JP2017026647A - Fixing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent fatigue failure of a fixing belt caused by an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt sliding on outer peripheral surfaces of insertion parts of end deformation regulation members.SOLUTION: A fixing device comprises a pair of end deformation regulation members. Regulation main bodies 35 of the end deformation regulation members include insertion parts 38 respectively inserted into both ends of the fixing belt and hold both ends of the fixing belt sliding on outer peripheral surfaces of the insertion parts 38 from the inside at the insertion parts 38 to regulate deformation of the ends of the belt. The insertion parts 38 each have a ring shape and include an arcuate insertion band (insertion main part) 41 that is a main body of the insertion part 38 and a linear insertion band (deformation part) 42 that can be deformed on a side of a pressure member and inward in the radial direction of the fixing belt.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device having a fixing belt and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device.

  Conventionally, as a fixing device mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a pressure roller is brought into pressure contact with a substantially cylindrical flexible endless fixing belt, and the fixing belt is rotated by driving the pressure roller. A fixing device is known in which a toner image is fixed on a sheet by rotating the sheet and passing the sheet between a fixing belt and a pressure roller (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a conventional example, for example, an end portion deformation restricting member 101 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is used. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the end portion deformation restricting member 101 and members disposed inside the fixing belt (not shown) as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view showing the end portion deformation restricting member 101. End deformation restricting members 101 supported by side plates (not shown) of the housing are inserted into both ends of the fixing belt. The end deformation restricting member 101 includes a base portion 102 and an insertion portion 103 protruding from the inner surface of the base portion 102. The insertion portion 103 is inserted into both ends of the fixing belt and is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt, and holds the both ends of the fixing belt from the inside to restrict deformation of the belt end. The outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 103 serves as a guide surface that holds the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt from the inside.

  In FIG. 8, 104 is a heater and 105 is a support member. The heater 104 and the support member 105 pass through the through hole 101 a of the end portion deformation restricting member 101. The support member 105 supports a reflection plate (not shown) disposed between the heater 104 and the support member 105 from below.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a cover member. The cover member 106 blocks radiant heat from the heater 104 toward the non-sheet passing area of the fixing belt.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a pressing member. The pressing member 107 is supported by the support member 105, and warping of the pressing member 107 is restricted. The lower surface of the pressing member 107 presses the fixing belt toward a pressure roller (not shown) to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure roller.

  The end portions of the support member 105 and the pressing member 107 are inserted and held in the insertion portion 103 of the end portion deformation restricting member 101.

JP 2014-106520 A

  However, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the insertion portion 103 of the end portion deformation regulating member 101 has a cutout portion C, so that the fixing belt rotates and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 103 is moved to the fixing belt. When the inner peripheral surface slides, the fixing belt may be deformed at the open end portion 103a corresponding to both ends of the notch C, and stress may concentrate. The fixing belt is repeatedly subjected to this stress as it rotates, leading to fatigue failure.

  In the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 10, open end portions 103 a (see FIGS. 8 and 9) corresponding to both ends of the notch portion C at the lower end of the insertion portion 103 of the end portion deformation restricting member 101 are provided on the fixing belt 108. Since it is in contact with the inner peripheral surface without a gap, the fixing belt 108 is deformed at the open end 103a and stress is concentrated, and the fixing belt 108 is fatigued. Furthermore, if the end deformation restricting member 101 is inclined as shown in FIG. 11 for some reason, such as distortion of a side plate (not shown) of the housing that supports the end deform restricting member 101, the lower end of the insertion portion 103 is opened. The end 103a presses the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 108 downward, and deformation of the belt end increases. In particular, since the pressure roller 110 presses the fixing nip 109 upward from below, the belt end is greatly deformed by a slight downward pressing force and becomes a large load. When it rotates, the fixing belt 108 may be damaged.

  10 and 11, reference numerals other than those used in the above description are used. 104 is a heater, 105 is a support member, 106 is a cover member, 107 is a pressing member, and 111 is a reflector. Each role is the same as the name in the embodiment.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to cause fatigue failure of the fixing belt due to sliding of the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the end deformation regulating member. Is to prevent.

