JP3450577B2 - Heating equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a film-like rotation.
It is provided inside the body and the rotating body and guides the rotating body.
Guide member and the guide member through pressure contact with the rotating body.
And a pressure member that forms a cup
By it relates to heating equipment fill <br/> beam heating method for heating a material to be heated is conveyed through the nip.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a heating device represented by a heat fixing device, a contact heating system such as a heat roller system or a film heating system has been widely used.

Such a device heats a toner image through a roller or a film by passing an electric current through a halogen lamp or a heating resistor to generate heat.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-9027 proposes a device for heating an object to be heated by generating an eddy current in the fixing roller by a magnetic flux and causing the fixing roller to generate heat by Joule heat.

In this apparatus, the heat generation position can be brought closer to the toner by utilizing the generation of the eddy current, and the efficiency of energy consumption can be improved as compared with the heat roller using the halogen lamp.

[0006]

In the conventional film heating method, for example, when the process speed is increased, the frictional resistance between the film and the film guide for guiding the film becomes large, and the film is biased, Problems such as wrinkles occur.

Particularly, in an electromagnetic heating type apparatus in which eddy current is generated in the fixing roller by magnetic flux and heat is generated by Joule heat, a film made of metal is used.
Scraping becomes a problem.

Therefore, the present invention reduces the frictional resistance between the rotating body and the guide member to prevent uneven rotation of the rotating body , generation of wrinkles, scraping, etc.
Eliminating troubles on the running of the rotary member, and an object thereof is to provide a heating equipment capable of high durability and processing speed of the rotating body.

[0009]

The present invention is a heating device characterized by the following constitutions.

(1) The film-shaped rotating body and the rotating body
A guide member that is provided in the section and guides the rotating body ,
Anda pressure member forming the guide member and the pressure-contact nip via the rotary member, in the heating apparatus for heating material to be heated is conveyed through the nip by heat from the rotary section, the guide member is above Upstream of the nip in the direction of rotation of the rotating body and
It is provided on the downstream side, and only the guide surface on the upstream side
Separated in the direction of rotation of the rotating body, in the longitudinal direction of the guide member
Heating apparatus characterized by long plurality of guide portions are provided.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

(2) The above device further has a magnetic field generating means.
The magnetic field generated by this magnetic field generating means causes the rotation described above.
To generate induced currents in the body, characterized in that for heating the rotary body itself heating apparatus according to (1).

(3) The heating device according to (1) , characterized in that the developer image carried on the recording material is heat-treated.

[0016]

<Operation> That is, the upstream side gusset is likely to rub against the rotating body and the guide member.
The long guide part is provided in the longitudinal direction of the guide member only on the guide surface.
Since it has a beam, the temperature distribution of the rotating body can be reduced by the guide section at low cost.
It is possible to suppress the rotation resistance while suppressing the non-uniformity of the rotating body, and it is possible to prevent uneven rotation and wrinkles of the rotating body. Further, it is also advantageous for scraping.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment (1) Overall Structure of Image Forming Apparatus (FIG. 3) FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus using the heating device of the present invention as an image heating fixing device. is there.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) as a first image bearing member.
The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed), and in the course of the rotation, the primary charging device 2 uniformly charges the negative dark potential VD.

A laser beam scanner 3 outputs a laser beam modulated in accordance with a time series electric digital image signal of target image information input from a host device such as an image reading device, a word processor and a computer (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 1, which has been negatively and uniformly charged by the primary charger 2 as described above, is scanned and exposed by the laser beam, so that the potential absolute value of the exposed portion becomes small and the potential becomes the bright potential VL. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the target image information is formed on one surface.

Then, the latent image is subjected to reversal development (laser exposure portion VL) with the powder toner negatively charged by the developing device 4.
The toner is attached to the surface) to make it visible.

The developing device 4 is a developing sleeve 4 which is rotationally driven.
a, the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve is coated with a thin layer of toner having a negative charge to face the surface of the drum 1, and the absolute value of the sleeve 4a is smaller than the dark potential VD of the drum 1 and Development bias voltage V greater than potential VL
By applying DC, the toner on the sleeve 4a is transferred only to the portion of the photosensitive drum 1 at the bright potential VL, and the latent image is visualized (reversal development).

On the other hand, the recording material 15 as the second image carrier stacked and set on the paper feed tray 14 is fed out one by one by the drive of the paper feed roller 13, and is fed to the conveyance guide 12a and the registration roller pair. 10 ・ 11, transfer guide 8 ・
Appropriate timing in which the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 are cycled to the nip portion (transfer portion) m of the transfer roller 5 as a transfer member which is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 via 9 to apply a transfer bias. And the feeding transfer material 1
The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is sequentially transferred to the surface of No. 5. The resistance value of the transfer roller 5 as a transfer member is 10
^A suitable value is about ⁸ to 10 ⁹ Ωm.

