JP5347855B2 - Conveying device, cooling device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an increase in resistance occurring between an annular first belt 62 to be circularly moved for carrying materials to be carried and a contact member 66 for contacting the inner periphery of the first belt 62. <P>SOLUTION: The first belt 62 to be circularly moved starts contacting with the contact member 66 on the downstream side of the boundary B between a first curved face 72 and a second curved face 74 in a belt moving direction. At the end of the first belt 62 starting to contact with the contact member 66, a clearance is formed between the first belt 62 and the second curved face 74. As a result air flows between the first belt 62 and the second curved face 74 to suppress the close contact of the first belt 62 with the second curved face 74, preventing an increase in the resistance between the first belt 62 and the contact member 66. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance device, a cooling device, and an image forming apparatus.

  As a conveying device, a recording material conveying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The recording material conveying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of endless belt members that are respectively driven to circulate and move by a driving roll and convey the recording material while sandwiching the recording material in a part of the movement path. The speed difference between one of the pair of endless belt members and the drive roll that drives the endless belt is greater than the speed difference between the material and each endless belt member. Is set to be large.

JP 2009-84035 A (FIG. 1)

  It is an object of the present invention to prevent an increase in resistance generated between an annular belt that circulates and conveys a material to be conveyed and a contact member that contacts an inner periphery of the belt.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an annular belt that circulates in a state where tension is applied, and an outer peripheral side of the belt, the material to be conveyed is sandwiched between the belt and the belt to be conveyed. A contact member that is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the belt so as to sandwich the belt between the transport member, and a contact member that contacts a part of the inner periphery of the belt, and the belt contacts the contact member Formed on the end side of the contact member that starts, and is formed continuously from the first curved surface on the downstream side of the first curved surface in the belt movement direction. A second curved surface that is curved along the moving direction of the belt and is smaller in curvature than the first curved surface, and arranged upstream of the contact member in the belt moving direction, and the belt is wound around a part of the outer periphery, The wrapped belt is the outer periphery A starting position for starting the separation is a conveying device provided with a winding member positioned closer to the conveying member than a tangent to the second curved surface at the boundary between the first curved surface and the second curved surface. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an annular belt that circulates and moves in a state where tension is applied, and an outer peripheral side of the belt, and the material to be conveyed is sandwiched between the belt and the material to be conveyed. A contact member that is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the belt so as to sandwich the belt between the transport member, and a contact member that contacts a part of the inner periphery of the belt, and the belt contacts the contact member Formed on the end side of the contact member that starts, and is formed continuously from the first curved surface on the downstream side of the first curved surface in the belt movement direction. The belt is curved along the moving direction of the belt, the second curved surface having a smaller curvature than the first curved surface, and the belt on the downstream side in the belt moving direction from the boundary between the first curved surface and the second curved surface. So as to initiate contact with the contact member, A guide member for guiding the serial belt, a conveying device comprising a.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the conveying member is an annular conveying belt that circulates in a tensioned state, and a pressing member that presses the conveying belt against the belt is provided on an inner peripheral side of the conveying belt. The contact member is a heat absorption member that absorbs heat from the material to be conveyed via the belt, and the belt starts to contact the heat absorption member upstream in the belt moving direction from the pressing position by the pressing member. It is a cooling device as a conveyance apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2 to do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, a fixing device that heats and fixes the image formed by the image forming unit to the recording medium, and the image is fixed by the fixing device. An image forming apparatus comprising: the cooling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording medium is cooled as the transported material.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the winding member according to the first aspect is not provided, the annular belt that circulates and conveys the material to be conveyed and the contact that contacts the inner periphery of the belt. It is possible to prevent the resistance generated between the members from increasing.

