KR0173859B1 - Elecrophotographic copying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrophotographic multiplier, comprising: transfer means (27, 136) and a transfer means for moving a toner image (26) according to printing information in an electronic dictionary copying machine for recording printing information on a thick recording medium such as a booklet. Fixing means (4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113) for transferring and fixing the toner image onto the recording medium can be provided and recorded on the recording medium of varying thickness, the recording medium being a booklet (21, 137). The pressure was changed according to the thickness and step of the booklet.

With such a configuration, printing can be performed on the recording medium on the printing surface side, printing can be performed regardless of the thickness of the recording medium, and the heating element can be operated to be brought into contact with the recording medium or recording. Since the pressure can be changed depending on the thickness of the portion to be printed on the medium, it is necessary to print on two opposing surfaces such as an account book, and the effect of printing with high accuracy can be obtained even for a booklet whose thickness changes. .

Description

Electrophotographic photocopier

1 is a side view illustrating a mechanism part of an electrophotographic copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

4 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copier shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

6 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copier shown in FIG.

7 is a perspective view showing an example of a booklet used in the electrophotographic copier of the present invention.

8 is a side view showing an example of a booklet used in the electrophotographic photocopier of the present invention.

9 is a perspective view showing an example of a booklet used in the electrophotographic photocopier of the present invention.

10 is a view for explaining the structure of the transfer treatment and transfer / fixing film according to the present invention.

11 is a view for explaining the structure of the transfer treatment and transfer / fixing film according to the present invention.

12 is a configuration diagram illustrating a conventional image forming process.

13 is a perspective view showing a PTC heating chip used in the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating wiring of a PTC heat generating chip used in the present invention.

15 is a diagram showing the structure of a heat generating element used in the present invention.

16 is a side view illustrating a mechanism part of the electrophotographic copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

22 is a diagram showing the structure of a booklet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a diagram for explaining the control amount of pressure in the apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing an example of a booklet formatted by the apparatus of the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrophotographic copiers and, more particularly, to laser printers and copiers capable of printing into booklets.

Conventionally, the basics and application of electrophotographic technology edited by the Society of Electrophotography (June 15, 1988 issued by Corona Publisher: pp.47) or USP No. As disclosed in 2,297,691, an image to be printed in a copying machine, a laser printer, or the like is formed by Carlson's electrophotographic recording method.

As an example of this method, a conceptual diagram of a conventional image forming processing configuration is shown in FIG.

In this method, an image of the original image is read by optical means, and the leaded image is exposed to the exposure apparatus 52 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 56 charged by corona discharge by the corona discharger 53. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 56 in a state of positive charge, for example. Subsequently, to the positively charged electrostatic latent image, the negatively charged toner is supplied from the shape device 51 and developed as a toner image.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 56 is transferred onto the recording paper 57 in contact with the photosensitive drum 56. The transfer device 50 applies a positive charge having a reverse polarity with that of the toner 60a to the recording paper 57 on the back side of the recording paper 57, and transfers the toner image to the recording paper by static electricity. Heat and pressure are applied to the transferred toner image by a fixing device including a heating roller 58 and a pressure roller 59, and fused onto the recording paper 57 to form an image 60b.

Since the photosensitive drum 56 is rotated and repeatedly used, the charge attenuator 55 and the cleaning device 54 are provided in order to remove residual toner after transfer from the photosensitive drum 56.

In this method, the recording paper is held between the light drum and the transfer apparatus, as can be clearly seen in the above image forming process. In order to supply the electrostatic force for attaching the carrier having the charge on the photosensitive drum or the toner having the charge to the recording paper, the transfer device applies a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum to the recording paper on the back side of its toner transfer surface. Therefore, in the case of a thick recording paper or a thick recording medium such as a booklet, even if an electric charge is applied to the recording paper or the booklet from the back side, the surface potential does not increase and sufficient electrostatic power cannot be supplied. Therefore, it is impossible to print on a thick paper, a booklet or the like by the above-described method.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic copying machine capable of recording printing information on a thick recording medium such as a booklet and a transfer fixing method thereof.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrophotographic copying machine of the present invention includes transfer means for transferring a toner image according to printing information, and fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer means onto a recording medium, Changing recording media can be recorded.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrophotographic copying machine of the present invention includes transfer means for transferring a toner image according to printing information, and fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer means onto a recording medium. The booklet is a booklet, and the fixing means can move in accordance with the thickness change of the booklet conveyed so that the stitched portion (the concave portion) of the booklet extends at a right angle with respect to the feeding direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrophotographic copying machine of the present invention includes transfer means for transferring a toner image according to printing information, and fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer means onto a recording medium. Can move so as to be close to the printing surface of the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrophotographic copying machine of the present invention includes transfer means for transferring a toner image according to printing information, and fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer means onto a recording medium, Is a booklet, and the fixing means comprises a heating element which constitutes part of the fixing means and which is accessible to the booklet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrophotographic copying machine of the present invention includes transfer means for transferring a toner image according to printing information, and fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer means onto a recording medium. The fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image of the image onto the recording medium includes a heat generating element, and the pressing pressure of the heat generating element with respect to the recording medium changes.

