JP2019061041A - Tubular body for infrared light fixing device, infrared light fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device that suppresses a reduction in transmittance of infrared light after rotation for a long time, compared with a case where an innermost surface of the tubular body is a substrate.SOLUTION: A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device comprises: a tubular substrate; a first elastic layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate; a release layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first elastic layer; and a second elastic layer provided on an inner peripheral surface of the substrate as an innermost surface. The tubular body has transmittance for infrared light in at least partial wavelength region of the infrared region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device, an infrared light fixing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus (such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer) using an electrophotographic method, an unfixed toner image formed on a recording medium is fixed by a fixing device to form an image.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses "a transfer fixing belt having conductivity and transparency to infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less."

  In Patent Document 2, “a tubular base material, an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material, and a release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer and containing a fluorine-containing resin A fixing member having transparency to an infrared ray in a wavelength range in at least a part of 760 nm to 900 nm is disclosed.

  According to Patent Document 3, “a fixing member formed by forming a silicone rubber layer on a core material and coating a fluorine resin film on the outer surface of the silicone rubber layer is not covered by the fluorine resin film of the silicone rubber layer A fixing member characterized in that the end surface portion exposed to the outside is made of silicone rubber having a lower volatile component content and a higher hardness than the other portions.

JP, 2015-227988, A JP, 2015-040897, A JP 2012-185247 A

  In the infrared light fixing device, a scratch may occur on the back surface of the tubular body for the infrared light fixing device. When such a scratch occurs, the transmittance of infrared light of the tubular body may be reduced.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device in which the decrease in the transmittance of infrared light after rotation for a long time is suppressed as compared with the case where the innermost surface of the tubular body is a substrate. It is to provide.

  The above-mentioned subject is solved by the following means. That is,

The invention according to claim 1 is
A tubular base material,
A first elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate;
A release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first elastic layer;
A second elastic layer provided as an innermost layer on the inner peripheral surface of the substrate;
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device, having transparency to infrared light of at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region.

The invention according to claim 2 is
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic layer contains silicone rubber or a fluorine-based elastomer.

The invention according to claim 3 is
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the second elastic layer is 0.05 mm or more and 0.50 mm or less.

The invention according to claim 4 is
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has transparency to infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm.

The invention according to claim 5 is
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 4, wherein a transmittance to infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm is 90% or more.

The invention according to claim 6 is
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a Young's modulus of the second elastic layer is 4 MPa or more and 40 MPa or less.

The invention according to claim 7 is
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 5, wherein a Young's modulus of the base material is 1000 MPa or more and 6000 MPa or less.

The invention according to claim 8 is
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a rubber hardness of the second elastic layer is 20 or more and 70 or less.

The invention according to claim 9 is
A tubular body for infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is a tubular body in contact with a toner image on a recording medium,
A rotating body provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body, forming a contact area with the tubular body, and rotating with the tubular body in the contact area to transport the recording medium;
An infrared light irradiation device provided on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body, and emitting infrared light toward the contact area between the tubular body and the rotating body;
A pressure member provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the tubular body, for pressing the tubular body together with the rotating body in the contact area;
An infrared light fixing device comprising:

The invention according to claim 10 is
The infrared light fixing device according to claim 9, wherein the infrared light irradiation device irradiates infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm.

The invention according to claim 11 is
The infrared light fixing device according to claim 9, further comprising a lubricant on the surface of the second elastic layer.

The invention according to claim 12 is
The infrared light fixing device according to claim 11, wherein the second elastic layer contains silicone rubber, and the lubricant contains a perfluoropolyether compound.

The invention according to claim 13 is
The infrared light fixing device according to claim 11, wherein the second elastic layer contains a fluorine-based elastomer, and the lubricant contains a silicone oil.

The invention according to claim 14 is
The infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a swelling ratio of the second elastic layer to the lubricant is 5% or less.

The invention according to claim 15 is
A toner image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium;
An infrared light fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording medium by irradiation of infrared light, comprising the infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 9 to 14;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 1 or 2, the infrared light fixing device in which the decrease in the transmittance of infrared light after rotating for a long time is suppressed as compared with the case where the innermost surface of the tubular body is the substrate. A tubular body is provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the infrared light is prevented from being reduced in the transmittance of infrared light after rotating for a long time as compared with the case where the thickness of the second elastic layer is less than 0.05 mm. An optical fixing device tubular body is provided.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 4 or 5, there is provided a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device which realizes fixing of a toner image by infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm. A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device is provided.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, infrared light fixing in which a decrease in the transmittance of infrared light after long time rotation is suppressed as compared with the case where the Young's modulus of the second elastic layer is less than 4 MPa. A device tubular body is provided.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 7, compared with the case where the Young's modulus of the base material is less than 1000 MPa, the infrared light which suppresses the reduction of the transmittance of infrared light due to the deformation of the entire belt after rotating for a long time is suppressed. An optical fixing device tubular body is provided.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 8, the infrared light fixing in which the decrease in the transmittance of infrared light after long time rotation is suppressed as compared with the case where the rubber hardness of the second elastic layer is less than 20. A device tubular body is provided.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 9, the infrared image is realized while fixing the toner image by the infrared light as compared with the case where the tubular body for the infrared light fixing device in which the innermost surface of the tubular body is the substrate is applied. An infrared light fixing device is provided in which fixing failure due to a decrease in light transmittance is suppressed.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an infrared light fixing device which realizes fixing of a toner image by infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an infrared light fixing device having excellent fixing properties is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 12, the fixing failure due to the reduction of the infrared light transmittance is suppressed as compared to the case where the second elastic layer contains silicone rubber and the lubricant contains silicone oil. An infrared light fixing device is provided.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 13, as compared to the case where the second elastic layer contains a fluoroelastomer and the lubricant contains a perfluoropolyether compound, fixing is achieved by the reduction of the infrared light transmittance. An infrared light fixing device in which defects are suppressed is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 14, the fixing failure due to the decrease of the infrared light transmittance is suppressed as compared with the case where the swelling ratio of the second elastic layer to the lubricant is 5% or more. An infrared light fixing device is provided.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 15, the tubular body is realized while fixing the toner image by the infrared light as compared with the case where the tubular body for the infrared light fixing device in which the innermost surface of the tubular body is the substrate is applied. An image forming apparatus is provided in which a fixing failure due to a decrease in the transmittance of infrared light in the above is suppressed.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the tubular body for infrared light fixing devices which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing an example of an infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the laser beam irradiation apparatus 283. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fixing control process of the fixing device. (A)-(c) is an explanatory view showing typically each fixing mode of a fixing device. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described.
In addition, the same code | symbol may be provided to the member which has a substantially the same function through all the drawings, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted suitably.

