JP2020093479A - Method of manufacturing cylinder body coating member and cylinder body coating member - Google Patents

Abstract

To inhibit wrinkles from being formed in a cylinder body at an end of an elastic layer.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method includes: an applying step of applying an adhesive to an area other than the end portions of an elastic layer formed on a core body; a maintaining step that, while entering, into the cylinder body from one end of the cylinder body, the core body having a diameter widening member which has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the core body attached to an end portion of the core body on a leading side in the insertion direction, maintains a portion of the cylinder body, which is widened by the passage of the diameter widening member, widened by a pressure difference between inside and outside the cylinder body; a coating step of compensating for the pressure difference and covering the core body with the cylinder body; and a removal step of cutting both ends of the cylinder body having the core body coated and removing the diameter widening member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tubular body covering member and a tubular body covering member.

In Patent Document 1, a PFA tube is inserted into a decompression container, the upper end of the PFA tube is bent to the outer peripheral side and suspended at the opening of the decompression container, and a rubber roll is inserted into the PFA tube by suction force. , A structure in which a rubber roll is covered with a PFA tube is disclosed.

JP-A-63-222839

Here, after applying an adhesive to the elastic layer formed on the outer periphery of the core body (for example, a rubber roll), the core body is inserted into the cylinder body (for example, PFA tube) and the core body is covered with the cylinder body. In some cases, the cylinder may slip due to the adhesive, and wrinkles may occur on the cylinder at the end of the elastic layer.

An object of the present invention is to suppress wrinkles from being generated in the cylindrical body at the end of the elastic layer, as compared with a configuration in which an adhesive is applied to the entire elastic layer.

The manufacturing method according to the first aspect includes an applying step of applying an adhesive to a portion other than an end portion of an elastic layer formed on a core body, and a diameter-expanding member having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the core body in a front side in an insertion direction. While inserting the core body attached to the end portion of the cylindrical body from one end portion of the cylindrical body into the cylindrical body, the portion of the cylindrical body expanded by the passage of the expanding member is expanded by the pressure difference inside and outside the cylindrical body. A maintaining step of maintaining the diameter state, a covering step of eliminating the pressure difference to cover the core body with the tubular body, and cutting both ends of the tubular body coated with the core body and expanding the diameter. A removing step of removing the member.

In the manufacturing method according to the second aspect, in the applying step, an adhesive is applied to a portion other than both ends of the elastic layer.

A third aspect of the manufacturing method is a method of manufacturing a fixing roll as the cylindrical body covering member that fixes the image by sandwiching the recording medium on which the image is formed, and in the applying step, the recording medium is Apply the adhesive to the passing area.

In the manufacturing method of the fourth aspect, the cylinder is housed in the container through an opening edge formed in the container, and the cylinder is passed through an opening formed in another container provided inside the container. And a holding step of holding one end of the cylindrical body housed in the other container at an opening edge of the container, the housing step containing the other container, By suctioning gas, the portion of the cylindrical body expanded by the passage of the expanding member is maintained in the expanded state due to the pressure difference inside and outside the cylinder, and the covering step includes the opening in the other container. Pressurized gas is supplied from the end opposite to that to eliminate the pressure difference and cover the core with the cylinder.

The manufacturing method of a 5th aspect WHEREIN: When supplying the said pressurized gas in the said coating process, the suction|attraction force which suck|inhales the gas in the said container is increased.

In the manufacturing method according to the sixth aspect, in the coating step, the supply of the pressurized gas is performed simultaneously with the increase of the suction force or before the increase of the suction force.

In the manufacturing method of the seventh aspect, an applying step of applying an adhesive to the elastic layer formed on the core, and a diameter-expanding member having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the core are provided at the end portion on the leading side in the insertion direction. While the inserted core is inserted into the cylinder from one end of the cylinder, the portion of the cylinder expanded by the passage of the expansion member is maintained in the expanded state by the pressure difference inside and outside the cylinder. And a coating step of eliminating the pressure difference to cover the core body with the tubular body, and contacting the end portion of the elastic layer with the tubular body without using the adhesive. And a step of removing both ends of the cylindrical body coated with and removing the diameter expanding member.

The tubular body covering member according to an eighth aspect includes a core body, an elastic layer formed on the outer periphery of the core body, an adhesive applied to the outer periphery of the elastic layer except for the end portions of the elastic layer, and the elastic body. A cylinder covering the layer and fixed with the adhesive and covering the end in a state where it is not fixed at the end.

According to the method of the first aspect, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the cylindrical body at the end portion of the elastic layer, as compared with the case where the adhesive is applied to the entire elastic layer.

According to the method of the second aspect, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the tubular body at both end portions of the elastic layer, as compared with the case where the adhesive is applied to portions other than the one end portion of the elastic layer.

According to the method of the third aspect, defective fixing can be suppressed as compared with the case where the adhesive is not applied to the passage area.

According to the method of the fourth aspect, compared with the case where the pressure difference inside and outside the cylinder is eliminated and the core is covered with the cylinder only by stopping the suction without supplying the pressurized gas, the core and the cylinder are Generation of bubbles between the body is suppressed.

According to the method of the fifth aspect, generation of bubbles between the core body and the cylindrical body is suppressed as compared with the case where the suction force of the suction portion is constant.

According to the method of the sixth aspect, as compared with the case where the supply of the pressurized gas from the supply unit is performed after the suction force of the suction unit is increased, bubbles may be generated between the core body and the cylindrical body. Suppressed.

According to the method of the seventh aspect, as compared with the case where the end of the elastic layer contacts the cylinder covered with the core through the adhesive, wrinkles are generated in the cylinder at the end of the elastic layer. Can be suppressed.

According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, the adhesive protects the end portion of the elastic layer while the cylinder body is fixed to the end portion of the elastic layer, as compared with the configuration in which the end portion is covered. The protrusion is suppressed.

It is a perspective view showing the composition of the manufacturing device concerning this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the tube coating roll which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front sectional view showing the composition of the manufacturing device concerning this embodiment. It is a front view showing a roll body, a diameter expansion member, and a fitting member concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the conveyance apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing (6-6 sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 8) of the lower end part of the insert which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing (7-7 line sectional view of FIG. 8) of the upper side part of the insert which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which hold|maintained the tube in the insert body which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the composition of the lower holding mechanism concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which expanded the expansion part in the structure shown in FIG. It is a front sectional view showing the composition of the lower holding mechanism concerning this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the structure of the upper holding mechanism which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the upper holding mechanism which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view showing composition of a nail part of an upper holding mechanism concerning this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the coating device which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tube has been transported into the container in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 17 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lower end portion of the tube is held in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 16. It is a top view which shows the state which adsorb|sucked the outer periphery of the upper end part of a tube with the suction pad of this embodiment. FIG. 18 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the distal end portion of the claw portion is inserted into the upper end portion of the tube after the insert is extracted from the tube in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 20 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state where the diameter of the upper end portion of the tube has been expanded in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the upper end portion of the tube is folded back in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the upper end of the tube is held in the container in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the roll body is started to be inserted into the tube in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 24 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the roll body is completely inserted into the tube in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the roll body is covered with a tube in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 24. It is a schematic diagram showing a process of expanding a tube, and a process of expanding a expanded tube. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the claw part of the upper holding mechanism which concerns on a modification. It is a side view which shows the structure of the claw part of the upper holding mechanism which concerns on a modification.

