JP2017156406A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of quickly performing the cooling of a fixation part.SOLUTION: An electric photographic image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a continuous form media P1 includes: a continuous form media conveyance part 50 capable of conveying a continuous form media P1 having a length from an inlet to an outlet of an image forming apparatus main body 1B; an image forming part 40 for transferring a toner image on the continuous form media P1; a fixation part 60 having a fixation roller 61 and a pressure roller 62 for press-fitting the toner image transferred on the continuous form media P1; a cooling part 68 for sending a coolant toward the fixation part 60; a temperature detection part 67 for detecting the temperature of the fixation part 60; and a control part 80 for controlling the image forming part 40, the fixation part 60, the cooling part 68, and the continuous form media conveyance part 50. The control part 80 performs a control of sending the coolant toward the fixation part 60 by the cooling part 68 when temperature information obtained from the temperature detection part 67 is equal to or more than the predetermined temperature in a state that the continuous form media P1 is not inserted into the fixation part 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on long paper. Regardless of color or monochrome, the image forming apparatus includes a digital copying machine, a FAX, an electrophotographic apparatus such as a printer, a recording apparatus, a display apparatus, and the like.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process technology, a laser beam based on image data is irradiated (exposed) to a uniformly charged photoconductor, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor. It is formed. Then, toner is supplied to the photoconductor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed. This toner image is transferred directly or indirectly to the sheet via an intermediate transfer member, and then heated and pressed by the fixing unit, whereby an image is formed on the sheet.

  In such an image forming apparatus, there is a problem that paper damage (for example, deformation or discoloration of the paper, image defect on the paper) occurs due to heat of the fixing unit.

  The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 suppresses image defects on a sheet by adjusting the temperature of a pressure member that constitutes a fixing unit within a predetermined temperature range.

JP 2010-79086 A

  Film-type roll paper (long paper) such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a paper on which an image is formed is easily deformed and melted by heat as compared with normal paper.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on roll paper, it is necessary to pass the paper through the image forming apparatus including a fixing unit before printing. When film roll paper is passed, if roll paper is introduced into the fixing unit at a high fixing temperature, the roll paper is wound around the fixing unit at the time of introduction, or roll paper is wound on the fixing unit. If left unattended, the roll paper melts and deforms, and there is a concern about the occurrence of problems that the winding cannot be performed well.

  In particular, when recovering from a problem such as paper jam, out of paper, service call, etc., roll paper may be passed through the fixing unit with the temperature of the fixing unit being high. In order to prevent the roll paper from being damaged and wound around the fixing unit when the fixing unit is at a high temperature, the roll paper is allowed to pass inside the fixing unit until the temperature drops to a predetermined temperature. An apparatus configuration that prohibits paper is conceivable.

  However, when the roll paper is not allowed to pass through the fixing unit, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus cannot be operated for a long time until the temperature is lowered to a predetermined temperature.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention prevents an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a long sheet from being wrapped around a fixing unit at the time of print preparation and from being deformed or discolored until the start of image formation. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of quickly cooling the fixing unit.

  This image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a continuous form medium, and can convey the continuous form medium having a length from the entrance to the exit of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A continuous form medium conveying unit, an image forming unit for transferring a toner image to the continuous form medium, a fixing unit having a fixing roller and a pressure roller for pressing the toner image transferred to the continuous form medium, Controls the driving of the cooling unit that feeds the refrigerant toward the fixing unit, the temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the fixing unit, the image forming unit, the fixing unit, the cooling unit, and the continuous media transport unit A control unit.

  When the temperature information obtained from the temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than the first temperature in a state where the continuous form media is not passed through the fixing unit, the control unit directs the fixing unit to the fixing unit. Then, control for feeding the refrigerant is performed.

  In another embodiment, the control unit controls the cooling unit to stop feeding the refrigerant to the fixing unit when the temperature information obtained from the temperature detection unit drops below a second temperature. Do.

