 rotates.
Further, since the sliding member 74 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 92 and the lens member 72, the lens member 72 passes through the sliding member 74 when the fixing annular body 92 rotates. In contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 92.

  The recording medium P on which the unfixed toner image T is formed on the surface is conveyed in the direction of the arrow U as the fixing annular body 92 rotates, and the unfixed toner image T is fixed to the fixing annular body at the contact portion 80. It is sandwiched between the fixing annular body 92 and the rotating member 45 so as to be in direct contact with the outer peripheral surface of 92. In this state, the infrared laser light I is emitted from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70 toward the contact portion 80, and the infrared laser light I collected by the lens member 72 is irradiated onto the unfixed toner image T. The received toner image T is fixed on the recording medium P to become a fixed image F.

The fixing annular body 92 preferably has a base material elastic modulus of 2 GPa or more and 4 GPa or less, and the other detailed points are the same as those of the fixing annular body.
The other members in the third embodiment are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  As a width | variety (nip width | variety) of the contact part 80 in 3rd Embodiment, 0.005 cm or more and 1 cm or less are mentioned, for example. If the width of the contact portion 80 is increased, good fixability can be obtained even when, for example, a toner having a relatively long time from irradiation with infrared laser light to fixing on the recording medium is used.

[Image forming apparatus]
Next, an image forming apparatus using the fixing ring according to the present embodiment will be described. An image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image holding member, a charging device that charges the surface of the image holding member, and a charging device. The latent image forming apparatus that forms a latent image on the surface of the image holding member, the developing device that forms the toner image by developing the latent image formed on the surface of the image holding member, and the present embodiment. A fixing transfer body, a primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding body to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body, and a primary transfer to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body. And a secondary transfer fixing device for irradiating the toner image with infrared laser light through the fixing ring to secondary transfer and fix the toner image onto a recording medium. ing.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 is an image forming apparatus generally called a tandem type that includes the fixing device shown in FIG. 3, and a plurality of image forming units that form toner images of respective color components by an electrophotographic method. 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, and a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) each color component toner image formed by the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to the fixing annular body 15; The superimposed toner image transferred onto the annular body 15 is transferred collectively (secondary transfer) onto the paper P as a recording medium, and is fixed from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70 disposed inside the fixing annular body 15. And a secondary transfer fixing unit 20 that fixes the superimposed toner image onto the paper P by irradiating the infrared laser beam I through the annular body 15. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

  The fixing ring 15 is the fixing ring 15 according to the first embodiment described above, but may be the fixing ring 15 according to the second embodiment.

  Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoconductor 11 that rotates in the arrow A direction as an example of an image holding body that holds a toner image formed on the surface.

  A charger 12 for charging the photosensitive member 11 is provided around the photosensitive member 11 as an example of a charging device, and a laser exposure device for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 11 as an example of a latent image forming device. 13 (the exposure beam is indicated by Bm in the figure) is provided.

  Further, around the photoreceptor 11, as an example of a developing device, a developing device 14 that accommodates each color component toner and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 11 with the toner is provided. A primary transfer roll 16 is provided as an example of a primary transfer device that transfers the color component toner images formed thereon onto the fixing ring 15 in the primary transfer unit 10.

  Further, a photoconductor cleaner 17 for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 11 is provided around the photoconductor 11, and a charger 12, a laser exposure device 13, a developing device 14, a primary transfer roll 16, and a photoconductor cleaner. Seventeen electrophotographic devices are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 11. These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are substantially linearly arranged in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side of the fixing annular body 15. Has been placed.

  The fixing annular body 15 is circulated and rotated (rotated) by various rolls at a speed determined in the B direction shown in FIG. As these various rolls, a driving roll 31 that is driven by a motor (not shown) having excellent constant speed and rotates the fixing annular body 15, and a fixing roll that extends substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of the photoconductors 11. A supporting roll 32 that supports the annular body 15, a tension applying roll 33 that functions as a correction roll that applies a constant tension to the fixing annular body 15 and prevents the fixing annular body 15 from meandering, and the secondary transfer fixing unit 20. And a cleaning back roll 34 provided in a cleaning unit that scrapes off residual toner on the fixing annular body 15.

