JP2023111826A - Temperature detection device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the location accuracy of a detection element with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A fixing device comprises: a heater; a heater holder; a detection element; a first holding member that holds the detection element; an urging member that urges the first holding member; a flexible member that supports the first holding member on a side of a first end in a first direction; and a second holding member that holds the flexible member on a side of a second end of the flexible member in the first direction. The flexible member can be bent so that the first holding member and the second holding member make relative displacement in a third direction. The second holding member has a positioning part that is engaged with the heater holder, and is positioned by the positioning part with respect to the first direction and a second direction. The first holding member is urged by the urging member toward the heater in the third direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a temperature detecting device for a fixing device, a fixing device for fixing an image on a recording material, and an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the recording material.

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is equipped with a heat-fixing fixing device that heats an image transferred onto a recording material using toner to fix the image onto the recording material. A thermal fixing type fixing device has a temperature detection device for performing temperature control or detecting abnormal heating. Patent Document 1 discloses a heat-resistant elastic member having a detection element for detecting the temperature of a ceramic heater on its lower surface, a detection element holding member that holds the upper surface of the heat-resistant elastic member, and a detection element holding member that faces the ceramic heater. A temperature sensing device having a biasing compression spring is described.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-181630

In the configuration described in the above document, the detecting element is pressed against the ceramic heater by the elastic force of the heat-resistant elastic member, so the mechanical properties of the heat-resistant elastic member affect the detection accuracy of the temperature detecting device. Therefore, the material of the heat-resistant elastic member is selected to be resistant to creep deformation and denaturation even when exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a temperature detecting device, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus which are simple in structure and capable of improving the positional accuracy of the detecting element.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heater including a heating element, a heater holder holding the heater, a longitudinal direction of a surface of the heater on which the heating element is arranged, and a lateral direction of the surface of the heater. is a second direction, and the thickness direction of the heater perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction is a third direction, the heater is arranged at a position facing the heater in the third direction, and a detecting element for detecting the temperature of the heater; a first holding member for holding the detecting element; an urging member for urging the first holding member; and a flexible member extending in the first direction. a flexible member that supports the first holding member on the first end side in the first direction; and a second flexible member that holds the flexible member on the second end side of the flexible member in the first direction. and a holding member, wherein the flexible member is capable of bending such that the first holding member and the second holding member move relative to each other in the third direction. and the second holding member has a positioning portion that engages with the heater holder, and is positioned in the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion, and the first holding member is The fixing device is characterized in that the biasing member biases toward the heater in the third direction.

Another aspect of the present invention is a detection element having a surface facing an object to be measured, wherein a direction of a first side of the surface is set as a first direction, and a second side orthogonal to the first side is defined as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction. a detecting element for detecting the temperature of, a first holding member for holding the detecting element, a biasing member for biasing the first holding member, and a flexible member extending in the first direction, , a flexible member that supports the first holding member on the first end side in the first direction; and a second flexible member that holds the flexible member on the second end side of the flexible member in the first direction. and a holding member, wherein the flexible member can bend such that the first holding member and the second holding member move relative to each other in the third direction. wherein the second holding member has a positioning portion and is configured to be positioned with respect to the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion; The temperature detection device is characterized in that it is configured to be biased toward the measurement target in the third direction by a biasing member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the detection element with a simple configuration.

1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device according to Example 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temperature detection device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. Schematic diagrams (a, b) for explaining the action of the temperature detection device according to the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the detection element and the object to be measured according to Example 1. FIG. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the detection element and the object to be measured according to Example 2. FIG. The top view (a) and sectional drawing (b) of the temperature detection apparatus based on Example 3. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a temperature detection device according to Example 3; 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fixing device according to an embodiment; FIG. The top view (a) and sectional drawing (b) of the temperature detection apparatus which concerns on a comparative example. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a temperature detection device according to a comparative example; The top view (a) and sectional drawing (b) of the temperature detection apparatus based on Example 4. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a temperature detection device according to a fourth embodiment;

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Image forming device)
FIG. 8 shows an example of an image forming apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1000 is an electrophotographic single-function printer that forms an image on a sheet P according to image information transmitted from an external device. Note that the "image forming apparatus" is not limited to a single-function printer, and may be, for example, a copier or a multifunction machine. The sheet P, which is a recording material, includes paper such as plain paper and thick paper, surface-treated sheet materials such as plastic films, cloth, and coated paper, and special-shaped sheet materials such as envelopes and index paper. , a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used.

The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a process unit PU as image forming means, a fixing device 100, and a conveying mechanism that feeds and conveys sheets P one by one. The process unit PU includes a photosensitive drum 701 as an image carrier, a charging roller 702 as charging means, a scanner unit 600 as exposure means, and a developing roller 703 as developing means. The process unit PU also includes a transfer roller 801 as transfer means and a drum cleaner 704 as cleaning means. The photosensitive drum 701 is a drum-shaped (cylindrical) electrophotographic photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 701, the charging roller 702, the developing roller 703, and the drum cleaner 704 are part of a process cartridge that can be integrally attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

When an image forming operation execution instruction (print job signal) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1000, a series of image forming operations described below are started. First, the feed roller 301 rotates, and the uppermost sheet of the sheets P stacked in the feed tray 200 is fed one by one, guided by the transport guide 401 and transported to the transport roller pair 500 .

In parallel with the conveyance of the sheet P, the process unit PU forms a toner image based on image information received from an external device through an electrophotographic process. That is, the photosensitive drum 701 is rotationally driven, and the charging roller 702 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 701 . The scanner unit 600 performs exposure processing by irradiating the photosensitive drum 701 with laser light modulated based on image information, and writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 701 . A developing roller 703 develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer containing toner and visualizes it as a toner image.

The pair of conveying rollers 500 feeds the sheet P to the transfer portion at the timing when the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 701 reaches the transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 701 and the transfer roller 801 . In the transfer section, a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 701 to the sheet P by applying a predetermined voltage to the transfer roller 801 . A drum cleaner 704 removes deposits such as transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 701 after passing through the transfer unit.

The sheet P that has passed through the transfer section is conveyed to the fixing device 100 . The fixing device 100 includes a fixing member (first rotating member), a pressure member (second rotating member) forming a nip portion with the fixing member, and heating means for heating an image on a recording material. It is a fixing device of a thermal fixing type. The configuration of the fixing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described later.

After passing through the fixing device 100 , the sheet P is discharged outside the main body of the image forming apparatus by a pair of discharge rollers 901 and stacked on a discharge tray 902 .

(fixing device)
An example of the fixing device 100 is shown in cross-sectional view in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the fixing device 100 on a virtual plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nip portion N (the main scanning direction during image formation) perpendicular to the recording material conveying direction D1 at the nip portion N. FIG.

The fixing device 100 has a film 101 , a pressure roller 102 , a heater 8 , a heater holder 9 and a stay 103 .

The heater 8 includes a heater substrate in which a pattern of resistance heating elements 8a is formed on a plate-shaped ceramic substrate elongated in the longitudinal direction. The surface of the heater 8 is coated with a glass layer 8b as a protective layer covering the resistance heating element 8a. A detection element 1 of a temperature detection device 105 to be described later is adjacent to the back surface of the heater 8 .

The resistance heating element 8a generates heat by being supplied with power (energized) via the power supply electrode 152 from a power supply circuit (not shown). A control unit 150 as a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus controls the ON/OFF of the triac 151 so that the temperature detected by the temperature detection device 105 is maintained at a predetermined target temperature (fixing temperature). 8 controls the amount of power supplied. The control unit 150 has one or more processors including a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory that provides a storage area. The CPU reads and executes programs from the memory to control each unit of the image forming apparatus. do.