In another form, the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.
In another embodiment, the control unit performs control to complete the pressure-bonding operation by the fixing unit before performing control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit.

  In another embodiment, the control unit performs control to drive the fixing roller while performing control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit.

  In another embodiment, the continuous form media transport unit includes a detection unit that detects the continuous form media upstream of the fixing unit, and the control unit detects the continuous form medium by the detection unit. In this case, the cooling unit controls the refrigerant to be sent toward the fixing unit.

  In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to prohibit conveyance of the continuous form media by the continuous form medium conveyance unit while performing the control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit. To do.

  In another aspect, the control unit performs the fixing in the transport of the continuous form media by the continuous form medium transport unit while the cooling unit performs the control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit. Control for prohibiting the entry of the continuous-book media into the department.

  In another embodiment, the control unit, when transporting the continuous form media by the continuous form medium transport unit after finishing the control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit, Control is performed to maintain driving of the fixing roller and the pressure roller.

  In another embodiment, the control unit, when finishing the control of sending the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit and not transporting the continuous media by the continuous media transport unit. Then, the fixing roller and the pressure roller are separated from each other, and the driving of the fixing unit is stopped.

  In another form, the said control part performs control from which the temperature which complete | finishes the control which sends in the said refrigerant | coolant toward the said fixing | fixed part by the said cooling part differs according to the paper type of the said continuous paper medium.

  In another embodiment, the control unit further includes an operation display unit, and the control unit performs a cooling operation on the operation display unit while performing the control of sending the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit. Is displayed.

  In another embodiment, the cooling unit is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing unit when viewed along the transport direction of the continuous form media.

  In another embodiment, the cooling unit sends the refrigerant toward the space between the fixing roller and the continuous paper medium.

  According to this image forming apparatus, when temperature information obtained from the temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature in a state where the continuous form media is not passed through the fixing unit, the cooling unit supplies the refrigerant toward the fixing unit. Therefore, the fixing portion can be cooled quickly.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus main body according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the image forming apparatus main body according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing unit according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the cooling process of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display message to the operation display part which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, and the like, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, and the like unless otherwise specified. The same parts and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may not be repeated. Further, in the drawings, there are some portions that are not illustrated in accordance with the ratio of actual dimensions, but are illustrated with the ratio changed so that the structure becomes clear in order to facilitate understanding of the structure.

(Image forming apparatus 1)
With reference to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding device 1A, an image forming device main body 1B, and a winding device 1C.

  The paper feeding device 1A accommodates continuous paper media such as roll paper and continuous paper (long paper), for example, and feeds continuous paper media in accordance with instructions from the image forming apparatus main body 1B. The continuous book media includes not only ordinary paper but also film paper such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The image forming apparatus main body 1B forms an image on the continuous form media fed from the paper feeding device 1A. The winding device 1 </ b> C winds the continuous form media on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body 1 </ b> B.

(Image forming apparatus main body 1B)
The configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 1B will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 1B, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the image forming apparatus main body 1B.

  The image forming apparatus main body 1B is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process technology. In the image forming apparatus main body 1B, photosensitive drums 413 corresponding to four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are arranged in series in the running direction (vertical direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 421. A vertical tandem method is employed in which the color toner images are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421.

  The image forming apparatus main body 1B primarily transfers the YMCK color toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421, and superimposes the four color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421. An image is formed by secondary transfer to the image.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus main body 1 </ b> B includes an operation display unit 20, an image processing unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a continuous form media transport unit 50, a paper detection unit 55, a fixing unit 60, and a control. Part 80.

  The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, and the like. The CPU 81 reads out a program corresponding to the processing contents from the ROM 82 or the storage unit 72 and develops it in the RAM 83. In cooperation with the developed program, each block of the image forming apparatus main body 1B, the sheet feeding device 1A, and the winding device Control the operation of 1C.

  The communication unit 71 has various interfaces such as a network card, a modem, and a USB. The storage unit 72 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive. The storage unit 72 stores, for example, a lookup table that is referred to when controlling the operation of each block.

