JP4543670B2 - Fixing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fixing device used for fixing an unfixed image by heat and pressure in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and more particularly, for fixing to form a nip portion through which a recording medium passes. A fixing device sliding member (sheet-like sliding member ) interposed between the pressing member that presses from the inside of the tubular body ( resin film tubular body) toward the fixing member and the fixing tubular body ( resin film tubular body). It relates to the fixing device used.

  In electrophotographic image formation in printers, copiers, facsimiles, etc., it is necessary to go through a process of fixing a toner image by heating and pressurizing a recording paper or the like on which an unfixed toner image is formed through an image fixing device. As such an image fixing apparatus, a belt nip method using a heat resistant plastic film tubular body is known. In this belt nip system, a film tubular body is circumscribed on a driving type fixing roll, an elastic pressing member is inscribed against the film tubular body portion of the circumscribed portion, a sliding sheet is installed therebetween, and oil is supplied. The nip portion is formed between the fixing roll and the film tubular body, and the toner image is fixed while the recording paper passes through the nip portion.

In such a belt nip method, in order to guarantee an excellent fixed image and fixability, it is necessary to prevent a slip between the fixing roll and the recording paper and a slip between the recording paper and the film tubular body. It is essential. Therefore, when the friction coefficient between the fixing roll and the recording paper is μa, the friction coefficient between the recording paper and the film tubular body is μb, and the friction coefficient between the film tubular body and the elastic pressing member is μc, at least , Μa> μc, and μb> μc. In order to reduce the friction coefficient μc in this way, conventionally, a coating layer (low friction sheet) made of a glass fiber sheet coated and baked with a fluororesin is coated on the elastic pressing member, and the coating layer and the film tubular body It has been proposed that various modified silicone oils be interposed as lubricants (for example, JP-A-10-213984 and JP-A-2001-249558).
JP-A-10-213984 JP 2001-249558 A

  Such a coating layer (low friction sheet) made of a glass fiber sheet coated and baked with a conventionally used fluororesin has at least a sliding surface with the inner surface of the film tubular body in order to retain the lubricant. It is composed of a porous shape. However, since the sliding surface of the low friction sheet is formed in a porous shape, it has been found that the following points are not sufficient.

  That is, the outermost coated fluororesin layer is worn out over a long period of use, and the glass fiber sheet as a reinforcing base material is exposed, and this surface wears the inner surface of the belt, resulting in belt reliability. Damage, accumulation of wear powder, and direct contact between the glass fiber surface and the belt inner surface, increasing the coefficient of friction between the inner peripheral surface of the film tubular body (endless belt) and the surface of the low friction sheet, and fixing. The roll drive torque increases. As a result, the stress acting on the gear receiving portion of the thin fixing roll core increases, causing damage to the gear and the core. Of course, the burden on the motor also increases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems and achieve the following object. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image fixing device that realizes a stable film tubular body (belt) running using a fixing device sliding member having high heat stability that can withstand long-term use. There is.

The present inventors, in order to achieve the above object, toward a focus on improving the reliability of the sliding member, material properties (strength that make up the sliding member, elastic, plastic, low friction property, heat resistance, As a result of earnest research on thermal conductivity, reactivity, geometric characteristics, filler particle size, filler shape, filler added amount, filler type, etc.), the sliding surface is composed of a non-porous heat-resistant resin layer In addition, by adding a filler to this, it has been found that reliability in long-term use is improved, and the present invention has been completed. The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the present invention

(1) a drive member;
A resin film tubular body that is rotatably arranged in pressure contact with the drive member and in which a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image is held in a nip formed between the drive member;
A pressing member that is disposed inside the resin film tubular body and presses the resin film tubular body toward the drive member;
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the resin film tubular body and the pressing member;
A lubricant interposed between the resin film tubular body and the sheet-like sliding member;
A heating source for heating the nip portion;
In the fixing device provided with
The sheet-like sliding member is composed of a non-porous sheet having at least a sliding surface containing a heat-resistant resin, and the fixing is made by providing the non-porous sheet on a substrate having irregularities on the surface. A fixing device which is a sliding member for a device.
(2) a fixing member that is rotatably arranged;
A resin film tubular body that is disposed in pressure contact with the fixing member so as to be rotatable and that holds a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image in a nip formed between the fixing member;
A pressing member that is disposed inside the resin film tubular body and presses the resin film tubular body toward the fixing member;
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the resin film tubular body and the pressing member;
A lubricant interposed between the resin film tubular body and the sheet-like sliding member;
A heating source for heating the nip portion;
In the fixing device provided with
The sheet-like sliding member is composed of a non-porous sheet having at least a sliding surface containing a heat-resistant resin, and the fixing is made by providing the non-porous sheet on a substrate having irregularities on the surface. A fixing device which is a sliding member for a device.

(3) surface roughness depth Rt of the sliding surface, fixing device according to the, characterized in that the range of 1.0Myuemu～50.0Myuemu (1) or (2).

( 4 ) The fixing device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the heat resistant resin is a fluororesin.

( 5 ) The said fluororesin is at least 1 sort (s) selected from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), and these modified bodies, The said ( 4 ) characterized by the above-mentioned. Fixing device .

( 6 ) The fixing device according to ( 4 ), wherein the fluororesin is a modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) obtained by irradiating ionizing radiation.

