JP2987966B2 - Image heating device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method in which a recording material is brought into close contact with a heating body via a heat-resistant film and heat of the heating body is applied to the recording material via a heat-resistant film (film heating system).
A heating device. More specifically, an endless film having heat resistance, and a pressurizing rotating body that brings a recording material into close contact with a heating body disposed inside the endless film through the endless film and conveys the endless film and the recording material in an integrated state. And a heating device for applying heat energy from a heating body to a recording material via a film.

[0002] This apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer,
An image heating and fixing device in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, that is, a recording material (transfer material sheet, transfer material sheet, An unfixed toner image corresponding to the target image information, formed on the surface of an electrofax sheet, electrostatic recording sheet, printing paper, etc. by an indirect (transfer) method or a direct method. The present invention can be used for an image heat fixing device for performing heat fixing processing as a permanently fixed image on a material surface, a device for heating a recording material carrying an image to improve the surface properties (such as gloss), and a device for performing a temporary fixing treatment.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a recording material heating device for fixing an image by heating includes a heating roller maintained at a predetermined temperature, and a pressure roller having an elastic layer and pressing against the heating roller. Therefore, a heat roller method of heating while nipping and conveying a recording material is often used.

[0004] In addition, various systems such as a flash heating system, an oven heating system, a hot plate heating system, a belt heating system, and a high frequency heating system are known.

On the other hand, the present applicant has disclosed, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-313182.
Publication, Japanese Patent Application No. 2-153602-153610, etc., propose a heating apparatus of the above-mentioned film heating type. Such a heating device of the film heating system can shorten the wait time (quick start) because it uses a heating element and a thin film that heat up quickly, and can solve various disadvantages of the conventional device. Has the advantage of

[0006]

However, such a film heating type apparatus has the following problems. In other words, the endless film is liable to see a shift phenomenon toward one end or the other end in the film width direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the film in the apparatus driving state. Depending on the offset position in the width direction of the film, problems such as imbalance in the conveyance force of the film, imbalance in the pressing force during fixing, and imbalance in the temperature distribution of the heating element may occur. is there.

[0007] The direction of deviation of the film caused by variations in component accuracy (surface roughness, friction coefficient, roller shape, temperature distribution, spring constant, etc.) cannot be limited, and the deviation direction control means becomes complicated and expensive. For example, a sensor means for photoelectrically detecting a shift in the width direction of the film, a means for returning the film in a direction opposite to the shift direction in accordance with the detection information, such as a film pinch roller using a solenoid or the like, If a treatment configuration for restricting the film shift by adding a film shift movement control mechanism including a mechanism for changing the angle is adopted, this will contribute to a complicated, large-sized, and costly apparatus configuration.

[0008] Further, as another means for restricting the movement of the film in the width direction of the film, a film end regulating member for receiving the edge in the width direction of the film is provided as another means for restricting the movement of the film in the width direction. When the shift movement force is large, the film end is strongly pressed against the regulating member,
Since the film is thin and stiff, the film edge is easily damaged by wrinkles, scratches, buckling, etc., and the durability of the film edge is reduced.

An endless film having heat resistance, and a pressurizing rotating body for bringing the recording material into close contact with a heating body disposed inside the endless film via the endless film and for transporting the endless film and the recording material in an integrated state. The following has been found as a cause of the shift of the film in the width direction in a heating device having a configuration in which heat energy is applied from the heating body to the recording material via the film. That is, in the non-drive state of the apparatus, the pressing force of the pressurizing rotator with respect to the heating member is applied to the drive side of the pressurizing rotator (the end side transmitting the driving force to the pressurizing rotator) and the non-drive side (pressurizing Even when the drive force is transmitted to the body (end side opposite to the end side), even when the apparatus is in the drive state, the pressing force on the drive side is generated by the reaction force generated when the drive force is transmitted (meshing of gears). P1
Is actually lower than the pressure P2 on the non-driving side and P1
In the state of <P2, the pressing force becomes unbalanced, and the film generates a biasing force toward the non-driving side where the pressing force is high in the driving state.