The recording material 15 that has passed through the transfer portion is the photosensitive drum 1.
After being separated from the surface, the transfer guide 12b introduces the transferred toner image to the fixing device 7, and the transferred toner image is fixed, and is output to the paper discharge tray 16 as an image formed product (print). After the recording material is separated, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned by a cleaning device 6 to remove the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum, such as toner on the surface, and is repeatedly used for image formation.

(2) Overall Structure of Fixing Device 7 Next, the fixing device, which is the image heating device of the embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail.

First, the structure of the entire fixing device will be described.

FIG. 1A is a sectional view of the fixing device 7 of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view of a fixing film of the fixing device 7.

The fixing film 710 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the film guide 716 ensures the pressurization to the nip portion and the stability of the film conveyance.

Further, the film guide 716 also has a function of supporting the core 717 and the coil 718 as the magnetic field generating means. The core 717 is preferably made of a material having a high magnetic permeability such as ferrite or permalloy, which is used for the core of a transformer, and more preferably, ferrite having a low loss even at 100 kHz or more is preferably used.

An exciting circuit (not shown) is connected to the coil 718, and this circuit is 20 kHz to 500 kHz.
The high frequency can be generated by the switching power supply.

The film guide 716 having the magnetic field generating means and the pressure roller 730 are pressed against each other with the film 710 sandwiched therebetween to form the nip n, and the recording material carrying the unfixed toner image as described above. 15 is introduced into the nip n and subjected to heat fixing processing.

The principle of heating in the nip n is that the alternating magnetic flux generated by applying the high frequency current from the exciting circuit to the coil 718 is guided to the high magnetic permeability core 717 and the fixing film 710 of the fixing film 710 is near the nip n. It acts on the heat generating layer 701 to generate an eddy current, and the eddy current and the specific resistance of the heat generating layer 701 generate heat.

The generated heat is applied to the elastic layer 702 and the release layer 7.
The recording material 15 conveyed to the nip n via 03 and the toner T on the recording material 15 are applied to melt the image of the toner T. The toner image melted in the nip n is
After passing through the nip, it is naturally cooled to form a permanently fixed image.

(3) Guide part of film guide 716 FIG. 2 shows a reference example (part thereof) which is a reference for understanding the present invention .
The perspective view of the film guide 716 which is 1), and the bottom view seen from the nip n part are shown.

As shown in the figure, a rib 30 as a guide portion is provided on the surface (guide surface) of the film guide 716. The ribs 30 are separated from each other in the moving direction of the film or in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the film so as to reduce the sliding area with the film. In this example, the rib 30 crosses diagonally with respect to the moving direction of the film 20 mm. It is formed in a grid pattern with intervals.

By providing the ribs 30 on the guide surface of the film 710 as described above, the frictional force between the film 710 and the film guide 716 is reduced and the unevenness of the temperature distribution in the film width direction is prevented.

That is, since the ribs 30 are arranged in a lattice pattern oblique to the moving direction of the film 710, the film 710 comes into contact with the ribs 30 in the entire width direction by rotation. Therefore, the rib 30 is attached to the film 71.
Compared with the case of being arranged parallel to the moving direction of 0, it is possible to prevent a specific portion from constantly contacting and the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction becoming non-uniform. Further, for the above reason, it is also advantageous for abrasion due to friction between the film 710 and the rib portion 30.

Further, as a development of the above reference example , by setting the rib intervals and angles so that the number of ribs 30 in the arbitrary cross section perpendicular to the long axis of the film guide 716 is the same, a more uniform temperature can be obtained. The distribution can be achieved, which is also advantageous for the friction between the film 710 and the ribs 30.

FIG. 4 is helpful in understanding the present invention .
A reference example (2) is shown.

In this reference example , a plurality of ribs 31 on the surface of the film guide 716 are arranged at intervals of 20 mm so as to be oblique to the moving direction of the film, as shown in FIG. By arranging in this way,
It is possible to reduce the frictional force between the film 710 and the film guide 716, eliminate the non-uniformity of the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the film, and also be advantageous for scraping.

By disposing the ribs 31 as in this example, the film 710 is rotated as the film 710 rotates.
A force is exerted on 10 toward the one end side in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the arrow in the drawing).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, even when the film deviation is restricted in the holding mechanism of the film 710,
It suffices to provide the side plate 70 only on one side where the film 710 is drawn and hold the film 710 by abutting it on the side plate 70, which simplifies the configuration. Therefore, it is advantageous for downsizing and cost reduction of the device.

FIG. 6 is helpful in understanding the present invention .
A reference example (3) is shown.

In the present reference example , boss-shaped projections 32 are arranged at intervals of 2 mm as guide portions, and are arranged in a plurality of rows at intervals of 20 mm so as to be oblique with respect to the moving direction of the film.

Also in this example, the boss-like projection 32 reduces the frictional force between the film 710 and the film guide and eliminates the non-uniformity of the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the film, as in the above-mentioned reference example (No. 2). It is also possible to prevent scraping.

Further, similarly to the above-mentioned reference example (No. 2) , the film holding method for preventing the deviation of the film 710 can be simplified, which is advantageous for downsizing of the apparatus and cost reduction.