( 7 ) The fixing device according to any one of (1) to ( 6 ), wherein the non-porous sheet contains a filler together with the heat-resistant resin.

( 8 ) The fixing device according to ( 7 ), wherein the filler is a lubricious filler having a layered structure.

( 9 ) The fixing device according to ( 7 ) or ( 8 ), wherein the filler is a conductive filler.

( 10 ) The above ( 7 ) to ( 7 ), wherein the filler comprises a heat resistant resin, and the heat resistant resin is selected from an imide resin, an amide resin, and an aromatic polyester resin. 9 ) The fixing device according to any one of the above.

( 11 ) The fixing device according to any one of ( 7 ) to ( 10 ), wherein the filler is a reinforcing filler having a needle-like, fibrous, or tetrapot-like structure.

( 12 ) The fixing device according to any one of ( 7 ) to ( 11 ), wherein the filler contains at least one kind of filler.

( 13 ) The amount of the filler added is in a range of 1.0 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the heat-resistant resin, according to any one of ( 7 ) to ( 13 ), The fixing device described.

  (13) The electrophotographic apparatus sliding member according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the non-porous sheet is provided on a substrate having irregularities on the surface.

( 14 ) The fixing device according to any one of (1) to ( 13 ), wherein the base material includes a woven fabric.

( 15 ) The fixing device according to any one of (1) to ( 13 ), wherein the base material includes a woven fabric made of glass fiber.

( 16 ) The non-porous sheet and the base material, wherein the base material is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, and the thermoplastic resin is used as an adhesive and heated and pressed to be laminated. The fixing device according to any one of ( 1 ) to ( 15 ).

( 17 ) The fixing device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the pressing member and the sheet-like sliding member are integrated.

( 18 ) The lubricant is a synthetic lubricant grease, dimethyl silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil added with an organic metal salt, hindered amine added dimethyl silicone oil, organometallic salt and hindered amine added dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, organic metal salt added. The amino acid-modified silicone oil, hindered amine-added amino-modified silicone oil, perfluoropolyether oil, or modified perfluoropolyether oil, characterized in that any one of (1) to (17) above Fixing device.

In the fixing device of the present invention, the sliding member for the fixing device has a sliding surface (a surface in contact with the inner surface of the fixing tubular body) formed of a non-porous sheet including a heat resistant resin, The sliding member (inside the sheet) is not impregnated with the lubricant. For example, the friction with the inner surface of the fixing tubular body is reduced while retaining the lubricant with the geometric shape and chemical affinity of the sliding surface. Plan. For this reason, it becomes a sliding member with high heat stability which can endure long-term use. In addition, chemical alteration due to surface swelling by the lubricant is not caused, and it is possible to prevent image quality defects such as fixed image disturbance due to variations in the nip shape.

As described above, according to the present invention, as a sliding member, a non-porous material comprising a heat resistant resin (for example, a fluororesin) excellent in heat stability and low friction that can withstand long-term use. It is possible to provide an image fixing device that uses a sheet and realizes stable belt travel.
In addition, when a suitable amount of filler is added to the non-porous sheet, it is possible to simultaneously impart more suitable characteristics such as a desired surface roughness depth Rt, conductivity, strength, lubricity, etc. It is possible to provide a fixing device with higher reliability.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, what has the substantially same function is attached | subjected and demonstrated through the whole figure, and the description may be abbreviate | omitted depending on the case.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a fixing device including a fixing tubular body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, a resin film tubular body 2 is circumscribed on a drive-type fixing roll 1 (driving member), and a support 31 is provided to the resin film tubular body 2 (fixing tubular body) portion of the circumscribed portion. A pressing member A, which is mounted with an elastic body 32 and covered with a sheet-like sliding member 33, is inscribed, and a nip portion n is formed between the fixing roll 1 and the resin film tubular body 2. The toner image 41 is fixed while the recording medium 4 passes through the nip portion n. The travel guide 35 is fixed to the support 31. Further, a lubricant is interposed on the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 with respect to the resin film tubular body 2. At both ends of the belt traveling guide 35, rib-shaped members (not shown) that restrict the displacement of the resin film tubular body 2 are provided.

  The fixing roll 1 and the resin film tubular body 2 are heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating sources 11 and 21, and rotate in the directions of arrows, respectively. A lubricant is interposed on the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 with respect to the resin film tubular body 2, and the lubricant is supplied to the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2. The lubricant supplied to the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2 is rotated and supplied to the sliding contact surface side of the nip portion. In addition, the resin film tubular body 2 may be supported in an unstretched state, or may be supported in a stretched manner, for example, by being stretched over a plurality of rolls.

The sheet-like sliding member 33 is composed of a non-porous sheet made of a heat resistant resin. Here, the term “non-porous” means that the lubricant does not have pores that are impregnated inside, and 0.01 mg / mm ^{3 to} 0.2 mg / mm ³ (preferably 0. 01 mg / mm ^{3 to} 0.15 mg / mm ³ ). The amount of oil impregnation is the difference between the weight after the oil is applied on the sheet and the roll around which the paper is wrapped is pressed with a force of 5 kg / cm ² for 1 minute and the dry weight. It is a value calculated by.

  The heat-resistant resin is not particularly limited as long as it has sufficient heat resistance with respect to the fixing temperature. Specifically, thermosetting polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyamide, polyamideimide, silicone resin, fluorine resin, etc. Is mentioned. Among these, a fluororesin is preferable from the viewpoints of workability, friction characteristics, and high chemical affinity with a lubricant.

