JP6930304B2 - Tubular body for infrared light fixing device, infrared light fixing device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device, an infrared light fixing device, and an image forming device.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method (copier, facsimile, printer, etc.), an unfixed toner image formed on a recording medium is fixed by the fixing apparatus to form an image.

For example, Patent Document 1 states that "a rotating member having an internal space and having a transmitting portion made of a material capable of transmitting laser light and rotating the transmitting portion, and facing the rotating member. A contact pressurizing region is formed between the rotating member and the rotating member, and the contact pressurizing region presses the image of the thermoplastic image-forming material on the recording medium while pressurizing the image with the rotating member. An image of a thermoplastic image-forming material on the recording medium in the transport path of the recording medium, which is provided in the internal space of the rotating member and the facing member that moves and conveys the light, is defined in advance before reaching the contact pressurization region. A fixing device including a laser light irradiating means for irradiating an image made of a thermoplastic image-forming material on a recording medium with a laser light through a transmitting portion of the rotating member at a laser light irradiating position is disclosed. There is.

Further, Patent Document 2 states that "in a fixing member used for fixing a multi-layered film having at least a base layer, an intermediate layer and a surface layer or a toner image having a belt shape, the base layer is fixed on the back side of the base layer. A fixing member formed of a material having a radiation-transmitting property that transmits radiation from a radiation source arranged in contact with the member, and the surface layer or the intermediate layer being made of a material having a radiation-absorbing property ". It is disclosed.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses "a transparent polyimide composite tubular material composed of a polyimide resin coating composed of at least two layers, an inner layer and an outer layer, and the light transmittance of the coating is 50% or more at a wavelength of 550 nm". ..

Further, Patent Document 4 discloses "a transfer fixing belt having conductivity and transparency to infrared rays in at least a part of wavelength regions of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less".

Further, Patent Document 5 includes "a tubular base material, an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material, and a surface layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer and containing a fluorine-containing resin." , A fixing member having transparency to infrared rays in at least a part of 760 nm or more and 900 nm or less ”is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-128223 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-107948 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-150951 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-227988 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-40897

By the way, when the resin layer in the tubular body for an infrared light fixing device is a resin layer obtained by curing a composition containing only a resin or a resin precursor and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent, the time of curing Coloring may occur due to heat, resulting in poor transparency to infrared light.

Therefore, the subject of the present invention is a monolayer of a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the solvent, or the above-mentioned. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device having higher transparency to infrared light than a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device composed of a laminate having a resin layer as a base material.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,

< 1 >
And urea-based solvent even without low, a laminate having a single layer of the resin layer is a cured product of a composition comprising a soluble resin or resin precursor in the urea-based solvent, or the resin layer as a substrate Consists of
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device having transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region.

< 2 >
Before SL urea solvent, 1,3-dimethyl urea, 1,3-diethyl urea, 1,3-dipropyl urea, 1,3-diisopropyl urea, tetramethylurea, tetraethylurea, tetrapropyl urea, tetraisopropyl urea, 2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-diethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-dipropyl-2-imidazolidinone, and N, N-dimethylpropylene urea. The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to < 1 > , which is at least one selected from the group consisting of.

< 3 >
Before Symbol of 3 mass% or less than 0.005 wt% content of the urea-based solvent in the resin layer <1> or infrared light fixing device for a tubular body according to <2>.

< 4 >
Before SL resin or resin precursor, a polyether sulfone resin is at least one polysulfone resin, polyphenyl sulfone resin, polyimide resin, polyamideimide resin, and is selected from the group consisting of polyimide resin precursor <1 > ~ The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of < 3 >.

< 5 >
Before SL resin layer is a centrifugal molding <1> to infrared light fixing device for a tubular body according to any one of <4>.

< 6 >
The resin layer as a base material and
An elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the resin layer and
The surface layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer and
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of < 1 > to < 5 > , which is composed of a laminated body having.

< 7 >
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of < 1 > to < 6 > , which has transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less.

< 8 >
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to < 7 > , wherein the transmittance for infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less is 90% or more.

< 9 >
A tubular body in contact with the toner image on the record medium, and an infrared light fixing device for a tubular body according to any one of <1> to <8>,
A rotating body that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body, forms a contact area with the tubular body, rotates with the tubular body in the contact area, and conveys a recording medium.
An infrared light irradiating device provided on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body and irradiating infrared light into the contact area between the tubular body and the rotating body.
A pressurizing member provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body and pressurizing the tubular body together with the rotating body in the contact area.
Infrared light fixing device including.

< 10 >
Before SL infrared light irradiation device, infrared fixing device according to a device for irradiating the infrared light in at least part of the wavelength region below the infrared region 700nm or 900 nm <9>.

< 11 >
A toner image forming device for forming a toner image on record medium,
An infrared light fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording medium by irradiation with infrared light, the infrared light fixing device according to < 9 > or < 10 > .
An image forming apparatus comprising.

According to the invention according to < 1 > , < 2 > , < 4 > , or < 6 > , a composition containing N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the solvent. Red, which has higher transparency to infrared light than a single layer of a resin layer, which is a cured product of a product, or a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device, which is composed of a laminate having the resin layer as a base material. A tubular body for an external light fixing device is provided.
According to the invention according to < 3 > , an infrared light fixing device composed of a single layer of a resin layer having a urea-based solvent content of more than 3% by mass or a laminate having the resin layer as a base material. Provided is a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device having higher mechanical strength than a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device.
According to the invention according to < 5 > , the fixing strength is higher than that of a single-layer body of a resin layer which is an extruded product or a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device composed of a laminated body having the resin layer as a base material. Provided is a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device that can obtain a high-quality image.
According to the invention according to < 7 > or < 8 > , a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device that realizes fixing of a toner image by infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less is provided. Provided.

According to the invention according to < 9 > , a monolayer of a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the solvent. Alternatively, an infrared light fixing device capable of obtaining an image having higher fixing strength is provided as compared with the case where a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device composed of a laminate having the resin layer as a base material is applied.
According to the invention according to < 10 >, there is provided an infrared light fixing device that realizes fixing of a toner image by infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less.
According to the invention according to < 11 > , a monolayer of a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the solvent. Alternatively, an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining an image having higher fixing strength is provided as compared with the case where a tubular body for an infrared light fixing device composed of a laminate having the resin layer as a base material is applied.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the tubular body for an infrared light fixing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the infrared light fixing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the infrared light fixing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments that are an example of the present invention will be described.
It should be noted that members having substantially the same function may be given the same code throughout the drawings, and overlapping description may be omitted as appropriate.