An example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Manufacturing device 10)
The manufacturing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.

The manufacturing apparatus 10 is an apparatus for manufacturing the tube coating roll 100 shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a container 20, a diameter expanding member 50, a fitting member 180, and a suction mechanism 70. Further, the manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a transfer device 300 (see FIG. 5), a supply unit 510 (see FIG. 3), a lower holding mechanism 200 (see FIG. 11), an upper holding mechanism 400 (see FIG. 12), and a coating device. The device 150 (see FIG. 15). Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the tube coating roll 100 and the specific configuration of each part of the manufacturing apparatus 10 will be described.

(Tube coating roll 100)
The tube coating roll 100, which is a manufacturing target of the manufacturing apparatus 10, is an example of a “cylindrical covering member”. The tube coating roll 100 is used, for example, as a fixing roll (heating roll or pressure roll) that sandwiches a recording medium on which an image is formed and fixes the image on the recording medium. The tube coating roll 100 may be used as other rolls such as a transport roll for transporting a material to be transported such as a recording medium, a charging roll for charging the photoconductor, or the like.

Specifically, the tube coating roll 100 has a roll body 110 and a tube 120 coating the roll body 110, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the tube coating roll 100 is a roll configured by coating the roll body 110 with the tube 120.

The roll body 110 is an example of a “core body”. The roll body 110 includes a cylindrical or columnar shaft portion 112, and a cylindrical (tubular) elastic layer 114 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 112. Thus, the elastic layer 114 is formed on the outer periphery of the roll body 110. Both ends of the shaft portion 112 serve as supported portions 116 supported by bearings.

The tube 120 is an example of a “cylindrical body”. The tube 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape (tubular shape) and covers the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110. Specifically, the tube 120 is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 with an adhesive agent 130.

Here, the adhesive agent 130 is interposed between the elastic layer 114 and the tube 120, except for the axial end portion of the elastic layer 114. Specifically, the adhesive agent 130 is interposed between the elastic layer 114 and the tube 120 except at both axial end portions of the elastic layer 114. Therefore, the tube 120 is fixed with the adhesive 130 at a portion of the elastic layer 114 on the central side in the axial direction (a portion other than both end portions in the axial direction), and is not fixed at both end portions in the axial direction of the elastic layer 114. Both ends are covered.

The both ends in the axial direction of the elastic layer 114 refer to, for example, a range of 1% or more and 5% or less of the axial length of the elastic layer 114 on both end sides in the axial direction. It should be noted that the range of 10% of the axial length of the elastic layer 114 on both axial ends may be grasped as the axial end portions of the elastic layer 114. Further, the range on both axial ends when the elastic layer 114 is divided into three equal parts in the axial direction may be grasped as both axial end portions of the elastic layer 114.

It should be noted that both ends of the elastic layer 114 in the axial direction may be grasped as portions where the tube covering roll 100 does not exhibit its function. For example, when the tube coating roll 100 is used as a fixing roll, a region that does not exhibit the fixing function, that is, a partial region outside the range through which the recording medium that is the fixing target passes, is located at both ends in the axial direction of the elastic layer 114. May be

As the adhesive agent 130, an adhesive agent that is liquid (fluid) when applied to the elastic layer 114 and is hardened by heating, for example, is used. As an example of the adhesive agent 130, SE-1714 manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Co., Ltd. is used.

A metal material is used for the shaft portion 112 as an example. For the elastic layer 114, for example, a rubber material such as silicon rubber is used. The tube 120 has elasticity (flexibility), and as an example, a fluororesin such as PFA or PTFE is used for the tube 120.

(Container 20)
The container 20 is a container that houses the tube 120 (see FIG. 23 ). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the container 20 includes a body portion 24, a bottom portion 22 arranged below the body portion 24, and a top portion 30 arranged above the body portion 24. And have.

The body portion 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both axial end portions (upper and lower end portions) open. The body portion 24 constitutes a side wall of the container 20 with a side wall portion 32, which will be described later, at the top portion 30. Further, the body portion 24 is formed with a suction port 24E to which a later-described suction pipe 76 of the suction mechanism 70 is connected.

The bottom portion 22 is formed in a disc shape. The bottom portion 22 is fixed to the lower end portion of the body portion 24. As a result, the bottom portion 22 closes the lower open portion of the body portion 24 and constitutes the bottom wall of the container 20.

The top portion 30 has a cylindrical side wall portion 32, an annular (ring-shaped) annular wall portion 34, and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 38.

Specifically, the annular wall portion 34 is a wall portion having a plate shape having a thickness in the vertical direction and formed in an annular shape in a plan view. The annular wall portion 34 constitutes the upper wall of the container 20.

The side wall portion 32 is formed so as to extend downward from the outer peripheral edge of the annular wall portion 34. The lower end of the side wall 32 is attached to the upper end of the body 24.

The peripheral wall portion 38 is formed so as to rise upward from the inner peripheral edge of the annular wall portion 34. The inner peripheral space on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 38 and the annular wall portion 34 constitutes the opening 20</b>A of the container 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the peripheral wall portion 38 has an opening edge 20B for holding the upper end portion of the tube 120. The upper end of the tube 120 is an example of “one end of the cylinder”.

Further, inside the container 20, a closed space that is opened only by the opening 20A and the suction port 24E is formed by the body portion 24, the bottom portion 22 and the top portion 30.

(Expanding member 50)
The diameter expansion member 50 is attached to the lower end portion of the roll body 110, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The lower end portion of the roll body 110 is an example of the “end portion on the leading side in the core body insertion direction”. Specifically, the diameter expansion member 50 is attached to the supported portion 116 (shaft portion 112) below the roll body 110. More specifically, the diameter expanding member 50 is mounted on the outer periphery of the supported portion 116 coaxially with the roll body 110.

The diameter-expanding member 50 gradually increases in diameter from the insertion direction (downward) to the opposite direction (upward) with respect to the tube 120 and then gradually decreases in diameter. That is, the diameter-expanding member 50 has a maximum diameter in the central portion in the up-down direction, and is formed in a tapered shape that tapers from the central portion in the up-down direction to the upper side and the lower side.

Further, the diameter expanding member 50 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the roll body 110. Specifically, the diameter-expanding member 50 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the roll body 110 including the adhesive 130 applied to the roll body 110 before coating the tube 120.

In the present embodiment, the outer diameters at the upper and lower ends of the diameter expanding member 50 are the same as the outer diameter of the roll body 110. The diameter expanding member 50 may have an overall outer diameter in the vertical direction larger than the outer diameter of the roll body 110, including the outer diameters at the upper and lower ends. Further, the outer diameters at the upper and lower ends of the diameter expanding member 50 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the roll body 110. As described above, the diameter-expanding member 50 may include an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the roll body 110, and at least a part thereof has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the roll body 110. Good.

Then, in the present embodiment, the diameter expansion member 50 is inserted into the tube 120, so that the diameter of the tube 120 is expanded in the elastic region. In other words, the diameter expanding member 50 is a member that expands the diameter of the tube 120 in the elastic region by inserting the inside of the tube 120. A resin material such as a fluororesin is used for the diameter-expanding member 50 as an example.