Examples of the fluororesin include polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE), perfluoropolyvinyl ether resin (PFA), and modified products thereof (for example, those obtained by copolymerizing polytetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropolyvinyl ether). These fluororesins are particularly suitable because of their excellent processability and friction characteristics.

  Further, as the fluororesin, a modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) obtained by irradiating ionizing radiation (for example, electron beam, γ-ray, neutron beam, X-ray, high energy ion, etc.) may be used. preferable. This modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin can improve wear resistance and durability, and can improve long-term stability.

Note that the modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin is, for example, a commercially available PTFE powder of 10 ³ to 10 ⁷ m ² 2s ⁻² (1 kGy to 10 MGy) ionizing radiation in an inert atmosphere at 300 ° C. or higher. It can be produced by irradiating and pulverizing with a jet mill or the like so as to have the aforementioned volume average particle diameter. Here, the inert atmosphere refers to an atmosphere mainly composed of a rare gas or N ² gas, for example. Heating to 300 ° C. or higher activates the molecular motion of the main chain constituting the fluororesin, and as a result, the intermolecular cross-linking reaction can be efficiently promoted. However, excessive heating leads to the cleavage and decomposition of the molecular main chain, so that the heating temperature is preferably 310 to 340 ° C. in order to suppress the occurrence of such a depolymerization phenomenon. .

  These fluororesins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The non-porous sheet can be produced, for example, as follows. First, PTFE molding powder (trade name: Teflon (R) 7-J (manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemical Co., Ltd.)) is filled in a predetermined mold, compression molded, and then heated and fired at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to form a molded body. obtain. Thereafter, the sheet is skived to a predetermined thickness with a metal blade to obtain a sheet. Moreover, when filling with a filler, after mixing and dispersing with powder, a similar process is obtained to obtain a sheet. When laminating a sheet on a substrate having an irregular shape, the inner surface of the sheet is chemically or physically treated, an adhesive is applied, and the pressure is applied while heating, and the sheet is heated to the melting point or higher. You can also use the method of fusing

  The sliding surface of the non-porous sheet, that is, the surface roughness depth Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 is preferably in the range of 1.0 μm to 50.0 μm from the viewpoint of retaining the lubricant on the sliding surface. More preferably, it is 1.0-30.0 micrometer, More preferably, it is 1.0-20. It is. If the surface roughness depth Rt is less than 1.0 μm, the effect of retaining the lubricant on the sliding surface may be weakened and the frictional resistance may be increased. May occur.

  Here, the surface roughness depth Rt is measured based on the old JIS82 standard B0601, and specifically, the sheet surface is palpated using a surface roughness measuring instrument (Surfcom; manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.). Measured. The measurement conditions at that time are a measurement length of 2.5 mm, a cutoff wavelength of 0.25 mm, a measurement speed of 0.06 mm / s, an inclination correction by calculating a least square line, and 25 ° C./50%.

  For the purpose of imparting a desired surface roughness depth Rt, conductivity, strength, lubricity, and the like, it is also preferable for the non-porous sheet to contain a filler. As the filler, a lubricating filler having a layered structure (for example, molybdenum disulfide, hexagonal boron nitride, mica, graphite, tungsten disulfide, talc), a conductive filler (for example, carbon black, graphite), Examples of the filler include a heat-resistant resin (for example, a filler in which the heat-resistant resin is selected from an imide resin, an amide resin, and an aromatic polyester resin: for example, polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, and aramid).

  These fillers are preferably reinforcing fillers having a needle-like, fibrous, or tetrapot-like structure from the viewpoint of improving the strength of the sheet-like sliding member. Moreover, although a filler may be used individually by 1 type, it is good to use 2 or more types together from a viewpoint which provides a some function.

  The amount of filler added is preferably in the range of 1.0 to 30.0 parts by mass, more preferably 2.0 to 25.0 parts by mass, and even more preferably 5.0 to 20 parts per 100 parts by mass of the fluororesin. 0.0 part by mass. If the amount added is less than 1.0 part by weight, for example, the conductivity, reinforcement, and lubrication imparting effect may be weakened. An increase may occur.

Sheet slidable member 33 comprises a substrate having an uneven front surface (hereinafter, simply referred to as "substrate") on, multilayer structure in which the nonporous sheet is employed. By providing a non-porous sheet on this substrate, the surface shape along the unevenness of the substrate surface also appears on the surface of the non-porous sheet (sliding surface), and the surface shape such as the surface roughness depth Rt Can be given. By making the sheet-like sliding member 33 have the above laminated structure, the surface shape such as the surface roughness depth Rt of the non-porous sheet surface (sliding surface) can be maintained over a long period of time. In addition, the magnitude | size of the unevenness | corrugation on the base-material surface is suitably selected by surface shapes, such as the said surface roughness depth Rt of the desired non-porous sheet.

  Here, when a non-porous sheet is provided on a base material, the thickness of the non-porous sheet tends to appear on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet due to the surface shape along the unevenness of the surface of the base material to be laminated. Thus, it is preferable that it is 10-50 micrometers, More preferably, it is 10-30 micrometers. If this thickness is too thick, the unevenness of the substrate cannot be reproduced sufficiently, and if it is too thin, the substrate may be exposed when wear or the like occurs, leading to an increase in sliding resistance.