[Tubular body for infrared light fixing device]
The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as a “transparent tubular body” for convenience) is a tubular body having transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region of the infrared region. ..
The transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment is a single-layer body of a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing at least a urea-based solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the urea-based solvent, or It is composed of a laminate having the resin layer as a base material.

According to the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment, high transparency to infrared light can be obtained by having the above configuration.
The reason can be inferred as follows.

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a toner, an infrared absorbing toner containing an infrared absorbing dye that absorbs the light energy of the infrared light is used, and the toner image is irradiated with infrared light. Infrared light fixing method technology for fixing an image is being studied. For example, the contact area between the transparent tubular body and the rotating body is pressurized by passing a recording medium on which an unfixed toner image is formed by infrared absorbing toner, and in addition, the toner image is pressed through the transparent tubular body. A technique for fixing an image by irradiating with infrared light is known.
To form the resin layer in the transparent tubular body, for example, a composition containing a solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the solvent is applied to form a coating layer (coating film), and the coating layer is heated. It is carried out by curing the resin. The solvent volatilizes in the process of heating and curing this composition, but some of the solvents remain in the resin layer as residual solvents. Here, as a solvent for dissolving the resin or the resin precursor, a solvent such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) or dimethylacetamide (DMAc) has been widely used. However, the resin layer obtained by curing the composition containing only these NMPs or DMAc as a solvent may be colored by the heat during curing, and the resulting resin layer is inferior in transparency to infrared light. was there.
On the other hand, in the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment, a cured product of a composition containing at least a urea-based solvent is applied as the resin layer. Compared with solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), urea-based solvents have a structure having more polar groups (for example, -O-, tertiary nitrogen atom (-N <)). Therefore, it is considered that the urea-based solvent having such a structure is less likely to cause coloring because oxidation due to heating is suppressed. Therefore, in the resin layer of the present embodiment in which a urea solvent is used as at least a part of the solvent, coloring due to heat during curing is suppressed, and as a result, high transparency to infrared light can be obtained.

Further, according to the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment, the mechanical strength (particularly, breakage resistance) in the resin layer is improved.
The reason can be inferred as follows.

As described above, a part of the solvent remains as a residual solvent in the resin layer of the transparent tubular body. The solvent remaining in this way has a polar group, and it is considered that the polar group of the solvent and the polar group of the resin cause an interaction in the resin layer.
Here, the urea-based solvent has a polar group (for example, -O-, a tertiary nitrogen atom (-)) as compared with a solvent such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) or N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). It has a structure with many N <)). Therefore, it is considered that the interaction between the urea solvent and the resin occurs more strongly than the interaction between the NMP or DMAc and the resin. Then, due to this interaction, a state in which the molecules of the urea solvent and the molecular chains of the resin are densely packed (hereinafter referred to as "packing state") is formed in the resin layer. It is considered that this packing state enhances the mechanical strength of the resin layer and provides a resin layer having excellent breakage resistance.

-Centrifugal molded product The resin layer in the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment is preferably a centrifugal molded product. That is, it is preferable that the composition containing the urea solvent and the resin or resin precursor soluble in the urea solvent is a cured product formed by centrifugation.
Since the resin layer is a centrifugal molded product, infrared rays composed of a single layer of a resin layer formed by melting the resin itself without using a solvent and molding by extrusion molding, or a laminate having the resin layer as a base material. An image having a higher fixing strength can be obtained as compared with a tubular body for an optical fixing device.
The reason can be inferred as follows.

As a method for obtaining a resin layer (resin molded product) by molding a molten resin without using a solvent, for example, an extrusion molding method or the like is generally performed. When a tubular resin layer is obtained by an extrusion molding method, a step called sizing is performed to determine the diameter of a tubular film along a mold in order to form the resin layer into a predetermined diameter. At this time, the resin layer is formed. The inner peripheral surface of the plastic was sometimes scratched.
Here, if there is a scratch on the inner peripheral surface of the resin layer in the transparent tubular body, the irradiated infrared light is scattered by the scratch. In particular, the scratches on the inner peripheral surface of the transparent tubular body are located on the outer peripheral surface of the transparent tubular body because they are located at a distance corresponding to the thickness of the transparent tubular body with respect to the toner image to be irradiated. The effect of scattering of infrared light is greater than that of scratches and the like. Therefore, when the infrared light is scattered due to scratches on the inner peripheral surface, the light collecting property of the infrared light on the toner image to be irradiated is lowered, and the fixing strength of the obtained image may be inferior.
On the other hand, since the resin layer in the transparent tubular body is a centrifugal molded product, the occurrence of scratches on the inner peripheral surface of the resin layer, which greatly contributes to the scattering of infrared light, is suppressed. As a result, the light condensing property of infrared light on the toner image is enhanced, and an image having high fixing strength can be obtained.

Hereinafter, the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing member according to the present embodiment.

The transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment is a transparent tubular body having transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region of the infrared region.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material 110A, the elastic layer 110B provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base material 110A, and the elastic layer 110B, for example. It has a surface layer 110C and the like.
The base material layer 110A is composed of a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing at least a urea-based solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the urea-based solvent.

Here, the transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment has transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region of the infrared region, and specifically, the infrared light provided in the infrared light fixing device. It has transparency to infrared light of the irradiation wavelength irradiated by the light source of the irradiation device (light source that irradiates infrared light). More specifically, for example, it may have transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less.

More specifically, for example, when a semiconductor laser that irradiates 808 nm infrared light (infrared laser light) is used as the light source of the infrared light irradiator, it has transparency to 808 nm infrared light. It may be sufficient, and may have transparency to infrared light in a wavelength region of 780 nm or more and 820 nm or less, or may have transparency to infrared light in a wavelength region of 800 nm or more and 810 nm or less. good.

And, having transparency to infrared light means having a transmittance to infrared light of 80% or more (more preferably 90% or more).

The transparency of each layer constituting the transparent tubular body 110 to infrared light may have the same properties as the transparency of the transparent tubular body 110 to infrared light. That is, the transmittance of each layer constituting the transparent tubular body 110 with respect to infrared light is preferably 80% or more (preferably 90% or more).

The transmittance for infrared light is measured by the following method.
The transmittance is measured using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, model number: JASCO-V560) as a measuring device under measurement conditions in the region of 350 nm or more and 950 nm or less, and the target wavelength region (for example, It is obtained by measuring the transmittance in the region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less).

Next, the details of each configuration of the transparent tubular body 110 according to the present embodiment will be described. The reference numerals will be omitted.

