WO2018074036A1 - Self-heating fixing roller and method for manufacturing self-heating fixing roller - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-heating fixing roller according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a cylindrical base material layer and a plurality of linear heat generators laminated on the base material layer and generating heat when energized. The plurality of heat generators meanders from one end to the other end of the base material layer along the axial direction.

Description

Self-heating type fixing roller and manufacturing method of self-heating type fixing roller

The present invention relates to a self-heating type fixing roller and a method for manufacturing a self-heating type fixing roller. This application claims the priority based on the Japanese application 2016-203766 of an application on October 17, 2016, and uses all the description content described in the said Japanese application.

In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer, a heat fixing method is generally employed at the final stage of printing and copying. In this thermal fixing method, unfixed toner is heated and melted by passing an object to be transferred such as printing paper on which a toner image is transferred between a fixing roller and a pressure roller in which a heater is disposed. In this method, toner is fixed on a transfer object to form an image.

A fixing roller having a structure in which a fluororesin layer is formed directly or via another layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical base material made of polyimide, metal, or the like (the surface in contact with the transfer object) is used. Yes. A material using rubber or the like having excellent elasticity, releasability, wearability, etc. as another layer is sometimes called a fixing sleeve. A heater is provided inside the fixing roller, and heat generated from the heater is conducted to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller to heat the toner.

However, the conventional fixing roller has a disadvantage that the structure of the printer is complicated because it is necessary to provide a heater inside.

Therefore, a self-heating type fixing roller has been proposed in which conductive particles are dispersed in a resin layer in the vicinity of the surface of the fixing roller, and the resin layer is a resistor capable of generating heat when energized (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-145828). ).

JP 2014-145828 A

A self-heating type fixing roller according to an aspect of the present invention includes a cylindrical base material layer and a plurality of linear heating elements that are stacked on the base material layer and generate heat when energized. Is meandering from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer.

A manufacturing method of a self-heating type fixing roller according to another aspect of the present invention includes a heating element forming step of forming a plurality of linear heating elements that generate heat upon energization on a cylindrical base material layer, In the body forming step, the plurality of heating elements are formed to meander from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a self-heating type fixing roller according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the self-heating type fixing roller of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged side view showing the shape of a plurality of heating elements in the self-heating type fixing roller of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of a self-heating type fixing roller according to an embodiment different from the self-heating type fixing roller of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged side view showing the shape of a plurality of heating elements in the self-heating type fixing roller of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of a self-heating type fixing roller according to an embodiment different from the self-heating type fixing roller of FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a self-heating type fixing roller according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a self-heating type fixing roller according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a self-heating type fixing roller according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Problems to be solved by this disclosure]
In the conventional self-heating type fixing roller, when a crack occurs on the surface, the current bypasses the crack, and therefore the current density locally increases. In particular, cracks generated on the surface of the self-heating type fixing roller are often formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction, and abnormal heat generation may occur on both sides of the crack in the circumferential direction.

The present invention has been made based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a self-heating type fixing roller capable of suppressing abnormal heat generation when a crack occurs on the surface.

[Effects of the present disclosure]
The self-heating type fixing roller according to the present invention can suppress abnormal heat generation when a crack occurs on the surface. Moreover, the manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller according to the present invention can manufacture a self-heating type fixing roller capable of suppressing abnormal heat generation when a crack occurs on the surface.

[Description of Embodiment of Present Invention]
A self-heating type fixing roller according to one aspect of the present invention made to solve the above problems includes a cylindrical base material layer and a plurality of linear heating elements that are stacked on the base material layer and generate heat when energized. The plurality of heating elements meander from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer.

In the self-heating type fixing roller, a heating element that generates heat when energized is linearly formed and meanders from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical base material layer. In the self-heating type fixing roller, a crack is generated in one heating element, and when this heating element breaks, no current flows through the broken heating element, thereby interrupting the current to bypass the crack. In addition, since the self-heating type fixing roller has a relatively long heating element due to the meandering of the heating element, the resistance value of the heating element can be adjusted and the current density can be made uniform. it can. Therefore, the self-heating type fixing roller can prevent current from being concentrated in the vicinity of the crack to suppress abnormal heat generation, and can maintain a good heat generation temperature while suppressing temperature variation.

The plurality of heating elements extend in the circumferential direction of the base material layer, and each heating element includes a plurality of linear portions arranged in parallel in the axial direction, ends on one side of adjacent linear portions, and It is good to have the some connection part which connects the edge parts on the other side alternately. As described above, the plurality of heating elements extend in the circumferential direction of the base material layer, and each heating element is provided on one side of the plurality of linear portions arranged in parallel in the axial direction and the adjacent linear portions. By having a plurality of connecting portions that alternately connect the end portions and the other end portions, a plurality of heating elements having a large length can be laminated at a high density on the surface of the base material layer. It is easy to optimize the heat generation temperature while further suppressing temperature variations.

It is preferable to have a pair of electrodes that connect the plurality of heating elements to both ends of the base material layer in the axial direction. As described above, since the plurality of heating elements are electrically connected in parallel by having a pair of electrodes that connect the plurality of heating elements to both ends in the axial direction of the base material layer, cracks are generated and fractured. All the heating elements except for the above can easily generate heat.

The plurality of heating elements include a pair of adjacent first heating elements and a plurality of second heating elements other than the pair of first heating elements, and the width of the first heating element is that of the second heating element. The distance between the pair of first heating elements is preferably larger than the width between the adjacent second heating elements. In this way, the plurality of heating elements have a pair of adjacent first heating elements and a plurality of second heating elements other than the pair of first heating elements, and the width of the first heating element is the first. It is easier to form a plurality of heating elements, for example, by printing such as screen printing, because it is larger than the width of two heating elements and the interval between the pair of first heating elements is larger than the interval between adjacent second heating elements. It is possible to promote the uniformity of the roller surface temperature.