According to another aspect of the invention, the electrophotographic photocopier of the present invention is a photosensitive drum for forming a toner image according to printing information, charging means for charging the photosensitive drum, and an exposure for forming an electrostatic latent image according to printing information on the photosensitive drum. Means, a developing means for forming a toner image by attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image, a transferring means for transferring the toner image to a transfer member, a fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer member to a recording medium, and a recording medium. Control the operation of the photosensitive drum, the charging means, the exposure means, the developing means, the transfer means, the fixing means and the conveying roller according to the conveying roller and printing information, information of the recording medium and information from the means for detecting the position of the recording medium. And a fixing means, the fixing means being provided to be movable to the printing surface side of the recording medium, to the signal from the control means. Moves la.

According to another aspect of the invention, a photosensitive drum for forming a toner image according to the printing information, a photosensitive drum for forming a toner image according to the printing information, transfer means for transferring the toner image to the transfer member, a toner image on the transfer member A transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine for transferring and mounting a toner image according to printing information onto a recording medium, comprising fixing means for transferring and fixing to a recording medium and carrying a recording medium, the conveying direction being downstream of the fixing means. A step for estimating the position of the recording medium at the recording medium passing signal conveyed by the sensor located at the side and the rotational angle of the conveying roller downstream of the conveying direction of the sensor, and fixing means, and transferring the transfer member to the printing surface of the recording medium. A step of contacting the heating element with the recording medium in accordance with the calculated position of the recording medium; The rain.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive drum for forming a toner image according to printing information, transfer means for transferring a toner image to a transfer member, fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer member to a recording medium, and a recording medium. A transfer roller fixing method comprising: a conveying roller for conveying a; and a transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine for transferring and fixing a toner image according to printing information onto a recording medium, the recording medium passing signal conveyed by a sensor located downstream of the conveying direction of the fixing means. And a step for estimating the position of the recording medium at the rotational angle of the conveying roller located downstream of the conveying direction of the sensor, and a fixing means, and calculating the pressing pressure of the heating element pressurized on the printing surface of the recording medium via the transfer means. And changing according to the position of the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive drum for forming a toner image according to printing information, transfer means for transferring a toner image to a transfer member, fixing means for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer member to a recording medium, and a recording medium. A transfer roller fixing method comprising: a conveying roller for conveying a toner; and a transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine for transferring and fixing a toner image according to printing information onto a recording medium, comprising a fixing means and conveying heat to the printing surface of the recording medium through the transferring means. And a step of moving the backup roller in a direction away from the heat generating element during recording of the recording medium, while holding the recording medium between the transfer means and being movable away from the heat generating element.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

1 is a diagram showing the structure of the printing mechanism of the electrophotographic copying machine according to the present invention. The conveying path for conveying the booklet 21 is a paper guide 12, which is a first guide means, and a paper guide sub-head 11 and 19, which are second guide means disposed at a distance from the first guide means. Is defined by The distance between the first guide means and the second guide means is determined to be larger than the maximum thickness of the booklet or the like to be conveyed. The conveying drive rollers 10 and 20 and the conveying driven rollers 9 and 18 which contact this drive roller are provided in this conveyance path. The driven rollers 9 and 18 are supported by the elastic members 8 and 17, respectively, and the elastic members 8 and 17 are supported by the drive sources 7 and 16, respectively. (9) and (18) control the force for pressing the booklet 21. When the thickness of the booklet 21 to be conveyed is thin or the conveyance resistance is low, the conveyance can be carried out without moving the driven rollers 9 and 18 vertically (up and down), so that the driving sources 7 and 16 are carried out. May not be.

In order to increase the conveyance force, a driving roller may be used instead of the driven rollers 9 and 18. The sensors 13 and 15 are provided to detect that the booklet 21 has entered the printing unit or to position the booklet 21.

The heat generating element 6 includes a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) thermistor and is supported by the drive source 4 and the elastic member 5. The backup roller 14 faces the heat generating element 6 via the paper fan 12. The surface of the heat generating element 6 in contact with the booklet is circular at the front and back sides of the booklet conveying direction, so that the heat generating element 6 can easily follow the portion where the thickness of the booklet changes.

A thick film heater may be used instead of the PTC thermistor. PTC thermistors do not require temperature control, but thick-film heaters require temperature control circuits and temperature sensors.

As the elastic members 8, 17, and 5, it is preferable to use a spring, and a compression spring is particularly suitable.

Solenoids may be used as the driving sources 4, 7, and 16.

The transfer / fixing film 27 to which the toner is transferred from the photosensitive drum functions as a transfer means. The transfer / fixing film 27 formed in an endless belt shape is wound around the rollers 1, 2, and 3 to rotate. In this embodiment, the roller 2 is used as the driving roller, but any of the rollers 1, 2, and 3 may be used as the driving roller. The endless belt-shaped transfer / fixing film 27 is made of a material thin enough to bend easily without extending in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the part which contacts the booklet 21 of the transfer / fixing film 27 can be made flat by the heat generating element 6, and transfer and fixation to a booklet can be reliably performed. In addition, by forming the film as an endless belt, there is no limitation in the form of the heat generating element that contacts the recording medium via the film.

The photosensitive drum 22 is provided with the charger 23, the exposure device 24, and the developing device 25 close to each other, and the toner 26 is transferred from the shape device 25 to the photosensitive drum 22 by an elastic force. Toner images are formed. The photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer / fixing film 27 are provided with toner removing means 28b and 28a for removing residual toner, respectively. The toner removing means 28b provided on the transfer / fixing film 27 is configured not to be separated from the transfer / fixing film 27 when the roller 1 moves.