[0010] The present invention is designed to reduce the deviation of the film when the apparatus is driven in this type of heating apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to restrict the movement toward the film without fear of damaging the portion.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention includes a heating body, and endless film of this heating body and the slide, and a rotary body forming the heating body and the nip through the film, the in the image heating apparatus you heating an image on a recording material by heat from said heating body a recording material bearing an image at the nip nipped and conveyed through the film, the times
A drive means is provided at one end of the rolling element and drives the rotating body.
And the driving means applies a driving force to the rotating body via a gear.
Is intended to transfer, during non-driving of the rotating body, the pressure applied between the heating body and the rotating body image heating apparatus, wherein the drive side with a pre-SL drive means is larger than the non-driving side,
It is.

[0012]

[Function] That is, the pressing force of the pressurizing rotating body on the heating body is
When the apparatus is not driven (or when the recording material is not passing), the pressing force P1 on the drive side of the pressurizing rotator is changed to the drive side by the reaction force generated when the driving force is transmitted to the pressurizing rotator when the apparatus is driven. By setting the pressure P1 higher than the pressure P2 on the non-driving side in advance (P1 <P2) in anticipation of the decrease in the pressure P1, the pressure P1 of the higher setting on the driving side is increased by pressurizing rotation in the apparatus driving state. The difference between the pressure P2 on the non-drive side and the pressure P2 on the non-driving side is reduced due to the reduction in the pressure due to the reaction force generated when transmitting the driving force to the body.

That is, when the apparatus is in the driving state, the pressing forces P1 and P2 on the driving side and the non-driving side are substantially balanced.
The shifting force in the film width direction generated on the film when the apparatus is driven is reduced. Therefore, even if the restricting member receives the film end on the near side to restrict the movement of the film, the pressing force of the film end against the restricting member is small, so that the film end damage is prevented. It is also possible to easily limit the direction in which the film is shifted.

The difference between the pressing force P1 on the driving side of the pressing rotator and the pressing force P2 on the non-driving side is typically 1.5 k.
It is preferable to set at g or less. If the pressure difference is too large, the film will move strongly toward the drive side of the pressing rotator.

[0015]

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus (an image heating and fixing apparatus 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(1) Overall Schematic Structure of Apparatus 100 FIG. 1 is a vertical front view of the apparatus 100, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view, FIGS. 3 and 4 are right and left side views of the apparatus, and FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of a part.

Reference numeral 1 designates a horizontally long device frame (bottom plate) having an upward channel (groove) in cross section made of sheet metal. Reference numeral 2.3 designates a left side wall plate integrally provided at both left and right ends of the device frame 1. And the right side wall plate 4 are upper covers of the apparatus, which are fitted between the upper end portions of the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3 and their left and right end portions are fixed to the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3 with screws 5 respectively. It can be removed by loosening the screw 5.

Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote longitudinally-notched elongated holes symmetrically formed on the substantially central surfaces of the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3, and 8.9 and 9 are engaged with lower end portions of the respective elongated holes 6 and 7. It is a pair of left and right bearing members combined. 10 forms a nip portion with a heating element 19 to be described later with a film 21 to be described
And a film pressing roller (pressing roller, backup roller) as a pressing rotary member for driving the
And a roller portion 12 made of a rubber elastic material having good releasability such as silicone rubber and the like, which is provided on the shaft.
The left and right end portions are rotatably supported by the left and right bearing members 8, 9, respectively.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a horizontally long stay made of sheet metal, which also serves as an inner surface guide member of a film 21 described later and a support / reinforcement member of a heating body 19 and a heat insulating member 20 described later. The stay 13 has a horizontally long flat bottom portion 14 and the bottom portion 1.
A front wall plate 15 and a rear wall plate 16 each having a cross-section outwardly arcuately curved and provided so as to be sequentially raised from both longitudinal sides of 4
It has a pair of left and right horizontal overhanging lugs 17 and 18 protruding outward from both left and right end portions of the bottom surface portion 14, respectively.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a horizontally long low-heat-capacity linear heating element having a structure to be described later (FIG. 6), which is attached to and supported by a horizontally-long heat insulating member 20 with the heat insulating member 20 facing downward. The stay 13 is integrally mounted and supported on the lower surface of the horizontally long bottom surface portion 14 in parallel.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an endless heat-resistant film, which is fitted around the stay 13 including the heating element 19 and the heat insulating member 20. The inner peripheral length of the endless heat-resistant film 21 and the outer peripheral length of the stay 13 including the heating element 19 and the heat insulating member 20 are larger than that of the film 21 by, for example, about 3 mm. Member 2
The circumference is loosely fitted around the stay 13 including 0 with a margin.