[Tube for infrared fixing device]
The tubular body for infrared fixing device according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as “transparent tubular body” for the sake of convenience) is a tubular body having transparency to infrared light of at least a part of the wavelength range in the infrared range. .
The transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first elastic layer, the first elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material, and the outer peripheral surface of the base material. A release layer, and a second elastic layer provided as an innermost layer on the inner circumferential surface of the substrate.

An infrared light fixing device for fixing a toner image by infrared light is a tubular body having transparency to infrared light, and a tubular base material and an elasticity provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material There may be used a tubular body which has a layer and a releasing layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer, and the innermost layer is a substrate.
The toner image on the recording medium is pressurized by a pressing member disposed in contact with the inner surface of the base of the tubular body, while being transmitted through the tubular body and irradiated with infrared light. The toner is fixed.
However, in the above-mentioned fixing method, after rotation of the tubular body for a long time (for example, 5 hours etc.) due to printing of a large number of sheets, etc., a scratch may occur in the substrate which is the innermost layer of the tubular body.
The occurrence of the scratch is considered to be due to the pressure member incorporating a floating foreign substance such as toner.
In a tubular body in which a scratch is generated on the substrate, the transparency to infrared light is reduced, and fixing failure of the toner image by the infrared light may occur.

  On the other hand, in the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment, by providing the second elastic layer provided as the innermost layer on the inner peripheral surface of the base material, for example, the floating foreign matter is involved. Also the occurrence of a wound on the tubular body is suppressed. Therefore, the fall of the transmittance | permeability of the infrared light after long time rotation is suppressed.

Hereinafter, the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing member according to the present embodiment.

  The transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment is a transparent tubular body having transparency to infrared light of at least a part of the wavelength range in the infrared range.

  The transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a base 110A, a first elastic layer 110B provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base 110A, and a first elastic layer 110B. And a second elastic layer 110D provided as the innermost layer on the inner peripheral surface of the base.

  Here, although the transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment has transparency to infrared light of at least a part of the wavelength region of the infrared region, specifically, the infrared light provided in the infrared light fixing device It has the transparency to the infrared light of the irradiation wavelength which the light source (light source which irradiates infrared light) of an irradiation device irradiates. More specifically, for example, it is preferable to have transparency to infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of the infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm.

  More specifically, for example, in the case of using a semiconductor laser that emits infrared light (infrared laser light) of 808 nm as a light source of the infrared light irradiation device, it has transparency to infrared light of 808 nm. It suffices to be transparent to infrared light in the wavelength range of 780 nm or more and 820 nm or less, and even to have infrared light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 810 nm or less Good.

  And having transparency to infrared light means that the transmittance to infrared light is 80% or more (preferably 90% or more).

  The transmittance to infrared light in each layer constituting the transparent tubular body 110 may also have the same property as the transmittance to infrared light in the transparent tubular body 110. That is, the transmittance to infrared light in each layer constituting the transparent tubular body 110 is preferably 80% or more (preferably 90% or more).

  The transmittance to infrared light is measured as a transmittance for each wavelength by a spectrophotometer U4100 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.

  Next, details of each configuration of the transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, the code | symbol is abbreviate | omitted and demonstrated.

(Base material)
The base material (resin layer) is a thermoplastic resin layer (polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS) layer, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) layer, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) layer, polyether sulfone (PES) layer, polyarylate (polyamide) PAR) layer, polyester (PES) resin layer, polycarbonate (PC) layer, polyether ether ketone resin layer etc., thermosetting resin layer (polyimide resin layer, polyimide imide layer, polyether imide resin layer etc) .

  Among these, the base material (resin layer) is preferably a polyphenylene sulfide resin layer, a polyetherimide resin, or a polyimide resin layer.

  The base material (resin layer) is a fiber (fluororesin powder, polyester, polyamide, glass fiber, etc.) or filler having transparency to infrared light as long as the transparency of the transparent tubular body to infrared light is not impaired. (Inorganic particles such as silica) may be included.

