JP2018124580A - Fixing device - Google Patents
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Abstract
Description
本発明は、電子写真複写機、電子写真プリンタ等の画像形成装置に搭載される定着装置に用いる好適な定着ベルトに関する。 The present invention relates to a fixing belt suitable for use in a fixing device mounted on an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer.
電子写真式の複写機やプリンタに搭載される定着装置（定着器）として、ベルト加熱方式のものが知られている。このタイプの定着器は、セラミック製の基板上に抵抗発熱体を有するヒータと、ヒータと接触しつつ移動する定着ベルトと、定着ベルトを介してヒータとニップ部を形成する加圧ローラなどを有している。未定着トナー画像を担持する記録材は定着器のニップ部で挟持搬送されつつ加熱され、これにより記録材上のトナー画像は記録材に定着される。
定着ベルトに用いられる材料としては、ポリイミド（ＰＩ）、ポリエーテルエーテルケトン（ＰＥＥＫ）、ポリエーテルイミド（ＰＥＩ）、ポリフェニルサルホン（ＰＰＳＵ）、ポリエーテルサルホン（ＰＥＳ）等の耐熱性樹脂が提案されている。中でも特に高い耐熱性と機械強度を有するＰＩ（ポリイミド）は、多くの画像形成装置に定着ベルトとして採用されている。
ＰＩ（ポリイミド）は、熱硬化性樹脂であり、耐熱性及び機械性能に非常に優れる一方で、製造方法が煩雑で材料単価も高いという欠点がある。一方、ＰＥＥＫ、ＰＥＩ、ＰＰＳＵ、ＰＥＳ等の熱可塑性樹脂は押出成型が可能であり、製造タクト、材料単価の面で有利であるものの、デメリットとして、耐クラック性、耐熱性、機械的強度等が問題となる場合がある。
As a fixing device (fixing device) mounted on an electrophotographic copying machine or printer, a belt heating type is known. This type of fixing device includes a heater having a resistance heating element on a ceramic substrate, a fixing belt that moves while being in contact with the heater, and a pressure roller that forms a nip portion with the heater via the fixing belt. doing. The recording material carrying the unfixed toner image is heated while being nipped and conveyed by the nip portion of the fixing device, whereby the toner image on the recording material is fixed to the recording material.
Examples of materials used for the fixing belt include heat-resistant resins such as polyimide (PI), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether imide (PEI), polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU), and polyether sulfone (PES). Proposed. Among them, PI (polyimide) having particularly high heat resistance and mechanical strength is adopted as a fixing belt in many image forming apparatuses.
PI (polyimide) is a thermosetting resin and has excellent heat resistance and mechanical performance, but has a drawback that the manufacturing method is complicated and the material unit price is high. On the other hand, thermoplastic resins such as PEEK, PEI, PPSU, and PES can be extruded and are advantageous in terms of manufacturing tact and material unit price, but have disadvantages such as crack resistance, heat resistance, and mechanical strength. May be a problem.
特許文献１には、熱硬化型ポリイミド樹脂ベルトの製法について記されている。具体的には、シリンダーの内周面にポリアミド酸を塗布し、８０〜１８０℃で２０〜６０分間加熱して溶媒を除去し、次いで２５０〜４００℃で２０〜６０分間加熱する。これによりイミド化時に生じる閉環水等を蒸発させるとともにイミド化が行われる。その後、ポリイミド樹脂製のベルトをシリンダーから脱型する。つまり、ポリアミド酸の塗布、乾燥、イミド化、脱型という様々な工程を経ることから、製造された熱硬化型ポリイミド樹脂ベルトは高価なものとなってしまう。
一方、特許文献２によれば、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂（ポリエーテルエーテルケトン。以降ＰＥＥＫと記述する。）の押出し成形について提案されている。前記提案に記載の押出し成形の採用により、成形時間の大幅短縮を見込むことができるため、安価に製造できるメリットがある。
前記特許文献２において、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂（ＰＥＥＫ）を中間転写ベルトに採用しており、製造手法・条件を規定することにより、ベルトの結晶化度を２５％程度にコントロールしている。
その理由として、結晶化度が２５％を大きく超えると、屈曲耐久性が悪化し、中間転写ベルトの破壊を招き、結晶化度が２５％を大きく下回ると、引張り弾性率の低下によるベルト歪みを招くことが記載されている。
Patent Document 1 describes a method for producing a thermosetting polyimide resin belt. Specifically, polyamic acid is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, heated at 80 to 180 ° C. for 20 to 60 minutes to remove the solvent, and then heated at 250 to 400 ° C. for 20 to 60 minutes. As a result, ring-closing water or the like generated during imidization is evaporated and imidization is performed. Thereafter, the belt made of polyimide resin is removed from the cylinder. In other words, the thermosetting polyimide resin belt produced is expensive because it undergoes various steps of application, drying, imidization, and demolding of polyamic acid.
On the other hand, Patent Document 2 proposes extrusion molding of a crystalline thermoplastic resin (polyether ether ketone, hereinafter referred to as PEEK). By adopting the extrusion molding described in the above proposal, since the molding time can be expected to be greatly shortened, there is an advantage that it can be manufactured at low cost.
In Patent Document 2, a crystalline thermoplastic resin (PEEK) is used for the intermediate transfer belt, and the degree of crystallinity of the belt is controlled to about 25% by defining manufacturing methods and conditions.
The reason is that if the degree of crystallinity exceeds 25%, the bending durability deteriorates and the intermediate transfer belt is destroyed. If the degree of crystallinity is less than 25%, belt distortion due to a decrease in tensile elastic modulus is caused. Invite to be invited.
しかしながら、前記特許文献２記載の定着ベルトを、加熱源近傍に配置し用紙を通紙した際、定着ベルトの結晶化度が大きく増大し、外径が収縮した。顕在化する弊害として、Ａ５用紙のような小サイズ紙を連続通紙した後、通紙部の外径はほぼ変動せず、非通紙部の外径のみ大きく収縮した。この後、ＬｅｔｔｅｒやＡ４用紙のような大サイズ紙を通紙した際、用紙シワが多発した。
以上より、本発明は安価に製造可能な結晶性熱可塑性樹脂を用い、耐屈曲性などを満足すると同時に定着ベルトの外径収縮起因の用紙シワを抑制することを目的とする。
However, when the fixing belt described in Patent Document 2 is arranged in the vicinity of the heating source and the paper is passed through, the crystallinity of the fixing belt greatly increases and the outer diameter contracts. As an obvious problem, after continuously passing small-size paper such as A5 paper, the outer diameter of the paper passing portion did not substantially change, and only the outer diameter of the non-paper passing portion contracted greatly. After that, when a large size paper such as Letter or A4 paper was passed, paper wrinkles occurred frequently.