  According to the configuration of claim 2 of the present invention, compared to the case where the guide member according to claim 2 is not provided, an annular belt that circulates and conveys the material to be conveyed and a contact member that contacts the inner periphery of the belt It is possible to prevent the resistance that occurs between the

  According to the structure of Claim 3 of this invention, compared with the case where the 1st belt which concerns on Claim 3 is not provided, the cyclic | annular form which conveys a to-be-conveyed material by circulating movement is maintained, maintaining the thermal absorption performance of a thermal absorption member. The resistance generated between the belt and the heat absorbing member in contact with the inner periphery of the belt can be prevented from increasing.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the cooling device according to the third aspect is not provided, an annular shape that circulates and conveys the recording medium is maintained while maintaining the cooling performance for cooling the recording medium. The resistance generated between the belt and the heat absorbing member in contact with the inner periphery of the belt can be prevented from increasing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the cooling device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a cooling structure of the cooling device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the contact member of the cooling device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of an end portion where the belt starts to contact the contact member in the cooling device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of an end portion where the belt starts to contact the contact member in the cooling device according to the comparative example. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of an end portion where the belt starts to contact the contact member in the cooling device according to the modification.

Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.
(Configuration of image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment)
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a recording medium accommodating unit 12 that accommodates a recording medium P such as paper, an image forming unit 14 that forms an image on the recording medium P, and a recording medium accommodating unit 12. The image forming unit 14 includes a transport unit 16 that transports the recording medium P to the image forming unit 14, and a recording medium discharge unit 18 that discharges the recording medium P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 14.

  The image forming unit 14 includes image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K that form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and image forming units 20Y, 20Y, The intermediate transfer belt 22 as an example of an intermediate transfer body to which toner images formed by 20M, 20C, and 20K are transferred, and the toner images formed by the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22. A first transfer roll 24 as an example of a first transfer member for transferring, and a first image for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 by the first transfer roll 24 from the intermediate transfer belt 22 to the recording medium P. And a second transfer roll 26 as an example of a two-transfer member.

  The image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction at the center in the vertical direction in the image forming apparatus 10. Each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K has a photosensitive drum 28 that rotates in one direction (clockwise in FIG. 1) as an image holding body that holds the formed toner image.

  Around each photosensitive drum 28, in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 28, a charging device 30 for charging the photosensitive drum 28 and the photosensitive drum 28 charged by the charging device 30 are exposed to expose the photosensitive drum 28. An exposure device 32 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the drum 28, a developing device 34 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 28 by the exposure device 32 to form a toner image, and a photosensitive drum 28. A removing device 36 for removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 28 after the formed toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is provided.

  The intermediate transfer belt 22 is disposed below the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, and a driving roll 38 that applies a driving force to the intermediate transfer belt 22 and a counter roll that faces the second transfer roll 26. 40 and a support roll 42 that supports the intermediate transfer belt 22.

  The intermediate transfer belt 22 is applied with a rotational force by a drive roll 38 and circulates and moves in one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 28.

  Further, above the intermediate transfer belt 22, a storage unit 44Y that stores developer of each color supplied to the developing device 34 of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). 44M, 44C, 44K.

  The first transfer roll 24 faces the photosensitive drum 28 with the intermediate transfer belt 22 interposed therebetween. A space between the first transfer roll 24 and the photosensitive drum 28 is a first transfer position where the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 28 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22.

  The second transfer roll 26 faces the opposing roll 40 with the intermediate transfer belt 22 interposed therebetween. A space between the second transfer roll 26 and the opposing roll 40 is a second transfer position where the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is transferred to the recording medium P.

  The transport unit 16 includes a feed roll (not shown) that feeds the recording medium P stored in the recording medium storage unit 12, and a plurality of transport rolls 46 that transport the recording medium P sent to the feed roll to the second transfer position. Is provided.

  A fixing device 48 that fixes the toner image transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 22 to the recording medium P by the second transfer roller 26 at the second transfer position on the downstream side in the transport direction from the second transfer position is disposed on the recording medium P. ing. The fixing device 48 includes a heating roll 48A that heats the recording medium P, and a fixing belt 48B that is disposed to face the heating roll 48A. The recording medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred is pressed between the heating roll 48A and the fixing belt 48B, and is heated by the heating roll 48A so that the toner image is fixed.

