JPH0476546A - Thermal fixing device for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a glossy or unglossy picture by setting either glossy-surface or unglossy-surface input, switching a path along which a thermally fixed member is ejected from a development part, and inserting the member into one of thermal fixing means. CONSTITUTION:In a condition where an ungloss-mode setting key is not depressed, a developing sheet is guided to the thermal fixing device 23 through a shoot, and is so inserted that it comes into contact with the surface of a first thermal fixing belt 28 while making the picture face to upward. This surface is a specular surface provided with high smoothness in order to make the picture side glossy. After heating and pressing the sheet, the developing sheet, it is ejected with the glossy picture face. In condition where the setting key is depressed, after the developing sheet is guided to the shoot 43 turned downward and is inserted into shoots 46 and 48, the shoot 46 is turned counterclockwise by an image condition switching/controlling means; consequently a feeding roller 47 rotates reversely to send the developing sheet to the device 23. Since the picture face looks down, the developing sheet is inserted so that the picture face is in contact with the surface of a second belt 29. This surface is finely embossed in order to make the picture side unglossy. After heating and pressing the sheet, the developing sheet is ejected with the unglossy picture surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a heat fixing device that fixes an image previously formed on a heat fixing member by heating.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a heat fixing device used in a copying machine has been used, for example, when copying a latent image formed on a photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet onto developer paper and making it visible. There is a method in which developing paper is introduced into a dryer-type heat fixing device while being conveyed, and the image is fixed by blowing hot air within the heat fixing device.

However, this method has poor thermal efficiency, and especially when fixing OHP films such as polyester films, it may not be possible to obtain good heat fixing with a uniform haze degree, and developer paper or OHP films may become wavy due to heating. It had the disadvantage of changing shape. As an alternative heat fixing method, a method has been devised in which, for example, a thin silicone rubber fixing belt is used and pressure is applied at the same time as heating to efficiently perform heat fixing.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the method using such a heat fixing belt, even if the base material of the heat fixing member is paper, heat fixation is performed in the same way as in the case of OHP film, so the gloss naturally increases. There is a problem that only a high degree of image plane can be obtained.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat fixing device that can switch the state of an image surface after heat fixation to a glossy mode or a non-glossy mode according to the user's wishes. It is an object.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve this object, the heat fixing device of the present invention includes a heating means, a heat roller heated by the heating means, a heat fixing belt, and a heat fixing belt arranged parallel to the heat roller. In a heat fixing device including a belt suspension member installed, a setting means for setting an image state of a heat fixing member after heat fixing, a heat fixing means for making the heat fixing member a glossy surface, and a non-glossy surface. and a switching means for switching to one of the heat fixing means based on the setting of the setting means. Furthermore, the heat fixing device of the present invention includes:
In the initial state when the power is turned on and at the input part of the copying machine
When the HP film mode is set, the gloss mode may be automatically set.

[Function] According to the present invention having the above configuration, by inputting and setting the image state of the copy desired to be obtained by the present copying apparatus as either a glossy surface or a non-glossy surface, the heat-fixed member discharged from the developing section The path of the heat fixing member is determined by the switching means, and the member to be thermally fixed is inserted into either of the heat fixing means, whereby a desired image state of a glossy surface or a non-glossy surface can be obtained. Furthermore, in the initial state after the power is turned on, the gloss mode, which has a faster copying speed, is automatically set. Furthermore, when the OHP film mode is set at the input section, the gloss mode is automatically set, making it possible to obtain an OHP film with high transparency.

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a color copying machine equipped with a heat fixing device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an original platen glass 2 on which a document can be placed and a cover 3 that covers the original platen glass 2 in an openable and closable manner are movably disposed on the upper part of the copying machine main body 1. Below the original platen glass 2 is a halogen lamp 4 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the original platen glass 2 and irradiates light onto the original on the original platen glass 2, and the light of the halogen lamp 4 is directed to the original platen glass. Reflector body 5 that reflects toward 2
A light source 6 is provided. While the light source 6 is emitting light, the document table glass 2 is moved left and right, so that the entire document is irradiated with light.

On the other hand, an exposure table 7 is disposed approximately in the center of the interior of the copying machine main body 1, and between the light source 6 and the exposure table 7 is a filter 8 for adjusting the color tone of the copied image and a lens for condensing light. 9 is mounted and supported by a plate 10, and a pair of reflecting mirrors 11 for adjusting the optical path length and focus are mounted between the lens 9 and the exposure table 7 and supported by a plate 12 so that the position can be adjusted. has been done. The light reflected from the original after being irradiated onto the original passes through the filter 8, the lens 9, and each reflection mirror 11, and is guided to the exposure table 7.

A cartridge 14 is removably housed inside the copying machine main body 1, and a winding shaft 15 is rotatably supported. Further, the cartridge 14 stores in a wound state a long microcapsule paper 13 carrying a large number of microphone capsules containing dye for color copying and the like. After the microcapsule paper 13 is pulled out from the cartridge 14 by the rotation of the plurality of feed rollers 16, it is wound around the winding shaft 15, during which time a portion of the paper that has passed through the lower surface of the exposure table 7 is exposed. A latent image of the original is formed.