  The control unit 80 transmits / receives various data to / from an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN or a WAN via the communication unit 71. The control unit 80 transmits / receives various data to / from the sheet feeding device 1A and the winding device 1C via the communication unit 71.

  The operation display unit 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as the display unit 21 and the operation unit 22. The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, operation states of functions, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 80. The operation unit 22 receives a touch operation by the user and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 80.

  The operation unit 22 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 80. The user can operate the operation display unit 20 to perform settings relating to image formation such as image quality setting, magnification setting, application setting, output setting, paper setting, and paper conveyance instruction.

  The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit that performs digital image processing according to initial settings or user settings on input image data. For example, the image processing unit 30 performs gradation correction based on the gradation correction data (gradation correction table) under the control of the control unit 80. The image processing unit 30 performs various correction processing such as color correction and shading correction, compression processing, and the like on the input image data. The image forming unit 40 is controlled based on the image data subjected to these processes.

(Image forming unit 40)
The image forming unit 40 includes an image forming unit 41, an intermediate transfer unit 42, and the like for forming an image using colored toners of Y component, M component, C component, and K component based on input image data. The image forming unit 41 includes four image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K for Y component, M component, C component, and K component. Since the image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K have the same configuration, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience of illustration and description. In FIG. 2, only the components of the Y-component image forming unit 41Y are denoted by reference numerals, and the symbols of the other image forming units 41M, 41C, and 41K are omitted.

  The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photosensitive drum 413, a charging device 414, a drum cleaning device 415, and the like. The charging device 414 is composed of a corona discharge generator such as a scorotron charging device or a corotron charging device. The charging device 414 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 to a negative polarity by corona discharge.

  The exposure device 411 irradiates the photosensitive drum 413 with light corresponding to the image of each color component. The positive charge generated in the charge generation layer of the photosensitive drum 413 is transported to the surface of the charge transport layer, so that the surface charge (negative charge) of the photosensitive drum 413 is neutralized. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 due to a potential difference from the surroundings.

  The developing device 412 contains a developer of each color component (for example, a two-component developer composed of toner and a magnetic carrier), and an electrostatic latent image is formed by attaching the toner of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum 413. Visualize to form a toner image. Specifically, a developing bias voltage is applied to the developer carrying member (developing roller), and the charged toner on the developer carrying member is exposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 by the potential difference between the photosensitive drum 413 and the developer carrying member. Move to and adhere to.

  The drum cleaning device 415 includes a drum cleaning blade that is in sliding contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 413, and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 after primary transfer.

(Intermediate transfer unit 42)
The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, a plurality of support rollers 423, a secondary transfer roller 424, a belt cleaning device 426, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 421 is an endless belt, and is stretched around a plurality of support rollers 423 in a loop shape. At least one of the plurality of support rollers 423 is configured by a driving roller, and the other is configured by a driven roller. For example, it is preferable that the support roller 423 disposed downstream of the primary transfer roller 422 for the K component in the belt traveling direction is a drive roller. As the driving roller rotates, the intermediate transfer belt 421 travels in the direction of arrow A at a constant speed.

  The primary transfer roller 422 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 so as to face the photosensitive drum 413 of each color component. The primary transfer roller 422 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 413 with the intermediate transfer belt 421 interposed therebetween, whereby a primary transfer nip for transferring a toner image from the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421 is formed.

  The secondary transfer roller 424 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 so as to face one of the plurality of support rollers 423. The support roller 423 arranged to face the intermediate transfer belt 421 is called a backup roller. The secondary transfer roller 424 is pressed against the backup roller with the intermediate transfer belt 421 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 421 to the continuous paper medium.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 421 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images on the photosensitive drum 413 are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421 in order. When the continuous form medium passes through the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is secondarily transferred to the continuous form medium. The continuous form medium onto which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 60. The belt cleaning device 426 includes a belt cleaning blade that is in sliding contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after the secondary transfer.