The film 101 is a tubular heat-resistant film having a three-layer structure. The innermost layer of the film 101 is the base layer, which is responsible for the mechanical properties of the film 101 such as torsional strength and smoothness. The base layer is made of resin such as polyimide, polyamideimide, PEEK, PES, PPS, or the like. Here, PEEK is polyetheretherketone, PES is polyethersulfone, and PPS is polyphenylene sulfide. The next layer after the base layer is a conductive primer layer. The conductive primer layer is a conductive layer in which conductive particles such as carbon black are dispersed, and serves as an adhesive that bonds the third layer and the base layer. The outermost layer is the top layer. The top layer is designed to have an appropriate resistance value and thickness so as not to cause various image defects.

The heater holder 9 is a holding member that holds the heater 8 . The heater holder 9 is molded from heat-resistant resin such as PPS or liquid crystal polymer. The heater holder 9 also serves as a guide member that facilitates smooth rotation of the film 101 .

The heater 8 and heater holder 9 are arranged in the internal space of the film 101 . The heater 8 and heater holder 9 constitute a nip forming unit that forms a nip portion N together with the pressure roller 102 . Instead of the structure in which the heater 8 is in sliding contact with the inner surface of the film 101 , a sheet-like or plate-like sliding member that is in sliding contact with the inner surface of the film 101 may be arranged between the heater 8 and the film 101 . In that case the sliding member is also part of the nip forming unit.

The stay 103 is made of metal such as iron or aluminum. The stay 103 suppresses creep deformation of the heater holder 9 . That is, the stay 103 plays a role of increasing the rigidity of the supporting structure that supports the heater 8 . Further, the stay 103 receives a downward biasing force in the drawing from a biasing member (spring member) (not shown), so that a predetermined pressurizing force is generated in the nip portion N. As shown in FIG.

The pressure roller 102 is an elastic roller in which a metal core 102a made of aluminum, cast iron, or the like is covered with a heat-resistant elastic body 102b such as silicon rubber. The surface layer of the pressure roller 102 is made of a fluororesin film such as PFA, PTFE, FEP, etc., which has good toner releasability. Here, PFA is tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, PTFE is polytetrafluoroethylene, and FEP is perfluoroethylene propene copolymer.

The pressure roller 102 is pressed against the heater 8 with the film 101 interposed therebetween, and the pressure contact portion forms a nip portion N (fixing nip). The pressure roller 102 rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor as a driving source provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The film 101 rotates following the pressure roller 102 due to the frictional force received from the pressure roller 102 at the nip portion N. As shown in FIG.

The sheet P onto which the image has been transferred in the transfer portion is guided by the guide 104 and conveyed to the nip portion N of the fixing device 100 . The fixing device 100 heats the toner T forming the image on the sheet P with the film 101 heated by the heater 8 while conveying the sheet P sandwiched between the film 101 and the pressure roller 102 at the nip portion N. do. As a result, the toner T is heated and pressurized to be softened, and a fixed image made of the toner adhered to the sheet P is obtained.

(Temperature detector: Comparative example)
An overview of the temperature detection device according to the present embodiment will be described using a temperature detection device according to a comparative example. FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of a temperature detection device 105 according to a comparative example. FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the temperature detection device 105 according to the comparative example taken along line AA of FIG. 10(a). FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a temperature detection device 105 according to a comparative example.

In the following description and each drawing, the longitudinal direction of the nip portion N of the fixing device 100 is defined as the X direction, the direction along the recording material conveying direction (+Y direction) in the nip portion N is defined as the Y direction, and the X direction and the Y direction are defined as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to both is defined as the Z direction. In addition, regarding the temperature detection device 105, the +Z direction may be referred to as upward, and the −Z direction may be referred to as downward. The X, Y, and Z directions are represented by a + sign in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure and a - sign in the direction opposite to the arrow, as appropriate. For example, the +Z direction is the side where the heater 8 is positioned with respect to the pressure roller 102, and the -Z direction is the opposite side. The X direction is the direction of the first side of the surface of the temperature detection device 105 facing the heater 8 (longitudinal direction of the heater 8, first direction). The Y direction is the direction of the second side perpendicular to the first side of the surface of the detection element 1 facing the heater 8 (the lateral direction of the heater 8, the second direction). The Z direction is a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction (thickness direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the heater 8). The surface of the detection element 1 facing the heater 8 does not have to be a rectangular surface having first and second sides. That is, the direction of the first side (first direction) and the direction of the second side (second direction) of the surface of the detection element 1 facing the measurement object (heater 8) are It is sufficient if the directions are orthogonal to each other within a virtual plane perpendicular to the direction of the direction.

As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11, the temperature detection device 105 has a detection element 1, a detection element holder 33, a heat resistant elastic member 32, a biasing member 5, and a harness 7. .

The detection element 1 is an element for converting the temperature of an object to be measured (an object to be measured, here a heater 8) into an electric signal. The control unit 150 can detect the temperature of the heater 8 based on the resistance value determined by the voltage value applied to the thin film thermistor and the current value flowing therethrough.

The detection element holder 33 is a support member (detection element holding unit) that supports the detection element 1 . The detection element holder 33 has a holding surface 33 a that holds the heat resistant elastic member 32 . The holding surface 33a is provided on the lower side (−Z direction side) of the detection element holder 33. As shown in FIG.

The heat-resistant elastic member 32 is a plate-like elastic member (pad) extending in a substantially rectangular shape in the X and Y directions with the Z direction as the thickness direction. The detection element 1 is attached to an attachment portion provided on the lower side (−Z direction side) of the heat-resistant elastic member 32 .

Two electrically insulated stainless steel plates 32a and 32b are integrally formed at the end of the detection element holder 33 in the +X direction. The stainless steel plates 32a and 32b are electrically connected to terminals of the detection element 1 by two dumet wires 34 (FIG. 11). Two harnesses 7 (electric wires) are pulled out from the stainless steel plates 32a and 32b in the +X direction and connected to the electric circuit of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Thereby, the temperature detection device 105 is electrically connected to the control section 150 .

Further, the detection element holder 33 has a positioning hole 33b and two positioning projections 33c. The positioning hole 33b is an opening into which the positioning projection 9a provided on the heater holder 9 is fitted. The positioning protrusion 33c is a portion that engages with two positioning walls 9b provided on the heater holder 9. As shown in FIG. By fitting the positioning projections 9a into the positioning holes 33b, the positions in the X and Y directions with respect to the heater holder 9 are determined on the basis of the axes of the positioning projections 9a. Further, the positioning protrusion 33c is engaged with the positioning wall 9b, thereby restricting rotation of the detection element holder 33 around the positioning protrusion 9a.

The heater holder 9 is formed with a hole 9c (window) penetrating in the Z direction. When the detection element holder 33 is positioned with respect to the heater holder 9, the detection element 1 is exposed inside the hole 9c when viewed from the -Z direction side.

The biasing member 5 contacts the surface of the detection element holder 33 on the +Z direction side, and biases the detection element holder 33 in the -Z direction. The urging member 5 has a hole to be fitted to a projection as a spring mounting portion 9d provided on the heater holder 9, and is fixed to the heater holder 9 by a fixture 9e. The biasing member 5 is a leaf spring that abuts against the detection element holder 33 at the tip extending in the -X direction from the spring mounting portion 9d. The biasing force of the biasing member 5 causes the detection element 1 to come into contact with the heater 8 inside the hole 9c. Further, the heat-resistant elastic member 32 is elastically deformed between the holding surface 33a of the detection element holder 33 and the back surface of the heater 8 (surface on the +Z direction side of the substrate), thereby stabilizing the detection element 1 with respect to the heater 8. to abut.

As described above, in order to accurately measure the temperature of the measurement target using the detection element 1, it is required to improve the positional accuracy of the detection element 1 with respect to the measurement target. In the above comparative example, the elastically deformable heat-resistant elastic member 32 allows the detection element 1 to be stably brought into contact with the heater 8. However, the limited material for the heat-resistant elastic member 32 leads to an increase in cost. . The material of the heat-resistant elastic member 32 is, for example, silicon rubber, fluororubber, ceramic paper having cushioning properties, or glass wool.