(Mating member 180)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the fitting member 180 is mounted coaxially with the roll body 110 on the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the roll body 110. Specifically, the fitting member 180 is mounted on the supported portion 116 (the shaft portion 112) on the upper side of the roll body 110.

The fitting member 180 is gradually increased in diameter from the insertion direction (downward) to the tube 120 to the opposite direction (upward). That is, the fitting member 180 is formed in a taper shape (a cylindrical shape having a truncated cone shape) that has a maximum diameter at the upper end portion and tapers downward.

The outer diameter of the lower end of the fitting member 180 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the roll body 110. The outer diameter of the axially intermediate portion of the fitting member 180 is larger than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall portion 38. The fitting member 180 is fitted coaxially with the peripheral wall portion 38 along the axial direction of the tube 120 in the held state with respect to the inside of the opening edge 20B of the peripheral wall portion 38 in the held state of the tube 120 (FIG. 24). The fitting member 180 is made of, for example, a resin material such as polyamide synthetic resin.

(Inner cylinder 80)
The inner cylinder 80 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of “another container”. The inner cylinder 80 is provided inside the container 20, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the inner cylinder 80 is formed into a cylindrical shape having openings 82 and 84 at both ends (upper and lower ends) in the axial direction. More specifically, the inner cylinder 80 is arranged inside the container 20 coaxially with the container 20. More specifically, the inner cylinder 80 has a gap between the upper end and the annular wall 34 of the container 20 and a cylindrical space between the outer peripheral surface and the body 24 of the container 20. Thus, it is arranged inside the container 20. That is, the space on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 80 in the container 20 and the space in the inner cylinder 80 communicate with each other at the upper end portion of the inner cylinder 80.

The tube 120 is accommodated in the inner cylinder 80 through the opening portion 82 on the upper side of the inner cylinder 80 (see FIG. 16 ). Specifically, the lower end portion of the tube 120, the upper end of which is held by the opening edge 20B of the container 20, is housed inside the inner cylinder 80 through the opening 82 (see FIG. 23). The upper opening 82 is an example of the “opening”.

(Support 90)
The support part 90 is provided inside the container 20, as shown in FIG. Specifically, it is provided in the lower portion inside the container 20 so as to be movable with respect to the container 20 along the axial direction of the inner cylinder 80. That is, the support part 90 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the container 20. The support 90 is moved up and down by the drive mechanism 99 and stopped at an arbitrary position. As the drive mechanism 99, a cylinder driven by air pressure or the like, or an actuator is used.

Further, the support portion 90 detachably supports the inner cylinder 80. Specifically, the lower end of the inner cylinder 80 is detachably attached to the upper end of the support 90. Specifically, the inner cylinder 80 is detachably attached by, for example, a fastening member such as a screw. In the inner cylinder 80, for example, a screw groove (not shown) formed on the outer circumference or inner circumference of the lower end is screwed into a screw groove (not shown) formed on the support portion 90 in correspondence with the screw groove. By doing so, it may be detachably attached.

An attachment hole 92 is formed in the support portion 90 to which a later-described movable portion 214 of the lower holding mechanism 200 is attached. The mounting hole 92 is a circular hole that penetrates the support 90 in the vertical direction.

In addition, the support portion 90 is formed with a passage 94 extending from the mounting hole 92 to the outer periphery of the support portion 90 along the radial direction of the container 20.

Further, in the support portion 90, for example, a supply passage 96 is formed on the side opposite to the passage 94 with respect to the mounting hole 92. The supply path 96 penetrates the support portion 90 in the vertical direction. One end (upper end) of the supply path 96 communicates with the inside of the inner cylinder 80. The other end (lower end) of the supply path 96 is connected to the supply unit 510.

(Suction mechanism 70)
The suction mechanism 70 is an example of a “suction unit”. The suction mechanism 70 is a mechanism that sucks air (an example of gas) in the container 20 and the inner cylinder 80. Specifically, the suction mechanism 70 sucks air from the space on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 80 in the container 20 to suck the air in the inner cylinder 80 communicating with the space at the upper end.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the suction mechanism 70 has a suction pump 72, a regulator 74, and a suction pipe 76. The suction pipe 76 has one end connected to the suction pump 72 and the other end connected to the suction port 24E. The regulator 74 is arranged in the middle of the suction pipe 76.

In the suction mechanism 70, by driving the suction pump 72, air is sucked from the space on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 80 in the container 20 through the suction pipe 76, and the inside of the container 20 and the inside of the inner cylinder 80 are decompressed. To be done.

The regulator 74 has a function of adjusting the suction force of the suction mechanism 70. By adjusting the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 by the regulator 74, the pressure inside the container 20 and the inner cylinder 80 becomes a low negative pressure state (for example, -25 kPa), and the absolute value is higher than the low negative pressure state. It can be adjusted to a negative pressure state (for example, -100 kPa). Therefore, it can be said that the regulator 74 has a pressure adjusting function of adjusting the pressure inside the container 20 and the pressure inside the inner cylinder 80.

Instead of the regulator 74, the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 may be adjusted by a decompression tank connected to the suction pipe 76 via a valve, and the inside of the container 20 and the inner cylinder 80 may be adjusted. Other mechanism may be used as the mechanism for adjusting the pressure.

(Conveyor device 300)
The transport device 300 is a device that transports the tube 120 into the container 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the carrier device 300 includes an insert body 390 that is inserted inside the tube 120 along the axial direction thereof, a suction unit 382, and a moving mechanism 349. ing.

The insert 390 has a length along the up-down direction (insertion direction with respect to the tube 120). As shown in FIG. 6, the lower end portion 391 of the insert body 390 is formed in a circular shape in a cross section viewed in the inserting direction (axial direction of the tube 120) with respect to the tube 120. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end portion 391 has a constant portion 391A having a constant outer diameter along the longitudinal direction of the insert 390, and a tapered portion 391B which is gradually tapered. The constant portion 391A is formed in a cylindrical shape. The constant portion 391A may have a cylindrical shape. The outer circumference (outer circumference length) of the constant portion 391A is shorter than the inner circumference (inner circumference length) of the tube 120.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper portion 393 of the insert 390 excluding the lower end 391 has a recess 392 formed on the outer periphery in a cross section viewed in the inserting direction (axial direction of the tube 120) with respect to the tube 120. Have In the cross section described above, four recesses 392 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the insert body 390 (every 90 degrees). As a result, the upper portion 393 is formed in a substantially cross shape in the cross section described above. In addition, the peripheral length of the insert 390 including the recess 392 (concave surface) is longer than the inner periphery of the tube 120. The peripheral length of the insert 390 not including the concave portion 392 (concave surface) (the peripheral length of the shortest distance formed at the outer edge of the insert 390, that is, the peripheral length indicated by the alternate long and short dash line 392S) is greater than the inner periphery of the tube 120. Has also been shortened. In the above-described cross section, the longest distance 393L from the center 393C of the upper portion 393 to the outer edge of the insert 390 and the radius of the constant portion 391A of the lower end 391 are, for example, the same. The radius and the longest distance 393L may be different lengths.