In the primary transfer portion 10, a primary transfer roll 16 is disposed so as to face the photoconductor 11 with the fixing annular body 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 16 is composed of, for example, a shaft and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the shaft. The shaft is a cylindrical bar made of metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is a sponge-like cylindrical roll formed of a blend rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black and having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ωcm or less.

  The primary transfer roll 16 is disposed opposite to the photoconductor 11 with the fixing annular body 15 interposed therebetween, and the primary transfer roll 16 has a voltage (with negative polarity; the same applies hereinafter) having a polarity opposite to that of the toner. (Primary transfer bias) is applied. As a result, the toner images on the respective photoconductors 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the fixing annular body 15 so that the superimposed toner images are formed and held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15. ing.

  In the secondary transfer fixing unit 20, an infrared laser light irradiation device 70, an infrared transmission member 30, and a secondary transfer roll 36 are disposed.

  The secondary transfer roll 36 is disposed so as to oppose the infrared transmitting member 30 with the fixing ring 15 interposed therebetween.

On the downstream side of the secondary transfer fixing unit 20, a fixing annular body cleaner 35 that removes residual toner and paper powder on the fixing annular body 15 after the secondary transfer fixing and cleans the surface of the fixing annular body 15. Is provided so as to be freely contacted and separated.
The form of the fixing annular cleaner 35 is not limited to this, and examples include a brush, a blade, an electrostatic cleaning roll, and a foam pad.

  On the other hand, on the upstream side of the yellow image forming unit 1Y, a reference sensor (home position sensor) 42 that generates a reference signal serving as a reference for taking image forming timings in the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. It is arranged. Further, an image density sensor 43 for adjusting image quality is disposed on the downstream side of the black image forming unit 1K. The reference sensor 42 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of the fixing annular body 15 and generates a reference signal. In response to an instruction from the control unit 40 based on the recognition of the reference signal, each image forming unit 1Y. , 1M, 1C, and 1K are configured to start image formation.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a transport unit that transports the paper P, the paper storage unit 50 that stores the paper P, and the paper P stacked in the paper storage unit 50 are taken out at a predetermined timing. A paper feed roll 51 to be transported, a transport roll 52 to transport the paper P fed by the paper feed roll 51, a transport guide 53 to feed the paper P transported by the transport roll 52 to the secondary transfer fixing unit 20, and a secondary transfer The fixing unit 20 includes a conveyance belt 55 that conveys the paper P on which the toner image is secondarily transferred and fixed, and a guide 56 that guides the paper P to a paper discharge accommodating unit (not shown) provided in the discharge unit.

Next, a basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, image data output from an image reading device (not shown) or a personal computer (PC) (not shown) is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown), and then the image forming unit 1Y. , 1M, 1C, 1K, image forming work is executed.

  In the image processing apparatus, input reflectance data is subjected to image processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasing, color editing, and moving editing. Is done. The image data that has undergone image processing is converted into color material gradation data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and is output to the laser exposure unit 13.

  The laser exposure unit 13 irradiates each of the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with, for example, an exposure beam Bm emitted from a semiconductor laser in accordance with the input color material gradation data. . In each of the photoreceptors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, the surface is charged by the charger 12, and then the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure unit 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The formed electrostatic latent images are developed as toner images of respective colors Y, M, C, and K by the respective image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

  The toner images formed on the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the fixing ring 15 in the primary transfer unit 10 where the photoconductors 11 and the fixing ring 15 contact each other. Transcribed. More specifically, in the primary transfer unit 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity (minus polarity) of the toner is applied to the base material of the fixing annular body 15 by the primary transfer roll 16. Primary transfer is performed by sequentially superimposing the image on the surface of the fixing annular body 15.

