JP4255848B2 - Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the same. More specifically, even when the peeling member is always in contact with the fixing roller, the fixing device does not damage the surface of the fixing roller and does not remove the release agent applied to the fixing roller. And an image forming apparatus including the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, facsimiles, and the like that employ an electrophotographic system are usually provided with a fixing device that fixes a toner image transferred onto a sheet as a recording material. As this fixing device, there is used a so-called heat roller type which includes a pair of fixing rollers arranged in pressure contact with each other, and a heater is provided inside at least one of the fixing rollers. In this heat roller type fixing device, the toner image recorded on the recording material at the start of image formation is passed through the nip portion of the pair of fixing rollers and heated to be fixed on the recording material. However, since the melted toner is soft and highly viscous, it easily adheres to the surface of the fixing roller. Since the recording material is pressurized by a pair of fixing rollers, the recording material may be wound around the fixing roller. For this reason, a method is adopted in which a peeling member called a peeling claw or a separation claw is provided on the fixing roller to prevent a recording material from being wound around the fixing roller and causing a conveyance jam.

  For example, when a color image is fixed by a fixing device, a plurality of layers of different color toners are transferred onto the recording material, and thus the toner image layer becomes thick. For this reason, a fixing roller having a relatively soft elastic layer formed on the surface is used, and a release agent such as silicone oil is fixed to prevent the heated and melted toner from being offset to the surface of the fixing roller. The roller surface is very thinly applied.

  Here, a fixing device provided in a conventional image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a fixing device 300 provided in a conventional image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the conventional fixing device 300 includes a pair of fixing rollers 301 and 302 and peeling claws 303 and 304. The peeling claws 303 and 304 are provided so that the tip portions thereof are in contact with the fixing roller surfaces 301 and 302, and the recording material adhering to the fixing rollers 301 and 302 is pulled at the tip portions of the peeling claws 303 and 304. It comes to peel off. The fixing device 300 is provided with an application member 305 for applying silicone oil to the fixing roller 301. Silicone oil is applied to the surface of the fixing roller 301 by the application member 305 to prevent the toner from being offset on the surface of the fixing roller 301.

  A fixing device using such a peeling claw or separation claw is described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example. Patent Document 1 discloses a fixing device including a release sheet that peels a sheet that has passed through a nip formed by contact between a first rotating body and a second rotating body from the surface of the first rotating body. ing. Further, in the fixing device of Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the surface of the fixing roll from being worn, fixing is performed while supplying oil to the surface of the fixing roll.

Patent Document 2 discloses a fixing device provided with a peeling claw for peeling the recording material from the surface of the fixing roller. The peeling claw is provided so as to be convertible between a contact position contacting the surface of the fixing roller and a separation position separating from the surface of the fixing roller. Further, in the fixing device of Patent Document 2, silicone oil as a release agent is applied to the surface of the upper fixing roller for fixing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-184300 (released July 9, 1999) JP 2001-242738 A (published September 7, 2001)

  However, the peeling sheet of the fixing device of Patent Document 1 is provided so that the edge thereof contacts the surface of the first rotating body, and the peeling claw of the fixing device of Patent Document 2 has its tip at the contact position. The portion is provided in contact with the surface of the fixing roller. That is, in any fixing device, the peeling claw is provided so as to contact the fixing roller, and the tip of the peeling claw is in contact with the fixing roller. For this reason, there exists a problem that there exists a possibility that the surface of a fixing roller may be damaged by the front-end | tip part of a peeling nail | claw. In this case, in particular, in the case of a fixing roller made of an elastic layer having a soft surface, the tip of the peeling claw is in contact with the surface of the fixing roller, causing streak-like scratches, which significantly improves the quality of image formation. It will decrease.

  Further, since the tip of the peeling claw is in contact with the fixing roller, the silicone oil applied to the surface of the fixing roller is cut off at the tip of the peeling claw. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a mixture of silicone oil and toner accumulates at the tip of the peeling claw, and this mixture has a problem that it drops downward. There is also a problem that the mixture of silicone oil and toner adheres to the peeling claw itself. In these cases, troubles such as fouling the recording material or causing a conveyance jam of the recording material are likely to occur. In particular, when a recording material conveyance jam occurs, the peeling claw may develop a problem of damaging the soft elastic layer on the surface of the fixing roller. Causes a drop.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. Even when a peeling member such as a peeling claw is always brought into contact with the fixing roller, the fixing is performed when the recording agent causes a conveyance jam. A fixing device that does not damage the surface of the roller and that does not remove the applied release agent when a release agent such as silicone oil is applied to the fixing roller, and an image having the same An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the fixing device according to the present invention includes a first roller and a second roller provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other, and is conveyed between the first roller and the second roller. In the fixing device for fixing the developer image on the material, the image forming apparatus includes a flat plate-like peeling means for peeling the recording material attached to the first roller in contact with the developer image, and the side surface of the peeling means includes a first roller. It is characterized by being in contact with.

  According to said structure, the flat stripping means is contact | abutting with the 1st roller in the side part. The side surface of the peeling means refers to the surface having the largest area among the surfaces of the flat plate-like peeling means, and the peeling means is in contact with the first roller at the side surface portion. Therefore, the peeling means and the first roller are in contact with each other so that the surface including the tangent of the first roller and the side surface of the peeling means are the same surface, and the peeling means is tangent to the first roller at the contact point. Arranged in the direction. For this reason, even when the peeling means is brought into contact with the first roller with the same contact pressure as compared with the conventional configuration in which the peeling means is in contact with the first roller at an obtuse angle, the first The pressure applied to the roller can be dispersed.

  Moreover, since the front-end | tip part of a peeling member does not contact the 1st roller surface, a 1st roller surface is not damaged. As a result, the life of the first roller can be extended and the quality of the image formed on the recording material can be favorably maintained over a long period of time. Furthermore, even when the peeling member is moved by an external force, the first roller can be prevented from being damaged.