(Example 1)
A temperature detection device according to the first embodiment will be described below. The temperature detection device according to this embodiment can be used to detect the temperature of the heater 8 in the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, like the temperature detection device according to the comparative example. In the following description, elements having substantially the same configuration and action as those of the comparative example are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the comparative example, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 1(a) is a plan view of the temperature detection device 105 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of the temperature detection device 105 taken along line AA in FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the temperature detection device 105 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIG. 2, the temperature detection device 105 includes a detection element 1, a metal plate 2, a head portion 3, a base portion 4, an urging member 5, and a heat-resistant coating. 6 and a harness 7 .

The detection element 1 is an element for converting the temperature of an object to be measured (an object to be measured, here a heater 8) into an electric signal. As the detection element 1, for example, a thermistor, a resistance temperature detector, a thermocouple, a thermopile, or the like can be used depending on the range of temperature to be measured and the purpose of temperature detection (temperature control or abnormality detection). In this embodiment, a thin film thermistor is used as the detection element 1 . The resistance value of the thin film thermistor changes according to the temperature of the heater 8 . The metal plate 2 is formed of a flexible material having heat resistance, and a metal material such as a stainless steel plate can be suitably used. The head portion 3 and the base portion 4 are made of a resin material (for example, liquid crystal polymer: LCP) having sufficient heat resistance against the heat of the heater 8 .

The metal plate 2 is an example of a flexible member. In this embodiment, two metal plates 2 are arranged electrically insulated from each other. The metal plate 2 is integrated (integrally molded) with the head portion 3 and the base portion 4 by insert molding. That is, the metal plate 2, the head portion 3 and the base portion 4 are integrally molded products made of different materials.

The metal plate 2 is a plate-like member elongated in a direction crossing the Z direction (third direction) in which the detection element 1 and the heater 8 face each other. The metal plate 2 of this embodiment is elongated in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the heater 8 . One end side (−X direction side) of the metal plate 2 protrudes inside the opening 3 b ( FIG. 2 ) of the head portion 3 , and the other end side (+X direction side) of the metal plate 2 protrudes toward the base portion 4 . Supported. That is, the metal plate 2 as a flexible member holds the head portion 3 as a first holding member on the first end side in the X direction (first direction), and the second end side in the X direction. It is held by a base portion 4 as a holding member. The bending of the metal plate 2 allows the head portion 3 (the detection element 1) and the base portion 4 to move relative to each other in the Z direction.

The head portion 3 is a substantially rectangular tube-shaped member that opens in the Z direction. The detection element 1 is arranged inside the opening 3b of the head section 3 and at the end position of the head section 3 on the -Z direction side. That is, the detection element 1 is held by the head section 3 as a first holding member. The detection element 1 is fixed by resistance welding or laser welding to the ends 2a of the two metal plates 2 protruding inside the opening 3b, one terminal to the first metal plate 2, and the other terminal to the first metal plate 2. It is supported by the second metal plate 2 . That is, the detection element 1 is supported by the metal plate 2 as a flexible member.

The head portion 3 has positioning protrusions 3a that engage with two positioning walls 9b provided on the heater holder 9. As shown in FIG. The positioning walls 9b are walls facing each other in the Y direction, and the width of the positioning walls 9b in the Y direction is set substantially equal to the width of the positioning projections 3a of the head portion 3 in the Y direction.

The base portion 4 functions as a support portion that supports the flexible member. The base portion 4 has a positioning hole 4a as a positioning portion. The positioning hole 4a is an opening into which a positioning projection 9a provided on the heater holder 9 is fitted. In the illustrated example, the positioning protrusion 9a is a substantially cylindrical (shaft-shaped) protrusion extending in the Z direction, and the positioning hole 4a is a cylindrical hole penetrating the base portion 4 in the Z direction.

The other end 2b of the metal plate 2 is exposed at the end of the base portion 4 in the +X direction. Harnesses 7 are connected to the exposed ends 2b of the metal plates 2, respectively. The two harnesses 7 are pulled out in the +X direction and connected to the electric circuit of the main body of the image forming apparatus. That is, the flexible member of this embodiment includes a first member (metal plate 2 on one side) for electrically connecting a first wire (harness 7 on one side) and one terminal of the detection element 1, and a second wire ( The other harness 7) and the second member (the other metal plate 2) for electrically connecting the other terminal of the detection element 1 are provided. As a result, the temperature detection device 105 is electrically connected to the control section 150 , and the electrical signal output from the detection element 1 is transmitted to the control section 150 via the harness 7 .

That is, the metal plate 2 supports the detection element 1 and constitutes a part of a conductive path (electric circuit) for extracting electric signals from the detection element 1 .

In this embodiment, since the head portion 3 and the base portion 4 are separate members and connected via the flexible metal plate 2, there is a possibility that excessive force will be applied to the head portion 3 when wiring the harness 7. can be reduced. That is, even if force acts on the temperature detection device 105 when wiring the harness 7, the force is received by the fitting between the positioning hole 4a and the positioning projection 9a, so that the force is less likely to be applied to the head portion 3. FIG.

The biasing member 5 contacts the contact portion 3c provided at the end of the head portion 3 in the +Z direction, and biases the head portion 3 in the -Z direction. The urging member 5 has a hole to be fitted to a projection as a spring mounting portion 9d provided on the heater holder 9, and is fixed to the heater holder 9 by a fixture 9e. The biasing member 5 is a plate spring that contacts the detection element holder 33 and presses it toward the heater 8 at the tip portion extending in the -X direction from the spring mounting portion 9d. Note that the biasing member 5 is omitted in FIG. 1(a). The biasing member 5 is an example of a biasing member (positioning means) that positions the detection element 1 with respect to the heater 8 (measurement target) in the Z direction (third direction). Instead of the biasing member 5 made of a leaf spring, other means such as a clip or a snap fit may be used to bias (position) the detection element 1 so as not to separate from the heater 8 in the Z direction.

The heat-resistant coating 6 is arranged to ensure electrical withstand voltage and to protect the detection element 1 . The heat-resistant coating 6 covers substantially the entirety of the lower surface of the metal plate 2 supporting the detection element 1 and the head section 3 . That is, the heat-resistant coating 6 protects the detection element 1 and the metal plate 2 . Note that the heat-resistant coating 6 is omitted in the perspective view of FIG.

When the temperature detection device 105 is attached to the heater holder 9 , the positioning holes 4 a of the base portion 4 are fitted with the positioning projections 9 a of the heater holder 9 . As a result, the positions of the base portion 4 in the X direction (first direction) and the Y direction (second direction) with respect to the heater holder 9 are determined with reference to the axis of the positioning projection 9a. That is, the base portion 4 is positioned with respect to the heater holder 9 as a holding member that holds the temperature detection device 105 in a direction crossing the Z direction (third direction). Further, by engaging the positioning protrusion 3a of the head portion 3 with the positioning wall 9b of the heater holder 9, the rotation of the detecting element holder 33 about the positioning protrusion 9a is restricted.

When the temperature detection device 105 is positioned, the detection element 1 is exposed inside the hole 9c of the heater holder 9 when viewed from the -Z direction. By urging the head portion in the -Z direction by the urging force of the urging member 5, the detection element 1 is positioned with respect to the heater 8 in the Z direction.

On the other hand, since the positioning hole 4a is slidable in the Z direction with respect to the positioning projection 9a, the base portion 4 can move (displace) in the Z direction (third direction) with respect to the heater holder 9 as a holding member. possible).