The distance L0 between the conveying rollers 10 and 20 is set so that the conveying direction length in the closed state of the booklet 21 is at least shorter. Therefore, the cover of the booklet can also be printed.

In this embodiment, the booklet is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the stitch portion of the booklet. When the booklet is to be conveyed in a direction parallel to the stitch portion of the booklet, the distance L0 is set to be shorter than the length of the booklet's stitch portion in the longitudinal direction.

The operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

When the booklet 21 is conveyed in the A direction by the conveying rollers 18 and 20 in the A direction, the sensor 15 detects the booklet 21.

Moreover, the booklet 21 is conveyed and stopped at the predetermined position of the transfer / fixing area between the heat generating element 6 having the transfer / fixing film 27 and the backup roller 14. The photosensitive drum 22 receives a driving force from the roller 2 which the photosensitive drum 22 contacts via the transfer / fixing film 27 and rotates in the B direction, thereby charging the charger 23 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22. A series of processing steps are performed, including charging processing by the exposure apparatus, electrostatic latent image forming processing by the exposure apparatus 24, and toner image forming processing by the developing apparatus 25 (FIG. 2).

Next, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 22 is transferred to the transfer / fixing film 27 moving in the C direction while rotating the photosensitive drum 22. At this time, a voltage is applied from the power supply 210 to the transfer roller 2 to generate a constant power.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order to fix the toner image on the transfer / fixing film 27 to the booklet 21, the roller 1 is moved in the D direction, and in synchronism with this, the transfer / fixing film 27 The heat generating element 6 and the spring 5 are moved in the E direction by the drive source 4 while maintaining the tension on the) phase at a substantially constant value. In order to maintain this tension at a constant value, a tension sensor for elastically supporting the roller 3 with an elastic member such as a spring or measuring the tension of the transfer / fixing film 27 is provided in accordance with a signal from the sensor. The displacement amount of the drive source 4 and the conveyance roller 1 is controlled.

As a result, the transfer / fixing film 27 is in contact with the booklet 21. The toner 26 of the toner image on the contact surface of the transfer / fixing film 27 is heated by the heat generating element 6 on the back side of the film 27 and the toner 26 is applied to the driving source 4 and the spring 5. It is pressed by the booklet 21 by arbitrary pressure. Thus, the booklet 21 is held between the transfer / fixation film 27 and the backup roller 14. Thereby, the toner image on the transfer / fixing film 27 is melted by heat, and transferred and fixed to the sheet of booklet 21 by the pressure when held.

After the booklet 21 is held, the booklet 21 starts to be conveyed in the A direction again. The speed at which the booklet 21 moves in the A direction corresponds to the speed at which the transfer / fixing film 27 moves in the C direction (FIG. 3). In this state, the toner is transferred and fixed to a predetermined position of the booklet 21 to execute printing.

When the heat generating element 6 approaches the stitch portion 21a of the booklet 21, the heat generating element 6 and the spring 5 are moved in the E 'direction by the driving source 4, and the roller 1 is also D. In the 'direction, the booklet 21 and the transfer / fixed film 27 are no longer in contact with each other (FIG. 4).

When the transfer of the transfer / fixed film in which only the toner image corresponding to the printing portion is transferred in advance is stopped and only the booklet is conveyed, the heat load on the thermal transfer film is reduced and the frequency of use of the film is reduced, thereby reducing the transfer of the transfer / fixed film. Life is extended.

The access condition of the heating element 6 to the stitch portion 21a of the booklet 21 is determined by the size of the booklet 21 measured separately and the moving distance of the booklet from the sensor 15. The size of the booklet is calculated, for example, from the conveyance speed of the booklet and the sensor provided in the booklet inserter.

In addition, in the case where printing is required in the vicinity of the stitch portion 21a of the booklet 21, the transfer / fixing film 27 is in the printing state shown in FIG. 3 without moving the heat generating element 6 and the roller 1. It conveys and presses the film 27 by the force larger than the pressing force which prints to the flat part of a booklet in the vicinity of a stitch part entrance. The reason for this is that when the pressing force for printing near the stitch portion at printing becomes larger than the pressing pressure for printing other portions, it is possible to suppress the local bending change or swelling of the booklet according to the thickness change near the stitch portion, To improve accuracy.

When the stitch portion 21a of the booklet 21 passes, the heating element 6 is moved in the direction E again by the driving source 4 and the roller 1 is moved in the D direction to transfer / fix the film 27. Touches booklet 21 and executes printing. At this time, the heating element 6 and the roller 1 moves to maintain the tension of the transfer / fixed film 27 at a substantially constant value (FIG. 5).

When the toner image disappears on the transfer / fixing film 27 or a print end command is issued, the driving source 4 moves the spring 5 and the heat generating element 6 in the E 'direction, and the roller 1 Move in the D 'direction. Next, the booklet 21 is conveyed on the paper fan 12 in the A direction by the conveying rollers 9 and 10 in order to execute the next process (FIG. 6).

The booklet printing is executed by the above procedure.