  For example, when a release agent for preventing the developer from adhering to the first roller is applied to the surface of the first roller, the release agent is disposed between the peeling means and the first roller surface. Can pass through. Thereby, there exists an effect that it can prevent that a mold release agent is chipped off by a peeling means. As a result, it is possible to prevent the release agent from being cut out and falling down to contaminate the inside of the fixing device or to contaminate the conveyed recording agent. Furthermore, since the peeling member has a flat plate shape, it also has an effect that it is easy to mold.

  The fixing device according to the present invention includes a transport roller that transports the recording material on which the developer image is fixed, and a support unit that supports the peeling unit, and the support unit transports the recording material more than the transport roller. It is preferable that it is fixed downstream in the direction.

  According to the above configuration, the supporting unit supports the peeling unit and is fixed on the downstream side of the recording material in the conveyance direction of the recording material with respect to the conveyance roller. it can. Thereby, for example, when the elastic force of the peeling means is used as the force when the peeling means and the first roller come into contact with each other, an appropriate elastic force can be obtained. As a result, even when the peeling means is always in contact with the first roller, the first roller surface can be prevented from being damaged.

  In the fixing device according to the present invention, there is provided restriction means for restricting movement of the support means in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording material conveyed to the conveyance roller. More preferably, it is provided on the recording material conveyance path side. According to the above configuration, since the support means is provided on the recording material conveyance path side with respect to the regulation means, movement in the direction perpendicular to the recording material conveyance direction can be regulated. For this reason, for example, even when a recording material conveyance jam or the like occurs and a strong force is applied to the peeling means, the movement of the support means is restricted, so that the peeling means moves to the first roller side. Can also be regulated. As a result, the first roller surface can be prevented from being damaged.

  In the fixing device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the support unit has a plurality of openings between a support unit supporting the peeling unit and a fixing unit to which the support unit is fixed. . According to said structure, the surface area between the support part and fixing | fixed part of a support means can be made small. For this reason, even if it is a case where a thick board | plate material is used as a support means, while being able to obtain moderate elastic force, the intensity | strength of a peeling means can be improved. That is, it is possible to prevent the peeling means from being deformed even when the peeling means is accidentally touched or when an excessive force is applied to the peeling means due to the conveyance jam of the recording material. As a result, the first roller surface can be prevented from being damaged.

  In the fixing device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the restricting unit has a plurality of protrusions, and the protrusions protrude from the opening toward the conveyance path of the recording material. According to the above configuration, since the restricting means has the protruding portion that protrudes toward the recording material conveyance path side through the opening, when the recording material is conveyed, the recording material is the surface of the support means. It is conveyed while contacting the protrusion without contacting the whole. Accordingly, the contact resistance to the recording material can be reduced. In addition, for example, when a protrusion is provided on the support means, the rigidity of the support means becomes high and it becomes difficult to bend, so the elastic force cannot be used. Since it protrudes from the opening to the conveyance path side, the elastic force of the support means is not impaired. As a result, the first roller surface can be prevented from being damaged.

  In the fixing device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the conveying roller is provided so as to protrude from the opening. According to said structure, a conveyance roller can be arrange | positioned rather than the fixing | fixed part of a support means at the peeling means side. For this reason, compared with the case where a support means is provided in the upper part of a conveyance roller, there exists an effect that a fixing device can be reduced in size. In addition, since the position of the support means approaches the recording material conveyance path, there is an effect that the shape of the support means can be reduced. Furthermore, the opening to be formed may be an opening from which the conveyance roller can protrude, and the effect of increasing the degree of freedom for forming the opening is also achieved.

  In the fixing device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the support means has elasticity. According to said structure, the pressure at the time of the peeling means currently supported by the support means contact | abutting to a 1st roller can be adjusted with the elastic force of a support means. Thus, since the contact pressure between the peeling means and the first roller can be adjusted to a desired contact pressure, it is possible to prevent the surface of the first roller from being damaged. .

  In the fixing device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a part or all of the peeling means is covered with a fluorine-based resin compound. According to the above configuration, since a part or all of the peeling means is covered with the fluororesin compound, the friction coefficient of the peeling means can be reduced. For this reason, there exists an effect that it can prevent that the 1st roller surface is damaged.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the fixing devices described above. According to said structure, while being able to prevent the damage of the 1st roller surface by a peeling means in a fixing device, it can prevent missing a mold release agent. As a result, there is an effect that an image formed on the recording material can be made excellent over a long period of time.

  As described above, the fixing device according to the present invention includes the flat plate-like peeling unit that peels off the recording material attached to the first roller that is in contact with the developer image, and the side portion of the peeling unit is attached to the first roller. Since they are in contact, the first roller can be prevented from being damaged. In addition, for example, when the release agent is applied to the surface of the first roller, it is possible to prevent the release agent from being removed by the peeling means.

  As described above, since the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any of the fixing devices described above, it is possible to prevent damage to the surface of the first roller and to remove the release agent. Can be prevented. As a result, there is an effect that an image formed on the recording material can be made excellent over a long period of time.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 as follows. In this embodiment, a digital color copying machine will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the digital color copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The digital color copying machine 1 includes a document table 111, a double-sided automatic document feeder 112, an image reading unit 110, an image forming unit 210, a paper feeding unit 211, and a paper discharging unit 229.

  The document table 111 is a table for placing a document for image formation, and is provided on the upper surface of the main body of the digital color copying machine 1. A double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) 112 conveys a document to a predetermined position on a document table 111. The double-sided automatic document feeder 112 is mounted on the upper surface of the document table 111 and is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document table 111 so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the upper surface of the document table 111. Yes.

  The double-sided automatic document feeder 112 first transports a document so that one side of the document faces the image reading unit 110 at a predetermined position of the document table 111, and after the image reading on this one side is completed, The other side of the original platen 111 is configured to convey the original in a direction facing the image reading unit 110 at a predetermined position. That is, the double-sided automatic document feeder 112 conveys the original so that only one side or both sides of the original can be read, and discharges the original after the image reading for one original is completed. A reading / conveying operation for a document is performed. The operations of conveying the original and reversing the front and back are controlled in relation to the entire operation of the digital color copying machine 1.

