JP5354367B2 - Cooling device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooling device that reduces temperature difference of a cooling roller in its longitudinal direction, and to provide an image forming apparatus that has the cooling device. <P>SOLUTION: The cooling device has a cooling roller for cooling a sheet-like member. The cooling roller has a double-pipe structure including: an inner pipe incorporated in the outer pipe; an outer flow path where a cooling medium flows through a gap between the outer and the inner pipes; and an inner flow path where a cooling medium flows in the inner pipe. An opening for communicating the outer and the inner flow paths is provided in a certain part of the inner pipe in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller. The cooling roller includes: a first route along which a cooling medium supplied by a cooling medium supply collection means flows in the inner flow path, and further flows into the outer flow path through the opening, toward at least the one end of the cooling roller; and a second route along which the cooling medium supplied by the cooling medium supply collection means flows in the inner flow path, and further flows into the outer flow path through the opening, toward at least the other end of the cooling roller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling a sheet-like member used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine, and an image forming apparatus provided with the cooling device.

  As an image forming apparatus, an apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet, which is a sheet-like medium, using electrophotographic technology, and melts and fuses the toner by passing through a thermal fixing device is known. In general, the temperature of the heat fixing device varies depending on the type of toner and paper, the paper conveyance speed, and the like, but is set and controlled at a temperature of about 180 ° C. to 200 ° C. to fuse the toner instantaneously. The surface temperature of the paper immediately after passing through the heat fixing device is a high temperature of about 100 ° C. to 130 ° C., for example, although it depends on the heat capacity (specific heat, density, etc.) of the paper. Since the melting temperature of the toner is lower, the toner is slightly soft at the time immediately after passing through the heat fixing device, and remains in a sticky state for a while until the paper cools down. Therefore, when the image output operation is repeated continuously and the paper after passing through the heat fixing device is stacked in the paper discharge container, if the toner on the paper cannot be sufficiently cured and is in a soft state, the toner on the paper A so-called blocking phenomenon that sticks to another sheet may occur and the image quality may be significantly reduced.

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a cooling device including a cooling roller that cools while contacting a sheet and conveying the sheet is provided on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction from the thermal fixing device. The paper after passing through the heat fixing device is cooled by the cooling roller of the cooling device, so that the toner on the paper is cooled and hardened, and the occurrence of the blocking phenomenon can be suppressed. In addition, the cooling roller has a tubular structure, and the cooling liquid flows into the cooling roller from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller. To be cooled.

  However, since the coolant flows through the cooling roller in one direction from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, the temperature of the coolant is lowest on the one end side, and on the other end side. The temperature of the coolant increases due to the heat absorbed by the cooling roller from the paper. Therefore, there arises a problem that a difference in cooling efficiency occurs due to a temperature difference in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a cooling device capable of reducing a temperature difference in the longitudinal direction of a cooling roller, and an image forming apparatus including the cooling device. That is.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a cooling roller that cools the sheet-like member by contacting the sheet-like member, and supplies a cooling medium into the cooling roller from a supply port provided in the cooling roller. And a cooling medium supply and recovery means for recovering the cooling medium discharged outside the cooling roller from the discharge port provided in the cooling roller, wherein the cooling roller includes the inner pipe in the outer pipe. And a double pipe structure having an outer flow path through which a cooling medium flows through the gap between the outer pipe and the inner pipe, and an inner flow path through which the cooling medium flows through the inner pipe. An opening communicating the outer channel and the inner channel is provided midway in the direction, and the cooling medium supplied by the cooling medium supply and recovery means flows through the inner channel and passes through the opening. Flow into at least the above A first path that flows toward one end of the rejection roller, and a cooling medium supplied by the cooling medium supply / recovery means flows through the inner flow path and flows into the outer flow path through the opening. A second path that flows toward the other end side is formed, and support means for rotatably supporting the outer tube and fixing and supporting the inner tube are provided at both ends of the cooling roller, respectively. it is characterized in that the.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cooling device of the first aspect, the opening is formed at a substantially central portion of the inner tube in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, Provided with a first supply port for supplying the cooling medium and a first discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the inside of the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller, and the cooling roller at the other end of the cooling roller. A second supply port for supplying the cooling medium therein and a second discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the inside of the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller, and are supplied from the first supply port. The cooling medium flows through the inner flow path in the first path, flows into the outer flow path through the opening, flows toward at least one of the one end side and the other end side, and the first discharge port. Discharge from at least one of the second discharge ports The cooling medium supplied from the second supply port flows through the inner flow path through the second path, flows into the outer flow path through the opening, and is at least one of the one end side and the other end side. It is discharged from at least one of the first discharge port and the second discharge port.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cooling device according to the first aspect, the opening is formed at a substantially central portion of the inner tube in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, and the cooling roller is provided at one end side of the cooling roller. Provided with a first supply port for supplying the cooling medium, and provided with a second supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the cooling roller on the other end side of the cooling roller, A discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the inside of the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller is provided on one of the other end side, and the cooling medium supplied from the first supply port is in the first path. The cooling medium supplied from the second supply port is flown through the inner flow path, flows into the outer flow path through the opening, flows toward the one end side or the other end side, and is discharged from the discharge port. Flowing through the inner flow path in the second path Is characterized in that the discharged said toward the end flows into the outside flow passage side or the other end through the mouth from the flow the discharge port.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the cooling device of the first aspect, the cooling roller has a partition wall that divides the inside of the cooling roller into two regions in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, and the cooling roller is provided at one end side of the cooling roller. A first supply port for supplying the cooling medium and a first discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller, and the cooling roller is provided at the other end of the cooling roller. A second supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the roller and a second discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller are provided, and the supply from the first supply port The cooled cooling medium flows through the inner flow path in the first path, is folded back by the partition wall, flows into the outer flow path on the one end side of the partition wall, and is discharged from the first discharge port. Supplied from the second supply port The reject medium flows through the inner flow path in the second path, is folded back by the partition wall, flows into the outer flow path on the other end side than the partition wall, and is discharged from the second discharge port. It is characterized by.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cooling device according to the fourth aspect, wherein a position of the first path and the second path folded back by the partition wall in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller is a circumference of the cooling roller. It is characterized by being stepwise or continuous in direction.
The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the cooling device of claim 2 or 3, a guide wall for guiding a cooling medium from the inner flow path to the outer flow path through the opening is provided in the vicinity of the opening. To do.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the cooling device of the second or third aspect, a plurality of the openings are formed at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube.
The invention of claim 8, claim 1, 2, 3, 4, in the 7 cooling device was 6 or a substantially center of the width in the direction orthogonal to the cooling roller longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped member, Passes near the position where the cooling medium flows from the inner flow path to the outer flow path in the first path, and the position where the cooling medium flows from the inner flow path to the outer flow path in the second path. It is characterized by this.
The invention of claim 9, claim 1,2,3,4,5, in the 7 cooling device was 6 or the width in the direction orthogonal to the cooling roller longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped member, said first When the width of the cooling roller in the longitudinal direction is narrower than the width of the cooling channel in the longitudinal direction of either of the outer flow path of the second path and the outer flow path of the second path, The sheet-like member is conveyed on the first path or the second path having a large width, and the cooling medium is allowed to flow only in the flow path on the side where the sheet-shaped member is conveyed.
The invention of claim 10, claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, in the cooling system 9 was 8 or, the first path and the cooling medium flowing in the second path The liquid feeding is performed by one liquid feeding means.
The invention of claim 11, claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, in the cooling system 9 was 8 or the cooling medium and the second path passing to said first path The cooling medium to be flowed into the tank is performed by a separate liquid feeding means.
The invention of claim 12, in the cooling device according to claim 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 or 8, of the first path and the second cooling medium flowing in the path And a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate, wherein the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the second path are made equal by the flow rate adjusting means. To do.
The invention of claim 13, claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, in the cooling system 9 was 8 or flows to the said first path and said second path A flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of the cooling medium; and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path, the cooling medium detected by the temperature detecting means. The flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the first path by the flow rate adjusting unit and the second flow rate are adjusted so that the cooling efficiency on the first path and the second path in the previous period are the same based on the temperature of the second path. The flow rate of the cooling medium flowing in the path is adjusted.
The invention of claim 14, in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, the cooling device 9 was 8 or, a radiation means for radiating heat of the cooling medium to the outside, heat radiation A cooling fan for blowing air to the means, an air volume control means for controlling the air volume of the cooling fan, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path, Based on the temperature of the cooling medium detected by the temperature detection means, the air volume control means controls the air volume of the cooling fan so that the temperature of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path becomes the same. It is characterized by doing.
The invention of claim 15, claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, in the cooling system 9 was 8 or flows to the said first path and said second path A flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of the cooling medium; and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the first path and the second path, and the temperature detecting means detects the temperature. Cooling that flows through the first path by the flow rate adjusting means so that the temperatures in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the first path and the second path are the same based on the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller. The flow rate of the medium and the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the second path are adjusted.
The invention of claim 16, in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, the cooling device 9 was 8 or, a radiation means for radiating heat of the cooling medium to the outside, heat radiation A cooling fan for blowing air to the means, an air volume control means for controlling the air volume of the cooling fan, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the first path and the second path. Then, based on the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller detected by the temperature detecting means, the air volume control means so that the temperatures in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the first path and the second path are the same. To control the air volume of the cooling fan.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a sheet-like member, and a heat fixing means for fixing the toner image formed on the sheet-like member to the sheet-like member by at least heat. And a cooling unit that cools the sheet-like member on which the toner image has been fixed by the thermal fixing unit, wherein the cooling unit is the claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,1 5 or is characterized in the use of 16 of the cooling device.

  In the present invention, the cooling medium flows through the inner channel in the first path from the opening formed in the middle of the cooling roller in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube to the outer channel, and flows from the opening toward one end of the cooling roller. The cooling medium flows through the inner passage in the second path and flows into the outer passage from the opening formed in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller of the inner tube, and is cooled by the cooling medium flowing from the opening toward the other end of the cooling roller. The roller is cooled. As a result, the amount of heat received from the cooling roller by each of the cooling medium flowing through the outer flow path of the first path and the cooling medium flowing through the outer flow path of the second path is determined from the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller. This is less than the configuration in which one path is provided in one direction toward the other end. Therefore, the temperature rise of the cooling medium flowing through the outer flow path of the first path and the cooling medium flowing through the outer flow path of the second path can be suppressed accordingly, so that the cooling medium is disposed at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller. The temperature difference in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which one path from one side to the other end side is performed.

  As mentioned above, according to this invention, there exists the outstanding effect that the temperature difference of the longitudinal direction of a cooling roller can be reduced.

Schematic of an example of a cooling device provided with a cooling roller. The schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which attached the rotation pipe joint means generally used. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling roller according to Configuration Example 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling roller according to Configuration Example 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another cooling roller according to Configuration Example 1. (A) The schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 2 of a structure. (B) The enlarged view of the inner pipe | tube of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 2 of a structure. (A) The schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 3 of a structure. (B) The enlarged view of the inner pipe | tube of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 3 of a structure. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling roller according to a modification example of configuration example 2. (A) Schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which concerns on the structural example 4. FIG. (B) The enlarged view of the inner pipe | tube of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 4 of a structure. (A) Schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which concerns on the structural example 5. FIG. (B) The enlarged view of the inner pipe | tube of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 5 of a structure. (A) Schematic sectional view of a cooling roller according to Configuration Example 6. (B) The enlarged view of the inner pipe | tube of the cooling roller which concerns on the structural example 6. FIG. Sectional drawing seen from the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller which concerns on the structural example 6. FIG. (A) Schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which concerns on the structural example 7. FIG. (B) The enlarged view of the inner pipe | tube of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 7 of a structure. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another cooling roller according to Configuration Example 7. FIG. (A) Schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which concerns on the structural example 8. FIG. (B) The enlarged view of the inner pipe | tube of the cooling roller which concerns on the example 8 of a structure. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling roller according to Configuration Example 9. FIG. The figure used for description of the paper passing position of the paper with respect to the cooling roller. The schematic diagram of the cooling circulation apparatus in the case of sending a cooling liquid with one liquid sending means. The schematic diagram of the cooling circulation apparatus in the case of sending a cooling liquid with two liquid feeding means. The schematic diagram of the cooling circulation apparatus which provided the temperature detection means which detects the temperature of a cooling fluid in a tank. The schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller in which the temperature detection means which detects the temperature of the surface vicinity of a cooling roller was provided in the outer tube | pipe. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller which attached the rotary pipe joint means 11 only to the one end side.

  The cooling roller and the cooling device of the present invention will be described using an image forming apparatus in which toner on a sheet is fixed by heat fixing means. However, the cooling roller and the cooling device of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be applied to any device that requires cooling of the sheet medium.

  The cooling roller as a cooling means has a tubular structure, and the surface of the cooling roller is cooled by flowing and circulating a cooling liquid therein. A cooling device having this cooling roller is arranged in the paper transport path immediately after the heat fixing means, and the paper is transported by the cooling roller and simultaneously brought into contact with it to remove heat from the paper and cool it.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a cooling device 100 including a cooling roller 10 according to the present invention that also functions as a sheet conveyance. The cooling device 100 is provided with rollers 2 and 3 arranged at intervals in the conveyance direction (left-right direction) of the paper P, and the conveyance belt 4 for paper conveyance is extended. Then, using the roller 2 on the downstream side in the paper transport direction as a driving roller (connected to a drive source not shown), the transport belt 4 is rotated counterclockwise to transport the paper from the right side to the left side in the figure.

  A heat fixing unit 7 is disposed upstream of the cooling device 100 in the paper conveyance direction, a paper discharge accommodating portion 8 is provided downstream of the cooling device 100 in the paper conveyance direction, and heat fixing is performed above the rollers 3. An upper guide 5 for guiding the paper P conveyed from the means 7 is provided. In addition, a cooling roller 10 is pressed from above at an intermediate position between the roller 2 and the roller 3 so as to bite into the conveyance belt 4, and the cooling roller 10 rotates in association with the conveyance force of the conveyance belt 4. It is like that. Reference numeral 6 in the drawing is a bracket that constitutes the main body of the cooling device 100, and is a member that supports components such as the roller 2, the roller 3, the cooling roller 10, and the upper guide 5 in a fixed or rotatable manner. The cooling device 100 is unitized by the bracket 6 and incorporated into the image forming apparatus main body.

  The paper P heated to a high temperature by the heat fixing unit 7 passes through the cooling device 100 before being discharged to the paper discharge storage unit 8. More specifically, the sheet P that has reached a high temperature through the heat fixing unit 7 enters between the upper guide 5 and the roller 3 of the cooling device 100, and then the nip formed by the cooling roller 10 and the conveying belt 4. The paper passes through the area portion and is discharged to the paper discharge storage portion 8. The inside of the cooling roller 10 has a tube structure, and the cooling liquid sufficiently cooled outside is supplied into the cooling roller 10 and circulated through the cooling roller 10, and then the cooling liquid is discharged from the cooling roller 10. Since the sheet P passes through the nip region formed by the contact between the cooling roller 10 and the conveying belt 4 while being in close contact with the cooling roller 10, the heat of the sheet P is absorbed by the cooling roller 10 at that time. The sheet P is sufficiently cooled. For example, the paper P can be cooled to about 50 to 60 ° C. by passing the paper P through the cooling device 100 when the surface temperature of the paper P immediately after passing through the heat fixing unit 7 is about 100 ° C.

  As will be described later, the cooling roller 10 is communicated / connected with a coolant circulation means such as a radiator 54 equipped with a tank 51, a pump 52, and a cooling fan 53 via a rotary fitting means 11 and a liquid supply tube 55. The cooled liquid flows through the cooling roller 10 to cool the cooling roller 10.

  Next, an example of a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 to which a commonly used rotary pipe joint means 11 (rotary joint) serving as a basic configuration of the present invention is attached will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling roller 10 has a hollow tube structure including an outer tube 14 and an inner tube 15, and at least the outer tube 14 rotates. Both ends of the outer tube 14 are composed of a flange 10c with a shaft and a flange 10d in which a bearing 10g is fitted and press-fitted, and an O-ring 10e for preventing leakage is inserted into both flanges, and each flange is removed by a screw 10f. It is attached to the tube 14. At this time, both flanges are inserted and attached to the outer tube 14 in a fitting relationship, and the coaxiality with the outer tube 14 is obtained. The cooling roller 10 is rotatably supported at both ends with respect to the bracket 6 of the cooling device 100 by using the shaft of the flange 10c and the bearing 10g of the flange 10d.

  Further, the flange 10d is formed with a coupling portion including a parallel screw portion 10h and a fitting portion 10i. The flange 10d has a parallel screw portion 11k and a fitting portion 11c formed so as to face the coupling portion. Is attached. The parallel threaded portions 10h and 11k of the flange 10d and the rotor 11j are threaded in a direction that can be tightened with respect to the rotation direction of the outer tube 14 (the conveyance direction of the paper P).

  The rotor 11j is a component part of the rotary pipe coupling means 11, and is supported by the casing 11e of the rotary pipe coupling means 11 so as to be rotatable in a fitting relationship with two bearings 11d provided at intervals.

  Since the attachment of the rotor 11j and the flange 10d is the insertion / attachment by the fitting relationship as described above, the coaxiality between the rotor 11j and the flange 10d is obtained. From this, the outer pipe 14 is in a state in which the shaft is aligned with the casing 35e of the rotary pipe joint means 11 via the rotor 11j and the flange 10d, which are respectively attached in a fitting relationship. It can be rotated. Note that an O-ring 11g that prevents leakage of coolant from the gap with the flange 10d is inserted into the rotor 11j.

  The cooling roller 10 may have a configuration in which the outer tube 14 rotates and the inner tube 15 is fixed (non-rotated), or a configuration in which the outer tube 14 rotates and the inner tube 15 rotates together with the outer tube 14. Here, the cooling roller 10 having a configuration in which the outer tube 14 is rotated and the inner tube 15 is fixed (non-rotated) will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, one end side of the inner pipe 15 on the rotary pipe joint means 11 side is fixedly supported by the rotary pipe joint means 11 so as not to rotate, and the other end side is rotatably supported by the flange 10c of the outer pipe 14. Let The inner pipe 15 is fixedly supported on the flange 11f by press-fitting one end side of the inner pipe 15 into the flange 11f attached to the casing 11e. Moreover, since the casing 11e, the flange 11f, and the inner tube 15 are inserted and attached in a fitting relationship with each other, the coaxiality of the inner tube 15 is extended with respect to the casing 11e. In addition, the flange 11f inserts an O-ring 11i for preventing leakage, and is attached to the casing 11e with a screw 11h. The inner tube 15 is rotatably supported by the other end of the inner tube 15 being attached to the flange 10c via a bearing 10j. Further, since the flange 10c, the bearing 10j, and the inner tube 15 are inserted and attached in a fitting relationship with each other, the coaxiality of the inner tube 15 with respect to the flange 10c is also provided.

  With the above configuration, on one end side of the cooling roller 10, the coaxiality of the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15 is obtained with reference to the casing 11 e of the rotary pipe joint means 11, and the casing 11 e of the rotary pipe joint means 11 is provided. On the other hand, the outer tube 14 is rotatably supported, and the inner tube 15 is fixedly supported so as not to rotate with respect to the casing 11e. The other end side of the cooling roller 10 is supported so that the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15 are coaxial with each other via the flange 10 c and the inner tube 15 is rotatable with respect to the outer tube 14. .

  An opening hole 10k is formed in the outer peripheral wall of the inner pipe 15 on the flange 10c side, and a cross-sectional hole 10m is formed on the end face of the inner pipe 15 on the rotary fitting means 11 side. The coolant supplied from the water supply port 19 of the rotary pipe coupling means 11 through the cross-sectional hole 10m of the inner pipe 15 into the inner pipe 15 passes through the opening hole 10k, and the clearance between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15 is reached. , And passes through the rotary joint means 11 and is discharged from the drain port 13 to the outside.

  As indicated by the arrows in the flow path of the cooling liquid, first, the cooling liquid supplied into the rotary fitting means 11 flows in the inner pipe 15 in the axial direction and reaches the end of the inner pipe 15 on the axial flange 10c side. . In FIG. 2, the flow path of the coolant from the water supply port 19 of the rotary pipe joint means 11 to the axial flange 10c side end of the inner pipe 15 is defined as the forward flow path. Then, the coolant that has flowed up to the axial flange 10c side end portion of the inner tube 15 passes through the opening hole 10k so as to make a U-turn, and is formed in the outer flow formed by the gap between the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15. Flows into the passage, passes through a narrow gap between the inner tube 15 and the rotor 11j, and flows toward the axial flange 10c through a wide gap formed by the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15, and at this time, the outer tube 14 is cooled by the coolant. To be cooled. Then, the cooling liquid is discharged from the drain port 13 formed in the casing 11 e of the rotary pipe joint means 11 to the outside of the rotary pipe joint means 11. In FIG. 2, the flow path of the coolant from the opening hole 10k to the drain port 13 through the outer flow path is defined as a return flow path.

  Thus, the cooling roller 10 has a reciprocating flow path through which the cooling liquid flows, and forms a closed-loop flow path with a cooling liquid circulating means (to be described later) via the rotary fitting 11 to circulate the cooling liquid. .

[Configuration example 1]
Next, the cooling roller 10 according to the configuration example 1 is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 in which the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction and two independent paths 12 are provided in the axial direction of the cooling roller 10.

  Hereinafter, when referring to the first rotary joint means 11a and the path 12a side, a is added to the back of the figure number, and when referring to the second rotary joint means 11b and the path 12b side, b is attached behind the figure number. To distinguish.

  In FIG. 4, the cooling liquid is supplied to the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a, passes through the inner flow path 18a (return flow path) in the inner pipe 15a, and the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 The first rotary fitting means is folded at the flow path wall 17 separating the path 12a and the path 12b in the middle and passes through the outer flow path 16a (outward flow path) which is the gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15a. It is discharged from the drain port 13a of 11a.

  Similarly, the coolant is supplied to the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b, passes through the inner flow path 18b (return flow path) in the inner pipe 15b, and is in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction. The second rotary pipe joint means 11b is folded back by the flow path wall 17 separating the path 12a and the path 12b in the second path and passes through the outer flow path 16b (outward flow path) which is a gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15b. Is discharged from the drain outlet 13b.

  As described above, the cooling roller 10 has two independent paths 12a and 12b that reciprocately circulate therein, thereby dividing the cooling region in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10, and will be described later through the rotary joint means 11a and 11b. 18, a coolant circulating means and a closed loop channel as shown in FIGS. 19, 19 and 20 are formed to circulate the coolant.

Next, the cooling efficiency of the cooling roller 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The coolant cooled by the coolant circulating means as shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 is supplied to the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. The coolant that has flowed into the inner pipe 15 through the cross-sectional hole 10b passes through the inner flow path 18 (outward flow path) in the inner pipe 15 and passes through the opening hole 10k (water flow opening) to the inner pipe 15 and the inner pipe 15. It passes through the outer flow path 16 (return flow path), which is a gap between the pipes 15, and is discharged from the drain port 13 a of the rotary fitting means 11. At this time, the outer tube 14 is cooled by the coolant flowing through the outer flow path 16.

  Here, the temperature of the coolant is low at the position where the coolant flows from the inner channel 18 to the outer channel 16 through the opening 10k (the end of the outer channel 16 on the flange 10c side in FIG. 2). However, since the sheet P heated through the heat fixing means 7 shown in FIG. 1 passes through the surface of the cooling roller 10 while being in close contact with the surface, the coolant flows toward the rotary joint means 11 side of the outer flow path 16. Temperature rises. Accordingly, the surface temperature of the cooling roller 10 (outer tube 14) is the lowest at the end on the cooling roller longitudinal flange 10c side and the highest at the end on the cooling roller longitudinal rotating joint means 11 side.

  Therefore, the cooling efficiency is highest at the end on the cooling roller longitudinal flange 10c side, lowest at the end on the cooling roller longitudinal rotating joint means 11, and has a temperature gradient over the entire width in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10, The temperature difference and the cooling efficiency difference also increase.

  In the cooling roller 10 according to the configuration example 1 shown in FIG. 4, the coolant cooled by the coolant circulating means as shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 is supplied with the water supply port 19a of the first rotary joint means 11a. , And passes through the inner flow path 18a (outward flow path) in the inner pipe 15a and is folded back by the flow path wall 17 separating the path 12a and the path 12b in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction. It passes through the outer flow path 16a (first return flow path) that is a gap between the first rotary pipe coupling means 11a and is discharged from the drain port 13a. At this time, the outer pipe 14 on the left side of the channel wall 17 is cooled by the coolant flowing through the outer channel 16a.

  Similarly, the cooling liquid cooled by the cooling liquid circulating means as shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 is supplied to the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary joint means 11b, and the inner pipe 15b passes through the inner flow path 18b (outward flow path) in 15b and is folded back by the flow path wall 17 separating the path 12a and the path 12b in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction, and the gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15b. It passes through the outer flow path 16b (second return flow path), and is discharged from the drain port 13b of the second rotary fitting means 11b. At this time, the outer pipe 14 on the right side of the flow path wall 17 is cooled by the coolant flowing through the outer flow path 16b.

  Here, at the position where the cooling liquid flows back from the inner flow paths 18 a and 18 b to the outer flow paths 16 a and 16 b by the flow path wall 17, the temperature of the cooling liquid is low, but on the surface of the cooling roller 10. Since the heated paper P passes through the heat fixing means 7 shown in FIG. 1 while being in close contact with each other, it passes through the first rotary fitting means 11a side of the outer flow path 16a and the second of the outer flow path 16b. The temperature of the coolant rises toward the rotary pipe joint means 11b side. Therefore, the surface temperature of the cooling roller 10 (outer pipe 14) is the lowest on the flow path wall 17 side in FIG. 2, and the highest on the first rotary pipe joint means 11a side and the second rotary pipe joint means 11b side.

  Therefore, the cooling efficiency is the highest in the vicinity of the flow path wall 17 in FIG. 4 and the lowest on the first rotary pipe joint means 11a side and the second rotary pipe joint means 11b side, and the flow path wall 17 of the cooling roller 10 is. As a result, the temperature difference in the width direction of the cooling roller 10 can be reduced.

  Further, since the channel wall 17 is divided into a channel 12a (first return channel) and a channel 12b (second return channel), the outer channel 16a and the outer channel 16b are respectively divided. Since the amount of heat received by the sheet P is about half, the temperature rise of the cooling liquid can be suppressed low. As a result, the cooling efficiency is increased, and the difference in cooling efficiency in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 is small. Become.

  In addition, since the central portion of the image with a high sheet printing rate can be cooled efficiently, the blocking phenomenon at the central portion of the paper that is likely to store heat when stacked after paper discharge can be further suppressed.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 in which the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 4 is improved so that the coolant can easily flow from the inner channel 18 to the outer channel 16.

  In the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 4, the cooling liquid flowing through the inner flow path 18 collides with the flow path wall 17 and hardly flows into the outer flow path 16, and convection may occur near the flow path wall 17. Therefore, the channel wall 17 is provided with channel auxiliary walls 23a and 23b having such an angle that the flow of the coolant is guided from the inner channel 18 to the outer channel 16 as shown in FIG. Although not shown for the same reason, the shape of the flow path wall 17 may be a curved shape. By providing the channel auxiliary walls 23a and 23b on the channel wall 17, the flow of the cooling liquid from the inner channel 18 to the outer channel 16 becomes smooth, and the cooling efficiency can be increased.

[Configuration example 2]
Next, the cooling roller 10 which concerns on the structural example 2 is shown in FIG. FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 having a structure in which the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction, and the path 12a and the path 12b are connected via the water flow port 20. is there. FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the inner tube 15 when the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 6A is viewed from the arrow X6 in the drawing.

  In FIG. 6, the cooling liquid is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a, passes through the inner flow path 18a (outward flow path) in the inner pipe 15, and the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe. The first rotation passes through the outer flow path 16a (return flow path)) and the outer flow path 16b (return flow path), which are gaps with the pipe 15, through the water passage 20 in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction. The water is discharged from the drain port 13a of the pipe joint means 11a and the drain port 13b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b.

  Similarly, the coolant is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b, passes through the inner flow path 18b (outward flow path) in the inner pipe 15, and the inner pipe 15 and the inner pipe. The first rotary pipe passes through the outer flow path 16a (return flow path) and the outer flow path 16b (return flow path), which are gaps with the pipe 15, and through the water passage 20 in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction. It is discharged from the drain port 13a of the joint means 11a and the drain port 13b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b.

  In this way, the cooling roller 10 has two paths 12a and 12b through which the cooling liquid flows through the water passage 20, so that the cooling region is divided in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10, and the first rotary pipe coupling means 11a. And the cooling liquid circulation means and the closed loop channel which will be described later are formed through the second rotary pipe coupling means 11b to circulate the cooling liquid. By making the inner tube 15 into such a simplified shape, the cost can be reduced.

  Although the cooling effect may be caused by a difference in the flow of the cooling liquid due to the difference in the structure of branching from the folding and joining of the flow path wall 17 and the water flow port 20, it is almost the same as the cooling roller 10 of the configuration example 1. The effect is obtained.

[Configuration example 3]
Next, the cooling roller 10 which concerns on the structural example 3 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7A, the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends in the axial direction of the cooling roller 10, and the path 12 a and the path 12 b are connected via the water inlet 20, and the inner flow path 18 in the inner pipe 15. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 having a structure having a water supply port 19 only on one of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a and the second rotary pipe joint means 11b. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the inner tube 15 when the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 7A is viewed from the arrow X7 in the drawing.

  In FIG. 7, the cooling liquid is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19 a of the first rotary pipe joint means 11 a, passes through the inner flow path 18 a (return flow path) in the inner pipe 15, and the length of the cooling roller 10. Through the water passage 20 in the middle of the direction, the water passes through the outer flow path 16a (outward flow path) or the outer flow path 16b, which is the gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15, and drains the first rotary joint means 11a. It is discharged from the outlet 13a and the drainage port 13b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b.

  As described above, the cooling roller 10 has a path 12a and a path 12b through which the cooling liquid flows through the water passage 20, and a cooling region is divided in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 by the outer channel 16a and the outer channel 16b. Then, the coolant is circulated by forming a closed-loop flow path with a coolant circulating means, which will be described later, via the first rotary joint means 11a and the second rotary joint means 11b.

  Further, by providing the water supply port 19 in one of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a and the second rotary pipe joint means 11b, a liquid feed tube 55 (see FIG. 18 and the like) of the cooling device 100 which will be described later. Can be simplified.

  Although the cooling effect may be caused by a difference in the flow of the cooling liquid due to the difference between the folding and branching structures of the flow path wall 17 and the water flow port 20, the cooling roller 10 of the configuration example 1 or the configuration example 2 is almost used. The same effect can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a flow passage auxiliary wall 24 that guides the cooling liquid flowing from the inner flow passage 18a through the water flow passage 20 to the outer flow passage 16a and the outer flow passage 16b is connected to the water flow passage 20 of the inner tube 15b. By providing at the side end portion, the coolant that has flowed through the inner flow path 18a can easily flow into the outer flow path 16a and the outer flow path 16b through the water inlet 20.

[Configuration Example 4]
Next, the cooling roller 10 which concerns on the structural example 4 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 9A, the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction, and two independent paths 12 are provided. The position where the cooling roller 10 is folded back in the longitudinal direction is the circumferential direction. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the cooling roller 10 of a different structure. FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of the inner tube 15 when the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 9A is viewed from directly above the paper surface.

  In FIG. 9 (a), the cooling liquid is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a, passes through the inner flow path 18a (forward flow path) in the inner pipe 15a, and passes through the cooling roller. 10 is folded at a flow path wall 17 that separates the path 12a and the path 12b in the middle of the longitudinal direction 10 and passes through an outer flow path 16a (return flow path) that is a gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15a. 1 is discharged from the drain port 13a of the rotary joint means 11a.

  Similarly, the cooling liquid is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b, passes through the inner flow path 18b (outward flow path) in the inner pipe 15b, and the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10. Folded by the flow path wall 17 that separates the path 12a and the path 12b in the middle of the direction, and passes through the outer flow path 16b (return flow path) that is the gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15b, the second rotation It is discharged from the drain port 13b of the pipe joint means 11b.

  Here, the flow path wall 17 is disposed obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 so that there is no portion that cannot be locally cooled over one circumference in the circumferential direction because water is not passed through the outer flow path 16. The inner tube 15a and the inner tube 15b are oblique in cross section so that the folding positions are different in the circumferential direction, and are arranged so as to be alternated in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10.

  In this configuration example, at the circumferential position C1 of the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 9A, the cooling roller 10 is cooled by the coolant flowing through the outer flow path 16a (first return flow path), and the cooling roller 10 The cooling roller 10 is cooled by the coolant flowing through the outer flow path 16b (second return flow path) at the circumferential position C2 of the cooling roller 10. Therefore, in the vicinity where the cooling liquid is folded at the flow path wall 17, it is possible to eliminate a portion where the cooling liquid does not circulate through the outer flow paths 16 a and 16 b over one circumferential direction of the cooling roller 10. The part which falls can be eliminated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the cross sections of the inner pipes 15a and 15b are slanted, but the cross section of the inner pipes 15a and 15b is not limited to the slanted structure, and the circumferential direction of the cooling roller 10 Any structure that does not allow the coolant to flow locally in the outer flow path 16 over the entire circumference may be used, and it is sufficient that there is no problem with the flow of the coolant.

  As described above, the cooling roller 10 has two independent paths 12a and 12b that reciprocately circulate therein, thereby dividing the cooling region in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10, and the first rotary pipe coupling means 11a and the second rotation. The coolant is circulated by forming a closed-loop flow path with a coolant circulation means (to be described later) via the pipe joint means 11b.

[Configuration Example 5]
Next, the cooling roller 10 which concerns on the structural example 5 is shown in FIG. FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 provided with two independent paths 12a and 12b by attaching the rotary pipe joint means 11 to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction. FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the inner tube 15 when the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 10A is viewed from the arrow X10 in the drawing.

  The outer tube 14 rotates, and one end side of the inner tube 15a is fixedly supported by the first rotary fitting means 11a so as not to rotate, and the other end side is freely rotatable on the flow path wall 17 via a bearing (not shown). Supported by Further, one end side of the inner pipe 15b is fixedly supported by the second rotary fitting means 11b so as not to rotate, and the other end side is rotatably supported by the flow path wall 17 via a bearing (not shown). A water passage 20a is provided in the vicinity of the flow path wall 17 of the inner pipe 15a so that the coolant flows from the inner flow path 18a to the outer flow path 16a, and an inner side in the vicinity of the flow path wall 17 of the inner pipe 15b. A water passage 20b is provided so that the coolant flows from the channel 18b to the outer channel 16b.

  The cooling roller 10 configured as described above causes a turbulent flow in the flow of the coolant (flow in the axial direction and the rotation direction) in the outer flow path 16, particularly in the vicinity of the inner side of the outer tube 14, thereby improving the cooling efficiency. it can.

[ Reference configuration example]
Next, a cooling roller 10 according to a reference configuration example is shown in FIG. FIG. 11A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 having a structure in which the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction, and the two paths 12 a and 12 b are connected via the water passage 20. It is. The outer tube 14 rotates, and both ends of the inner tube 15 are rotatably supported by the rotary joint means 11. FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of the inner tube 15 when the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 11A is viewed from the arrow X11 in the drawing. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view when the cross section when the cooling roller 1 is cut at the position YY ′ shown in FIG. 11 is viewed from the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10.

  In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15 are locally fixed by the connection support means 21. As a result, the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15 rotate together. The connection support means 21 has a mechanical strength that can withstand a load when the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15 are rotated, and has a structure that does not obstruct the flow of the coolant flowing through the outer flow path 16 as much as possible. Is desirable.

  The cooling roller 10 having such a configuration can smooth the flow of the coolant in the outer flow path 16 (flow in the axial direction and the rotational direction) and increase the cooling efficiency.

[Configuration Example 6 ]
Next, the cooling roller 10 which concerns on the structural example 6 is shown in FIG. FIG. 13A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 having a structure in which the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction, and the two paths 12 a and 12 b are connected via the water passage 20. It is. FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of the inner tube 15 when the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 13A is viewed from the arrow X13 in the drawing.

  A passage auxiliary wall 22 is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube 14 between the location where the water passage 20 of the inner tube 15 is formed and the outer tube 14, and cooling that has flowed through the inner channels 18a and 18b. The liquid passes through the water flow port 20 so as to easily flow into the outer flow paths 16a and 16b.

  When the inner tube 15 does not rotate or when the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15 rotate together, the flow path auxiliary wall 22 can be provided up to the inside of the water inlet 20. In the case of rotating asynchronously with 15, it is necessary to provide the channel auxiliary wall 22 in the outer channel 16 so as not to contact the inner tube 15.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the inner tube 15 is divided into two, an inner tube 15a and an inner tube 15b, a flow path auxiliary wall 22 is provided on the inner wall of the outer tube 14 near the paths 12a and 12b. By providing them in a fixed manner, the coolant that has flowed through the inner flow paths 18a, 18b can easily flow into the outer flow paths 16a, 16b through the paths 12a, 12b.

[Configuration Example 7 ]
Next, a cooling roller 10 according to Structural Example 7 is shown in FIG. FIG. 15A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 having a structure in which the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction, and the two paths 12 a and 12 b are connected via the water passage 20. It is. FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of the inner tube 15 when the cooling roller 10 shown in FIG. 15A is viewed from the arrow X15 in the drawing.

  In the present configuration example, the inner pipe 15 is formed with at least two water passages 20 a and 20 b communicating the outer flow path 16 and the inner flow path 18, and the cooling liquid is folded back in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10. The position is different in the circumferential direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the entire coolant from flowing from the inner flow path 18 to the outer flow path 16 at the same location in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 over one circumference in the circumferential direction.

  In the circumferential position C2 of the cooling roller 10 in FIG. 15, the cooling liquid is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a, passes through the inner flow path 18a in the inner pipe 15, The drainage of the first rotary joint means 11a passes through the water passage 20a in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 and the outer flow path 16a and the outer flow path 16b which are the gaps between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15. It is discharged from the outlet 13a and the drainage port 13b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b.

  Similarly, the coolant is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b, passes through the inner flow path 18b in the inner tube 15, and passes through the cooling roller 10 in the middle in the longitudinal direction. The water outlet 20a passes through the outer flow path 16a and the outer flow path 16b, which are the gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15, and passes through the drain port 13a of the first rotary fitting means 11a and the second rotary fitting means. It is discharged from the drain outlet 13b of 11b.

  Further, at the position C1 in the circumferential direction of the cooling roller 10 in FIG. 15, the cooling liquid is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a, and passes through the inner flow path 18a in the inner pipe 15. The first rotary pipe coupling means 11a passes through the water passage 20b in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction, passes through the outer flow path 16a and the outer flow path 16b, which are the gaps between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15. The drainage port 13a and the drainage port 13b of the second rotary pipe coupling means 11b are discharged.

  Similarly, the coolant is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b, passes through the inner flow path 18b in the inner tube 15, and passes through the cooling roller 10 in the middle in the longitudinal direction. The drainage port 13a of the first rotary fitting means 11a and the second rotary fitting means pass through the water port 20b, the outer flow path 16a and the outer flow path 16b, which are the gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15. It is discharged from the drain outlet 13b of 11b.

  In this way, by disposing the positions of the plurality of water flow ports 20 provided in the inner pipe 15 at different positions in the circumferential direction of the cooling roller 10, the coolant that has flowed through the outer flow paths 16 at different positions in the circumferential direction. When the coolant flows into the inner flow path 18 through the water flow port 20, the cooling liquids that flow into the inner flow path 18 from different water flow ports 20 do not collide with each other, so that convection and turbulence can be reduced. The flow of the coolant from the outer channel 16 to the inner channel 18 becomes smooth, and the cooling efficiency can be increased. Moreover, it can suppress that cooling efficiency falls locally by reducing these convection and turbulence.

[Configuration Example 8 ]
Next, a cooling roller 10 according to Configuration Example 8 is shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling roller 10 having a structure in which the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached to both ends of the cooling roller 10 in the axial direction, and the path 12 a and the path 12 b are connected via the water passage 20. The sheet P having a high temperature is conveyed through the heat fixing means 7 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10.

  In FIG. 16, the coolant is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a of the first rotary pipe joint means 11a, passes through the inner flow path 18a in the inner tube 15a, and is in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction. 12a and the path 12b are folded back by the flow path wall 17 and passed through the outer flow path 16a which is a gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15a, and discharged from the drain port 13a of the first rotary joint means 11a. Is done.

  Similarly, the cooling liquid is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b, passes through the inner flow path 18b in the inner pipe 15b, and the path 12a in the middle of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction. And the flow path wall 17 that separates the path 12b, passes through the outer flow path 16b that is the gap between the outer pipe 14 and the inner pipe 15b, and is discharged from the drain port 13b of the second rotary fitting means 11b. The

  Therefore, when there is no heat received from outside the paper P, the temperature of the coolant flowing through the outer flow path 16 of the cooling roller 10 and the surface temperature of the outer tube 14 of the cooling roller 10 are folded back by the inner flow paths 18a and 18b. The position where the air flows into the outer flow paths 16a and 16b is the lowest and the highest on the first rotary fitting 11a side and the second rotary fitting 11b side.

  Therefore, in the present configuration example, the sheet P is transported so that the center position of the sheet P passes through the position of the flow path wall 17 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10. As a result, the outer tube 14 of the cooling roller 10 is cooled with a uniform temperature gradient with respect to the width direction of the paper P, and the same amount of heat is taken from the paths 12a and 12b. It is possible to prevent an increase in the temperature of the coolant in one path 12 from becoming large.

  Further, since the outer tube 14 of the cooling roller 10 is cooled with a uniform temperature gradient on the left and right with respect to the width direction of the paper P, curling in the width direction of the paper P, image quality due to fixing, and uneven gloss can be reduced. it can.

  Further, when the cooling roller 10 having a structure without the flow path wall 17 provided on the cooling roller 10 is used in the present configuration example, the center position of the sheet P with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 is the water outlet 20. The paper P may be conveyed so as to pass through the center position.

  Here, when the width of the sheet P is shorter than the length of the outer flow path 16a, water is passed through only the path 12a, and the sheet P is conveyed on the path 12a of the cooling roller 10 as shown in FIG. Thus, by cooling the paper P only by passing water through one flow path a, energy can be reduced and the life of the cooling device 100 can be extended.

  In FIG. 17, the lengths of the outer flow path 16a and the outer flow path 16b are the same, but the lengths of the outer flow path 16a and the outer flow path 16b may be different. In that case, the width of the paper P is detected, and when the width of the paper P is shorter than either the outer flow path 16a or the outer flow path 16b, which side of the outer flow path 16a or the outer flow path 16b is on either side. When the width of the paper P is longer than one of the outer channels 16a and 16b and shorter than the other, the paper P is transported on the path 12a or the path 12b that is longer than the width of the paper P. Just do it.

Next, the case where the cooling liquid 1 is fed by one liquid feeding means will be described with reference to FIG.
The cooling circulation device 50 shown in FIG. 18 used for the cooling device 100 sends out the coolant 1 in the tank 51 by the pump 52 and receives air from the cooling fan 53 when passing through the radiator 54 which is a heat radiating means. Heat is radiated to the outside to lower the temperature of the coolant 1 (heat exchange between the coolant 1 and the outside). The cooling liquid 1 cooled by the radiator 54 is supplied to the first rotary pipe joint means 11a attached to both ends in the axial direction of the cooling roller 10 by the liquid feeding tubes 55 each having a flow path divided into two at the branch point J1. The water is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a and the water supply port 19b of the second rotary fitting 11b, and flows through the path 12a and the path 12b in the cooling roller. At this time, the cooling roller 10 takes away the heat of the sheet P that has become high temperature through the heat fixing unit 7, and the temperature of the cooling liquid 1 in the cooling roller 10 rises (heat exchange between the cooling liquid 1 and the sheet P). . The coolant 1 whose temperature has risen in the cooling roller 10 is discharged from the drain port 13a of the first rotary joint means 11a and the drain port 13b of the second rotary joint means 11b, and flows again at the junction J2. The liquid passes through the liquid supply tube 55 along the path, and is again sent out by the pump 52 via the tank 51. Through the circulation of the coolant 1, the heat of the sheet P is repeatedly released to the outside of the cooling device 100.

  In the cooling circulation device 50 shown in FIG. 18, when the flow path from the radiator 54 to the cooling roller 10 and the flow path on the path 12a side and the path 12b side of the cooling roller 10 are the same, one pump 52 In this case, the water supply port 19a and the water supply port 19b have the same flow rate and pressure. Therefore, the cooling roller 10 can have a symmetrical cooling efficiency on the left and right of the flow path wall 17.

Next, the case where the cooling liquid 1 is fed by two liquid feeding means will be described with reference to FIG.
In the cooling circulation device 50 shown in FIG. 19, the circulation system of the coolant 1 in the path 12a and the path 12b of the cooling roller 10 is an independent flow path R1 and flow path R2.

  On the flow path R1 side, the coolant 1a in the tank 51a is pumped out by the pump 52a, and when passing through the radiator 54a, air is blown from the cooling fan 53a to radiate heat to the outside to lower the temperature of the coolant 1a (cooling) Heat exchange between the liquid 1a and the outside). The cooling liquid 1a cooled by the radiator 54a is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19a of the first rotary joint means 11a attached to one end side in the axial direction of the cooling roller 10 by the liquid supply tube 55a. It flows through the inner path 12a. At this time, the cooling roller 10 takes away the heat of the sheet P that has become high temperature through the heat fixing unit 7 and the temperature of the cooling liquid 1a in the cooling roller 10 rises (heat exchange between the cooling liquid 1a and the sheet P). . The coolant 1a whose temperature has risen in the cooling roller 10 is discharged from the drain port 13a of the first rotary fitting means 11a, and is sent out again by the pump 52a via the tank 51a.

  On the flow path R2 side, the coolant 1b in the tank 51b is pumped out by the pump 52a, and when passing through the radiator 54b, the air is received from the cooling fan 53b to dissipate heat to reduce the temperature of the coolant 1b. (Heat exchange between the coolant 1b and the outside). The cooling liquid 1b cooled by the radiator 54b is supplied into the cooling roller 10 from the water supply port 19b of the second rotary joint means 11b attached to one end in the axial direction of the cooling roller 10 by the liquid supply tube 55b. Flows through the inner path 12b. At this time, the cooling roller 10 takes away the heat of the sheet P that has become high temperature through the heat fixing unit 7 and the temperature of the cooling liquid 1b in the cooling roller 10 rises (heat exchange between the cooling liquid 1b and the sheet P). . The coolant 1b whose temperature has increased in the cooling roller 10 is discharged from the drain port 13b of the second rotary fitting means 11b, and is sent out again by the pump 52b via the tank 51b.

  Therefore, when the path 12a and the path 12b in the cooling roller 10 are different from each other, when the amount of heat received from the outside of the path 12a and the path 12b of the cooling roller 10 is different, or after leaving the radiators 54a and 54b, the cooling roller 10 In the case where the flow paths are different, it is possible to independently control the liquid feeding amount of the pumps 52a and 52b, the air volume of the cooling fans 53a and 53b, and the flow rates of the cooling liquids 1a and 1b.

Next, a mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of the coolant 1 will be described.
When the cooling circulation device 50 is mounted on an image forming apparatus or the like, the flow from the radiator 54 to the cooling roller 10 and the flow on the path 12a side and the path 12b side of the cooling roller 10 due to layout and space problems. Even if the structure regarding the path is the same, it is conceivable that the lengths of the liquid feeding tubes 55 connected to the first rotary pipe joint means 11a and the second rotary pipe joint means 11b are different. At this time, there is a difference in cooling efficiency between the two paths 12a and 12b in the cooling roller 10 due to the influence of pressure loss and the like. Further, in addition to the difference in the configuration of the circulatory system, variations in parts accuracy and variations between lots can be considered. Therefore, the flow rate adjusting valve 56 is connected to the liquid feeding tube 55 of the cooling circulation device 50, and the flow rate can be adjusted by a mechanical mechanism.

  Next, the case where the temperature of the coolant 1 is detected and the flow rate of the coolant 1 is controlled will be described. FIG. 20 shows an example in which temperature detection means 57a and 57b for detecting the temperature of the coolant 1 are provided in the tanks 51a and 51b.

  The temperature of the coolant 1 detected by the temperature detectors 57a and 57b is feedback-controlled, and the pumping amount of the pumps 52a and 52b or the temperature of the coolant flowing through the path 12a and the path 12b of the cooling roller 10 is the same. The flow rate adjustment valves 56a and 56b are adjusted to adjust the flow rate of the coolant 1.

  Here, since the object to be cooled is the sheet P conveyed on the cooling roller 10, the temperature detection means 57a, 57b detects the temperature of the coolant 1 flowing through the outer flow paths 16a, 16b in the cooling roller 10. The feedback control method is the most accurate. However, since the outer flow paths 16a and 16b in the cooling roller 10 have a space problem for providing the temperature detection means 57a and 57b and a problem that the cooling roller 10 is driven to rotate, the temperature detection means 57a, As a place where 57b is provided, the temperature detection means 57c and 57d shown in FIG. 20 immediately before the coolant 1 flows into the water supply port 19a of the first rotary joint means 11a and the water supply port 19b of the second rotary pipe joint means 11b. The position where is disposed is desirable. Also, a configuration is possible in which the temperature of the coolant 1 is controlled by feeding back the temperature of the coolant 1 detected by each temperature detection means 57 and controlling the air volume of the cooling fans 53a and 53b.

Next, the case where the temperature near the surface of the cooling roller 10 is detected to control the flow rate of the cooling liquid will be described.
FIG. 21 shows an example in which temperature detecting means 58 for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller 10 is provided inside the outer tube 14 of the cooling roller 10. The temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller 10 detected by the temperature detecting means 58 is feedback controlled so that the temperature of the coolant flowing through the path 12a and the path 12b of the cooling roller 10 becomes the same, for example, the pump shown in FIG. The flow rate of the coolant is adjusted by adjusting the liquid supply amount or flow rate adjustment valves 56a and 56b of 52. Further, the temperature near the surface of the cooling roller 10 detected by the temperature detecting means 58 is fed back, for example, the air volume of the cooling fan 53 in FIG. 18 is controlled to control the temperature of the coolant.

  FIG. 22 is a schematic configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus of a tandem type intermediate transfer belt system equipped with a cooling device 100 having the cooling roller 10 of the present invention.

  An intermediate transfer belt 61 as an intermediate transfer medium is stretched by a plurality of rollers, the intermediate transfer belt 61 is configured to rotate by these rollers, and a process unit for image formation is disposed around the intermediate transfer belt 61. ing.

  When the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 61 is indicated by an arrow a in the drawing, image formation is performed in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 61 above the intermediate transfer belt 61 and between the rollers 62 and 63. As the process means, a first image station 64Y, a second image station 64C, a third image station 64M, and a fifth image station 64Bk are arranged. For example, in the first image station 64Y, a charging unit 70Y, an optical writing unit 72Y, a developing unit 73Y, and a cleaning unit 74Y are arranged around a drum-shaped photoconductor 71Y, and the photoconductor 71 is opposed to the intermediate transfer belt 61. A primary transfer roller 75Y as a transfer means to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided at the position, and the other three image stations have the same configuration. These four image stations are arranged side by side so as to have a predetermined pitch interval.

  In the present embodiment, the optical writing means 72 is an optical system using an LED as a light source. However, the optical writing unit 72 can also be configured by a laser optical system using a semiconductor laser as a light source, and exposes the photoconductor 71 according to image information. .

  Below the intermediate transfer belt 61, a sheet storage unit 76 and a sheet feeding roller 77, a registration roller pair 78, and a roller 65 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 61 are interposed via the intermediate transfer belt 61. A secondary transfer roller 66 serving as a transfer means from the intermediate transfer belt 61 provided so as to face the sheet P and a roller 68 in contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 are opposed to the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61. A cleaning unit 69 provided in contact therewith, a thermal fixing unit 7, a cooling device 100 having a cooling roller 10 that cools the paper P, a paper discharge accommodating unit 8 that is a discharge unit of the paper P after toner fixing, and the like are arranged. Yes. A paper conveyance path 79 extending from the paper storage unit 76 to the paper discharge storage unit 8 extends. In order to form an image on the back side when forming a double-sided image, a paper conveyance path 80 for double-sided image formation that reverses the paper P once passed through the cooling device 100 and conveys it again to the registration roller pair 78 is also provided.

  The cooling roller 10 of the cooling device 100 is a heat receiving unit that receives the heat of the paper P. The cooling roller 10 is connected / connected by a liquid supply tube 55 together with a radiator 54, a pump 52, and a tank 51 equipped with a cooling fan 53. Is enclosed. As shown by the arrow of the liquid feeding tube 55, the cooling liquid circulation path supplies the cooling liquid 1 cooled by the radiator 54 to the cooling roller 10, discharges it after passing through the cooling roller 10, and then the tank. 51, the pump 52 is sent to the pump 52 and returned to the radiator 54 again. The coolant 1 is circulated by the rotational pressure of the pump 52, and the radiator 54 radiates heat to cool the coolant 1, and the cooling roller 10. The power of the pump 52, the size of the radiator 54, and the like are selected based on the flow rate, pressure, cooling efficiency, etc. determined by the thermal design conditions (the amount of heat and temperature conditions that the cooling roller 10 should cool).

  The image forming process follows the general electrostatic recording system when paying attention to the first image station 64Y, and is formed by the light writing means 72Y on the photoreceptor 71Y uniformly charged by the charging means 70Y in the dark. An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing device 73Y. The toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor 71Y to the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the primary transfer roller 75Y. The surface of the photoreceptor 71Y after the transfer is cleaned by the cleaning means 74. The other image stations 64 have the same configuration as the first image station 64Y, and the same image forming process is performed.

  Each developing device 73 in each of the image stations 64Y, 64C, 64M, and 64Bk has a visual image forming function using different four color toners. Yellow, cyan, and magenta are used in each of the image stations 64Y, 64C, 64M, and 64Bk. If black is shared, a full color image can be formed. Accordingly, the same image forming area of the intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided to face the respective photoreceptors 71 so as to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 61 while sequentially passing through the four image stations 64Y, 64C, 64M, and 64Bk. If the toner images are transferred one by one on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the transfer bias given by the next transfer roller 75, the same image forming area will be transferred to each of the image stations 64Y, 64C, 64M, 64Bk. At the time of passing once, a full color toner image can be obtained by overlapping transfer on the same image area.

  Then, the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 61 is transferred to the paper P. The intermediate transfer belt 61 after the transfer is cleaned by a cleaning unit 69. For transfer onto the paper P, a transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 66 via the intermediate transfer belt 61 on the roller 65 at the time of transfer, and the paper P is applied to the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 66 and the intermediate transfer belt 61. This is done by passing it through. After the transfer to the paper P, the full-color toner image carried on the paper P is fixed by the thermal fixing unit 7, thereby forming a full-color final image on the paper P and stacking it on the paper discharge storage unit 8.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the paper P passes through the cooling device 100 disposed immediately after the heat fixing unit 7 before the paper P is stacked in the paper discharge storage unit 8. When passing, the paper P heated by the heat fixing means 7 passes while contacting the cooling roller 10 which is a heat receiving portion. Therefore, the surface of the cooling roller 10 absorbs heat from the paper P, and this heat is absorbed. This is transmitted to the coolant 1 inside the cooling roller 10. After the heat is transferred and the coolant 1 is heated to a high temperature, the coolant 1 is discharged from the cooling roller 10, and the coolant 1 is sent through the tank 51 and the pump 52 to the radiator 54 equipped with the cooling fan 53. Heat is exhausted outside the image forming apparatus. The coolant 1 from which heat has been removed by the radiator 54 and lowered to near room temperature is then sent to the cooling roller 10 again. By such an exhaust heat cycle with high cooling performance by the cooling liquid 1, the paper P heated to a high temperature by the heat fixing means 7 is efficiently cooled. Therefore, when the paper P is stacked in the paper discharge storage unit 8, the toner on the paper P can be surely cured. In particular, it is possible to avoid the blocking phenomenon that has been a serious problem in the double-sided image formation output.

  In this embodiment, the rotary joint means 11 is attached to each of the longitudinal ends of the cooling roller. However, as shown in FIG. 23, the rotary pipe joint means 11 is attached only to one end of the cooling roller. Also good. In this case, the inside of the inner tube 15 included in the outer tube 14 is partially made into a double tube structure. As a result, the coolant 1 supplied from the water supply port 19 of the rotary pipe joint means 11 passes through the inner flow path 18a in the inner pipe 15 from one end side, which is the side where the rotary pipe joint means 11 of the cooling roller is attached, to the other end. It flows toward the side, passes through the communication port 20 formed at the substantially central portion of the inner tube 15, is branched by the branch wall 25, and flows into the outer channel 16a and the outer channel 16b. The coolant 1 that has flowed into the outer flow path 16 a flows through the outer flow path 16 a toward the one end side and is discharged from the drain port 13 of the rotary fitting means 11. On the other hand, the coolant 1 that has flowed into the outer flow path 16 b flows toward the other end side of the outer flow path 16 b and is folded back at the inner end face on the other end side of the outer pipe 14 to be turned into the inner flow path 18 b in the inner pipe 15. Flow into. The coolant 1 flowing into the inner flow path 18 flows toward the one end side, passes through the inner flow path 18 c in the inner pipe 5, and is discharged from the discharge port 13 of the rotary joint means 11.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cooling roller 10 that cools the paper P by contacting the paper P that is a sheet-like member, and the cooling that is a cooling medium in the cooling roller 10 from the supply port provided in the cooling roller 10. In the cooling device 100, the cooling device 100 includes a pump 52 that is a cooling medium supply and recovery unit that supplies the liquid 1 and collects the cooling liquid 1 discharged from the discharge port provided in the cooling roller 10 to the outside of the cooling roller 10. The roller 10 includes an inner tube 15 in the outer tube 14, an outer flow path 16 in which the coolant 1 flows through the gap between the outer tube 14 and the inner tube 15, and an inner side in which the coolant 1 flows in the inner tube 15. The double pipe structure having the flow path 18 is provided with an opening communicating with the outer flow path 16 and the inner flow path 18 in the middle of the inner pipe 15 in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, and the coolant 1 supplied by the pump 52 is provided. Flows through the inner channel 18 The coolant 12 supplied by the pump 52 flows through the inner passage 18 and the passage 12a, which is the first passage that flows into the outer passage 16 through the opening and flows toward at least one end of the cooling roller 10, and passes through the opening. A path 12b that is a second path that flows through the outer flow path 16 and flows toward at least the other end side of the cooling roller 10 is formed. As a result, the cooling roller 10 is cooled by dividing the flow path of the cooling liquid 1 in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 into two, so that the cooling liquid 1 can be cooled in one direction in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10. The temperature rise of the cooling roller 10 can be reduced. Further, the temperature difference between the longitudinal direction and both ends of the cooling roller 10 can be reduced. Further, uniform image quality and gloss can be obtained in the width direction of the cooling roller 10. Further, since the temperature is controlled symmetrically in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10, curling of the paper P can be reduced.
Further, the outer pipe 14 in the outer flow path 16 is provided at both ends of the cooling roller 10 by providing the rotary pipe joint means 11 that supports the outer pipe 14 rotatably and supports the inner pipe 15 in a fixed manner. Since the turbulent flow is caused in the flow of the coolant 1 (the flow in the longitudinal direction and the rotation direction) in the vicinity of 14, the cooling efficiency can be increased.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the opening is formed at a substantially central portion of the inner tube 15 in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, and the cooling liquid 1 is supplied to the cooling roller 10 at one end side of the cooling roller 10. 1 supply port and a first discharge port for discharging the cooling liquid 1 from the cooling roller 10 to the outside of the cooling roller 10, and supplying the cooling liquid 1 into the cooling roller 10 on the other end side of the cooling roller 10 And a second discharge port for discharging the coolant 1 from the inside of the cooling roller 10 to the outside of the cooling roller 10, and the coolant 1 supplied from the first supply port is In the path 12a, it flows through the inner flow path 18 through the opening into the outer flow path 16, flows toward at least one of the one end side and the other end side, and the first discharge port and the second discharge port And is supplied from the second supply port. The coolant 1 flows through the inner flow path 18 in the path 12b, flows into the outer flow path 16 through the opening, flows toward at least one of the one end side and the other end side, and the first discharge port. It is discharged from at least one of the second discharge ports. Thereby, since the structure of the cooling roller 10 is simplified, the cost reduction of the cooling device 100 can be achieved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the opening is formed at a substantially central portion of the inner tube 15 in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, and the cooling liquid 1 is supplied to the cooling roller 10 at one end side of the cooling roller 10. 1, a second supply port for supplying the coolant 1 into the cooling roller 10 is provided on the other end side of the cooling roller 10, and one of the one end side and the other end side of the cooling roller 10 is provided. In addition, a discharge port for discharging the cooling liquid 1 from the cooling roller 10 to the outside of the cooling roller 10 is provided, and the cooling liquid 1 supplied from the first supply port flows through the inner flow path 18 through the path 12a. The coolant 1 flows into the outer flow path 16 through the opening, flows toward the one end side or the other end side, is discharged from the discharge port, and the coolant 1 supplied from the second supply port passes the inner flow path through the path 12b. 18 flows through the opening to the outer flow path 16. Toward viewing the one end or the other end side is discharged from the flow the discharge port. Thereby, since the discharge port of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12a and the path 12b is shared at one place, the configuration of the cooling roller 10 is simplified, so that the cost of the cooling device 100 can be reduced. In addition, the liquid feeding tube 55 that connects the discharge port and the pump 52 can be easily routed.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the cooling roller 10 has the flow path wall 17 that is a partition wall that divides the inside of the cooling roller 10 into two regions in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller. A first supply port for supplying the cooling liquid 1 and a first discharge port for discharging the cooling liquid 1 from the cooling roller 10 to the outside of the cooling roller 10 are provided, and the cooling roller 10 is provided on the other end side of the cooling roller 10. A second supply port for supplying the coolant 1 and a second discharge port for discharging the coolant 1 from the inside of the cooling roller 10 to the outside of the cooling roller 10 are provided and supplied from the first supply port. The cooled liquid 1 flows through the inner flow path 18 through the path 12a and is folded back by the flow path wall 17, flows into the outer flow path 16 on the one end side of the flow path wall 17, and is discharged from the first discharge port. The coolant 1 supplied from the second supply port passes through the path Discharged from the second outlet flows into the outer channel 16 in the other end side than the flow path wall 17 is folded in the inner channel 18 of the flow passage wall 17 in 2b. Thereby, since the structure of the cooling roller 10 is simplified, the cost reduction of the cooling device 100 can be achieved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the position at which the coolant 1 is folded back by the flow path wall 17 in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller between the path 12 a and the path 12 b is stepwise or continuous in the circumferential direction of the cooling roller 10. Different. Thereby, in the area | region where the paper P of the cooling roller 10 is conveyed, the location which is not allowed to flow through the outer flow path 16 over the entire circumference of the cooling roller 10 in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 can be eliminated. The place that cannot be done can be eliminated .
Also, according to this embodiment, by providing the flow path auxiliary walls 22, 23 and 24 a guide wall for guiding the cooling liquid 1 to the outside passage 16 through the opening from the inner flow path 18 in the vicinity of the opening Thus, the flow of the coolant 1 flowing through the two different inner flow paths 18 can be smoothly guided from the inner flow path 18 to the outer flow path 16 without directly joining the cooling liquids 1. Can be suppressed.
Further, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of the openings are formed at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube 15, so that the outer periphery of the cooling roller 10 extends around the circumference of the cooling roller 10 at a location where the opening in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller 10 is present. Since the position where the coolant 1 that has flowed through the two different outer flow paths 16 collides with each other is shifted in the flow path 16, it is possible to suppress local reduction in cooling efficiency.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the approximate center of the width of the sheet P in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller is the position where the coolant 1 flows from the outer channel 16 to the inner channel 18 in the path 12a, and By passing in the vicinity of the position where the coolant 1 flows from the outer flow path 16 to the inner flow path 18 in the path 12b, the central sheet is passed so that the areas of the sheets P passing through the two different outer flow paths 16 are the same. Therefore, curling in the width direction of the paper P and image quality and gloss unevenness due to fixing can be reduced.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the width of the sheet P in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller is the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller of either the outer flow path 16 of the path 12a or the outer flow path 16 of the path 12b. Is narrower than the width of the sheet P, the sheet P is conveyed on the path 12a or the path 12b, which is wider in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller than the width of the sheet P. Only flow the coolant 1. Thereby, since the paper P is cooled only by passing water through one of the path 12a and the path 12b, energy can be reduced.
Moreover, according to this embodiment, the liquid supply of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12a and the path 12b is performed by one liquid supply unit. Thereby, since the cooling liquid 1 is allowed to flow through the path 12a and the path 12b with one liquid feeding means, the size and cost of the cooling device 100 can be reduced. In addition, by configuring the path 12a and the path 12b to have the same configuration, the temperature and temperature gradient of the cooling roller 10 can be the same on the left and right in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the flow rate of the flow path 12a and the flow rate of the flow path 12b are flowed by performing the cooling liquid 1 flowing through the path 12a and the cooling liquid 1 flowing through the path 12b by separate liquid feeding means. And can be controlled independently. Moreover, a small and low cost liquid feeding performance can be used as the liquid feeding means.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the flow rate adjusting valve 56 that is a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12 a and the path 12 b is provided. The flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing in the flow path and the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing in the path 12b are made the same. Thereby, in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, the temperature gradient can be controlled to be symmetric with respect to the association portion of the path 12a and the path 12b. Further, curling in the width direction of the paper P and image quality and gloss unevenness due to fixing can be reduced.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the flow rate adjusting valve 56 which is a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing through the route 12a and the route 12b, and the coolant flowing through the route 12a and the route 12b. Temperature detection means 57 for detecting the temperature of 1, and based on the temperature of the coolant 1 detected by the temperature detection means 57, the cooling efficiency on the path 12 a and the previous period path 12 b are the same. The flow rate adjusting valve 56 adjusts the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12a and the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12b. Thus, the temperature and temperature gradient of the cooling roller 10 are controlled to be the same on the left and right in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, so that curling in the width direction of the paper P, image quality and gloss unevenness due to fixing can be reduced. it can.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the radiator 54 that is a heat radiating means for radiating the heat of the coolant 1 to the outside, the cooling fan 53 that blows air to the radiator 54, the air volume control means that controls the air volume of the cooling fan 53, Temperature detecting means 57 for detecting the temperature of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12a and the path 12b. Based on the temperature of the coolant 1 detected by the temperature detecting means 57, the paths 12a and 12b are The air volume of the cooling fan 53 is controlled by the air volume control means so that the temperature of the flowing coolant 1 becomes the same. Thus, the temperature and temperature gradient of the cooling roller 10 are controlled to be the same on the left and right in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, so that curling in the width direction of the paper P, image quality and gloss unevenness due to fixing can be reduced. it can.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the flow rate adjusting valve 56 which is a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12a and the path 12b, and cooling on the path 12a and the path 12b. Temperature detecting means 58 for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the roller surface, and based on the temperature in the vicinity of the cooling roller surface detected by the temperature detecting means 58, the temperature in the vicinity of the cooling roller surface on the path 12a and the path 12b. The flow rate adjusting valve 56 adjusts the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12a and the flow rate of the coolant 1 flowing through the path 12b. Thus, the temperature and temperature gradient of the cooling roller 10 are controlled to be the same on the left and right in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, so that curling in the width direction of the paper P, image quality and gloss unevenness due to fixing can be reduced. it can.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the radiator 54 that is a heat radiating means for radiating the heat of the coolant 1 to the outside, the cooling fan 53 that blows air to the radiator 54, the air volume control means that controls the air volume of the cooling fan 53, Temperature detecting means 58 for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the path 12a and on the path 12b, and on the path 12a and on the basis of the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller detected by the temperature detecting means 58. The air volume of the cooling fan 53 is controlled by the air volume control means so that the temperatures near the surface of the cooling roller on the path 12b are the same. Thus, the temperature and temperature gradient of the cooling roller 10 are controlled to be the same on the left and right in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller, so that curling in the width direction of the paper P, image quality and gloss unevenness due to fixing can be reduced. it can.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the paper P, the thermal fixing unit 7 that fixes the toner image formed on the paper P to the paper P by at least heat, and the thermal fixing. In the image forming apparatus including the cooling unit that cools the paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the unit 7, the cooling device 100 according to the present invention is used as the cooling unit. Image quality and gloss unevenness due to fixing can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coolant 2 Roller 3 Roller 4 Conveyor belt 5 Upper guide 6 Bracket 7 Thermal fixing means 8 Discharge storage part 10 Cooling roller 10b Cross-sectional hole 10c Flange 10d Flange 10e Ring 10f Screw 10h Parallel screw part 10i Fitting part 10k Opening hole 10m Cross-sectional hole 11 Rotating pipe coupling means 11c Fitting portion 11e Casing 11f Flange 11g Ring 11h Screw 11i Ring 11j Rotor 11k Parallel threaded portion 12 Channel 13 Drain port 14 Outer tube 15 Inner tube 16 Outer channel 17 Channel wall 18 Inner flow Channel 19 Water supply port 20 Water flow port 21 Connection support means 22 Flow path auxiliary wall 23 Flow path auxiliary wall 24 Flow path auxiliary wall 25 Branch wall 35e Casing 50 Cooling circulation device 51 Tank 52 Pump 53 Cooling fan 54 Radiator 55 Liquid feeding tube 56 Flow rate Regulating valve 5 Temperature detection means 58 Temperature detection means 61 Intermediate transfer belt 62 Roller 63 Roller 64 Image station 65 Roller 66 Secondary transfer roller 68 Roller 69 Cleaning means 70 Charging means 71 Photoconductor 72 Writing means 73 Developing device 74 Cleaning means 75 Primary transfer roller 76 Paper storage section 77 Paper feed roller 78 Registration roller pair 79 Paper transport path 80 Paper transport path 100 Cooling device

JP 2006-003819 A

Claims (17)

A cooling roller that cools the sheet-like member by contacting the sheet-like member;
Cooling medium supply and recovery means for supplying a cooling medium into the cooling roller from a supply port provided in the cooling roller, and recovering the cooling medium discharged outside the cooling roller from a discharge port provided in the cooling roller; In the provided cooling device,
The cooling roller includes an inner tube in an outer tube, a double channel having an outer channel through which a cooling medium flows through a gap between the outer tube and the inner tube, and an inner channel through which the cooling medium flows in the inner tube. It is a pipe structure, provided with an opening that communicates the outer flow path and the inner flow path in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller of the inner pipe,
A first path through which the cooling medium supplied by the cooling medium supply / recovery means flows through the inner flow path, flows into the outer flow path through the opening, and flows toward at least one end of the cooling roller; and the cooling medium A cooling medium supplied by the supply and recovery means flows through the inner flow path, flows into the outer flow path through the opening, and forms at least a second path that flows toward the other end side of the cooling roller. configured,
The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising: a supporting unit that rotatably supports the outer tube and fixedly supports the inner tube at both ends of the cooling roller . The cooling device of claim 1.
The opening is formed in a substantially central portion of the inner pipe in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller,
A first supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the cooling roller and a first discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller are provided on one end side of the cooling roller,
A second supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the cooling roller and a second discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller are provided on the other end side of the cooling roller. And
The cooling medium supplied from the first supply port flows in the first path through the inner flow path and through the opening into the outer flow path, toward at least one of the one end side and the other end side. Discharged from at least one of the first outlet and the second outlet,
The cooling medium supplied from the second supply port flows through the inner channel through the second path, and flows into the outer channel through the opening, toward at least one of the one end side and the other end side. A cooling device, wherein the cooling device is discharged from at least one of the first discharge port and the second discharge port. The cooling device of claim 1.
The opening is formed in a substantially central portion of the inner pipe in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller,
A first supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the cooling roller is provided on one end side of the cooling roller,
A second supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the cooling roller is provided on the other end side of the cooling roller,
A discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the inside of the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller is provided on one of the one end side and the other end side of the cooling roller,
The cooling medium supplied from the first supply port flows in the first path through the inner flow path, through the opening, into the outer flow path, and flows toward the one end side or the other end side. Discharged from the exit,
The cooling medium supplied from the second supply port flows through the inner flow path through the second path, flows into the outer flow path through the opening, and flows toward the one end side or the other end side. A cooling device that is discharged from an outlet. The cooling device of claim 1.
A partition wall that divides the inside of the cooling roller into two regions in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller;
A first supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the cooling roller and a first discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller are provided on one end side of the cooling roller,
A second supply port for supplying the cooling medium into the cooling roller and a second discharge port for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling roller to the outside of the cooling roller are provided on the other end side of the cooling roller. And
The cooling medium supplied from the first supply port flows in the first flow path through the inner flow path, is folded back by the partition wall, and flows into the outer flow path on the one end side of the partition wall. Discharged from 1 outlet,
The cooling medium supplied from the second supply port flows through the inner channel in the second path, is folded back by the partition wall, and flows into the outer channel on the other end side with respect to the partition wall. A cooling device that is discharged from the second discharge port. The cooling device according to claim 4.
The cooling device characterized in that the position of the first path and the second path folded back by the partition wall in the middle of the cooling roller in the longitudinal direction is stepwise or continuously in the circumferential direction of the cooling roller. . The cooling device according to claim 2 or 3,
A cooling device comprising a guide wall for guiding a cooling medium from the inner flow path to the outer flow path through the opening in the vicinity of the opening. The cooling device according to claim 2 or 3,
A cooling device, wherein a plurality of the openings are formed at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube. Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, in the 7 cooling device was 6 or,
The substantially center of the width of the sheet-like member in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller is the position where the cooling medium flows from the inner flow path to the outer flow path in the first path, and the second path A cooling device characterized by passing through the vicinity of a position where a cooling medium flows from an inner flow path to the outer flow path. Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, in the 7 cooling device was 6 or,
The width of the sheet-like member in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller is larger than the width of the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller in either the outer channel of the first path or the outer channel of the second path. When the width is narrow, the sheet-like member is conveyed on the first path or the second path, which is wider in the longitudinal direction of the cooling roller than the width of the sheet-like member, and the sheet-like member is conveyed. A cooling device, wherein a cooling medium is allowed to flow only in a flow path on the side. In the claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, the cooling device 9 was 8 or,
A cooling device characterized in that the liquid feeding of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path is performed by one liquid feeding means. In the claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, the cooling device 9 was 8 or,
A cooling device, wherein the cooling medium flowing in the first path and the cooling medium flowing in the second path are performed by separate liquid feeding means. In the cooling device according to claim 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 or 8,
A flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path;
The cooling apparatus characterized in that the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the second path are made the same by the flow rate adjusting means. In the claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, the cooling device 9 was 8 or,
Flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path,
Based on the temperature of the cooling medium detected by the temperature detecting means, the flow rate adjusting means sets the first path so that the cooling efficiency on the first path and the previous second path become the same. A cooling device characterized by adjusting a flow rate of a cooling medium to flow and a flow rate of a cooling medium to flow in the second path. In the claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, the cooling device 9 was 8 or,
A heat dissipating means for dissipating the heat of the cooling medium to the outside;
A cooling fan for blowing air to the heat dissipating means;
An air volume control means for controlling the air volume of the cooling fan;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path,
Based on the temperature of the cooling medium detected by the temperature detecting means, the air volume control means controls the air volume of the cooling fan so that the temperature of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path becomes the same. A cooling device characterized by controlling. In the claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, the cooling device 9 was 8 or,
Flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the first path and the second path;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the first path and the second path,
Based on the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller detected by the temperature detecting means, the flow rate adjusting means adjusts the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the first path and the second path by the flow rate adjusting means. A cooling device characterized by adjusting a flow rate of a cooling medium flowing through the first path and a flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through the second path. In the claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, the cooling device 9 was 8 or,
A heat dissipating means for dissipating the heat of the cooling medium to the outside;
A cooling fan for blowing air to the heat dissipating means;
An air volume control means for controlling the air volume of the cooling fan;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling roller on the first path and the second path,
Based on the temperature in the vicinity of the cooling roller surface detected by the temperature detection means, the air volume control means controls the air volume control means so that the temperatures in the vicinity of the cooling roller surface on the first path and the second path become the same. A cooling device that controls the air volume of a cooling fan. Toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a sheet-like member;
Thermal fixing means for fixing the toner image formed on the sheet-like member to the sheet-like member at least by heat;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a cooling unit that cools the sheet-like member on which the toner image is fixed by the heat fixing unit;
As the cooling means, according to claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,1 5 or is a characterized by the use of 16 of the cooling device Image forming apparatus.

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