(Base material)
The base material (resin layer) is composed of a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing at least a urea-based solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the urea-based solvent.

-Urea solvent-
The urea-based solvent is a solvent having a chemical structure having a urea bond "NC (= O) -N" in the molecule. As the urea solvent contained in the resin layer, at least one selected from the compound represented by the following general formula (1) and the compound represented by the following general formula (2) is preferable.

In the general formula (1), R ¹ and R ² independently represent saturated hydrocarbon groups having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms, and n represents an integer of 2 or more and 5 or less.
The saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms may be a chain type or a ring type, and may be any of a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group and a cyclopropyl group.
n is preferably 2 or 3.

In the general formula (2), R ¹ and R ² independently represent saturated hydrocarbon groups ^{having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms, and R 3} and R ⁴ independently represent hydrogen atoms or saturated hydrocarbon groups having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms, respectively. Represents a hydrocarbon group.
The saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms may be a chain type or a ring type, and may be any of a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group and a cyclopropyl group.

Examples of the urea-based solvent include 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea, 1,3-dipropylurea, 1,3-diisopropylurea, tetramethylurea, tetraethylurea, tetrapropylurea, and tetraisopropylurea. , 2-Imidazolidinone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-diethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-dipropyl-2-imidazolidinone, N, N-dimethylpropylene urea And so on.
As the urea solvent, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of obtaining high transparency to infrared light.
The urea solvent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The boiling point of the urea solvent is preferably 100 ° C. or higher and 350 ° C. or lower, more preferably 120 ° C. or higher and 300 ° C. or lower, and further preferably 150 ° C. or higher and 250 ° C. or lower.
When the boiling point of the urea-based solvent is 100 ° C. or higher, it is suppressed that the urea-based solvent contained in the resin layer is reduced during use of the transparent tubular body. On the other hand, when the boiling point of the urea solvent is 350 ° C. or lower, the content (residual amount) of the urea solvent contained in the resin layer after the transparent tubular body is produced is in the range described later with respect to the entire resin layer. It becomes easier to control.

The content (residual amount) of the urea-based solvent in the resin layer is preferably 0.005% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less with respect to the entire resin layer. More preferably, it is 0.1% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less.
When the content of the urea solvent is 3% by mass or less, a state in which the molecular chains are densely packed (packing state) is easily formed in the resin layer, and excellent mechanical strength (particularly breakage resistance) can be obtained. Easy to get rid of.
When the content of the urea solvent is 0.005% by mass or more, the temperature and time in the heating step when producing the resin layer of the transparent tubular body do not become excessive, and the cracking of the resin layer is suppressed. ..

The content of the urea-based solvent (content of the residual solvent) contained in the resin layer is measured by using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS).
Specifically, a gas chromatograph mass in which 0.40 mg of a measurement sample is accurately weighed from the resin layer of the transparent tubular body to be measured and a drop-type pyrolysis device (Frontier Lab Co., Ltd .: PY-2020D) is installed. Measurement is performed with an analyzer (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation: GCMS QP-2010) under the following conditions.
Pyrolysis temperature: 400 ° C
Gas chromatography introduction temperature: 280 ° C
Inject method: Split ratio 1:50
Column: Ultra ALLOY-5 0.25 μm, 0.25 μm ID, 30 m manufactured by Frontier Lab.
Gas chromatograph temperature program: 40 ° C ⇒ 20 ° C / min ⇒ 280 ° C-10 min retention Mass range: EI, m / z = 29-600

The content of the urea solvent represents the total amount of the urea solvent, that is, when two or more kinds of urea solvents are used in combination, the total amount thereof is represented.

As a method of controlling the content of the urea solvent within the above range, for example, in the method of forming the resin layer described later, a method of adjusting the drying conditions and heating conditions (temperature, time) when the coating film is dried; When the film is blown to dry, the blowing speed is adjusted; the rotation speed of the mold when forming a coating film on the mold is adjusted; the temperature and thickness of the mold are adjusted; the resin layer Examples thereof include a method for adjusting the content of the total solvent in the composition used for the formation and the content of the urea-based solvent in the composition; and the like.

The resin layer may contain a known organic solvent other than the urea solvent as long as the effects of the present embodiment are not impaired.
When the resin layer contains an organic solvent other than the urea solvent, the content of the urea solvent in the resin layer is 50% by mass of the content of the urea solvent in the total solvent (remaining) contained in the resin layer. (More preferably 60% by mass or more, still more preferably 70% by mass or more).

-Resin or resin precursor-
For the resin layer, a resin or a resin precursor soluble in a urea solvent is used. In addition, being soluble in a urea-based solvent means that it dissolves in 10% by mass or more in the solvent.
Examples of the resin or resin precursor used for the resin layer include thermoplastic resins and thermosetting resins, and precursors thereof.
Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyether sulfone (PES) resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU) resin, polyarylate (PAR) resin, polycarbonate (PC) resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, and polyetherimide resin. Examples thereof include polyamideimide resin and polyimide resin.
Examples of the thermosetting resin include a polyimide resin (for example, a total aromatic polyimide resin, an alicyclic polyimide resin, a polyimide resin containing a fluorine group, etc.), a polyamide-imide resin, and the like.
In the case of a polyimide resin or a polyamide-imide resin, a precursor can also be used, that is, it can be obtained by reacting after molding with the precursor.

Among them, as the resin or resin precursor, a polyether sulfone (PES) resin, a polysulfone resin, a polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU) resin, a polyetherimide resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamideimide resin, or a polyimide resin precursor is preferable.
Further, a polyimide resin is more preferable.

-Additives-
The resin layer is an inorganic particle such as a fiber or filler (fluororesin powder, polyester, polyamide, glass fiber, silica, etc.) having transparency to infrared light as long as it does not interfere with the transparency of the transparent tubular body to infrared light. Etc.) may be included. Further, it is generally used for transparent tubular bodies such as an antioxidant for preventing thermal deterioration of a resin, a surfactant for improving fluidity, and an antistatic agent for removing static electricity generated during use. Any additive may be used.

-Formation of resin layer-
The formation of the resin layer is not particularly limited, and a well-known forming method is used. For example, by forming a coating film of a composition containing the above components, the coating film is dried, and if necessary, heated. There is a way to do it.
As a coating method when applying the composition for forming a resin layer, usual methods such as a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dipping coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, and a curtain coating method are used. The method can be mentioned.

In this embodiment, it is preferable that the resin layer is formed by a centrifugal molding method. That is, a composition in which the resin layer contains a urea-based solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the urea-based solvent is applied to the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical mold by a centrifugal molding method (the mold is formed into a circle. It is preferable that the cured product is formed by (a method of forming a resin layer by curing a coating film by heating or the like while rotating in the circumferential direction). Since the resin layer is a centrifugal molded product, an image having high fixing strength can be obtained.