(Fixing unit 60)
The fixing unit 60 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the fixing unit 60. The fixing unit 60 includes a fixing roller 61 disposed on the fixing surface (surface on which the toner image is formed) side of the continuous paper medium P1, and an additional surface disposed on the back surface (surface opposite to the fixing surface) side of the continuous paper medium. A pressure roller 62, a heating source 63 for heating the fixing roller 61, a pressure contact / separation unit 64 for pressing the pressure roller 62 against the fixing roller 61, a temperature detection unit 67 for detecting the fixing unit temperature, and the like.

  The heating source 63 is disposed inside or near the fixing roller 61. By controlling the output of the heating source 63 by the control unit 80, the fixing roller 61 is heated, and the fixing unit temperature becomes a temperature necessary for fixing the toner image. The control unit 80 controls the output of the heating source 63 based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit 67 arranged close to the fixing roller 61.

  Further, the operation of the pressure contact / separation unit 64 is controlled by the control unit 80, and the pressure roller 62 is pressed against the fixing roller 61, thereby forming a fixing nip for nipping and transporting the continuous form media. The continuous form medium onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred and conveyed along the sheet passing path is heated and pressurized when passing through the fixing nip. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the continuous form medium.

  The fixing unit 60 is provided with a cooling unit 68 that sends a refrigerant toward the fixing unit 60. Air is used as an example of the refrigerant, but other refrigerants can be used. The cooling unit 68 includes a blower fan 68a and a fan duct 68b. The rotation control and stop control of the blower fan 68a are executed by the control unit 80. When the blower fan 68a rotates, air is sent to the fixing nip region formed by the fixing roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 through the fan duct 68b.

  The arrangement positions of the blower fan 68a and the fan duct 68b as the cooling unit 68 are preferably arranged on the downstream side of the fixing unit 60 when viewed along the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P1. This is because air is sent in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the fixing roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, so that the cooling efficiency can be improved.

  The air blowing direction by the fan duct 68b is preferably sent in between the fixing roller 61 and the continuous paper medium P1. Thereby, even if the continuous paper medium P1 is stuck to the fixing roller 61, the continuous paper medium P1 can be peeled off from the fixing roller 61 by air feeding.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, the continuous form media transport unit 50 includes a paper feed unit 51, a paper discharge unit 52, a paper passing path unit 53, a paper detection unit 55, and the like. The paper feeding unit 51 guides the continuous form media conveyed from the paper feeding device 1 </ b> A to the paper path unit 53. The sheet passing path unit 53 conveys the continuous form medium fed from the sheet feeding unit 51 in the order of the image forming unit 40 (secondary transfer unit), the fixing unit 60, and the sheet discharging unit 52. The paper discharge unit 52 guides the long paper conveyed from the paper passing path unit 53 to the winding device 1C.

(Cooling process of fixing unit 60)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cooling process of the fixing unit 60 in the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the cooling process, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a message displayed on the operation display unit 20. Note that the cooling process of the fixing unit 60 described below is an example, and is not limited to the following cooling process.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, problems such as paper jam (JAM), out of paper, service call, etc. occur (step S10). Next, restoration processing of the image forming apparatus 1 is performed (step S20). Normally, during the restoration process, the continuous entry medium P1 is not passed through the fixing unit 60. After the restoration process in step S20, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the fixing unit 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (threshold temperature) based on the temperature information obtained from the temperature detection unit 67 (step S30). For example, a temperature between 100 ° C. and 150 ° C. is set as the threshold temperature.

  When the temperature of the fixing unit 60 is lower than the threshold temperature, the cooling process flow of the fixing unit 60 is ended, and the normal printing process flow is started.

  When the temperature of the fixing unit 60 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the cooling operation of the fixing unit 60 is started (step S40).

  Before the cooling unit 68 performs control to send air toward the fixing unit 60, control for completing the crimping operation by the fixing unit 60 is performed (step S50). After that, the blower fan 68a is driven to rotate by the control unit 80, and air is sent to the region near the fixing nip between the fixing roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 through the fan duct 68b.