  The thickness of the substrate (resin layer) is, for example, preferably 20 μm to 1000 μm, more preferably 50 μm to 200 μm, and still more preferably 60 μm to 130 μm.

The Young's modulus of the base material (resin layer) is preferably 1000 MPa or more and 6000 MPa or less, and more preferably 2000 MPa or more and 6000 MPa or less from the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in the infrared light transmittance of the tubular body.
The Young's modulus of the substrate is measured by a method according to JIS K-7127 (1999).

(First elastic layer)
The first elastic layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a layer having transparency to infrared light (for example, a layer having a transmittance of 80% or more of infrared light).
As a 1st elastic layer, a silicone rubber layer, a urethane rubber layer, an olefin rubber layer etc. are mentioned, for example.

Examples of the silicone rubber layer include layers of addition polymerization type two-component polydimethylsiloxanes and derivatives thereof, and photocurable acrylic-modified silicone rubber.
As a polyurethane rubber layer, layers, such as polyether urethane rubber, polyester-type urethanes, and urethane rubber etc. of an acrylic modified light curing type, are mentioned, for example.
Examples of the olefin rubber include layers of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), polypropylene rubber, butyl rubber, cycloolefins, norbornene rubber and the like.

  The thickness of the first elastic layer is, for example, preferably 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and more preferably 150 μm or more and 450 μm or less.

(Release layer)
The release layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a layer having releasability and having transparency to infrared light (for example, a layer having a transmittance of 80% or more of infrared light).
The release layer may, for example, be a fluorine-containing resin layer. As the fluorine-containing resin layer, for example, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer (THV) and layers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

  Among these, as the release layer, for example, a layer of PFA, polyvinylidene fluoride, a fully fluorinated cyclic ether polymer or the like is preferable.

The surface free energy on the outer peripheral surface of the release layer is, for example, preferably 30 mN / m or less, more preferably 25 mN / m or less, from the viewpoint of the releasability of the fixed image.
Here, the measurement of the surface free energy is calculated, for example, by using a contact angle meter CAM-200 (manufactured by KSV) and calculating a program built in the device using the Zisman method.

  The refractive index of the release layer is preferably lower than the refractive index of the toner image in that the reflection of infrared light at the interface between the release layer and the toner image is suppressed.

  The thickness of the release layer is, for example, preferably 10 μm to 50 μm, and more preferably 12 μm to 30 μm.

(Second elastic layer)
The second elastic layer is preferably a layer containing a known rubber or elastomer, and more preferably a layer containing a silicone rubber or a fluoroelastomer.
Examples of the silicone rubber include known silicone rubbers such as vinyl methyl silicone rubber, dimethyl silicone rubber, phenyl methyl silicone rubber and fluorosilicone rubber.
Moreover, as a silicone rubber, what hardened the precursor of the silicone rubber which is commercial products, such as KE-2061-30A / B, X34-1972-4A / B (all are Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. product), is mentioned. Be
The fluorine-based elastomer is an elastomer containing fluorine, and is preferably a copolymer of fluorocarbon.
Examples of the fluorine-based elastomer include known fluorine-based elastomers such as tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, and linear fluoropolyether compound.
Moreover, as a fluorine-type elastomer, what hardened the precursor of the fluorine-type elastomer which is commercial products, such as SIFEL2610 (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. product), is mentioned.

  Moreover, the layer containing a urethane elastomer may be sufficient. As a urethane elastomer, that whose swelling rate mentioned later is 5% or less is preferable.

The second elastic layer may further contain components other than the rubber or the elastomer.
Examples of other components include known fillers and the like.

  The thickness of the second elastic layer is, for example, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.50 mm or less, and more preferably 0.10 mm or more and 0.30 mm or less.

The Young's modulus of the second elastic layer is preferably 4 MPa or more and 40 MPa or less, and more preferably 5 MPa or more and 25 MPa or less from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in the infrared light transmittance of the tubular body.

The Young's modulus of the second elastic layer is measured by dynamic viscoelasticity, which is a measurement method from tensile vibration in a thin film or film, and after obtaining the second elastic layer from the substrate, the Young's modulus of the above-mentioned substrate It measures by the same method as.

The rubber hardness of the second elastic layer is preferably 10 or more and 70 or less, and more preferably 20 or more and 70 or less.
The rubber hardness of the second elastic layer is measured by using a type A durometer.

(Characteristics of transparent tubular body)
The thickness of the entire transparent tubular body is, for example, preferably 130 μm or more and 1250 μm or less, more preferably 150 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and still more preferably 200 μm or more and 500 μm or less.
The transparent tubular body has a layer structure having an adhesive layer between the substrate and the first elastic layer, a layer structure having the adhesive layer between the substrate and the second elastic layer, the first elastic layer The layer configuration may further have other layers, such as a layer configuration having an adhesive layer between the above and the release layer.

(Method of manufacturing transparent tubular body)
In the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment, for example, after the first elastic layer and the releasing layer are formed in this order on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate by a known method, the second elastic layer is formed on the inner periphery of the substrate It manufactures by forming in a field.
The second elastic layer is formed, for example, by applying a solution containing a precursor of the second elastic layer on the inner peripheral surface of the substrate, and curing the solution by heating or the like.
As a precursor of the second elastic layer, for example, a precursor of silicone rubber of two-component curing type or a perfluoroalkene compound such as tetrafluoroethylene can be mentioned.
From the viewpoint of improving the adhesion between the second elastic layer and the substrate, the primer may be applied and dried before applying the solution containing the precursor of the second elastic layer.
As the primer, for example, a known silicone rubber primer or the like is used.
Also, from the viewpoint of improving the adhesion between the second elastic layer and the substrate, the surface treatment of the substrate may be performed before applying the solution containing the precursor of the second elastic layer or the primer. Good.
Examples of the surface treatment of the substrate include known methods such as, for example, known activation treatments such as plasma treatment, corona treatment, ozone treatment, chemical treatment, ultraviolet light treatment, high frequency treatment, glow discharge treatment, laser treatment and the like. It can be mentioned.