  Examples of the substrate having irregularities on the surface include a porous fiber sheet. The porous fiber sheet is made of a resin having a large number of fine pores. For example, the porous fiber sheet is made porous by foaming the resin, or made porous by stretching the resin uniaxially or biaxially. Or what was manufactured by baking shaping | molding etc. can be used, for example, what made the fiber woven with these porous resin and porous resin into a thin film can be used.

  Even if the porous fiber sheet is not made by making the fiber itself porous, it is also preferable that the porous fiber sheet is made of a fiber woven fabric made of a resin made porous by weaving the fiber. The woven fabric has advantages that the surface irregularities are equally spaced and that the surface irregularities can be easily controlled by arbitrarily setting the thickness of the warp and weft fibers. is there.

  The material of the porous fiber sheet may be appropriately selected from polyethylene resin, fluororesin, etc., but considering heat resistance, durability, etc., porous PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PFA (tetrafluoroethylene) It is preferable to use an ethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer) or FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer). Among these, glass fiber and aramid fiber are preferable from the viewpoint that strength can be added, and glass fiber is particularly preferable.

  From these viewpoints, the base material is most preferably composed of a woven fabric of glass fibers.

  As a manufacturing method of the sheet-like sliding member 33 having a multilayer structure in which the nonporous sheet is provided on a substrate having irregularities on the surface, a method of directly thermocompression bonding the nonporous sheet to the surface of the substrate, Examples include a method of adhering a non-porous sheet to the surface of the substrate with an adhesive. In the method in which a non-porous sheet is directly heat-pressed on the surface of a substrate, a part of the non-porous sheet is impregnated into a substrate having irregularities and is usually adhered to the substrate convex portion. There may be a problem that the thickness of the film-like non-porous material cannot be ensured, or that the surface shape along the unevenness of the surface of the substrate hardly appears on the sliding surface of the film-like non-porous material. In addition, there are few methods using reactive adhesives that can ensure sufficient heat resistance against heat applied during fixing, and there are restrictions on handling such as reactive adhesives having poor storage stability. Is the current situation. In addition, in the method using an adhesive of a type that volatilizes the solvent and expresses adhesiveness, in order to make the surface shape of the base material appear on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet, it is necessary to press-bond, Problems such as insufficient volatilization of the solvent and blistering due to gas may occur.

  For this reason, the most preferable method is to infiltrate a thermoplastic resin into a substrate having irregularities on the surface, and use this as an adhesive to heat and press the substrate and the non-porous sheet, thereby laminating them.

  In this method, a thermoplastic resin that can secure sufficient heat resistance against the heat applied during fixing is used as an adhesive, and it is used as a fixing member by heating and pressure bonding at a temperature that exhibits thermoplasticity in the manufacturing process. It is possible to ensure the heat resistance at the time.

  In addition, since a thermoplastic resin is used as an adhesive in this method, it is difficult for a part of the non-porous sheet to impregnate a substrate having irregularities, and the necessary thickness of the non-porous sheet cannot be secured. There is no problem that the surface shape along the surface irregularities hardly appears on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet.

  In this method, since the thermoplastic resin is infiltrated into the base material and this is used as an adhesive, there are few problems such as poor storage stability of the reactive adhesive and handling restrictions, and the process of volatilizing the solvent and the solvent There is no problem of gas bulging due to insufficient volatilization.

  Further, in this method, since the thermoplastic resin is infiltrated into the base material, the base material strength can be improved, and the warp and weft of the base material woven fabric can be prevented from being displaced or unraveled (raised). It is possible to prevent the penetration of the lubricant from the cross section generated when cutting into a shape necessary for incorporation into the fixing device, and to prevent the loss of the lubricant.

  Here, as a method of infiltrating the thermoplastic resin into the base material, a method of impregnating and drying the base material having unevenness in advance, or sandwiching a film-like thermoplastic resin sheet between the base material and the non-porous sheet, For example, a method of bonding while allowing the thermoplastic resin to permeate when pressure bonding under overheating may be used. Furthermore, if necessary, the bonding surface of the non-porous sheet may be given a fine uneven shape (which is of course much smaller than the unevenness of the substrate with unevenness) to increase the bonding area, or chemical treatment Or electron beam treatment or ultraviolet treatment.

  Examples of the thermoplastic resin include low molecular weight fluororesins (PFA, PTFE, EFA, MFA, FEP). Needless to say, the melting point of the thermoplastic resin used is equal to or lower than the melting point of the film-like non-porous material.

Hereinafter, other members of the present embodiment will be described.
The fixing roll 1 as a fixing member is not particularly limited in shape, structure, size, etc., and can be appropriately selected from those known per se according to the purpose. The heat-fixing roll generally has a cylindrical core and an elastic layer formed on the surface thereof, and includes a heating source inside the core. Further, a release layer may be formed on the surface of the elastic layer. The formation of the release layer is advantageous in that the offset of the toner image can be suitably prevented and the image fixing apparatus can be operated in a stable state.

  The material of the core is not particularly limited as long as the material is excellent in mechanical strength and heat conductivity, and examples thereof include metals such as aluminum, SUS, iron, and copper, alloys, ceramics, and FRM.