  The fixing device according to the present invention includes a heating unit, a substantially cylindrical flexible fixing belt heated by the heating unit, a pressing member that presses the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt, and the pressing member. A pressure roller that is pressed against and sandwiched between the fixing belt and is rotated in a pressure contact state to rotate the fixing belt, and allows a sheet to pass between the fixing belt and the pressure roller. A fixing device for fixing a toner image on the sheet, the insertion device having insertion portions inserted into both end portions of the fixing belt, and inserting both end portions of the fixing belt sliding on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion into the insertion portion. A pair of end portion deformation restriction members that are held from the inside and restrict deformation of the belt end portion, and the insertion portion has an annular shape, the insertion main portion that forms the main body of the insertion portion, and the pressing member side. Inside the fixing belt in the radial direction And a place capable of displacement portion.

  According to this configuration, since the insertion portion of the end portion deformation restricting member is annularly continuous in the belt rotation direction between the insertion main portion and the displacement portion, the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt smoothly smooths the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion. The fixing belt is deformed at the open end corresponding to both ends of the notch and the stress is concentrated, so that there is no problem that can occur in the conventional example, and fatigue failure of the fixing belt can be prevented.

  Also, for example, if the end deformation restricting member is tilted for some reason, such as distortion of the side plate of the housing that supports the end deformation restricting member, the displacement portion of the insertion portion is pushed by the fixing belt to the inside of the fixing belt in the radial direction. Due to the displacement, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the belt end and the damage to the fixing belt.

  In this case, the displacement part may be a separate body from the insertion main part, and may be supported by the insertion main part by a biasing means. Further, the displacement portion may be integrated with the insertion main portion and may be elastically deformed with a thickness smaller than that of the insertion main portion.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the fixing devices described above.

  According to the present invention, since the insertion portion of the end portion deformation regulating member is continuous in an annular shape, the fixing belt can smoothly slide with respect to the insertion portion, there is no stress concentration due to belt deformation, and the fixing belt is fatigued. Destruction can be prevented.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a printer (image forming apparatus). FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device. FIG. 3 is a front view showing one end side of the fixing device. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the end portion deformation restricting member (restricting body) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing an end portion deformation restricting member (a restricting main body) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing an end deformation restricting member (a restricting body) according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view showing an end portion deformation restricting member (a restricting main body) according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the conventional end deformation regulating member and the arrangement member inside the fixing belt as seen from the bottom side. FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view showing a conventional end deformation regulating member. FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a conventional fixing device. FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 10 showing a conventional fixing device in which an end portion deformation regulating member is inclined and a belt end portion is deformed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the printer 1 (image forming apparatus). In FIG. 1, the front side of the paper surface is the “front side” of the printer 1, and the back side of the paper surface is the “rear side” of the printer 1. Further, the left side of the paper is the “left side” of the printer 1, and the right side of the paper is the “right side” of the printer 1. Further, the upper side of the page is the “upper side” of the printer 1, and the lower side of the page is the “lower side” of the printer 1. These are common in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view of FIGS. 1 and 2 as viewed from the right side of the drawing.

  The printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2. A paper feed cassette 3 for storing paper is housed in the lower part of the printer body 2. A paper discharge tray 4 and an upper cover 5 that can be opened and closed vertically are provided on the upper surface of the printer body 2. A toner container 6 is stored below the upper cover 5.

  An exposure unit 7 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is disposed below the paper discharge tray 4 at the top of the printer body 2. An image forming unit 8 is provided below the exposure unit 7. The image forming unit 8 is rotatably provided with a photosensitive drum 9 that is an image carrier. Around the photosensitive drum 9, a charger 10, a developing device 11, a transfer roller 12, and a cleaning device 13 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 9 (see arrow X in FIG. 1).

  A paper transport path 14 is provided inside the printer main body 2. A paper feeding unit 15 is provided at the upstream end of the transport path 14. A transfer unit 16 including a photosensitive drum 9 and a transfer roller 12 is provided in the middle portion of the transport path 14. A fixing device 17 is provided downstream of the conveyance path 14. A paper discharge unit 18 is provided at the downstream end of the transport path 14. A reverse path 19 for double-sided printing is formed below the transport path 14.