-Physical characteristics of the resin layer-
-Tension elastic modulus The resin layer preferably has a tensile elastic modulus of 1500 MPa or more and 3500 MPa or less, and more preferably 2000 MPa or more and 3300 MPa or less, from the viewpoint of improving the mechanical strength of the transparent tubular body.
The tensile elastic modulus is measured by the following method.
First, a base material (resin layer) is cut out from the transparent tubular body to obtain a punching test piece (width 5 mm) of dumbbell No. 3. The tensile elastic modulus is defined as the average value measured 5 times only in the circumferential direction according to JIS K7127 (1999) using a punched test piece of dumbbell No. 3. The measuring device is MODEL-1605N manufactured by Aiko Engine Nearing Co., Ltd., and the tensile speed is 20 mm / min.

-MIT fold resistance The MIT fold resistance when the bending stress in the resin layer is 100 MPa is preferably 2500 times or more, more preferably 10,000 times or more from the viewpoint of improving the mechanical strength (particularly the fold resistance) of the transparent tubular body. ..

The number of MIT folding resistances when the bending stress is 100 MPa is measured by the following method.
In the folding strength test method (MIT tester method) shown in JIS-P8115 (2001), the bending stress applied to the test piece is changed by changing the R and tension of the bent part, and the test piece breaks. The number of reciprocating bends (fold resistance) up to is measured, and an SN diagram is created with the horizontal axis representing the number of folding resistance and the vertical axis representing stress. From the obtained SN diagram, the number of fold resistance when the bending stress is 100 MPa is defined as the number of MIT fold resistance when the bending stress is 100 MPa.
As the test piece, a sample obtained by cutting a base material (resin layer) from a transparent tubular body in the circumferential direction with a width of 15 mm and a length of 150 mm is used.

-Inner peripheral surface roughness The inner peripheral surface roughness of the resin layer is preferably 0.015 μm or less in terms of maximum height roughness Rz, preferably 0.01 μm or less, from the viewpoint of improving the fixing strength of the obtained image. More preferably.

The roughness Rz of the inner peripheral surface is measured by the following method.
The maximum height roughness Rz (JIS B0601-2013) of the inner peripheral surface of the resin layer is measured in the width direction under the conditions of a measurement length of 1 mm, a cutoff wavelength of 0.025 mm, and a measurement speed of 0.03 mm / sec. Measure at three points using a gauge, and let the average value be the inner peripheral surface roughness Rz.

-Thickness The thickness of the base material (resin layer) is, for example, preferably 20 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, more preferably 50 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and further preferably 60 μm or more and 130 μm or less.

The thickness (average thickness) of each layer in the transparent tubular body is measured by an eddy current type film thickness meter ISOSCOPE MP30 manufactured by Fisher Instruments Co., Ltd.
It should be noted that the central portion of the transparent tubular body in the axial direction (width direction) and the three locations 30 mm from both ends toward the central portion are located at four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, that is, a total of 12 locations. The measurement is performed, and the average value is taken as the average thickness.

(Elastic layer)
The elastic layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a layer having transparency to infrared light (a layer having an infrared transmittance of 80% or more).
Examples of the elastic layer include a silicone rubber layer, a urethane rubber layer, an olefin rubber layer, and the like.

Examples of the silicone rubber layer include layers of addition polymerization type two-component polydimethylsiloxanes and derivatives thereof, and photocurable acrylic-modified silicone rubber.
Examples of the urethane rubber layer include layers such as polyether urethane rubber, polyester urethanes, and acrylic modified photocurable urethane rubber.
Examples of the olefin rubber layer include layers of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), polypropylene rubber, butyl rubber, cycloolefins, norbornene rubber and the like.

The thickness of the elastic layer is, for example, preferably 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and more preferably 150 μm or more and 450 μm or less.

(Surface layer)
The surface layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a layer having transparency to infrared light (a layer having an infrared light transmittance of 80% or more).
The surface layer is preferably a layer having releasability with respect to toner.
Examples of the surface layer include a fluorine-containing resin layer. Examples of the fluorine-containing resin layer include tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer. (THV), and layers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) can be mentioned.

Among these, as the surface layer, for example, a layer such as PFA, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a fluorocyclic ether polymer is preferable.

The surface free energy on the outer peripheral surface of the surface layer is preferably, for example, 30 mN / m or less, more preferably 25 mN / m or less, from the viewpoint of releasability of the fixed image.
Here, the surface free energy is measured by, for example, a contact angle meter CAM-200 (manufactured by KSV) and a program calculation built in the device using the Zisman method.

It is desirable that the refractive index of the surface layer is lower than the refractive index of the toner image because the reflection of infrared light at the interface between the surface layer and the toner image is suppressed.

The thickness of the surface layer is, for example, preferably 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and preferably 12 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

(Characteristics of transparent tubular body)
The thickness of the entire transparent tubular body is, for example, preferably 80 μm or more and 1550 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and further preferably 200 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

The transparent tubular body described above is not limited to the above-mentioned layer structure, and may be a laminated body having the above-mentioned resin layer as a base material. Further, it may be a single layer body of the above resin layer.
The laminate having the resin layer as a base material includes, for example, a layer structure having a functional layer such as a release layer on the inner peripheral surface of the base material made of the resin layer, and a base material made of the resin layer. Examples include a layer structure having only an elastic layer or only a release layer, a layer structure having an adhesive layer between a base material and an elastic layer, a layer structure having an adhesive layer between an elastic layer and a release layer, and the like. Be done.

<Infrared light fixing device>
The infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment is a tubular body that comes into contact with a toner image on a recording medium, and is in contact with the transparent tubular body according to the present embodiment and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body to form a tubular body. A rotating body that forms a contact area between the two bodies and rotates together with the tubular body to convey the recording medium, and a rotating body that is provided on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body and rotates with the tubular body. An infrared light irradiator that irradiates infrared light into the contact area between the body and a pressurizing member that is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body and pressurizes the tubular body together with the rotating body in the contact area. , Equipped with.

In the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment, the infrared light irradiation device may be a device that irradiates infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less.

Here, when the infrared light emitted from the infrared light irradiating device reaches the contact area between the transparent tubular body and the rotating body via the pressurizing member, the pressurizing member has "transparency to infrared light". "Is also good to have the same property as" transparency to infrared light "in a transparent tubular body. That is, the "transmittance to infrared light" in the pressure member is preferably 80% or more (preferably 90% or more).