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to use a crystalline thermoplastic resin that can be manufactured at low cost, and to satisfy the bending resistance and the like and at the same time to suppress paper wrinkles due to shrinkage of the outer diameter of the fixing belt.
トナー像を用紙に熱溶着する定着装置に搭載する定着ベルトにおいて、前記定着ベルトは結晶性熱可塑性樹脂を含む層を有し、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂の結晶化度が結晶性熱可塑性樹脂の最大飽和結晶化度の８１％以上であることを特徴とする無端状の定着ベルトによって、前記課題を解決する。 In a fixing belt mounted on a fixing device for heat-welding a toner image to a sheet, the fixing belt has a layer containing a crystalline thermoplastic resin, and the crystallinity of the crystalline thermoplastic resin is the maximum of the crystalline thermoplastic resin. The above-mentioned problem is solved by an endless fixing belt characterized by having a saturation crystallinity of 81% or more.
本発明により、定着ベルトに安価に製造可能な結晶性熱可塑性樹脂を用いながら、耐屈曲性を満足すると同時に定着ベルトの外径収縮起因の用紙シワ発生を抑制できる。 According to the present invention, while using a crystalline thermoplastic resin that can be manufactured at a low cost for the fixing belt, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of paper wrinkles due to shrinkage of the outer diameter of the fixing belt while satisfying the bending resistance.
［実施例１］
（装置説明）
図１（ａ）に実施例１における定着装置の断面図、（ｂ）に長手図を示し、装置概要について以下のとおり説明する。本発明の定着ベルトが適用できる定着装置はこれに限定されない。本発明の定着ベルトは定着ベルトが適用できる定着装置であれば、どのような定着装置にも適用可能である。例えば、下記のように、加熱ヒータと、加熱ヒータと接触しつつ移動する定着ベルトと、定着ベルトを介して加熱ヒータとニップ部を形成する加圧ローラと、を有し、ニップ部でトナー画像を担持する記録材を挟持搬送しつつ記録材にトナー画像を加熱定着する定着装置が好ましく例示できる。特に、定着の際に、定着ベルトがトナー像を溶融可能な温度域に到達する定着装置に用いることで、用紙シワの抑制およびクラック破壊の抑制という効果を得られやすい。
この定着装置は、不図示の一般的な電子写真方式の画像形成方法により用紙上に形成されたトナー像Ｔを加熱定着するための装置である。
定着ベルト１と加圧ローラ３の接触部によって定着ニップＮを形成し、この定着ニップＮに、トナー像Ｔを担持した用紙Ｐを通過させることで、用紙Ｐ上のトナー像を加熱定着することができる。
ベルトガイド２は、液晶ポリマー、ポリフェニレンスルファイド（ＰＰＳ）、ＰＥＥＫ等の耐熱性樹脂により形成され、長手両端部が装置フレームに保持された定着ステー７と係合する。そして、加圧手段としての加圧バネ（不図示）が、定着ステー７の長手両端部を加圧することによって、ベルトガイド２は加圧ローラ３側に押し付けられる。定着ステー７は長手両端に受けた加圧力をベルトガイド２の長手方向全域に均一に伝えるため、鉄
、ステンレス、ジンコート鋼板等の剛性のある材料を使用し、断面形状をコの字型にすることで剛性を高めている。これにより、ベルトガイド２のたわみを抑えた状態で、加圧ローラ３長手方向に均一な所定の幅の定着ニップＮが形成される。この定着装置においては、モーター（不図示）からの駆動力により、加圧ローラ３が回転（図中矢印方向）し、加圧ローラ３の表面と定着ベルト及び用紙Ｐ間に作用する摩擦力により、用紙Ｐを搬送し、トナー像を加熱定着する。
[Example 1]
(Device description)
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device in the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is a longitudinal view, and an outline of the device will be described as follows. The fixing device to which the fixing belt of the present invention can be applied is not limited to this. The fixing belt of the present invention is applicable to any fixing device as long as the fixing belt can be applied. For example, as described below, a heater, a fixing belt that moves while being in contact with the heater, and a pressure roller that forms a nip portion with the heater via the fixing belt, and a toner image at the nip portion A fixing device that heats and fixes a toner image on the recording material while sandwiching and conveying the recording material carrying the toner can be preferably exemplified. In particular, when fixing is used in a fixing device in which the fixing belt reaches a temperature range in which the toner image can be melted, the effects of suppressing paper wrinkles and crack destruction can be easily obtained.
This fixing device is a device for heating and fixing a toner image T formed on a sheet by a general electrophotographic image forming method (not shown).
A fixing nip N is formed by a contact portion between the fixing belt 1 and the pressure roller 3, and the paper P carrying the toner image T is passed through the fixing nip N to heat and fix the toner image on the paper P. Can do.
The belt guide 2 is formed of a heat-resistant resin such as liquid crystal polymer, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), PEEK, and the like, and both longitudinal end portions engage with the fixing stay 7 held by the apparatus frame. The belt guide 2 is pressed against the pressure roller 3 side by the pressure springs (not shown) as the pressure means pressing the longitudinal end portions of the fixing stay 7. The fixing stay 7 uses a rigid material such as iron, stainless steel, gin-coated steel plate, etc., and has a U-shaped cross section in order to uniformly transmit the pressure applied to both ends of the belt guide 2 to the entire longitudinal direction of the belt guide 2. This increases the rigidity. Thus, a fixing nip N having a uniform predetermined width is formed in the longitudinal direction of the pressure roller 3 in a state where the deflection of the belt guide 2 is suppressed. In this fixing device, the pressure roller 3 is rotated (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) by a driving force from a motor (not shown), and a frictional force acting between the surface of the pressure roller 3 and the fixing belt and the paper P is used. Then, the paper P is conveyed and the toner image is heated and fixed.