In addition, when the transfer / fixing film 27 causes thermal deformation, the toner image is distorted. Therefore, the transfer / fixing film 27 should have a glass transition temperature Tf that is at least higher than the glass transition temperature Tt of the toner which is a thermoplastic polymer composite. In general, the glass transition temperature Tt of the toner is about 100 DEG C. Thus, thermosetting polyimide having no glass transition temperature or thermoplastic polyimide having a glass transition temperature of 200 DEG C or more is preferable as a material for the transfer / fixed film.

7 to 9 show bank accounts used in financial institutions such as banks as an example of booklets to be printed.

7 is a schematic perspective view of the passbook. On the surface of the bankbook 30, a magnetic stripe 32 and a protective film 31 made of polyehylene terephthalate (PET) or the like protecting the magnetic stripe 32 are bonded to each other. In general, the glass transition temperature of PET is less than 100 ℃. When a heating element such as a PTC thermistor is in contact with the PET film in a heated state, the PET film may be heated to about 150-200 ° C., and the adhesive surface between the PET film and the magnetic stripe may be shifted from each other by thermal deformation. Wrinkles are more likely to occur after contraction.

Therefore, when the toner is transferred to and fixed on the surface of the passbook, the toner must be heated except for the portion where the passivation film 31 is bonded.

In the electrophotographic copying machine of this embodiment, the passbook 30 is conveyed in the A direction and in contact with the transfer / fixed film at a band-shaped contact portion, for example, the contact surface 33, which extends at right angles to the A direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the heating zone has a width Wh at the end of the passbook 30, and the non-heating zone has a width Wh at the end of the passbook 30.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view including the passivation film portion of the passbook shown in FIG. The bankbook 30 is composed of a cover 30a made of cotton cloth and paper, commonly referred to as cloth reinforced paper, leaves 30b, magnetic stripe 32, and a protective film 31 such as PET. .

9 shows a bank book 35 having different specifications from the bank book 30 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the magnetic stripe 36 is a strip | belt shape extended at right angles with respect to the conveyance direction (A direction) of the bankbook 35, and is adhere | attached on the terminal part of a bankbook in a conveyance direction. When printing on the surface of the bankbook or the like, the transfer / fixing film 27 is in contact with the bankbook 35 in the heating region of length Lh at the end of the bankbook 35. However, since the transfer / fixed film 27 does not contact the bank 35 in the non-heating region of the residual length Ln, the protective film is prevented from being heated. Even if the transfer / fixing film 27 is in contact with the bank 35, the heating of the protective film can be prevented by not heating the heating element. However, the above-described method of maintaining the non-contact state between the transfer / fixed film 27 and the passbook 35 in the non-heated region of the passbook 35 is more effective.

Next, the outline of the structure of the transfer / fixation film and the transfer treatment process will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG.

10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the transfer / fixing film 27. The transfer / fixed film 27 is a tetrafluoroethylene (tetrafluoroethylene) layer 40 formed on the surface to which the toner is transferred in consideration of toner release properties, and a carbon mixed polyimide in consideration of conductivity and heat resistance. Layer 41. The film formed of the polyimide having heat resistance hardly causes tensile or deformation due to heat, and thus high transfer accuracy can be maintained. The tetrafluoroethylene layer 40 formed on the surface of the film to which the toner image is to be transferred can stably move the toner to the recording medium during transfer because the toner release property is good.

As shown in FIG. 10, the toner 26a on the photosensitive drum 22 is impregnated with the tetrafluoroethylene layer 40 due to the electrostatic force between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer / fixed film 27 having conductivity. Is attached to the toner 26b. The carbon mixed in the polyimide layer 41 functions to impart conductivity to the polyimide which is not inherently conductive. By grounding the polyimide layer, it is possible to prevent the charge of the transfer / fixed film from increasing.

11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a transfer / fixed film according to another embodiment of the present invention. This transfer / fixed film is added to the tetrafluoroethylene layer 42 and the polyimide 43 as shown in FIG. 10, on the side opposite to the tetrafluoroethylene layer 42 of the polyimide layer 43. The formed metal film layer 44 is included.

Since the metal coating layer 44 is arranged in close contact with the polyimide layer 43, there is no gap between both layers, and the polyimide layer 43 can be reliably grounded by the metal coating layer 44.

13 to 15 show the structure of the heat generating element 6. The heat generating element 6 includes a heating element chip (hereinafter referred to as a PTC heating element chip) made of a PTC thermistor. 13 is a perspective view of the PTC heating element chip 70. The PTC heating element chip 70 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and electrodes are provided on the upper and lower surfaces thereof. Two split electrodes 71a and 71b are formed on the upper surface of the PTC heating element chip 70, and the electrodes 71a and 71b each have a predetermined width on both sides in the shorter direction of the upper surface. The electrode 72 is formed on the entire lower surface of the PTC heating element chip 70.

14 shows wirings for the PTC heating element chip 70. As shown in FIG. The electric wire 81 from the power source 9 is electrically connected to the split electrodes 71a and 71b by being glued or compressed.

Moreover, the surface of the front electrode 72 is adhere | attached on the heat radiating surface of a heat sink.