Hereinafter, the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the infrared light fixing device 60 (hereinafter, also referred to as “fixing device 60”) according to the present embodiment includes a transparent tubular body 62, a rotating body 64, an infrared light irradiation device 70, and the like. It includes a pressure member 80 and a lubricant supply member 66.

(Transparent tubular body)
The transparent tubular body 62 is rotatably supported at both ends in the axial direction by bearings (not shown). Further, a drive transmission member (gear or the like) (not shown) is fitted in one end of the transparent tubular body 62 in the axial direction. The transparent tubular body 62 is adapted to rotate in the direction of arrow R as the drive transmission member is rotated about an axis by a drive source (motor or the like) (not shown). Further, the transparent tubular body 62 is in contact with the toner image T on the paper K (an example of a recording medium) heated by the transmitted infrared light LB while rotating.

(Rotating body)
The rotating body 64 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body.
As an example, the rotating body 64 is made of resin or metal, and is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape. A bearing member (not shown) is pressed against the pressure member 80 side by an elastic member (spring or the like) via the transparent tubular body 62 on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 64. As a result, the rotating body 64 and the transparent tubular body 62 form a contact area N (so-called nip portion). That is, the rotating body 64 has a function of pressing the transparent tubular body 62 (that is, the paper K and the toner image T) together with the pressing member 80 in the contact area N.

Fitting members (caps, etc.) (not shown) are fitted to both ends of the rotating body 64 in the axial direction to increase the rigidity of the rotating body 64 against an external force in the radial direction. The fitting member is made rotatable about an axis by a bearing member (not shown). Then, the rotating body 64 is driven to rotate as the transparent tubular body 62 is rotated. As a result, the paper K is conveyed by rotating together with the transparent tubular body 62 in the contact area N.
The transparent tubular body 62 may be driven to rotate by the rotational drive of the rotating body 64.

(Infrared light irradiation device)
The infrared light irradiation device 70 is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the transparent tubular body 62. The infrared light irradiation device 70 may be provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transparent tubular body 62.

As an example, the infrared light irradiation device 70 includes a laser array 72 that emits infrared light LB (infrared laser light) and a collimating lens 74 that uses the emitted infrared light LB as parallel light. Then, the infrared light irradiation device 70 irradiates the transparent tubular body 62 with infrared light LB from the outside of the transparent tubular body 62 so that the toner image T is heated.

A plurality of laser arrays 72 are provided side by side along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper K. Each laser array 72 has a plurality of arranged laser light sources 72A, a main body 72B that supports the laser light source 72A, and a heat sink 72C that contacts the main body 72B.

Here, the laser array 72 may have, for example, a plurality of laser light sources 72A that irradiate infrared light in at least a part of the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less.

The collimating lens 74 is a plano-convex lens that uses infrared light LB emitted from the laser light source 72A as parallel light. The position of the collimating lens 74 is adjusted so that the width of the transparent tubular body 62 of the infrared light LB incident on the outer peripheral surface of the transparent tubular body 62 in the circumferential direction becomes a preset width.

(Pressurized member)
The pressurizing member 80 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transparent tubular body 62.
The pressurizing member 80 has a lens pad 82 (an example of a light collecting member), a support frame 84A, and a support frame 84B as an example. The support frame 84A and the support frame 84B are members extending in the axial direction of the transparent tubular body 62, and support the lens pad 82 by sandwiching it from the radial direction of the transparent tubular body 62. The lens pad 82, the support frame 84A, and the support frame 84B have a columnar shape as a whole in an assembled state.

In the pressure member 80, the rotating body 64 is pressed against the pressure member 80 side via the transparent tubular body 62, so that the transparent tubular body 62 (that is, the paper K and the toner image) together with the rotating body 64 in the contact area N. It has a function of pressurizing by sandwiching T).

In the pressurizing member 80, the infrared light LB irradiated from the infrared light irradiation device 70 to the transparent tubular body 62 is focused by the lens pad 82, passes through the transparent tubular body 62 again, and irradiates the contact area N. It is designed to do.

The pressure member 80 may be pressed against the rotating body 64 by the elastic member (spring or the like) via the transparent tubular body. That is, the pressurizing member 80 is pressed from another member (rotating body 64 or the like) to pressurize the transparent tubular body 62, or presses itself against another member (rotating body 64 or the like) to press the transparent tubular body 62. It may be any member of the member which pressurizes.

Further, the pressurizing member 80 may be a pad member having an infrared light condensing function. Further, the pressurizing member 80 may be a roll member having no infrared light condensing function or a pad member having no infrared light condensing function.

(Lubricating member)
As an example, the lubricant supply member 66 is made of a felt material impregnated with a liquid lubricant (silicone oil or the like). The lubricant supply member 66 is fitted in the recess 86 formed in the support frame 84A of the pressure member 80, and is provided in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transparent tubular body 62. As a result, the lubricant supply member 66 applies the lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the transparent tubular body 62.

The lubricant supply member 66 may be composed of a solid lubricant (fatty acid metal salt or the like) and a support member that supports the solid lubricant.

Here, when the infrared light emitted from the infrared light irradiating device reaches the contact area between the transparent tubular body and the rotating body via the pressurizing member, the "transparency to infrared light" in the lubricant is used. Also, it may have the same properties as the "transparency to infrared light" in the transparent tubular body. That is, the "transmittance to infrared light" of the lubricant is preferably 80% or more (preferably 90% or more).

(Operation of infrared light fixing device)
In the infrared light fixing device 60, the infrared light LB emitted from the infrared light irradiation device 70 is incident on the incident portion 62A of the transparent tubular body 62. Then, the infrared light LB is focused in the lens pad 82 of the transparent tubular body 62, emitted from the contact region N which is the emitting portion, and is irradiated on the toner image T on the paper K being conveyed. The toner image T on the paper K is heated and melted by absorbing the condensed infrared light LB, and is fixed to the paper K by receiving pressure from the rotating body 64 and the pressurizing member 80. ..

The infrared light fixing device 60 described above is not limited to the above configuration, and a well-known configuration is adopted.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the infrared light fixing device 60 is a sheet-like sliding member interposed between the pressure member 80 (the lens pad 82 thereof) and the transparent tubular body 62 in the contact area N. It may be an aspect having 68.
Further, the infrared light fixing device 60 may be in a mode in which the transparent tubular body is supported while applying tension by a plurality of support rolls.

[Image forming device]
Next, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a toner image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording medium, and an infrared light fixing apparatus that fixes the toner image on the recording medium by irradiation with infrared light. .. Then, as the infrared light fixing device, the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment is applied.