<Infrared light fixing device>
The infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment is
A tubular body in contact with a toner image on a recording medium, the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment;
A rotating body provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body, forming a contact area with the tubular body, and rotating with the tubular body in the contact area to transport the recording medium;
An infrared light irradiation device provided on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body and emitting infrared light toward the contact area between the tubular body and the rotating body;
A pressure member provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the tubular body for pressing the tubular body together with the rotating body in the contact area;
Equipped with

  In the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment, the infrared light irradiation device may be a device that emits infrared light of at least a part of the wavelength region of the infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm.

  Here, in the case where the infrared light irradiated from the infrared light irradiation device reaches the contact area between the transparent tubular body and the rotating body through the pressure member, “the transmittance to infrared light in the pressure member is “Also has the same property as“ transparent to infrared light ”in the transparent tubular body. That is, 80% or more is preferable and 90% or more of the "transmittance | permeability with respect to infrared light" in a pressurizing member is more preferable.

Moreover, it is preferable that the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment has a lubricant on the surface of the second elastic layer in the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment.
The "permeability to infrared light" in the lubricant may also have the same property as the "permeability to infrared light" in the transparent tubular body. That is, 80% or more is preferable and 90% or more of the "transmittance | permeability with respect to infrared light" in a pressurizing member is more preferable.
The lubricant is applied to the surface of the second elastic layer, for example, by a lubricant supply member described later.

The lubricant is preferably a silicone oil or a perfluoropolyether compound.
Examples of the silicone oil include known silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil.
Moreover, as a silicone oil, KF-96 (made by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) etc. are mentioned.
The perfluoropolyether _compound, -CF 2 _CF 2 _{O-, or, -CF (CF 3) CF 2} O-, the compound containing perfluoroalkylene group and so on, known perfluoropolyether compounds .
Moreover, as a perfluoropolyether compound, Demunam (made by Daikin Co., Ltd.), Galden, fomblin (made by Solvay Co., Ltd.) etc. are mentioned.
Moreover, as a lubricant, it is preferable that dynamic viscosity in room temperature (25 degreeC)-60 degreeC is 200 cSt or less.

In the infrared light fixing device according to this embodiment, the second elastic layer in the transparent tubular body contains silicone rubber, and the lubricant contains a perfluoropolyether compound, or in the transparent tubular body It is preferable that the second elastic layer contains a fluorine-based elastomer and the lubricant contains a silicone oil.
According to the above two aspects, swelling or dissolution of the second elastic layer in the transparent tubular body is suppressed by the lubricant, so that the pressing member on the surface of the second elastic layer entraps the floating foreign matter, etc. It is considered that the generation of scratches due to the above is further suppressed, and the reduction in the transmittance of infrared light after long time rotation in the transparent tubular body is further suppressed.

In the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment, the swelling ratio of the second elastic layer in the transparent tubular body to the lubricant is preferably 5% or less, and more preferably 1% or less.
The lower limit of the swelling ratio is not particularly limited, and may be 0% or more.
If the swelling ratio is within the above range, it is considered that the reduction of the transmittance of infrared light after long time rotation in the transparent tubular body is further easily suppressed.
The swelling ratio is measured by the following method.
The second elastic layer is peeled off from the substrate with a cutter or the like, immersed in the oil to be used for 168 hours or more, the film is removed, and the oil is wiped off with water containing detergent. Thereafter, the weight change rate is taken as the swelling rate.

Hereinafter, the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration view showing an example of the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment.

The fixing device shown in FIG. 2 is made of a transparent material that can transmit the laser beam Bm, and is rotatably spanned by a plurality (four in this example) of tension rolls 285 to 288 according to the present embodiment. A transparent belt 281, which is a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device, is provided opposite to the transparent belt 281 to form a contact area n between the transparent belt 281 and the transparent belt 281 at the contact area n. And an opposing roll 282 for moving and conveying the recording material S, and a laser beam irradiation device 283 provided inside the transparent belt 281 and irradiating the laser beam Bm, and provided inside the transparent belt 281, The transparent belt 281 is pressed to the opposing roll 282 side at the contact area n of the belt 281, and the laser beam Bm irradiated from the laser light irradiation device 283 to the image G on the recording material S is a contact area It includes a condenser lens 291 as light collector for collecting light, with the conveying direction of the recording material S on the inner.
In the present embodiment, the transparent belt 281 is configured to circulate and rotate, for example, one of the tension rolls 285-288 as a drive roll. In addition, although the opposing roll 282 is driven to double as the drive system of the transparent belt 281, it may be separately driven by a drive system different from the transparent belt 281.