15 is a perspective view showing the structure of the heat generating element 6. The heat generating element 6 can be divided into three parts, that is, the heater (heater) 74, the holder 75, and the elastic member 77. The heat generating element 6 connects the heater 74 and the elastic member 77 to the recessed portion of the holder 75 in the order of the heater 74, the elastic member 77 and the holder 75, and is connected by an adhesive. Is formed. It is preferable that the adhesive has elasticity and is insulative and electrically insulating. In this embodiment, a silicone adhesive is used, but a polyimide adhesive may be used. The holder 75 is made of aluminum.

The elastic member 77 is provided such that the heater 74 stably contacts the transfer / fixed film 27 even when the holder 75 is thermally deformed. In this embodiment, a plate made of silicon bear was used, but any material having elasticity and high heat resistance can be used. Metal leaf springs or coil springs may be used.

The heater 74 adheres the heat sink 80 to the front electrode surface of the PTC heating element chip 70 using an adhesive having excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. As shown in FIG. 14, the electric wire 81 was adhere | attached on the surface of the PTC heating body collection 70 formed from the split electrodes 71a and 71b. The electrical connection of the electric wire is not limited to the adhesive but may be carried out by crimping. The side surfaces of the heaters 74 other than the heat sink 80 are covered with the concave support frame 76 made of a heat insulating material to prevent heat transfer to the holder 75.

As shown in FIG. 15, several PTC heating element chips 70 are arranged in series in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the heating element chip 70 can be heated individually. The temperature distribution of the heat generating element can be arbitrarily set by combining PTC heating element chips having different Curie points.

Therefore, even if there is a portion that cannot be heated on the surface of the recording medium, partial heat generation can be performed by individually controlling the supply of current to several PTC thermistors constituting the heat generating element. Therefore, even if low heat-resistant materials and seals such as polyethylene terephftalate (PET) exist, printing can be performed without affecting these materials. In addition, the portion of the low heat resistant material may be moved away from the recording medium.

According to the above-described embodiment, even a thick recording medium can be printed on the printing surface side, and printing on a recording medium whose thickness changes can be easily performed. Also, the heating element can be moved away from the recording medium during recording. Therefore, when there is a portion in which the recording medium is unnecessary, the life of the transfer / fixed film can be extended by conveying only the recording medium without pressing the heating element against the recording medium.

Hereinafter, the structure and operation of an electrophotographic copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 16, the electrophotographic photocopier of the present embodiment is provided so that the backup roller is movable so as to face the heating element 6, and is designed so that the components on the transfer / fixing film do not move. Different from the examples. The conveying path for conveying the booklet 21 is defined by the paper fan 12 as the first guide means and the paper guide members 11 and 19 as the second guide means. As a conveying means, the conveying drive rollers 10 and 20 and the conveying driven rollers 9 and 18 which face this contact roller are provided in the conveyance path. The driven rollers 9 and 18 are supported by springs 8 and 17, respectively, and the springs 8 and 17 are supported by drive sources 7 and 16, respectively. The force by which the driven rollers 9 and 18 press the booklet 21 is controlled.

When the thickness of the booklet 21 is thin, the drive sources 7 and 16 may be excluded. In order to increase the conveying force, a driving roller may be used instead of the driven rollers 9 and 18.

Sensors 13 and 15 are provided to detect the situation where the booklet 21 enters the printing section or to understand the positioning of the booklet 21. The heat generating element 6 is supported by the spring 5 so as to apply a predetermined pressure to the booklet 21 and faces the backup roller 81 via the paper fan 12.

In this embodiment, a PTC thermistor is used as the heat generating element. The spring may be a compression coil spring, or another elastic material such as rubber may be used.

The backup roller 81 is a driving source 84 for generating displacement of the solenoid or the like to press the surface of the booklet 21 against the band-shaped transfer / fixing film 27, and a spring 83 for controlling the pressing force. Is supported by. The paper guide 11 is arranged near the heat generating element 6 so that the booklet 21 pressed by the transfer / fixing film 27 can be returned to the correct position on the conveying path.

The transfer / fixed film 27 is wound around the rollers 1, 2, 3, and the heat generating element 6, and rotates under the driving force in the drive roller 2.

The photosensitive drum 22 is provided with a charger 23, an exposure device 24 and a suspension device 25 in close proximity, and the toner 26 is transferred from the developing device 25 to the photosensitive drum 22 by electrostatic power. Transferred to form a toner image. Further, the distance L0 between the axes of the conveying rollers 10 and 20 is set to be at least shorter than the conveying direction length in the open frame of the booklet 21. In order to print the cover of the booklet, the distance LO must be shorter than the length of the conveying direction in the closed state of the booklet 21.

The booklet 21 is conveyed in the A direction by the conveying rollers 18 and 20 on the paper fan 12. When the sensor 15 detects the booklet 21, the conveyance of the booklet 21 is stopped. (Figure 17).

The photosensitive drum 22 rotates in the B direction in accordance with the rotation of the drive roller 2, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is charged by the charger 23, and the electrostatic latent image forming process by the exposure apparatus 24 is performed. A series of processes including the toner image forming process by the developing apparatus 25 are executed (FIG. 17).