  After the toner images are sequentially primary transferred onto the surface of the fixing ring 15, the fixing ring 15 is moved and the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer fixing unit 20. When the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer fixing unit 20, the conveyance unit rotates the paper feed roll 51 in accordance with the timing at which the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer fixing unit 20, and the object is transferred from the sheet storage unit 50. Is supplied. The paper P supplied by the paper feed roll 51 is transported by the transport roll 52 and reaches the secondary transfer fixing unit 20 through the transport guide 53. Before reaching the secondary transfer fixing unit 20, the paper P is temporarily stopped, and a registration roll (not shown) rotates in accordance with the movement timing of the fixing annular body 15 holding the toner image. The position of the paper P and the position of the toner image are aligned.

  In the secondary transfer fixing unit 20, the secondary transfer roll 36 is pressed against the infrared transmitting member 30 through the fixing annular body 15. At this time, the sheet P conveyed at the same timing is sandwiched between the fixing annular body 15 and the secondary transfer roll 36. At that time, the infrared laser beam I is irradiated from the infrared laser beam irradiation device 70 toward the contact portion between the fixing annular body 15 and the secondary transfer roll 36. Then, the unfixed toner image held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 is collectively put on the paper P in the secondary transfer fixing unit 20 pressed by the secondary transfer roll 36 and the infrared transmitting member 30. Electrostatic transfer (secondary transfer) and fixing.

In order to reliably transfer the toner image held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 by the recording medium (paper) P, for example, the secondary transfer roll 36 is grounded and is connected to the infrared transmitting member 30. The toner image may be electrostatically secondarily transferred onto the paper P that is formed with a secondary transfer bias and is conveyed to the secondary transfer fixing unit 20.
In a device that transfers a toner image on an intermediate transfer belt to a sheet and then fixes it by a fixing device, it is easily affected by the film thickness, roughness, resistance, and surface properties of the sheet, and image deterioration (blur, image distortion, smear, etc.) , Smudge, etc.). On the other hand, the image forming apparatus that performs transfer and fixing with the fixing annular body 15 according to the present embodiment is less susceptible to the above-described influence of the paper and functions as a conveyance belt, and is suitable for high-speed image formation.

  The sheet P on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred and fixed is conveyed as it is while being peeled off from the fixing annular body 15 by the secondary transfer roll 36, and is conveyed downstream of the secondary transfer roll 36 in the sheet conveying direction. It is conveyed to the belt 55. Further, the transport belt 55 transports the paper P to a paper discharge accommodating portion (not shown) provided in the discharge portion of the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, after the transfer to the paper P is completed, the residual toner remaining on the fixing annular body 15 is conveyed to the cleaning unit as the fixing annular body 15 rotates, and the cleaning back roll 34 and the fixing annular body are transported. It is removed from the fixing annular body 15 by the cleaner 35.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, an infrared laser light irradiation device 70 and a lens member 72 are provided inside the fixing annular body 15, and the fixing annular is formed by irradiation of infrared laser light from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70. Since the toner image is secondarily transferred and fixed from the body 15 to the recording medium P, the image forming apparatus can be downsized, and the toner image can be transferred and fixed at high speed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, since the unfixed toner image transferred to the recording medium P is secondarily transferred and fixed without passing through the fixing device, the unfixed toner image is recorded on the recording medium P. Deterioration of the image is suppressed as compared with the case where the fixing is performed by passing through the fixing device after the secondary transfer.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has been described above. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described aspect, and various modifications, changes, and improvements may be made.
For example, the image forming apparatus may include the fixing device (transfer fixing device) 90 shown in FIG.
Further, the case where the secondary transfer roll is provided as a rotating member facing the infrared transmitting member with the fixing annular body interposed therebetween has been described, but not limited to the roll, for example, a belt-shaped rotating member (drive, tension, non-stop meandering prevention) A roll or the like).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a first intermediate transfer belt 18 and a fixing annular member 15 as a second intermediate transfer belt are provided, and the fixing annular member 15 as the second intermediate transfer belt is further provided as a fixing device. A mode having a function as a (transfer fixing device) may be used.
That is, in the image forming apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K that form toner images of respective color components by electrophotography, and the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and The primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) each color component toner image formed by 1K to the first intermediate transfer belt 18, and the superimposed toner image transferred onto the first intermediate transfer belt 18 is the second intermediate transfer belt. And the secondary transfer roll 36 and the opposing roll 37 which are collectively transferred (secondary transfer) to the fixing annular body 15 and the superimposed toner image transferred onto the fixing annular body 15 are collectively transferred to the paper P which is a recording medium. (Tertiary transfer) and the fixing annular body 15 is removed from the infrared laser light irradiation device 70 arranged outside the fixing annular body 15 and on the opposite side of the tertiary transfer position. The superimposed toner image and the three transfer roll 38 to a three transfer fixing unit to and fixed onto the paper sheet P, may be configured to include a by irradiating a laser beam I of infrared and.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus may include the fixing device 160 shown in FIG.
That is, the image forming apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 8 includes a charger 12B for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 around the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 rotating in the direction of arrow A, and a surface of the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. A laser exposure unit 13 for irradiating the exposure beam Bm to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing unit 14 for accommodating toner and developing the electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 with toner to form a toner image. A pre-transfer charger 19 that charges a toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 prior to electrostatic transfer in the transfer unit 10, and a toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is recorded on the transfer unit 10 as a recording medium. A transfer unit 26 for transferring to paper (paper) P, a cleaning blade 17a for removing residual toner on the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11, and a fibrous member 2 for supplying a lubricant 28 to the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 Such as a photosensitive member cleaner 17 having a (rolled) is disposed. A fixing device 160 that fixes the unfixed toner image transferred to the recording medium P is provided. Furthermore, the structure provided with the control part (not shown) which controls operation | movement of each apparatus (each part) may be sufficient.