A manufacturing method of a self-heating type fixing roller according to an aspect of the present invention includes a heating element forming step of forming a plurality of linear heating elements that generate heat upon energization on a cylindrical base material layer, and the heating element formation described above In the step, the plurality of heating elements are formed to meander from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer.

In the manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller, a plurality of heating elements are formed so as to meander from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer by the heating element forming step. It is possible to manufacture a self-heating type fixing roller that can suppress concentration and suppress abnormal heat generation, and can maintain a good heat generation temperature while suppressing temperature variations.

In the present invention, “the interval between the heating elements” or “the interval between the heating elements” means that in the pair of adjacent heating elements, the base material layer has a plurality of vertices protruding toward the adjacent heating elements. The distance between regression lines drawn parallel to the axial direction.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Hereinafter, a self-heating type fixing roller of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
The self-heating type fixing roller 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a cylindrical base material layer 2 and a plurality of linear heating elements 3 stacked on the base material layer 2 and generating heat when energized. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of heating elements 3 meander from the one end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2 to the other end side. The self-heating type fixing roller 1 has a pair of electrodes 4 that connect a plurality of heating elements 3 to both ends of the base material layer 2 in the axial direction. Further, the self-heating type fixing roller 1 is laminated on the base material layer 2 and also covers an insulating layer 5 that covers the plurality of heating elements 3, and is laminated on the insulating layer 5, and the outermost layer of the self-heating type fixing roller 1. And a release layer 6 for forming In the self-heating type fixing roller 1, a base material layer 2, a plurality of heating elements 3, an insulating layer 5, and a release layer 6 are laminated in this order from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction. In the self-heating type fixing roller 1, a cylindrical cored bar (not shown) whose main component is a metal, a heat resistant resin, or the like is inserted on the inner surface side of the base material layer 2. The “main component” means a component having the highest content, for example, a component contained in an amount of 50% by mass or more.

In the self-heating type fixing roller 1, a heating element 3 that generates heat when energized is formed in a linear shape and meanders from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical base material layer 2. In the self-heating type fixing roller 1, a crack is generated in one heating element 3, and when the heating element 3 is torn, current does not flow to the torn heating element 3, thereby interrupting the current to bypass the crack. The Further, the self-heating type fixing roller 1 has a relatively large length of the heating element 3 due to the meandering of the heating element 3, so that the resistance value of the heating element 3 is adjusted and the current density is made uniform. Can be achieved. Therefore, the self-heating type fixing roller 1 can suppress abnormal heat generation by preventing current from concentrating in the vicinity of the crack, and can maintain a good heat generation temperature while suppressing temperature variation.

(Base material layer)
The base material layer 2 has a synthetic resin as a main component. Moreover, the base material layer 2 has flexibility. The base material layer 2 constitutes a laminated substrate of a plurality of heating elements 3 and a pair of electrodes 4. Moreover, the base material layer 2 has insulating properties, and prevents a plurality of heating elements 3 from conducting through the base material layer 2.

Examples of the main component of the base material layer 2 include polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, fluororesin, and liquid crystal polymer. Among these, polyimide that is excellent in insulation, flexibility, heat resistance, and the like is preferable.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the base material layer 2 is preferably 10 μm, and more preferably 20 μm. On the other hand, as an upper limit of the average thickness of the base material layer 2, 100 micrometers is preferable and 80 micrometers is more preferable. If the average thickness of the base material layer 2 is less than the lower limit, the strength of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 may be insufficient. On the contrary, when the average thickness of the base material layer 2 exceeds the upper limit, the flexibility of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 may be insufficient.

The lower limit of the inner diameter of the base material layer 2 is preferably 5 mm, and more preferably 10 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the inner diameter of the base material layer 2 is preferably 100 mm, and more preferably 70 mm. If the inner diameter of the base material layer 2 is less than the lower limit, there is a fear that the temperature variation of the surface of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 becomes large. On the contrary, if the inner diameter of the base material layer 2 exceeds the above upper limit, the self-heating fixing roller 1 may become unnecessarily large. As a result, the image forming apparatus using the self-heating fixing roller 1 is increased in size. There is a risk of being invited.

(Heating element)
The plurality of heating elements 3 are stacked on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2. Each heating element 3 meanders with the same period and the same amplitude from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2. The total length of each heating element 3 is longer than the axial length of the base material layer 2. The plurality of heating elements 3 are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction of the base material layer 2, and the heating elements 3 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the base material layer 2 are separated from each other. Each heating element 3 preferably extends parallel to the axial direction of the base material layer 2. Further, the width of each heating element 3 is preferably constant over the entire length of the heating element 3.

The specific shape of each heating element 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is meandering from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2, for example, a wave shape, a saw blade type, etc. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the shape of each heating element 3 is adjacent to a plurality of linear portions 7 that extend in the circumferential direction of the base material layer 2 and are arranged in parallel in the axial direction. It is preferable to have a plurality of connecting portions 8 that alternately connect the end portions on one side and the end portions on the other side of the straight portion 7. Since the self-heating type fixing roller 1 has such a configuration as the heating element 3, a plurality of heating elements 3 having a large length can be stacked on the surface of the base material layer 2 at a high density. It is easy to optimize the heat generation temperature while further suppressing the above.

The plurality of heating elements 3 are all configured in the same shape. As a minimum of the average width of a plurality of exothermic bodies 3, 0.01 mm is preferred and 0.02 mm is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average width of the plurality of heating elements 3 is preferably 1.0 mm, and more preferably 0.8 mm. If the average width is less than the lower limit, defects such as chipping are likely to occur when a heating element is formed by printing or the like, which may cause a resistance value defect. On the other hand, if the average width exceeds the upper limit, the heating element 3 may not be disconnected when cracks occur, and the abnormal heat generation suppressing effect may not be sufficiently obtained.