  The image reading unit 110 reads an image of a document placed on the document table 111 and is disposed below the document table 111. The document may be conveyed on the document table 111 from the double-sided automatic document feeder 112, or may be directly placed on the document table 111. The image reading unit 110 includes a document scanning body 117 that reciprocates in parallel along the lower surface of the document table 111, an optical lens 115, and a CCD line sensor 116.

  The document scanning body 117 includes a first scanning unit 113 and a second scanning unit 114. The first scanning unit 113 includes an exposure lamp that exposes the image surface of the document, and a first mirror that deflects the reflected light image from the document in a predetermined direction. The first scanning unit 113 reciprocates in parallel at a predetermined scanning speed while maintaining a certain distance from the lower surface of the document table 111. The second scanning unit 114 second deflects the reflected light image from the original deflected by the first mirror of the first scanning unit 113 in a predetermined direction (direction in which the optical lens 115 is provided). A mirror and a third mirror. The second scanning unit 114 reciprocates in parallel while maintaining a constant speed relationship with respect to the first scanning unit 113.

  The optical lens 115 reduces the reflected light image from the original deflected by the third mirror of the second scanning unit 114 and forms the reduced optical image on the light receiving surface on the CCD line sensor 116.

  The CCD line sensor 116 is an optical conversion element, which sequentially optically converts the light image formed by the optical lens 115 and outputs it as an electrical signal. The CCD line sensor 116 reads a black-and-white image or a color image, and can output line data that is color-separated into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. A CCD is preferred. The document image information converted into an electrical signal by the CCD line sensor 116 is further transferred to an image processing unit (not shown) and subjected to predetermined image data processing.

  The paper feed unit 211 includes a paper tray 233, a paper feed roller 234, a registration roller 212, and the like. The paper (recording medium) P stacked in the paper tray 233 is separated one by one to form an image. This is supplied to the unit 210. The sheets P separated and supplied one by one are conveyed to the image forming unit 210 with timing controlled by a pair of registration rollers 212 disposed between the sheet tray 233 and the image forming unit 210. . In the so-called double-sided image forming mode in which images are formed on both sides of the paper P, the paper P on which an image is formed on one side is displayed in accordance with the timing at which the image forming unit 210 forms an image on the other side. It is conveyed again to the forming unit 210.

  In the digital color copying machine 1 in the present embodiment, cut sheet-like paper is used as the paper P. When the paper P is sent out from the paper tray 233 and supplied into the guide in the paper feed conveyance path of the paper feed unit 211, the leading end of the paper P is detected by a sensor (not shown). The paper P is temporarily stopped by the pair of registration rollers 212 based on the detection signal output from the sensor, and is conveyed to the image forming unit 210 according to the timing of image formation.

  The image forming unit 210 forms an image on the paper P based on document image information that has been subjected to image data processing by the image processing unit after the image reading unit 110 has read the image information. The image forming unit 210 includes a transfer conveyance belt mechanism 213, a fixing device 217, an image forming station 228, and a laser writing unit 227.

  The transfer conveyance belt mechanism 213 includes a drive roller 214, a driven roller 215, and a transfer conveyance belt (transfer carrier) 216 stretched between the drive roller 214 and the driven roller 215 so as to extend substantially in parallel. is doing. The transfer conveying belt 216 is frictionally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. The paper P supplied through the paper supply unit 211 is sent onto the transfer conveyance belt 216 in accordance with the timing of image formation, and conveyed to the image forming station 228 while being held by the transfer conveyance belt 216 by electrostatic adsorption. It has become so.

  The image forming station 228 reproduces a toner image corresponding to the image information of the document on the paper P. The image forming station 228 corresponds to the first image forming station 228a corresponding to the black component, the second image forming station 228b corresponding to the cyan color component, the third image forming station 228c corresponding to the magenta color component, and the yellow color component. The fourth image forming station 228d. The image forming stations 228 a, 228 b, 228 c, and 228 d are arranged in parallel above the transfer conveyance belt 216 in order from the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path so as to be close to the transfer conveyance belt 216.

  The image forming stations 228a to 228d have substantially the same configuration. Each of the image forming stations 228a to 228d includes photosensitive drums 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d that are driven to rotate in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. Around each of the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d, chargers 223a, 223b, 223c, and 223d for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum, and development for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, respectively. Devices 224a, 224b, 224c, and 224d, transfer rollers 225a, 225b, 225c, and 225d that function as transfer electrodes for transferring the developed toner image on the photosensitive drum to the paper P, and remaining on the photosensitive drum Cleaning devices 226a, 226b, 226c, and 226d for removing toner are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum.

  The laser writing unit 227 writes an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 222 based on image information. The laser writing unit 227 corresponds to the first laser writing unit 227a corresponding to the black component, the second laser writing unit 227b corresponding to the cyan color component, the third laser writing unit 227c corresponding to the magenta color component, and the yellow color component. The fourth laser writing unit 227d.

  The laser writing units 227a to 227d are provided above the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d and have substantially the same configuration. Each of the laser writing units 227a to 227d includes a semiconductor laser element (not shown) that emits dot light modulated according to image data, and a polygon mirror (deflection) for deflecting the laser beam from the semiconductor laser element in the main scanning direction. (Apparatus) 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, fθ lenses 241a, 241b, 241c, 241d, mirrors 242a, 242b 242c, 242d, mirrors 243a, 243b, 243c, 243d, and the like.

  A pixel signal corresponding to the black component image of the color original image is input to the laser writing unit 227a, and a pixel signal corresponding to the cyan component image of the color original image is input to the laser writing unit 227b. A pixel signal corresponding to the magenta color component image of the color original image is input to 227c, and a pixel signal corresponding to the yellow color component image of the color original image is input to the laser writing unit 227d.

  Each of the laser writing units 227a to 227d emits a laser beam corresponding to the input pixel signal and forms an image on the surface of the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d. Then, optical writing is performed on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d by scanning and exposing a laser beam.

  As a result, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the color-converted document image information are formed on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d. The developing device 224a contains black toner, the developing device 224b contains cyan toner, the developing device 224c contains magenta toner, and the developing device 224d contains yellow toner. The electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d are developed with the toners of these colors. As a result, the document image information color-converted by the image forming unit 210 is reproduced as a toner image of each color.