  In the printer 1 configured as described above, when the printer 1 is turned on, various parameters are initialized, and initial setting such as temperature setting of the fixing device 17 is executed. Then, when image data is input from a computer or the like connected to the printer 1 and an instruction to start printing is given, an image forming operation is executed as follows.

  First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 is charged by the charger 10. Thereafter, exposure corresponding to the image data is performed on the photosensitive drum 9 with laser light (see the two-dot chain line P in FIG. 1) irradiated from the exposure device 7, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9. Is formed. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by the developing device 11.

  On the other hand, the sheet taken out from the sheet feeding cassette 3 by the sheet feeding unit 15 is conveyed to the transfer unit 16 in synchronization with the above-described image forming operation, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 9 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 16. Transcribed. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 9 is collected by the cleaning device 13. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance path 14 and enters the fixing device 17, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 17. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge unit 18 to the paper discharge tray 4.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device 17, and an arrow Y in FIG. 2 indicates the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 3 is a front view showing one end side of the fixing device 17.

  The fixing device 17 includes a fixing belt 21 in the housing 20 and a pressure roller 22 disposed below the fixing belt 21.

  A heater (heating means) 23 is disposed inside the fixing belt 21. A reflector 24 is disposed below the heater 23. A support member 25 is disposed below the reflecting plate 24. A pressing member 26 is disposed below the support member 25. Cover members 27 are fixed to both front and rear ends of the support member 25. End deformation restriction members 28 are inserted into both front and rear ends of the fixing belt 21. On the upper side of the fixing belt 21, a non-contact type thermocut 29 for preventing the fixing belt 21 from overheating is disposed. In FIG. 3, the inside of the fixing belt 21 is seen through.

  The fixing belt 21 is a substantially cylindrical flexible belt that is long in the front-rear direction. Although not shown, for example, an elastic layer is laminated on the outer periphery of a substantially cylindrical core, and a release layer is formed on the outer periphery of the elastic layer. It is covered. For example, the core is made of a metal such as SUS (stainless steel) or nickel having a diameter of 25.4 mm and a thickness of 1 mm, or a resin such as PI (polyimide). The elastic layer is made of silicone rubber having a thickness of 270 μm, for example. The release layer is made of, for example, a PFA (fluorine resin) tube having a thickness of 20 μm. A fluorine-based coating is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the core material in order to improve the slidability and heat absorption of the fixing belt 21.

  The fixing belt 21 includes a sheet passing area R1 and a non-sheet passing area R2 provided on both front and rear sides of the sheet passing area R1 (outside in the front and rear direction of the sheet passing area R1). The sheet passing area R1 is an area through which the maximum size sheet passes. The non-sheet passing area R2 is an area through which a maximum size sheet does not pass.

  The pressure roller 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and is connected to a drive source (not shown) such as a motor to rotate. The pressure roller 22 is in pressure contact with the fixing belt 21, and a fixing nip 30 is formed between the fixing belt 21 and the pressure roller 22. In the pressure roller 22, for example, an elastic layer 32 is laminated on the outer periphery of a substantially cylindrical core member 31, and a release layer (not shown) is covered on the outer periphery of the elastic layer 32. For example, the core member 31 is made of a metal such as iron having a diameter of 25 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. The elastic layer 32 is made of silicone rubber having a thickness of 5.5 mm, for example. The release layer is made of, for example, a PFA tube having a thickness of 50 μm.

  The heater 23 is, for example, a halogen heater, and is disposed at a position biased to the upper part of the internal space of the fixing belt 21, that is, to the upper side (side away from the pressure roller 22) with respect to the rotation center of the fixing belt 21. 21 is heated.

  The reflector 24 is made of a metal such as bright aluminum, is formed in a shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and is disposed between the heater 23 and the support member 25.