Here, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the toner image forming apparatus includes, for example, an image holder, a charging device that charges the surface of the image holder, and an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image holder. An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming a toner image, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of an image holder with a developer containing toner, and a toner image as a recording medium. A transfer device for transferring to the surface is provided.

The toner image forming device is a direct transfer type device that directly transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to the recording medium; the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body. An intermediate transfer type device that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium; a cleaning device that cleans the surface of the image holder after the toner image is transferred and before charging. Device; A device equipped with a static elimination device that irradiates the surface of the image holder with static elimination light after transfer of the toner image and before charging; image retention for raising the temperature of the image holder and reducing the relative temperature. A well-known toner image forming device such as a device provided with a body heating member is applied.

In the case of an intermediate transfer type apparatus, the transfer apparatus is, for example, an intermediate transfer body in which a toner image is transferred to the surface and a primary transfer in which a toner image formed on the surface of an image holder is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body. A configuration comprising an apparatus and a secondary transfer apparatus for secondary transfer of a toner image transferred to the surface of an intermediate transfer body to the surface of a recording medium is applied.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may be either a dry developing type image forming apparatus or a wet developing type (developing method using a liquid developer) image forming apparatus.

Here, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the infrared light fixing apparatus may be made into a cartridge so as to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may include the infrared light fixing device according to the present embodiment as a constituent device of the process cartridge.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus generally called a tandem type, and a plurality of toner images of each color component are formed by an electrophotographic method. Image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, and a primary transfer unit 10 for sequentially transferring (primary transfer) each color component toner image formed by each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K to an intermediate transfer belt 15. , A secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 15 to paper K, which is a recording medium, and fixing that fixes the secondary transferred image on paper K. The device 60 and the like are provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 has a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

This fixing device 60 is the infrared light fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment described above.

Each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoconductor 11 that rotates in the direction of arrow A as an example of an image holder that holds a toner image formed on the surface.

A charger 12 for charging the photoconductor 11 is provided around the photoconductor 11 as an example of a charging device, and a laser exposure device for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11 as an example of a latent image forming device. 13 (the exposure beam in the figure is indicated by the reference numeral Bm) is provided.

Further, around the photoconductor 11, as an example of a developing device, a developing device 14 in which each color component toner is accommodated and an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11 is visualized by the toner is provided, and the photoconductor 11 is provided. A primary transfer roll 16 for transferring each color component toner image formed above to the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer unit 10 is provided.

Further, a photoconductor cleaner 17 for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 11 is provided around the photoconductor 11, and a charger 12, a laser exposure device 13, a developing device 14, a primary transfer roll 16, and a photoconductor cleaner are provided. 17 electrophotographic devices are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 11. These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged substantially linearly in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. Has been done.

The intermediate transfer belt 15 which is an intermediate transfer body is composed of a film-shaped pressure belt in which a resin such as polyimide or polyamide is used as a base layer and an appropriate amount of an antistatic agent such as carbon black is contained. Then, the volume resistivity is formed so as to be 10 ⁶ [Omega] cm or more ^{10 14} [Omega] cm or less, a thickness of, for example, are configured in approximately 0.1 mm.

The intermediate transfer belt 15 is circulated (rotated) by various rolls in the B direction shown in FIG. 4 at a speed suitable for the purpose. These various rolls include a drive roll 31 that is driven by a motor (not shown) having excellent constant speed to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 15, and an intermediate transfer belt 15 that extends substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of each photoconductor 11. The support roll 32 that supports the intermediate transfer belt 15, the tension applying roll 33 that exerts tension on the intermediate transfer belt 15 and functions as a correction roll that prevents the intermediate transfer belt 15 from meandering, the back roll 25 provided on the secondary transfer portion 20, and the back roll 25. The intermediate transfer belt 15 has a cleaning back roll 34 provided in a cleaning portion for scraping off residual toner.

The primary transfer unit 10 is composed of a primary transfer roll 16 arranged so as to face the photoconductor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 16 is composed of a core body and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core body. The core body is a cylindrical rod made of a metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is formed of a mixed rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black, and is a sponge-like cylindrical roll having ^{a volume resistivity of 10 7.5} Ωcm or more and 10 ^{8.5 Ω cm or less.}

Then, the primary transfer roll 16 is pressure-welded to the photoconductor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and the primary transfer roll 16 has a voltage (primary) opposite to that of the toner charging polarity (minus polarity; the same applies hereinafter). Transfer bias) is applied. As a result, the toner images on the respective photoconductors 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The secondary transfer unit 20 includes a back surface roll 25 and a secondary transfer roll 22 arranged on the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The back roll 25 is made of a mixed rubber tube of EPDM and NBR whose surface is dispersed with carbon, and the inside is made of EPDM rubber. Then, the surface resistivity is ^{formed to be 10 7} Ω / □ or more and 10 ¹⁰ Ω / □ or less, and the hardness is set to, for example, 70 ° (Asker C: manufactured by Polymer Instruments Co., Ltd., the same applies hereinafter). NS. The back surface roll 25 is arranged on the back surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to form a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 22, and a metal feeding roll 26 to which the secondary transfer bias is stably applied is contact-arranged. ing.

On the other hand, the secondary transfer roll 22 is composed of a core body and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core body. The core body is a cylindrical rod made of metal such as iron and SUS. The sponge layer is formed of a mixed rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black, and is a sponge-like cylindrical roll having ^{a volume resistivity of 10 7.5} Ωcm or more and 10 ^{8.5 Ω cm or less.}

Then, the secondary transfer roll 22 is pressure-welded to the back surface roll 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and the secondary transfer roll 22 is grounded to form a secondary transfer bias with the back surface roll 25. The toner image is secondarily transferred onto the paper K conveyed to the next transfer unit 20.

Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15, an intermediate transfer belt that cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by removing residual toner and paper dust on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer. The cleaner 35 is provided so as to be detachable from the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The intermediate transfer belt 15, the primary transfer unit 10 (primary transfer roll 16), and the secondary transfer unit 20 (secondary transfer roll 22) correspond to an example of the transfer device.

