JPH02236578A - Releasing agent supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit a storage tank to be installed in any place in a device by dividing a channel between the storage tank and the pump, and joining both ends of the divided channel via a flexible sealing member by virtue of energizing force. CONSTITUTION:An oil pan 4 is provided in the lower position than a fixing roller 1, and the storage tank 5 in which oil is stored is disposed below the oil pan 4. The storage tank 5 is connected with the oil pan via the pump 7 by the channels 71-73 composed of a flexible tube, etc. The channels 71-73 are dividable in the main body of the storage tank 5, and both the ends of the divided channel are joined via the flexible sealing member 74 by virtue of energizing force. Thus, silicon oil is prevented from splashing in the device at the time of attaching an oil bottle and thereafter, and also the degree of freedom is given when the silicon oil bottle is arranged in the device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention provides a means for applying a release agent to a fixing device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, particularly a fixing roller. related to a device for

[Prior Art] Conventionally, the above-mentioned fixing device has a method in which a fixing roller and a pressure roller are brought into pressure contact with each other, and a transfer paper on which an unfixed toner image has been transferred is passed between the two rollers heated by an internal heat source. Accordingly, there is a method in which the unfixed toner is heated and pressurized to fix it on the transfer paper. In this type of fixing device, a release agent such as silicone oil is applied to the fixing roller in order to prevent the toner from being offset onto the fixing roller. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a conventional fixing roller oil application and supply device. In the figure, 101 is a fixing roller, and l02 is a processing roller. These two rollers rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and heat the transfer material with unfixed toner, indicated by P in the figure, while conveying it under pressure. Fix that image. l03 is the fixing roller 10
The felt is used to apply oil to the surface of the fixing roller 101, and the release agent is sucked up from the oil pan 104 between its fibers and brought into contact with the fixing roller 101, thereby applying oil to the fixing roller lot.

In the oil bun 104, in which the lower part of the felt 103 is immersed, an oil bottle 105 for replenishment or a bottle opening 105a is placed with the mouth 105a facing down, and oil is stored therein. The valve 106 in the bottle 105 is pushed up by a portion 104a of the oil bun 104 and opened. When the oil is consumed and the oil level falls below the level shown in the figure, the oil in the bottle 105 is replenished to the oil tank and returns to the level shown in the figure.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional oil supply device, oil is supplied to the fixing roller only by the suction force of the felt itself, so the oil pan 104 must be placed at approximately the same height as the fixing roller. I don't get it. Further, in the image forming apparatus t, the fixing roller is arranged at a high level position in terms of design. Therefore, in the supply bottle 105 or in the image forming apparatus,
It will be placed in a relatively high position. This brings about problems described below in the device configuration L.

First, because the bottle is located at a high position, if the device is tilted during transportation, oil may leak from the mouth of the bottle and scatter inside the device, and when the device is restarted, the transfer material may not be fed. be. Secondly, since a space for the oil bottle must be provided between the fixing device and the document table, the device becomes larger. Furthermore, since the supply port of the oil bottle must be oriented downward when the bottle is installed, there is a risk that silicone oil may be scattered inside the aircraft due to an erroneous operation.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional device, prevents the silicone oil from scattering inside the machine during and after installing the silicone oil bottle, and increases the degree of freedom in arranging the silicone oil bottle in the device, thereby making the device more compact. It is an object of the present invention to provide a female mold agent supplying device that can be used to improve the operability of the device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by: a storage tank that stores a mold release agent; and a pump that is located above the storage tank and pumps up the mold release agent from the storage tank. , a flow path passing from the storage tank to the application means for applying a release agent to the fixing roller via the pump, wherein the storage tank is located at a position below the fixing roller. Yes, the flow path is divided between the storage tank and the pump, and both ends of the divided flow path are connected by a biasing force through a town-containing member.