前記定着ニップＮ内には加熱ヒータ５を配置する。この加熱ヒータは厚み１．０ｍｍのアルミナ板上に銀・パラジウム合金で形成されている発熱体を長手２２２ｍｍ域にて形成し、発熱体をガラス材でコートしている。前記加熱ヒータ５端部に給電部を設け、それらにＡＣ電圧を印加する。尚、前記給電部は不図示のモールド部材で囲うことで絶縁性を確保している。
前記加熱ヒータ５と温度検知素子６を接触設置させ、温度検知素子６の検知温度に応じて定着装置の温度、つまりは加熱ヒータの投入電力を制御する。
本実施例１では、加圧ローラ３に印加される加圧力は１６０Ｎで、このときの定着ニップＮは６ｍｍである。
加圧ローラ３は、鉄やアルミニウム等の材質の芯金３１と、シリコーンゴム等の材質の弾性層３２、パーフルオロアルコキシアルカン（ＰＦＡ）等の材質の離型層３３から構成されている。加圧ローラ３の硬度は、定着性を満足する定着ニップＮ幅と耐久性を満足できるようにアスカーＣ型硬度計１ｋｇｆ荷重において、４０度から７０度が好ましい。
本実施例では、φ１１の鉄芯金にシリコーンゴム層を３．５ｍｍの厚みで形成し、その上に５０μｍの厚みの絶縁ＰＦＡチューブを被覆してあり、硬度は５６度である。弾性層および離型層の長手長さは２２９ｍｍである。
A heater 5 is disposed in the fixing nip N. In this heater, a heating element formed of a silver / palladium alloy is formed on an alumina plate having a thickness of 1.0 mm in a length of 222 mm, and the heating element is coated with a glass material. A power feeding unit is provided at the end of the heater 5 and an AC voltage is applied to them. In addition, the said electric power feeding part has ensured insulation by enclosing with the mold member not shown.
The heater 5 and the temperature detecting element 6 are placed in contact with each other, and the temperature of the fixing device, that is, the input power of the heater is controlled according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting element 6.
In Embodiment 1, the pressure applied to the pressure roller 3 is 160 N, and the fixing nip N at this time is 6 mm.
The pressure roller 3 includes a cored bar 31 made of iron or aluminum, an elastic layer 32 made of silicone rubber, or a release layer 33 made of perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA). The hardness of the pressure roller 3 is preferably 40 ° to 70 ° under a 1 kgf load of an Asker C-type hardness meter so that the fixing nip N width and durability satisfying the fixing property can be satisfied.
In the present embodiment, a silicone rubber layer is formed on a φ11 iron core with a thickness of 3.5 mm, and an insulating PFA tube with a thickness of 50 μm is coated thereon, and the hardness is 56 degrees. The longitudinal length of the elastic layer and the release layer is 229 mm.
（特徴）
実施例１における定着ベルトについて、製造方法及び特徴を以下に示す。
熱可塑性樹脂であるＰＥＥＫ（ＶＩＣＴＲＥＸ社 ３８１Ｇ）を選択し、押出し成形装置にて押出す。押出された樹脂は環状ダイを通過し、冷却することで中空形状のベルトに成形される。このとき、長手方向の長さ２６０ｍｍ、外径１８．６ｍｍ、膜厚１００μｍであり、ほぼ結晶化していない状態にある。
次に前記ベルト外周面にプライマーを均一に塗布し、膜厚３０μｍのＰＦＡチューブ（材料：デュポン社社、９５０ＨＰ）を被覆する。その状態にて２２０℃の炉（ヤマト科学株式会社社、送風恒温槽 ＤＮ６１０Ｈ）に投入し、１時間焼成し、ＰＦＡチューブとベルトを接着すると同時に、ＰＥＥＫの結晶化度をほぼ最大飽和結晶化度まで高める。最後に中空形状のベルト長手両端をカットし、長手方向の長さを２３３ｍｍに形成する。
(Feature)
The manufacturing method and characteristics of the fixing belt in Example 1 are shown below.
PEEK (VICTREX 381G), which is a thermoplastic resin, is selected and extruded using an extrusion molding apparatus. The extruded resin passes through the annular die and is cooled to be formed into a hollow belt. At this time, the length in the longitudinal direction is 260 mm, the outer diameter is 18.6 mm, and the film thickness is 100 μm.
Next, a primer is uniformly coated on the outer peripheral surface of the belt, and a PFA tube (material: DuPont, 950HP) having a film thickness of 30 μm is coated. In that state, it is put into a 220 ° C. furnace (Yamato Scientific Co., Ltd., blowing thermostat DN610H), fired for 1 hour, and the PFA tube and belt are bonded together. To increase. Finally, the longitudinal ends of the hollow belt are cut to form a longitudinal length of 233 mm.
ここでいう最大飽和結晶化度とは、ＰＥＥＫ材のガラス転移温度以上にて十分な加熱を付与した状態且つ、結晶化度の変化がほぼなくなったときの結晶化度を示す。図２に２２０℃の炉に投入した時間に対するＰＥＥＫ材の結晶化度を示す。図２によれば、アニールを１時間以上実施することで結晶化度がほぼ飽和していることが確認できる。図２より、本件における最大飽和結晶化度は３７％と判断できる。
このように、本願発明の定着ベルトは、押し出し又は射出により成形され、さらに成形された定着ベルトはアニール工程に供されることが好ましい。アニール工程では、通常１４３〜２５０℃の温度で、３０〜３００分定着ベルトを焼成し、結晶化度を高める。
The maximum saturation crystallinity here refers to the crystallinity in a state where sufficient heating is applied at a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature of the PEEK material and the change in crystallinity is almost eliminated. FIG. 2 shows the degree of crystallinity of the PEEK material with respect to the time when it was put into a 220 ° C. furnace. According to FIG. 2, it can be confirmed that the crystallinity is almost saturated by performing annealing for 1 hour or longer. From FIG. 2, the maximum saturation crystallinity in this case can be determined to be 37%.
Thus, the fixing belt of the present invention is preferably molded by extrusion or injection, and the molded fixing belt is preferably subjected to an annealing step. In the annealing step, the fixing belt is usually baked at a temperature of 143 to 250 ° C. for 30 to 300 minutes to increase the crystallinity.
尚、本発明における結晶化度測定条件は以下の通りである。
装置：試料水平型多目的Ｘ線回折装置 （株）リガク製 Ｕｌｔｉｍａ ＩＶ
出力：４０ｋＶ−３０ｍＡ
発散スリット：２／３°
発散縦制限スリット：１０．００ｍｍ
散乱スリット：２／３°
受光スリット：０．３０ｍｍ
測定条件：集中ビーム法
測定速度：５°／ｍｉｎ
測角範囲：２θ＝５〜４５°
前記結晶化度測定により、ＰＥＥＫ材の非晶質部分と結晶質部分の両方の回折ピークが得られ、２θ＝５〜４５°の回折角度におけるピークの積分強度から、下記式（１）にて結晶化度（％）を算出する。
結晶化度（χｃ）＝（結晶質部分の積分強度／非晶質と結晶質を含む部分（２θ＝５〜４５°）の積分強度）×１００（％）・・・式（１）
尚、結晶質部分の積分強度は２θ＝１９°付近（１１０面）、２１°付近（１１３面）、２３°付近（２００面）、２９°付近（２１３面）に出現するピークの各積分強度の合計とする。
The crystallinity measurement conditions in the present invention are as follows.