On the other hand, on the upstream side of the yellow image forming unit 1Y, a reference sensor (home position sensor) 42 that generates a reference signal as a reference for taking the image forming timing in each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K is provided. It is arranged. The reference sensor 42 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and generates a reference signal. According to an instruction from the control unit 40 based on the recognition of the reference signal, each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K are configured to initiate image formation.
Further, an image density sensor 43 for adjusting the image quality is arranged on the downstream side of the black image forming unit 1K.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a conveying device for conveying the paper K, the paper accommodating portion 50 accommodating the paper K and the paper K accumulated in the paper accommodating portion 50 are taken out at a predetermined timing. The paper feed roll 51 that conveys the paper K, the transfer roll 52 that conveys the paper K fed by the paper feed roll 51, the transfer guide 53 that feeds the paper K conveyed by the transfer roll 52 to the secondary transfer unit 20, and the secondary transfer. It includes a transport belt 55 that transports the paper K that is secondarily transferred by the roll 22 to the fixing device 60, and a fixing inlet guide 56 that guides the paper K to the fixing device 60.

Next, the basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the image data output from an image reading device (not shown), a personal computer (PC) (not shown), or the like is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown), and then the image forming unit 1Y. , 1M, 1C, 1K perform the image drawing work.

The image processing device performs image processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasing and color editing, and various image editing such as movement editing on the input reflectance data. Will be done. The image data that has undergone image processing is converted into color material gradation data of four colors Y, M, C, and K, and is output to the laser exposure device 13.

In the laser exposure device 13, for example, the exposure beam Bm emitted from the semiconductor laser is irradiated to each of the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K according to the input color material gradation data. .. In each of the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, after the surface is charged by the charger 12, the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure device 13, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image of each color of Y, M, C, and K by the respective image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

The toner image formed on the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer unit 10 in which each photoconductor 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 are in contact with each other. NS. More specifically, in the primary transfer unit 10, the primary transfer roll 16 applies a voltage (primary transfer bias) opposite to the charging polarity (minus polarity) of the toner to the base material of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the toner image. Is sequentially superposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the primary transfer is performed.

After the toner image is sequentially primary-transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves and the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20. When the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20, the paper feed roll 51 rotates in accordance with the timing at which the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20, and the target is from the paper storage unit 50. Paper K of size is supplied. The paper K supplied by the paper feed roll 51 is conveyed by the transfer roll 52 and reaches the secondary transfer unit 20 via the transfer guide 53. Before reaching the secondary transfer unit 20, the paper K is temporarily stopped, and the alignment roll (not shown) rotates according to the movement timing of the intermediate transfer belt 15 on which the toner image is held, so that the paper K is formed. Is aligned with the position of the toner image.

In the secondary transfer unit 20, the secondary transfer roll 22 is pressed against the back roll 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the paper K conveyed at the same timing is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roll 22. At that time, when a voltage (secondary transfer bias) having the same polarity as the charging polarity (minus polarity) of the toner is applied from the power feeding roll 26, a transfer electric field is formed between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back surface roll 25. Will be done. Then, the unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred onto the paper K collectively in the secondary transfer unit 20 pressurized by the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back surface roll 25. NS.

After that, the paper K on which the toner image is electrostatically transferred is conveyed as it is in a state of being peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roll 22, and is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roll 22 in the paper transfer direction. It is transported to the belt 55. The transport belt 55 transports the paper K to the fixing device 60 according to the optimum transport speed in the fixing device 60. The unfixed toner image on the paper K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is fixed on the paper K by being pressurized by the fixing device 60 and irradiated with infrared light to undergo a fixing process. Then, the paper K on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed to a paper ejection accommodating portion (not shown) provided in the ejection unit of the image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, after the transfer to the paper K is completed, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the cleaning section as the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates, and is conveyed by the cleaning back roll 34 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35. It is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 15.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these Examples.

<Example 1>
-Formation of resin layer-
A polyamic acid composed of 3,3', 4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and p-phenylenediamine (a precursor of aromatic polyimide (PI) resin, weight average molecular weight of 65,000). A 20% by mass solution of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) (composition for forming a resin layer) was prepared.
Further, as a mold, a cylindrical mold having an inner diameter of φ189 mm, an inner surface having a roughness Rz of 0.1 μm or less, and being coated with a silicone-based mold release agent was prepared.
After putting the solution (resin layer forming composition) on the inner surface of a cylindrical mold rotated at 30 rpm, the solution is rotated at 200 rpm to form a coating film of a polyamic acid resin solution in a nearly uniform state on the inner surface of the mold. I let you. The mold was dried at 120 ° C. for 20 minutes while rotating, and then fired at 320 ° C. for 60 minutes with the cylindrical mold stopped, and imide conversion was performed. Then, the film was pulled out and cut to obtain a resin layer having a diameter of 189 mm, a width of 350 mm, and an average thickness of 90 μm.

<Example 2>
Polyamic acid (alicyclic polyimide (PI) resin precursor, weight average molecular weight) consisting of 3,3', 4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and 1,4-bis (aminomethyl) cyclohexane A 20% by mass solution of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) (composition for forming a resin layer) of 60,000) was prepared.
A resin layer having a diameter of 189 mm, a width of 350 mm, and an average thickness of 90 μm was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this solution (composition for forming a resin layer) was used.

<Example 3>
20% by mass solution of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) of polyether sulfone (PES) resin (Solvay, Veradel (registered trademark) A-301) (composition for forming a resin layer) Prepared.
After putting the solution (resin layer forming composition) on the inner surface of a cylindrical mold rotated at 30 rpm, the solution is rotated at 200 rpm to coat the coating of the polyether sulfone resin solution in a state close to uniform on the inner surface of the mold. Was formed. The mold was dried at 120 ° C. for 20 minutes while rotating, and then heated at 260 ° C. for 30 minutes with the cylindrical mold stopped. Then, the film was pulled out and cut to obtain a resin layer having a diameter of 189 mm, a width of 350 mm, and an average thickness of 90 μm.

<Example 4>
A 20% by mass solution of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) resin (Solvay, Radel® R-5800) in 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) (composition for forming a resin layer). Prepared.
A resin layer having a diameter of 189 mm, a width of 350 mm, and an average thickness of 90 μm was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this solution (composition for forming a resin layer) was used.

<Example 5>
A 20% by mass solution (composition for forming a resin layer) of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) of a polycarbonate (PC) resin (Yupizeta PCZ500 manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.) was prepared.
A resin layer having a diameter of 189 mm, a width of 350 mm, and an average thickness of 90 μm was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this solution (composition for forming a resin layer) was used.

<Comparative Examples 1 to 3>
By performing the same procedure as in Examples 1 to 3 except that the solvent was changed from 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) to N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), the diameter was 189 mm, the width was 350 mm, and the average thickness was 90 μm. Resin layer was obtained.