The interval between adjacent heating elements 3 is equal. The lower limit of the interval between adjacent heating elements 3 is preferably 0.05 mm, and more preferably 0.1 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the interval between the adjacent heating elements 3 is preferably 1.0 mm, and more preferably 0.8 mm. If the interval is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to form the heating elements 3 while reliably separating them. On the contrary, if the interval exceeds the upper limit, it may be difficult to make the surface temperature of the roller uniform.

As the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the length direction of the plurality of heating elements 3, a rectangular shape is preferable. Moreover, as a minimum of the average thickness of the some heat generating body 3, 0.01 micrometer is preferable and 0.05 micrometer is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the plurality of heating elements 3 is preferably 300 μm, and more preferably 250 μm. If the average thickness is less than the lower limit, the plurality of heating elements 3 may be easily damaged by heat or impact. On the contrary, if the average thickness exceeds the upper limit, the manufacturing cost of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 may increase.

The lower limit of the electrical resistance between both ends of the plurality of heating elements 3 is preferably 100Ω, and more preferably 400Ω. On the other hand, the upper limit of the electrical resistance between both ends of the plurality of heating elements 3 is preferably 6000Ω, and more preferably 4000Ω. If the electric resistance is less than the lower limit, the current required for increasing the temperature of the plurality of heating elements 3 increases, and the power supply device for driving the self-heating type fixing roller 1 may become unnecessary and expensive. . On the other hand, if the electrical resistance exceeds the upper limit, the voltage required for the temperature rise of the plurality of heating elements 3 increases, and the power supply device for driving the self-heating type fixing roller 1 may become unnecessary and expensive. There is.

The lower limit of the electric resistance (length resistivity) per unit length of the plurality of heating elements 3 is preferably 0.7 Ω / cm, more preferably 1.0 Ω / cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the length resistivity is preferably 100 Ω / cm, more preferably 70 Ω / cm. If the length resistivity is less than the lower limit, the electrical resistance of the plurality of heating elements 3 may be too small. Conversely, if the length resistivity exceeds the upper limit, the electrical resistance of the plurality of heating elements 3 may become too large.

The lower limit of the ratio of the length of the heating element 3 to the linear distance in the axial direction of the base material layer 2 of the heating element 3 is preferably 2, and more preferably 4. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio is preferably 20, and more preferably 15. If the ratio is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to accurately adjust the resistance value of the heating element 3, and the current density of the heating element 3 may not be sufficiently uniform. Conversely, if the ratio exceeds the upper limit, it may be difficult to sufficiently increase the amount of heat generated by the heating element.

The length of the straight portion 7 of the heating element 3 can be set to, for example, 1.0 mm or more and 3 mm or less. If the length of the linear portion 7 of the heating element 3 is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to sufficiently suppress the temperature variation in each heating element 3. Conversely, if the length of the linear portion 7 of the heating element 3 exceeds the above upper limit, when the heating element 3 is torn, the gap between the pair of adjacent heating elements 3 with the broken heating element 3 sandwiched therebetween is large. Therefore, it may be difficult to make the surface temperature of the roll uniform.

As a minimum of the number of a plurality of exothermic bodies 3 laminated on base material layer 2, 10 is preferred and 15 is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the number is preferably 50, and more preferably 45.
If the number is less than the lower limit, the amount of heat generated may be insufficient. If the number is less than the lower limit, when one heating element 3 is torn, the gap between the pair of adjacent heating elements 3 with the broken heating element 3 sandwiched between them becomes too large. There is a risk that it may be difficult to make the surface temperature uniform. On the contrary, if the number exceeds the upper limit, it is difficult to form each heating element 3 with a sufficient length, and it is difficult to sufficiently suppress the temperature variation in each heating element 3.

As a material for forming the plurality of heating elements 3, any material can be used as long as current can flow and heat is generated by resistance loss. For example, the heating element 3 includes a resin matrix and a plurality of conductive particles included in the resin matrix. A resistor is used. By dispersing a plurality of conductive particles in the resin matrix, it is possible to relatively easily select one having desired moldability, heat generation and flexibility. High performance and low price can be achieved. In addition, as a material for forming the plurality of heating elements 3, a metal such as nickel, copper, or silver can be used.

When a resistor having a resin matrix and a plurality of conductive particles contained in the resin matrix is used as a material for forming the plurality of heating elements 3, a heat-resistant synthetic material is used as the main component of the resin matrix. Examples thereof include resins and rubbers, and among them, heat resistant resins are preferable. Examples of the heat resistant resin include polyimide and polyamide, and polyimide having excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength is particularly preferable. Examples of the heat resistant rubber include silicone rubber, fluororubber, or a mixture thereof.

As the conductive particles, known particles can be used, and examples thereof include metal powders such as gold, silver and nickel, resin particles subjected to metal plating, carbon powders such as carbon black and carbon nanotubes. Among these, silver is preferable because it has a small electrical resistance and can easily raise the temperature of the roller even if the length of the heating element 3 is relatively long.

Furthermore, when a resistor having a resin matrix and a plurality of conductive particles contained in the resin matrix is used as a material for forming the plurality of heating elements 3, the heating element 3 may include an insulating filler. By including the insulating filler, the electrical contact between the conductive particles can be limited, and the electrical resistance of the heating element 3 can be adjusted relatively easily.

As a material of such an insulating filler, any material having an insulating property may be used, but titanium oxide, metal silicon, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, silicon oxide, alumina, boron nitride, which has high thermal conductivity, An inorganic filler such as aluminum nitride is preferably used.