A hole 394 that opens in the recess 392 is formed in the upper portion 393. The hole 394 communicates with a passage 396 formed inside the upper portion 393 along the longitudinal direction of the insert 390. The passage 396 communicates with the suction portion 382 at the upper end portion. The tube 120 is sucked through the hole 394 by operating the suction portion 382 while the insert body 390 is inserted inside the tube 120. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the tube 120 is attracted to the outer circumference of the insert 390, and the tube 120 is held on the outer circumference of the insert 390.

The moving mechanism 349 (see FIG. 5) is configured by, for example, a triaxial robot that moves the insert body 390 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (horizontal direction).

(Supply unit 510)
The supply unit 510 has a function of supplying compressed air from the lower end of the inner cylinder 80 between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120. The lower end portion of the inner cylinder 80 is an example of “an end portion on the side opposite to the opening portion”. Compressed air is an example of a “pressurized gas”.

The supply part 510 communicates with the other end (lower end) of the supply path 96 formed in the support part 90. Since illustration is omitted in FIG. 11 and the like, an example will be specifically described. The bottom portion 22 of the container 20 is formed with a through hole that allows the inside and the outside of the container 20 to pass therethrough. One ends of pipes (for example, air hoses) are connected to the through holes inside and outside the container 20, respectively. The other end of the outer pipe of the container 20 is connected to the supply unit 510. Further, the other end of the tube inside the container 20 is connected to the supply unit 510. In such a configuration, the supply unit 510 supplies compressed air from the lower end to the inside of the inner cylinder 80 through the supply passage 96. As a result, compressed air is supplied between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120. As the supply unit 510, for example, a compressor that supplies compressed air, another pump, or the like is used. The gas supplied by the supply unit 510 may be nitrogen or the like.

(Lower holding mechanism 200)
The lower holding mechanism 200 is an example of a “holding unit”. The lower holding mechanism 200 is a mechanism that is provided inside the container 20 and holds the lower end of the tube 120. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, the lower holding mechanism 200 includes a movable portion 214, an inflating portion 216 such as an air picker, and a guide cone 220 (fitting portion). Have

The movable portion 214 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is supported by the support portion 90 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. In other words, the movable part 214 is movable along the axial direction of the container 20 independently of the support part 90. More specifically, only the movable portion 214 can move in the vertical direction with respect to the container 20 without the supporting portion 90 being displaced with respect to the container 20.

The movable portion 214 is connected to the drive mechanism 217 via a connecting portion 217A such as a rod included in the drive mechanism 217. The driving force of the driving mechanism 217 moves the movable portion 214 downward via the connecting portion 217A. As the drive mechanism 217, for example, a cylinder driven by air pressure or the like, or an actuator is used.

The connecting portion 217A of the drive mechanism 217 is fixed such that the movable portion 214 is vertically movable with respect to the support portion 90 by an external force and the movable portion 214 is fixed to the support portion 90 at an arbitrary position. It is designed to switch to the state and.

The external force is, specifically, the tube 120 is contracted in the axial direction as the diameter of the tube 120 is expanded by the insertion of the diameter expansion member 50 into the tube 120, and the movable section is moved via the expansion section 216. 214 is a pulling force. In the fixed state, the pulling force does not move the movable portion 214.

The inflating portion 216 is formed in a ring shape (a donut shape) having a circular hole 216A in the central portion in a plan view. The expansion section 216 is formed of an elastic film such as rubber that covers the upper portion of the movable section 214 in the circumferential direction. An inner peripheral end portion of the inflatable portion 216 is fixed to an upper end portion of the movable portion 214, and an outer peripheral end portion of the inflatable portion 216 is fixed to a peripheral wall above the movable portion 214. Thereby, it is configured in a bag shape having an internal space.

The movable portion 214 has a passage 214B having one end opened at a side portion of the movable portion 214 and the other end opened at a lower end portion of the movable portion 214 and having an inverted L-shape in a side sectional view. Has been formed. One end of the passage 214B communicates with the inside of the expansion section 216. The other end (lower end) of the passage 214B communicates with one end of the supply pipe 215. The supply pipe 215 is configured by a pipe such as a tube.

A supply unit 213 that supplies air is connected to the other end of the supply pipe 215. Since illustration is omitted, an example will be specifically described. The bottom portion 22 of the container 20 is formed with a through hole that allows the inside and the outside of the container 20 to pass therethrough. One ends of pipes (for example, air hoses) are connected to the through holes inside and outside the container 20, respectively. The other end of the outer pipe of the container 20 is connected to the supply unit 213. Further, the other end of the pipe inside the container 20 is connected to the other end of the supply pipe 215. In such a configuration, the supply unit 213 supplies air to the inside of the expansion unit 216 through the supply pipe 215 and the passage 214B, so that the expansion unit 216 expands as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the tube 120 is held from the inside.

Further, one end of the movable portion 214 is opened at the upper end of the movable portion 214, the other end is opened at the side portion of the movable portion 214, and the passage 214A is L-shaped in a side sectional view. Are formed. The passage 214A communicates with the passage 94 of the support portion 90. The passage 214A is a passage that is partitioned from the passage 214B.

The passages 214A and 94 allow the internal space of the container 20 and the internal space of the tube 120 to pass through even when the inflatable portion 216 holds the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the tube 120 from the inside. Even when the movable portion 214 moves in the vertical direction, the passage 214A of the movable portion 214 and the passage 94 of the support portion 90 are maintained in a communicating state. That is, in the moving range of the movable portion 214, the passage 214A of the movable portion 214 and the passage 94 of the support portion 90 are maintained in a communicating state. Therefore, when the inside of the container 20 is sucked by the suction mechanism 70, the inside of the tube 120 is also sucked from the lower end side.

As shown in FIG. 11, the guide cone 220 expands with respect to the opening end 112A (fitted portion) on the lower end side (insertion direction front end side) of the shaft portion 112 (supported portion 116) of the roll body 110. It is a member that fits along the axial direction of the tube 120 in the held state in which the lower end is held by the portion 216. The guide cone 220 has a fitting portion 222 that is fitted to the open end 112A of the shaft portion 112, and a fixed shaft portion 224 that projects downward from the fitting portion 222 and is fixed to the upper end portion of the movable portion 214. doing.

The fitting portion 222 has a cylindrical surface 222A fitted inside the opening end 112A, and a conical surface 222B whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the upper end of the cylindrical surface 222A upward. The outer diameter of the cylindrical surface 222A is the same as the inner diameter of the shaft portion 112 of the roll body 110 or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft portion 112. The guide cone 220 is fixed to the movable portion 214 coaxially with the inflating portion 216 by the fixed shaft portion 224. As a result, the cylindrical surface 222A and the outer peripheral surface of the inflating portion 216 are coaxially arranged.

A specific holding operation by the lower holding mechanism 200 will be described in a manufacturing method described later.

(Upper holding mechanism 400)
The upper holding mechanism 400 is a mechanism that holds the upper end of the tube 120 together with the container 20. Specifically, the upper holding mechanism 400 includes a plurality (specifically, four) suction pads 410 (suction mechanism) and a plurality (specifically four), as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. And a claw portion 420 thereof.