Reference numerals 22 and 23 denote a film 21 and a heating element 19.
After externally fitting to the stay 13 including the heat insulating member 20, the stay 1
3 is a pair of left and right film end regulating flange members which are fitted to and attached to and supported by the respective horizontal overhang lugs 17 and 18 at the left and right ends.

The pair of left and right flange members 22 and 23
The distance between the inner surfaces 22a and 23a of the flange seat
1 is set slightly larger than the width dimension. 24 ・ 25
Are horizontal overhang lugs protruding outward from the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right flange members 22 and 23, and the outward horizontal overhang lugs 17 and 18 on the stay 13 side are respectively provided on the flange members 22 and 23. The lugs 24 and 25 are sufficiently fitted into insertion holes provided in the thicknesses of the horizontal protrusion lugs 24 and 25 to firmly support the left and right flange members 22 and 23.

The assembling of the apparatus is carried out in such a state that the upper cover 4 is removed from between the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3 and the left and right bearing members 8 and 9 are previously fitted to the left and right end sides of the shaft 11. The right and left bearing members 8 and 9 of 10 are fitted and engaged with the longitudinal cutout slots 6 and 7 of the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3 from the upper end open portions, and the pressing roller 10 is interposed between the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3. It is inserted and lowered to the position where the left and right bearing members 8 and 9 are received by the lower ends of the long holes 6 and 7 (drop-down type).

Next, the stay 13, the heating element 19, the heat insulating member 20, the film 21, the left and right flange members 22 and 23 are provided.
The intermediate assembly pre-assembled in the relationship as shown in the figure, the heating body 19 side is turned downward, and the left and right outwardly protruding ends of the heat insulating member 20 and the horizontal overhang lugs 24 of the left and right flange members 22 and 23. 25 are inserted into the longitudinal notches 6 and 7 of the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3 from the upper end open portions and inserted between the left and right side wall plates 2 and 3, and the downward heating body 19 sandwiches the film 21. Then, it is lowered until it hits the upper surface of the pressure roller 10 previously incorporated and is received (drop-down type).

The elongated holes 6 are formed outside the left and right side walls 2 and 3.
The coil springs 26 and 27 are positioned on the lugs 24 and 25 of the left and right flange members 22 and 23 protruding from the lug 7 by supporting protrusions provided on the upper surface of the lugs, and are set vertically. The outer lugs 28 and 29 provided on the left and right ends of the upper cover 4 correspond to the upper ends of the set coil springs 26 and 27, respectively. While being compressed between 28, 25 and 29, it is fitted to a predetermined position between the upper end portions of the left and right side wall plates 2.3 and fixed between the left and right side wall plates 2.3 with screws 5.

Thus, the stay 13, the heating element 19, the heat insulating member 20, the film 21, and the left and right flange members 22 and 23 are applied by the pressing force (compression reaction force) of the coil springs 26 and 27.
Is pressed and urged downward, so that the heating body 19 and the pressure roller 10 are held in a state of being pressed against each other with the total pressure, for example, 4 to 7 kg, with the film 21 interposed therebetween.

Reference numerals 30 and 31 denote connectors for supplying electric power to the heating element 19, which are fitted to the left and right ends of the heat insulating member 20 protruding from the long holes 6.7 outside the left and right side wall plates 2.3.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a heated material entrance guide which is mounted on the front wall of the apparatus frame 1 and supports a visible image (powder toner image) Ta as a heated material to be introduced into the apparatus. The sheet P (FIG. 7) is guided between the film 21 and the pressure roller 10 in a nip portion (heat fixing portion) N between the heating body 19 and the pressure roller 10 which are pressed against each other with the film 21 interposed therebetween. .

Numeral 33 denotes a recording material separation guide member attached to the rear wall of the apparatus frame 1 and disposed at the nip portion N.
Is guided to the nip portion between the lower discharge roller 34 and the upper pinch roller 38.

The discharge roller 34 is rotatably supported at both left and right ends of a shaft 35 between bearings 36 and 37 provided on the left and right side walls 2 and 3. The pinch roller 38 has its axis 3
9 is received by a hook portion 40 formed by bending a part of the rear wall of the upper cover 4 inward, and is brought into contact with the upper surface of the discharge roller 34 by its own weight and a pressing spring 41. The pinch roller 38 is driven to rotate by the rotation of the discharge roller 34.