(electrode)
The pair of electrodes 4 are annularly laminated at both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2. The pair of electrodes 4 may be formed of a conductor having a sufficiently small electric resistance. For example, the pair of electrodes 4 may be formed integrally with the plurality of heating elements 3 by using the same material as the plurality of heating elements 3. It may be formed separately from the heating element 3. When the pair of electrodes 4 is formed separately from the plurality of heating elements 3, the pair of electrodes 4 can be formed of, for example, a metal foil. Moreover, as said metal foil, copper foil is used suitably and the metal tape by which the conductive adhesive was apply | coated to metal foil may be used. The self-heating type fixing roller 1 has a pair of electrodes 4 that connect the plurality of heating elements 3 to both ends of the base layer 2 in the axial direction, so that the plurality of heating elements 3 are electrically connected in parallel. As a result, all the heating elements 3 except those which are cracked and broken can be easily heated.

A contact (not shown) such as a carbon brush can be brought into contact with the pair of electrodes 4 in order to supply current. Therefore, it is preferable that the pair of electrodes 4 have an axial average width equal to or greater than the width of the contact used. The average width in the axial direction of the pair of electrodes 4 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.2 cm or more and 10 cm or less.

(Insulating layer)
The insulating layer 5 has heat resistance and insulating properties. The insulating layer 5 is filled between the plurality of heating elements 3 on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2 and covers the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of heating elements 3. The insulating layer 5 is not stacked on the pair of electrodes 4. Examples of the main component of the insulating layer 5 include synthetic resin and heat-resistant rubber (heat-resistant rubber).

Examples of the synthetic resin include phenol resin (PF), epoxy resin (EP), melamine resin (MF), urea resin (urea resin, UF), unsaturated polyester (UP), alkyd resin, polyurethane (PUR), and polyimide. (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polychlorinated Vinylidene, polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene resin (AS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide (PA), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and cyclic polyolefin (COP) and the like.

The rubber is not particularly limited as long as it has heat resistance, but preferably has elasticity, and silicone rubber, fluororubber, or a mixture thereof can be suitably used.

Examples of the silicone rubber include dimethyl silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, and methylphenyl silicone rubber. Examples of the fluororubber include vinylidene fluoride rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether rubber, and the like.

Further, in the self-heating type fixing roller 1, the heat of the plurality of heating elements 3 is transmitted to the toner through the insulating layer 5, so that the insulating layer 5 preferably has a relatively high thermal conductivity. For this reason, the insulating layer 5 may contain a heat conductive filler. Examples of the heat conductive filler include metals, ceramics, boron nitride, carbon nanotubes, alumina, silicon carbide, and the like. However, since the insulating layer 5 needs to be insulative, it is preferable that the insulating layer 5 includes an amount that does not conduct when the heat conductive filler has conductivity.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the insulating layer 5 is not less than the thickness of the plurality of heating elements 3, preferably 10 μm, and more preferably 20 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the insulating layer 5 is preferably 500 μm, and more preferably 300 μm. If the average thickness of the insulating layer 5 is less than the lower limit, the strength of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 may be insufficient. Conversely, if the average thickness of the insulating layer 5 exceeds the above upper limit, the flexibility of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 may be insufficient. The “average thickness of the insulating layer” refers to the average thickness between the interface of the insulating layer with the base material layer and the outer peripheral surface.

(Release layer)
The release layer 6 is a layer that is laminated on the outer peripheral surface of the insulating layer 5 and is in contact with the toner. The release layer 6 prevents toner from adhering to the self-heating type fixing roller 1.

The release layer 6 is formed from a resin composition. As a main component of the resin composition which forms the release layer 6, a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin are mentioned, for example.

Examples of the thermoplastic resin include vinyl resin, polyester, polyolefin, acrylic resin, fluorine resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, urea resin, and the like. Among these, a fluororesin excellent in releasability, flexibility and heat resistance is preferable. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the fluororesin include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (EFP), and tetrafluoroethylene-6 Examples thereof include a fluorinated propylene copolymer (FEP). Among these, PFA or PTFE having a small molecular weight and excellent releasability is preferable.

The release layer 6 may contain an additive such as a heat conductive filler. When the release layer 6 contains the heat conductive filler, the heat of the plurality of heating elements 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the toner, and the temperature variation of the surface of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 can be suppressed. it can.

As the heat conductive filler, a heat conductive filler that can be contained in the insulating layer 5 can be used.

The release layer 6 preferably has an insulating property. Specifically, the lower limit of the electrical resistance per unit length in the axial direction of the release layer 6 is preferably 10 ¹⁴ Ω / m. If the electrical resistance per unit length of the release layer 6 is less than the lower limit, the plurality of heating elements 3 may leak through the release layer 6 and the heating of the plurality of heating elements 3 may be insufficient. There is a risk of electric shock or equipment failure.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the release layer 6 is preferably 1 μm and more preferably 5 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the release layer 6 is preferably 50 μm, and more preferably 35 μm. If the average thickness is less than the lower limit, the strength of the release layer 6 may be insufficient. On the other hand, if the average thickness exceeds the upper limit, the size of the self-heating fixing roller 1 may increase unnecessarily, and the thermal efficiency of the self-heating fixing roller 1 may decrease.

The release layer 6 may be capable of rotating independently without being joined to the insulating layer 5, but is preferably joined. As described above, the release layer 6 and the insulating layer 5 are bonded to each other so that wear due to friction between the inner peripheral surface of the release layer 6 (the surface on the side in contact with the insulating layer 5) and the insulating layer 5 can be prevented. The durability of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 is improved.

<Manufacturing method>
Next, a method for manufacturing the self-heating fixing roller 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller includes a heating element forming step of forming a plurality of linear heating elements 3 that generate heat upon energization on the cylindrical base material layer 2. The self-heating type fixing roller 1 is manufactured by an electrode stacking process in which a pair of electrodes 4 are stacked on the base material layer 2 and an insulating layer 5 is stacked on the base material layer 2 after the heating element forming process. An insulating layer laminating step; and a release layer laminating step of laminating the release layer 6 on the insulating layer 5 after the insulating layer laminating step. In the manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller, in the heating element forming step, the plurality of heating elements 3 are formed to meander from the one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2.