  The paper P is sequentially transported to the image forming stations 227a to 227d by the transfer transport belt 216. The toner images developed on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d are transferred onto the paper P at the image forming stations 227a to 227b. That is, each color toner image is formed at each of the image forming stations 227a to 227d, and is superimposed on the sheet P conveyed by electrostatic attraction on the transfer conveyance belt 216. When the image transfer by all the image forming stations 227a to 227d is completed, the paper P is peeled off from the transfer conveyance belt 216 in order from the front end portion and conveyed to the fixing device 217.

  The fixing device 217 fixes the toner image transferred and formed on the paper P onto the paper P. The fixing device 217 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer conveyance belt mechanism 213 in the sheet conveyance path, and includes a pair of fixing rollers, an upper peeling member, and the like. As the paper P passes through the nip portion between the fixing rollers, the toner image is fixed on the paper P. Then, after the sheet P is peeled off from the fixing roller by the upper peeling member, it is conveyed to the discharge unit. A detailed configuration of the fixing device 217 will be described later.

  The paper discharge unit 229 discharges the paper P on which image formation has been completed to the outside of the digital color copying machine 1. The discharge unit 220 includes a conveyance direction switching gate 218, discharge rollers 219, and a discharge tray 220. The sheet P conveyed from the fixing device 217 is conveyed by a discharge roller 219 through a conveyance direction switching gate 218, and discharged from a sheet discharge port (not shown) attached to the outer wall of the digital color copying machine 1 main body. It is discharged onto the tray 220.

  The conveyance direction switching gate 218 switches the conveyance path of the paper P after the toner image is fixed, and includes a path for discharging the paper P to the paper discharge tray 220 and a path for resupplying the paper P toward the image forming unit 210. Are selectively switched. In the double-sided image formation mode, after an image is formed on one side of the paper P, the paper P is switched in the transport direction by the transport direction switching gate 218 so as to go to the image forming unit 210 again, and the switchback transport path 221. And then supplied again to the image forming unit 210. In the single-sided image forming mode, after an image is formed on one side of the paper P, it passes through the conveyance direction switching gate 218 and is directly discharged onto the paper discharge tray 220 attached to the outer wall of the digital color copying machine 1 by the discharge roller 219. Discharged.

  In the above description, the laser writing units 227a to 227d perform optical writing on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d by scanning and exposing a laser beam. However, in the present invention, as means for performing optical writing on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d, a solid-state scanning writing optical system (LED) including a light emitting diode array and an imaging lens array is used instead of the laser writing units 227a to 227d. Head) can also be used. The LED head is silent compared to the laser writing unit and is silent because there are no moving parts. Therefore, it can be suitably used in an image forming apparatus such as a tandem digital color copying machine that requires a plurality of optical writing units.

  Next, the fixing device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the fixing device, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the fixing device.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fixing device 217 includes an upper fixing roller (first roller) 250, a lower fixing roller (second roller) 251, an upper peeling member (peeling means) 252, an upper cleaning roller 253, Fixing roller temperature detector 254, lower peeling member 255, lower cleaning roller 256, lower fixing roller temperature detector 257, oil supply unit 258, guide plate (regulating means) 261, conveying roller 262, and supporting member (supporting means) 277 It has.

  The upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251 are arranged so as to be in pressure contact with each other, and the toner image transferred onto the paper P is fixed by passing the paper P through the pressure contact portion (nip portion). It is like that. Each of the upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251 has a configuration in which, for example, a silicone rubber layer is formed on an aluminum core, and heaters 259 and 260 made of a halogen lamp or the like are provided inside the core. Have. The heaters 259 and 260 are turned on / off under the control of a power supply unit (not shown) provided in the digital color copying machine 1.

  The upper peeling member 252, the upper cleaning roller 253, and the upper fixing roller temperature detector 254 are disposed around the upper fixing roller 250. The lower peeling member 255, the lower cleaning roller 256, and the lower fixing roller temperature detector 257 are disposed around the lower fixing roller 251.

  The upper peeling member 252 is for peeling the paper P adhering to the upper fixing roller 250 from the surface of the upper fixing roller 250. The upper peeling member 252 is not particularly limited as long as it is a flat plate member. For example, a member having a cross-sectional shape of a rectangle, a square, a triangle, a trapezoid, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, the upper peeling member 252 is formed using a thin film metal having elasticity (spring property) as a base material, and a member having a rectangular cross section is used. The upper peeling member 252 includes at least the tip of the base material, and a part or all of the base material is covered with a fluorine-based resin film or resin sheet.

  In addition, as a material which can be used for the said base material, if it is a metal which has desired elasticity, it will not specifically limit, For example, stainless steel can be mentioned. Further, the thickness of the upper peeling member 252 is not particularly limited as long as it is a thickness capable of stably peeling the paper P attached to the upper fixing roller 250. For example, a stainless steel sheet steel is used as a base material. When used, as shown in FIG. 4, the thickness T of the upper peeling member 252 can be 0.2 mm. The base material is bent a plurality of times so as not to bend or bend in the longitudinal direction, and can come into contact with the upper fixing roller 250.

  Examples of materials that can be used for the fluorine-based resin film or resin sheet include Teflon (registered trademark), polytetrafluoroethylene polymer (PTFE), and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer ( PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, Examples thereof include polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, and the like.

  The upper peeling member 252 is supported in a state where one end is attached to the support member 277. The support member 277 is fixed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material with respect to the conveyance roller 262. The support member 277 is preferably made of an elastic material and can be formed using a thin film metal. The support member 277 and the base material of the peeling member 252 may be the same material. In the present embodiment, the peeling member 252 is supported by the support member 277, but the peeling member 252 and the support member 277 may be integrated.

  The guide plate 261 restricts the movement of the support member 277 in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P transported by the transport roller 262. The support member 277 is fixed so as to be closer to the recording material conveyance path than the guide plate 261. For this reason, for example, even when a paper jam or the like of the paper P occurs and a strong force is applied to the peeling member 252, the movement of the support member 277 is restricted by the guide plate 261. Movement toward the upper fixing roller 250 is restricted. In order to more efficiently regulate the movement of the support member 277, the end of the guide plate 261 on the upper fixing roller 250 side is close to the end of the support member 277 on the upper fixing roller 250 side. It is preferable to be provided.