  The support member 25 is formed in a shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and supports the reflection plate 24 from below via a spacer 33 so as not to directly contact the reflection plate 24. The support member 25 is formed by combining a pair of L-shaped metal plates 34 made of, for example, SECC (galvanized steel plate) or the like into a square tube shape. The lower left corner of the support member 25 (the lower left end of the upper sheet metal 34) protrudes below the lower sheet metal 34 to form an engagement protrusion 25a. Both side walls 25b of the support member 25 extend in the vertical direction and are provided in parallel to each other. Thereby, the supporting member 25 has a substantially rectangular outline shape. The support member 25 protrudes outward in the front-rear direction with respect to the end portion deformation restricting member 28 to form a protrusion 25c (see FIG. 3).

  The pressing member 26 is made of a heat-resistant resin such as LCP (liquid crystal polymer) and is formed in a flat plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction. An engaging step-down portion 26 a is formed at the left end portion of the upper surface of the pressing member 26. The engaging projection 25a of the support member 25 is engaged with the engaging step-down portion 26a. A plurality of bosses 26 b protrude from the upper surface of the pressing member 26. The upper end portion of each boss 26 b is in contact with the lower surface of the support member 25. With the configuration as described above, the pressing member 26 is supported by the support member 25, and the warping of the pressing member 26 is restricted.

  The left portion (portion on the downstream side in the paper transport direction Y) of the lower surface of the pressing member 26 is lower (pressurized) from the right side (upstream side in the paper transport direction Y) toward the left side (downstream side in the paper transport direction Y). Inclined while curving toward the roller 22 side. The lower surface of the pressing member 26 presses the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 toward the lower side (pressure roller 22 side).

  The pressure roller 22 is pressed against the pressing member 26 with the fixing belt 21 interposed therebetween, and is rotated in the pressed state to rotate the fixing belt 21. The toner image is fixed on the paper by passing the paper between the fixing belt 21 and the pressure roller 22.

  The cover member 27 is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from the front. The cover member 27 has a position in the front-rear direction corresponding to the non-sheet passing region R2 of the fixing belt 21, and has a function of blocking radiant heat from the heater 23 toward the non-sheet passing region R2 of the fixing belt 21.

  A pair of end deformation restricting members 28 are disposed on the outer side in the front-rear direction with respect to the cover member 27 and are supported by a side plate (not shown) of the housing 20 that is the device fixing side. The end deformation restricting member 28 includes a restricting main body 35 and a ring 36 attached to the restricting main body 35.

  As shown in enlarged views in FIGS. 4 and 5, the restriction main body 35 is integrally provided with a base portion 37 and an insertion portion 38 that projects from the inner surface in the front-rear direction of the base portion 37.

  The regulation body 35 is formed with a through hole 39 that penetrates the base portion 37 and the insertion portion 38 in the front-rear direction, and the heater 23 and the support member 25 penetrate the through hole 39 (see FIG. 3). At both left and right ends of the upper portion of the base portion 37, attachment holes 37a for fixing the restriction main body 35 to the side plate of the housing 20 are formed.

  The insertion portion 38 is inserted into both the front and rear end portions of the fixing belt 21 to come into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the front and rear end portions of the fixing belt 21, and both end portions of the fixing belt 21 sliding on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38 are viewed from the inside. It holds and regulates deformation of the belt end. The outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38 serves as a guide surface that holds the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 from the inside.

  The insertion portion 38 has a substantially annular shape. The insertion portion 38 includes an arc-shaped insertion band (insertion main portion) 41 that is curved in a substantially C shape, which is the main body of the insertion portion 38, and a substantially straight linear insertion band (displacement portion) 42 that is separate from the arc-shaped insertion band 41. And have. The lower end of the arc-shaped insertion band 41 is open, and a straight insertion band 42 is disposed at this open position. The straight insertion band 42 is supported on the support member 25 by a coil spring 44 (biasing means), and can be displaced radially inward of the fixing belt 21 on the pressing member 26 side by contraction of the coil spring 44.

  In the conventional example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the insertion portion 103 of the end portion deformation restricting member 101 has a cutout portion C, so that the fixing belt rotates to fix the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 103. When the inner peripheral surface of the belt slides, the fixing belt deforms at the open end 103a corresponding to both ends of the notch C, and stress concentrates. The rotation of the fixing belt repeatedly receives this stress and causes fatigue failure. It reaches.