<Laser light irradiation device>
An example of the laser beam irradiation device 283 is shown in FIG.
The laser light irradiation device 283 has a laser array 84 in which a plurality of laser light sources 85 are arranged in an array, and is an optical member that converts the laser light Bm emitted from each laser light source 85 of the laser array 84 into parallel light. The collimator lens 86 is incorporated in the housing 87, and the irradiation position of the laser beam Bm from each of the laser light sources 85 and the irradiation intensity thereof can be appropriately selected. Reference numeral 88 denotes a heat sink as a heat radiating member for preventing the laser array 84 from storing heat, but a water cooling mechanism is preferably used from the viewpoint of obtaining necessary cooling performance.
The laser beam irradiation device 283 movably supports the housing 87 along a guide rail 252 having an arc-shaped moving line m, and transmits the driving force from the drive motor 250 to the housing 87 via the drive mechanism 251. Thus, it moves appropriately along the arc-shaped moving line m.

<Transparent Rotator>
The transparent rotary body 290 is positioned and held by a holding member (not shown), and presses the transparent belt 281 against the opposing roll 282 to form a contact area n between the transparent belt 281 and the opposing roll 282. There is.
The transparent rotary body 290 is a cylindrical member, and following the movement of the transparent belt 281, pressure is applied while rotating about the central axis of the cylinder as a rotation axis. By the rotation, the abrasion of the transparent rotary body 290 and the transparent belt 281 due to the contact between the transparent rotary body 290 and the transparent belt 281 is suppressed.
Among the materials having transparency to infrared light of at least a part of the wavelength range (preferably, 700 nm to 900 nm wavelength range) in the infrared range, the material of the transparent rotator is preferably heat resistant, For example, various glass for optics, transparent plastic resin for optics, etc. are mentioned. As transparent plastic resins for optics, polydiethylene glycol bisallyl carbonate (PADC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PSt), polymer consisting of methyl methacrylate unit and styrene unit (MS resin), polycarbonate resin, cycloolefin resin And materials containing a fluorene resin and the like.

<Condenser lens>
Further, a condensing lens 291 is disposed between the transparent rotator 290 and the laser beam irradiation device 283, and the laser beam Bm forms an irradiation area p in the contact area n.
The material of the condenser lens 291 is not particularly limited, and the same material as the material of the above-mentioned transparent rotary body may be mentioned.
Then, in the present example, the laser light irradiation device 283 moves along the arc-shaped moving line m to change the irradiation direction of the laser light Bm emitted from the laser light irradiation device 283 and to face the transparent belt 281 Within the contact area n with the roll 282, the irradiation area p, which is the focusing position of the laser beam Bm, is variably set.

<Control device>
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 260 checks the gloss level selection signal Ms, and determines whether the gloss level of the image to be fixed is 'high', 'low' or 'medium'.
For the gloss level selection signal Ms, for example, a gloss level selection switch capable of selecting the gloss level is provided on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, and the user inputs the gloss level desired by the user by operating the switch. Be
Further, when “photograph” or “text” is added as attribute information of the image data, the gloss level selection signal Ms is extracted by extracting the attribute information of the image data as the gloss level selection signal Ms The gloss level corresponding to the attribute information of the image data may be input to the control device.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, when the gloss level selection signal Ms is 'high', the irradiation area p as the condensing position of the laser beam Bm is P1 (recording of the contact area n The position is selected on the upstream side of the direction of conveyance of the recording material S with respect to the optical axis center line of the transparent rotary body 290 located at the approximate center Oc of the direction of conveyance of the material S). The irradiation area p as the light position is P2 (a position downstream of the optical axis center line of the transparent rotator 290 located at the approximate center Oc of the contact area n in the conveyance direction of the recording material S). In the case of 'inside', the irradiation area p as the condensing position of the laser beam Bm is P1 (the optical axis of the transparent rotator 290 located at the approximate center Oc of the conveyance direction of the recording material S in the contact area n Center line position). In FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, components such as the condenser lens 291 are not shown.

  Therefore, in the fixing device according to the present embodiment, the image G on the recording material S is subjected to the gloss level selection signal Ms while being pressed at the contact area n between the transparent belt 281 and the opposing roll 282. Accordingly, the laser beam Bm is heated at the irradiation area p of the laser beam Bm variably set at the desired position of the contact area n, and the fixing process is performed by simultaneous heating and pressure application.

The infrared light fixing device described above is not limited to the above configuration, and a known configuration may be employed.
For example, a fixing device described in JP-A-2015-125392 can be mentioned.

[Image forming apparatus]
Next, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a toner image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium, and an infrared light fixing apparatus for fixing the toner image on the recording medium by irradiation of infrared light. . The infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment is applied as the infrared light fixing device.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the toner image forming apparatus includes, for example, an image carrier, a charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier, and an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier. An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of an image carrier with a developer containing toner, and forming a toner image; And a transfer device for transferring to the surface.

  The toner image forming apparatus directly transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the recording medium directly; the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member An intermediate transfer type device for secondarily transferring the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member onto the surface of the recording medium; including a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the image carrier before charging after transferring the toner image A device comprising a charge removing device for removing the charge by irradiating the surface of the image carrier with charge light before charging after transferring the toner image; raising the temperature of the image carrier and holding the image for reducing the relative temperature Known toner imaging devices, such as devices comprising body heating members, are applied.