The four suction pads 410 are arranged above the top portion 30 (see FIG. 12) along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion 38 (tube 120) at regular intervals of 90 degrees as shown in FIG. There is. The suction port 412 of the suction pad 410 is directed radially inward of the peripheral wall portion 38. By sucking through the suction port 412, the suction pad 410 sucks the outer periphery of the upper end portion (one end portion) protruding from the opening of the peripheral wall portion 38 of the tube 120 accommodated in the container 20.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the suction pad 410 can be moved by the moving mechanism 415 to the radial inner side and the radial outer side of the peripheral wall portion 38 as indicated by the arrow Y. As the moving mechanism 415, for example, a cylinder is used.

The four claw portions 420 are arranged above the top portion 30 (see FIG. 12) and between the four suction pads 410 in plan view, as shown in FIG. 13. Specifically, the four claw portions 420 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion 38 at intervals of 90 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the four claw portions 420 are formed in an L shape in a side view. Each of the claw portions 420 has a claw portion main body 422 that extends radially inward of the peripheral wall portion 38, and a tip portion 424 that projects downward from the radially inner end of the claw portion main body 422.

As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of groove portions 427 along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion 38 (tube 120) are formed on the contact surface 423 on the radially outer side (the claw portion main body 422 side) of the distal end portion 424. .. Specifically, for example, three groove portions 427 are arranged vertically.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the claw portion 420 can be moved inward and outward in the radial direction of the peripheral wall portion 38 by the moving mechanism 425 as shown by an arrow Y, and in the vertical direction. It is movable. As the moving mechanism 425, for example, a biaxial robot is used. Then, the four claw portions 420 hold the upper end portion of the tube 120 by sandwiching it with the peripheral wall portion 38 of the container 20. A specific holding operation by the upper holding mechanism 400 will be described in the manufacturing method described later.

(Coating device 150)
The coating device 150 shown in FIG. 15 is a device that coats the adhesive 130 on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110.

In the coating device 150, the adhesive 130 is dropped onto the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 along the axial direction while rotating the roll body 110 around its axis. Further, in the coating device 150, the adhesive 130 dropped on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 is smoothed with a spatula (not shown) or the like. In this way, in the coating device 150, the adhesive 130 is coated on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110. In the present embodiment, the coating device 150 coats the adhesive 130 on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 except the axial end portion (see the coating step described later). Specifically, in the present embodiment, the coating device 150 coats the adhesive 130 on portions of the roll body 110 other than the axial end portions of the elastic layer 114.

The application device is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be, for example, a device that applies the adhesive 130 to the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 by spraying or the like, or an application device that applies another coating method. May be

(Other configurations of manufacturing apparatus 10)
As shown in FIG. 24, the manufacturing apparatus 10 has an insertion mechanism 190 that inserts the roll body 110 into the tube 120 held in the container 20. The insertion mechanism 190 holds the supported portion 116 on the upper side of the roll body 110 and lowers the roll body 110 to insert the roll body 110 into the tube 120.

(Method of manufacturing tube coating roll 100 using manufacturing apparatus 10)
Next, a method of manufacturing the tube coating roll 100 using the manufacturing apparatus 10 will be described. The tube coating roll 100 is, for example, a fixing roll that sandwiches a recording medium on which an image is formed and fixes the image on the recording medium.

This manufacturing method has a preparation process, a coating process, a containing process, a holding process, an inserting process, a fitting process, a covering process, a holding releasing process, and a removing process. The preparation process, the coating process, the housing process, the holding process, the insertion process, the fitting process, the covering process, the holding release process, and the removal process are performed in this order, for example. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

(Preparation process)
In the preparation step, the above-described manufacturing apparatus 10 for manufacturing the tube covering roll 100 is prepared.

(Coating process)
In the coating step, as shown in FIG. 15, the coating device 150 coats the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 with the adhesive 130 before being inserted into the tube 120. Specifically, the coating device 150 coats the adhesive 130 on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 other than the axial end portion. More specifically, the coating device 150 coats the adhesive 130 on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 except for both axial end portions thereof.

More specifically, in the tube covering roll 100 as the fixing roll, the adhesive 130 is applied to the range including the passage area through which the recording medium passes. The applying step may be performed before the inserting step, may be performed at the same time as the housing step and the holding step, or may be performed after the housing step and the holding step.

(Housing process)
The accommodation step is a step of accommodating the tube 120 into the inner cylinder 80 through the opening 82 of the inner cylinder 80. Specifically, the accommodation process is performed as follows. That is, in the accommodating step, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the suction section 382 of the transport device 300 is operated with the insert body 390 of the transport device 300 being inserted inside the tube 120. As a result, the tube 120 is attracted to the outer circumference of the insert 390, and the tube 120 is held on the outer circumference of the insert 390 (see FIG. 8 ).

Next, the moving mechanism 349 lowers the insert 390 toward the inside of the container 20 through the opening edge 20B of the container 20. Furthermore, the moving mechanism 349 lowers the insert 390 from the opening 82 of the inner cylinder 80 into the inner cylinder 80. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the tube 120 is housed in the inner cylinder 80 through the opening 82. Specifically, the tube 120 is housed inside the container 20 with the lower end protruding to the lower side of the insert 390, and the inflating portion of the lower holding mechanism 200 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the protruding lower end. 216 is inserted.

(Holding process)
The holding step is a step of holding the tube 120. The holding process specifically has a lower end holding process and an upper end holding process. The lower end holding step and the upper end holding step will be described below.

(Lower end holding process)
The lower end holding step is a step of holding the lower end of the tube 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, in the lower end holding step, the supply unit 213 supplies air into the expansion unit 216 through the supply pipe 215 and the passage 214B. As a result, the expansion section 216 expands and holds the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the tube 120 from the inside. At this time, the movable part 214 to which the expansion part 216 is attached is in a fixed state in which it is fixed to the support part 90.

(Upper end holding process)
The upper end holding step is a step of holding the upper end of the tube 120 at the opening edge 20B of the container 20. Specifically, the upper end holding step is performed as follows. That is, in the upper end holding step, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the four suction pads 410 suck through the suction ports 412, so that the upper end (one end Part) outer circumference is adsorbed. When suction of the suction pad 410 is started, suction by the suction section 382 of the insert body 390 is stopped. Further, in the insert 390, suction may be stopped and air may be ejected through the hole 394. This facilitates the tube 120 to separate from the insert 390.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the insert 390 rises and the insert 390 is extracted from the tube 120. Next, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 13, the four claw portions 420 are moved down from the position above the tube 120 in which the outer periphery of the upper end portion is sucked by the four suction pads 410 by the moving mechanism 425. By doing so, the tip portion 424 is inserted inside the upper end portion of the tube 120.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the four claw portions 420 are moved by the moving mechanism 425 to the outside in the radial direction of the peripheral wall portion 38 with the contact surface 423 in contact with the inner circumference of the tube 120. As a result, the diameter of the upper end of the tube 120 is expanded. When the four claws 420 move radially outward of the peripheral wall portion 38, the suction pad 410 moves radially outward of the peripheral wall portion 38 by the moving mechanism 415. Therefore, the suction pad 410 does not interfere with the tube 120. The suction pad 410 is moved, for example, before or simultaneously with the movement of the claw portion 420.