Equipment: Sample horizontal multipurpose X-ray diffractometer Ultrama IV manufactured by Rigaku Corporation
Output: 40kV-30mA
Divergent slit: 2/3 °
Divergence length restriction slit: 10.00mm
Scattering slit: 2/3 °
Receiving slit: 0.30mm
Measurement conditions: Concentrated beam method Measurement speed: 5 ° / min
Angular measuring range: 2θ = 5-45 °
By the crystallinity measurement, diffraction peaks of both the amorphous part and the crystalline part of the PEEK material are obtained. From the integrated intensity of the peak at a diffraction angle of 2θ = 5 to 45 °, the following formula (1) is obtained. The degree of crystallinity (%) is calculated.
Crystallinity (χc) = (Integral intensity of crystalline part / Integral intensity of amorphous and crystalline part (2θ = 5-45 °)) × 100 (%) Expression (1)
The integrated intensity of the crystalline part is 2θ = around 19 ° (110 plane), 21 ° (113 plane), 23 ° (200 plane), and 29 ° (around 213 plane). The sum of
以上の工程より、長手方向の長さ２３３ｍｍ、外径１８．２ｍｍ、膜厚１３０μｍ、結晶化度３７％の中空状のＰＥＥＫ材で構成された定着ベルトを成形した。本発明の定着ベルトの形状は特に制限されないが、長手方向の長さ２１６〜３２０ｍｍ、外径１０〜４０ｍｍであることが好ましい。また、ＰＥＥＫ基材の膜厚は５０〜２００μｍ程度が好ましい。さらに、本発明の定着ベルトのようにＰＦＡチューブを被覆した二層構造の場合であれば、ＰＦＡチューブは１０〜５０μｍ程度であることが好ましい。
また、前記定着ベルトはトナー像を用紙に熱溶着可能な定着装置に搭載する。
From the above steps, a fixing belt made of a hollow PEEK material having a longitudinal length of 233 mm, an outer diameter of 18.2 mm, a film thickness of 130 μm, and a crystallinity of 37% was molded. The shape of the fixing belt of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 216 to 320 mm in the longitudinal direction and 10 to 40 mm in outer diameter. The film thickness of the PEEK substrate is preferably about 50 to 200 μm. Further, in the case of a two-layer structure in which a PFA tube is covered as in the fixing belt of the present invention, the PFA tube is preferably about 10 to 50 μm.
The fixing belt is mounted on a fixing device capable of thermally welding a toner image to a sheet.
（作用１用紙シワ）
以下に比較例１について示す。
（比較例１）
結晶化度２０％のＰＥＥＫを基材とした定着ベルトを製造した。実施例１において、押出し後の焼成時間を５分とした以外は同様にして、結晶化度２０％の定着ベルトを成形した。
本件の作用・効果を確認するため実施例１と比較例１を以下の内容にて比較した。
図１に示す定着装置を用い、回転速度１５０ｒ／ｍｉｎ、ハガキ（ｗ１００ｍｍ×ｈ１４８ｍｍ、２０９．５ｇ／ｍ２）の５０枚連続通紙を２０回繰り返し、合計１０００枚のハガキを通紙させる。その後、Ｎｅｅｎａｈ Ｂｏｎｄ紙（ｗ２１５．９ｍｍ×ｈ２７９．４ｍｍ、６０ｇ／ｍ２）の１００枚連続通紙を行い、用紙シワ発生有無を確認する。また、通紙中の目標温度を１５０℃とし、ヒータに投入する電力を制御した。この時の通紙中の定着ベルト表面温度分布を図３に示す。定着ベルト表面温度は通紙部で約１２０℃、非通紙部で約２００℃に到達した。
(Action 1 paper wrinkles)
Hereinafter, Comparative Example 1 will be described.
(Comparative Example 1)
A fixing belt based on PEEK having a crystallinity of 20% was produced. In Example 1, a fixing belt having a crystallinity of 20% was molded in the same manner except that the firing time after extrusion was 5 minutes.
In order to confirm the action and effect of this case, Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were compared in the following manner.
Using the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, a continuous sheet of 50 sheets with a rotational speed of 150 r / min and a postcard (w100 mm × h148 mm, 209.5 g / m 2 ) is repeated 20 times, and a total of 1000 postcards are passed. Thereafter, 100 sheets of Neenah Bond paper (w 215.9 mm × h 279.4 mm, 60 g / m 2 ) are continuously fed to check whether paper wrinkles are generated. Further, the target temperature during paper feeding was set to 150 ° C., and the electric power supplied to the heater was controlled. FIG. 3 shows the surface temperature distribution of the fixing belt during paper passing at this time. The surface temperature of the fixing belt reached about 120 ° C. at the paper passing portion and about 200 ° C. at the non-paper passing portion.
実施例１、比較例１の比較検討結果を表１に示す。尚、Ｎｅｅｎａｈ Ｂｏｎｄ紙を１００枚通紙する際に、一度でも用紙シワが発生した場合を“×”、そうでない場合を“○”とした。表１より、実施例１は用紙シワが未発生、比較例１は用紙シワが多発した。
以上より、実施例１において、定着ベルトの外径収縮起因の用紙シワ発生の抑制作用を確認できた。
Table 1 shows the results of comparative study between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. When 100 sheets of Neenah Bond paper were passed, “x” was given when paper wrinkles occurred even once, and “◯” was given otherwise. From Table 1, the paper wrinkles did not occur in Example 1 and the paper wrinkles occurred frequently in Comparative Example 1.
As described above, in Example 1, it was possible to confirm the effect of suppressing the occurrence of paper wrinkles due to the outer diameter shrinkage of the fixing belt.
実施例１における用紙シワ抑制のメカニズムを考察し、以下に説明する。
図４に実施例１、比較例１の比較検討後の定着ベルトの長手方向における外径分布を示す。
これによれば、実施例１は長手方向全域で外径１８．２ｍｍと安定している。一方、比較例１はハガキ通紙部以外の箇所にて大きく外径が収縮している。これは非通紙部において定着ベルトであるＰＥＥＫの結晶化が促進されるためであり、これにより、定着ベルト中央と端部の外径差が拡大し、用紙シワを引き起こしている。
次に定着ベルト中央と端部の外径比（中央／端部）に着目し、用紙シワが発生した場合を“×”、未発生の場合を“○”とし、前記外径比と用紙シワ発生率の関係を図５に示す。
A mechanism for suppressing paper wrinkles in the first embodiment will be considered and described below.
FIG. 4 shows the outer diameter distribution in the longitudinal direction of the fixing belt after the comparative study of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.
According to this, Example 1 is stable with the outer diameter of 18.2 mm in the entire longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the outer diameter of Comparative Example 1 is greatly shrunk at locations other than the postcard paper passing portion. This is because the crystallization of PEEK, which is a fixing belt, is promoted in the non-sheet-passing portion. As a result, the difference in outer diameter between the center and the end of the fixing belt is increased, causing paper wrinkles.