  However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insertion portion 38 of the end portion deformation regulating member 28 is annularly continuous in the belt rotation direction with the arc-shaped insertion band 41 and the linear insertion band 42. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 can smoothly slide on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38, and the fixing belt can be deformed at the open end portions corresponding to both ends of the notch portion C to cause stress concentration. There are no defects. Therefore, fatigue failure of the fixing belt 21 due to sliding of the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38 of the end portion deformation regulating member 28 can be prevented.

  In the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 10, open end portions 103 a (see FIGS. 8 and 9) corresponding to both ends of the notch portion C at the lower end of the insertion portion 103 of the end portion deformation restricting member 101 are provided on the fixing belt 108. Since it is in contact with the inner peripheral surface without a gap, the fixing belt 108 is deformed at the open end 103a and stress is concentrated, and the fixing belt 108 is fatigued. Furthermore, if the end deformation restricting member 101 is inclined as shown in FIG. 11 for some reason, such as distortion of a side plate (not shown) of the housing that supports the end deform restricting member 101, the lower end of the insertion portion 103 is opened. The end 103a presses the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 108 downward, and deformation of the belt end increases. In particular, since the pressure roller 110 presses the fixing nip 109 upward from below, the belt end is greatly deformed by a slight downward pressing force and becomes a large load. When it rotates, the fixing belt 108 may be damaged.

  However, in this embodiment, for example, even if the end deformation regulating member 28 is inclined for some reason such as distortion of the side plate of the housing that supports the end deformation regulating member 28, the linear insertion band 42 of the insertion portion 38 is fixed to the fixing belt. 21 is displaced against the spring force of the coil spring 44 and displaced inward in the radial direction of the fixing belt 21, so that deformation of the belt end portion and hence damage to the fixing belt can be prevented.

  10 and 11, reference numerals other than those used in the above description are used. 104 is a heater, 105 is a support member, 106 is a cover member, 107 is a pressing member, and 111 is a reflector. Each role is the same as the name in the embodiment.

  The ring 36 is formed in an annular shape. The ring 36 is fitted in a fitting groove 38 a formed on the base portion 37 side of the insertion portion 38. The width of the ring 36 is equal to the groove width of the fitting groove 38a. Further, the width of the ring 36 is smaller than the groove width of the fitting groove 38a and may be movable in the front-rear direction. The ring 36 is disposed outside the front and rear ends of the fixing belt 21 in the front-rear direction, restricts the meandering (moving outward in the front-rear direction) of the fixing belt 21 and releases the pressing of the fixing belt 21 in the front-rear direction. I am doing so. The upper portion of the ring 36 is disposed on the inner side in the front-rear direction of the base portion 37 of the restriction main body 35, and the movement of the ring 36 outward in the front-rear direction is restricted.

  In the fixing device 17 configured as described above, when the toner image is fixed on the paper, the pressure roller 22 is rotated by a driving source (see arrow A in FIG. 2). Along with this, the fixing belt 21 is driven and rotated in the opposite direction to the pressure roller 22 (see arrow B in FIG. 2), and slides against the pressing member 26.

  Further, the heater 23 is operated. Radiant heat radiated from the heater 23 is directly applied to the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 and absorbed (see arrow H1 in FIG. 2), and is reflected by the upper surface of the reflecting plate 24 to be reflected on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21. (See arrow H2 in FIG. 2). As a result, the fixing belt 21 is heated.

  When the paper passes through the fixing nip 30 in this state, the toner image is heated and melted, and the toner image is fixed on the paper.

<< Embodiment 2 >>
FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing the end portion deformation restricting member 28 (the restricting main body 35) according to the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the insertion portion 38 is separated from the arc-shaped insertion band (insertion main portion) 41 that is curved in a substantially C shape, which is the main body of the insertion portion 38, and the arc-shaped insertion band 41. And a substantially straight linear insertion band (displacement portion) 42. The lower end of the arc-shaped insertion band 41 is open, and a straight insertion band 42 is disposed at this open position. The straight insertion band 42 is supported on the support member 25 by a leaf spring 45 (biasing means), and can be displaced radially inward of the fixing belt 21 on the pressing member 26 side by the bending deformation of the leaf spring 45. This is different from the first embodiment.