In the manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller, the plurality of heating elements 3 are formed to meander from the one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2 in the heating element forming step. It is possible to manufacture the self-heating type fixing roller 1 that can prevent current from being concentrated and suppress abnormal heat generation, and can maintain a good heat generation temperature while suppressing temperature variation.

(Heat generation process)
In the heating element forming step, a plurality of heating elements 3 are laminated on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material layer 2. As a method of laminating the plurality of heating elements 3 in the heating element forming step, the resin matrix and the plurality of conductive particles are printed on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2 by screen printing, gravure printing, gravure offset printing, screen offset printing, or the like. A method for printing a heating element-forming material containing metal, metal plating is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2, a resist pattern is printed on the metal plating by a known printing method, and a resist pattern is formed after patterning by etching. Examples thereof include a method of removing, a method in which a plating catalyst layer is printed in a pattern on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2, and a plating layer is laminated on the plating catalyst layer. Among them, as a method of laminating the plurality of heating elements 3 by the heating element forming step, metal plating is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2 in that the plurality of heating elements 3 are easily arranged in the same shape and at equal intervals. The method of applying is preferred.

(Electrode lamination process)
In the electrode stacking step, a pair of electrodes 4 that connect a plurality of heating elements 3 in parallel are stacked on the base material layer 2. The electrode stacking step may be performed simultaneously with the heating element forming step by the same method as the heating element forming step, or may be performed separately from the heating element forming step. When the electrode stacking step is performed simultaneously with the heating element forming step, in the electrode stacking step, for example, a pair of electrodes 4 are printed in a ring shape along both edges of the base layer 2 in the extending direction of the plurality of heating elements 3. To do. Further, if the electrode step is performed separately from the heating element forming step, for example, a metal is formed using a conductive adhesive along both edges of the base layer 2 in the extending direction of the plurality of heating elements 3. Laminate the foil.

(Insulating layer lamination process)
The method for laminating the insulating layer 5 in the insulating layer laminating step is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of laminating using a dispenser, a coater and the like.

(Release layer lamination process)
In the release layer stacking step, it is not always necessary to join the release layer 6 to the insulating layer 5. When the release layer 6 is bonded to the insulating layer 5, the release layer 6 is laminated by a method of laminating the release layer 6 by applying a release layer forming material to the outer surface of the insulating layer 5 and drying. A method of laminating the release layer 6 with an adhesive. When the main component of the release layer 6 is a fluororesin, the release layer 6 and the insulating layer 5 are chemically formed by heating, irradiation with ionizing radiation, application of a coupling agent, The method of coupling | bonding etc. are mentioned.

[Second Embodiment]
The self-heating type fixing roller 11 shown in FIG. 4 includes a cylindrical base material layer 2 and a plurality of linear heating elements 13 stacked on the base material layer 2 and generating heat when energized. As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of heating elements 13 meander from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2. The self-heating type fixing roller 11 has a pair of electrodes 4 that connect a plurality of heating elements 13 to both ends of the base material layer 2 in the axial direction. Further, the self-heating type fixing roller 11 is laminated on the base material layer 2 and covers the plurality of heating elements 13, and is laminated on the insulating layer 5, and the outermost layer of the self-heating type fixing roller 11. And a release layer 6 for forming In the self-heating type fixing roller 11, a base material layer 2, a plurality of heating elements 13, an insulating layer 5, and a release layer 6 are laminated in this order from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction. The self-heating type fixing roller 11 has a cylindrical cored bar (not shown) whose main component is a metal, a heat-resistant resin, or the like inserted through the inner surface side of the base material layer 2. In the self-heating type fixing roller 11, the plurality of heating elements 13 includes a pair of first heating elements 13a adjacent to each other and a plurality of second heating elements 13b other than the pair of first heating elements 13a. The self-heating type fixing roller 11 has the self-heating shown in FIG. 1 except that the plurality of heating elements 13 have a pair of first heating elements 13a and a plurality of second heating elements 13b other than the pair of first heating elements 13a. It has the same configuration as the mold fixing roller 1. Therefore, only the plurality of heating elements 13 will be described below.

(Heating element)
The plurality of heating elements 13 are stacked on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2. Each heating element 13 meanders with the same period and the same amplitude from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2. The total length of each heating element 13 is longer than the axial length of the base material layer 2. The plurality of heating elements 13 are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction of the base material layer 2, and the heating elements 13 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the base material layer 2 are separated from each other. Each heating element 13 preferably extends parallel to the axial direction of the base material layer 2. Furthermore, the width of each heating element 13 is preferably constant over the entire length of the heating element 13.

The specific shape of each heating element 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is meandering from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2. For example, a wave shape, a saw blade type, etc. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of each heating element includes a plurality of linear portions 17 extending in the circumferential direction of the base material layer 2 and arranged in parallel in the axial direction, and adjacent straight lines. It is preferable to have the some connection part 18 which connects the edge parts of the one side of the part 17, and the edge parts of the other side alternately. Since the self-heating type fixing roller 11 has such a configuration as the heating element 13, a plurality of heating elements 13 having a large length can be stacked on the surface of the base material layer 2 at a high density. It is easy to optimize the heat generation temperature while further suppressing the above.

The plurality of heating elements 13 are composed of only a pair of first heating elements 13a and a plurality of second heating elements 13b. The first heating element 13a and the second heating element 13b have different shapes. The specific shape of the second heating element 13b can be the same as that of the heating element 3 in FIG.