After that, as shown in FIG. 21, the four claw portions 420 are moved downward by the moving mechanism 425 on the outer peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 38, thereby folding back the upper end portion of the tube 120, and then shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. As a result, the upper end of the tube 120 is pressed against the outer wall of the peripheral wall 38 by the four claws 420, and the upper end of the tube 120 is held. In this way, by sandwiching the upper end of the tube 120 between the four claws 420 and the peripheral wall 38 of the container 20, the upper end of the tube 120 is held by the opening edge 20B of the peripheral wall 38.

(Insertion process)
The inserting step is an example of the “maintenance step”. This insertion step is a step of inserting the roll body 110 into the tube 120 whose upper end and lower end are held. Specifically, the inserting step is performed as follows. That is, in the inserting step, first, the suction pump 72 of the suction mechanism 70 is driven to start sucking the air inside the container 20. Since the inside of the container 20 and the inside of the tube 120 communicate with each other through the passage 214A of the movable portion 214, the air inside the tube 120 is also sucked.

Here, the movable part 214 to which the expansion part 216 is attached is in a free state in which it can move in the vertical direction with respect to the support part 90. In this state, as shown in FIG. 23, the roll body 110 having the diameter-expanding member 50 attached to the lower end is inserted into the tube 120 by the insertion mechanism 190 (see FIG. 24).

When the roll body 110 is inserted into the upper end portion of the tube 120 and the upper opening of the tube 120 is sealed, the inside of the tube 120 and the container 20 is decompressed, and the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container 20 causes the roll body 110 to move downward ( The force of pulling in the insertion direction) acts. In the present embodiment, the roll body 110 descends due to the pushing force by the insertion mechanism 190, the pulling force due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container 20, and gravity, and the roll body 110 moves from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the tube 120. Is inserted.

When the expanding member 50 passes through each part of the tube 120, the tube 120 expands and contracts in the axial direction (see FIG. 26), but the movable part 214 to which the expanding part 216 is attached is in a free state. The tube 120 rises while maintaining the state of holding the lower end of the tube 120.

When the roll body 110 descends, the tube 120 is expanded in the elastic region at the portion where the diameter expansion member 50 has passed. The expanded diameter portion is maintained in the expanded diameter state due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tube 120 (see FIG. 24).

As described above, in the inserting step, the roll body 110 is inserted from the upper end portion to the lower end side of the tube 120 by suction of air in the container 20 of the suction mechanism 70, and the diameter of the tube expanded by the passage of the diameter expansion member 50. The region of 120 is maintained in the expanded diameter state by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tube 120.

In the inserting step, the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is adjusted by the regulator 74 so that the pressure inside the container 20 becomes a low negative pressure state (for example, -25 kPa).

(Mating process)
The fitting step is a step of fitting the guide cone 220 to the lower end of the roll body 110 and fitting the fitting member 180 to the opening edge 20B of the container 20. Specifically, in the fitting step, as shown in FIG. 24, the roll body 110 is fitted to the lower end portion of the roll body 110 inserted in the tube 120 to the fitting position where the guide cone 220 is fitted. Lower it. Thereby, the cylindrical surface 222A of the guide cone 220 is fitted to the opening end 112A on the lower end side of the shaft portion 112 of the roll body 110.

Further, at this fitting position, the fitting member 180 is connected to the peripheral wall portion 38 along the axial direction of the tube 120 in the held state with respect to the inner side of the opening edge 20B of the peripheral wall portion 38 in the held state of the tube 120. Fits coaxially.

Further, the lowering of the roll body 110 is stopped at this fitting position. In this fitting position, the lower end portion of the roll body 110 and the diameter expanding member 50 have a gap with respect to the diameter expanding member 50 and are not in contact with the diameter expanding member 50.

(Coating process)
The covering step is a step of supplying the compressed air into the inner cylinder 80 by the supply unit 510 to eliminate the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container 20 and covering the roll body 110 with the tube 120. Specifically, in the covering step, the guide cone 220 is fitted to the lower end portion of the roll body 110, and the fitting member 180 is fitted to the opening edge 20B of the container 20, and the roll body 110 is covered with the tube 120. To do.

More specifically, it is performed as follows. That is, while the suction mechanism 70 is sucking the air in the container 20 and the inner cylinder 80, the supply unit 510 supplies the compressed air from the lower end into the inner cylinder 80 through the supply passage 96. As a result, compressed air is supplied between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120.

When the compressed air is supplied between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120, the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the tube 120 is eliminated and the tube 120 is reduced in diameter while the expanding member 50 is inside the lower end portion of the tube 120. To do. By reducing the diameter of the tube 120 in this way, as shown in FIG. 25, the roll body 110 is covered with the tube 120.

Here, in the present embodiment, since compressed air is supplied from the lower side between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120, a pressure gradient that increases from the upper end to the lower end of the tube 120 is formed outside the tube 120. It As a result, the tube 120 gradually covers the roll body 110 from the lower side. Note that, in FIG. 25, the arrow directed to the tube 120 indicates the degree of pressure acting on the tube 120 by the size of the arrow.

In the covering step, the regulator 74 adjusts the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 so that the pressure inside the container 20 is in a high negative pressure state (for example, −100 kPa) when the compressed air is supplied from the supply unit 510. It Thereby, the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is increased from the suction force in the insertion process.

In the covering step, the supply of the compressed air from the supply unit 510 is started at the same time as the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is increased or before the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is increased. The time difference between the supply of compressed air and the increase in suction force is less than 1 second, for example.

Further, in the covering step, the movable part 214 is moved downward by the drive mechanism 217. As a result, tension is applied to the lower end of the tube 120 in the axial direction (downward). That is, the tube 120 is covered with the roll body 110 in a state in which the lower end portion of the tube 120 is applied with tension in the axial direction (downward).

By covering the roll body 110 with the tube 120 in the coating step, the elastic layers 114 of the roll body 110 come into contact with the tube 120 at both axial end portions thereof without the adhesive 130. In other words, the covering step can also be said to be a step of bringing the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 into contact with the tube 120 at both axial end portions thereof without interposing the adhesive agent 130.

(Hold release process)
Next, the suction of the suction mechanism 70 and the supply of compressed air from the supply unit 510 are stopped. Then, the inflating portion 216 of the lower holding mechanism 200 is deflated to release the holding of the lower end portion of the tube 120 by the lower holding mechanism 200. Further, the four claws 420 of the upper holding mechanism 400 are moved by the moving mechanism 425 to perform a moving operation opposite to the moving operation in the upper end holding step. This releases the upper holding mechanism 400 from holding the upper end of the tube 120.

(Removal process)
Next, the roll body 110 is taken out from the inside of the container 20, and the excess lower end portion and upper end portion of the tube 120 (the portion protruding outward in the axial direction from the elastic layer 114) are cut, and the diameter expanding member 50 and the fitting are fitted. The member 180 is removed from the roll body 110. Further, the adhesive 130 of the roll body 110 with which the tube 120 is covered is heated and cured. Thereby, the tube coating roll 100 is manufactured.

(Operation of this embodiment)
In the present embodiment, as described above, in the covering step, since compressed air is supplied from the lower side between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120, the pressure acting on the outer surface of the tube 120 is the upper end of the tube 120. A pressure gradient that increases from the part to the lower end is formed (see FIG. 25). As a result, the tube 120 gradually covers the roll body 110 from the lower side.