  The material of the elastic layer can be appropriately selected from known materials for the elastic layer, and examples thereof include silicone rubber and fluororubber. In the present invention, among these materials, silicone rubber is preferable because it has a small surface tension and is excellent in elasticity. Examples of the silicone rubber include RTV silicone rubber and HTV silicone rubber. Specifically, polydimethyl silicone rubber (MQ), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), methyl phenyl silicone rubber (PMQ), fluoro Examples include silicone rubber (FVMQ).

  The thickness of the elastic layer is usually 3 mm or less, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a method of forming an elastic layer in the surface of a core, For example, the coating method etc. well-known per se are employable. Examples of the coating method include kneader coating, bar coating, curtain coating, spin coating, dip coating, and the like. In the present invention, among these, dip coating can be suitably employed.

  The material of the release layer is not particularly limited as long as it exhibits an appropriate release property for the toner image, and examples thereof include fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, and fluorine resin. Among these materials, a fluororesin is preferable. Examples of the fluororesin include tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroethyl vinyl ether copolymer (EFA). , Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polyethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluorinated ethylene (PCTFE), fluoride Fluorine resins such as vinyl (PVF) are mentioned, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether are particularly preferred in terms of heat resistance and mechanical properties. Polymer (PFA) tetrafluoroethylene - perfluoro methyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), tetrafluoroethylene - perfluoro ethyl vinyl ether (EFA) copolymer is preferably used.

  As a thickness of a mold release layer, it is 10-100 micrometers normally, Preferably it is 20-30 micrometers. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a method of forming the said mold release layer in the surface of the said core, For example, the coating method mentioned above etc. are mentioned. Moreover, the method of coat | covering the tube formed by extrusion molding is mentioned.

  The fixing member is not limited to the fixing roll 1 and may be appropriately selected such as a roll shape or a belt shape as long as the fixing member can be rotated.

  The heating sources 11 and 21 are not limited to a type in which the fixing roll 1 is heated internally, for example, as long as the nip portion is heated. As well as the one that heats the nip part, as well as the one that heats the resin film tubular body 2 and the pressing member A, the one that heats the nip part, the one that the belt-like fixing member itself generates heat by electromagnetic induction heating, etc. You can choose.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the shape, magnitude | size, etc. as the resin film tubular body 2, According to the objective, it can select from a well-known thing suitably, and can use it. As the resin film tubular body 2, a belt formed in an endless shape is generally used. The structure of the resin film tubular body 2 may be a single layer structure or a multilayer structure. Examples of the resin film tubular body 2 having a multilayer structure include those having at least a base layer and a release layer.

Examples of the material of the resin film tubular body 2 include thermosetting polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyamide, and polyamideimide. Among these, thermosetting polyimide is preferable in terms of excellent heat resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance, and the like. Examples of the material of the release layer include perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), and polyethylene / tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). , Fluororesin such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoride ethylene (PCTFE), vinyl fluoride (PVF), polydimethyl silicone rubber (MQ), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), methyl phenyl silicone rubber (PMQ) ), Silicone rubber such as fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ), vinylidene fluoride rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber, fluorophosphazene rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether rubber Fluorine rubber and the like, and the like.

  The pressing member A has a configuration in which an elastic body 32 is mounted on a support 31 and the above-described sheet-like sliding member 33 is covered. The pressing member A is fixedly disposed and presses the resin film tubular body 2 toward a fixing roll. Any material may be selected as appropriate, but from the viewpoint of preventing deterioration due to heat at the time of fixing, it is preferable to use a material having heat resistance.

  The support 31 is heat resistant, such as a spring, and has a function of fixing the elastic body 32. Moreover, as a material of the elastic body 32 of the pressing member A, it can select suitably from well-known things according to the objective. In particular, silicone rubber having a JIS-A hardness of 10 to 40 ° is preferably used from the viewpoint of hardness.

In addition, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the shape of a press member A, a structure, a magnitude | size, It can select suitably according to the objective. For example, the pressing pad may have a structure composed of a single member or a structure composed of a plurality of members having different functions.

  It is important that the lubricant has excellent lubricity, but this index has kinematic viscosity. When used in a fixing device, it is necessary to consider heat resistance, volatility, and the like. In this respect, silicone oil is preferable, and amino-modified silicone oil having superior wettability is more preferable. In addition, when superior performance is required due to heat resistance, it is also preferable to use methylphenyl silicone oil. In addition, in order to improve heat resistance, it is also possible to add a trace amount antioxidant in silicone oil.

  As the lubricant, it is particularly desirable to use an amino-modified silicone oil containing an antioxidant, but amino-modified silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, hindered amine oil which is an amino-modified silicone oil containing an antioxidant, etc. It is particularly desirable to use a hindered amine oil that has high heat resistance and little thermal deterioration during long-term use.

In the embodiment using silicone oil as the lubricant, the viscosity is preferably 50 to 3000 cs at room temperature. Here, the lower limit value are those defined on the basis of the viewpoint of preventing unnecessary evaporation of silicone oil, whereas, the upper limit becomes a factor for silicone oil to greatly sliding resistance It was determined based on the viewpoint of preventing Further, when used at a high temperature, it is most desirable to use a perfluoropolyether oil having excellent heat stability.

  Further, as the lubricant, the above-mentioned sheet-like sliding member that does not hold the lubricant inside is used, so a lubricant having a higher viscosity than conventional ones, such as grease (for example, fluorine grease using fluorine oil as a base oil) (For example, Sumitec F950 (manufactured by Sumiko Lubrication Co., Ltd.)) can also be used, and the amount of lubricant to be used can be reduced.