Next, paying attention to the outer diameter ratio (center / end) between the center and the end of the fixing belt, “X” indicates that the paper wrinkle has occurred, and “O” indicates that the paper wrinkle has not occurred. The relationship of the incidence is shown in FIG.
これによれば、外径比１．００５つまり、定着ベルト中央と端部の外径差が０．５％を超える場合において、用紙シワが発生している。外径差が生じるということは、用紙中央部と端部の用紙搬送速度が異なることになる。その結果、用紙に歪みが生じ、その歪みが一定量を超えた際、用紙シワとして顕在化する。本実施例おいて、小さな歪みでも用紙シワが発生しやすい薄紙（６０ｇ／ｍ２）を通紙している。本実施例とは異なる用紙であっても、定着ベルト中央と端部の外径比（中央／端部）１．００５未満（好ましくは１．００４５以下）に抑えることができれば、用紙シワ発生を抑止可能であると考える。 According to this, paper wrinkles are generated when the outer diameter ratio is 1.005, that is, when the outer diameter difference between the center and the end of the fixing belt exceeds 0.5%. The difference in outer diameter means that the sheet conveyance speed at the center and the edge of the sheet is different. As a result, the paper is distorted, and when the distortion exceeds a certain amount, the paper becomes wrinkled. In this embodiment, thin paper (60 g / m 2 ) that is likely to cause paper wrinkles even with a small distortion is passed. Even if the paper is different from this embodiment, if the outer diameter ratio (center / edge) of the fixing belt is less than 1.005 (preferably 1.0045 or less), the generation of paper wrinkles can be prevented. I think it can be deterred.
図６に押出し成形後の定着ベルトの結晶化度と、通紙後の定着ベルト中央と端部の外径比（中央／端部）の関係を示す。これによれば、結晶化度が３０％以上であれば外径比（中央／端部）を１．００５未満に抑制できる。また、実施例１で用いたＰＥＥＫの最大飽和結晶化度は３７％であることから、結晶化が飽和した状態を１００％とした場合、８１％以上の結晶化が進んでいればよいと言える。したがって、本発明の定着ベルトに用いる結晶性熱可塑性樹脂の結晶化度は、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂の最大飽和結晶化度の８１％以上（好ましくは８６％以上）となる。また、本発明の定着ベルトに用いる結晶性熱可塑性樹脂の結晶化度は好ましくは３０％以上（より好ましくは３２％以上）である。
以上の実施例１と比較例１の結果から、定着ベルトに用いる結晶性熱可塑性樹脂の結晶化度が結晶性熱可塑性樹脂材料の最大飽和結晶化度に対して８１％以上である定着ベルトを定着装置に搭載することで、用紙シワの発生を抑制できることがわかる。
FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the degree of crystallinity of the fixing belt after extrusion molding and the outer diameter ratio (center / end) between the center and the end of the fixing belt after passing paper. According to this, when the crystallinity is 30% or more, the outer diameter ratio (center / end) can be suppressed to less than 1.005. In addition, since the maximum saturation crystallinity of PEEK used in Example 1 is 37%, it can be said that if crystallization is saturated at 100%, crystallization of 81% or more is sufficient. . Therefore, the crystallinity of the crystalline thermoplastic resin used in the fixing belt of the present invention is 81% or more (preferably 86% or more) of the maximum saturated crystallinity of the crystalline thermoplastic resin. The crystallinity of the crystalline thermoplastic resin used for the fixing belt of the present invention is preferably 30% or more (more preferably 32% or more).
From the results of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 described above, a fixing belt in which the crystallinity of the crystalline thermoplastic resin used for the fixing belt is 81% or more with respect to the maximum saturation crystallinity of the crystalline thermoplastic resin material is obtained. It can be seen that the generation of paper wrinkles can be suppressed by mounting in the fixing device.
（作用２耐屈曲性）
次に、本実施例における高温挙動の優位性を確認するために、熱可塑性樹脂を用いたベルト材を定着ベルトとして定着装置に搭載する場合と、中間転写ベルトとして転写装置に搭載する場合の耐屈曲性の違いについて比較検討結果を説明する。そのために比較例２を用意し、耐屈曲性つまりクラック破壊有無を比較する。以下に比較例２について記す。
（比較例２）
結晶化度３７％のＰＥＥＫを基材とした定着ベルトを、実施例１と同様に製造する。
(Action 2 bending resistance)
Next, in order to confirm the superiority of the high-temperature behavior in this embodiment, the resistance when a belt material using a thermoplastic resin is mounted as a fixing belt in the fixing device and when the belt material is mounted as an intermediate transfer belt in the transfer device. The results of comparative study on the difference in flexibility will be described. Therefore, Comparative Example 2 is prepared, and the resistance to bending, that is, the presence or absence of crack destruction is compared. Hereinafter, Comparative Example 2 will be described.
(Comparative Example 2)
A fixing belt based on PEEK having a crystallinity of 37% is produced in the same manner as in Example 1.
比較例２における通紙条件を以下に示す。
中間転写ベルトとして転写装置に搭載することを模擬するため、目標温度を５０℃とし、ヒータに投入する電力を制御した。この時の通紙中の定着ベルト表面温度は約３５℃に達した。つまり、トナー像を用紙に熱溶着不可能な条件下にある。
一方、実施例１においては、トナー像を用紙に熱溶着可能なことが前提であるため、定着装置としての目標温度を１８０℃とし、ヒータに投入する電力を制御した。この時の通紙中の定着ベルト表面温度は約１５０℃に達しており、トナー像を用紙に熱溶着可能な条件下にある。
尚、比較検討には図１に示す定着装置を用い、回転速度１５０ｒ／ｍｉｎ、Ｎｅｅｎａｈ Ｂｏｎｄ紙（ｗ２１５．９ｍｍ×ｈ２７９．４ｍｍ、６０ｇ／ｍ２）の５０枚連続
通紙を２０回繰り返し、合計１０００枚を通紙させる。
The sheet passing conditions in Comparative Example 2 are shown below.
In order to simulate mounting the transfer device as an intermediate transfer belt, the target temperature was set to 50 ° C., and the electric power supplied to the heater was controlled. At this time, the surface temperature of the fixing belt during paper passing reached about 35 ° C. In other words, the toner image is in a condition where it cannot be heat-welded to the paper.
On the other hand, in Example 1, since it is premised that the toner image can be thermally welded to the paper, the target temperature as the fixing device is set to 180 ° C., and the electric power supplied to the heater is controlled. At this time, the surface temperature of the fixing belt during passing of the paper reaches about 150 ° C., and the toner image is in a condition capable of being thermally welded to the paper.