G1 is a first gear fixed to the right end of the roller shaft 11 projecting outward from the right side wall plate 3, and G3 is similarly attached to the right end of the discharge roller shaft 35 projecting outward from the right side wall plate 3. The fixed third gear G2 is a second gear as a relay gear pivotally mounted on the outer surface of the right side wall plate 3, and meshes with the first gear G1 and the third gear G3.

The first gear G1 receives a driving force from a driving gear G0 of a driving source mechanism (not shown), and the pressing roller 10 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.
Is transmitted to the third gear G3 via the second gear G2, and the discharge roller 34 is also driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

(2) Operation In this embodiment, the endless heat-resistant film 21 is sandwiched between the nip portion N between the heating element 19 and the pressure roller 10 when the endless heat-resistant film 21 is not driven, as shown in an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. Almost the entire circumference of the remaining part except for the part which is not covered is tension-free.

The driving gear G0 of the driving source mechanism is provided on the first gear G1.
When the pressure roller 10 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7 at a predetermined peripheral speed, the feeding movement force is applied to the film 21 by the frictional force with the rotation pressure roller 10 at the nip portion N. Then, the endless heat-resistant film 21 is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction A while the inner surface of the film slides on the surface of the heating body 19 at substantially the same rotational speed as the rotational speed of the pressure roller 10.

In the driving state of the film 21, a pulling force f acts on the film portion upstream of the nip portion N in the film rotation direction, so that the film 21 is moved as shown in FIG.
As shown by the solid line, an outward arc curve as a film inner surface guide portion of the film inner surface guide portion near the nip portion on the upstream side of the nip portion N in the film rotation direction, that is, the stay 13 on which the film 21 is fitted. The front plate 15 rotates while contacting the substantially lower half surface portion of the front plate 15 to cause sliding.

As a result, tension is applied to the film portion B of the rotating film 21 from the starting point O of the contact sliding portion with the front plate 15 to the nip portion N on the downstream side in the film rotating direction. By rotating, at least the film portion surface, that is, the film portion surface B near the recording material sheet entry side of the nip portion N and the film portion of the nip portion N are prevented from wrinkling by the action of the tension. You.

Then, the above-described film drive and the heating element 19 are performed.
The recording material sheet P carrying the unfixed toner image Ta as a material to be heated is guided by the entrance guide 32 in a state where the power is supplied to the rotating film 21 of the nip portion N and the pressure roller 10. When the recording material sheet P is introduced upward with the image bearing surface therebetween, the recording material sheet
1 along with the nip portion N, the thermal energy of the heating element 19 in contact with the inner surface of the film at the nip portion N is applied to the recording material sheet P via the film in the nip portion N, and the toner image Ta Is a softened and fused image Tb.

The recording material sheet P that has passed through the nip portion N is charged with the film 21 while the toner temperature is higher than the glass transition point.
The sheet is guided out of the surface by the exit guide 33 between the discharge roller 34 and the pinch roller 38, and is sent out of the apparatus. The softened / fused toner image Tb is cooled, solidified Tc and fixed before the recording material sheet P leaves the nip portion N and leaves the surface of the film 21 to reach the discharge roller 34.

As described above, the recording material sheet P introduced into the nip portion N is always in close contact with the wrinkle-free film portion surface under tension, and moves the nip portion N together with the film 21. This prevents the occurrence of uneven heating and fixing due to the occurrence of a situation in which a film having a defect passes through the nip portion N, and does not cause the film surface to be broken.

The tension is applied only to a part N or BN of the entire peripheral length of the film 21 both when the film 21 is not driven and when the film 21 is driven. Most of the remaining portion except for the entire circumference is tension-free, and the tension acts only on the nip portion N and the film portion B near the recording material sheet entry side of the nip portion N during driving (FIG. 7). Since almost the entire circumference of the remaining portion is tension-free and a film with a short circumference can be used as a whole, the driving torque required for driving the film becomes small, and the film apparatus configuration and parts are reduced. In addition, the drive system configuration is simplified, downsized, and reduced in cost.

When the film 21 is not driven and when it is driven, the film 21 has a part N or BN of the entire circumference as described above.
Therefore, even if the film 21 is shifted to one side or the other side in the film width direction at the time of driving the film, the shift force is small.