  Hereinafter, although an embodiment explains this embodiment in detail, this embodiment is not limited to these examples at all. In the following description, “part” and “%” are all based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[Example 1]
<Manufacture of fixing ring A>
(Manufacture of base material 1)
Using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material (Evonik 3300G), ionic conductive agent KFN115 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Materials Electronic Chemicals, fluorine-based ionic conductive agent) 1% and infrared absorber (manufactured by Nagase Chemtech) Diimoium, NIR-IMI) 0.5% was added and mixed, and extrusion molding was performed at 380 ° C. to obtain a substrate 1 having a diameter of 60 μm and a thickness of 78 μm.
Further, a silicone resin (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., KE109) was applied onto the molded substrate 1 with a roll coater and dried at 160 ° C. for 2 hours to obtain an elastic layer 1 having a thickness of 230 μm.
Subsequently, a release layer 1 was formed by coating a PFA tube (manufactured by DuPont, 30 μm) to obtain a fixing annular body A (film thickness: 368 μm) having a three-layer structure.

When an infrared transmission spectrum of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less was measured for fixing ring A, the transmittance at the wavelength (808 nm) of infrared laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser described later was 94%, and fixing ring A was infrared. It was found to be permeable.
The infrared transmission spectrum was measured under the measurement conditions in the 350 nm to 950 nm region using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, model number: JASCO-V560) as a measuring device.
Further, the surface A hardness on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body A was measured by the above-mentioned method and found to be 55 degrees.

In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 provided with the fixing device 60 shown in FIG. 3, the fixing annular body A is used as the fixing annular body 15 and a fixed image is obtained using toner containing an infrared absorber. (Solid image) was formed (process speed: 300 mm / sec).
Inside the fixing annular body 15, a glass tube (inner diameter: 25 mm, outer diameter: 28 mm) was provided as a lens member 72 and a protective member 71 for protecting the lens member 72.
The protection member 71 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing annular body 15 and supports it so as to rotate as the fixing annular body 15 moves in the circumferential direction. The lens member 72 supports the infrared laser beam for fixing. The entire contact portion (in the paper nip direction) between the annular body 15 and the recording medium P was fixed so as to be irradiated and condensed on the surface of the recording medium P for use.