The width of the pair of first heating elements 13a is larger than the width of the plurality of second heating elements 13b. Further, the interval between the pair of first heating elements 13a is larger than the interval between the adjacent second heating elements 13b. The self-heating type fixing roller 11 is formed by, for example, printing a heating element forming material including a resin matrix and a plurality of conductive particles on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material layer 2 by printing such as curved screen printing or the like. It is formed by printing a plating catalyst layer in a pattern on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2 by printing such as curved screen printing and laminating the plating layer on the plating catalyst layer. In the self-heating type fixing roller 11, a pair of first heating elements 13 a are disposed on both sides of a printing seam of the plurality of heating elements 13, and a plurality of second heating elements 13 b are disposed on the other portions. In the self-heating type fixing roller 11, if the distance between the pair of heating elements 13 located on both sides of the printing seam is too small, the heating elements 13 may be short-circuited in the printing process. On the other hand, a short circuit between the pair of first heating elements 13a can be prevented by making the interval between the pair of first heating elements 13a larger than the interval between the adjacent second heating elements 13b. Further, by making the width of the pair of first heating elements 13a larger than the width of the plurality of second heating elements 13b, the surface temperature of the roller can be maintained even if the distance between the pair of first heating elements 13a is relatively large. Uniformity can be achieved. Therefore, according to this configuration, the self-heating type fixing roller 11 can promote uniform formation of the surface temperature of the roller while facilitating the formation of the plurality of heating elements 13 by printing such as curved screen printing. In the self-heating type fixing roller 11, the interval between the adjacent first heating elements 13a and the second heating elements 13b may be larger than the interval between the adjacent second heating elements 13b.

The lower limit of the ratio of the average width of the pair of first heating elements 13a to the average width of the plurality of second heating elements 13b is preferably 1.05 and more preferably 1.1. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio of the average width is preferably 3, and more preferably 2. If the ratio of the average widths is less than the lower limit, a sufficient difference in electrical resistance between the pair of first heating elements 13a and the plurality of second heating elements 13b cannot be obtained, and the surface temperature of the rollers can be sufficiently uniformized. It may be difficult to plan. On the contrary, if the ratio of the average width exceeds the upper limit, the average width of the first heating element 13a becomes too large, and even if a crack is formed, the first heating element 13a is not torn and abnormalities due to current concentration. There is a risk of heat generation.

The distance between the pair of first heating elements 13a is preferably adjusted as appropriate so that the surface temperature of the roller can be made uniform according to the distance between the adjacent second heating elements 13b. The ratio of the distance between the pair of first heat generating elements 13a to the distance between the adjacent second heat generating elements 13b can be set to 1.1 or more and 5 or less, for example.

The average thickness of the pair of first heating elements 13a may be the same as the average thickness of the plurality of second heating elements 13b or may be larger than the average thickness of the plurality of second heating elements 13b. The self-heating type fixing roller 11 forms the plurality of heating elements 13 relatively easily because the average thickness of the pair of first heating elements 13a and the average thickness of the plurality of second heating elements 13b are the same. be able to. On the other hand, the self-heating-type fixing roller 11 has a pair of first heating elements 13a and a plurality of first heating elements 13a and a plurality of second heating elements 13a having an average thickness larger than an average thickness of the plurality of second heating elements 13b. It is easy to make the surface temperature of the roller uniform by adjusting the electrical resistance of the two heating elements 13b.

As a lower limit of the ratio of the electrical resistance per unit length (length resistivity) of the pair of first heating elements 13a to the electrical resistance per unit length (length resistivity) of the plurality of second heating elements 13b, 0.2 is preferable and 0.4 is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the electrical resistance ratio is preferably 0.95, more preferably 0.9. If the ratio of the electrical resistances is less than the lower limit, the difference between the heat generation amount of the pair of first heat generating elements 13a and the heat generation amounts of the plurality of second heat generating elements 13b becomes too large, and the surface temperature of the roller is made uniform. May be difficult to achieve. Conversely, if the ratio of the electrical resistances exceeds the upper limit, a difference between the heat generation amount of the pair of first heat generating elements 13a and the heat generation amounts of the plurality of second heat generating elements 13b cannot be obtained sufficiently, and the surface temperature of the roller It may be difficult to achieve uniformization.

The ratio of the length of the first heating element 13a to the linear distance in the axial direction of the base layer 2 of the first heating element 13a is the second heat generation relative to the linear distance in the axial direction of the base layer 2 of the second heating element 13b. It is preferably smaller than the length ratio of the body 13b. The self-heating type fixing roller 11 has a pair of heating elements for a plurality of second heating elements 13b by making the ratio of the base layer 2 of the first heating element 13a smaller than the ratio of the second heating element 13b. It is easy to make the surface temperature of the roller uniform by sufficiently increasing the amount of heat generated by 13a. The ratio of the first heating element 13a to the ratio of the second heating element 13b can be, for example, 0.5 or more and 0.95 or less.

The length of the straight portion 17 of the first heating element 13a can be substantially the same as the length of the straight portion 17 of the second heating element 13b. Further, the number of the plurality of heating elements 13 laminated on the base material layer 2 can be the same as the number of the plurality of heating elements 3 of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 of FIG. Note that “the lengths of the linear portions of the first heating element and the second heating element are substantially the same” means the ratio of the length of the linear portion 17 of the second heating element to the length of the linear portion 17 of the first heating element. Is 0.9 or more and 1.1 or less.

<Manufacturing method>
Next, a method for manufacturing the self-heating type fixing roller 11 will be described. The manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller includes a heating element forming step of forming a plurality of linear heating elements 13 that generate heat when energized on the cylindrical base material layer 2. The self-heating type fixing roller manufacturing method includes an electrode stacking process in which a pair of electrodes 4 are stacked on the base material layer 2 and an insulating process in which an insulating layer 5 is stacked on the base material layer 2 after the heating element forming process. A layer stacking step, and a release layer stacking step of stacking the release layer 6 on the insulating layer 5 after the insulating layer stacking step. In the manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller, in the heating element forming step, the plurality of heating elements 13 are formed to meander from one end side to the other end side of the base layer 2 in the axial direction. The electrode stacking step, the insulating layer stacking step, and the release layer stacking step are the same as the manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 in FIG.