  Between the fixing device 48 and the second transfer position, there is a conveying belt 50 that conveys the recording medium P on which the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 22 by the second transfer roller 26 to the fixing device 48 at the second transfer position. Has been placed.

  A cooling device 60 that cools the recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 48 is disposed downstream of the fixing device 48 in the transport direction. The specific configuration of the cooling device 60 will be described later.

  The recording medium discharge unit 18 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the cooling device 60, and the recording medium P cooled by the cooling device 60 is discharged.

  Between the recording medium discharge unit 18 and the cooling device 60, a reverse conveyance path 52 through which the recording medium P is reversed is formed. Below the cooling device 60, a storage portion 54 that stores the recording medium P reversed by the reverse conveyance path 52 is provided. A conveying path (not shown) for conveying the recording medium P accommodated in the accommodating portion 54 to the conveying roll 46 is formed above the recording medium accommodating portion 12.

  Next, an image forming operation for forming an image on the recording medium P in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the recording medium P sent out from the recording medium container 12 is sent to the second transfer position by the transport roll 46.

  On the other hand, the color toner images formed by the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 22 at the first transfer position to form a color image. The color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 22 is transferred onto the recording medium P at the second transfer position.

  The recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 48, and the transferred toner image is fixed by the fixing device 48. The recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 48 is conveyed to the cooling device 60 and cooled by the cooling device 60.

  When an image is formed only on one side of the recording medium P, the recording medium P is discharged to the recording medium discharging unit 18 after being cooled by the cooling device 60.

  When forming an image on both sides of the recording medium P, after the image is formed on one side and cooled by the cooling device 60, the recording medium P is reversed by the reverse conveyance path 52 and is accommodated in the accommodating portion 54. It is transported to a transport roll 46 through a transport path (not shown) formed above the recording medium storage unit 12. Then, the recording medium P is sent again to the second transfer position by the conveyance roll 46, and an image is formed on the opposite surface side in the same manner as described above, and an image is formed on both surfaces of the recording medium P. As described above, a series of image forming operations are performed.

The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may be a direct transfer type image forming apparatus that does not have an intermediate transfer member or an inkjet image forming apparatus. Any image forming apparatus other than the above configuration may be used as long as it is a forming apparatus.
Further, as an image forming apparatus to which the cooling device 60 according to the present embodiment is applied, an image forming apparatus having a heating device for heating the recording medium P, such as the above-described fixing device, is desirable. In the image forming apparatus having the heating device, the cooling device 60 is configured to cool the recording medium P heated by the heating device.

(Configuration of the cooling device 60 according to the present embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the cooling device 60 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the cooling device according to the present embodiment.

  The cooling device 60 includes an annular first belt 62 that circulates in a state where tension is applied, and a second belt 80 that is an example of a conveying member disposed on the outer peripheral side of the first belt 62. . The first belt 62 is an example of a belt according to claim 1, and the second belt 80 is an example of a conveyance belt according to claim 3.

  Similar to the first belt 62, the second belt 80 is configured as an annular belt that circulates and moves in a state where tension is applied, and a recording medium P as an example of a transported material is disposed between the first belt 62 and the second belt 80. The recording medium P is conveyed by the first belt 62 sandwiched therebetween.

  For example, a polyimide film having a thickness of 75 μm is used for the first belt 62 and the second belt 80. Further, the circumference of the first belt 62 in the no-load state is set to 2,911 mm. The first belt 62 and the second belt 80 may be made of other materials and other thicknesses and circumferences. Further, the first belt 62 and the second belt 80 may be a belt with a seam or a belt without a seam.

  The transport member is not limited to the second belt 80, and may be, for example, a plurality of transport rolls, as long as the recording medium P is transported between the first belt 62 and the transport member.

  A plurality (five in the present embodiment) of winding rolls 82 are arranged on the inner peripheral side of the second belt 80 as a winding member around which the second belt 80 is wound. The plurality of winding rolls 82 include a driving roll 82A as an example of a driving member that applies a driving force to the second belt 80, a tension applying roll 82B as an example of a tension applying member that applies tension to the second belt 80, and A support roll 82C as an example of a support member that supports the second belt 80 is provided.

  The support roll 82C is composed of a plurality of (three in this embodiment) driven rolls. The driving roll 82A is rotationally driven by a driving force applied from a driving motor (not shown). When the drive roll 82A is driven to rotate, the second belt 80 is circulated (rotated) in one direction (clockwise in FIG. 2). The tension applying roll 82 </ b> B is provided with an elastic member 86 such as a compression spring, and a force toward the outer peripheral side of the second belt 80 is applied by the elastic force of the elastic member 86.

  The number of the plurality of winding rolls 82 is not limited to five, and may be two to four, six or more. In addition, the plurality of winding rolls 82 may be configured by changing the arrangement position / number of the drive roll 82A, the tension applying roll 82B, and the support roll 82C.

  A plurality of pressing rolls 84 as an example of a pressing member that presses the second belt 80 against the first belt 62 are arranged on the inner peripheral side of the second belt 80. The plurality of pressing rolls 84 are rotated by the second belt 80 that circulates and moves.

  The plurality of pressing rolls 84 are provided with elastic members (not shown) such as compression springs, and the pressing roll 84 presses the second belt 80 against the first belt 62 side by the elastic force of the elastic members. ing.

  Among the plurality of pressing rolls 84, the pressing roll 84B disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the second belt 80 is disposed to face a driving roll 64A described later across the first belt 62 and the second belt 80, The pressing rolls 84 other than the pressing roll 84 </ b> B are disposed to face a contact member 66 described later with the first belt 62 and the second belt 80 interposed therebetween.

  By the plurality of pressing rolls 84, the contact state between the second belt 80 and the first belt 62 is maintained. Note that the first belt 62 is pressed toward the contact member 66 described later by a pressing roll 84 disposed opposite to the contact member 66 described later.

  The pressing member may be, for example, a roll that does not rotate, and may be a member that presses the second belt 80 against the first belt 62.

  A plurality of (5 in the present embodiment) winding rolls 64 as winding members around which the first belt 62 is wound are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the first belt 62. A first belt 62 is wound around a part of the outer periphery of the winding roll 64.

  The plurality of winding rolls 64 include a driving roll 64A as an example of a driving member that applies a driving force to the first belt 62, a tension applying roll 64B as an example of an applying member that applies tension to the first belt 62, and A support roll 64C, 64D as an example of a support member that supports the first belt 62 is provided.

  The support rolls 64C and 64D are composed of a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) driven rolls. The drive roll 64A is rotationally driven by a driving force applied from a drive motor (not shown). When the drive roll 64A is rotationally driven, the first belt 62 is circulated (rotated) in one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2). The tension applying roll 64 </ b> B is provided with an elastic member 63 such as a compression spring, and the force toward the outer peripheral side of the first belt 62 is applied by the elastic force of the elastic member 63.

  The number of the plurality of winding rolls 64 is not limited to five, and may be two to four, six or more. Further, the plurality of winding rolls 64 may be configured by changing the arrangement position / number of the drive roll 64A, the tension applying roll 64B, and the support roll 64C.

  On the inner peripheral side of the first belt 62, a contact member 66 that contacts a part of the inner periphery of the first belt 62 faces the second belt 80 so as to sandwich the first belt 62 with the second belt 80. Has been placed. As shown in FIG. 2, the contact member 66 is a U-shaped (U-shaped) whose upper side is opened in a side view (when viewed from one axial direction of the winding roll 64 toward the other). It has a shape.

  The contact member 66 is formed in a convex shape with the bottom surface protruding downward, and the bottom surface forms a contact surface with which the first belt 62 contacts. Further, the contact member 66 functions as a heat absorbing member that absorbs heat from the recording medium P via the first belt 62 by contacting the first belt 62 that contacts the recording medium P.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the contact member 66 is provided with a heat radiating plate 68 as an example of a heat radiating member for radiating heat from the contact member 66. The heat radiating plate 68 is disposed along the belt width direction of the first belt 62, and a plurality of the heat radiating plates 68 are disposed along the belt moving direction of the first belt 62.

  As the contact member 66 and the heat radiating plate 68, a material having better thermal conductivity than the first belt 62 is used, and it is made of, for example, a metal material. As the metal material, for example, aluminum is used. In addition, as a material of the contact member 66 and the heat sink 68, it is not limited to said material.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the contact member 66 and the heat radiating plate 68 constitute a heat sink. A fan 70 as a blowing means is provided on the side of the heat radiating plate 68. The fan 70 feeds air between the heat radiating plates 68, takes heat away from the heat radiating plates 68, and discharges hot air to the outside.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact member 66 includes a first curved surface 72 formed on an end side where the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66, and a belt moving direction of the first curved surface 72. And a second curved surface 74 formed continuously (adjacent) to the first curved surface 72 on the downstream side.

  In the present embodiment, the second curved surface 74 forms a contact surface with which the first belt 62 contacts the contact member 66. Each of the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74 is curved along the moving direction of the first belt 62, and is formed in an arc shape in a side view.

  The second curved surface 74 has a smaller curvature than the first curved surface 72. For example, the first curved surface 72 is a curved surface having a radius of 5 mm, whereas the second curved surface 74 is a curved surface having a radius of 1200 mm. Yes. That is, the radius of the first curved surface 72 is 1/240 of the radius of the second curved surface 74.

  The circumferential length of the first curved surface 72 (the length along the moving direction of the first belt 62) is, for example, 7.8 mm. The circumferential length of the second curved surface 74 (the length along the moving direction of the first belt 62) is, for example, 320 mm. Note that the radius and circumference of the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74 are not limited to the above lengths.

  The surface roughness of the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74 is, for example, Ra = 1.6. On the other hand, the surface roughness of the inner peripheral surface of the first belt 62 in contact with the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74 is, for example, Rz = 1.5 or less. The surface roughness is measured according to JISB0601.

  The surface roughness of the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74 is not limited to the above surface roughness.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support roll 64 </ b> D disposed adjacent to the contact member 66 and upstream of the contact member 66 in the belt movement direction starts to be separated from the outer periphery of the wound first belt 62. The start position A is located closer to the second belt 80 than the tangent S of the second curved surface 74 at the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. Specifically, the start position A is lowered from the tangent line S by a length of 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, for example. At this time, the length from the starting position A to the boundary B is, for example, 35 mm.

  Note that the length at which the start position A is lowered and the length from the start position A to the boundary portion B are not limited to the above lengths.

  Accordingly, the first belt 62 is moved by the support roll 64D so that the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66 on the downstream side in the belt moving direction from the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. Guided. That is, the support roll 64D moves the first belt 62 so that the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66 on the downstream side in the belt movement direction from the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. It functions as a guiding member for guiding.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the first belt 62 is located on the upstream side in the moving direction of the first belt 62 with respect to the pressing position C by the pressing roll 84 </ b> A on the most upstream side in the moving direction of the second belt 80. The first belt 62 is guided by the support roll 64D so as to start contact.

  In addition, the point shown by X in the drawing is a position where the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact member 66 has a third curved surface 76 having a curvature similar to that of the first curved surface 72 at the end end where the first belt 62 finishes contacting the contact member 66. Is formed.

  Moreover, the 1st curved surface 72 and the 2nd curved surface 74 are not restricted to what was formed in circular arc shape, What is necessary is just a curved curved surface.

(Operation of the cooling device 60 according to the present embodiment)
Next, the operation of the cooling device 60 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the cooling device 60 according to this embodiment, the first belt 62 circulates when the drive roll 64A is driven to rotate, and the second belt 80 circulates when the drive roll 82A is driven to rotate.

  The recording medium P on which the image is fixed by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 48 is introduced between the first belt 62 and the second belt 80. The recording medium P introduced between the first belt 62 and the second belt 80 is conveyed by the first belt 62 and the second belt 80 while being sandwiched between the first belt 62 and the second belt 80. Is done.

  The recording medium P conveyed by the first belt 62 and the second belt 80 is absorbed by the contact member 66 through the first belt 62 and cooled. The cooled recording medium P is discharged to the recording medium discharge unit 18 from between the first belt 62 and the second belt 80.

  In the cooling device 60 according to the present embodiment, the first belt 62 that circulates contacts the contact member 66 on the downstream side in the belt movement direction from the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. Start.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the configuration in which the first belt 62 starts contact at the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74, the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74 are in close contact with each other. May end up.

  This may be caused by, for example, a case where a vacuum is generated without air entering between the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74, or a case of intermolecular force between the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74. And so on.

  Further, when the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74 are in close contact with each other, the first belt 62 may be sucked also toward the first curved surface 72, and the first belt 62 may be in close contact with the first curved surface 72. is there.

  As described above, when the first belt 62 is in close contact with the second curved surface 74, or in close contact with the first curved surface 72 in addition to the second curved surface 74, resistance generated between the first belt 62 and the contact member 66 is generated. It will increase.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the first belt 62 that circulates contacts the contact member 66 on the downstream side in the belt movement direction from the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. Start.

  Therefore, a gap is formed between the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74 at the end where the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66. As a result, air flows between the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74, and the first belt 62 is prevented from coming into close contact with the second curved surface 74.

  Further, the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66 on the upstream side in the moving direction of the first belt 62 from the pressing position C by the pressing roll 84A on the most upstream side in the moving direction of the second belt 80. Thereby, compared with the case where the 1st belt 62 contacts the contact member 66 from the pressing position C, the contact area which the 1st belt 62 and the contact member 66 contact is ensured. Thereby, the cooling performance for cooling the recording medium P by the contact member 66 is maintained.

  Note that the contact surface of the contact member 66 with which the first belt 62 contacts is not limited to the second curved surface 74 alone, and the second curved surface 74 formed adjacent to the first curved surface 72, The second curved surface 74 may be configured to include a curved surface (not shown) formed adjacent to the second curved surface 74 on the downstream side in the moving direction of the first belt 62 and different from the curvature of the second curved surface 74.

  Further, the cooling device 60 may be applied to a device other than the image forming apparatus 10 or may be configured to be used alone. Further, the cooling device 60 may be configured as a transport device that transports a material to be transported without aiming at cooling.

  The material to be transported is not limited to paper, but is, for example, a plastic film or other flat plate material (film material) formed in a flexible flat plate shape (film shape). Any material that can be transported may be used.

(Configuration of Cooling Device 160 According to Modification)
Next, the structure of the cooling device 160 according to the modification will be described. FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view showing the configuration of the cooling device 160 according to the modification. In the following description, parts different from the cooling device 60 will be described.

  The cooling device 160 according to the modified example includes the first belt such that the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66 on the downstream side in the belt movement direction from the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. A guide member 162 for guiding 62 is provided.

  The guide member 162 is configured by, for example, an adhesive member such as a tape attached to the first curved surface 72 of the contact member 66.

  Further, the guide member 162 causes the first belt 62 to contact the contact member 66 on the upstream side in the moving direction of the first belt 62 from the pressing position C by the pressing roll 84A on the most upstream side in the moving direction of the second belt 80. The first belt 62 is guided to start.

  In the cooling device 60 described above, the starting position A where the first belt 62 starts to be separated from the outer periphery of the support roll 64D is the tangent to the second curved surface 74 at the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. In the cooling device 160, the starting position A where the first belt 62 starts to be separated from the outer periphery of the support roll 64D is the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface. 74 is located on the tangent line S of the second curved surface 74 at the boundary portion B with 74.

  Note that the starting position A where the first belt 62 starts to be separated from the outer periphery of the support roll 64D is more than the tangent S of the second curved surface 74 at the boundary B between the first curved surface 72 and the second curved surface 74. It may be located on the second belt 80 side or on the opposite side to the second belt 80.

  Also in this configuration, a gap is formed between the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74 at the end where the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66. As a result, air flows between the first belt 62 and the second curved surface 74, and the first belt 62 is prevented from coming into close contact with the second curved surface 74.

  Further, the first belt 62 starts to contact the contact member 66 on the upstream side in the moving direction of the first belt 62 from the pressing position C by the pressing roll 84A on the most upstream side in the moving direction of the second belt 80. Thereby, compared with the case where the 1st belt 62 contacts the contact member 66 from the pressing position C, the contact area which the 1st belt 62 and the contact member 66 contact is ensured. Thereby, the cooling performance for cooling the recording medium P by the contact member 66 is maintained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 14 Image forming part 48 Fixing apparatus 60 Cooling apparatus 62 1st belt (an example of the belt which concerns on Claim 1)
64D support roll (an example of a winding member, an example of a guide member)
66 Contact member 72 First curved surface 74 Second curved surface 80 Second belt (an example of a conveying member, an example of a conveying belt)
84 Pressing roll (an example of pressing member)
160 Cooling device 162 Guide member A Start position B Boundary portion C Pressing position P Recording medium (an example of a material to be conveyed)
S Tangent

Claims (4)

An annular belt that circulates in a tensioned state; and
A conveying member that is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the belt and that conveys the material to be conveyed with the belt with the material to be conveyed between the belt and the belt;
A contact member disposed on the inner peripheral side of the belt so as to sandwich the belt with the conveying member, and contacting a part of the inner periphery of the belt;
A first curved surface formed on an end side of the contact member at which the belt starts to contact the contact member, and curved along a moving direction of the belt;
A second curved surface formed continuously from the first curved surface downstream of the first curved surface in the belt moving direction, curved along the belt moving direction, and smaller in curvature than the first curved surface;
The contact member is arranged on the upstream side of the belt movement direction, the belt is wound around a part of the outer periphery, and the starting position where the wound belt starts to be separated from the outer periphery is the first curved surface and the first A winding member located on the side of the conveying member with respect to the tangent line of the second curved surface at the boundary with the two curved surfaces;
A transport apparatus comprising: An annular belt that circulates in a tensioned state; and
A conveying member that is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the belt and that conveys the material to be conveyed with the belt with the material to be conveyed between the belt and the belt;
A contact member disposed on the inner peripheral side of the belt so as to sandwich the belt with the conveying member, and contacting a part of the inner periphery of the belt;
A first curved surface formed on an end side of the contact member at which the belt starts to contact the contact member, and curved along a moving direction of the belt;
A second curved surface formed continuously from the first curved surface downstream of the first curved surface in the belt moving direction, curved along the belt moving direction, and smaller in curvature than the first curved surface;
A guide member that guides the belt so that the belt starts to contact the contact member at a downstream side in a belt moving direction from a boundary portion between the first curved surface and the second curved surface;
A transport apparatus comprising: The transport member is an annular transport belt that circulates and moves in a tensioned state.
On the inner peripheral side of the conveyor belt, a pressing member that presses the conveyor belt against the belt is provided,
The contact member is a heat absorbing member that absorbs heat from the transported material via the belt,
The cooling device as a transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the belt starts contact with the heat absorbing member on the upstream side in the belt moving direction from a pressing position by the pressing member. An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium;
A fixing device that heats and fixes the image formed by the image forming unit to the recording medium;
The cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the recording medium on which the image is fixed by the fixing device is cooled as the transported material.
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images