For comparison, the fixing device shown in FIG. 1 was used, and a continuous speed of 150 r / min, 50 sheets of Neenah Bond paper (w215.9 mm × h279.4 mm, 60 g / m 2 ) was repeated 20 times. Pass 1000 sheets.
実施例１、比較例２の比較検討結果を表２に示す。定着ベルトに亀裂が発生した場合を“×”、そうでない場合を“○”とした。 Table 2 shows the results of comparative study between Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. The case where cracks occurred in the fixing belt was indicated as “x”, and the case where it was not indicated was indicated as “◯”.
以上より、実施例１において、トナー像を用紙に熱溶着する定着装置にＰＥＥＫ材で構成される定着ベルトを搭載することで、耐屈曲性を満足し、クラック破壊を抑制できることを確認できた。 As described above, in Example 1, it was confirmed that by installing the fixing belt made of the PEEK material in the fixing device that thermally welds the toner image to the paper, the bending resistance is satisfied and the crack breakage can be suppressed.
ここで、実施例１と比較例２に関して、耐屈曲性の違いについて考察する。図７に定着ベルトの温度とその時の定着ベルトの引張り弾性率の関係を示す。これによれば、定着ベルトの温度がベルト材のガラス転移温度（Ｔｇ）である１４３℃を超えるあたりから、定着ベルトの引張り弾性率が大きく低減している。また、引張り弾性率は耐屈曲性に大きな相関があることが一般に知られている。
実施例１においてトナー像を溶融可能な温度域、つまり、定着ベルトの引張り弾性率が低い状態にて回転動作を実施するため、耐屈曲性に優れる。一方、比較例２においてトナー像を溶融不可能な温度域、つまり、定着ベルトの引張り弾性率の高い状態にて回転動作を実施するため耐屈曲性に劣り、クラック破壊を招いた。このように、本発明の定着ベルトは、トナー像を溶融可能な温度域（８０〜１４０℃）で用いることが好ましく、特に、定着ベルトの結晶性熱可塑性樹脂のガラス転移温度以上で用いることが好ましい。
Here, regarding Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the difference in bending resistance will be considered. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the temperature of the fixing belt and the tensile elastic modulus of the fixing belt at that time. According to this, since the temperature of the fixing belt exceeds 143 ° C. which is the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the belt material, the tensile elastic modulus of the fixing belt is greatly reduced. It is generally known that the tensile elastic modulus has a large correlation with the bending resistance.
In Example 1, since the rotation operation is performed in a temperature range where the toner image can be melted, that is, in a state where the tensile elastic modulus of the fixing belt is low, the bending resistance is excellent. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, since the rotation operation was performed in a temperature range where the toner image could not be melted, that is, in a state where the tensile elastic modulus of the fixing belt was high, the bending resistance was inferior and crack destruction was caused. As described above, the fixing belt of the present invention is preferably used in a temperature range (80 to 140 ° C.) at which the toner image can be melted, and particularly used at a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature of the crystalline thermoplastic resin of the fixing belt. preferable.
表３に実施例１、比較例１、比較例２の比較検討結果をまとめて表記する。
トナー像を溶融可能な温度域で使用する定着ベルトにおいては、従来考えられていた結晶化度を高めることによる耐屈曲性の悪化をそれほど懸念する必要がないことが確認できた。従って、本実施例１においては、安価に製造可能な熱可塑性樹脂を用いた定着ベルトを定着装置に搭載し、耐屈曲性を満足すると同時に定着ベルトの外径収縮起因の用紙シワ発生を抑制できる。 It has been confirmed that in a fixing belt that uses a toner image in a temperature range in which the toner image can be melted, there is no need to worry about the deterioration of the bending resistance caused by increasing the crystallinity that has been conventionally considered. Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, a fixing belt using a thermoplastic resin that can be manufactured at low cost is mounted on the fixing device, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of paper wrinkles due to shrinkage of the outer diameter of the fixing belt while satisfying the bending resistance. .
尚、本実施例１において、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂であるＰＥＥＫを定着ベルトとして使用しているが、本発明においては、同じ芳香族エーテルケトン類に属する樹脂を用いた場合も同様の作用・効果を期待できる。本発明においては、ポリエーテルケトン（ＰＥＫ）、ポリエーテルエーテルケトン（ＰＥＥＫ）、ポリエーテルケトンエーテルケトンケトン（ＰＥＫＥＫＫ）、ポリエーテルケトンケトン（ＰＥＫＫ）、ポリアリールエーテルケトンエーテルケトンケトン（ＰＡＥＫＥＫＫ）、ポリアリルエーテルケトン（ＰＡＥＫ）、ポリアリルエーテルエーテルケトン（ＰＡＥＥＫ）、ポリエーテルエーテルケトンケトン（ＰＥＥＫＫ）、ポリアリールエーテルケトンケトン（ＰＡＥＫＫ）、およびポリアリールエーテルエーテルケトンケトン（ＰＡＥＥＫＫ）からなる群から選択される１以上を用いてもよい。これらの中でも、ＰＥＥＫ、ＰＥＫまたはＰＥＫＥＫＫが好ましい。 In Example 1, PEEK, which is a crystalline thermoplastic resin, is used as a fixing belt. However, in the present invention, the same action and effect can be obtained when resins belonging to the same aromatic ether ketone are used. Can be expected. In the present invention, polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneetherketoneketone (PEKEKK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketoneetherketoneketone (PAEKEKKK), poly Selected from the group consisting of allyl ether ketone (PAEK), polyallyl ether ether ketone (PAEEK), polyether ether ketone ketone (PEEKK), polyaryl ether ketone ketone (PAEKK), and polyaryl ether ether ketone ketone (PAEEKK). One or more may be used. Among these, PEEK, PEK or PEKEKK is preferable.
また、前記結晶性熱可塑性樹脂に添加剤や非晶樹脂などをブレンドした場合においても、同様の作用・効果を発揮することができる。ただし、結晶化度の測定値はブレンド比によって異なるため、ブレンド材の場合、そのブレンド材における最大飽和結晶化度を把握し、その最大飽和結晶化度に対する結晶化率を規定することで、本実施例１で示した作用・効果を発揮できることは言うまでもなく、詳細説明については省略する。
本発明の定着ベルトは、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂を含む層を有するが、二層構造としてもよい。例えば、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂を含む層を基材として、結晶性熱可塑性樹脂を含む層の外周面に、パーフルオロアルコキシアルカン（ＰＦＡ）等の樹脂を被覆してもよい。被覆する樹脂としては、パーフルオロアルコキシアルカン（ＰＦＡ）、ポリテトラフルオロエチレン（ＰＴＦＥ）等からなる群から選択されるものが挙げられる。
Further, even when an additive, an amorphous resin or the like is blended with the crystalline thermoplastic resin, the same action and effect can be exhibited. However, since the measured value of crystallinity varies depending on the blend ratio, in the case of a blend material, the maximum saturation crystallinity in the blend material is ascertained, and the crystallinity with respect to the maximum saturation crystallinity is specified. Needless to say, the functions and effects shown in the first embodiment can be exhibited, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The fixing belt of the present invention has a layer containing a crystalline thermoplastic resin, but may have a two-layer structure. For example, using a layer containing a crystalline thermoplastic resin as a base material, a resin such as perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA) may be coated on the outer peripheral surface of the layer containing the crystalline thermoplastic resin. Examples of the resin to be coated include those selected from the group consisting of perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the like.