(Heat generation process)
In the heating element forming step, a plurality of heating elements 13 are laminated on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material layer 2. In the heating element forming step, a plurality of second heating elements 13b other than the pair of first heating elements 13a and the pair of first heating elements 13a adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2 are laminated. In the heating element forming step, the width of the pair of first heating elements 13a is formed larger than the width of the plurality of second heating elements 13b, and the interval between the pair of first heating elements 13a is set to be adjacent second heating elements. It is formed larger than the interval between the bodies 13b. As a method of stacking the plurality of heating elements 13 in the heating element forming step, the same method as the heating element forming step in the method of manufacturing the self-heating type fixing roller 1 in FIG. 1 can be employed. In the method of manufacturing the self-heating type fixing roller, the heating element forming step is performed by printing a heating element forming material including a resin matrix and a plurality of conductive particles on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2. In this case, or when the plating catalyst layer is printed in a pattern on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2 and the plating layer is laminated on the plating catalyst layer, a pair of first heating elements 13a are formed on both sides of the printing seam. By stacking, the short circuit between the pair of first heating elements 13a can be easily prevented. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the self-heating type fixing roller is suitable for manufacturing a plurality of heating elements 13 by printing such as curved screen printing.

[Third embodiment]
<Self-heating roller>
The self-heating type fixing roller 21 shown in FIG. 6 includes a cylindrical base material layer 2 and a plurality of linear heating elements 3 stacked on the base material layer 2 and generating heat when energized. The plurality of heating elements 3 meander from the one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer 2 in the same manner as the self-heating type fixing roller 1 of FIG. The self-heating type fixing roller 21 has a pair of electrodes (not shown) that connect the plurality of heating elements 3 to both ends of the base material layer 2 in the axial direction. Further, the self-heating type fixing roller 21 is laminated on the base material layer 2 and covers the plurality of heating elements 3, an elastic layer 23 laminated on the insulating layer 22, and an elastic layer 23. And a release layer 6 that forms the outermost layer of the self-heating type fixing roller 21. In the self-heating type fixing roller 21, a base material layer 2, a plurality of heating elements 3, an insulating layer 22, an elastic body layer 23, and a release layer 6 are laminated in this order from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction. In the self-heating type fixing roller 21, a cylindrical cored bar (not shown) whose main component is a metal, a heat resistant resin, or the like is inserted on the inner surface side of the base material layer 2. The self-heating type fixing roller 21 has a laminated body of an insulating layer 22 and an elastic layer 23 in place of the insulating layer 5 of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 of FIG. It has the same configuration as. Therefore, only the insulating layer 22 and the elastic body layer 23 will be described below.

(Insulating layer)
The insulating layer 22 has heat resistance and insulating properties. The insulating layer 22 is filled between the plurality of heating elements 3 on the outer peripheral surface of the base material layer 2 and covers the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of heating elements 3. The main component of the insulating layer 22 is a synthetic resin. Examples of the synthetic resin include the synthetic resins mentioned as the main component of the insulating layer 5 of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 of FIG. The average thickness of the insulating layer 22 can be the same as that of the insulating layer 5 of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 of FIG.

(Elastic layer)
The elastic body layer 23 has heat resistance and elasticity. An example of the main component of the elastic layer 23 is rubber. Examples of the rubber include the rubbers mentioned as the main component of the insulating layer 5 of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 of FIG.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the elastic layer 23 is preferably 10 μm and more preferably 20 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the elastic layer 23 is preferably 300 μm and more preferably 280 μm. If the average thickness is less than the lower limit, the elasticity of the self-heating type fixing roller 21 is not sufficiently improved, and the self-heating type fixing roller 21 is not sufficiently pressed against the printing paper or the like, and the surface of the image There is a possibility that the property cannot be improved sufficiently. On the other hand, if the average thickness exceeds the upper limit, the elastic layer 23 becomes unnecessarily thick, and the time required for preheating the self-heating type fixing roller 21 may be increased.

Since the self-heating type fixing roller 21 has the insulating layer 22 and the elastic layer 23, the insulating property and elasticity can be improved easily and reliably, and the surface property of the image can be improved more accurately. .

[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. The

For example, when the self-heating type fixing roller has a pair of first heating elements and a plurality of second heating elements, the insulating layer 22 and the elastic layer 23 in FIG. A laminate may be used.

7, 8, and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views of a self-heating type fixing roller according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, respectively, the number of heating elements is changed.

The self-heating type fixing roller may have a heat insulating layer between the base material layer and the cored bar. This heat insulation layer suppresses the heat generated from the plurality of heating elements from escaping to the core metal side, and improves the energy efficiency of the self-heating type fixing roller. The heat insulating layer preferably has a matrix mainly composed of a synthetic resin or rubber and a plurality of pores contained in the matrix. Furthermore, it is preferable that this heat insulation layer has elasticity.

The rubber as the main component of the matrix of the heat insulating layer is not particularly limited as long as it has heat resistance, but preferably has elasticity, and rubber (heat resistant rubber) having excellent heat resistance is particularly preferable. Examples of the heat resistant rubber include the rubbers listed as the main component of the insulating layer 5 of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 of FIG. Examples of the synthetic resin include the synthetic resins mentioned as the main component of the insulating layer 5 of the self-heating type fixing roller 1 shown in FIG.

Further, the pores in the matrix of the heat insulating layer can be formed by a foaming agent, a hollow filler or the like. Examples of the hollow filler that can be used include organic microballoons and hollow glass beads.

As the foaming agent, it decomposes by heating to generate, for example, nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, carbon monoxide, ammonia gas, etc., and an organic foaming agent or an inorganic foaming agent can be used.