[Function] As mentioned above, in the invention, the storage tank can be located at any position of the image forming apparatus, for example, at the lowest position, and the flow path is formed with the storage tank to have sealing properties and flexibility. The mold release agent will not leak out under any circumstances. The mold release agent is then pumped up to the application means by a pump when necessary. When replacing the storage tank, the divided portions of the flow path are uncoupled.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2 of the attached drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a fixing roller, and a pressure roller 2 presses against the fixing roller from below so that it can rotate. A release agent such as felt 3 coated with silicone oil is in contact with the fixing roller l. The lower part of the felt 3 is immersed in an oil pan 4 in which a certain amount of oil is stored, and the fibers of the felt 3 absorb the oil and apply it to the fixing roller 1. , L A storage tank 5 storing oil is provided below the oil bun 4. The storage tank 5 and the oil bun are connected via a pump 7 through a flow path made of a flexible tube or the like. L pump 7 is
It detects the oil level in the oil bun 4 and is driven as necessary. Further, the above-mentioned flow path can be divided in the main body of the storage tank 7. It consists of three parts: a flow path 71 above the pump 7, a flow path 72 from the pump to the storage tank 7, and a flow path 73 inside the storage tank 7.

The intermediate flow path 72 passes through a holding member 76 that is rotatable around the orientation 1i75, and a flexible moon member 74 (for example, a silicone pump without holes) is attached around the lower end of the holding member 76. . The flexible sealing member 74 is pressed against a base portion 78 that fixes the upper end of the channel 73 to the storage tank 5 by the force of a spring 77 that pulls the presser member 76, and is connected to the channel 72. The flow path 73 is separably and sealably connected. Thus, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the release agent is supplied to the oil bun 4 by the pump 7 no matter where the storage tank 5 is placed in the image forming apparatus. At this time, the flow path is completely sealed and there will be no leakage.

In addition, when replacing the mortuary tank, the above-mentioned holding member 76
is rotated against the spring 77 in the eight directions of arrows in the figure, and the storage tank 5 is moved in the direction of arrow B to replace it with a new storage tank. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the situation at that time. Rotate the holding member 76 upward to separate the flow path 72 and the flow path 7.
3 and replace the storage tank 5 containing the flow path 73. In addition, since the flow path 73 reaches the bottom of the storage tank 5, the oil is completely consumed, and there is no need to take out the flow path 7 from the storage tank 5 when replacing the oil, so it is easy to operate without getting your hands dirty. . That is, only by moving the presser member 76 downward to -L, the storage tank and the wave path 72 are reliably connected. Conventionally, there are screw-in type and press-fit type, but in the case of the screw-in type, it is difficult to tell how much force is being applied to turn the screw, and the screw may stop midway and create a gap.
The oil itself was slippery on the threaded parts, which was unfavorable for operation. It was also difficult to tell how much force was being applied with the presser type, and it often did not function as intended due to the precision of the parts.

According to the present invention, this point is greatly improved.

When the above-mentioned release agent supply device according to the present invention is employed in an image forming apparatus, the oil is pumped by the pump 7, and the storage tank 5 is disposed at a position sufficiently below the fixing roller l. It becomes possible.

As a result, even if oil splashes from the storage tank 5 during transportation of the device, it is unlikely to spread all over the inside of the device.
Accidents such as the transfer material slipping are less likely to occur. Further, since there is no need to dispose a vaginal storage tank between the fixing roller and the document table, the height of the apparatus does not increase. Furthermore, when replacing the storage tank, the mouth of the storage tank is always facing upward, so no oil will be scattered during replacement.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention is as described above, and the flow path between the storage tank and the mold release agent application device has a connection part via a pump and a flexible sealing member, thereby making it possible to The tank can now be installed anywhere within the equipment, increasing the degree of freedom in design and making it possible to downsize the entire equipment. It also has the effect of preventing erroneous operation when replacing the storage tank.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the JR essential configuration of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a view showing the storage tank replacement of Fig. 1'Scδ, and Fig. 3 is a schematic configuration of a conventional installation. This is a cross-sectional view. l・・・・・・・・・・・・Fixing roller 3.4・
・・・・・・・・・・・・Coating means 5・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・Storage tank 7・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
...Pumps 71, 72, 7...Flow path

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A storage tank for storing a mold release agent, a pump located above the storage tank to pump up the mold release agent from the storage tank, and a pump for applying the mold release agent from the storage tank to the fixing roller. In the mold release agent supply device having a flow path leading to the application means via the pump, the storage tank is located below the fixing roller, and the flow path is divided between the storage tank and the pump. A release agent supplying device characterized in that both ends of the divided flow path are connected by a biasing force via a flexible sealing member.