Below the exposure table 7, the copying machine main body 1 has a cassette 18 containing a developer sheet of a certain size whose base material is paper, or a developer sheet whose base material is a transparent plastic film used in an overhead projector. It is attached removably.

A pressure developing device 1 is provided between the exposure table 7 and the winding shaft 15.
9 is disposed, and is brought into pressure contact with the exposed portion of the microcapsule paper 13 and a color developer paper or a color developer sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as the color developer paper 17) in the pressure developing device 19. A color image based on the latent image is formed on developer paper 17.

Between the cassette 18 and the pressure developing device 19 are a take-out roller 20 for taking out the color developing paper 17 from the cassette 18, a plurality of feed rollers 21 for transporting the color developing paper 17 toward the pressure developing device 19, and a paper guide. A peeling roller 22 for peeling off the color developer paper 17 from the microcapsule paper 13 is provided on the paper feeding side of the pressure developing device 19. A thermal fixing device 23 for fixing the image formed on the color developer paper 17 by heat is disposed on the paper sending side of the peeling roller 22, and the color developer paper 17 discharged from this device 23 is stored in a tray 24. be done.

Next, the configuration of the heat fixing device 23 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The first halogen lamp 2 serves as a heating means.
6, second halogen lamp 27, and halogen lamp 2
6. In step 27, the first heat fixing belt 28 as a heat fixing means for making a glossy surface and the second heat fixing belt 29 as a heat fixing means for making a non-glossy surface are heated to a predetermined temperature. A first heat roller 30 made of an aluminum hollow pipe for guiding while heating, a second heat roller 31, and a first separation shaft as a belt suspension member that winds and guides the heat fixing belt 28°29. 32 and
A second separation shaft 33, a first belt guide shaft 34 that winds and guides the heat fixing bell 1-28, 29, a second belt guide shaft 35, a first heat roller 30, and a separation shaft 3.
2.33 etc., and a second rotatable structure supported by a fulcrum pin 41 on the heat constant chassis top 36.
It is provided between a lower heat constant chassis 37 supporting a heat roller 31 etc., an upper heat constant chassis 36 and a lower heat constant chassis 37, and directs the second heat roller 31 toward the first heat opening 30. a compression spring 40 for elastically biasing the first
, an inlet chute 38 to the heat fixing device 23, and a first thermistor 49 for controlling the temperature of the heat roller.
and a second thermistor 50.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the configuration of a switching means for switching the image state after heat fixing of the heat fixing member will be explained.

A chute 42 is provided to the left of the peeling roller 22 after the pressure development is completed, and a chute 43 rotatable counterclockwise from the solid line position in FIG. 4 is provided to the left of the chute 42.

Further, to the right of the entrance of the heat fixing device 23 is a chute 44, and to the right of the chute 44 is provided a chute 45 which can be rotated clockwise from the solid line position in FIG. When the chute 43 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 4, a buffer chute 46 and a buffer chute 48 which guide and feed the developing paper 17 as a heat-fixed member downward are moved to the left and right. , and a feed roller 47 are further provided.

The control structure of the color copying machine will be explained with reference to FIG.

A power switch 51 of the copying machine body 1, a copy start key 52 arranged on the operation panel, and a non-glossy mode setting as a setting means that can set the image condition after heat fixing to either a glossy surface or a non-glossy surface. Information from the key 53 and the OHP mode setting key 54 is input to a control unit 55 comprised of a CPU and the like. Here, the control section 55 also includes a function as an image state switching control means 56. Also the 1st ゜2
Detection signals from the first and second thermistors 49 and 50 that detect the temperature of the heat rollers 30 and 31 are input to the control unit 55. Further, the control unit 55 controls the rotation of the heat fixing belt drive motor 62 via the drive circuit 57, and controls each drive circuit 58, 59, 60 .
Solenoid 63 for rotating the chute 43.45, Solenoid 6 for rotating the chute 46
4. Controls the rotation of the solenoid 65 for the feed roller 47 nib, the feed roller 47 drive motor 66, etc.

Next, the operation of the thermal fixing device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. The heat rollers 30, 31 are heated by halogen lamps 26, 27 provided inside each, and warm the heat fixing belts 28, 29 wound around the respective heat rollers 30, 31.

The heat fixing belt 28°29 is connected to the heat roller 30.31.
and the belt guide shaft 34, 35 and separation shaft 3 provided on the right side.
It is wound with an elongation of about 8% between 2 and 33.