  For the secondary transfer roll 36, a layer (elastic layer) of silica rubber (thickness 2 mm) in which bengara particles and iron oxide particles are dispersed inside is formed on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum columnar core. A conductive PFA tube (thickness: 30 μm) in which carbon black is dispersed is impregnated with silicone oil, and the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer is coated and molded with a diameter of 30 mm. The next transfer roll was used. The obtained secondary transfer roll 36 had a surface A hardness of 65 degrees. The width of the contact portion 80 was 2 mm, and the force applied during fixing was 8 kgf.

As the infrared laser light irradiation device 70, a semiconductor laser (manufactured by Enoptic Co., Ltd., wavelength of infrared laser light: 808 nm) was used. The infrared irradiation intensity at the contact portion 80 was 100 W / cm ² , and the infrared irradiation amount to the unfixed toner image T was 200 mJ / cm ² .
As the lens member 72, a cylindrical lens (manufactured by Sigma Koki Co., Ltd., model number: BK7) was used.
As the toner, a toner containing a squarylium pigment as an infrared absorber was used.

(Glossiness evaluation)
The obtained fixed image was evaluated for glossiness as follows. Specifically, using a gloss meter (BYK, micro trigloss gloss meter (20 + 60 + 85 °), manufactured by Gardner), the glossiness at an angle of 60 ° was used as an index. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

(Evaluation of fixing rate)
The fixing rate was evaluated by a tape peeling test. Specifically, an adhesive tape (Scott Mending Tape; manufactured by 3M) is lightly applied to the fixed image, and the cylindrical block is rolled in the circumferential direction so that the tape adheres to the image surface at a linear pressure of 250 g / cm. After that, the tape was peeled off, and the optical density ratio of the image before and after the tape peeling represented by the following formula was defined as the fixing rate. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
Formula: Fixing rate (%) = (Image density after tape peeling / Image density before tape peeling) × 100
Here, the image density of the fixed image is determined by measuring the reflected light in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 800 nm using a spectrocolorimeter (CM-3700d; manufactured by Minolta Co., Ltd.), and calculating the absorbance value at the wavelength at which the absorbance becomes the largest. Optical density was used.

(Evaluation of toner offset)
Regarding the occurrence of toner offset, the toner amount in the solid image portion of the fixing ring before transferring the toner image to the recording medium (toner mass before transfer of the image portion), the solid image portion of the fixing ring after forming the fixed image The amount of toner remaining in the toner (image portion residual toner mass) and the amount of toner remaining in the non-image portion of the fixing ring after formation of the fixed image (non-image portion residual toner mass) are collected using an adhesive tape. The amount of each toner per unit area was measured. Next, the toner offset rate was calculated by the following formula.
Formula: Toner offset rate (%) = ((image portion residual toner mass−non-image portion residual toner mass) / toner mass before image portion transfer) × 100

(Evaluation of residual ring density for fixing)
The image density of the toner remaining on the solid image portion of the fixing ring after forming the fixed image was measured with an optical reflection densitometer (X-Light 504, manufactured by X-Rite).

[Example 2]
Using polyethersulfone (PES) material (BASF, E2010), ionic conductive agent dimethylbenzylammonium salt (Wako Pure Chemical Industries) 1% and infrared absorber (Showa Denko, IR-T) 0.2% Were added and mixed and extruded at 330 ° C. to obtain a substrate 2 having a diameter of 60 and a thickness of 65 μm.
In Example 1, except that the substrate 2 was used in place of the substrate 1, a fixing annular body B (film thickness 345 μm) having a three-layer structure was obtained and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The fixing annular body B was transparent to infrared laser light having a wavelength of 808 nm.