  Further, the support member 277 and the guide plate 261 are fixed by being attached to each other. The support member 277 and the guide plate 261 can be attached using a fastening member such as a screw. It is preferable that the attachment portion of the support member 277 and the guide plate 261 is further downstream in the transport direction of the paper P than the transport roller 262. By making the length of the upper peeling member 252 and the attachment portion longer, the elasticity of the support member 277 can be fully utilized. The length L0 of the attachment portion from the front fixing roller 250 side end portion of the upper peeling member 252 can be set to 50 mm, for example, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the side surface portion of the upper peeling member 252 is in contact with the upper fixing roller 250 along the longitudinal direction of the upper fixing roller 250. The side surface indicates a surface having the largest area among the surfaces of the flat upper peeling member 252, and the upper peeling member 252 is in contact with the upper fixing roller 250 at the side surface portion. That is, the upper peeling member 252 is provided so as to hit the fixing roller 250 at a portion covered with the fluorine resin film or the resin sheet. The position of the upper peeling member 252 that abuts on the upper fixing roller 250 may be a position that abuts on the side surface portion of the upper peeling member 252 and can stably peel the paper P attached to the upper fixing roller 250. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the length L1 from the central portion of the portion in contact with the upper fixing roller 250 to the end portion on the side where the paper P is peeled may be 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

  Further, since the surface of the base material of the peeling member 252 is covered with a fluorine-based resin film or resin sheet, it is possible to improve the slip between the upper peeling member 252 and the upper fixing roller 250. For this reason, the thickness t of the fluorine-based resin film or resin sheet to be coated may be a thickness that can improve the sliding between the upper peeling member 252 and the upper fixing roller 250. As shown in FIG. 7, the thickness can be 0.13 mm to 0.23 mm. In the present embodiment, the resin sheet is used for coating, but the surface of the upper peeling member 252 may be covered by coating.

  As described above, the upper peeling member 252 does not contact the upper fixing roller 250 at the tip portion, but is in contact with the side surface portion, so that the upper peeling member 252 is not in contact with the surface of the upper fixing roller 250. A space is formed. For this reason, the upper peeling member 252 does not damage the surface of the upper fixing roller 250, and when the release agent is applied to the surface of the upper fixing roller 250, the upper peeling member 252 removes the release agent. The release agent can pass between the upper peeling member 252 and the upper fixing roller 250 without being cut out.

  Further, the support member 277 is bent or curved to the opposite side with respect to the conveyance path of the paper P from the fixed portion where the support member 277 is fixed toward the support portion supporting the peeling member 252. It may be a shape. Specifically, the support member 277 may be bent upward (in the direction away from the conveyance path of the paper P) in the vicinity of the support portion. In this case, the peeling member 252 is supported facing downward (a direction approaching the conveyance path side of the paper P), and a side surface portion thereof comes into contact with the upper fixing roller 250.

  As described above, the support member 277 is bent or curved toward the support portion from the fixed portion to the opposite side of the conveyance path, and the peeling member 252 is supported toward the conveyance path side. The bending strength can be increased. Further, when the position at which the support member 277 is bent or curved is set in the vicinity of the position where the peeling member 252 and the upper fixing roller 250 are in contact (contact portion), the support member 277 is bent at a portion near the portion where the paper P is peeled off. Alternatively, since it bends, the bending strength in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the contact portion can be increased, and the distal end portion of the peeling member 252 on the contact portion side is hardly deformed. Further, the peeling member 252 can be easily brought into contact with the upper fixing roller 250.

  Further, the support member 277 preferably has a plurality of openings 263 between the support portion and the fixed portion. Providing the opening 263 increases the elasticity of the support member 277, so that a thicker metal can be used. In this case, the supporting member 277 with improved strength can be obtained while maintaining elasticity.

  When the support member 277 has the opening 263, the guide plate 261 preferably has one or more protrusions (beads) that protrude from the opening 263 toward the sheet conveyance path. Providing the protrusions on the guide plate 261 can reduce the area where the paper P contacts the support member 277 when the paper P after fixing is conveyed. That is, the sheet P is not conveyed while being in contact with the entire surface of the support member 277, but is conveyed while being in contact with only the protrusions. Thereby, since the contact resistance at the time of transporting the paper P can be reduced, the paper P can be transported easily without degrading the quality of the image formed on the paper P.

  Further, when the support member 252 has the opening 263, the transport roller 262 can be provided at the position of the opening 263. That is, the transport roller 262 can be provided so as to protrude from the opening 263. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide the transport roller 262 above or below the support member 277, and the fixing device 217 can be downsized. Further, since the position of the support member 277 can be brought close to the transport position of the paper P, the shape of the support member 277 can also be reduced.

  The conveyance roller 262 is a roller that conveys the fixed paper P that has passed through a portion (nip portion) where the upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251 are in pressure contact to the paper discharge unit 229.

  The lower peeling member 255 peels the paper P attached to the lower fixing roller 251 from the surface of the lower fixing roller 251. The lower peeling member 255 is provided in contact with the lower fixing roller 251 and may have the same configuration as the upper peeling member 252 or a conventional so-called peeling claw.

  The upper cleaning roller 253 is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the surface of the upper fixing roller 250. The upper cleaning roller 253 is a roller whose surface is made of felt, and collects offset toner adhering to the surface of the upper fixing roller 250. The lower cleaning roller 256 is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the surface of the lower fixing roller 251. The lower cleaning roller 256 is a roller whose surface is made of felt, and collects offset toner adhering to the surface of the lower fixing roller 251.

  The upper fixing roller temperature detector 254 is disposed in contact with the upper fixing roller 250, and the lower fixing roller temperature detector 257 is disposed in contact with the lower fixing roller 251. The upper fixing roller temperature detector 254 and the lower fixing roller temperature detector 257 detect the surface temperatures of the upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251 that are in contact with each other, and send the detection results to a fixing control unit (not shown). It is like that.