<Comparative example 4>
Pellets of polyether sulfone (PES) resin (Solvay, Veradel (registered trademark) A-301) are put into a uniaxial melt extruder (L / D24, melt extruder, manufactured by Mitsuha Seisakusho) and melted. While extruding into a cylindrical shape from the gap between the annular die and the nipple. In order to fix the cylindrical shape and diameter of the cylindrical member while taking over the extruded cylindrical member, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member is brought into contact with a sizing die (cooling die) to cool it, and then the purpose is A resin layer having a diameter of 160 mm, a width of 350 mm, and an average thickness of 90 μm was obtained.
At this time, in order to quickly cool the resin layer, warm air having the same temperature as the sizing die was supplied from the air ring provided on the outside of the sizing die.

〔evaluation〕
-Amount of residual solvent-
For the resin layer obtained in each example, the amount of residual solvent (mass%) was measured by the above-mentioned measuring method.

-Infrared light transmittance-
The resin layer obtained in each example was measured using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, model number: JASCO-V560), and the minimum value of 760 nm or more and 900 nm or less was defined as the transmittance.

-Inner surface roughness-
The inner surface roughness of the resin layer obtained in each example was measured by the above-mentioned measuring method.

-Breaking resistance-
With respect to the resin layer obtained in each example, the fold resistance (MIT fold resistance) was measured by the above-mentioned measuring method.
(Evaluation criteria)
A (◎): 10,000 times or more B (○): 2,500 times or more C (×): less than 2,500 times

-Fixing rate (tape peeling test)-
-Preparation of tubular body A silicone rubber (X-34-1972-3-A / B, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) film (thickness 350 μm) is formed as an elastic layer on the surface of the resin layer obtained in each example. After that, as an adhesive treatment, 20 μm of liquid silicone rubber (KE-1950-10A / B, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied, and then an inner surface adhesive treatment was performed on the tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (KE-1950-10A / B, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). A film (thickness 30 μm) of PFA) was formed to prepare a tubular body.

-Evaluation of actual machine An infrared light fixing device having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2 (as an infrared laser light irradiation device, a semiconductor laser (manufactured by Eneoptic Co., Ltd., wavelength of infrared laser light: 808 nm)) Was incorporated as a transparent tubular body in a fixing device having an infrared irradiation intensity of 100 W / cm ² in the contact area (nip portion) N and an infrared irradiation amount of 200 mJ / cm ^{2 on the unfixed toner image T).}
After fixing the unfixed toner image using this infrared light fixing device, the fixing rate was evaluated by a tape peeling test.
Specifically, an adhesive tape (Scotch mending tape; manufactured by 3M) was lightly attached to the fixed image, the tape was brought into close contact with the image surface at a linear pressure of 250 g / cm, and then the tape was peeled off. Using a spectrophotometer (CM-3700d; manufactured by Minolta), measure the absorbance value of the reflected light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 800 nm at the wavelength where the absorbance of the reflected light is maximum, and measure the absorbance value before and after the tape is peeled off. The fixing rate was calculated by the formula of "maximum absorbance after peeling / maximum absorbance before tape peeling) x 100". In addition, the evaluation was performed according to the following criteria.
(Evaluation criteria)
A (◎): 92% or more B (○): 90% or more and less than 92% C (×): less than 90%

As shown in Table 1, in Examples 1 to 5 provided with a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing a urea-based solvent as a solvent, curing of the composition containing only N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent It can be seen that the transmittance of infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region of the infrared region is superior to that of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 provided with the resin layer which is a product.
Further, in Examples 1 to 5, which include a resin layer which is a centrifugally molded product obtained by molding a composition containing a urea-based solvent as a solvent by a centrifugal molding method, the resin itself is melted without using a solvent and extruded by extrusion molding. It can be seen that the roughness of the inner peripheral surface of the resin layer is smaller than that of Comparative Example 4 provided with the resin layer which is a molded product, and a high fixing rate is obtained in the tape peeling test for the fixed image.

60 Infrared light fixing device 62 Transparent tubular body 62A Incident part 64 Rotating body 66 Lubricant supply member 68 Sliding member 70 Infrared light irradiation device 72 Laser array 72A Laser light source 72B Main body 72C Heat shield 74 Collimating lens 80 Pressurizing member 82 Lens pad 84A Support frame 84B Support frame 86 Recess 100 Image forming device 110 Transparent tubular body 110A Base material 110B Elastic layer 110C Surface layer

Claims (11)

It is composed of a laminate having a resin layer as a base material, which is a cured product of a composition containing at least a urea-based solvent and a resin or resin precursor soluble in the urea-based solvent.
An elastic layer in which the laminate is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the resin layer, and
A surface layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer and
Have a,
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device having transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region. The urea-based solvents are 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea, 1,3-dipropylurea, 1,3-diisopropylurea, tetramethylurea, tetraethylurea, tetrapropylurea, tetraisopropylurea, 2 -From imidazolidinone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-diethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-dipropyl-2-imidazolidinone, and N, N-dimethylpropylene urea The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 1, which is at least one selected from the group. The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of the urea solvent in the resin layer is 0.005% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less. Claim 1 in which the resin or resin precursor is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulfone resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenyl sulfone resin, polyimide resin, polyamideimide resin, and polyimide resin precursor. The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 3. The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the resin layer is a centrifugal molded product. The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , which has transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less. The tubular body for an infrared light fixing device according to claim 6 , wherein the transmittance for infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less is 90% or more. A tubular body that comes into contact with the toner image on the recording medium.
It is composed of a single layer of a resin layer which is a cured product of a composition containing at least a urea solvent and a resin or a resin precursor soluble in the urea solvent, or a laminate having the resin layer as a base material. Being done
A tubular body for an infrared light fixing device having transparency to infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region,
A rotating body that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body, forms a contact area with the tubular body, rotates with the tubular body in the contact area, and conveys a recording medium.
An infrared light irradiating device provided on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body and irradiating infrared light into the contact area between the tubular body and the rotating body.
A pressurizing member provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the tubular body and pressurizing the tubular body together with the rotating body in the contact area.
Infrared light fixing device including. The urea-based solvents are 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea, 1,3-dipropylurea, 1,3-diisopropylurea, tetramethylurea, tetraethylurea, tetrapropylurea, tetraisopropylurea, 2 -From imidazolidinone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-diethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1,3-dipropyl-2-imidazolidinone, and N, N-dimethylpropylene urea The infrared light fixing device according to claim 8, which is at least one selected from the group. The infrared light fixing device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the infrared light irradiating device irradiates infrared light in at least a part of the wavelength region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more and 900 nm or less. A toner image forming device that forms a toner image on a recording medium,
The infrared light fixing device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, which is an infrared light fixing device that fixes the toner image on the recording medium by irradiation with infrared light.
An image forming apparatus comprising.

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