［実施例２］
（装置説明）
図８に実施例２における定着装置の断面図を示し、装置概要について説明する。
本実施例では本発明の定着ベルトを、図８に示す表面加熱定着装置に利用する。本構成において定着ベルト１は加圧ローラ３とともに定着ニップＮを形成し、加圧ローラ３表面を別の加熱ローラで表面加熱して、その熱を記録材及びトナー像Ｔに供給することにより定着動作を行う。
加熱源としてハロゲンヒータ１３を内蔵した加熱ローラ１２を加圧ローラ３に押し当て、加熱ニップＨを形成する。定着ベルト１と加圧ローラ３の接触部によって定着ニップＮ
を形成し、この定着ニップＮに、トナー像Ｔを担持した用紙Ｐを通過させることで、用紙Ｐ上のトナー像を加熱定着することができる。
ベルトガイド２は、液晶ポリマー、ＰＰＳ、ＰＥＥＫ等の耐熱性樹脂により形成され、長手両端部が装置フレームに保持された定着ステー７と係合する。
[Example 2]
(Device description)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device according to the second embodiment, and an outline of the device will be described.
In this embodiment, the fixing belt of the present invention is used in the surface heating fixing apparatus shown in FIG. In this configuration, the fixing belt 1 forms a fixing nip N together with the pressure roller 3, the surface of the pressure roller 3 is heated by another heating roller, and the heat is supplied to the recording material and the toner image T for fixing. Perform the action.
A heating roller 12 incorporating a halogen heater 13 as a heating source is pressed against the pressure roller 3 to form a heating nip H. A fixing nip N is formed by a contact portion between the fixing belt 1 and the pressure roller 3.
And the paper P carrying the toner image T is passed through the fixing nip N, whereby the toner image on the paper P can be fixed by heating.
The belt guide 2 is formed of a heat-resistant resin such as liquid crystal polymer, PPS, PEEK, and the like, and both longitudinal end portions engage with the fixing stay 7 held by the apparatus frame.
そして、加圧手段としての加圧バネ（不図示）が、定着ステー７の長手両端部を加圧することによって、ベルトガイド２は加圧ローラ３側に加圧される。このとき、加圧ローラ３に印加される加圧力は１６０Ｎで、このときの定着ニップＮは６ｍｍである。尚、定着ステー７は長手両端に受けた加圧力をベルトガイド２の長手方向に対して均一に伝えるため、鉄、ステンレス、ジンコート鋼板等の剛性のある材料を使用し、断面形状をコの字型にすることで剛性を高めている。
加熱ローラ１２両端部の不図示の押圧部を加圧バネにて押圧し、加圧ローラ３に対して加圧する。このとき、加圧ローラ３に印加される加圧力は１６０Ｎである。
温度検知素子６は加熱ローラ１２表面に当接接触させ、温度検知素子６の検知温度に応じて定着装置の温度、つまりはハロゲンヒータ１３の投入電力を制御する。
当該定着装置においては、加圧ローラ３および／又は加熱ローラ１２に動力を伝達するモーター（不図示）からの駆動力により、加圧ローラ３および加熱ローラ１２が回転し、加圧ローラ３の表面と定着ベルト及び用紙Ｐ間に作用する摩擦力により、用紙Ｐを搬送し、トナー像を加熱定着する。
The belt guide 2 is pressed toward the pressure roller 3 by pressing springs (not shown) as pressing means pressing both longitudinal ends of the fixing stay 7. At this time, the pressure applied to the pressure roller 3 is 160 N, and the fixing nip N at this time is 6 mm. The fixing stay 7 uses a rigid material such as iron, stainless steel, gin-coated steel plate or the like in order to uniformly transmit the pressure applied to both ends of the belt guide 2 in the longitudinal direction of the belt guide 2 and has a U-shaped cross section. Rigidity is increased by using a mold.
Pressing parts (not shown) at both ends of the heating roller 12 are pressed by a pressure spring to press the pressure roller 3. At this time, the pressure applied to the pressure roller 3 is 160N.
The temperature detecting element 6 is brought into contact with the surface of the heating roller 12 and controls the temperature of the fixing device, that is, the input power of the halogen heater 13 according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting element 6.
In the fixing device, the pressure roller 3 and the heating roller 12 are rotated by a driving force from a motor (not shown) that transmits power to the pressure roller 3 and / or the heating roller 12, and the surface of the pressure roller 3 is rotated. The sheet P is conveyed by the frictional force acting between the fixing belt and the sheet P, and the toner image is heated and fixed.
本件で使用する定着装置は、図１で示した定着装置とは異なり、加熱源である加熱ローラと定着ベルトが直接接触していない。本件において、このような定着装置であっても、用紙シワの発生を抑止する共に、耐屈曲性によるクラック発生を抑制できることを示す。 In the fixing device used in this case, unlike the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, the heating roller as a heating source and the fixing belt are not in direct contact. In this case, it is shown that even with such a fixing device, generation of paper wrinkles can be suppressed and crack generation due to bending resistance can be suppressed.
（特徴）
以下に、実施例２について説明する。尚、実施例１と同様にして製造した長手２３３ｍｍ、外径１８．２ｍｍ、膜厚１３０μｍ、結晶化度３７％の中空状のＰＥＥＫ材およびＰＦＡで構成された定着ベルトを使用した。
(Feature)
Example 2 will be described below. A fixing belt made of a hollow PEEK material having a length of 233 mm, an outer diameter of 18.2 mm, a film thickness of 130 μm, and a crystallinity of 37% and PFA manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 was used.
本実施例２における加圧ローラ３の構成について示す。φ１１の鉄芯金にバルーンゴム層を３．４ｍｍの厚みで形成し、その上に１５０μｍの高熱伝導ゴム層を積層し、さらに１０μｍの厚みの絶縁ＰＦＡチューブを被覆してあり、硬度は５６度である。弾性層および離型層の長手長さは２２９ｍｍである。 A configuration of the pressure roller 3 in the second embodiment will be described. A balloon rubber layer is formed on a φ11 iron core with a thickness of 3.4 mm, a high heat conductive rubber layer of 150 μm is laminated thereon, and an insulating PFA tube with a thickness of 10 μm is further coated, and the hardness is 56 degrees. It is. The longitudinal length of the elastic layer and the release layer is 229 mm.