  During the control of sending air toward the fixing unit 60 by the cooling unit 68, when the control to drive the fixing roller 61 is performed with the pressure roller 62 being pressed against the fixing roller 61 by the pressure contact / separation unit 64. Good. Thereby, the heat radiation of the pressure roller 62 and the fixing roller 61 can be further promoted.

  Next, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the fixing unit 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (threshold temperature) based on the temperature information obtained from the temperature detection unit 67 (step S60). When the fixing unit 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (threshold temperature), the blower fan 68a is rotationally driven until the fixing unit 60 reaches a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature (threshold temperature), and air is directed toward the fixing unit 60. Send in.

  Next, when the fixing unit 60 is lower than a predetermined temperature (threshold temperature) (when the temperature is decreased below), the rotational driving of the blower fan 68a is stopped, and the cooling unit 68 feeds air into the fixing unit 60. Is finished (step S70).

  Here, as the threshold temperature, it is preferable to perform control in which the temperature at which the control for sending air to the fixing unit 60 by the cooling unit 68 is finished is different according to the paper type of the continuous paper P1. For example, in the case of normal paper, the threshold temperature may be set to 150 ° C., and in the case of film paper, the threshold temperature may be set to 120 ° C.

  Further, when the threshold temperature of the fixing unit 60 that rotationally drives the blower fan 68a in step S60 is the first temperature, and the threshold temperature of the fixing unit 60 that stops rotational driving of the blower fan 68a in step S70 is the second temperature, The second temperature may be a temperature lower than the first temperature.

  When the first temperature and the second temperature are the same threshold temperature, the surface temperature of the fixing unit 60 is lowered, but when the internal temperature is high, the surface temperature exceeds the threshold temperature after a while, and again, There is a need to rotationally drive the blower fan 68a, and the blower fan 68a may be repeatedly stopped and driven. Therefore, by setting the second temperature to a temperature lower than the first temperature, it is possible to avoid the stop and driving of the blower fan 68a.

  Next, the continuous form medium conveyance unit 50 confirms the presence of the continuous form medium P1 by the paper detection unit 55 that detects the continuous form medium P1 provided on the upstream side of the fixing unit 60 (step S80).

  When the paper detection unit 55 confirms the presence of the continuous paper medium P1, that is, when the continuous paper medium P1 is transported by the continuous paper medium transport unit 50, the pressure roller 62 is fixed by the press contact / separation unit 64. The pressure is applied to the roller 61, and the driving of the pressure roller 62 and the fixing roller 61 is maintained, the cooling process flow of the fixing unit 60 is finished (step S90), and the normal printing process flow is started. By maintaining the driving of the pressure roller 62 and the fixing roller 61, it is possible to quickly shift to a normal printing process flow.

  When the paper detection unit 55 does not confirm the presence of the continuous paper P1, that is, when the continuous paper P1 is not transported by the continuous paper transport unit 50, the press contact and separation unit 64 causes the pressure roller 62 to The pressure bonding to the fixing roller 61 is released (separated), and the driving of the pressure roller 62 and the fixing roller 61 is stopped (step S100).

  When the image forming apparatus 1 is executing the above cooling process flow of the fixing unit 60, the normal print flow cannot be executed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Thus, it may be displayed that “the cooling operation is being performed”.

  By executing the above cooling process flow of the fixing unit 60, the cooling process of the fixing unit 60 is promoted, the deformation of the continuous paper P1 due to the high temperature state of the fixing unit 60, the winding around the pressure roller 62 and the fixing roller 61. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects due to sticking.

  Further, the waiting time for the user can be shortened by shortening the period of the “cooling operation in progress”.

(Other embodiments)
Instead of the above-described cooling process flow, the following cooling process flow may be performed.