7A, 7B and 7C respectively show
Reference example (No. 4), which is a reference for understanding the present invention, book
Examples of the invention, reference examples for reference in understanding the present invention
(No. 5) is shown.

FIG . 7 (a) is helpful in understanding the present invention.
This is a reference example (part 4) to be considered, and is an example in which a guide portion 33a in the shape of a convex arc is provided toward the upstream side in the film movement direction, and the film 710 is configured to be pulled to both end sides with movement. It is a thing.

FIG . 7B shows an embodiment of the present invention,
The guide portion 33b is provided only on the upstream side of the nip n in the film moving direction. That is, the rotating body and the guide
Only the upstream guide surface where the member easily rubs
Since a long guide is provided in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to reduce costs at low cost.
Rotation while suppressing uneven temperature distribution of the rotating body
Resistance can be suppressed,

FIG . 7C is helpful in understanding the present invention.
This is a reference example (5) which is considered, and the film guide 71
A circular hole 33c is formed on the lower surface of 6 to form a separating portion (white portion).
The other surface is used as a guide portion (shading portion) 33d.

[0051] in <Embodiment 2> FIG. 8 (a) · (b) shows another example of the configuration example of the image heating apparatus of an electromagnetic induction heating system, respectively, (c) is the image of the heating method with resistance heating element It shows an example of the configuration of the heating device.

(A) is an electromagnetic induction heating structure 717.
The lower surface of the guide member 716 of 718 and 716, the driving roller 815, and the driven roller (tension roller) 816
The film 710 as an endless belt-shaped conductive member is stretched around the three members and the driving roller 815 rotationally drives the film 710. 7
Reference numeral 30 denotes a pressure roller that is pressed against the lower surface of the guide member with the film 710 sandwiched therebetween, and is driven to rotate as the film 710 rotates.

(B) shows an electromagnetic induction heating structure 71.
The drive roller 81 is formed by suspending a film 710 as an endless belt-shaped conductive member between the lower surface of the guide member 716 of 6, 717 and 718 and the two members of the drive roller 815.
It is configured to be rotationally driven by 5.

[0054]

In the case of (c) , an endless film 710 is externally fitted to a guide member 716 holding a linear resistance heating element 801 elongated in the film width direction, and the film 71
The pressure member 730 is pressed against the lower surface of the guide member with 0 interposed therebetween,
The film 710 is driven to rotate by driving the pressure member 730.

[0056]

According to as discussed above the present invention, off
The film-shaped rotating body and the rotating body provided inside the rotating body.
Guide member that guides rolling bodies and guides through rotating bodies
A pressing member that presses the member to form a nip,
The material to be heated that is transported in the nip due to the heat from the transfer side
Regarding the heating device that heats, the rotor and the guide member rub against each other.
It is easy to move in the longitudinal direction of the guide member only on the upstream guide surface.
Than providing the long guide portion, by the guide unit at a low cost
Rotation resistance is suppressed while suppressing non-uniformity of temperature distribution of the rotating body
Rukoto can, deviation of the rotating body, wrinkles, etc. scraping, to eliminate the defects in the running of the moving body, be ruggedized and processing speed of the rotating body to provide a heating equipment available it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a schematic configuration diagram of a heat fixing device of the present invention,
(B) is a sectional view of the fixing film

FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a bottom view of a main part of a guide member of a reference example (No. 1) .

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including an image heating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view and a bottom view of a main part of a guide member of a reference example (No. 2) .

5A is a perspective view of a main part for explaining a holding mechanism of a reference example (part 2) , and FIG. 5B is a side view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view and a bottom view of a guide member of a reference example (3) .

7A is a diagram showing a configuration of a guide portion of a reference example (part 4) , and FIG. 7B is a configuration of a guide portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure (c) shows the configuration of the guide part of the reference example (5)
Figure

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a main part of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

716 Guide member 710 Moving body (film) 717 Core 718 Exciting coil 30, 31, 32, 33a, 33b, 33d Guide part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroki Kisu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-6-3982 (JP, A) JP-A-5 -27625 (JP, A) JP 63-292152 (JP, A) JP 4-291276 (JP, A) JP 7-114276 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl) . ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/20

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A film-shaped rotating body and an inside of the rotating body.
A guide member that is provided to guide the rotating body and rotates
A pressure member that forms a nip by being pressed against the guide member through the body, and is transported in the nip by heat from the rotating body side.
In the heating device for heating the material to be heated, the guide member is upstream of the nip in the rotating body rotating direction.
And is provided downstream, only on the upstream guide surface,
The longitudinal direction of the guide member is separated in the rotation direction of the rotating body.
A heating device having a plurality of guide portions that are long in the direction . 2. The device further comprises magnetic field generating means,
2. The heating device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means generates an induced current in the rotating body to heat the rotating body itself. 3. The heating device according to claim 1 , wherein the developer image carried on the recording material is heat-treated.