（作用）
本実施例２において以下の条件にて用紙シワ発生有無を確認した。回転速度１５０ｒ／ｍｉｎ、ハガキ（ｗ１００ｍｍ×ｈ１４８ｍｍ、２０９．５ｇ／ｍ２）の５０枚連続通紙を２０回繰り返し、合計１０００枚のハガキを通紙させる。その後、Ｎｅｅｎａｈ Ｂｏｎｄ紙（ｗ２１５．９ｍｍ×ｈ２７９．４ｍｍ、６０ｇ／ｍ２）の１００枚連続通紙を行い、用紙シワ発生有無を確認する。また、通紙中の目標温度を２２０℃とし、ヒータに投入する電力を制御した。この時の通紙中の定着ベルト定着ベルト表面温度は通紙部で約１３０℃、非通紙部で約２００℃に到達した。
このときの用紙シワ発生有無を確認したところ、用紙シワは未発生であった。また、定着ベルト中央と端部の外径比（中央／端部）は１．０００５であり、シワ抑制効果が得られる１．００４５以下に抑えることができている。
次に、通紙によるクラック破壊有無を確認する。通紙条件として、定着装置としての目標温度を２２０℃とし、ヒータに投入する電力を制御した。さらに目標温度に到達した後、定着装置に用紙の通紙がスタートするよう制御した。その際、定着ベルトの温度は１５０℃に達した。また、定着装置の回転速度を１５０ｒ／ｍｉｎ、通紙する用紙はＮｅｅｎａｈ Ｂｏｎｄ紙（ｗ２１５．９ｍｍ×ｈ２７９．４ｍｍ、６０ｇ／ｍ２）とし、５０枚
連続通紙を２０回繰り返し、合計１０００枚を通紙させところ、定着ベルトのクラックの発生は皆無であった。
以上より、実施例２の定着装置のように加熱源と定着ベルトが当接していない系においても、安価に製造可能な熱可塑性樹脂を用いた定着ベルトを定着装置に搭載し、耐屈曲性を満足すると同時に定着ベルトの外径収縮起因の用紙シワ発生を抑制できる。
(Function)
In Example 2, the presence or absence of paper wrinkles was confirmed under the following conditions. A continuous printing of 50 sheets of postcard (w100 mm × h148 mm, 209.5 g / m 2 ) at a rotational speed of 150 r / min is repeated 20 times to pass a total of 1000 postcards. Thereafter, 100 sheets of Neenah Bond paper (w 215.9 mm × h 279.4 mm, 60 g / m 2 ) are continuously fed to check whether paper wrinkles are generated. Further, the target temperature during paper feeding was set to 220 ° C., and the electric power supplied to the heater was controlled. At this time, the fixing belt surface temperature during paper passing reached about 130 ° C. at the paper passing portion and about 200 ° C. at the non-paper passing portion.
When it was confirmed whether or not paper wrinkles occurred at this time, no paper wrinkles occurred. Further, the outer diameter ratio (center / end portion) between the center and the end portion of the fixing belt is 1.0005, which can be suppressed to 1.0045 or less at which a wrinkle suppressing effect can be obtained.
Next, the presence or absence of crack breakage due to paper passing is confirmed. As the sheet passing condition, the target temperature as the fixing device was set to 220 ° C., and the electric power supplied to the heater was controlled. Further, after reaching the target temperature, control was performed so that the sheet feeding to the fixing device was started. At that time, the temperature of the fixing belt reached 150 ° C. Also, the fixing device has a rotation speed of 150 r / min, the paper to be passed is Neenah Bond paper (w 215.9 mm × h 279.4 mm, 60 g / m 2 ), and 50 continuous paper passes are repeated 20 times, for a total of 1000 sheets. When the paper was passed, there was no occurrence of cracks in the fixing belt.
As described above, even in a system in which the heating source and the fixing belt are not in contact with each other as in the fixing device of Example 2, a fixing belt using a thermoplastic resin that can be manufactured at low cost is mounted on the fixing device, and the bending resistance is improved. At the same time as satisfying, the occurrence of paper wrinkles due to shrinkage of the outer diameter of the fixing belt can be suppressed.
１・・・定着ベルト
２・・・ベルトガイド
３・・・加圧ローラ
４・・・ＡＣケーブル
５・・・加熱ヒータ
６・・・温度検知素子
７・・・定着ステー
１０・・・基層（定着ベルト）
１１・・・離型層（定着ベルト）
１２・・・加熱ローラ
１３・・・ハロゲンヒータ
３１・・・芯金（加圧ローラ）
３２・・・弾性層（加圧ローラ）
３３・・・離型層（加圧ローラ）
Ｎ・・・定着ニップ部
Ｐ・・・記録材（用紙）
Ｔ・・・トナー像
Ｖ・・・交流電源
Ｈ・・・加熱ニップ
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fixing belt 2 ... Belt guide 3 ... Pressure roller 4 ... AC cable 5 ... Heater heater 6 ... Temperature detection element 7 ... Fixing stay 10 ... Base layer ( Fixing belt)
11 ... Release layer (fixing belt)
12 ... Heating roller 13 ... Halogen heater 31 ... Core metal (pressure roller)
32 ... elastic layer (pressure roller)
33 ... Releasing layer (pressure roller)
N: Fixing nip P: Recording material (paper)
T ... Toner image V ... AC power supply H ... Heating nip
Claims (4)
The crystalline thermoplastic resin is one or more selected from the group consisting of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), and polyetherketoneetherketoneketone (PEKEKK). The endless fixing belt according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2018086890A JP2018124580A (en) | 2018-04-27 | 2018-04-27 | Fixing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2018086890A JP2018124580A (en) | 2018-04-27 | 2018-04-27 | Fixing device |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2013178926A Division JP2015049270A (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2013-08-30 | Fixing belt and fixing device including the same |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2018124580A true JP2018124580A (en) | 2018-08-09 |
Family
ID=63111400
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2018086890A Pending JP2018124580A (en) | 2018-04-27 | 2018-04-27 | Fixing device |
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| Country | Link |
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| JP (1) | JP2018124580A (en) |
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| JP2020098312A (en) * | 2018-12-19 | 2020-06-25 | 株式会社リコー | Temperature detection means, heating device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus |
| JP2020098311A (en) * | 2018-12-19 | 2020-06-25 | 株式会社リコー | Temperature detection means, heating device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus |
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| JP2020098311A (en) * | 2018-12-19 | 2020-06-25 | 株式会社リコー | Temperature detection means, heating device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus |
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