Here, in the configuration in which the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the tube 120 is eliminated and the roll body 110 is covered with the tube 120 only by stopping the suction of the suction mechanism 70 with respect to the container 20 (first comparative example), the entire tube 120 is The roll body 110 is coated at once. That is, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the tube 120 are coated on the roll body 110 without a time difference. Thereby, the air existing between the roll body 110 and the tube 120 is taken in, and the tube 120 is covered with the roll body 110. Therefore, air bubbles may remain between the roll body 110 and the tube 120.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the tube 120 is gradually covered from the lower side with respect to the roll body 110, and the air existing between the roll body 110 and the tube 120 escapes from the upper side. Compared to the comparative example, air existing between the roll body 110 and the tube 120 is less likely to be entrapped. Therefore, as compared with the first comparative example described above, it is possible to suppress bubbles from remaining between the roll body 110 and the tube 120.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the coating step, when the compressed air is supplied from the supply unit 510, the regulator 74 controls the suction mechanism 70 so that the pressure inside the container 20 becomes a high negative pressure state (for example, −100 kPa). The suction force is adjusted. Thereby, the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is increased from the suction force in the insertion process.

In this configuration, the flow velocity of the compressed air flowing between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120 is higher than in the configuration in which the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is always constant (second comparative example). As a result, the above-mentioned pressure gradient is further increased as compared with the above-mentioned second comparative example. Therefore, as compared with the second comparative example described above, the time difference in which the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the tube 120 are covered by the roll body 110 becomes large. As a result, air bubbles are suppressed from remaining between the roll body 110 and the tube 120 as compared with the second comparative example.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the covering step, the supply of the compressed air from the supply unit 510 is started at the same time as the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is increased or before the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is increased.

In the configuration (third comparative example) in which the supply of the compressed air from the supply unit 510 is started after the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 is increased, the above-mentioned pressure gradient is hard to be formed, and the entire tube 120 is rolled at once. 110 is coated. That is, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the tube 120 are coated on the roll body 110 without a time difference. Thereby, the air existing between the roll body 110 and the tube 120 is taken in, and the tube 120 is covered with the roll body 110. Therefore, air bubbles may remain between the roll body 110 and the tube 120.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the covering step, the supply of the compressed air from the supply unit 510 is started at the same time as the increase of the suction force of the suction mechanism 70 or before the increase of the suction force of the suction mechanism 70. Therefore, a pressure gradient is formed. As a result, the tube 120 gradually covers the roll body 110 from the lower side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, air existing between the roll body 110 and the tube 120 is less likely to be entrained, as compared with the third comparative example described above. Therefore, as compared with the third comparative example described above, it is possible to suppress bubbles from remaining between the roll body 110 and the tube 120.

Further, in the present embodiment, the support portion 90 detachably supports the inner cylinder 80. Specifically, the lower end of the inner cylinder 80 is detachably attached to the upper end of the support 90. Therefore, the inner cylinder 80 having a different axial length is replaced according to the axial length of the roll body 110 inserted into the tube 120. Specifically, for example, in the case where the roll body 110 having an axial length corresponding to A4 size is covered with the tube 120 and then the roll body 110 having an axial length corresponding to A3 size is covered with the tube 120, It is replaced with an inner cylinder 80 having a long axial length.

Further, in the present embodiment, the support portion 90 is movable in the up-down direction with respect to the container 20 by the moving mechanism 99. Therefore, when the inner cylinder 80 is replaced with one having a different length, the vertical position of the inner cylinder 80 can be adjusted. For example, by adjusting the position of the inner cylinder 80 in the vertical direction, the gap between the upper end of the inner cylinder 80 and the container 20 becomes constant when the inner cylinder 80 is replaced with one having a different length.

Here, the flow velocity of the compressed air flowing between the inner cylinder 80 and the tube 120 is determined by the size of the gap between the upper end of the inner cylinder 80 and the annular wall portion 34 of the container 20, and thus the above-mentioned pressure gradient is determined. By making the gap between the upper end of the inner cylinder 80 and the annular wall portion 34 of the container 20 constant, the above-mentioned pressure gradient becomes constant.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the movable portion 214 is movable along the axial direction of the container 20 independently of the support portion 90. For this reason, when the roll body 110 is covered with the tube 120, even if the movable portion 214 is displaced upward, the support portion 90 is not displaced. This prevents the upper end of the inner cylinder 80 supported by the support 90 from colliding with the container 20.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, in the coating step, the coating device 150 coats the adhesive 130 on portions other than the axial end portion of the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110. Specifically, the coating device 150 coats the adhesive 130 on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 except at both ends in the axial direction. Therefore, the adhesive 130 does not exist between the tube 120 covered by the roll body 110 and both axial end portions of the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110, and therefore the adhesive 130 is applied to the entire elastic layer 114. Compared to the case (fourth comparative example), the tube 120 is less likely to slip at both axial ends of the elastic layer 114 before the adhesive 130 is cured.

Thereby, as compared with the fourth comparative example described above, the tube 120 is less likely to move at both ends of the elastic layer 114, and wrinkles are prevented from occurring in the tube 120. Here, in the present embodiment, in the holding release step, the upper holding mechanism 400 releases the upper end of the tube 120 and the lower holding mechanism 200 releases the lower end of the tube 120. The tension acting in the direction decreases. Therefore, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the tube 120 try to move with respect to the elastic layer 114, but since the tube 120 is hard to move in the present embodiment, the wrinkle is prevented from occurring in the tube 120.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, in the coating step, the adhesive 130 is applied to the passage area where the recording medium passes in the tube coating roll 100 as the fixing roll. Therefore, the fixing failure is suppressed as compared with the case where the adhesive 130 is not applied to the passage area.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, by covering the roll body 110 with the tube 120 in the coating step, the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 does not have the adhesive agent 130 at both ends in the axial direction. Contact the tube 120. In other words, the covering step can also be said to be a step of bringing the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 into contact with the tube 120 at both axial end portions thereof without interposing the adhesive agent 130. In other words, the covering step can be said to be a step of directly contacting the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 with the tube 120 at both axial end portions.

Therefore, in the coating step, the tube 120 is covered with the elastic layer 114 as compared with the case where both ends of the elastic layer 114 are in contact with the tube 120 covered with the roll body 110 via the adhesive agent 130 (fifth comparative example). Hard to slip at both axial ends of 114.

As a result, as compared with the fifth comparative example described above, the tube 120 is less likely to move at both ends of the elastic layer 114, and the occurrence of wrinkles in the tube 120 is suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tube coating roll 100 covers both ends of the elastic layer 114 in a state where the tube 120 is not fixed at both ends in the axial direction. Therefore, the tube 120 protects both ends of the elastic layer 114. Further, in the present embodiment, the adhesive 130 is not applied to both ends of the elastic layer 114, so that the adhesive 130 is suppressed from protruding.

Therefore, according to the tube coating roll 100, the tube 120 protects both end portions of the elastic layer 114 while the tube 120 protects both end portions of the elastic layer 114 while the tube 120 is fixed to both end portions of the elastic layer 114. The protrusion of 130 is suppressed. Further, in the present embodiment, since the adhesive 130 is not applied to both ends of the elastic layer 114, the application amount of the adhesive 130 is reduced.