  Specific examples of lubricants that can be applied include grease, dimethyl silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil with organic metal salt addition, dimethyl silicone oil with hindered amine addition, dimethyl silicone oil with organic metal salt and hindered amine addition, methyl phenyl silicone oil, organic Examples include metal salt-added amino-modified silicone oil, hindered amine-added amino-modified silicone oil, and perfluoropolyether oil.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not construed in a limited manner and can be realized within a range satisfying the requirements of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, these examples do not limit the present invention.

(Reference Example 1)
Using an evaluation device (color printer C2220 manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) having the same configuration as that of the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, a full color pattern image output on J paper was used for the test. The specific configuration is as follows.
The fixing roll 1 has a thickness of 600 μm of silicone HTV rubber (rubber hardness 35 degrees: JIS-A) as an elastic layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical aluminum core having an outer diameter of 30 mm, a thickness of 1.8 mm, and a length of 360 mm. The surface of the elastic layer is covered with a tube of tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA) as a release layer to a thickness of 30 μm, and finished to a surface close to a mirror surface. A 600-w halogen lamp is disposed as a heating source 11 inside the core. The surface temperature of the fixing roll 1 was controlled at 175 ° C. by a temperature sensor of a thermosensitive element arranged in contact with the surface of the heat fixing roll 10 and a temperature controller (not shown).

  The resin film tubular body 2 uses a thermosetting polyimide having a peripheral length of 94 mm, a wall thickness of 75 μm, and a length of 320 mm as a base material, and a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material. A release layer is formed by coating to a thickness of 30 μm.

  The pressing B agent A includes a support 31, an elastic body 32 disposed on the support 31, a sheet-like sliding member 33 stretched on a contact surface of the elastic body 32 with the resin film tubular body 2, The resin film tubular body 2 includes a belt traveling guide 35 provided so as to rotate smoothly. The elastic body 32 is a silicone rubber having a width of 10 mm, a wall thickness of 5 mm, and a length of 320 mm. The belt travel guide 35 is provided with ribs in the belt rotation direction, and the inner peripheral surface of the resin film tubular body 2 The contact area is reduced. The support 31 presses the fixing roll 1 with a load of 35 kg by a compression coil spring (not shown) through the thin resin film tubular body 2.

  The winding angle of the resin film tubular body 2 around the fixing roll 1 was about 40 °. At this time, the width of the nip portion 16 was about 10 mm. The driving force from the motor was transmitted to the fixing roll 1, and the fixing roll 10 and the resin film tubular body 2 were rotated at a speed of 194 mm / sec.

On the surface of the pressing member A, a non-porous fluororesin sheet (oil impregnation amount 0.015 mg) made of a PTFE resin (PTFE resin: Teflon (R) molding powder) thin film sheet as a sheet-like sliding member 33 / Mm ³ ), and the surface roughness Rt at this time was 2.0 μm. At this time, methylphenyl silicone oil (KF53; manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., viscosity 400 cent Stokes) is interposed as a lubricant between the surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 and the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2.

  In this state, the image fixing apparatus was operated, and the driving torque and the image quality of the print when printing was performed at the initial stage and after lapse of time (after printing 200,000 sheets) were confirmed. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good.

( Reference Example 2)
In Reference Example 1, 5 wt% of boron nitride (boron nitride powder manufactured by Showa Denko Co., Ltd .: Showenu UHP), which is a lubricating filler having a layered structure, is added to the PTFE resin similar to Reference Example 1 as the sheet-like sliding member 33. The image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that the filler-containing non-porous fluororesin sheet prepared in this way was used (oil impregnation amount 0.03 mg / mm ³ ). The image quality and driving torque of the print when printed over time were confirmed. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 5.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good.

( Reference Example 3)
In Reference Example 1, a sheet-shaped sliding member 33 containing a filler prepared by adding 10 wt% of a polyimide resin (Ube Industries, Ltd., polyimide powder UIP-S), which is a heat-resistant resin, to the PTFE resin similar to Reference Example 1 The image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that a non-porous fluororesin sheet was used (oil impregnation amount 0.04 mg / mm ³ ). The print quality and driving torque were confirmed. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 11.5 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good.

( Reference Example 4)
In Reference Example 1, 15 parts by mass of graphite (graphite powder: ACP), which is a conductive filler, in PTFE resin similar to Reference Example 1 as the sheet-like sliding member 33 (amount relative to 100 parts by mass of PTFE resin) The image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that a non-porous fluororesin sheet formed by addition was used (oil impregnation amount 0.05 mg / mm ³ ). The image quality and drive torque of the print when printing with the printer were confirmed. The surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 at this time was 18.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good.

( Reference Example 5)
In Reference Example 1, 10 parts by mass (PTFE resin) of zinc oxide whisker (Zinc oxide powder: Panatetra WZ-0501 manufactured by Matsushita Amtech Co., Ltd.) as a reinforcing filler in the PTFE resin similar to Reference Example 1 as the sheet-like sliding member 33. An amount of 100 parts by mass) The image fixing device was configured under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that a non-porous fluororesin sheet formed by addition (oil impregnation amount 0.06 mg / mm ³ ) was used. The image quality and driving torque of the prints were confirmed when the printer was operated and printed at the initial stage and over time. The surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 at this time was 15.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good.