Instead of the configuration of this embodiment, a positioning protrusion (protrusion) extending in the Z direction is arranged as a positioning portion on the base portion 4 side, and a positioning hole as an opening portion is arranged on the holding member (heater holder 9) side. may Also, the opening may be formed in a hole shape (concave shape) that does not penetrate the base portion 4 or the heater holder 9 .

4A and 4B show the periphery of the detection element 1 according to Example 1. FIG. 4A corresponds to the state before the temperature detection device 105 is assembled to the fixing device (before completion of installation), and FIG. 4B corresponds to the state after assembly (after completion of installation). .

As shown in FIG. 4A, the terminal 1a of the detection element 1 is attached to the rear surface 2r of the metal plate 2 on the +Z direction side (the side opposite to the object to be measured). A surface 2f on the -Z direction side (measurement target side) of the metal plate 2 is a surface facing the measurement target. The detection element 1 is arranged at a position retracted in the +Z direction by a predetermined height h1 from the surface 2f of the metal plate 2, which is a heat-sensitive surface. Further, a heat-conductive adhesive 10 is filled between the detecting element 1 and the heat-resistant coating 6 to fill a step of height h1.

That is, in the vicinity of the detection element 1, the surface of the temperature detection device 105 in the Z direction is leveled with the surface 2f of the metal plate 2 as a reference. The retraction width (height h1) of the detection element 1 with respect to the heat-sensitive surface is set so that the detection element 1 does not protrude in the -Z direction with respect to the heat-sensitive surface even in consideration of the dimensional tolerance of parts. be done. The end face of the head portion 3 on the −Z direction side can also be configured to be flush with the surface 2 f of the metal plate 2 .

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the temperature detecting device 105 is assembled to the fixing device, the head section 3 is biased in the -Z direction by the biasing force of the biasing member 5, and pressed against the heater 8 to be measured. be done. At this time, the detection element 1 abuts (adjacent to) the heater 8 with the adhesive 10 and the heat-resistant coating 6 interposed therebetween. That is, the detection element 1 is positioned at a position separated from the heater 8 by the height h1 of the adhesive 10 and the thickness of the heat-resistant coating 6 in the Z direction.

(Advantages of Embodiment 1)
According to this embodiment, the base portion 4 is positioned with respect to the directions crossing the Z direction (the X and Y directions, the first direction, and the second direction) by the positioning holes 4a (positioning portions) provided in the base portion 4. . Further, the biasing force of the biasing member 5 positions the detection element 1 in the Z direction (third direction) with respect to the object to be measured. At this time, the detecting element 1 is supported by the flexible metal plate 2 (flexible member) supported by the base portion 4, and the positioning hole 4a is arranged so as to allow the movement of the base portion 4 in the Z direction. Therefore, the position of the detection element 1 with respect to the object to be measured can be stabilized.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, the head portion 3 may be tilted with respect to the base portion 4 due to part tolerance or the like, or the heat-sensitive surface of the head portion 3 may be tilted with respect to the base portion 4. Consider a case in which the shape is tilted. The reference for the inclination here is a plane perpendicular to the axis (broken line) of the positioning projection 9a.

Even if the temperature detecting device 105 is tilted as described above, when the temperature detecting device 105 is assembled to the fixing device, the biasing force of the biasing member 5 causes the head portion 3 to move the heat-sensitive surface of the head portion 3 along the surface of the heater 8 . Rotate. At this time, since the base portion 4 is movable in the Z direction with respect to the heater holder 9 , the base portion 4 can move in the direction in which the stress on the metal plate 2 is reduced as the head portion 3 rotates. That is, by moving the base portion 4 in the Z direction while being positioned with respect to the heater holder 9 in the X and Y directions, it becomes easy to absorb (equalize) the inclination of the heat-sensitive surface caused by the rotation of the head portion 3. . By absorbing the tilt of the heat-sensitive surface, the temperature of the heater 8 can be detected with higher accuracy using the detection element 1 . Even if the heat sensitive surface of the head portion 3 is inclined in a direction different from that shown in FIG. 3A, the bending of the metal plate 2 as a flexible member can absorb the inclination. In that case, the direction and amount of movement of the base portion 4 may differ from those shown in FIG. 3(b).

That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the detection element with respect to the object to be measured with a simple configuration.

The metal plate 2 of this embodiment is provided with an intermediate portion 2c extending in the X direction (first direction) between the base portion 4 and the head portion 3 (see also FIGS. 1(a,b) and 2). It is Since the intermediate portion 2c has a plate-like shape with the Z direction as the thickness direction, the inclination of the heat-sensitive surface can be easily absorbed by mainly bending the intermediate portion 2c of the metal plate 2 .

Further, in this embodiment, the detection element is not fixed to the heat resistant elastic member 32, which is an elastomer, as in the comparative example, but is fixed to the metal plate 2, which is a flexible member. Therefore, it becomes easier to secure the positional accuracy of the detection element 1 with respect to the heater 8 .

In addition, since the metal plate 2 is exposed as a heat-sensitive surface so as to surround the detection element 1, the effect of collecting heat from the object to be measured is enhanced, and thermal responsiveness can be improved. In this embodiment, the area of the surface 2f of the metal plate 2, which is the heat-sensitive surface (the opposing surface that contacts the object to be measured with the heat-resistant coating 6 interposed therebetween) is larger than the area of the detection element 1 when viewed in the Z direction. , the heat collection effect is greater.

Further, in this embodiment, the back side of the detection element 1 (the +Z direction side, the side opposite to the heater 8) forms a space 3s inside the opening 3b of the head section 3, and contacts other members. not (Fig. 4(b)). Therefore, compared to the configuration of the comparative example in which the heat resistant elastic member 32 having a larger heat capacity than the air is arranged on the back side of the detecting element 1, less heat escapes from the detecting element 1 due to the heat insulating effect of the air in the space 3s. Become. As a result, according to this embodiment, the thermal responsiveness can be improved.

In this embodiment, a plate spring is used as an example of the biasing member 5, but other spring members such as a coil spring or a wire spring may be used, or an elastic member (elastomer) may be used. Even if an elastic member is used, since the heat resistance requirement is lower than that of the heat resistant elastic member 32 of the comparative example due to the sandwiching of the head portion 3, a cheaper material can be used.

Alternatively, the flexible member may not be in contact with the detection element 1 and the detection element 1 may be supported by the flexible member via the head portion 3 . In that case, a circuit for transmitting the signal of the detection element 1 is prepared separately from the flexible member, such as connecting the terminal of the detection element 1 to the harness 7 with a Dumet wire or the like.

(Example 2)
A temperature detection device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, elements having substantially the same configuration and action as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

5A and 5B show the periphery of the detection element 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5(a) corresponds to the state before the temperature detection device 105 is attached to the fixing device 100 (before the attachment is completed), and FIG. 5(b) corresponds to the state after the attachment (after the attachment is completed). do.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), before the temperature detection device 105 is assembled, the detection element 1 is positioned above the surface 2f of the metal plate 2 located on the heat-sensitive surface by a predetermined height h2 in the −Z direction. It is disposed at a position (first position) protruding to the side (measurement target side). The state before assembly of the temperature detection device 105 is the state before the unit composed of the detection element 1 , the metal plate 2 , the head portion 3 and the base portion 4 is attached to the heater holder 9 .

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the temperature detection device 105 is assembled to the fixing device 100, the head section 3 is urged in the -Z direction by the urging force of the urging member 5, and the heater 8 to be measured be pushed. At this time, the metal plate 2 bends, so that the detection element 1 retreats in the +Z direction to the position of the heat-sensitive surface. That is, in this embodiment, the bending (elastic deformation) of the metal plate 2 is utilized to expose the heat-sensitive surface of the detecting element 1 .

The protrusion width (height h2) of the detection element 1 with respect to the heat-sensitive surface is set so that the detection element 1 does not become recessed in the +Z direction with respect to the heat-sensitive surface, even in consideration of the dimensional tolerance of the parts. be. Also, the biasing force of the biasing member 5 is set to be greater than the force required to bend the metal plate 2 .