(3) Restriction Movement of Film 21 In the apparatus of this embodiment, the heating element 1 when the apparatus is not driven is
9, the pressing force of the pressure roller 10
When the pressure on the drive side (the right end side where the first gear G1 is attached) is P1 and the pressure on the non-drive side (the left end side) is P2, the pressure roller of the left and right coil springs 26 and 27 is By making the right coil spring 27, which is the driving side of the coil 10, more intense than that of the left coil spring 26, which is the non-driving side, it is possible to reduce the force generated when the driving force is transmitted to the pressure roller 10 in the apparatus driving state. The relationship of P1> P2 is set in anticipation of a decrease in the pressing force P1 on the driving side due to the force.

In the driving state of the apparatus, the high set pressure P1 on the drive side is reduced by the reaction force generated when the driving force is transmitted to the pressure roller 10, and the difference between the high set pressure P1 and the non-drive side pressure P2 is caused. Become smaller. That is, the pressing forces P1 and P2 on the driving side and the non-driving side are substantially balanced in the apparatus driving state, so that the moving force in the film width direction generated on the film in the apparatus driving state is reduced.

For this reason, the film 21 is shifted Q or R
(FIG. 1) Even if the left edge of the film is pressed against the inner flange surface 22a of the left flange member 22 as the film end regulating surface of the left flange member 22, or the right edge is pressed against the inner flange surface 23a of the right flange member 23, Since the deviation force is small, the rigidity of the film sufficiently overcomes the deviation force, so that damage such as buckling or breakage at the film end does not occur. Since the film deviation regulating means is sufficient with the simple flange members 22 and 23 as in the apparatus of this embodiment, the apparatus configuration can be simplified, reduced in size and reduced in cost in this respect, and the apparatus is inexpensive and highly reliable. Can be configured. In addition to the flange members 22 and 23 in the apparatus of the present embodiment, for example, a rib made of a heat-resistant resin is provided at the end of the film 21 in the circumferential direction of the endless film, and the rib is regulated. Is also good.

Further, as the film 21 to be used, the rigidity can be reduced by the decrease in the biasing force as described above, so that a thinner film having a smaller heat capacity can be used to improve the quick start property of the apparatus. Can be.

(4) Film 21 The film 21 has a total thickness of 100 μm or less, preferably 4 μm, in order to reduce the heat capacity and improve the quick start property.
A single-layer or multi-layer film having heat resistance, release property, strength, durability, etc. of 0 μm or less and 20 μm or more can be used.
For example, polyimide (PI) / polyetherimide (PE
I) ・ Polyethersulfone (PES) ・ Ethylene tetrafluoride-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer resin (PEA) ・ Polyetheretherketone (PEE)
K) Polyparabanic acid (PPA) or PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin) on at least the image contact surface side of a polyimide film having a thickness of, for example, 20 μm as a composite film
-Fluororesin such as PAF / FEP, silicon resin, etc., and conductive materials (carbon black, graphite,
A release coating layer containing conductive whiskers).
For example, those having a thickness of μm.

(5) Heating Body 19 and Heat Insulating Member 20 The substrate 19a is a member having heat resistance, electrical insulation, low heat capacity, and high thermal conductivity, for example, an alumina substrate having a thickness of 1 mm, a width of 6 mm, and a length of 240 mm. It is.

The heating element 19b is made of an electric resistance material such as Ag / Pd (silver palladium), Ta ₂ N, or RuO ₂ with a thickness of about 10 at a substantially central portion of the surface of the substrate 19a.
It is applied by screen printing or the like in a linear or narrow band shape having a thickness of 1 to 3 mm, and a heat-resistant glass is coated thereon as a surface protection layer 19c by about 10 μm.

On the back side of the heating element 19 (opposite to the surface on which the heating element 19b is provided), a thermistor or P
a temperature detecting element 19c such as a low-heat-capacity temperature measuring resistor such as a t film,
A safety element such as a fuse is provided.

The heating element 19 of this embodiment supplies electricity to the heating element 19b at a predetermined timing in accordance with an image formation start signal to cause the heating element 19b to generate heat over substantially the entire length. The power is supplied at 100 V AC, and the supplied power is controlled by controlling the phase angle to be supplied by a power supply control circuit (not shown) including a triac according to the detected temperature of the temperature detecting element 19c.