( Reference Example 6): Reference example of PTFE modified with energy beam
In Reference Example 1, except that PTFE resin (trade name: XF-1A (manufactured by Hitachi Cable)) containing cross-linked PTFE powder as the sheet-like sliding member 33 (oil impregnation amount 0.012 mg / mm ³ ) The image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1, and the image quality and driving torque of the prints were confirmed when printing was performed initially and over time. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 2.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good.

(Example 7)
When the image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that the sheet-like sliding member 33 shown below was used, and printed at the initial time and over time (in this embodiment, after printing 200000 sheets) The image quality and driving torque of the print were confirmed.

First, a modified PTFE (Daikin Kogyo Co., Ltd .: New Polyflon M111: melting point 310 ° C.) is filled into a predetermined mold, compression molded, and then heated and fired at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to obtain a molded article, and then a metal blade To obtain a 25.0 μm thin film sheet (non-porous sheet). The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.070 mg / mm ³ .

  Next, a glass cloth substrate (manufactured by Arisawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd., trade name EPC073, fiber diameter: length 22.2 / width 11.2, fiber density: length 60 / inch, width 64 / inch) was prepared. A non-porous sheet was fused and sanded to obtain a sheet-like sliding member 33. The surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 at this time was 2.8 μm.

  As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good. Further, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 did not change even after printing 200000 sheets.

(Example 8)
When the image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that the sheet-like sliding member 33 shown below was used, and printed at the initial time and over time (in this embodiment, after printing 200000 sheets) The image quality and driving torque of the print were confirmed.

First, a PTFE resin (trade name: Teflon (R) 7-J (PTFE resin manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemical Co., Ltd .: Teflon (R) molding powder): melting point 330 ° C.) is filled in a predetermined mold, compression molded, Subsequently, after heating and baking at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to obtain a molded body, a 20 μm thin film sheet (nonporous sheet) was obtained with a metal blade. The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.06 mg / mm ³ .

  Next, glass cloth (trade name: glass cloth KS1231 (manufactured by Kanebo Corporation, fiber diameter warp yarn: 22.5 g / 1000 m, weft yarn: 22.5 g / 1000 m, density longitudinal direction: 41 pieces / inch, transverse direction: 41 pieces / inch) , Plain weave) with fluororesin dispersion (trade name: NEOFLON FEP dispersion ND-1 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.): melting point 260 ° C.) and melt impregnated at 290 ° C. The material was obtained.

Superposed so as to sandwich the glass cloth substrate with a non-porous sheet having an uneven surface, it was heated crimping at the 300 ℃ -60kg / cm ² conditions. At this time, a fluoro rubber sheet having a thickness of 2 mm is placed between the press plate and the sheet-like sliding member so that the surface shape along the unevenness of the substrate surface is likely to appear on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet. The sheet-like sliding member 33 was obtained by sandwiching between the two. The surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 at this time was 13.2 μm.

  As a result, the initial driving torque was low, the driving torque did not vary between the initial time and time, and the image quality was very good. Further, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 did not change even after printing 200000 sheets.

Example 9
The image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that the sheet-like sliding member 33 shown below was used, and when printing was performed at the initial stage and over time (after printing 200000 sheets in this embodiment). The print quality and driving torque were confirmed. An amino-modified silicone oil (KF8009A; 400 centistokes manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was interposed as a lubricant between the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 and the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2.

First, a PI resin film resin (trade name: Upilex-S (manufactured by Ube Industries)) 25 μm thin film sheet was roughened with sandpaper to obtain a non-porous sheet. The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.02 mg / mm ³ .

Next, the same glass cloth base material as in Example 8 was overlapped so as to be sandwiched between non-porous sheets, and thermocompression bonded under conditions of 300 ° C. to 60 kg / cm ² to obtain a sheet-like sliding member 33. At this time, the non-porous sheet roughened with sandpaper was laminated so that the roughened surface was directed to the glass cloth substrate side. The surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 at this time was 34.8 μm.

  As a result, the initial driving torque was slightly higher than that of Example 8, but the driving torque did not vary between the initial time and time, and the image quality was extremely good. Further, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 did not change even after 200000 sheets had elapsed.

(Example 10)
When the image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that the sheet-like sliding member 33 shown below was used, and printed at the initial time and over time (in this embodiment, after printing 200000 sheets) The image quality and driving torque of the print were confirmed. An amino-modified silicone oil (KF8009A; 400 centistokes manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was interposed as a lubricant between the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 and the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2.

First, a modified PTFE resin (trade name: New Polyflon PTFE molding powder M-111, manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) is filled into a predetermined mold, compression molded, and then heated and fired at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to obtain a molded body. After that, a 30 μm thin film sheet (non-porous sheet) was obtained with a metal blade. The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.08 mg / mm ³ .

Next, the same glass cloth substrate as in Example 8 was overlapped so as to be sandwiched between non-porous sheets, and thermocompression bonded under conditions of 300 ° C.-60 kg / cm ² to obtain a sheet-like sliding member 33. The surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 at this time was 12.5 μm.

  As a result, the initial driving torque was low, the driving torque did not vary between the initial time and time, and the image quality was very good. Even after printing 200,000 sheets, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 did not change.