(Modification of the upper holding mechanism 400)
As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the claw portion 420 includes a shaft portion 450 protruding downward from a tip end portion of the claw portion main body 422 (a radially inner end portion of the peripheral wall portion 38 in FIG. 27), and a shaft portion 450. The driven roll 452 may be rotatably supported with respect to the portion 450. The driven roll 452 may be rotatably supported by the claw portion main body 422. A groove portion 454 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driven roll 452 along the circumferential direction. Specifically, the groove portion 454 is formed on the entire circumference of the driven roll 452.

Further, when viewed from the side, the axial direction of the driven roll 452 (the shaft portion 450) is such that the angle θ with respect to the lower surface of the claw portion main body 422 is, for example, slightly smaller than 90 degrees (acute angle). Specifically, the angle θ is 85 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees. In other words, the driven roll 452 (shaft portion 450) is inclined with respect to the peripheral wall portion 38 (container 20) such that the lower end portion thereof is oriented radially outward of the peripheral wall portion 38 with respect to the upper end portion. There is. The angle θ may be 90 degrees.

According to this structure, as shown in FIG. 27, the moving mechanism 425 moves the driven rolls 452 of the four claws 420 to the outer side in the radial direction of the peripheral wall 38 in a state of being in contact with the inner circumference of the tube 120. Then, the diameter of the upper end of the tube 120 is expanded (operation from the state shown in FIG. 19 to the state shown in FIG. 20).

In this configuration, the rotation of the driven rolls 452 makes the tensions applied to the tubes 120 by the contact of the driven rolls 452 uniform (the difference becomes smaller). Further, since the groove 454 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driven roll 452 along the circumferential direction, the tube 120 is unlikely to slip off the driven roll 452. Further, in the axial direction of the driven roll 452 (the shaft portion 450), the angle θ with respect to the lower surface of the claw portion main body 422 is an acute angle, so that the tube 120 is less likely to slip off the driven roll 452.

(Other modifications)
In the above-described embodiment, the roll body 110 including the shaft portion 112 and the cylindrical elastic layer 114 formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 112 is used as the core body, but the core body is not limited thereto. As the core body, for example, only the shaft portion 112 may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the tube covering roll 100 is manufactured as an example of the cylindrical body covering member, but the cylindrical body covering member to be manufactured is not limited to this. For example, the tubular body covering member may be a tube-covered belt in which a belt body is covered with a tube 120. In the case of the tube-covered belt, a core body having a core material and a cylindrical belt body (an example of a tubular body) formed on the outer periphery of the core material is used. That is, the core body is inserted into the tube 120 and the belt body is covered with the tube 120, similarly to the roll body 110 described above. After that, the tube-covered belt is manufactured by removing the core material from the belt body covered with the tube 120. As the belt body, a resin belt made of polyimide or the like, a metal belt, or the like is used.

In the manufacturing method described above, after the suction pump 72 of the suction mechanism 70 is driven to start sucking the air inside the container 20, the roll body 110 with the diameter expanding member 50 attached to the lower end is attached to the upper end of the tube 120. Inserted in, but not limited to. For example, after the roll body 110 having the lower end portion with the diameter-expanding member 50 attached thereto is inserted into the upper end portion of the tube 120, the suction pump 72 of the suction mechanism 70 is driven to start sucking the air inside the container 20. Good.

In the manufacturing apparatus 10, the tube 120 is arranged along the vertical direction, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the container 20 may be installed along the horizontal direction, and the tube 120 may be arranged along the horizontal direction.

In the present embodiment, in the coating step, the coating device 150 coats the adhesive 130 on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 except for both axial end portions, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, in the coating step, the coating device 150 may coat the adhesive 130 on the elastic layer 114 of the roll body 110 other than one end portion in the axial direction. That is, the adhesive 130 may be applied to one end of the elastic layer 114 in the axial direction.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the modified examples described above may be appropriately combined and configured.

10 Manufacturing Apparatus 20 Container 20B Opening Edge 50 Diameter Expansion Member 70 Suction Mechanism (Example of Suction Section)
80 Inner cylinder (an example of other container)
82 Opening 90 Support part 100 Tube coating roll (an example of a tubular body covering member)
110 roll body (an example of core body)
114 elastic layer 120 tube (an example of a cylinder)
130 adhesive 200 lower holding mechanism (an example of a holding portion)
510 supply section

Claims (8)

A coating step of coating an adhesive on the end portion of the elastic layer formed on the core,
A diameter-expanding member having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the core body is attached to the end portion on the leading side in the insertion direction, while the core body is being inserted into the cylinder body from one end portion of the cylinder body. A maintaining step of maintaining a diameter-expanded state of the portion of the cylinder whose diameter has been expanded by passage due to a pressure difference inside and outside the cylinder;
A coating step of eliminating the pressure difference and coating the core body with the tubular body,
A removing step of cutting both ends of the cylindrical body covering the core body and removing the expanding member;
And a method for manufacturing a cylindrical covering member. The method for manufacturing a tubular body covering member according to claim 1, wherein in the applying step, an adhesive is applied to portions other than both ends of the elastic layer. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a fixing roll as the cylindrical body covering member for fixing an image with a recording medium having an image formed thereon,
The method of manufacturing a tubular body covering member according to claim 2, wherein in the applying step, an adhesive is applied to a passage area through which the recording medium passes. Housing step of housing the tubular body in the container through an opening edge formed in the container, and housing the tubular body in the other container through an opening formed in another container provided inside the container When,
A holding step of holding one end of the cylindrical body housed in the other container at the opening edge of the container;
Have
The maintenance step is
By suctioning the gas in the container, the portion of the cylindrical body whose diameter has been expanded by passing through the diameter expanding member is maintained in the expanded diameter state due to the pressure difference inside and outside the cylinder body,
The coating step is
4. The pressurized gas is supplied from the end opposite to the opening into the other container to eliminate the pressure difference and cover the core with the tubular body. Item 8. A method for manufacturing a cylindrical covering member according to item. The method for manufacturing a tubular body covering member according to claim 4, wherein, in the covering step, when the pressurized gas is supplied, a suction force for sucking the gas in the container is increased. The method for manufacturing a tubular body covering member according to claim 5, wherein in the coating step, the supply of the pressurized gas is performed at the same time as the increase of the suction force or before the increase of the suction force. An applying step of applying an adhesive to the elastic layer formed on the core,
A diameter-expanding member having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the core body is attached to the end portion on the leading side in the insertion direction, while the core body is being inserted into the cylinder body from one end portion of the cylinder body. A maintaining step of maintaining a diameter-expanded state of the portion of the cylinder whose diameter has been expanded by passage due to a pressure difference inside and outside the cylinder;
A coating step of eliminating the pressure difference, coating the core body with the tubular body, and contacting an end portion of the elastic layer with the tubular body without using the adhesive;
A removing step of cutting both ends of the cylindrical body covering the core body and removing the expanding member;
And a method for manufacturing a cylindrical covering member. A core,
An elastic layer formed on the outer periphery of the core,
An adhesive applied to the outer periphery of the elastic layer except the end portion of the elastic layer,
A tubular body covering the elastic layer and fixed with the adhesive, and covering the end portion in a state where the end portion is not fixed;
A tubular body covering member.