The outer circumferential surface of the first heat fixing belt 28 has a mirror-like surface with high smoothness in order to make the image surface of the color developer paper glossy after heat fixation. The outer circumferential surface of the heat fixing belt 29 of the other section 2 has fine embossments to make the image surface of the color developing paper a non-glossy surface after heat fixation. However, it is still necessary to make the partial surface roughness, including the embossing, mirror-like. heat roller 30,
Thermistors 49 and 50 are brought into contact with the outer periphery of 31 to constantly control its temperature. According to the experimental results so far, the temperature of the heat fixing bell 1-28. It is known that a sufficiently good heat fixing result can be obtained at a temperature of about 110 to 130° C., although the thickness varies depending on the composition. A suitable material for the heat fixing belts 28 and 29 is endless RTV or HTV silicone rubber with a wall thickness of 0.3 to 0.5+am.

If strength is considered, a thin base material coated with the RTV silicone rubber is sufficient. Furthermore, the first and second heat rollers 30 .
Pressure is being applied between 31 and 31. The higher this pressure is, the wider the effective heat fixing temperature range can be.
Approximately 60 kg f is most suitable.

In the initial state after the power switch is turned on, in a state in which the non-glossy mode setting key 53 on the operation panel is not pressed, or in a state in which the OHP mode setting key 54 is pressed, the developer paper that has undergone pressure development is transferred to the peeling roller. After being peeled off from the microcapsule paper 13 at the 22nd part, the chute 42° and the chute 43. Shoot 45. The developer paper 17 is guided directly to the heat fixing device section 23 through the chute 44, and is inserted through the chute 38 so that the image surface of the developer paper 17 faces upward and contacts the surface of the first heat fixing belt 28. Thereafter, the color developing paper 17 is heated and pressurized at the contact portion of the heat rollers 30 and 31, and is sent to the left in a state in close contact with the lower surface of the first heat fixing belt 28, and is moved to the separation shaft 32 by the heat fixing belt 28. The paper is peeled off from the paper and discharged onto the tray 24.

Then, it is possible to obtain a copy output with a glossy image surface. When the base material is a polyester film, heat fixing is performed through the same route as described above, and an OHP film with high transparency can be obtained due to the influence of the mirror-like heat fixing belt 28.

The case where the non-glossy mode setting key on the operation panel is pressed will be explained with reference to FIG.
6 via the drive circuit 58, the chute 43. The chutes 45 are each positioned downward by a solenoid 63. After pressure development, the developing paper 17 is peeled off from the microcapsule paper 13 by a peeling roller 22, and then guided to a chute 42 and a chute 43 that rotates downward, and inserted into a buff 7 46.48. Ru. On the way, the feed roller 47 is nipped by the solenoid drawer 5 via the drive circuit 60 in response to an instruction from the control unit 55, and the rear end of the developer paper is nipped by the drive motor 66 via the drive circuit 61 and the upper end of the chute 46. The developer paper 17 is fed into the chute 48 until it is slightly hidden from the top. When the paper sensor 67 detects that the developing paper 17 has been fed to a predetermined position,
A signal is sent to the drive circuit 59 by the image state switching control means 56, and the solenoid 64 is attracted and the chute 46 is rotated counterclockwise (broken line in FIG. 5). The feed roller 47 rotates in the opposite direction to the chute 46.
The developing paper stored in the chute 48 is transferred to the chute 45. It is fed into the heat fixing device 23 through the chute 44. Here, since the image surface of the developer paper 17 is on the lower surface, it is inserted so as to be in contact with the surface of the second heat fixing belt 29 . After being heated and pressurized, the surface of the image becomes non-glossy, similar to the surface of the heat fixing belt 29, and is peeled off at the separation section 33 and discharged onto a tray.

In this embodiment, the paper used was photosensitive pressure sensitive paper, microcapsule paper 13, and color developer paper 17, but this is not limited to these types of paper. It goes without saying that it is fully possible to employ such a heat fixing method when heat fixing is performed after development.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention, the image state switching setting means after heat fixing makes it easy to copy the image surface to a desired state, either glossy or non-glossy. can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 6 show embodiments embodying the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a color copying machine using the heat fixing device, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are heat fixing devices. A diagram showing the device;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams explaining the operating states of the image state switching means, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control section. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 13 is microcapsule paper, 1
7 is a color developer sheet, 23 is a heat fixing device, 30.31 is a heat roller, 28.29 is a heat fixing belt, 55 is a control unit,
56 is an image state switching control means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a thermal fixing device including a heating means, a heat roller heated by the heating means, a thermal fixing belt, and a belt suspension member installed in parallel with the heat roller, a setting means for setting an image state after heat fixing of the member; a heat fixing means for making the heat fixing member a glossy surface; a heat fixing means for making the member a non-glossy surface; 1. A heat fixing device for a copying machine, comprising: switching means for switching to any one of the above heat fixing means based on the selected heat fixing means. 2. The thermal fixing device for a copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the setting means is automatically set to the gloss mode in an initial state when the power is turned on. 3. The heat fixing device according to claim 1, wherein when an OHP film mode is set at the input section of the copying machine, the setting means is automatically set to the gloss mode. Fusing device.