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 22 is transferred to the transfer / fixing film 27 moving in the C direction. The return of the booklet is started so that the transferred toner image is printed at the position to be printed on the booklet. When the booklet is close to the transfer fixing area held between the heat generating element 6 and the backup roller 81, the backup roller 81 is moved in the F direction by the drive source 84 to toner of the transfer / fixed film 27. The image is fixed on the booklet 21. Accordingly, the transfer / fixing film 27 is in contact with the booklet 21. The toner 26 of the toner image on the transfer / fixing film 27 is heated by the heat generating element 6 on the back side of the film 27, The toner 26 is pressed into the booklet at any pressure by the drive source 84 and the spring 83. Thus, the booklet 21 is held between the transfer / fixed film 27 and the backup roller 81, and is transferred to and fixed on the sheet of the booklet 21 on the transfer / fixed film 27. The movement speed of the booklet 21 in the A direction corresponds to the movement speed of the transfer / fixed film 27 in the C direction (Fig. 18).

Therefore, when the booklet 21 is conveyed in the A direction and the stitch portion 21a of the booklet 21 approaches the heating element 6, the backup roller 81 and the spring 83 are driven by the drive source 84 to F. Direction and the booklet 21 and the transfer / fixing film 27 are no longer in contact with each other (FIG. 19). In the case where printing is required in the vicinity of the stitch portion 21a of the booklet 21, the transfer / fixing film 27 is pressed by a force larger than the reaction force when printing in the plane n minutes of the booklet. Since the stitch portion 21a of the booklet 21 is concave and the periphery of the stitch portion swells upward in a curved shape, the curved surface must be corrected to a flat surface by pressing force. This pressing force changes depending on the rigidity of the booklet, the binding method (binding method), and the number of pages of the booklet.

After passing the vicinity of the stitch part 21a of the booklet 21, the backup roller 81 is moved to F direction again, and a booklet is pressed by the heat generating element 6. As shown in FIG. At this time, the pressing force of the backup roller 81 is controlled by the drive source 84 (FIG. 20).

When the toner image disappears on the transfer / fixing film 27 or when the end of print command is issued, the driving source 84 returns the backup roller 81 in the F 'direction.

The booklet 21 is conveyed on the paper fan 12 in the A direction by the conveying rollers 9 and 10 in order to execute the following processing (FIG. 21).

According to this embodiment, it is not necessary to move the transfer / fixing film and the heating element, only the backup roller is moved, so that the structure is simpler than in the first embodiment.

As another embodiment of the present invention, a booklet printer will be described according to FIG. In this embodiment, the stitch portion of the booklet is inserted into the printer in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the booklet.

The booklet printer 200 includes at least an insertion opening 100 into which a booklet is inserted, a pair of conveying rollers 102 and 103, 127 and 124, 106 for conveying a booklet inserted from the insertion opening 100, and 107, a conveying path extending from the insertion hole 100 to the three pairs of conveying rollers, the magnetic information lead means 104 for reading the magnetic information recorded in the booklet, and the magnetic information lead by the magnetic information lead means 104; Magnetic information recognizing means 130 for recognizing and transmitting the information to the data interface, the image information reading means 105 for reading the contents of the booklet into an image (image), and the image information reading means 105. A backup roller facing the image information recognizing means 131, the conveying rollers 102, 127, 106, 116 and the heat generating element 111 which recognizes the image information and transmits the information to the data interface. A drive motor 108 for rotating 109, the photosensitive drum 121 described in the above-described embodiment, Rollers 115, 122 for conveying the charger 120, the exposure apparatus 119 made of a laser or LED, the developing apparatus 118, the transfer / fixing film 136, the transfer-fixing film 136, 116, a heat source element 111, a spring 112, a drive source 113 for moving the heat element 111 to press on the booklet, paper guide means 128, 126, a sensor for detecting the position of the booklet (101), (123), (110), magnetic information recognizing means (130), image information recognizing means (131), and data interface (132) for receiving signals from each sensor, and data interface (132). A driving unit 113, a roller 115, a photosensitive drum 121, a developing device 118, and an exposure apparatus in accordance with a calculation unit 133 that calculates and transmits the calculation result to the controller. And a controller 134 for transmitting control signals to the drive motor 108 and controlling the operation of these components.

In addition, the calculating unit 133 may transmit booklet information from a data interface to a computer (not shown) so that the computer receives print data obtained from information separately input by a customer, and transmits the data to the controller. When the sensor 101 detects the booklet 137 inserted in the A direction from the upper entrance 100 while the page to be printed is opened, the conveying roller is rotated in accordance with the signal from the controller 134 to insert the booklet into the device. Return. The conveying rollers may be rotated at the same time, or only the conveying roller which functions to convey the booklets may be operated.

The information written on the magnetic stripe attached to the cover of the returned booklet is read by the magnetic information reading means 104, and the magnetic information recognizing means 130 recognizes the information. The information, i.e., the number of pages to be printed, the number of printed pages, and the like is read by the image information reading means 105, and the image information recognition means 131 recognizes the image information.

The calculating section determines whether or not printing is performed on the information from the magnetic information recognizing means 130 and the image information reading means 105. In order to execute the printing, the operation signal is transmitted to each of the movable units in a predetermined order in accordance with the printing data transmitted from the commuter (not shown) to the computing unit. Further, the printing data is transferred to the exposure apparatus, which is then written onto the photosensitive drum by an exposure apparatus including a laser or a light-emitting diode (LED), and the data is printed on the booklet in the same manner as described in the above-described embodiment. Printing to the booklet is performed by calculating the amount of movement (distance) of the booklet by calculating the output of the sensor 110 and the rotation angle of the drive motor 108, and calculating the position of the booklet. In addition, the pressing force changes depending on the position of the front of the stitch portion of the booklet, the position near the stitch portion, and the position of the second half of the stitch portion, depending on the amount of movement of the booklet. If it is not necessary to print the part near the stitch portion, the heat generating element is evacuated by the above-described method.