The heating element 19 has a small heat capacity such as the substrate 19a, the heating element 19b, and the surface protection layer 19c due to the energization of the heating element 19b, so that the heating element surface has a required fixing temperature (for example, 140 to 200 ° C.). ) Until the temperature rises rapidly.

The heat capacity of the heat-resistant film 21 in contact with the heating member 19 is also small, and the heat energy of the heating member 19 is effectively transmitted to the recording material sheet P in pressure contact with the film via the film 21. Thus, the image is heated and fixed.

As described above, the surface temperature of the film facing the heating element 19 rises sufficiently to the melting point of the toner (or the temperature at which the toner can be fixed to the recording material sheet P) in a short time. This eliminates the need for a so-called standby temperature control in which the temperature of the heating element 19 is raised in advance, thereby realizing energy saving and preventing the temperature rise in the apparatus.

The heat insulating member 20 insulates the heating element 19 so as to effectively use heat generation, and has heat insulating property and high heat resistance, for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide).
PAI (polyamide imide), PI (polyimide), P
High heat resistant resin such as EEK (polyetheretherketone) and liquid crystal polymer.

(6) Example of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus incorporating the image heating and fixing apparatus 100 of FIGS. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is a laser beam printer using a transfer type electrophotographic process.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a process cartridge, which is a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a drum) 61.
4 of charging device 62, developing device 63, and cleaning device 64
Includes three process equipment. The process cartridge can be detached and replaced at a predetermined position in the apparatus by opening the opening / closing section 65 of the apparatus and opening the inside of the apparatus.

The drum 61 is driven to rotate clockwise as indicated by an arrow in response to an image formation start signal, and the surface of the drum 61 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by a charger 62.
A laser scanner 66 scans the charged surface of the drum.
The main scanning exposure with the laser beam 67 modulated according to the time-series electric digital pixel signal of the target image information output from the Images are sequentially formed. The latent image is then visualized as a toner image in a developing device 63.

On the other hand, the recording material sheet P in the paper feed cassette 68 is separated and fed one by one by the cooperation of the paper feed roller 69 and the separation pad 70, and the drum 61 is moved by the registration roller pair 71.
Nip portion 73 serving as a fixing portion between the drum 61 and the transfer roller 72 which is in pressure contact with the drum 61 in synchronization with the rotation of the drum 61.
And the toner image on the drum 1 side is sequentially transferred to the fed recording material sheet P.

The recording material sheet P that has passed through the transfer section 73 is separated from the surface of the drum 61 and is guided by a guide 74 to the fixing device 100.
The unfixed toner image is heated and fixed by the operation and operation of the apparatus 100 described above, and is output from the outlet 75 as an image formed product (print).

The surface of the drum 61 from which the recording material sheet P has been separated through the transfer unit 73 is repeatedly used for image formation after the cleaning device 64 removes adhered contaminants such as untransferred toner.

The heating device of the present invention can be effectively utilized not only as the image heating fixing device of the image forming apparatus of the above-described example, but also as an image surface heating polishing device, a hypothetical wearing device, and the like. .

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the biasing force of a film in a film heating type pressurizing apparatus when the apparatus is in a driving state. Even when the movement is restricted, it is possible to restrict the movement of the film without damaging the edge of the film, and it is possible to simplify, reduce the size, and reduce the cost of the apparatus by using a simple means for restricting the movement of the film. It becomes a device with reliability, reliability and durability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view of an apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a film state when not driven.

FIG. 7 is the same as above when driving.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Heating body 21 Heat resistant film 10 Pressure roller 22/23 Left and right flange members 26/27 as a film deviation regulating member 26/27 Left and right coil springs as pressure means P1, P2 Drive side and non-drive side of pressure roller Pressing force

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A heating body, and endless film of this heating body and the slide has a rotating body forming the heating body and the nip through the film, carrying an image in the nip in the image heating apparatus you heating an image on a recording material by heat from the recording material is nipped and conveyed through the film the heating body, a driving means for driving the rotating body provided at one end of said rotary body
Wherein the driving means rotates the driving force through a gear through the rotation.
Is intended to transmit to the body, during non-driving of the rotating body, the pressure applied between the heating body and the rotating body image heating apparatus, wherein the drive side with a pre-SL drive means is larger than the non-driving side .