  In the case of an intermediate transfer type device, for example, an intermediate transfer member to which a toner image is transferred on the surface, and a primary transfer on which the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. A configuration including the device and a secondary transfer device for secondary transfer of the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer member to the surface of the recording medium is applied.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may be either a dry developing type image forming apparatus or a wet developing type (developing type using a liquid developer) image forming apparatus.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the infrared light fixing device may be formed into a cartridge so as to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may include the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment as a component device of the process cartridge.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus generally called a tandem type as shown in FIG. 6, and a plurality of toner images of respective color components are formed by electrophotography. And a primary transfer portion 10 for sequentially transferring (primary transfer) each color component toner image formed by each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K and each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 A secondary transfer unit 20 for collectively transferring (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 onto a sheet K serving as a recording medium; And a device 60. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

  The fixing device 60 is the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment described above.

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

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

  In addition, a developing device 14 is provided around the photosensitive member 11, as an example of a developing device, for storing each color component toner to visualize the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 11 with the toner. A primary transfer roll 16 is provided to transfer the color component toner images formed thereon onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the primary transfer portion 10.

  Furthermore, a photosensitive body cleaner 17 is provided around the photosensitive body 11, from which residual toner on the photosensitive body 11 is removed, and the charger 12, the laser exposure unit 13, the developing unit 14, the primary transfer roll 16 and the photosensitive body cleaner Seventeen electrophotographic devices are sequentially disposed along the rotational direction of the photosensitive member 11. The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged substantially linearly in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. It is done.

The intermediate transfer belt 15, which is an intermediate transfer member, is a film-shaped pressure belt containing a resin such as polyimide or polyamide as a base layer and an appropriate amount of an antistatic agent such as carbon black. And, the volume resistivity is formed to be 10 ⁶ Ωcm or more and 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm or less, and the thickness thereof is configured to be, for example, about 0.1 mm.

  The intermediate transfer belt 15 is cyclically driven (rotated) at various speeds in the direction B shown in FIG. 6 by various rolls. As the various rolls, a drive roll 31 driven by a motor (not shown) excellent in constant speed to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 15, and an intermediate transfer belt 15 extending substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of the respective photosensitive members 11 Support roller 32 for supporting the intermediate transfer belt 15, a tension application roll 33 functioning as a correction roll for applying tension to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and preventing meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 15, a back surface roll 25 provided in the secondary transfer portion 20, And a cleaning back roll 34 provided in a cleaning unit that scrapes off the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The primary transfer portion 10 is composed of a primary transfer roll 16 disposed opposite to the photosensitive member 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 16 is composed of a core and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core. The core is a cylindrical rod made of metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is formed of a mixed rubber of NBR, SBR and EPDM mixed with a conductive agent such as carbon black, and is a sponge-like cylindrical roll having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ωcm or less.

  The primary transfer roll 16 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the photosensitive member 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and the primary transfer roll 16 further has a voltage (primary) opposite to the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner. Transfer bias is applied. As a result, the toner images on the respective photosensitive members 11 are electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15 sequentially, and a superimposed toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

  The secondary transfer unit 20 is configured to include a back surface roll 25 and a secondary transfer roll 22 disposed on the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The back roll 25 is a tube of a mixed rubber of EPDM and NBR in which the surface has carbon dispersed, and the inside is made of EPDM rubber. The surface resistivity is formed to be 10 ⁷ Ω / sq or more and 10 ¹⁰ Ω / sq or less, and the hardness is set to, for example, 70 ° (Asker C: manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd., the same applies hereinafter). Ru. The back roll 25 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to constitute a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 22, and a metal feed roll 26 to which a secondary transfer bias is stably applied is disposed in contact. ing.

On the other hand, the secondary transfer roll 22 is composed of a core and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core. The core is a cylindrical rod made of metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is formed of a mixed rubber of NBR, SBR and EPDM mixed with a conductive agent such as carbon black, and is a sponge-like cylindrical roll having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ωcm or less.

  The secondary transfer roll 22 is press-contacted to the back roll 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and the secondary transfer roll 22 is grounded to form a secondary transfer bias with the back roll 25. The toner image is secondarily transferred onto the sheet K conveyed to the next transfer unit 20.

  Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15, an intermediate transfer belt for removing the residual toner and paper powder on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer and cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. A cleaner 35 is provided so as to be able to be in contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt 15.

  The intermediate transfer belt 15, the primary transfer portion 10 (primary transfer roll 16), and the secondary transfer portion 20 (secondary transfer roll 22) correspond to an example of a transfer device.

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

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the sheet storage unit 50 for storing the sheet K and the sheet K stacked in the sheet storage unit 50 are taken out at a predetermined timing as a transport device for transporting the sheet K. Transport roller 52 for transporting the sheet K, the transport roll 52 for transporting the sheet K fed by the feed roll 51, the transport guide 53 for feeding the sheet K transported by the transport roll 52 to the secondary transfer unit 20, secondary transfer The conveyance belt 55 conveys the sheet K conveyed after being secondarily transferred by the roll 22 to the fixing device 60, and a fixing inlet guide 56 which guides the sheet K to the fixing device 60.

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

  The image processing apparatus performs image processing such as shading correction, positional deviation correction, lightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, various types of image editing such as border deletion, color editing, movement editing etc. on the inputted reflectance data. Be done. The image data subjected to the image processing is converted into color material tone data of four colors of Y, M, C, and K, and is output to the laser exposure device 13.

  The laser exposure device 13 irradiates, for example, the exposure beams Bm emitted from the semiconductor laser to the respective photosensitive members 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K according to the input color material gradation data. . In each of the photosensitive members 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, the surface is charged by the charger 12, and then the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure unit 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image of each color of Y, M, C and K by each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K.