If the calculation section determines that the booklet 137 needs to print a format including a predetermined frame or column, necessary characters and numbers, the calculation section 133 sends the format factor information and information to be rewritten in the format. ) And nested in each other. This format printout information is stored in a ROM or the like.

The print data is expanded in the font by the calculator 133. The surface of the photosensitive drum 121 charged by the charger 120 is exposed by an exposure apparatus 119 including a laser or LED, and a toner image is formed by the developing apparatus 118.

This toner image has conductivity and toner releasing property, and the surface is coated with tetrafluoroethylene and transferred to a transfer / fixing film 27 made of a polyimide film. The transferred toner image is moved by the transfer / fixing film conveyed by the conveying rollers 115, 116, and 122 under a constant tension. Next, the toner image is fixed on the booklet by the heat generating element 111 pressed by the backup roller 109 by the drive source 113 and the spring 112.

As described above, the calculating unit 133 calculates the booklet size based on the magnetic information and the image information, and calculates the booklet position from the detection result of the sensor 123 and the rotation angle of the driving motor 108.

In accordance with the thickness, shape, printing position, and the like of the booklet 137, the calculating unit 133 issues a pressing force control command to the drive source 113. By this command, control is performed to increase the pressing pressure in the vicinity of the stitch portion of the booklet 137 and to change the pressing pressure in accordance with the thickness of the booklet 137 while printing. As shown in FIG. 24, the stitch portion of the booklet 137 extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the thickness of the booklet varies at each position along the conveyance direction because the stitches are blocked.

FIG. 23 shows the pressure required to print a 10-page booklet according to the printing position. In FIG. 23, for example, the display of "one sheet" is performed when the number of pages (number of pages) of the inserted side is one, that is, on the opposite side of the cover, the subsequent one side, and the second page, the booklet is printed. It shows the case where the remaining 9 pages exist after the stitch portion of. In the case of " one piece ", the pressing force is set at three levels, at least a low level in front of the stitch part, a high level in the vicinity of the stitch part, and a middle level at the higher side in the back of the stitch part. The order of the three levels is the reverse of the case of "one piece". The pressing force is initially set to the middle level on the higher side, the high level in the stitch portion, and the low level behind the stitch portion. The pressing force may be changed at a portion far from the stitch portion and at a portion near the stitch portion. By controlling the pressing force in this way, it is possible to accurately print lines, graphics, characters, and the like in pages having different thicknesses. The pressure control pattern is stored in the controller in advance and uses the required pattern according to the number of booklets to be printed. Since the number of booklets is recorded on the cover of the booklet as magnetic information, it is good to lead the book when the booklet is inserted or to use a booklet with a certain number of booklets.

The toner which is not used at the time of printing and remains on the photosensitive drum 121 is removed by the cleaner 117b. The toner remaining in the transfer / fixed film 136 without being transferred and fixed is removed by the cleaner 117a.

FIG. 24 shows the booklet 201 formatted by the booklet printer 100 shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 24, the format factor prints items 202, such as date, code, total A, total B, and balance, on a booklet in the white state.

The necessary format of the recording frame and the character to be recorded on the recording medium is stored in advance in the memory. For example, when printing two opposing faces for the first time, the print item and format are printed on the faces. Thus, a blank recording medium can be used.

Opening booklet 201 causes booklet 201 to vary in thickness at both sides of stitch portion 203. The vicinity of the stitch portion 203 of the booklet 201 is likely to blur. Therefore, as described above, by controlling the pressing force at the time of fixing operation, the toner image on the film (film) can be fixed to the booklet without being deformed.

According to this embodiment, even when the thickness of the booklet changes depending on the printing position at the time of printing two opposing surfaces such as the booklet, the pressing pressure can be changed to accurately print on conditions suitable for each printing position on the booklet or the like. Information and format can be printed at the same time as a booklet or the like, and printing to booklets or the like can be properly managed even if the format is changed.

As described above, according to the present invention, since printing can be performed on the recording medium on the printing surface side, an electrophotographic copying machine capable of printing regardless of the thickness of the recording medium can be provided.

In addition, since the heat generating element can be operated so as to be in contact with the recording medium, or the pressure pressure can be changed in accordance with the thickness of the portion to be printed on the recording medium, Printing can be performed with high accuracy even for booklets whose thickness is required and whose thickness is changed.