Examples of the organic blowing agent include azo blowing agents such as azodicarbonamide (A.D.C.A) and azobisisobutyronitrile (A.I.B.N), such as dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine (D P.T), N, N′dinitroso-N, N′-dimethylterephthalamide (DNDMTA), and the like, for example, P-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide (TS H), P, P-oxybisbenzenesulfonyl hydrazide (O.B.S.H), benzenesulfonyl hydrazide (B.S.H), and other hydrazides, and trihydrazinotriazine (T.H. T), acetone-P-sulfonylhydrazone and the like are exemplified, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the inorganic foaming agent include sodium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium borohydride, sodium boron hydride, silicon oxyhydride and the like. In general, an inorganic foaming agent has a slower gas generation rate than an organic foaming agent, and adjustment of gas generation is difficult. Therefore, an organic foaming agent is preferable as the chemical foaming agent.

The organic microballoon is a kind of hollow microsphere (Microsphere), for example, a thermosetting resin such as phenol resin, a thermoplastic resin such as polyvinylidene chloride, and a hollow formed by an organic polymer material such as rubber. The spherical fine particles. When the said heat insulation layer contains an organic microballoon, the softness | flexibility of this heat insulation layer, heat resistance, and dimensional stability improve. Since the organic microballoon has a spherical shape, stress anisotropy hardly occurs even when the organic microballoon is contained in the composition forming the heat insulating layer. Therefore, it is difficult for the organic microballoon to reduce the hardness and uniformity of the heat insulation layer. Moreover, the heat resistance of the said heat insulation layer improves more by using the heat resistant organic microballoon containing thermosetting resins, such as a phenol resin, as an organic microballoon. In addition, a commercial item can be used as said organic microballoon.

The average diameter of the organic microballoon is usually from several μm to several hundred μm, and preferably from 5 μm to 200 μm.

The lower limit of the porosity of the heat insulating layer is preferably 5%, more preferably 10%, and even more preferably 15%. On the other hand, the upper limit of the porosity of the heat insulating layer is preferably 60%, more preferably 50%, and even more preferably 45%. If the porosity is less than the lower limit, the heat insulating property of the heat insulating layer may be insufficient. Conversely, when the porosity exceeds the upper limit, the strength of the heat insulating layer may be insufficient. The porosity is a value measured as an area ratio when a cross section is observed with a microscope.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the heat insulating layer is preferably 20 μm, more preferably 100 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the heat insulating layer is preferably 500 mm, and more preferably 200 mm. If the average thickness is less than the lower limit, the heat insulating property of the heat insulating layer becomes insufficient, and the energy efficiency of the self-heating type fixing roller may not be sufficiently increased. Conversely, if the average thickness exceeds the upper limit, the size of the self-heating type fixing roller may increase unnecessarily.

The heat insulating layer may be capable of rotating independently without being bonded to the base material layer, but is preferably bonded. Thus, by joining the heat insulating layer and the base material layer, wear due to friction with the base material layer on the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating layer can be prevented, and the durability of the self-heating type fixing roller is improved.

Each heating element preferably meanders at the same period and the same amplitude from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer, but each heating element does not necessarily meander at the same period and the same amplitude. It does not have to be.

The self-heating type fixing roller is not necessarily a base material as long as it has a cylindrical base material layer and a plurality of heating elements laminated on the base material layer and meandering from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer. It is not necessary to have a pair of electrodes that connect a plurality of heating elements to both ends of the layer in the axial direction. In the self-heating type fixing roller, for example, one side and the other side of the plurality of heating elements may be connected to the plurality of electrodes, respectively, or may not have the electrodes themselves.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which a plurality of heating elements are stacked on the outer peripheral side of the base material layer has been described. However, the self-heating type fixing roller has a plurality of heating elements stacked on the inner peripheral side of the base material layer. May be. In addition, the self-heating type fixing roller may not have the above-described cored bar, insulating layer, and release layer. Further, the self-heating type fixing roller may be provided with an adhesive layer or a primer layer in order to improve the adhesive strength between the layers.

When the self-heating type fixing roller has a pair of first heating elements and a plurality of second heating elements, the fixing roller may further include heating elements other than the first heating elements and the second heating elements. .

As the heating element forming step in the method for manufacturing the self-heating type fixing roller, for example, a plurality of heating elements are stacked on the base film so as to meander in parallel and from one end side to the other end side of the base film. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the heating element non-stacked regions on both sides in the parallel direction of the heating element of the base film are connected. In this case, by laminating the above-described pair of first heating elements on both ends of the substrate film, and laminating a plurality of second heating elements between the pair of first heating elements, the seam of the substrate film Since the interval can be made relatively large, it is possible to facilitate the uniform surface temperature of the roller while facilitating the production.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,11,21 Self-heating type fixing roller 2 Base material layer 3,13 Heat generating body 13a 1st heat generating body 13b 2nd heat generating body 4 Electrode 5,22 Insulating layer 6 Release layer 7,17 Linear part 8,18 Connection part 23 Elastic layer

Claims (5)

1. A cylindrical base material layer and a plurality of linear heating elements that are stacked on the base material layer and generate heat when energized,
   A self-heating type fixing roller in which the plurality of heating elements meander from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer.
2. The plurality of heating elements extend in the circumferential direction of the base material layer, and each heating element includes a plurality of linear portions arranged in parallel in the axial direction, ends on one side of adjacent linear portions, and The self-heating type fixing roller according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of connecting portions that alternately connect the other end portions.
3. The self-heating type fixing roller according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pair of electrodes that connect the plurality of heating elements to both ends of the base material layer in the axial direction.
4. The plurality of heating elements include a pair of adjacent first heating elements and a plurality of second heating elements other than the pair of first heating elements,
   The width of the first heating element is larger than the width of the second heating element;
   The self-heating type fixing roller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an interval between the pair of first heating elements is larger than an interval between adjacent second heating elements.
5. A heating element forming step of forming a plurality of linear heating elements that generate heat by energization on a cylindrical base material layer,
   In the heating element forming step, the plurality of heating elements are formed so as to meander from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the base material layer.

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