  The toner images formed on the photosensitive members 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the primary transfer portion 10 where the respective photosensitive members 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 contact. Ru. More specifically, in the primary transfer portion 10, the primary transfer roller 16 applies a voltage (primary transfer bias) opposite to the charging polarity (minus polarity) of the toner to the base material of the intermediate transfer belt 15, thereby forming a toner image Are sequentially superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to perform primary transfer.

  After the toner image is sequentially primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the intermediate transfer belt 15 is moved to convey the toner image to the secondary transfer portion 20. When the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20, in the conveyance device, the paper feed roll 51 is rotated at the timing when the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20, and the paper storage unit 50 A size sheet K is supplied. The sheet K supplied by the sheet supply roll 51 is conveyed by the conveyance roll 52, passes through the conveyance guide 53, and reaches the secondary transfer unit 20. Before reaching the secondary transfer portion 20, the sheet K is temporarily stopped, and the sheet K is rotated by rotation of a positioning roll (not shown) in accordance with the movement timing of the intermediate transfer belt 15 holding the toner image. The position of the toner image and the position of the toner image are aligned.

  In the secondary transfer unit 20, the secondary transfer roll 22 is pressed against the back roll 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the sheet K conveyed at the same timing is nipped between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roll 22. At that time, when a voltage (secondary transfer bias) having the same polarity as the charging polarity (minus polarity) of the toner is applied from the feeding roll 26, a transfer electric field is formed between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25. Be done. Then, the unfixed toner images held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 are collectively electrostatically transferred onto the sheet K at the secondary transfer portion 20 pressurized by the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25. Ru.

  Thereafter, the sheet K on which the toner image has been electrostatically transferred is conveyed as it is in a state of being separated from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roll 22 and conveyed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roll 22 in the sheet conveyance direction. It is conveyed to the belt 55. The conveyance belt 55 conveys the sheet K to the fixing device 60 in accordance with the optimum conveyance speed of the fixing device 60. The unfixed toner image on the sheet K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is fixed on the sheet K by receiving a fixing process by heat and pressure by the fixing device 60. Then, the sheet K on which the fixed image has been formed is conveyed to a discharge storage unit (not shown) provided in the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, after the transfer to paper K is completed, the residual toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the cleaning section as the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates, and is cleaned by cleaning back roll 34 and intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35. The intermediate transfer belt 15 is removed.

  As mentioned above, although this embodiment was described, it can not be interpreted limitedly to the said embodiment, and various modification, change, improvement are possible.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail by way of examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these examples. In the following description, "parts" and "%" are all based on mass unless otherwise noted.

Example 1
(Preparation of base material)
After applying a thermosetting polyimide solution to the outer periphery of the cylindrical mold, spin drying (110 ° C., 45 minutes) and baking (330 ° C., 60 minutes) are performed to obtain a tubular polyimide substrate (φ 168 mm, A width of 400 mm, a thickness of 0.08 mm, and a Young's modulus of 3300 MPa were formed.

(Formation of first elastic layer and releasing layer)
No. 4 (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied and dried as a primer on the outer peripheral surface of the obtained polyimide substrate. Acetic acid 85% by mass of a composition in which X34-1972-3A (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. product) and X34-1972-3B (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. product) are mixed at 1: 1 (mass ratio) The solution diluted with 15% by weight of butyl was applied to a substrate by blade coating at a thickness of 200 μm.
After the application, the applied material was cured by drying at 100 ° C. for 20 minutes.
Then, the composition which mixed KE-1950-10A (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. product) and KE-1950-10B (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. product) by 1: 1 (mass ratio) is 20 micrometers by blade coat. The composition was applied on the surface of the cured product obtained by the above curing at a thickness of 50.degree. C., dried at 50.degree. C. for 60 minutes, and semi-cured.
Thereafter, on the surface of the semi-cured semi-cured product, a PFA tube (φ 163 mm) having an inner surface subjected to adhesion treatment was coated. After the coating, the PFA tube was deaired with a blade, and the PFA tube was heat cured at 90 ° C. for 4 hours to form an elastic layer and a release layer.
After the formation of the elastic layer and the release layer, the laminate was cut to a width of 360 mm to obtain a laminated belt in which the elastic layer and the release layer were formed on the substrate.

(Formation of second elastic layer)
The laminated belt was inserted into a cylindrical mold having an inner diameter of 171 mm, and No. 4 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied as a primer on the inner peripheral surface of the laminated belt. After the application and drying, the second elastic layer material solution 1 having the following composition is dropped on the inner peripheral surface while rotating the laminated belt at 60 rpm by a rotating machine, and the surface is smoothed after completion of the dropping. Rotation at 30 rpm for 30 minutes.
While rotating, 80 ° C. warm air (1 hour) was flowed to the inner surface of the laminated belt and cured to form a second elastic layer.
Thereafter, the laminated belt on which the second elastic layer is formed is heated at 200 ° C. for 4 hours to provide a red having a second elastic layer, a base, a first elastic layer, and a release layer from the inner surface side. A tubular body for an external light fixing device was obtained.

(Composition of the second elastic layer material solution 1)
1: 1 (mass ratio) mixture of KE-2061-30A and KE-2061-30B

Examples 2 and 4
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device was obtained by the same method as in Example 1 except that the second elastic layer material solution 1 was changed to a second elastic layer material solution 2 having the following composition.