Claims (14)

Transfer means 27, 136 for moving the toner image 26 according to the printing information and fixing means 4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113 for transferring and fixing the toner image on the transfer means onto a recording medium; An electrophotographic copying machine comprising: a fixing means (4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113) for transferring and fixing a toner image on the transfer means to a recording medium; The pressing pressure of the heating elements 6 and 11 against the medium 21 and 137 is changed, and the recording medium is a booklet 21 and 137, and the pressing pressure is changed according to the thickness and the step of the booklet. Electrophotographic photocopier. 2. The fixing unit (4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113) is a heating element (6, 111), the spring (5, 112) for supporting the heating element and the moving element An electrophotographic copier comprising a drive source (4, 113). 3. An electrophotographic copier according to claim 2, wherein said heat generating element (6, 111) comprises a PTC thermistor (70). 4. An electrophotographic copy machine according to claim 3, wherein the heat generating element (6, 11) comprises a plurality of PTC thermistors (70). 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the heat generating elements (6, 11) comprise a plurality of PTC thermistors (70), and the heat generation from the plurality of PTC thermistors can be individually controlled for each thermistor. Photocopier. An electrophotographic photocopier according to claim 1, wherein the booklet (21, 137) includes a storage section (32, 26) in which a format to be written in the booklet is stored. Photosensitive drums 22 and 121 for forming a toner image 26 according to printing information, charging means 23 and 120 for charging the photosensitive drum, and exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image according to printing information on the photosensitive drum ( 24 and 119, developing means 25 and 118 for forming a toner image by attaching toner on the electrostatic latent image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to transfer bodies 27 and 136, and toner on the transfer body Fixing means (4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113) for transferring and fixing an image onto the recording medium (21, 137) and conveying rollers (10, 14, 20) for conveying the recording medium (21, 137); An electrophotographic copying machine comprising 102, 106, and 127, comprising: a photosensitive drum, the charging means, the exposure means, the developing means, according to printing information, information on the recording medium, and information from the means for detecting the position of the recording medium; Control to control the operation of the transfer means, the fixing means and the conveying roller; Stage 134, and includes the fixing means is an electrophotographic copying machine, characterized in that provided so as to be movable toward the printed surface of the recording medium moves in accordance with a signal from the control means. Photosensitive drums 22 and 121 for forming a toner image 26 according to printing information, transfer means for transferring the toner image to transfer members 27 and 136, and a toner image on the transfer member as recording media 21 and 137. A fixing means (4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113) for transferring and fixing the paper; and a conveying roller (10, 14, 20; 102, 1065, 127) for conveying the recording medium (21, 137). And a transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine which transfers and fixes a toner image according to the printing information onto a recording medium, wherein the recording medium passing signal and the sensor conveyed by the sensor 123 located downstream of the conveying direction of the fixing means. A step of calculating the position of the recording medium at the rotation angles of the conveying rollers 20 and 127 located downstream of the conveying direction, and the fixing means, so as to be brought into contact with the printing surface of the recording medium via a transfer member. The movable heating elements 6 and 11 according to the calculated position of the recording medium. Standing transfer fixation method of an electrophotographic copying machine comprising a step of yijeop on the recording medium. Photosensitive drums 22 and 121 for forming a toner image 26 according to printing information, transfer means for transferring the toner image to transfer members 27 and 136, and a toner image on the transfer member to a recording medium 21 and 137. Fixing means (4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113) for transferring and fixing to the substrate; and conveying rollers (10, 14, 20; 102, 106, 127) for conveying the recording medium (21, 137); And a transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine which transfers and fixes a toner image according to the printing information onto the recording medium, wherein the recording medium passing signal and the sensor conveyed by the sensor 123 located downstream of the conveying direction of the fixing means. A step of calculating the position of the recording medium at the rotation angles of the conveying rollers 20 and 127 located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the heat generating element, comprising the fixing means and pressing on the printing surface of the recording medium via the transfer means; 6, 111 according to the position of the calculated recording medium Transfer and fixing method of an electrophotographic copier comprising the step of document changes. Photosensitive drums 22 and 121 for forming a toner image 26 according to printing information, transfer means for transferring the toner image to transfer members 27 and 136, and a toner image on the transfer member to a recording medium 21 and 137. Fixing means (4, 5, 6; 111, 112, 113) for transferring and fixing to the substrate; and conveying rollers (10, 14, 20; 102, 106, 127) for conveying the recording medium (21, 137); And a transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine for transferring and fixing a toner image according to the printing information onto a recording medium, comprising: a heat generating element constituting the fixing means and conveying heat to the printing surface of the recording medium via the transfer means; 6 and 111, a backup roller 81 is provided to hold the recording medium between the transfer means and to move in a direction away from the heat generating element during the recording of the recording medium 21 and 137. Step to move away from the heating element Transfer fixing method of electronic photocopiers that also. 9. The recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the recording medium is a booklet (21, 137), and includes storage sections (32, 36) in which a format to be written in the booklet is stored, and stored in the booklet in the booklet as necessary. A transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine, characterized in that the printing format and printing information are superimposed on each other. 10. The booklet according to claim 9, wherein the recording medium is a booklet (21, 137), and when the stitch portions (21a, 203) of the booklet carry the booklet in a direction extending perpendicular to the conveying direction of the record carrier, The pressing force is increased in the vicinity of the stitch portion, and lowered on both sides of the stitch portion. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the recording medium is a booklet (21, 137), and includes storage units (32, 36) in which a format to be written in the booklet is stored. A transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine, characterized in that the printing format and printing information are superimposed on each other. 11. The recording medium according to claim 10, wherein the recording medium is a booklet (21, 137), and includes storage units (32, 36) in which a format to be written in the booklet is stored, and stored in the booklet in the booklet as necessary. A transfer fixing method of an electrophotographic copying machine, characterized in that the printing format and printing information are superimposed on each other.