  The fixing control unit is provided in a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the digital color copying machine 1, and adjusts the temperatures of the upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251. In this adjustment, the fixing controller controls the operation of the power supply unit based on the detection results of the upper fixing roller temperature detector 254 and the lower fixing roller temperature detector 257, and is provided in the upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251. This is performed by turning on and off the heaters 259 and 260 that are the heat sources. For example, when the fixing control unit normally performs temperature control, the surface temperature of the upper fixing roller 250 is controlled to be 180 ° C.

  The oil supply unit 258 applies silicone oil as a release agent to the upper fixing roller 252. The oil supply unit 258 includes an oil tank (release agent container) 264, a supply pump 265, a supply tube 266, a pipe member (cylindrical body) 267, a guide member 268, an oil supply felt 269, an oil application roller 270, and an application blade. 271, an oil pan 272, and a collection tube 273.

  In this embodiment, silicone oil is used as the release agent, but the release agent is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent the toner from being offset to the upper fixing roller 250. Absent. The silicone oil preferably has a kinematic viscosity at 25 ° C. of 100 to 300 cs, and more preferably 100 cs. Silicone oils having a kinematic viscosity at 25 ° C. of less than 100 cs have a low flash point and are dangerous. Silicone oil having a kinematic viscosity at 25 ° C. exceeding 300 cs is difficult to supply using a piezo-type pump or a solenoid-type pump as the supply pump 265 described later.

  The substance used for the silicone oil is preferably a substance having a dimethylpolysiloxane structure. Silicone oil made of a substance having the above structure has a relatively small change in viscosity due to a change in temperature. The kinematic viscosity at 0 ° C. is about twice as high as that at 25 ° C., and the kinematic viscosity at 50 ° C. It has a characteristic that the viscosity is reduced to about ½ compared with the kinematic viscosity at 25 ° C. However, the viscosity change due to the temperature change is not limited to the above characteristics, and can be applied to the present invention when it is small. Further, when the viscosity change due to the temperature change is large, the configuration of each member described later may be adapted to the characteristics.

  The oil tank 264 contains silicone oil inside. The oil tank 264 may be capable of injecting silicone oil from the outside when silicone oil is insufficient, or may be replaceable together with the oil tank. The oil tank 264 is provided with a remaining amount sensor 274 for detecting the remaining amount of silicone oil in the oil tank 264, and always detects the amount of silicone oil in the oil tank 264.

  The supply pump 265 is a pump for discharging the silicone oil in the oil tank 264. One end of the supply pump 265 is connected to the oil tank 264 and the other end is connected to the supply tube 266. The supply pump 265 may be any pump that can discharge the silicone oil in the oil tank 264, but is preferably a piezo-type or solenoid-type pump. Piezo-type pumps are operated by the frequency of an AC power source, and solenoid-type pumps are driven by a DC power source. Piezo-type pumps are more expensive than solenoid-type pumps, so it is preferable to use solenoid-type pumps in order to reduce the cost of digital color copying machines.

  The solenoid pump is driven by a pulsed current output from a DC power source. Specifically, for example, driving is performed by supplying a pulse current of 3 ms to 50 ms at a cycle of 30 ms to 300 ms. The flow rate of the silicone oil discharged from the pump can be adjusted by adjusting the width and period of the pulse current supplied to the solenoid type pump. For example, the flow rate is 1 to 100 cc / min. It can be set to be within the range. In addition, when a permeable member is used as the guide member 268 described later, the silicone oil is 4 to 5 cc / min. However, since the non-permeable member is used in the present invention, the flow rate of the silicone oil is set to 2 to 3 cc / min. Can be reduced.

  The supply tube 266 is for supplying the silicone oil in the oil tank 264 to the pipe member 267, and has one end connected to the supply pump 265 and the other end connected to the pipe member 267.

  The pipe member 267 supplies the silicone oil supplied via the supply tube 266 to the guide member 268. The pipe member 267 is a so-called pipe-shaped member that extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper fixing roller 250 and has a hollow inside. That is, the pipe member 267 is preferably cylindrical, and more preferably cylindrical. The pipe member 267 has a plurality of holes along its longitudinal direction. The silicone oil supplied to the inside of the pipe member 267 overflows from the plurality of holes. Thus, since the pipe member 267 has a plurality of holes along its longitudinal direction, the silicone oil can be evenly supplied to the longitudinal direction of the guide member 268.

  The most downstream end of the pipe member 267 (the end opposite to the end connected to the supply tube 266) preferably has a shape that does not allow silicone oil to leak out. For example, a member whose end on the most downstream side is not open may be used, and the member whose end on the most downstream side is open is treated so that silicone oil does not leak (termination). Also good. As such a process, for example, a so-called caulking process in which an end portion is crushed with a press or the like can be exemplified.

  The guide member 268 is disposed below the pipe member 267 so that one end thereof faces the pipe member 267. The guide member 268 and the pipe member 267 may be in contact or may not be in contact. The other end is sandwiched between a base 275 and an elastic guide support member (e.g., formed from a stainless steel plate having a thickness of 0.2 mm) 276 and is fixed so that the guide member 268 does not wave. . By suppressing the wave of the guide member 268, a uniform silicone oil can be supplied. Further, the guide member 268 is formed such that the longitudinal width at the distal end portion on the guide support member 276 side is equal to or longer than the width of the guide support member 276, and the position of the distal end portion is the base. It is formed in the length which is the same as the front-end | tip, or exceeds the base 275. As a result, the guide support member 276 is prevented from being tilted and fixed. The size of the front end portion of the guide member 268 on the guide support member 276 side is substantially the same as or larger than the size of the portion where the guide support member 276 and the base 275 face each other, whereby the guide support member 276 is provided. It is possible to suppress the wave weir formed by, and to make a weir with a uniform height.