( Reference Example 11)
The image fixing device was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Reference Example 1 except that the sheet-like sliding member 33 shown below was used, and the initial and time elapsed (after printing 200000 sheets in this reference example ) The print quality and driving torque were confirmed.

  PTFE resin (trade name: Teflon (R) 7-J (PTFE resin: Teflon (R) molding powder manufactured by Mitsui Dupont Chemicals)) is filled into a predetermined mold, compression molded, and then at a temperature above the melting point. After heating and baking to obtain a molded body, a 100 μm thin film sheet was obtained with a metal blade.

The thin film sheet was given a concavo-convex shape on the surface with a commercially available metal 100 mesh net using a press machine to obtain a non-porous sheet. This was designated as a sheet-like sliding member 33. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 42.3 μm, and the oil impregnation amount was 0.05 mg / mm ³ .

  As a result, until 200,000 sheets were printed, the driving torque did not vary between the initial stage and time, and the image quality was very good. On the other hand, after printing 200,000 sheets, some image distortion was observed, and some paper wrinkles occurred on the recording medium. In addition, after 200,000 prints, the driving torque slightly increased with time. After the evaluation, when the surface of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was observed, the uneven shape provided by the metal 100 mesh net was slightly lost.

(Comparative Example 1)
Reference Example 1, sheet-like sliding member 33 porous impregnated with fluororesin glass fiber as a sheet: except for using (oil impregnation amount 0.21 mg / mm ³ surface roughness Rt5.9Myuemu), Reference The image fixing apparatus was configured and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1, and the image quality and driving torque of the prints were confirmed when printing was performed initially and over time. As a result, the image quality was good in the initial stage, but over time, large image distortion was observed and paper wrinkles of the recording sheet were also generated. Further, although the driving torque was low at the initial stage, the driving torque increased as time passed. Moreover, when the sheet | seat surface was observed, the surface fluororesin was worn out and the glass fiber was exposed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a fixing device including a fixing tubular body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fixing roll 2 Resin film tubular body 4 Recording medium 11 Heating source 31 Support body 32 Elastic body 33 Sheet-like sliding member 35 Traveling guide 41 Toner image A Pressing member n Nip part

Claims (18)

A drive member;
A resin film tubular body that is rotatably arranged in pressure contact with the drive member and in which a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image is held in a nip formed between the drive member;
A pressing member that the disposed inside the resin film tubular body, to press the resin film tubular body toward the drive member,
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the resin film tubular body and the pressing member;
A lubricant interposed between the resin film tubular body and the sheet-like sliding member;
A heating source for heating the nip portion;
In the fixing device provided with
The sheet-like sliding member is composed of a non-porous sheet having at least a sliding surface containing a heat-resistant resin, and the fixing is made by providing the non-porous sheet on a substrate having irregularities on the surface. A fixing device which is a sliding member for a device. A fixing member arranged rotatably,
A resin film tubular body that is disposed in pressure contact with the fixing member so as to be rotatable and that holds a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image in a nip formed between the fixing member;
A pressing member that the disposed inside the resin film tubular body, to press the resin film tubular body toward the fixing member side,
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the resin film tubular body and the pressing member;
A lubricant interposed between the resin film tubular body and the sheet-like sliding member;
A heating source for heating the nip portion;
In the fixing device provided with
The sheet-like sliding member is composed of a non-porous sheet having at least a sliding surface containing a heat-resistant resin, and the fixing is made by providing the non-porous sheet on a substrate having irregularities on the surface. A fixing device which is a sliding member for a device. Surface roughness depth Rt of the sliding surface, the fixing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the range of 1.0Myuemu～50.0Myuemu. The heat-resistant resin, the fixing device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that a fluorine resin. The fixing device according to claim 4 , wherein the fluororesin is at least one selected from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), and modified products thereof. The fixing device according to claim 4 , wherein the fluororesin is a modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) obtained by irradiating ionizing radiation. Wherein the non-porous sheet, a fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it contains a filler with the heat-resistant resin. The fixing device according to claim 7 , wherein the filler is a lubricating filler having a layered structure. The fixing device according to claim 7 , wherein the filler is a conductive filler. The filler is configured to include a heat-resistant resin, the heat resistant resin imide resin, amide resin, and any of claims 7-9, characterized in that it is selected from the aromatic polyester resin The fixing device described. The fixing device according to claim 7 , wherein the filler is a reinforcing filler having a needle-like, fibrous, or tetrapot-like structure. The fixing device according to claim 7 , comprising at least one filler as the filler. The fixing device according to claim 7 , wherein an amount of the filler added is in a range of 1.0 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the heat resistant resin. Wherein the substrate, the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is configured to include a fabric. Wherein the substrate, the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is configured to include a woven fabric made of glass fiber. The non-porous sheet and the base material are formed by impregnating the base material with a thermoplastic resin, and laminating by heating and pressurizing the thermoplastic resin as an adhesive. The fixing device according to any one of 15 . The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that are integral to the said sheet-like sliding member and the pressing member. Synthetic lubricant grease, dimethyl silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil with addition of organometallic salt, dimethyl silicone oil with addition of hindered amine, organometallic salt and dimethyl silicone oil with addition of hindered amine, methylphenyl silicone oil, amino-modified salt-added amino-modified silicone 18. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing device is selected from oil, hindered amine-added amino-modified silicone oil, perfluoropolyether oil, and modified perfluoropolyether oil.

Images