  For example, in steps S80 and S90 in FIG. 5, the control unit 80 may perform control of sending the refrigerant toward the fixing unit 60 by the cooling unit 68.

  As another cooling processing flow, while the control unit 80 performs control to send air toward the fixing unit 60 by the cooling unit 68 (step S60), the control unit 80 controls the continuous form media P1 of the continuous form media P1. You may perform control which prohibits conveyance.

  As another cooling processing flow, while the control unit 80 performs control to send the refrigerant toward the fixing unit 60 by the cooling unit 68 (step S60), In the conveyance, control for prohibiting entry of the continuous entry medium into the fixing unit 60 may be performed.

  It should be considered that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 1A paper feeding apparatus, 1B image forming apparatus main body, 1C winding apparatus, 20 operation display part, 21 display part, 22 operation part, 30 image processing part, 40 image forming part, 41, 41M, 41Y image Forming unit, 42 Intermediate transfer unit, 50 Continuous paper transport unit, 51 Paper feed unit, 52 Paper discharge unit, 53 Paper passage unit, 55 Paper detection unit, 60 Fixing unit, 61 Fixing roller, 62 Pressure roller, 63 Heat source, 64 pressure contact / separation unit, 67 temperature detection unit, 68 cooling unit, 68a blower fan, 68b fan duct, 71 communication unit, 72 storage unit, 80 control unit, 82 ROM, 83 RAM, 411 exposure device, 412 development device 413 Photosensitive drum 414 Charging device 415 Drum cleaning device 421 Intermediate transfer belt 422 Primary transfer low Chromatography, 423 support rollers, 424 secondary transfer roller, 426 a belt cleaning device.

Claims (14)

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a continuous book medium,
A continuous form media transport unit capable of transporting the continuous form medium having a length from the entrance to the exit of the image forming apparatus main body;
An image forming unit that transfers a toner image to the continuous form medium;
A fixing unit having a fixing roller and a pressure roller for pressure-bonding the toner image transferred to the continuous paper medium;
A cooling unit for sending a refrigerant toward the fixing unit;
A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the fixing unit;
A control unit that controls driving of the image forming unit, the fixing unit, the cooling unit, and the continuous form media transport unit;
When the temperature information obtained from the temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than the first temperature in a state where the continuous form media is not passed through the fixing unit, the control unit is directed to the fixing unit by the cooling unit. An image forming apparatus that performs control to feed the refrigerant.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature information obtained from the temperature detection unit has decreased to a second temperature or less, the control unit performs control to stop feeding of the refrigerant to the fixing unit by the cooling unit. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to complete a pressure-bonding operation by the fixing unit before performing control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit. 5. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit performs control to drive the fixing roller while performing control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit. The continuous form media transport unit includes a detection unit that detects the continuous form media upstream of the fixing unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the detection unit detects the continuous form medium, the control unit controls the cooling unit to send the refrigerant toward the fixing unit.   The control unit performs control to prohibit conveyance of the continuous form media by the continuous form medium conveyance unit while performing control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   While the control unit performs the control of feeding the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit, in the transport of the continuous form media by the continuous form media transport unit, the continuous form to the fixing unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control for prohibiting entry of media is performed.   When the control unit transports the continuous form media by the continuous form medium transport unit after finishing the control of sending the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit, the control unit includes the fixing roller and the additive roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control for maintaining driving of the pressure roller is performed.   When the control unit does not transport the continuous form media by the continuous form medium transport unit after finishing the control of sending the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit, 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus performs control to stop driving of the fixing unit by separating the pressure roller.   11. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control in which a temperature at which the cooling unit feeds the refrigerant toward the fixing unit is different depending on a paper type of the continuous form medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An operation display unit;
12. The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit displays that the cooling operation is being performed on the operation display unit while performing the control of sending the refrigerant toward the fixing unit by the cooling unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The cooling part is
When viewed along the transport direction of the continuous book media,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed downstream of the fixing unit. The cooling part is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant is sent toward the fixing roller and the continuous paper medium.

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