In this embodiment as well, the inclination of the heat sensitive surface can be easily absorbed (equalized) by moving the base portion 4 in the Z direction while being positioned with respect to the heater holder 9 in the X and Y directions. By absorbing the tilt of the heat-sensitive surface, the temperature of the heater 8 can be detected with higher accuracy using the detection element 1 .

That is, according to this embodiment as well, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the detection element with respect to the object to be measured with a simple configuration.

(Example 3)
A temperature detection device according to a third embodiment will be described. In the following description, elements having substantially the same configuration and action as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 6A is a plan view of the temperature detection device 105 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the temperature detection device 105 along line AA in FIG. 6(a). FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the temperature detection device 105 according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIG. 7, the temperature detection device 105 includes a detection element 1, a metal plate 2, a base portion 4, an urging member 5, a heat resistant coating 6, a harness 7, and a and have

In this embodiment, the head portion 3 that receives the biasing force of the biasing member 5 is not provided, and the biasing member 5 directly presses the metal plate 2 . The biasing member 5 is a coil spring whose +Z direction end is supported by a fixing member (not shown) and whose −Z direction end contacts the back surface 2r of the metal plate 2 . In other words, the biasing member of the present embodiment is a spring member that abuts on the surface (back surface 2r) of the flexible member opposite to the object of measurement in the third direction. Since the metal plate 2 can be displaced (deformed) by the load received from the biasing member 5 , the detection element 1 can be brought into contact with the heater 8 stably.

The metal plate 2 and the base portion 4 can be integrally molded by a method such as insert molding, as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the metal plate 2 includes a first member (one metal plate 2) for electrically connecting the first wire (one harness 7) and one terminal of the detection element 1, and a second wire ( It includes a second member (the other metal plate 2 ) that electrically connects the other harness 7 ) and the other terminal of the detection element 1 .

In order to protect the detection element 1 and the metal plate 2, the base portion 4 is provided with a protective portion 4b. The protection portion 4b is composed of three wall surfaces arranged so as to surround the tip portion of the metal plate 2 and the detection element 1 from the −X direction side, the +Y direction side, and the −Y direction side when viewed in the Z direction. At least part of the urging member 5 is arranged in the space inside the protection portion 4b. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, before the metal plate 2 is bent and the temperature detection device 105 is attached to the heater holder 9, the -Z direction side (the heater 8 side) of the end face of the protection portion 4b is -Z. The detection element 1 is made to protrude in the direction. As a result, the detection element 1 can be more reliably brought into contact with the heater 8 as shown in FIG. 6(b).

The protection part 4b including the detection element 1 is covered with an insulating film as a heat-resistant coating 6. FIG. Note that the heat-resistant coating 6 is omitted in the perspective view of FIG.

In this embodiment as well, the inclination of the heat sensitive surface can be easily absorbed (equalized) by moving the base portion 4 in the Z direction while being positioned with respect to the heater holder 9 in the X and Y directions. By absorbing the tilt of the heat-sensitive surface, the temperature of the heater 8 can be detected with higher accuracy using the detection element 1 .

That is, according to this embodiment as well, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the detection element with respect to the object to be measured with a simple configuration.

(Example 4)
A temperature detection device according to a fourth embodiment will be described. In the following description, elements having substantially the same configuration and action as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 12(a) is a plan view of the temperature detection device 105 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the temperature detection device 105 along line AA in FIG. 12(a). FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the temperature detection device 105 according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B and 13, the temperature detection device 105 has a detection element 1, a detection element holder 40, a biasing member 5, a heat resistant coating 6, and a harness 7. .

In the present embodiment, a detecting element holder 40 as a holding member for holding the detecting element 1 is integrally constructed by parts corresponding to the head portion 3 and the base portion 4 of the first embodiment. That is, the detection element holder 40 has a head portion 43 as a holding portion for holding the detection element 1 and a base portion 44 having a positioning portion for positioning the heater holder 9. The head portion 43 and the base portion 44 are constructed as a continuous integral member.

The base portion 44 has a positioning hole 44a as a positioning portion. The positioning hole 44a is fitted with the positioning protrusion 9a as a projection of the heater holder 9. As shown in FIG. As a result, the positions of the base portion 44 in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the heater holder 9 are determined with reference to the axis of the positioning projection 9a.

The biasing member 5 biases the head portion 43 of the detection element holder 40 toward the heater 8 in the Z direction. The detecting element 1 is pressed against the heater 8 by the biasing force of the biasing member 5 . In this embodiment, the detection element 1 can be connected to the harness 7 via two dumet wires 34 and stainless steel plates 32a and 32b, as in the comparative example (FIG. 11).

Here, in the present embodiment, there is play (gap, clearance) is set. This backlash allows the detection element holder 40 to change its posture. That is, in the holding member of this embodiment, when the positioning portion is engaged with the heater holder, the holding portion moves in the third direction due to the gap between the positioning portion and the portion of the heater holder that engages with the positioning portion. It is possible to tilt like

By providing such play (gap), even if the holding surface 43a (mounting seat surface) of the detection element 1 in the head portion 43 is tilted with respect to the heater 8, the detection element 1 can be reliably held by the heater 8. can be brought into contact with. In other words, the urging force of the urging member 5 can press the detecting element 1 against the heater 8 by tilting the positioning hole 44a with respect to the positioning projection 9a. In other words, it is possible to absorb the inclination of the holding surface 43a of the detection element 1 within a range in which the inclination (orientation change) of the detection element holder 40 due to backlash is allowed, and the same advantages as in the first embodiment can be obtained. can be done. As will be described later, the object against which the detection element 1 is pressed may be a heat soaking member.

Further, in this embodiment, the positional accuracy of the detection element 1 can be improved to a certain degree with a simple structure using the detection element holder 40 integrally formed without including the flexible member such as the metal plate 2 of the first embodiment. There are advantages.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the structure in which the detection element 1 is in direct contact with the heater 8 via the adhesive 10 (FIG. 4(a)) and/or the heat-resistant coating 6 (FIG. 5) has been described. The configuration is not limited to this, and the detection element 1 may be configured to contact the heater 8 via a heat equalizing member. The heat equalizing member is made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and is arranged between the heater 8 and the detection element 1 . An example of the heat equalizing member is a thin plate member or sheet member made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as metal. By using the heat equalizing member, the detection signal of the detection element 1 becomes a value correlated with the averaged temperature of the heater 8 over a wide range, so that the accuracy of temperature detection can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus provided with the direct transfer type process unit PU as the image forming means is exemplified. The present technology is not limited to this, but can be applied to an image forming apparatus equipped with an intermediate transfer type process unit that first transfers a toner image formed on an image carrier onto an intermediate transfer member and then secondarily transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording material. may apply. Further, the image forming means may be configured to be capable of forming a color image by superimposing toner images formed on a plurality of image carriers using different color toners on a recording material.

In the above-described embodiment, the film heating type fixing device uses the cylindrical film 101 as the fixing member, the pressure roller 102 as the pressure member, and the heater 8, which is a ceramic heater, as the heating means. exemplified. The fixing device is not limited to this, and for example, a cylindrical roller may be used as the fixing member. Further, the heating means is not limited to the ceramic heater, and a halogen lamp that emits radiant heat, or an induction heating mechanism that heats the conductive layer in the fixing member by induction heating may be used.

The temperature detection device for the fixing device described in each embodiment can be used as a device for detecting the temperature of the heater or the fixing member for temperature control of the fixing device, regardless of the type of the fixing device. Further, the temperature detection device may constitute an abnormality detection device for interrupting the energization of the heater when an abnormality (overheating, abnormal temperature rise, etc.) of the fixing device is detected.