(Composition of the second elastic layer material solution 2)
1: 1 (mass ratio) mixture of X34-1972-4A and X34-1972-4B (both from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.):

Example 3
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device was obtained by the same method as in Example 1 except that the second elastic layer material solution 1 was changed to a second elastic layer material solution 3 having the following composition.

(Composition of the second elastic layer material solution 3)
SIFEL 2610

Comparative Example 1
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device was obtained by the same method as in Example 1 except that the second elastic layer material solution 1 was not dropped and the second elastic layer was not formed.

<Measurement and test>
The following measurements and tests were carried out on the tubular body obtained in each example. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Evaluation of transmittance)
In the tubular body for infrared light fixing device obtained in each example, the transmittance to the infrared region in the range of 700 nm to 900 nm (indicated as "initial infrared light transmittance" in the table) was measured according to the method described above. . In addition, the transmissivity for the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less ("Infrared light transmittance after 2 hours" in the table) in the tubular body for infrared light fixing device after the actual machine test (2 hours or 5 hours) described later. Alternatively, “infrared light transmittance after 5 hours” was measured according to the method described above.

(Actual machine test)
The tubular body for infrared light fixing device obtained in each example is an image provided with an infrared light fixing device (a device having a light source for emitting infrared laser light with a peak wavelength of 810 nm) having the same configuration as the configuration shown in FIG. It was incorporated into a forming apparatus (laser fixing type bench) and the fixing property was evaluated. At that time, the lubricant described in Table 1 was used as a lubricant. Specifically, it is as follows.
First, after the lubricant described in Table 1 was applied to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body for infrared light fixing device, it was incorporated into a laser fixing type bench.
Next, continuous printing was performed for 2 hours (12000 sheets) or 5 hours (30000 sheets), and the image of the initial 10th sheet and the 500000th sheet with time was visually observed, and the fixability was evaluated based on the following criteria.

-Fixability evaluation criteria-
The fixability is the area where the solid blue image is folded 180 degrees on the OS coated paper and then spread, and the toner is peeled off so that the white of the paper can be seen (the reference area is 1 mm wide × 10 mm).
A: 10% or less B: 10% to 25% C: 25% to 40% D: 40% or more

  From the above results, the tubular body for infrared light fixing device of this example is suppressed in lowering of the transmittance of infrared light after rotating for a long time as compared with the tubular body for infrared light fixing device of the comparative example. I understand.

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image forming unit 11 Photosensitive member 12 Charger 13 Laser exposure device 14 Developer 15 Intermediate transfer belt 16 Primary transfer roll 20 Primary transfer roll 22 Secondary transfer part 22 Secondary transfer roll 25 Rear roll 26 Feed roll 31 Drive roll 32 support roll 33 tension applying roll 34 cleaning back roll 35 intermediate transfer belt cleaner 40 control unit 42 reference sensor (home position sensor)
43 image density sensor 50 sheet storage unit 51 sheet feed roll 52 conveyance roll 53 conveyance guide 55 conveyance belt 56 fixation entrance guide 84 laser array 85 laser light source 86 collimator lens 87 housing 88 heat dissipation member 110 transparent tube state 110A substrate 110B first Elastic layer 110C Releasing layer 110D Second elastic layer 250 Drive motor 251 Drive mechanism 252 Guide rail 260 Control device 281 Transparent belt 282 Opposite roll 283 Laser light irradiation device 285 to 288 Stretching roll 290 Transparent rotary body 291 Condensing lens Bm Exposure beam G Image K Paper m Arc-like moving line n Contact area p Irradiation area S Recording material

Claims (15)

A tubular base material,
A first elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate;
A release layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first elastic layer;
A second elastic layer provided as an innermost layer on the inner peripheral surface of the substrate;
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device, having transparency to infrared light of at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region.   The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic layer contains silicone rubber or a fluorine-based elastomer.   The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the second elastic layer is 0.05 mm or more and 0.50 mm or less.   The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has transparency to infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm.   The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 4, wherein a transmittance to infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm is 90% or more.   The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a Young's modulus of the second elastic layer is 4 MPa or more and 40 MPa or less.   The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 5, wherein a Young's modulus of the base material is 1000 MPa or more and 6000 MPa or less.   The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a rubber hardness of the second elastic layer is 20 or more and 70 or less. A tubular body for infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is a tubular body in contact with a toner image on a recording medium,
A rotating body provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body, forming a contact area with the tubular body, and rotating with the tubular body in the contact area to transport the recording medium;
An infrared light irradiation device provided on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body, and emitting infrared light toward the contact area between the tubular body and the rotating body;
A pressure member provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the tubular body, for pressing the tubular body together with the rotating body in the contact area;
An infrared light fixing device comprising:   The infrared light fixing device according to claim 9, wherein the infrared light irradiation device irradiates infrared light of at least a partial wavelength region of an infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm.   The infrared light fixing device according to claim 9, further comprising a lubricant on the surface of the second elastic layer.   The infrared light fixing device according to claim 11, wherein the second elastic layer contains silicone rubber, and the lubricant contains a perfluoropolyether compound.   The infrared light fixing device according to claim 11, wherein the second elastic layer contains a fluorine-based elastomer, and the lubricant contains a silicone oil.   The infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a swelling ratio of the second elastic layer to the lubricant is 5% or less. A toner image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium;
An infrared light fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording medium by irradiation of infrared light, comprising the infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 9 to 14;
An image forming apparatus comprising: