JP6477323B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Methods for visualizing image information, such as electrophotography, are currently used in various fields. In electrophotography, an electrostatic charge image is formed as image information on the surface of an image carrier by charging and electrostatic charge image formation. Then, a toner image is formed on the surface of the image holding member by a developer containing toner, the toner image is transferred to a recording medium, and then the toner image is fixed on the recording medium. Through these steps, the image information is visualized as an image. Then, the image carrier is cleaned with a blade or the like before the toner image is formed again.

  For example, Patent Document 1 states that “a heating member, a pressure member, an external heating member that is placed in contact with and away from the heating member, and that supplies heat by contacting the heating member, and can be brought into and out of contact with the heating member. A polishing member that contacts the heating member and polishes the heating member; and a drive mechanism unit that includes a motor and performs contact and separation operations of the external heating member and the polishing member with respect to the heating member. Fixing device ".

  Further, Patent Document 2 states that “a fixing member, a pressure member, a polishing member that is provided so as to be capable of being pressed against and separated from the fixing member, and that rubs the surface of the fixing member while being in pressure contact with the fixing member. In a fixing device comprising: a polishing member in a separated state before the polishing member is pressed against the fixing member, the polishing member is rotated in a rotational direction that is the same as the conveying direction of the fixing member at a position where the polishing member is in pressure contact with the fixing member. A fixing device in which the rotational speed of the polishing member is changed after the preliminary rotation and the polishing member is pressed against the fixing member in the preliminary rotation state is disclosed. "

JP2012-098514A JP 2014-215376 A

On the other hand, an image forming apparatus using a glossy toner having a flat shape is known. In this image forming apparatus, the brightness of the fixed image may be low.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus for forming a fixed image using glitter toner, as compared with a case where a roughening device having a roughening member for roughening the surface of a fixing member is not provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that forms a high-fixed image.

  The above problem is solved by the following means.

The invention according to < 1 >
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
An electrostatic charge image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device that contains an electrostatic charge image developer having a glittering toner containing a flat metal pigment, and develops the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer. When,
A transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
A fixing device having a fixing member and a pressure member arranged in contact with the fixing member, and fixing a toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium at a contact portion between the fixing member and the pressure member When,
A roughening device having a roughening member for roughening the surface of the fixing member;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to < 2 >
The image forming apparatus according to < 1 > , wherein the flat metal pigment is a pigment having an average major axis length of 5 μm to 12 μm and an average thickness of 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm.

The invention according to < 3 >
When the volume average particle diameter of the glitter toner is R and the average major axis length of the flat metal pigment is L, the ten-point average surface roughness of the fixing member roughened by the roughening member. The image forming apparatus according to < 1 > or < 2 > , wherein the thickness Rz satisfies a relationship of the following formula (1).
Formula (1): rz−0.3 <Rz <rz + 0.4
Formula (2): rz = −0.30 (R / L) ² +1.73 (R / L) −0.94

The invention according to < 4 >
The roughening member is a roll member or a belt member, and is a roughening member that roughens the surface of the fixing member by following the fixing member or rotating with a difference in peripheral speed < 1 >. The image forming apparatus according to any one of to < 3 > .

The invention according to < 5 >
The image forming apparatus according to any one of < 1 > to < 4 > , wherein a ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the surface of the roughening member is 0.5 μm or more and 1.6 μm or less.

The invention according to < 6 >
The roughening device detects a surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member, and a surface roughness in which the surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member detected by the detection unit is predetermined. When the surface roughness state is equal to or less than the state, the surface roughening member is brought into contact with the fixing member, and the surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member detected by the detection unit is a predetermined surface roughness state. The image forming apparatus according to any one of < 1 > to < 5 > , further comprising: a contact / separation mechanism unit that, when exceeded, causes the roughening member to be separated from the fixing member.

According to the invention according to < 1 > or < 2 > , the image forming apparatus for forming a fixed image using the glitter toner includes the roughening device having a roughening member for roughening the surface of the fixing member. An image forming apparatus that forms a fixed image with high glitter as compared with the case where there is no image is provided.
According to the invention according to < 3 >, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms a fixed image with high glitter as compared with a case where Expression (1) is not satisfied.
According to the invention according to < 4 > , in the image forming apparatus for forming a fixed image with glitter toner, compared to a case where a roughening device having a roughening member for roughening the surface of the fixing member is not provided. There is provided an image forming apparatus that includes a roll member or a belt member as a roughening member and forms a fixed image with high glitter.
According to the invention according to < 5 >, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms a fixed image having high glitter as compared with a case where the ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the surface of the roughening member is less than 0.5 μm. The
According to the invention according to < 6 > , an image forming apparatus that suppresses excessive roughening of the surface of the fixing member is provided as compared with a case where the roughening device does not further include a contact / separation mechanism.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixed image in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a control device in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a roughening process of a fixing member in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between (volume average particle diameter R of toner / average major axis length L of flat metal pigment) and Rz. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between a ten-point average surface roughness Rz of a fixing member and an image glitter FI.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described in detail.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging device that charges the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic image forming device that forms an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image carrier, and a flat shape. An electrostatic charge image developer (hereinafter also referred to as “developer”) having a glittering toner containing a metallic pigment is accommodated, and the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed as a toner image by the developer. A developing device, a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the recording medium, a fixing member, and a pressure member disposed in contact with the fixing member. And a roughening device having a roughening member for roughening the surface of the fixing member. The fixing device fixes the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium at the contact portion between the pressure member and the pressure member. Forming equipment.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, a fixed image with high glitter is formed by the above configuration.

Here, in order to obtain a bright fixed image, a bright toner containing a flat metal pigment is used. The toner image obtained by the glittering toner containing the flat metal pigment is in a state in which the glittering toner is raised and oriented by the electric field in the transfer. When the glossy toner is raised and oriented, the toner image passes through the fixing nip when the toner image is fixed at the contact portion between the fixing member and the pressure member (hereinafter also referred to as “fixing nip portion”). Due to the shearing force sometimes generated, the rising glitter toner is fixed in a state of being laid down. Then, the flat metal pigment is also laid down, and the flat metal pigment is stretched and oriented by the shearing force applied to the glitter toner by the surface of the fixing member, so that the fixed image has glitter. Is granted.
At this time, when the surface roughness of the fixing member increases, the shearing force applied to the glitter toner by the surface of the fixing member increases. Therefore, the surface of the fixing member is actively roughened by the roughening member of the roughening device to increase the surface roughness. Then, since the shearing force applied to the glitter toner by the surface of the fixing member increases, the flat metal pigment that is easily affected is further stretched to increase the orientation, and the glitter of the fixed image is increased.

  From the above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, a fixed image with high glitter is formed.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a direct transfer type apparatus that directly transfers a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to a recording medium; an intermediate transfer of the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier. An intermediate transfer type device that primarily transfers the toner image transferred onto the surface of the body and then transfers the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer body onto the surface of the recording medium; A well-known image forming apparatus such as an apparatus provided with a static elimination device that eliminates static electricity by irradiating static elimination light is applied.
In the case of an intermediate transfer type apparatus, the transfer apparatus includes, for example, an intermediate transfer body on which a toner image is transferred to the surface, and a primary transfer that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding body to the surface of the intermediate transfer body. A configuration including an apparatus and a secondary transfer apparatus that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer body onto the surface of the recording medium is applied.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, the part including at least the image holding member may have a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the main part shown to a figure is demonstrated and the description is abbreviate | omitted about others.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member (an example of an image holding member; hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive member”) 12. The photosensitive member 12 has a cylindrical shape, and is connected to a driving unit 27 such as a motor via a driving force propagation member (not shown) such as a gear, and around the rotation axis indicated by a black dot by the driving unit 27. Driven by rotation. In the example shown in FIG. 1, it is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A.

  Around the photoreceptor 12, for example, a charging device 15, an electrostatic charge image forming device 16, a developing device 18, a transfer device 31, a cleaning device 22, and a charge eliminating device 24 are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 12. It is installed. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a fixing device 26 having a fixing member 84 and a pressure member 88 disposed in contact with the fixing member 84, and a roughening member 122 that roughens the surface of the fixing member 84. A roughening device 120 having Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control device 36 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

  In the image forming apparatus 10, at least the photoconductor 12 may be provided as a process cartridge integrated with another apparatus.

  Details of each device (each unit) of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described below.

(Photoconductor)
The photoreceptor 12 includes, for example, a conductive substrate, an undercoat layer formed on the conductive substrate, and a photosensitive layer formed on the undercoat layer. This photosensitive layer may have a two-layer structure of a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer. The photosensitive layer may be an organic photosensitive layer or an inorganic photosensitive layer. The photoreceptor 12 may have a configuration in which a protective layer is provided on the photosensitive layer.

(Charging device)
The charging device 15 charges the surface of the photoconductor 12. The charging device 15 is provided, for example, in contact or non-contact with the surface of the photoconductor 12, and a charging member 14 that charges the surface of the photoconductor 12, and a power source 28 (voltage for the charging member) that applies a charging voltage to the charging member 14. An example of an application unit). The power source 28 is electrically connected to the charging member 14.

  Examples of the charging member 14 of the charging device 15 include a contact-type charger using a conductive charging roller, a charging brush, a charging film, a charging rubber blade, a charging tube, and the like. Examples of the charging member 14 include a non-contact type roller charger, a known charger such as a scorotron charger using a corona discharge, or a corotron charger.

  The charging device 15 (including the power supply 28) is electrically connected to, for example, a control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10 and is driven and controlled by the control device 36 to apply a charging voltage to the charging member 14. To do. The charging member 14 to which the charging voltage is applied from the power supply 28 charges the photoconductor 12 to a charging potential corresponding to the applied charging voltage. Therefore, the photosensitive member 12 is charged to a different charging potential by adjusting the charging voltage applied from the power source 28.

(Static charge image forming device)
The electrostatic charge image forming device 16 forms an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged photoreceptor 12. Specifically, for example, the electrostatic charge image forming device 16 is electrically connected to a control device 36 provided in the image forming device 10, is driven and controlled by the control device 36, and is charged by the charging member 14. The surface of the photoconductor 12 is irradiated with light L modulated based on the image information of the image to be formed, and an electrostatic charge image corresponding to the image of the image information is formed on the photoconductor 12.

  Examples of the electrostatic charge image forming device 16 include an optical system device having a light source that exposes light such as semiconductor laser light, LED light, and liquid crystal shutter light imagewise.

(Developer)
The developing device 18 is provided, for example, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 12 from the irradiation position of the light L by the electrostatic charge image forming device 16. In the developing device 18, an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer is provided. In this accommodating portion, a developer having a glittering toner (hereinafter also simply referred to as “toner”) containing a flat metal pigment is accommodated. For example, the toner is stored in a charged state in the developing device 18. The details of the glitter toner containing a flat metal pigment will be described later.

  The developing device 18 includes, for example, a developing member 18A that develops an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 with a developer containing toner, and a power source 32 that applies a developing voltage to the developing member 18A. Yes. The developing member 18A is electrically connected to the power source 32, for example.

  The developing member 18A of the developing device 18 is selected according to the type of developer, and examples thereof include a developing roll having a developing sleeve with a built-in magnet.

  The developing device 18 (including the power supply 32) is electrically connected to, for example, a control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and is driven and controlled by the control device 36 to apply a developing voltage to the developing member 18A. To do. The developing member 18A to which the developing voltage is applied is charged to a developing potential corresponding to the developing voltage. Then, the developing member 18A charged to the developing potential holds, for example, the developer accommodated in the developing device 18 on the surface, and the toner contained in the developer is transferred from the developing device 18 to the surface of the photoreceptor 12. Supply.

  For example, the toner supplied onto the photoreceptor 12 adheres to the electrostatic image on the photoreceptor 12 by electrostatic force. Specifically, for example, the toner contained in the developer is caused by a potential difference in a region where the photosensitive member 12 and the developing member 18A face each other, that is, a potential difference between the surface potential of the photosensitive member 12 in the region and the developing potential of the developing member 18A. The photosensitive member 12 is supplied to an area where an electrostatic charge image is formed. If the developer contains a carrier, the carrier returns to the developing device 18 while being held by the developing member 18A.

For example, the electrostatic charge image on the photoconductor 12 is developed with toner supplied from the developing member 18A, and a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic charge image is formed on the photoconductor 12. For example, the development amount per unit area is 2.0 g / m ² or more and 8.0 g / m ² or less.

(Transfer device)
For example, the transfer device 31 is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 12 from the position where the developing member 18A is disposed. The transfer device 31 includes, for example, a transfer member 20 that transfers a toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 to the recording medium 30A, and a power supply 30 that applies a transfer voltage to the transfer member 20. The transfer member 20 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and conveys the recording medium 30 </ b> A with the photoreceptor 12. The transfer member 20 is electrically connected to, for example, a power supply 30.

  As the transfer member 20 of the transfer member 20, for example, a contact transfer charger using a belt, a roller, a film, a rubber blade or the like, a scorotron transfer charger using corona discharge, or a corotron transfer charger, etc. are known per se. A non-contact type transfer charger is exemplified.

  The transfer device 31 (including the power supply 30) is electrically connected to a control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, for example, and is driven and controlled by the control device 36 to apply a transfer voltage to the transfer member 20. To do. The transfer member 20 to which the transfer voltage is applied is charged to a transfer potential corresponding to the transfer voltage.

  When a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner constituting the toner image formed on the photoconductor 12 is applied from the power source 30 of the transfer member 20 to the transfer member 20, for example, between the photoconductor 12 and the transfer member 20. In the facing area (see transfer area 32A in FIG. 1), a transfer electric field having an electric field intensity is formed to move each toner constituting the toner image on the photoconductor 12 from the photoconductor 12 to the transfer member 20 side by electrostatic force. Is done.

  For example, the recording medium 30 </ b> A is stored in a storage unit (not illustrated), and is transported along the transport path 34 by a plurality of transport members (not illustrated) from the storage unit. It reaches the transfer area 32A, which is an opposing area. In the example shown in FIG. 1, it is conveyed in the direction of arrow B. For example, when a transfer voltage is applied to the transfer member 20, the toner image on the photoconductor 12 is transferred to the recording medium 30 </ b> A that has reached the transfer area 32 </ b> A by a transfer electric field formed in the area. That is, for example, the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium 30A by the movement of the toner from the surface of the photoreceptor 12 to the recording medium 30A.

  The toner image on the photoreceptor 12 is transferred onto the recording medium 30A by a transfer electric field. The magnitude of the transfer electric field is controlled based on the transfer current value. The transfer current value is a current value detected by the transfer device 31 when a transfer electric field is applied by constant current control. The transfer current value represents the magnitude of the transfer electric field. For example, the transfer current value is 10 μA or more and 45 μA or less.

(Cleaning device)
The cleaning device 22 is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 12 from the transfer region 32A. The cleaning device 22 cleans residual toner adhering to the photoreceptor 12 after transferring the toner image to the recording medium 30A. The cleaning device 22 cleans deposits such as paper dust in addition to residual toner.

  The cleaning device 22 includes, for example, a cleaning blade 220 that contacts the photoconductor 12 with a predetermined linear pressure. For example, the cleaning blade 220 is in contact with the photoreceptor 12 at a linear pressure of 10 g / cm or more and 150 g / cm or less.

(Staticizer)
The neutralization device 24 is provided, for example, downstream of the cleaning device 22 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 12. After the toner image is transferred, the neutralization device 24 exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 12 to neutralize the charge. Specifically, for example, the static elimination device 24 is electrically connected to a control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and is driven and controlled by the control device 36, so that the entire surface of the photoconductor 12 (specifically, For example, the entire surface of the image forming area is exposed to remove electricity.

  Examples of the static eliminating device 24 include a device having a light source such as a tungsten lamp that emits white light and a light emitting diode (LED) that emits red light.

(Fixing device)
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 26 includes a fixing member 84 and a pressure member 88 disposed in contact with the fixing member 84. Specifically, for example, the fixing device 26 is provided with a fixing belt module 86 including a fixing belt (hereinafter also referred to as “fixing belt 84”) as an example of the fixing member 84, and the fixing belt module 86 being pressed. The pressure member 88 includes a pressure roll (hereinafter also referred to as “pressure roll 88”) as an example. A nip portion N where the fixing belt 84 (fixing belt module 86) and the pressure roll 88 come into contact is formed. In the nip portion N, the recording medium 30A is pressurized and heated to fix the toner image.

  The fixing belt module 86 includes an endless fixing belt 84 and a heating roll 89 that rotationally drives the fixing belt 84 with the rotational force of a motor (not shown) while applying tension to the fixing belt 84 on the pressure roll 88 side. And a support roll 90 that supports the fixing belt 84 while applying tension to the fixing belt 84 from the inside at a position different from the heating roll 89. In addition, a support roll 92 that is disposed outside the fixing belt 84 and defines a circulation path thereof, and an attitude correction roll 94 that corrects the attitude of the fixing belt 84 from the heating roll 89 to the support roll 90 are provided.

  The fixing belt module 86 and the pressure roll 88 are arranged in the downstream area in the nip portion N where the pressure belt 88 is in pressure contact and inside the fixing belt 84, around the heating roll 89, and from the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll 89. A peeling pad 96 for peeling the fixing belt 84 and a support roll 98 for supporting the fixing belt 84 while applying tension to the fixing belt 84 on the downstream side of the nip portion N are provided.

  The heating roll 89, the support roll 90, and the support roll 92 are each provided with a halogen heater 102, a halogen heater 104, and a halogen heater 106 as heating sources, so that the fixing belt 84 is heated. It has become. That is, in this embodiment, the fixing belt 84 is heated by the heating roll 89, the support roll 90, and the support roll 92. Further, spring members (not shown) that press the fixing belt 84 outward are disposed at both ends of the support roll 90.

  Around the posture correction roll 94, an end position measuring mechanism (not shown) for measuring the end position of the fixing belt 84 is disposed. The posture correcting roll 94 is provided with an axial displacement mechanism (not shown) that displaces the contact position in the axial direction of the fixing belt 84 according to the measurement result of the end position measuring mechanism. Configured to control.

  The peeling pad 96 has a curved inner surface 96A that faces the heating roll 89, a pressing surface 96B that presses the fixing belt 84 toward the pressing roll 88, and a predetermined angle with respect to the pressing surface 96B. It is composed of an arcuate member having an outer surface 96C for bending the fixing belt 84. Specifically, the corner portion U composed of the pressing surface 96B and the outer surface 96C bends the fixing belt 84 pressed against the corner portion U by the pressure roll 88, and the tip of the recording medium 30A passes through the corner portion U. In doing so, the tip of the recording medium 30A and the fixing belt 84 are peeled off.

  On the other hand, the pressure roll 88 has a structure in which an elastic layer 88B is laminated in order from the base 88A side using a cylindrical roll as the base 88A. A release layer may be further laminated on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 88B. The pressure roll 88 is rotatably supported, and is provided by being pressed against a portion where the fixing belt 84 is wound around the heating roll 89 by a pressing means such as a spring (not shown). As a result, as the heating roll 89 of the fixing belt module 86 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the heating roll 89 rotates in the direction of arrow E following the heating roll 89.

  The fixing device 26 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and includes a fixing device known per se, for example, a heat roller fixing device, an oven fixing device, and the like. For example, the fixing device 26 may be a known fixing device that includes a fixing roll or a fixing belt as the fixing member 84 and a pressure roll or a pressure belt as the pressure member 88.

  Here, the recording medium 30 </ b> A to which the toner image is transferred by being conveyed along the conveyance path 34 and passing through the area (transfer area 32 </ b> A) between the photoconductor 12 and the transfer member 20 is omitted, for example. The conveying member further reaches the installation position of the fixing device 26 along the conveying path 34, and the toner image on the recording medium 30A is fixed.

  The recording medium 30A on which the image is formed by fixing the toner image is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10 by a plurality of conveyance members (not shown). The photosensitive member 12 is charged to the charging potential by the charging device 15 again after the charge removal by the charge removal device 24.

(Roughening device)
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the roughening device 120 includes a roughening member 122. The roughening device 120 includes a detection unit 124 that detects a surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member 84, and a surface roughness in which the surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member 84 detected by the detection unit 124 is determined in advance. When the surface roughness of the fixing member 84 is in the state of being in contact with the fixing member 84, the surface roughness of the surface of the fixing member 84 detected by the detecting unit 124 exceeds the predetermined surface roughness. And a contact / separation mechanism 126 that places the roughening member 122 away from the fixing member 84.

  The roughening member 122 is, for example, a roll member or a belt member, and is a roughening member that roughens the surface of the fixing member 84 by following the fixing member 84 or rotating with a difference in peripheral speed. It should be noted that the roughening member 122 has a peripheral speed difference from the fixing member 84 (for example, the peripheral speed ratio in which the surface movement speed ratio between the roughening member 122 and the fixing member 84 is in the range of 1.05 to 2.5). Therefore, when the surface of the fixing member 84 is roughened by the rotation of the roughening member 122, a driving unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the roughening member 122 is provided. When the roughening member 122 rotates the fixing member 84 with a difference in peripheral speed, the rotation direction of the roughening member 122 may be the same direction as the rotation direction of the fixing member 84 or the reverse direction, but the same direction is preferable.

Specifically, the roughening member 122 is a cylindrical or columnar roll member or belt member made of metal (aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel) or the like, and is blasted or wet-honed. A roll member or belt member having a known roughening treatment such as treatment, centerless grinding treatment, anodizing treatment or the like applied to the outer peripheral surface is applied.
The roughening member 122 may be a cylindrical or columnar roll member made of metal or resin, or a member having a resin layer containing an abrasive on the surface of a belt member.

  The roughening member 122 is supported while being pressed against the fixing member 84 by an elastic body (not shown) such as a spring when the surface of the fixing member 84 is in contact with the surface of the fixing member 84.

The ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the surface of the roughening member 122 is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 1.6 μm or less, and preferably 0.8 μm or more and 1.4 μm or less from the viewpoint of obtaining a fixed image with high glitter. More preferred.
The ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the surface of the roughened member 122 is the surface roughness specified in JIS B0601 (1994). The ten-point average surface roughness Rz is a value measured using a contact-type surface roughness measuring device (Surfcom 570A, manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.) in an environment of 23 ° C. and 55 RH%. However, the measurement distance is 2.5 mm and the tip of the contact needle is diamond (5 μmR, 90 ° cone). The average value when the measurement is repeated three times at different locations is the 10-point average surface roughness. Let Rz.

  The detection unit 124 is a detection unit that detects the surface roughness of the fixing member 84. Specifically, for example, the detection unit 124 is electrically connected to the control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and is controlled by the control device 36 to change the surface roughness state of the fixing member 84. Detect and output to the control device 36.

  The detection unit 124 includes, for example, one detector 124A that detects the surface roughness of a part of the fixing member 84 surface in the axial direction (for example, the central portion). The detection unit 124 may include, for example, a plurality of detectors 124A that divide the surface of the fixing member 84 into a plurality of regions in the axial direction and detect a surface roughness state for each of the divided regions. Good. In this case, for example, a plurality of detectors 124 </ b> A that detect the surface roughness state of the fixing member 84 are arranged in the detection unit 124 in the axial direction of the fixing member 84. Then, the state of the surface roughness of each region divided in the axial direction of the fixing member 84 is detected by the plurality of detectors 124A.

Examples of the detection unit 124 include a detection unit that detects the surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 and a detection unit that detects the ten-point average surface roughness of the fixing member 84 as the surface roughness state of the fixing member 84. A detection unit that detects the surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 is preferable in terms of a simple apparatus configuration.
Examples of the detection unit 124 that detects the surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 include a detection unit that includes a goniophotometer as the surface glossiness meter that is the detector 124A. In addition, the detection unit 124 may be a detection unit including a spectrocolorimeter or the like as a surface gloss meter that is the detection meter 124A.

  The surface gloss (gross) is correlated with the surface roughness (for example, 10-point average surface roughness Rz) (inversely proportional to the increase in surface roughness when the surface gloss decreases), and a calibration curve is prepared. If the surface glossiness is detected, the surface roughness state (for example, the ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the surface) can be detected.

Although not shown, the contact / separation mechanism unit 126 includes, for example, a rotation motor and an operation conversion mechanism that converts the rotation torque of the rotation motor into a straight-ahead operation in a direction in which the roughening member 122 contacts and separates from the fixing member 84. I have. The roughening member 122 is brought into contact with and separated from the fixing member 84 by the operation of the operation conversion mechanism. Examples of the motion conversion mechanism include a ball screw mechanism, a pinion-rack mechanism, and an eccentric cam mechanism. Examples of the rotary motor include motors (servo motors, stepping motors, and the like) that can be operated with a target operation amount.
In addition, as a motor of the contact / separation mechanism unit 126, a motor (linear motor or the like) that performs a rectilinear operation may be employed. In this case, a motion conversion mechanism is not necessary. Further, the contact / separation mechanism 126 may employ, for example, a drive member such as an actuator that is driven to extend and contract.

(Control device)
The control device 36 is configured as a computer that controls the entire device and performs various calculations. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 36 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 36A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 36B storing various programs, and is used as a work area when executing the programs. A random access memory (RAM) 36C, a nonvolatile memory 36D for storing various information, and an input / output interface (I / O) 36E are provided. Each of the CPU 36A, ROM 36B, RAM 36C, nonvolatile memory 36D, and I / O 36E is connected via a bus 36F.

  In addition to the control device 36, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation display unit 40, an image processing unit 42, an image memory 44, an image forming unit 46, a storage unit 48, and a communication unit 50. The operation display unit 40, the image processing unit 42, the image memory 44, the image forming unit 46, the storage unit 48, and the communication unit 50 are connected to the I / O 36E of the control device 36. The control device 36 exchanges information with each unit of the operation display unit 40, the image processing unit 42, the image memory 44, the image forming unit 46, the storage unit 48, and the communication unit 50, and controls each unit.

  The operation display unit 40 includes various buttons such as a start button and a numeric keypad, and a touch panel for displaying various screens such as a warning screen and a setting screen. With the above configuration, the operation display unit 40 receives operations from the user and displays various information to the user.

  The image processing unit 42 performs predetermined image processing on the image information acquired from the external device 52 via the communication unit 50, and generates image information to be output to the image forming unit 46. For example, PDL data described in a page description language is expanded and converted into raster data (RGB data) that has been expanded into RGB colors, and the RGB data is color-converted and reproduced by the image forming apparatus. Generates YMCK data expressed in color. Furthermore, screen processing, gamma correction processing, or the like may be performed.

  The image memory 44 stores various image information acquired by the image forming apparatus 10 such as image information acquired from the external device 52 and image information generated by the image processing unit 42. The image memory 44 stores, for example, at least image information after image processing by the image processing unit 42, that is, image information to be output to the image forming unit 46.

  The image forming unit 46 is described as a main configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming unit 46 includes the photosensitive member 12 (the drive unit 27), the charging device 15 (including the power source 28), the electrostatic charge image forming device 16 (including the light source), the developing device 18 (including the power source 32), and the transfer. A device 31 (including a power supply 30), a cleaning device 22, a static elimination device 24, a fixing device 26, and a roughening device 120 are provided. Each of the photosensitive member 12 (the driving unit 27), the charging device 15, the electrostatic charge image forming device 16, the developing device 18, the transfer device 31, the cleaning device 22, the neutralizing device 24, the fixing device 26, and the roughening device 120 is provided. Are connected to the control device 36. The control device 36 exchanges information with each of these units and controls each unit.

The storage unit 48 includes a storage device such as a hard disk. The storage unit 48 stores various data such as log data, various programs, and the like.
The communication unit 50 is an interface for communicating with the external device 52 via a wired or wireless communication line. For example, the communication unit 50 acquires image formation information from the external device 52 together with an image formation instruction and image information of an electronic document. The image formation information includes parameters representing attributes such as page, number of copies, and color mode.

  Various drives may be connected to the control device 36. Various drives are devices that read data from or write data to computer-readable portable recording media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and USB memories. is there. When various types of drives are provided, a control program may be recorded on a portable recording medium, and this may be read and executed by a corresponding drive.

(Operation of image forming apparatus)
An example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Various operations of the image forming apparatus 10 are performed by a control program executed in the control device 36.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 10, for example, control programs for “image forming process” and “roughening process of the fixing member 84” are stored in the ROM 36B in advance. The control program stored in advance is read out by the CPU 36A and executed using the RAM 36C as a work area. In the image forming apparatus 10, for example, various data such as “image forming conditions (various process control values)” are stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 36D. These control programs and various data may be stored in other storage devices such as the ROM 36 </ b> B, the nonvolatile memory 36 </ b> D, or the storage unit 48, or may be acquired from the outside via the communication unit 50.

First, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. The image forming operation is performed by a control program of “image forming process” executed in the control device 36.
First, the surface of the photoreceptor 12 is charged by the charging device 15. The electrostatic charge image forming device 16 exposes the surface of the charged photoreceptor 12 based on image information. As a result, an electrostatic charge image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photoreceptor 12. In the developing device 18, the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 is developed with a developer containing toner. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12. In the transfer device 31, the toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 is transferred to the recording medium 30A. The toner image transferred to the recording medium 30 </ b> A is fixed by the fixing device 26. On the other hand, the surface of the photoconductor 12 after the toner image is transferred is cleaned (cleaned) by the cleaning device 22 and discharged by the charge removing device 24.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the image forming operation is performed or when the image forming operation is performed, in the roughening device 120 (its contact / separation mechanism unit 126), the control unit 36 causes the detection unit 124 to When the detected surface roughness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined surface roughness, the roughening member 122 is brought into contact with the fixing member 84 and the fixing detected by the detecting unit 124 is performed. When the surface roughness state of the surface of the member 84 exceeds a predetermined surface roughness state, the roughening member 122 is controlled to be separated from the fixing member 84 (“Roughening of the fixing member 84”). Contact and separation operation of member 122 ").
The contact / separation operation of the roughening member 122 with respect to the fixing member 84 in the roughening device 120 (the contact / separation mechanism 126 thereof) is performed by a control program of “roughening process of the fixing member 84” executed by the control device 36. Done.

A procedure of “roughening process of the fixing member 84” executed in the image forming apparatus 10 will be briefly described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the “roughening process of the fixing member 84”. A control program of “roughening process of the fixing member 84” is read from the ROM 36B and executed by the CPU 36A. The control program of “roughening process of the fixing member 84” is started when an image formation instruction or the like is acquired from the operation display unit 40 or via the communication unit 50, for example. Note that the information acquired during the processing is stored in the RAM 36C, which is a work area, and used as appropriate.

  In the following description, a mode in which a detection unit having a goniophotometer is applied as the detection unit 124 that detects the surface roughness state of the fixing member 84 to detect the surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 will be described. .

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, in step S100, the detection unit 124 detects the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84, and acquires the detected surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84.

Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is equal to or greater than a predetermined surface glossiness.
Specifically, for example, the “surface glossiness range of the surface of the fixing member 84 in which the roughening member 122 is brought into contact with the fixing member 84” stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 36 </ b> D is acquired, and the surface glossiness range is acquired. And the acquired surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 surface.
The “range of surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 in which the roughening member 122 is brought into contact with the fixing member 84” is, for example, the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 and the surface roughness of the surface of the fixing member 84 (extensive Of the surface glossiness created from the relationship between the surface roughness (ten-point average surface roughness) of the surface of the fixing member 84 and the brightness (FI value) of the obtained fixed image as well as the relationship with the point average surface roughness). It is a range. That is, “the range of the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 in which the roughening member 122 is brought into contact with the fixing member 84” is, for example, the surface of the fixing member 84 for obtaining a fixed image having a target glitter (FI value). The surface glossiness range does not reach the surface roughness (ten-point average surface roughness).

If the determination in step S102 is negative (if the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is less than a predetermined surface glossiness, that is, the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is If it is determined that the surface glossiness is outside the range of contact with the roughening member 122, the “roughening process of the fixing member 84” is terminated.
On the other hand, if the determination in step S102 is affirmative (if the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is greater than or equal to a predetermined surface glossiness, that is, the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is If it is determined that the surface glossiness is within the range where the roughening member 122 contacts the fixing member 84), the process proceeds to step S104.

  Next, in step S104, the contact / separation mechanism 126 of the roughening device 120 is driven to bring the roughening member 122 into contact with the fixing member 84 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the surface of the fixing member 84 is roughened by the roughening member 122.

  Next, in step S106, the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is detected by the detecting unit 124, and the detected surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is acquired.

Next, in step S108, it is determined whether or not the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is less than a predetermined surface glossiness.
Specifically, for example, a “surface glossiness range of the surface of the fixing member 84 that separates the roughening member 122 from the fixing member 84” stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 36D is acquired, and this surface glossiness range is acquired. And the acquired surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 surface.
The “range of the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 that separates the roughening member 122 from the fixing member 84” is, for example, the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 and the surface roughness (extensive surface of the fixing member 84). Of the surface glossiness created from the relationship between the surface roughness (ten-point average surface roughness) of the surface of the fixing member 84 and the brightness (FI value) of the obtained fixed image as well as the relationship with the point average surface roughness). It is a range. That is, “the range of the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 that separates the roughening member 122 from the fixing member 84” is, for example, the surface of the fixing member 84 for obtaining a fixed image having a target glitter (FI value). Is the range of the surface glossiness that has reached the surface roughness (10-point average surface roughness).

Here, the ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the fixing member 84 roughened by the roughening member 122 obtains a high-brilliant fixed image and suppresses excessive roughening of the fixing member 84. Therefore, the relationship of the following formula (1) (preferably the following formula (1-2)) should be satisfied.
Formula (1): rz−0.3 <Rz <rz + 0.4
Formula (1-2): rz−0.1 <Rz <rz + 0.2
Formula (2): rz = −0.30 (R / L) ² +1.73 (R / L) −0.94
(In the formula (2), R represents the volume average particle diameter (μm) of the toner, and L represents the average major axis length (μm) of the flat metal pigment.)

  For this reason, “the range of the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 separating the roughening member 122 from the fixing member 84” is a surface where the ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the fixing member 84 satisfies the relationship of the formula (1). It is good to make it the range of glossiness.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a graph showing the relationship between R / L and Rz, and FIG. 6 shows a graph showing the relationship between Rz and FI. As shown in the graphs of FIG. 5 to FIG. 6, the following formula (1) (preferably the following formula (1- It can be seen that the relationship 2)) should be satisfied.

  The volume average particle diameter of the toner and the average major axis length of the flat metal pigment are recorded as product information on, for example, a tag or barcode attached to a toner cartridge (not shown), The information is acquired by reading the product information by an information acquisition unit (not shown) such as an infrared sensor. Then, based on the acquired information, “the range of the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 that separates the roughening member 122 from the fixing member 84” is determined.

If the determination in step S108 is negative (if the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is greater than or equal to a predetermined surface glossiness, that is, the acquired surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 is If it is determined that the temperature is out of the temperature range in which the roughening member 122 is separated from the surface), the process returns to step S106.
On the other hand, if the determination in step S108 is affirmative (if the acquired surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 surface is less than a predetermined surface glossiness, that is, the acquired surface glossiness of the fixing member 84 surface is fixed. If it is determined that the temperature is within the temperature range in which the roughening member 122 is separated from the member 84), the process proceeds to step S110.

  Next, in step S110, the contact / separation mechanism 126 of the roughening device 120 is driven to separate the roughening member 122 from the fixing member 84 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the roughening of the surface of the fixing member 84 by the roughening member 122 is stopped. Then, the “roughening process of the fixing member 84” is completed. Thereafter, an image forming process is executed.

  The “roughening process of the fixing member 84” may be performed during the image forming process. Specifically, during the image forming process, 1) the number of output sheets of the recording medium is determined every predetermined number (accumulated number), and 2) every predetermined time (accumulated time) “fixing member 84”. May be performed. Further, the “roughening process of the fixing member 84” may be executed in accordance with a user instruction.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment described above, the surface of the fixing member 84 is roughened by the roughening device 120, whereby a high-brilliance fixed image can be obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the roughening device 120 includes a roughening member 122, a detection unit 124 that detects the surface roughness of the surface of the fixing member 84, and the fixing member 84 detected by the detection unit 124. When the surface roughness state is equal to or less than a predetermined surface roughness state, the roughening member 122 is brought into contact with the fixing member 84 and the surface roughness of the surface of the fixing member 84 detected by the detection unit 124 is set. And a contact / separation mechanism 126 that places the roughening member 122 away from the fixing member 84 when the state exceeds a predetermined surface roughness state. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 10, the detection unit 124 that detects the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84, and the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 detected by the detection unit 124 is determined in advance. When the surface roughening member 122 is in contact with the fixing member 84 and the surface glossiness of the surface of the fixing member 84 detected by the detection unit 124 is less than a predetermined surface glossiness, the roughening member is And a contact / separation mechanism 126 that places the 122 away from the fixing member 84. As a result, a fixed image with high glitter is obtained, and excessive roughening of the fixing member 84 is suppressed.

  Note that the configurations of the image forming apparatus and the program described in the present embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that the configurations may be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the illustrated flowchart, some steps may be omitted, and other steps may be added. Moreover, you may replace the order of each step as needed.

<Developer containing glitter toner>
Hereinafter, the developer containing the glitter toner will be described. First, the glitter toner will be described.

(Outline of glitter toner)
The glittering toner contains a flat metal pigment (hereinafter also referred to as “metal pigment”). Specifically, the glittering toner includes toner particles containing a metal pigment. The glitter toner includes toner particles containing a metal pigment, and reflects light to exhibit glitter. Here, “brightness” indicates that the image formed with the bright toner has a brightness such as a metallic luster when visually recognized.

  The metal pigment has a large particle size and a flat shape (flat plate shape). For this reason, the toner particles containing the metal pigment also have a flat shape. The toner particles preferably contain a flat metal pigment, have an average major axis length of 7 μm to 20 μm, and an average thickness of 1 μm to 3 μm. The shape of the metal pigment and the toner particles containing the metal pigment will be described in detail later.

(Brightness)
Here, “brightness” will be described in more detail.
When a solid image is formed, the glitter toner has a reflectivity A and a light reception angle at a light reception angle of + 30 ° measured when incident light with an incident angle of −45 ° is irradiated to the image by a goniophotometer. It is desirable that the ratio (A / B) to the reflectance B at −30 ° is 2 or more and 100 or less.

  A ratio (A / B) of 2 or more indicates that there is more reflection on the side opposite to the incident side (angle + side) than on the side on which incident light enters (angle-side). That is, the irregular reflection of the incident light is suppressed. When irregular reflection occurs in which incident light is reflected in various directions, the color looks dull when the reflected light is visually confirmed. Therefore, when the ratio (A / B) is less than 2, gloss may not be confirmed even when the reflected light is visually recognized, and the glitter may be inferior.

  On the other hand, when the ratio (A / B) exceeds 100, the viewing angle at which the reflected light can be visually recognized becomes too narrow, and the specularly reflected light component is large, so that it may appear black depending on the viewing angle. Further, a toner having a ratio (A / B) exceeding 100 is difficult to manufacture.

  The ratio (A / B) is more preferably 50 or more and 100 or less, still more preferably 60 or more and 90 or less, and particularly preferably 70 or more and 80 or less.

Measurement of the ratio (A / B) with a goniophotometer First, the incident angle and the light receiving angle will be described. In this embodiment, when measuring with a goniophotometer, the incident angle is set to −45 ° because the measurement sensitivity is high for an image in a wide range of glossiness. The reason why the light receiving angles are set to −30 ° and + 30 ° is that the measurement sensitivity is highest in evaluating an image having a glitter feeling and an image having no glitter feeling.

Next, a method for measuring the ratio (A / B) will be described.
In this embodiment, when measuring the ratio (A / B), a “solid image” is first formed by the following method. The developer used as a sample is charged in a developing device of DocuCentre-III C7600 manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., and on a recording paper (OK top coat + paper, manufactured by Oji Paper Co., Ltd.), a fixing temperature of 190 ° C., A solid image with a toner loading of 4.5 g / m ² is formed at a fixing pressure of 4.0 kg / cm ² . The “solid image” refers to an image with a printing rate of 100%.

  Using a spectral variable angle color difference meter GC5000L manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. as a variable angle photometer, incident light having an incident angle of −45 ° is incident on the solid image. The reflectance A at an angle of + 30 ° and the reflectance B at a light receiving angle of −30 ° are measured. The reflectance A and reflectance B were measured at intervals of 20 nm for light having a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm, and the average value of the reflectance at each wavelength was used. The ratio (A / B) is calculated from these measurement results.

  The ratio (A / B) is a flop index value (FI value: Flop Index value) which is an index indicating a metallic luster measured according to ASTM E2194.

(Toner composition)
Next, the composition of the glitter toner will be described.
The glitter toner includes toner particles containing a metal pigment. The glitter toner may contain an external additive as necessary. The toner particles containing a metal pigment contain a metal pigment and a binder resin. Moreover, a mold release agent and other additives may be included as needed. Hereinafter, the metal pigment, the binder resin, the release agent, and other additives will be described.

-Metal pigment-
Examples of the metal pigment include metal powders such as aluminum, brass, bronze, nickel, and zinc. Further, a coated pigment in which the surface of the metal pigment is coated with at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, and titania may be used.

  Among these, as a metal pigment, it is preferable that it is a pigment containing aluminum (Al) from a viewpoint of being easy to obtain and being easy to make flat form. When a pigment containing Al is used as the metal pigment, the content of Al in the metal pigment is preferably 40% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less, and more preferably 60% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less.

  The average major axis length and average thickness of the metal pigment are preferably 5 μm to 12 μm and 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm, respectively. Here, the major axis length of the metal pigment refers to the longest portion when the metal pigment is observed from the thickness direction of the metal pigment. The thickness of the metal pigment refers to the longest portion when the metal pigment is observed from the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the metal pigment.

  When the average major axis length of the metal pigment is less than 5 μm, the glitter toner may hardly exhibit glitter. If the average major axis length of the metal pigment exceeds 12 μm, it may be difficult to produce a toner. The average major axis length of the metal pigment is preferably 5 μm to 12 μm, and more preferably 5 μm to 9 μm.

  When the average thickness of the metal pigment is less than 0.01 μm, the brightness of the metal pigment may be reduced due to deformation or shrinkage. When the average thickness of the metal pigment exceeds 0.5 μm, the glittering toner may be difficult to exhibit glitter. The average thickness of the metal pigment is preferably from 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm, and more preferably from 0.01 μm to 0.3 μm.

  The average major axis length and average thickness of metal pigments are the values measured / calculated from the images obtained after taking magnified photographs of 50 pigments with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Say.

  The content of the metal pigment in the glitter toner is preferably 1 part by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less, more preferably 5 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

-Binder resin-
Examples of the binder resin include styrenes (eg, styrene, parachlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, etc.), (meth) acrylic acid esters (eg, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, acrylic acid). n-butyl, lauryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, etc.), ethylenically unsaturated nitriles (for example, acrylonitrile, Methacrylonitrile, etc.), vinyl ethers (eg, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether, etc.), vinyl ketones (vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl isopropenyl ketone, etc.), olefins (eg, ethylene, propylene, etc.) Emissions, a homopolymer of a monomer such as butadiene) and the like, or a vinyl-based resin composed of these monomers with two or more combinations copolymer.

  As the binder resin, for example, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, cellulose resin, polyether resin, non-vinyl resin such as modified rosin, a mixture of these with the vinyl resin, or these Examples also include a graft polymer obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer in the coexistence. These binder resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  A polyester resin is suitable as the binder resin. Examples of the polyester resin include known polyester resins. As a polyester resin, the condensation polymer of polyhydric carboxylic acid and polyhydric alcohol is mentioned, for example. In addition, as an amorphous polyester resin, a commercial item may be used and what was synthesize | combined may be used.

  Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (eg, oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, succinic acid, alkenyl succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.) Alicyclic dicarboxylic acids (for example, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (for example, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, etc.), their anhydrides, or lower (for example, having 1 or more carbon atoms) 5 or less) alkyl esters. Among these, as polyvalent carboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid is preferable, for example.

  The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used in combination with a dicarboxylic acid or a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure. Examples of the trivalent or higher carboxylic acid include trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, anhydrides thereof, and lower (for example, having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters. Polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include aliphatic diols (for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, etc.), alicyclic diols (for example, cyclohexanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol, Hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.) and aromatic diols (for example, ethylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, etc.). Among these, as the polyhydric alcohol, for example, aromatic diols and alicyclic diols are preferable, and aromatic diols are more preferable.

  As the polyhydric alcohol, a trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used together with the diol. Examples of the trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol include glycerin, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol. A polyhydric alcohol may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polyester resin is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 65 ° C. or lower. The glass transition temperature is determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and more specifically, described in the method for determining the glass transition temperature in JIS K7121-1987 “Method for Measuring Transition Temperature of Plastic”. It is determined by “extrapolated glass transition start temperature”.

  The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polyester resin is preferably from 5,000 to 1,000,000, and more preferably from 7,000 to 500,000. The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polyester resin is preferably from 2,000 to 100,000. The molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn of the polyester resin is preferably 1.5 or more and 100 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 60 or less.

  The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weight measurement by GPC is performed with a THF solvent using a Tosoh GPC / HLC-8120 as a measuring device and a Tosoh column / TSKgel Super HM-M (15 cm). The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are calculated using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared from a monodisperse polystyrene standard sample from this measurement result.

  The polyester resin can be produced by a known production method. Specifically, for example, the polymerization temperature is set to 180 ° C. or higher and 230 ° C. or lower, the pressure in the reaction system is reduced as necessary, and the reaction is performed while removing water and alcohol generated during the condensation.

  In addition, when the monomer of the raw material is not dissolved or compatible at the reaction temperature, a solvent having a high boiling point may be added and dissolved as a solubilizing agent. In this case, the polycondensation reaction is performed while distilling off the solubilizer. If a monomer with poor compatibility is present in the copolymerization reaction, the monomer with poor compatibility and the monomer and the acid or alcohol to be polycondensed are condensed in advance and then polymerized together with the main component. It is good to condense.

  The content of the binder resin is, for example, preferably 40% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, more preferably 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, with respect to the entire toner particles in the toner particles containing a metal pigment. 60 mass% or more and 85 mass% or less are more preferable.

-Release agent-
Examples of mold release agents include hydrocarbon waxes; natural waxes such as carnauba wax, rice wax, and candelilla wax; synthetic or mineral / petroleum waxes such as montan wax; and ester waxes such as fatty acid esters and montanic acid esters. And so on. The release agent is not limited to this.

  The melting temperature of the release agent is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 110 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower. The melting temperature is determined from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as “melting peak temperature” described in JIS K7121: 1987 “Method of measuring the melting temperature of plastics”.

  The content of the release agent is, for example, preferably 1% by mass to 20% by mass and more preferably 5% by mass to 15% by mass with respect to the entire toner particles.

-Other additives-
Examples of other additives include well-known additives such as charge control agents and inorganic powders. These additives are contained in the toner particles as internal additives.

(Toner particle shape)
Next, the shape of the toner particles will be described. As described above, the toner particles containing the metal pigment have a “flat shape” depending on the shape of the metal pigment.

  The toner particles containing a metal pigment (hereinafter referred to as “bright toner particles” in the description of the toner shape) have an average major axis length of 7 μm to 20 μm and an average thickness of 1 μm to 3 μm. preferable.

  The average major axis length and the average thickness of the glitter toner particles are 7 μm or more and 20 μm or less and 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less, respectively. The long axis length of the glittering toner particles refers to the longest portion when the glittering toner particles are observed from the thickness direction of the glittering toner particles. The thickness of the glittering toner particles refers to the longest portion when the glittering toner particles are observed from a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the glittering toner particles.

  If the average major axis length of the glitter toner particles is less than 7 μm, the glitter may be impaired. When the average major axis length of the glitter toner particles exceeds 20 μm, image roughness and graininess may be deteriorated. The average major axis length of the glittering toner particles is preferably 7 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and more preferably 8 μm or more and 15 μm or less.

  If the average thickness of the glitter toner particles is less than 1 μm, the flow of the glitter toner particles may be reduced. When the average thickness of the glitter toner particles exceeds 3 μm, the glitter may be deteriorated due to variation in arrangement. The average thickness of the glittering toner particles is preferably 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

  The average major axis length and average thickness of the glitter toner particles are values measured / calculated from the obtained image after taking an enlarged photograph of 100 glitter toner particles with an SEM.

  The average circularity of the glittering toner particles is preferably 0.5 or more and 0.9 or less. If the average circularity of the glittering toner particles is less than 0.5, the image granularity may be deteriorated and rough. If the average circularity of the glitter toner particles exceeds 0.9, cleaning failure may occur due to the rolling properties of the glitter toner particles. The average circularity of the glittering toner particles is more preferably from 0.5 to 0.9, and still more preferably from 0.5 to 0.8.

The average circularity of the glittering toner particles was measured by using FPIA-3000 (manufactured by Sysmex Corporation) as a flow type particle image analyzer. As a specific measuring method, 0.1 ml to 0.5 ml of a surfactant (alkylbenzene sulfonate) as a dispersant is added to 100 ml to 150 ml of water from which impure solids have been removed in advance, and a measurement sample is further added. 0.1 g or more and 0.5 g or less was added. The suspension in which the measurement sample is dispersed is subjected to a dispersion treatment for 1 minute or more and 3 minutes or less with an ultrasonic disperser, and the concentration of the dispersion liquid is set to 3000 particles / μl or more and 10,000 particles / μl or less. The degree was measured. Here, the circularity is obtained by the following equation.
Circularity = circle equivalent diameter perimeter / perimeter = [2 × (Aπ) ^1/2 ] / PM
(In the above formula, A represents the projected area and PM represents the perimeter.)
The circularity was calculated by the above formula, and the average of these values was defined as the average circularity.

  The volume average particle diameter of the glittering toner particles is desirably 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, and more desirably 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

The volume average particle size D _50v is _smaller than the particle size range (channel) divided based on the particle size distribution measured by a measuring instrument such as Multisizer II (manufactured by Coulter Inc.). Drawing the cumulative distribution from the side, the particle diameter to be accumulated 16% is the volume D _16v , the number D _16p , the particle diameter to be accumulated 50% is the volume D _50v , the number D _50p , the particle diameter to be accumulated 84% is the volume D _84v , number D _84p . Using these, the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) is calculated as ( _D84v / _D16v ) ^1/2 .

(Toner production method)
The glitter toner may be produced by adding an external additive to the toner particles after the toner particles are produced. The method for producing the toner particles is not particularly limited, and the toner particles are produced by a known dry method such as a kneading / pulverizing method or a wet method such as an emulsion aggregation method or a dissolution suspension method.

(Developer)
The developer includes at least the glitter toner. The developer may be a one-component developer containing only the glitter toner, or may be a two-component developer in which the glitter toner and the carrier are mixed.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a carrier, A well-known carrier is mentioned. As a carrier, for example, a coated carrier in which the surface of a core made of magnetic powder is coated with a coating resin; a magnetic powder dispersion type carrier in which magnetic powder is dispersed and mixed in a matrix resin; a porous magnetic powder is impregnated with a resin Resin impregnated type carriers; and the like. Note that the magnetic powder-dispersed carrier and the resin-impregnated carrier may be a carrier in which the constituent particles of the carrier are used as a core material and coated with a coating resin.

  Examples of the magnetic powder include magnetic metals such as iron oxide, nickel, and cobalt, and magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite. Examples of the conductive particles include particles of metals such as gold, silver, and copper, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate, and potassium titanate.

  Examples of the coating resin and matrix resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid copolymer. Examples thereof include a polymer, a straight silicone resin containing an organosiloxane bond or a modified product thereof, a fluororesin, a polyester, a polycarbonate, a phenol resin, and an epoxy resin. Note that the coating resin and the matrix resin may contain other additives such as a conductive material.

  Here, in order to coat the surface of the core material with the coating resin, a method of coating with a coating layer forming solution obtained by dissolving the coating resin and, if necessary, various additives in an appropriate solvent may be mentioned. The solvent is not particularly limited, and may be selected in consideration of the coating resin to be used, coating suitability, and the like.

  Specific resin coating methods include a dipping method in which the core material is immersed in the coating layer forming solution, a spray method in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed on the surface of the core material, and a state in which the core material is suspended by flowing air. Examples thereof include a fluidized bed method in which a coating layer forming solution is sprayed, a kneader coater method in which a carrier core material and a coating layer forming solution are mixed in a kneader coater, and the solvent is removed.

  In the two-component developer, the mixing ratio (mass ratio) between the glittering toner and the carrier is preferably toner: carrier = 1: 100 to 30: 100, and more preferably 3: 100 to 20: 100.

<Test example>
Hereinafter, test examples supporting the effects of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be shown. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to these test examples. In the following description, “part” and “%” are all based on mass unless otherwise specified.

(Synthesis of binder resin)
Dimethyl adipate: 74 parts Dimethyl terephthalate: 192 parts Bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct: 216 parts Ethylene glycol: 38 parts Tetrabutoxy titanate (catalyst): 0.037 parts

  The above components were placed in a heat-dried two-necked flask, and nitrogen gas was introduced into the container, and the temperature was raised while stirring in an inert atmosphere. Then, a copolycondensation reaction was performed at 160 ° C. for 7 hours, and then gradually until 10 Torr. The temperature was raised to 220 ° C. while reducing the pressure to 4 hours. Once the pressure was returned to normal pressure, 9 parts of trimellitic anhydride was added, the pressure was gradually reduced to 10 Torr, and maintained at 220 ° C. for 1 hour to synthesize a binder resin.

  The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the binder resin is 10 ° C. from a room temperature (25 ° C.) to 150 ° C. using a differential scanning calorimeter (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation: DSC-50) in accordance with ASTM D3418-8. It was determined by measuring under the conditions of / min. The glass transition temperature was the temperature at the intersection of the extended line of the base line and the rising line in the endothermic part. The glass transition temperature of the binder resin was 63.5 ° C.

(Preparation of resin particle dispersion)
Binder resin: 160 parts Ethyl acetate: 233 parts Sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (0.3N): 0.1 parts

  The above components were put into a 1000 ml separable flask, heated at 70 ° C., and stirred by a three-one motor (manufactured by Shinto Kagaku Co., Ltd.) to prepare a resin mixture. While this resin mixture was further stirred at 90 rpm, 373 parts of ion-exchanged water was gradually added to cause phase inversion emulsification, and the solvent was removed to obtain a resin particle dispersion (solid content concentration: 30%). The volume average particle diameter of the resin particle dispersion is 162 nm.

(Preparation of release agent dispersion)
Carnauba wax (Toa Kasei Co., Ltd., RC-160): 50 parts Anionic surfactant (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Neogen RK): 1.0 parts Ion-exchanged water: 200 parts

  After mixing the above and heating to 95 ° C. and dispersing using a homogenizer (IQA, Ultra Tarrax T50), the dispersion was treated with a Manton Gorin high-pressure homogenizer (Gorin) for 360 minutes to obtain a volume average particle. A release agent dispersion (solid content concentration: 20%) prepared by dispersing release agent particles having a diameter of 0.23 μm was prepared.

(Preparation of metal pigment particle dispersion)
Aluminum pigment (Showa Aluminum Powder Co., Ltd., 2173EA): 100 parts Anionic surfactant (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku, Neogen R): 1.5 parts Ion-exchanged water: 900 parts

  After removing the solvent from the aluminum pigment paste, the above are mixed, dissolved, and dispersed for about 1 hour using an emulsifying disperser Cavitron (manufactured by Taiheiyo Kiko Co., Ltd., CR1010) to obtain metal pigment particles (aluminum pigment). A metal pigment particle dispersion (solid content concentration: 10%) was prepared. The average major axis length of the aluminum pigment (metal pigment) was 5 μm and the average thickness was 0.2 μm.

(Preparation of glitter toner)
-Resin particle dispersion: 380 parts-Release agent dispersion: 72 parts-Metal pigment particle dispersion: 140 parts

  The metal pigment particle dispersion, the resin particle dispersion, and the release agent dispersion described above are placed in a 2 L cylindrical stainless steel container, and dispersed for 10 minutes while applying a shearing force at 4000 rpm with a homogenizer (IKA, Ultra Turrax T50). And mixed. Next, 1.75 parts of a 10% nitric acid aqueous solution of polyaluminum chloride as a flocculant was gradually added dropwise, and the homogenizer was rotated at 5000 rpm for 15 minutes and mixed to obtain a raw material dispersion.

  Thereafter, the raw material dispersion is transferred to a polymerization kettle equipped with a stirrer using two paddle stirring blades and a thermometer, and heated with a mantle heater at a stirring speed of 810 rpm, and agglomerated particles at 54 ° C. Grew. At this time, the pH of the raw material dispersion was controlled in the range of 2.2 to 3.5 with 0.3N nitric acid or 1N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution. The agglomerated particles were formed by maintaining the above pH range for about 2 hours.

  Next, a resin particle dispersion was additionally added, and the resin particles of the binder resin were adhered to the surface of the aggregated particles. The temperature was further raised to 56 ° C., and aggregated particles were prepared while confirming the size and form of the particles with an optical microscope and Multisizer II. Thereafter, the pH was raised to 8.0 in order to fuse the aggregated particles, and then the temperature was raised to 67.5 ° C. After confirming that the aggregated particles were fused with an optical microscope, the pH was lowered to 6.0 while maintaining the temperature at 67.5 ° C., and the heating was stopped after 1 hour, followed by cooling at a rate of temperature decrease of 0.1 ° C./min. Thereafter, the mixture was sieved with a 20 μm mesh, washed repeatedly with water, and then dried with a vacuum dryer to obtain toner particles.

Further, the toner particles were heat-treated with a hot air dryer at 45 ° C. for 1 hour.
Sample mill of 1.5 parts of hydrophobic silica (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., RY50) and 1.0 part of hydrophobic titanium oxide (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., T805) with respect to 100 parts of toner particles after heat treatment Was mixed for 30 seconds at 10,000 rpm. Thereafter, the toner was sieved with a vibration sieve having an opening of 45 μm to produce a glittering toner.

  The volume average particle diameter of the toner is 8 μm, the average major axis length of the toner is 10 μm, the average thickness of the toner is 1.5 μm, and the average circularity of the toner is 0.7.

(Creation of carrier)
Ferrite particles (volume average particle diameter: 35 μm): 100 parts Toluene: 14 parts Perfluorooctylethyl acrylate / methyl methacrylate copolymer: 1.6 parts Carbon black (trade name: VXC-72, manufactured by Cabot Corporation ): 0.12 parts Cross-linked melamine resin particles (average particle size: 0.3 μm, insoluble in toluene): 0.3 parts

  First, carbon black was diluted in toluene to a perfluorooctylethyl acrylate / methyl methacrylate copolymer and dispersed with a sand mill. Next, each of the above components other than the ferrite particles was dispersed for 10 minutes with a stirrer to prepare a coating layer forming solution. Next, the coating layer forming solution and the ferrite particles are put into a vacuum degassing kneader and stirred at a temperature of 60 ° C. for 30 minutes, and then the pressure is reduced to distill off toluene to form a resin coating layer to obtain a carrier. It was.

(Development of developer)
36 parts of the toner and 414 parts of the carrier were put in a 2 liter V blender, stirred for 20 minutes, and then sieved at 212 μm to prepare a developer.

(Comparative Example 1)
The developer containing the produced glittering toner was filled in the developing device of the “Color 1000 Press” modified machine manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Using this apparatus, a solid image (solid image with a toner applied amount of 4.5 g / m ² ) along the sheet conveyance direction under a fixing condition of a fixing temperature of 190 ° C. and a fixing pressure of 4.0 kg / cm ² . Was output on 4A paper (OK Topcoat 128, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.).

And the brightness (FI value) of the solid image was measured.
The brightness (FI value) was measured as follows. Using a spectroscopic goniochromometer GC5000L manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. as a goniophotometer, incident light with an incident angle of −45 ° is incident on the target area of the formed solid image. The reflectance A at an angle of + 30 ° and the reflectance B at a light receiving angle of −30 ° are measured. The reflectance A and reflectance B were measured at intervals of 20 nm for light having a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm, and the average value of the reflectance at each wavelength was used. The ratio (A / B) was calculated from these measurement results, and the glitter (FI value) was measured.

(Comparative Examples 2-3)
Comparative Example 1 except that a glossy toner having a volume average particle diameter according to Table 1 was prepared containing a metal pigment having an average major axis diameter according to Table 1, and a developer containing the glitter toner was used. In the same manner as described above, a solid image was formed, and the glitter (FI value) of the solid image was measured.

(Test Examples 1 to 12)
A glossy toner having a volume average particle diameter according to Table 1 containing a metal pigment having an average major axis diameter according to Table 1 and a developer containing this glitter toner is used, and manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. A solid image was formed in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that the surface of the fixing belt of the “Color 1000 Press” remodeling machine was roughened to a ten-point average roughness Rz (μm) according to Table 1. The brightness (FI value) of the image was measured.

  Hereinafter, Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Test Examples 1 to 12 are listed in Table 1.

From the above results, it can be seen that in the test example in which the surface of the fixing belt (fixing member) is roughened, the brightness of the fixed image is improved as compared with Comparative Example 1. Further, as shown in Test Examples 2 and 11, when the surface of the fixing belt (fixing member) is roughened so that the ten-point average surface roughness Rz satisfying the expression (1) is satisfied, the glitter of the fixed image is improved. It turns out that it improves.
In Test Examples 10 to 11 where the surface of the fixing belt (fixing member) was roughened to a 10-point average surface roughness Rz of 1.7 μm, a slightly haze-like image defect (specifically, part of the image) Image defects with reduced gloss) were observed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming device 12 Photoconductor 14 Charging member 15 Charging device 16 Electrostatic charge image forming device 18 Developing device 20 Transfer member 22 Cleaning device 24 Static elimination device 26 Fixing device 30A Recording medium 31 Transfer device 36 Control device 84 Fixing member 88 Pressure member 120 Roughening device 122 Roughening member

Claims (5)

An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
An electrostatic charge image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device that contains an electrostatic charge image developer having a glittering toner containing a flat metal pigment, and develops the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer. When,
A transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
A fixing device having a fixing member and a pressure member arranged in contact with the fixing member, and fixing a toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium at a contact portion between the fixing member and the pressure member When,
A roughening device having a roughening member for roughening the surface of the fixing member;
Equipped with a,
The ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the surface roughening member, 0.5 [mu] m or more 1.6μm or less der Ru image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flat metal pigment is a pigment having an average major axis length of 5 μm to 12 μm and an average thickness of 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm. When the volume average particle diameter of the glitter toner is R and the average major axis length of the flat metal pigment is L, the ten-point average surface roughness of the fixing member roughened by the roughening member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thickness Rz satisfies a relationship of the following formula (1).
Formula (1): rz−0.3 <Rz <rz + 0.4
Formula (2): rz = −0.30 (R / L) ² +1.73 (R / L) −0.94   2. The roughening member is a roll member or a belt member, and is a roughening member that roughens the surface of the fixing member by following the fixing member or rotating with a difference in peripheral speed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The roughening device detects a surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member, and a surface roughness in which the surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member detected by the detection unit is predetermined. When the surface roughness state is equal to or less than the state, the surface roughening member is brought into contact with the fixing member, and the surface roughness state of the surface of the fixing member detected by the detection unit is a predetermined surface roughness state. when it exceeds, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a, a contact spacing mechanism for the roughening member in a state of being separated from the fixing member.