[Example 3]
Using flame retardant polycarbonate (PC) material (KF-1151-5, manufactured by Sumika Stylon Polycarbonate Co., Ltd.), ion conductive agent KFN115 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Materials Electronic Chemical Co., Ltd., fluorine-based ion conductive agent) 1% and infrared absorber (Nagase Chemtech Co., Ltd., Diimoium, NIR-IMI) 0.5% was added and mixed, and extrusion molding was performed at 260 ° C. to obtain a substrate 3 having a diameter of 60 μm and a thickness of 60 μm.
Further, an ultraviolet curable silicone resin (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., X34-4184) was applied onto the molded substrate 3 with a roll coater and cured by irradiation with a xenon lamp to obtain an elastic layer 3.
Subsequently, a nanoglass coat (manufactured by Nanoglass Coat Japan, SV9000) is coated on the surface by 3 μm dipping to form a release layer 3 to obtain a three-layer fixing annular body C (film thickness 330 μm), Evaluation was performed. The fixing annular body C was transparent to infrared laser light having a wavelength of 808 nm.

[Comparative Example 1]
In Example 1, the base material 1 was directly coated with a PFA tube (manufactured by DuPont, 30 μm) to form a release layer, to obtain a fixing annular body D having a two-layer structure without an elastic layer. Carried out. The fixing annular body C was transparent to infrared laser light having a wavelength of 808 nm.
In the case of the fixing annular body D having no elastic layer, formation of a nearly uniform nip was difficult, density unevenness was large, and non-uniformity increased.

[Comparative Example 2]
In Example 2, a fixing annular body E having a three-layer structure was obtained and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the ionic conductive agent was not added to the substrate 2. The fixing annular body B was transparent to infrared laser light having a wavelength of 808 nm.
In the initial stage of image formation, both toner offset evaluation and belt residual density evaluation were good. However, when the number of image forming cycles is increased to 100k or more, the belt residual density tends to increase due to the offset property and the electrostatic adsorption property. It was in.

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image forming unit 10 Transfer section (primary transfer section)
11 Photoconductor (image carrier)
12 Charger (charging device)
13 Laser exposure unit (latent image forming device)
14 Developer (Developer)
15 Fixing ring 16 Primary transfer roll 17 Photoconductor cleaner 18 First intermediate transfer belt 20 Secondary transfer fixing unit 21 Base material 22 Elastic layer 23 Release layer 30 Infrared transmitting member 31 Drive roll 32 Support roll 33 Tension applying roll 34 Cleaning back roll 35 Fixing annular cleaner 36 Secondary transfer roll 37 Opposing roll 38 Tertiary transfer roll 40 Control section 45 Rotating member 42 Reference sensor 43 Image density sensor 50 Paper storage section 51 Paper feed roll 52 Transport roll 53 Transport guide 55 Transport Belt 56 Guide 60 Fixing device (transfer fixing device)
70 Infrared laser light irradiation device 71 Protective member 72 Lens member 74 Sliding member 76 Lubricant supply member 78 Support member 80 Contact portion 90 Fixing device (transfer fixing device)
92 fixing ring 100 image forming apparatus 110 image forming apparatus 120 image forming apparatus 160 fixing apparatus Bm exposure beam F fixed image I infrared laser beam P paper (recording medium)
T Unfixed toner image

Claims (7)

An annular base material containing a conductive agent, an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material, and a release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer, and at least a part of 600 nm to 1000 nm A fixing ring having transparency to infrared rays in the wavelength region of
A rotating member that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body and rotates in the circumferential direction to sandwich and transport a recording medium between the fixing annular body;
At a position where the fixing annular body and the recording medium come into contact, an infrared laser beam is irradiated to the recording medium through the fixing annular body on an unfixed toner image on the recording medium. An infrared laser light irradiation device for fixing a toner image;
A fixing device provided with   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing annular body contains an infrared absorber. A primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body;
The infrared laser light from the infrared laser light irradiation device is applied to the toner image primarily transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing annular body at a position where the fixing annular body and the recording medium are in contact with each other. A secondary transfer fixing device that irradiates through the fixing annular body and secondary-transfers and fixes the toner image to the recording medium;
The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising: An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image carrier onto a recording medium;
A fixing device according to claim 1 or 2,
An image forming apparatus. An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A fixing device according to claim 3;
An image forming apparatus. An annular base material containing a conductive agent;
An elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate;
A release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer;
A fixing annular body having transparency to at least a part of the wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm.   The fixing annular body according to claim 6, comprising an infrared absorber.

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