  Thereby, for example, even when the end deformation regulating member 28 is inclined as shown in FIG. 11 due to some circumstances such as distortion of a side plate (not shown) of the housing 20 that supports the end deformation regulating member 28, the insertion portion 38. This linear insertion band 42 is pushed by the fixing belt 21 and is displaced inward in the radial direction of the fixing belt 21 against the spring force of the leaf spring 45, so that deformation of the belt end portion and consequently damage to the fixing belt can be prevented. Can do.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the insertion portion 38 of the end portion deformation regulating member 28 is annularly continuous between the arc-shaped insertion band 41 and the linear insertion band 42 in the belt rotation direction. There is no problem that may occur in the conventional example in which the surface smoothly slides on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38 and the fixing belt is deformed at the open end portions corresponding to both ends of the notch portion C and stress is concentrated. Therefore, fatigue failure of the fixing belt 21 due to sliding of the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38 of the end portion deformation regulating member 28 can be prevented.

<< Embodiment 3 >>
FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view showing the end portion deformation restricting member 28 (the restricting main body 35) according to the third embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments, the insertion portion 38 is continuous in the belt rotation direction and has a substantially annular shape. That is, the insertion portion 38 includes an insertion main portion 38a that is curved in a substantially C shape, which is the main body of the insertion portion 38, and a substantially linear displacement portion 38b that is integral with the insertion main portion 38a. Further, neither the coil spring 44 of the first embodiment nor the leaf spring 45 of the second embodiment is provided. The material of the regulation main body 35 having the insertion portion 38 as a component is, for example, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) excellent in strength, heat resistance and friction durability, and the displacement portion 38b is an insertion main portion. The thickness T is thinner than 38a, it is flexible and elastically deformed. The thickness T is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, for example.

  Thereby, for example, even when the end deformation regulating member 28 is inclined as shown in FIG. 11 due to some circumstances such as distortion of a side plate (not shown) of the housing 20 that supports the end deformation regulating member 28, the insertion portion 38. The displacement portion 38b is pushed by the fixing belt 21 and displaced inward in the radial direction of the fixing belt 21, so that deformation of the end portion of the belt and consequently damage to the fixing belt can be prevented.

  Further, since the insertion portion 38 does not have the cutout portion C as in the conventional example and is continuous in the belt rotation direction, the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 slides smoothly on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38. There is no problem that may occur in the conventional example in which the fixing belt is deformed and stress is concentrated at the open end corresponding to both ends of the notch C. Therefore, fatigue failure of the fixing belt 21 due to sliding of the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 21 on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 38 of the end portion deformation regulating member 28 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer 1 has been described. However, in another different embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral. It is also possible to apply.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a fixing device having a fixing belt and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device.

1 Printer (image forming device)
17 Fixing device 21 Fixing belt 22 Pressure roller 23 Heater (heating means)
26 pressing member 28 end deformation regulating member 38 insertion portion 38a insertion main portion 38b displacement portion 41 arc-shaped insertion band (insertion main portion)
42 Straight insertion zone (displacement part)
44 Coil spring (biasing means)
45 Leaf spring (biasing means)

Claims (4)

Heating means;
A substantially cylindrical flexible fixing belt heated by the heating means;
A pressing member that presses the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt;
A pressure roller that is pressed against the pressing member with the fixing belt interposed therebetween and is rotated in a pressure contact state to rotate the fixing belt,
A fixing device for fixing a toner image on the paper by passing the paper between the fixing belt and the pressure roller;
A pair of insertion portions that are inserted at both ends of the fixing belt, and that holds the both ends of the fixing belt that slides on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion from the inside by the insertion portion and regulates deformation of the belt end. The end deformation regulating member of
The fixing device, wherein the insertion portion has an annular shape, and includes an insertion main portion that is a main body of the insertion portion, and a displacement portion that is displaceable radially inward of the fixing belt on the pressing member side. The fixing device according to claim 1,
The fixing device, wherein the displacement portion is separate from the insertion main portion and is supported by the insertion main portion by a biasing unit. The fixing device according to claim 1,
The fixing device, wherein the displacement portion is integral with the insertion main portion and is thinner than the insertion main portion and elastically deforms.   An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1.

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