  The width of the guide member 268 is preferably narrower than the width of the paper P to be used. Even in this case, there is no problem because the weir is formed at the boundary between the guide member 268 and the guide support member 276, so that the silicone oil spreads sufficiently in the longitudinal direction. In consideration of the above-described termination processing of the pipe member 267, the apparatus size in the longitudinal direction of the fixing device 217 (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) can be reduced due to the narrow width of the guide member 268.

  Further, in the case where a weir is formed by the guide support member 276, silicone oil tends to flow down at both ends in the longitudinal direction due to the weir. For this reason, you may provide a partition in the both ends of the longitudinal direction of the guide member 268. FIG. Thereby, it can prevent that silicone oil flows down from the both ends of a longitudinal direction.

  As the guide member 268, it is preferable to use a thinly-formable material such as plastic or metal. Further, it is preferable to use a material having heat resistance (about 200 ° C.) and oil resistance. Specifically, a plastic plate such as polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyamide, or a metal plate such as a stainless steel plate can be used. Furthermore, it is preferable that the silicone oil that overflows from the pipe member 267 does not permeate. When a permeable material (for example, felt) is used as the guide member, the capillary phenomenon is almost only in the guide member, and the diffusibility in the longitudinal direction is reduced. Further, it is not preferable because the silicone oil stays inside the felt and tends to be deteriorated, or the flow rate of the silicone oil has to be increased.

  When a material having low rigidity (having elasticity) is used as the guide member 268, for example, when a plastic film or a metal thin plate is used, a pipe member is used by utilizing the elasticity of the film member or metal thin plate. What is necessary is just to curve and fix so that it may go to 267. When the guide member 268 is brought into contact with the pipe member 267, the guide member 268 may be bent so as to be surely brought into contact with the pipe member 267 and fixed to the base 275 with a fastening member such as a screw. When the pipe member 267 is not brought into contact with the pipe member 267, the base member 275 may be fixed to the base 275 with a fastening member such as a screw in a curved state.

  When fixing using a fastening member, it is easier to assemble than when using an adhesive or the like, and the amount of adhesive to be used is partially different, so that the diffusibility of silicone oil ( It is possible to prevent the uniform supply ability from being impaired. Further, the guide member 268 is not peeled off during use of the digital color copying machine 1, and the guide member 268 can be easily replaced.

  Further, the preferable thickness of the guide member 268 may be appropriately changed according to the material to be used, but is preferably about 0.025 mm to 0.25 mm, and more preferably 0.1 mm. If it is thinner than 0.0025 mm, it is easy to break during assembly at the factory, and the elastic force is reduced. When it is thicker than 0.25 mm, the elastic force is too strong and hard, and it is difficult to follow the pipe member 267 in the curved state, and the assemblability is significantly lowered.

  Since the guide member 268 is thin, it is easily deformed moderately. In particular, the repulsive force of the guide member 268 is generated at the time of assembly, so that it is more easily deformed. For this reason, it is preferable to attach a double-sided tape to the tip portion of the guide member 268. Thereby, the guide member 268 can be temporarily fixed to the base 275 or the guide support member 276, and workability at the time of attachment can be improved.

  The shape of the guide member 268 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply silicone oil to the oil supply felt 269. For example, the longitudinal width may always be a constant shape in the short direction, or a different shape. The shape in which the width in the longitudinal direction differs in the short direction is, for example, a shape in which the width becomes wider toward the oil supply felt 269.

  The guide support member 276 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports so as to discharge excess silicone oil. This is because when a large amount of silicone oil overflows, the uniformity is likely to be lost, so that excess silicone oil is discharged and the uniformity is maintained.

  The silicone oil overflowing from the pipe member 267 descends along the wall surface of the guide member 268 and reaches the oil supply felt while being diffused in the longitudinal direction by capillary action. That is, the guide member 268 has a slight inclination so as to be lowered toward an oil application roller 270, which will be described later. The guide member 268 is lowered by transmitting silicone oil to both sides thereof, and the silicone oil is applied to the oil supply felt 269. It comes to supply.

  The oil supply felt 269 is disposed on the guide support member 276 so as to be in pressure contact with the oil application roller 270. Silicone oil supplied via the guide member 268 soaks into the oil supply felt 269. The silicone oil is once soaked in the oil supply felt 269 and then supplied to the oil application roller 270 via the oil supply felt 269. By using the oil supply felt 269, the silicone oil can be uniformly supplied in the longitudinal direction of the oil application roller 270.

  The oil supply felt 269 may be any material that can be supplied with the release agent such as silicone oil and supplied to the oil application roller 270. For example, heat-resistant nomex felt can be used. The thickness of the oil supplying felt 269 is preferably about 1 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably 3 mm. The width in the longitudinal direction of the oil supply felt 269 is preferably longer than the maximum sheet width used for image formation.

  The oil application roller 270 is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the upper fixing roller 250. The oil application roller 270 is a roller whose surface is made of rubber, and applies the silicone oil supplied from the oil supply felt 269 to the surface of the upper fixing roller 250 that comes into contact therewith. The oil application roller 270 supplied with the silicone oil forms a thin silicone oil layer 278 on the surface thereof.

  The width in the longitudinal direction of the oil application roller 270 is preferably longer than the maximum sheet width used for image formation. Further, the longitudinal width of the oil application roller 270 is preferably shorter than the longitudinal width of the upper fixing roller 250, and is preferably the same as or slightly shorter than the longitudinal width of the oil supply felt 270. It is preferably shorter than the width in the longitudinal direction of the coating blade 271 described later.

  The applicator blade 271 is disposed so as to contact the oil applicator roller 270 and regulates the silicone oil supplied to the oil applicator roller 270 so that it is uniformly dispersed on the oil applicator roller 270. By uniforming the dispersion of the silicone oil with the application blade 271, a uniform and constant amount of silicone oil can be supplied to the upper fixing roller 250. As a result, the silicone oil becomes a uniform thin film over the entire surface of the upper fixing roller 250.

  The oil pan 272 is a dish-like member disposed below the oil application roller 270 and the oil supply felt 269. Excess silicone oil that has not been used for application to the upper fixing roller 250 falls from the oil application roller 270, the oil supply felt 269, and the like, and is collected by the oil pan 272.