(Summary of this disclosure)
The present disclosure includes at least the following configurations.

(Configuration A1)
a heater comprising a heating element;
a heater holder that holds the heater;
The longitudinal direction of the surface of the heater on which the heating element is arranged is defined as a first direction, the lateral direction of the surface of the heater is defined as a second direction, and the heater is orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. a detection element arranged at a position facing the heater in the third direction when the thickness direction of is the third direction, and detecting the temperature of the heater;
a first holding member that holds the detection element;
a biasing member that biases the first holding member;
a flexible member that extends in the first direction and supports the first holding member on a first end side in the first direction;
a second holding member holding the flexible member at a second end of the flexible member in the first direction;
A fixing device comprising
the flexible member is capable of bending such that the first holding member and the second holding member move relative to each other in the third direction;
The second holding member has a positioning portion that engages with the heater holder, and is positioned with respect to the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion,
The first holding member is biased toward the heater in the third direction by the biasing member.
A fixing device characterized by:

(Configuration A2)
In a state where the second holding member is positioned by the positioning portion and the first holding member is biased by the biasing member, the second holding member is movable in the third direction. be,
The fixing device according to configuration A1, characterized by:

(Configuration A3)
The biasing member is a spring member that presses the first holding member toward the heater,
The fixing device according to configuration A1 or A2, characterized by:

(Configuration A4)
The first holding member and the second holding member are made of a resin material,
The flexible member is made of a metal material and integrally formed with the first holding member and the second holding member by insert molding.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A3, characterized by:

(Configuration A5)
The first holding member has an opening opening in the third direction,
The detection element is arranged inside the opening,
In the third direction, the surface of the detection element opposite to the heater is not in contact with other members,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A4, characterized by:

(Configuration A6)
the flexible member has an intermediate portion extending in the first direction between the first retaining member and the second retaining member;
The intermediate portion has a plate shape with a thickness direction in the third direction,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A5, characterized by:

(Configuration A7)
The biasing member is a spring member that contacts a surface of the flexible member opposite to the heater in the third direction,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A6, characterized by:

(Configuration A8)
The flexible member has a facing surface facing the heater,
In the third direction, the detection element is positioned farther from the heater than the facing surface,
An adhesive is filled between the detection element and the heater,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A7, characterized by:

(Configuration A9)
The flexible member has a facing surface facing the heater,
Before the unit including the detection element, the flexible member, the first holding member, and the second holding member is completely attached to the heater holder, the detection element is located closer to the second surface than the facing surface. protruding toward the heater in three directions,
When the unit is completely attached to the holder, the detecting element is pressed against the heater by the biasing force of the biasing member while the flexible member is elastically deformed.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A8, characterized by:

(Configuration A10)
The flexible member constitutes a part of an electric circuit that transmits an electric signal output from the detection element.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A9, characterized in that:

(Configuration A11)
A first wire and a second wire are connected to the second holding member,
The flexible member includes a first member electrically connecting the first wire and one terminal of the detection element, and a second member electrically connecting the second wire and the other terminal of the detection element. having two members;
The fixing device according to configuration A10, characterized in that:

(Configuration A12)
The flexible member is a stainless steel plate,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A11, characterized in that:

(Configuration A13)
one of the heater holder and the positioning portion has a convex portion extending in the third direction;
The other of the heater holder and the positioning part has an opening that fits into the convex part,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A12, characterized by:

(Configuration A14)
In the first direction, the biasing member biases the first holding member on one end side and is fixed to the heater holder on the other end side,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A13, characterized by:

(Configuration A15)
The detection element is brought into contact with the heater by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A14, characterized in that:

(Configuration A16)
a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the heater in the third direction to equalize the heat of the heater;
The detection element is brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A14, characterized in that:

(Configuration A17)
a rotating cylindrical film;
a pressurizing member;
further having
The heater and the heater holder are arranged in the internal space of the film,
The pressurizing member is arranged to face the heater with the film interposed therebetween,
The image is fixed on the recording material by heating the image on the recording material with the film heated by the heater while conveying the recording material while nipping it in the nip portion between the heater and the pressure member. ,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A16, characterized by:

(Configuration A18)
an image forming means for forming an image on a recording material;
The fixing device according to any one of configurations A1 to A17, which heats and fixes an image formed by the image forming means onto a recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

(Configuration A19)
A detection element having a surface facing an object to be measured, wherein the direction of a first side of the surface is defined as a first direction, the direction of a second side orthogonal to the first side is defined as a second direction, and a detection element arranged to face the object to be measured in the third direction when a direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction is the third direction, and detects the temperature of the object to be measured; ,
a first holding member that holds the detection element;
a biasing member that biases the first holding member;
a flexible member that extends in the first direction and supports the first holding member on a first end side in the first direction;
a second holding member holding the flexible member at a second end of the flexible member in the first direction;
A temperature sensing device comprising
the flexible member is capable of bending such that the first holding member and the second holding member move relative to each other in the third direction;
The second holding member has a positioning portion and is configured to be positioned in the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion,
The first holding member is configured to be biased toward the measurement target in the third direction by the biasing member.
A temperature detection device characterized by:

(Configuration A20)
In a state where the second holding member is positioned by the positioning portion and the first holding member is biased by the biasing member, the second holding member is movable in the third direction. be,
The temperature detection device according to configuration A19, characterized by:

(Configuration A21)
The biasing member is a spring member that presses the first holding member toward the measurement object,
The temperature detection device according to configuration A19 or A20, characterized in that:

(Configuration A22)
The first holding member and the second holding member are made of a resin material,
The flexible member is made of a metal material and integrally formed with the first holding member and the second holding member by insert molding.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A21, characterized by:

(Configuration A23)
The first holding member has an opening opening in the third direction,
The detection element is arranged inside the opening,
In the third direction, the surface of the detection element opposite to the object to be measured is configured so as not to contact other members,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A22, characterized by:

(Configuration A24)
the flexible member has an intermediate portion extending in the first direction between the first retaining member and the second retaining member;
The intermediate portion has a plate shape with a thickness direction in the third direction,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A23, characterized by:

(Configuration A25)
The biasing member is a spring member that contacts a surface of the flexible member opposite to the measurement target in the third direction,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A24, characterized by:

(Configuration A26)
The flexible member has a facing surface facing the object to be measured,
In the third direction, the detection element is located at a position farther from the measurement target than the facing surface,
An adhesive is filled between the detection element and the object to be measured.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A25, characterized by:

(Configuration A27)
The flexible member has a facing surface facing the object to be measured,
Before the unit including the detection element, the flexible member, the first holding member, and the second holding member is completely attached to the holder holding the unit, the detection element protruding from the surface toward the measurement object in the third direction,
When the unit is completely attached to the holder, the detecting element is pressed against the object to be measured with the flexible member elastically deformed by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A26, characterized by:

(Configuration A28)
The flexible member constitutes a part of an electric circuit that transmits an electric signal output from the detection element.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A27, characterized by:

(Configuration A29)
The flexible member includes a first member electrically connecting a first wire of the electric circuit and one terminal of the detection element, and a second wire of the electric circuit and the other terminal of the detection element. a second member in electrical connection;
The temperature sensing device according to configuration A28, characterized in that:

(Configuration A30)
The flexible member is a stainless steel plate,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A29, characterized by:

(Configuration A31)
In the first direction, the biasing member biases the first holding member at one end and is fixed to a member positioning the positioning portion of the second holding member at the other end. configured to
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A30, characterized by:

(Configuration A32)
The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the measurement object by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A31, characterized by:

(Configuration A33)
a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the measurement target in the third direction to even out the heat of the measurement target;
The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations A19 to A31, characterized by:

(Configuration B1)
a heater comprising a heating element;
a heater holder that holds the heater;
The longitudinal direction of the surface of the heater on which the heating element is arranged is defined as a first direction, the lateral direction of the surface is defined as a second direction, and the thickness of the heater perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. a detection element arranged at a position facing the heater in the third direction when the direction is the third direction and detecting the temperature of the heater;
a flexible member that extends in the first direction and holds the detection element on a first end side in the first direction;
a biasing member that biases the first end side of the flexible member;
a holding member that holds the flexible member on a second end side of the flexible member in the first direction;
A fixing device comprising
The flexible member is capable of bending such that the detection element and the holding member move relative to each other in the third direction,
The holding member has a positioning portion that engages with the heater holder, and is positioned with respect to the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion,
The first end side of the flexible member is biased toward the heater in the third direction by the biasing member,
A fixing device characterized by:

(Configuration B2)
The holding member is made of a resin material,
The flexible member is made of a metal material,
The fixing device according to configuration B1, characterized by:

(Configuration B3)
The flexible member is integrally molded with the holding member by insert molding,
The fixing device according to configuration B2, characterized by:

(Configuration B4)
The biasing member is a spring member that contacts a surface of the flexible member opposite to the heater in the third direction,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B3, characterized by:

(Configuration B5)
The holding member has a protection portion arranged to surround the detection element when viewed in the third direction,
In a state before the holding member is completely attached to the heater holder, the detection element protrudes in the third direction from an end surface of the protection portion facing the heater.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B4, characterized by:

(Configuration B6)
The flexible member constitutes a part of an electric circuit that transmits an electric signal output from the detection element.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B5, characterized by:

(Configuration B7)
The flexible member includes a first member electrically connecting a first wire of the electric circuit and one terminal of the detection element, and a second wire of the electric circuit and the other terminal of the detection element. a second member in electrical connection;
The fixing device according to configuration B6, characterized by:

(Configuration B8)
The flexible member is a stainless steel plate,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B7, characterized by:

(Configuration B9)
one of the heater holder and the positioning portion has a convex portion extending in the third direction;
The other of the heater holder and the positioning part has an opening that fits into the convex part,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B8, characterized by:

(Configuration B10)
The detection element is brought into contact with the heater by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B9, characterized by:

(Configuration B11)
a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the heater in the third direction to equalize the heat of the heater;
The detection element is brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B9, characterized by:

(Configuration B12)
a rotating cylindrical film;
a pressurizing member;
further having
The heater and the heater holder are arranged in the internal space of the film,
The pressurizing member is arranged to face the heater with the film interposed therebetween,
The image is fixed on the recording material by heating the image on the recording material with the film heated by the heater while conveying the recording material while nipping it in the nip portion between the heater and the pressure member. ,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B11, characterized by:

(Configuration B13)
an image forming means for forming an image on a recording material;
The fixing device according to any one of configurations B1 to B12, which heats the image formed by the image forming means to fix the image onto a recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

(Configuration B14)
A detection element having a surface facing an object to be measured, wherein the direction of a first side of the surface is defined as a first direction, the direction of a second side orthogonal to the first side is defined as a second direction, and a detection element arranged to face the object to be measured in the third direction when a direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction is the third direction, and detects the temperature of the object to be measured; ,
a flexible member that extends in the first direction and holds the detection element on a first end side in the first direction;
a biasing member that biases the first end side of the flexible member;
a holding member that holds the flexible member on a second end side of the flexible member in the first direction;
A temperature sensing device comprising
The flexible member is capable of bending such that the detection element and the holding member move relative to each other in the third direction,
The holding member has a positioning portion and is configured to be positioned in the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion,
The first end side of the flexible member is configured to be biased toward the measurement object in the third direction by the biasing member,
A temperature detection device characterized by:

(Configuration B15)
The holding member is made of a resin material,
The flexible member is made of a metal material,
The temperature detection device according to configuration B14, characterized in that:

(Configuration B16)
The flexible member is integrally molded with the holding member by insert molding,
The temperature detection device according to configuration B15, characterized in that:

(Configuration B17)
The biasing member is a spring member that contacts a surface of the flexible member opposite to the measurement target in the third direction,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations B14 to B16, characterized by:

(Configuration B18)
The holding member has a protection portion arranged to surround the detection element when viewed in the third direction,
In a state before the holding member is completely attached to the holder holding the holding member, the detection element protrudes in the third direction from the end surface of the protection portion on the side facing the object to be measured. ,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations B14 to B17, characterized by:

(Configuration B19)
The flexible member constitutes a part of an electric circuit that transmits an electric signal output from the detection element.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations B14 to B18, characterized by:

(Configuration B20)
The flexible member includes a first member electrically connecting a first wire of the electric circuit and one terminal of the detection element, and a second wire of the electric circuit and the other terminal of the detection element. a second member in electrical connection;
The temperature detection device according to configuration B19, characterized in that:

(Configuration B21)
The flexible member is a stainless steel plate,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations B14 to B20, characterized by:

(Configuration B22)
The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the measurement object by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations B14 to B21, characterized by:

(Configuration B23)
a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the measurement target in the third direction to even out the heat of the measurement target;
The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations B14 to B21, characterized by:

(Configuration C1)
a heater comprising a heating element;
a heater holder that holds the heater;
The longitudinal direction of the surface of the heater on which the heating element is arranged is defined as a first direction, the lateral direction of the surface is defined as a second direction, and the thickness of the heater perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. a detection element arranged at a position facing the heater in the third direction when the direction is the third direction, and detecting the temperature of the heater;
A holding member for holding the detection element, wherein a holding surface for holding the detection element is provided on a first end side in the first direction, and is engaged with the heater holder on a second end side in the first direction. a holding member provided with a positioning portion;
a biasing member that biases the holding member;
A fixing device comprising
A gap is provided between the positioning portion and a portion of the heater holder that engages with the positioning portion,
The holding member can be tilted so that the first end side and the second end side of the holding member are relatively moved in the third direction by the gap,
the second end side of the holding member is positioned in the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion;
The first end side of the holding member is biased toward the heater in the third direction by the biasing member,
A fixing device characterized by:

(Configuration C2)
In a state in which the second end side of the holding member is positioned and the first end side of the holding member is biased by the biasing member, the positioning portion is movable in the third direction,
The fixing device according to configuration C1, characterized in that:

(Configuration C3)
The biasing member is a spring member that presses the first end side of the holding member toward the heater,
The fixing device according to configuration C1 or C2, characterized by:

(Configuration C4)
In the first direction, the biasing member biases the holding member on one end side and is fixed to the heater holder on the other end side,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations C1 to C3, characterized by:

(Configuration C5)
The detection element is brought into contact with the heater by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations C1 to C4, characterized by:

(Configuration C6)
a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the heater in the third direction to equalize the heat of the heater;
The detection element is brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The fixing device according to any one of configurations C1 to C4, characterized by:

(Configuration C7)
a rotating cylindrical film;
a pressurizing member;
further having
The heater and the heater holder are arranged in the internal space of the film,
The pressurizing member is arranged to face the heater with the film interposed therebetween,
The image is fixed on the recording material by heating the image on the recording material with the film heated by the heater while conveying the recording material while nipping it in the nip portion between the heater and the pressure member. ,
The fixing device according to any one of configurations C1 to C6, characterized by:

(Configuration C8)
an image forming means for forming an image on a recording material;
The fixing device according to any one of configurations C1 to C7, which heats the image formed by the image forming means to fix the image onto a recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

(Configuration C9)
A detection element having a surface facing an object to be measured, wherein the direction of a first side of the surface is defined as a first direction, the direction of a second side orthogonal to the first side is defined as a second direction, and a detection element arranged to face the object to be measured in the third direction when a direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction is the third direction, and detects the temperature of the object to be measured; ,
A holding member for holding the detection element, wherein a holding surface for holding the detection element is provided on a first end side in the first direction, and a positioning portion is provided on a second end side in the first direction. a holding member;
a biasing member that biases the holding member;
A temperature sensing device comprising
The positioning portion is configured such that a gap is formed between the positioning portion and the engaging member,
The holding member can be tilted so that the first end side and the second end side of the holding member are relatively moved in the third direction by the gap,
the second end side of the holding member is positioned in the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion;
The first end side of the holding member is configured to be biased toward the measurement object in the third direction by the biasing member,
A temperature detection device characterized by:

(Configuration C10)
In a state in which the second end side of the holding member is positioned and the first end side of the holding member is biased by the biasing member, the positioning portion is movable in the third direction,
The temperature detection device according to configuration C9, characterized by:

(Configuration C11)
The biasing member is a spring member that presses the first end side of the holding member toward the measurement object,
The temperature detection device according to configuration C9 or C10, characterized by:

(Configuration C12)
In the first direction, the biasing member biases the holding member on one end side and is fixed to the member engaging the positioning portion on the other end side,
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations C9 to C11, characterized by:

(Configuration C13)
The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the measurement object by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations C9 to C12, characterized by:

(Configuration C14)
a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the measurement target in the third direction to even out the heat of the measurement target;
The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of configurations C9 to C12, characterized by:

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Detection element/2... Flexible member (metal plate)/3... First holding member (head portion)/4... Second holding member (base portion)/4a... Positioning portion (positioning hole)/5... Biasing member/8...Heater/9...Heater holder/105...Temperature detector

Claims (33)

a heater comprising a heating element;
a heater holder that holds the heater;
The longitudinal direction of the surface of the heater on which the heating element is arranged is defined as a first direction, the lateral direction of the surface of the heater is defined as a second direction, and the heater is orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. a detection element arranged at a position facing the heater in the third direction when the thickness direction of is the third direction, and detecting the temperature of the heater;
a first holding member that holds the detection element;
a biasing member that biases the first holding member;
a flexible member that extends in the first direction and supports the first holding member on a first end side in the first direction;
a second holding member holding the flexible member at a second end of the flexible member in the first direction;
A fixing device comprising
the flexible member is capable of bending such that the first holding member and the second holding member move relative to each other in the third direction;
The second holding member has a positioning portion that engages with the heater holder, and is positioned with respect to the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion,
The first holding member is biased toward the heater in the third direction by the biasing member.
A fixing device characterized by: In a state where the second holding member is positioned by the positioning portion and the first holding member is biased by the biasing member, the second holding member is movable in the third direction. be,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The biasing member is a spring member that presses the first holding member toward the heater,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first holding member and the second holding member are made of a resin material,
The flexible member is made of a metal material and integrally formed with the first holding member and the second holding member by insert molding.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first holding member has an opening opening in the third direction,
The detection element is arranged inside the opening,
In the third direction, the surface of the detection element opposite to the heater is not in contact with other members,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: the flexible member has an intermediate portion extending in the first direction between the first retaining member and the second retaining member;
The intermediate portion has a plate shape with a thickness direction in the third direction,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The biasing member is a spring member that contacts a surface of the flexible member opposite to the heater in the third direction,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible member has a facing surface facing the heater,
In the third direction, the detection element is positioned farther from the heater than the facing surface,
An adhesive is filled between the detection element and the heater,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible member has a facing surface facing the heater,
Before the unit including the detection element, the flexible member, the first holding member, and the second holding member is completely attached to the heater holder, the detection element is located closer to the second surface than the facing surface. protruding toward the heater in three directions,
When the unit is completely attached to the holder, the detecting element is pressed against the heater by the biasing force of the biasing member while the flexible member is elastically deformed.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible member constitutes a part of an electric circuit that transmits an electric signal output from the detection element.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: A first wire and a second wire are connected to the second holding member,
The flexible member includes a first member electrically connecting the first wire and one terminal of the detection element, and a second member electrically connecting the second wire and the other terminal of the detection element. having two members;
The fixing device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The flexible member is a stainless steel plate,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: one of the heater holder and the positioning portion has a convex portion extending in the third direction;
The other of the heater holder and the positioning part has an opening that fits into the convex part,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: In the first direction, the biasing member biases the first holding member on one end side and is fixed to the heater holder on the other end side,
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection element is brought into contact with the heater by the biasing force of the biasing member.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the heater in the third direction to equalize the heat of the heater;
The detection element is brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: a rotating tubular film;
a pressurizing member;
further having
The heater and the heater holder are arranged in the internal space of the film,
The pressurizing member is arranged to face the heater with the film interposed therebetween,
The image is fixed on the recording material by heating the image on the recording material with the film heated by the heater while conveying the recording material while nipping it in the nip portion between the heater and the pressure member. ,
The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: an image forming means for forming an image on a recording material;
17. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, which heats the image formed by the image forming means to fix the image onto a recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A detection element having a surface facing an object to be measured, wherein the direction of a first side of the surface is defined as a first direction, the direction of a second side orthogonal to the first side is defined as a second direction, and a detection element arranged to face the object to be measured in the third direction when a direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction is the third direction, and detects the temperature of the object to be measured;
a first holding member that holds the detection element;
a biasing member that biases the first holding member;
a flexible member that extends in the first direction and supports the first holding member on a first end side in the first direction;
a second holding member holding the flexible member at a second end of the flexible member in the first direction;
A temperature detection device comprising
the flexible member is capable of bending such that the first holding member and the second holding member move relative to each other in the third direction;
The second holding member has a positioning portion and is configured to be positioned in the first direction and the second direction by the positioning portion,
The first holding member is configured to be biased toward the measurement target in the third direction by the biasing member.
A temperature detection device characterized by: In a state where the second holding member is positioned by the positioning portion and the first holding member is biased by the biasing member, the second holding member is movable in the third direction. be,
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The biasing member is a spring member that presses the first holding member toward the measurement object,
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The first holding member and the second holding member are made of a resin material,
The flexible member is made of a metal material and integrally formed with the first holding member and the second holding member by insert molding.
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The first holding member has an opening opening in the third direction,
The detection element is arranged inside the opening,
In the third direction, the surface of the detection element opposite to the object to be measured is configured so as not to contact other members,
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: the flexible member has an intermediate portion extending in the first direction between the first retaining member and the second retaining member;
The intermediate portion has a plate shape with a thickness direction in the third direction,
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The biasing member is a spring member that contacts a surface of the flexible member opposite to the measurement target in the third direction,
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The flexible member has a facing surface facing the object to be measured,
In the third direction, the detection element is located at a position farther from the measurement target than the facing surface,
An adhesive is filled between the detection element and the object to be measured.
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The flexible member has a facing surface facing the object to be measured,
Before the unit including the detection element, the flexible member, the first holding member, and the second holding member is completely attached to the holder holding the unit, the detection element protruding from the surface toward the measurement object in the third direction,
When the unit is completely attached to the holder, the detecting element is pressed against the object to be measured with the flexible member elastically deformed by the biasing force of the biasing member.
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The flexible member constitutes a part of an electric circuit that transmits an electric signal output from the detection element.
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The flexible member includes a first member electrically connecting a first wire of the electric circuit and one terminal of the detection element, and a second wire of the electric circuit and the other terminal of the detection element. a second member in electrical connection;
29. The temperature detection device according to claim 28, characterized by: The flexible member is a stainless steel plate,
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: In the first direction, the biasing member biases the first holding member at one end and is fixed to a member positioning the positioning portion of the second holding member at the other end. configured to
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 19, characterized by: The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the measurement object by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of claims 19 to 31, characterized in that: a heat equalizing member disposed between the detection element and the measurement target in the third direction to even out the heat of the measurement target;
The detection element is configured to be brought into contact with the heat equalizing member by the biasing force of the biasing member.
The temperature detection device according to any one of claims 19 to 31, characterized in that:

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