  The recovery tube 273 has one end connected to the oil pan 272 and the other end connected to the oil tank 265. Silicone oil recovered by the oil pan 272 is returned to the oil tank 264 via the recovery tube 273.

  As described above, the silicone oil circulates in the oil supply unit 258 and is applied to the upper fixing roller 250. Further, when the amount of silicone oil in the oil tank 264 is likely to be insufficient than the amount necessary for circulation, the situation is detected by the remaining amount sensor 274 and displayed on an operation panel or the like provided in the digital color copying machine 1. Thus, it is possible to prompt the user to replenish oil, or to temporarily control the digital color copying machine 1 to an unusable state. In the case of controlling to the unusable state, the control may be performed so that the normal operation is possible when the silicone oil is replenished.

  Next, a series of image forming operations in the digital color copying machine 1 will be described.

  When image data is input to the digital color copying machine 1, the laser writing units 227a to 227d expose the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d according to the input image data, and the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d. An electrostatic latent image is formed on 222d.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by developing devices 224a to 224d. On the other hand, the paper P accumulated in the paper tray 233 is separated one by one by the paper feed roller 234, transported to the paper transport path, and temporarily held by the registration roller 212. The registration roller 212 controls the conveyance timing so that the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d is aligned with the leading edge of the image forming area of the paper P based on a detection signal of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). Then, the paper P is conveyed to the transfer belt 7 in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d. The sheet P is electrostatically attracted and conveyed on the transfer conveyance belt 216.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d onto the paper P is performed by transfer rollers 225a to 225d provided to face the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d via the transfer conveyance belt 216. A high voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer rollers 225 a to 225 d, whereby a toner image is formed on the paper P. Four types of toner images corresponding to the respective colors are sequentially superimposed on the paper P conveyed by the transfer conveyance belt 216.

  Thereafter, the paper P is conveyed to the fixing device 217. The sheet P passes through the nip portion between the upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251. At this time, the toner image is fixed on the paper P by heating and pressing the upper fixing roller 250 and the lower fixing roller 251.

  The upper fixing roller 250 is coated with silicone oil, and a silicone oil layer 278 is formed on the surface of the upper fixing roller 250. The sheet P after the toner image is fixed is moved along with the rotation of the upper fixing roller 250 while being attached to the upper fixing roller 250 via the silicone oil layer 278. Normally, the paper P is peeled off from the upper fixing roller 250 before reaching the upper peeling member 252. However, when the paper P is thin, for example, when the paper P is thin or weak, the upper fixing roller 250 When the paper P with the front end slightly peeled off from the surface reaches the upper peeling member 252, the slightly peeled end of the paper P and the end of the upper peeling member 252 come into contact with each other, and the paper P is fixed upward. It peels without being caught by the roller 250.

  Further, the silicone oil layer 278 on the surface of the upper fixing roller 250 also moves as the upper fixing roller 250 rotates. However, since the upper peeling member 252 is in contact with the upper fixing roller 250 at its side surface, the silicone oil layer 278 can pass between the upper peeling member 252 and the upper fixing roller 250.

  When the paper P after fixing adheres to the lower fixing roller 251, the paper P is peeled off by the lower peeling member 255.

  Then, the conveyance path is switched by the conveyance direction switching gate 218 via the conveyance roller 262 and conveyed to the paper discharge tray 220 or the image forming unit 210.

  When the transfer onto the paper P is completed, the cleaning devices 226a to 226d collect and remove the toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d. Further, the toner adhering to the transfer conveyance belt 216 is collected and removed, and the series of image forming operations is completed.

  In the above embodiment, a digital color copying machine is described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, in the digital color copying machine, it is very important to use a release agent. This is because the quality of image formation greatly depends on the state. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is also effective for monochrome image forming apparatuses.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  As described above, by using the fixing device according to the present invention, the surface of the fixing roller is not damaged, and when the release agent is used, the release agent is not removed. High-quality image formation can be performed. Therefore, the fixing device according to the present invention can be particularly suitably used for an apparatus for forming various images. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used in the industrial field of manufacturing various electronic / electrical devices and components thereof, including the industrial field related to fixing devices and image forming apparatuses.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of main parts of an upper fixing roller and an upper peeling member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an upper fixing roller and an upper peeling member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an upper fixing roller and an upper peeling member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of main parts of an upper fixing roller and an upper peeling member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a general configuration of a fixing device according to a related art. It is sectional drawing which shows a prior art and shows schematic structure of a fixing roller and a peeling member.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital color copier (image forming device)
217 Fixing device 250 First roller (upper fixing roller)
251 Second roller (lower fixing roller)
252 Upper peeling member (peeling means)
261 Guide plate (regulation means)
262 Conveyance roller 263 Opening 277 Support member (support means)

Claims (7)

A first image and a second roller provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other, a release agent is applied to the first roller, and a visible image on the recording material conveyed between the first roller and the second roller In the fixing device for fixing the agent image,
A flat plate peeling means for peeling the recording material attached to the first roller in contact with the developer image;
A side portion of the peeling means contacts the first roller;
A support means for supporting the peeling means;
The support means is fixed at the end opposite to the peeling means side on the downstream side of the recording material in the conveyance direction from the conveyance roller for conveying the recording material on which the developer image is fixed ,
The peeling means extends from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the first roller,
The fixing device, wherein the peeling means and the supporting means are formed by a single metal plate having elasticity, and the supporting means is bent with respect to the peeling means. A regulating means is provided for regulating movement of the support means in a direction in which the peeling means moves toward the first roller;
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting unit is provided closer to the recording material conveyance path than the regulating unit.   The said support means has a several opening part between the support part which supports the peeling means, and the fixing | fixed part to which this support means is fixed, The claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The fixing device described.   The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the restricting unit has a plurality of protrusions, and the protrusions protrude from the opening toward the recording material conveyance path.   5. The fixing device according to claim 3, further comprising a conveyance roller configured to convey a recording material on which the developer image is fixed, wherein the conveyance roller is provided so as to protrude from the opening. .   6. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the peeling means is covered with a fluorine-based resin compound.   An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1.

Images