WO2019190005A1 - Dispositif de fixation destinée à distribuer uniformément de la chaleur à travers une courroie de fixation - Google Patents

Dispositif de fixation destinée à distribuer uniformément de la chaleur à travers une courroie de fixation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019190005A1
WO2019190005A1 PCT/KR2018/010819 KR2018010819W WO2019190005A1 WO 2019190005 A1 WO2019190005 A1 WO 2019190005A1 KR 2018010819 W KR2018010819 W KR 2018010819W WO 2019190005 A1 WO2019190005 A1 WO 2019190005A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fixing belt
fixing
heat
heat pipe
pipe
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2018/010819
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jae Hyeok Jang
Yong Ho Chun
Otsuka YASUMASA
Original Assignee
Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd. filed Critical Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2019190005A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019190005A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
    • G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
    • G03G15/2053—Structural details of heat elements, e.g. structure of roller or belt, eddy current, induction heating
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/20—Details of the fixing device or porcess
    • G03G2215/2003—Structural features of the fixing device
    • G03G2215/2016—Heating belt
    • G03G2215/2035—Heating belt the fixing nip having a stationary belt support member opposing a pressure member

Definitions

  • An image forming device is a device for printing an image on a print medium and corresponds to a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a multi function printer of integrating and implementing functions thereof.
  • the image forming device adopting an electro photography method forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface of a photoreceptor by scanning light to the photoreceptor charged at a predetermined potential, and then supplies a toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a visual image.
  • the visual image formed on the photoreceptor is immediately transferred to the print medium or is transferred to the print medium through an intermediate transferred body, and the visual image transferred to the print medium is fixed onto the print medium while passing through a fixing device.
  • the fixing device generally includes a heat source, a fixing belt, and a rotation member which is in closely contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nib. If the print medium to which a toner image is transferred enters between the fixing belt and the rotation member, the toner image is fixed onto the print medium by heat transferred from the fixing device and pressure acting on the fixing nib.
  • An inner member provided inside the fixing belt supports the inside of the fixing belt to form the nib between the rotation member and the fixing belt.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing device of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a case in which a print medium having various widths passes through the fixing device of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV indicated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V indicated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an image forming device including a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a case in which any component is "connected” with another component includes a case in which any component is 'directly connected' to another component and a case in which any component is 'connected to another component while having the other component interposed therebetween'.
  • a case in which any component "comprises” another component means that any component may further comprise other components, not exclude other components, unless explicitly described to the contrary.
  • an "image forming device” refers to a device of printing print data generated from a terminal such as a computer on a recoding paper.
  • Examples of the image forming device described above may include a copier, a printer, a facsimile, a multi function peripheral (MFP) of complexly implementing functions thereof through a single device, and the like.
  • the image forming device may mean all devices capable of performing an image forming task, such as the printer, the scanner, the fax machine, the multi-function printer (MFP), or a display.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing device of FIG. 1.
  • a fixing device 1 may include a rotation member 10, a fixing belt 20, a pressure member 40, a pair of rotating ring members 81, a pair of flange members 80, a heat pipe 100, and a heat source 30.
  • the rotation member 10 applies a predetermined pressure to a print medium S that passes between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10, and is formed in a roller shape.
  • the rotation member 10 includes a shaft formed of a metal material such as aluminum or steel, and an elastic layer which is elastically deformed to form a fixing nib N between the fixing belt 20 and the elastic layer.
  • the elastic layer is typically formed of silicon rubber.
  • the rotation member 10 is rotated by receiving power from a driving source such as a motor. Since the structure in which the rotation member 10 is rotated by the driving source is the same as or similar to the driving structure of the rotation member according to the related art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the fixing belt 20 serves to apply a predetermined heat to the print medium S, and is heated by the heat source 30 to transfer the heat to the print medium S that passes through the fixing nib N. Therefore, the fixing belt 20 is installed to face the rotation member 10, and forms the fixing nib N through which the print medium S passes, together with the rotation member 10.
  • the fixing belt 20 is rotatably installed by the rotation member 10. When the rotation member 10 is rotated, the fixing belt 20 is rotated by friction force between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10. An axial length of the fixing belt 20 is longer than an axial length of the rotation member 10.
  • the fixing belt 20 may be formed of a single layer such as a metal, a heat resistant polymer, or the like, or may be formed by adding an elastic layer and a protective layer to a basic layer formed of the metal or the heat resistant polymer. Since the fixing belt 20 as described above may be the same as or similar to the fixing belt used in a belt-type fixing belt according to the related art, a detailed description of the fixing belt 20 will be omitted.
  • the pressure member 40 is installed inside the fixing belt 20 and supports an inner circumference surface of the fixing belt 20 to form the fixing nib N between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10.
  • the pressure member 40 may be formed of a material having excellent strength, such as stainless, carbon steel, or the like.
  • the pressure member 40 has a length longer than that of the rotation member 10.
  • the pressure member 40 includes a guide member 41 that is in contact with an inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to guide the fixing belt 20, and a supporting member 43 disposed on the guide member 41 to pressurize and support the guide member 41.
  • the guide member 41 may be provided to be in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to guide the rotation of the fixing belt 20.
  • the guide member 41 is in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to form a fixing nib N, and guides the fixing belt 20 so that the fixing belt 20 may smoothly run in the vicinity of the fixing nib N.
  • the heat source 30 may be disposed below the guide member 41.
  • the guide member 41 may be formed to be concave so that the heat source 30 may be disposed below the guide member 41.
  • a concave region below the guide member 41 may be formed to be larger than a size of the heat source 30 by a predetermined size.
  • the supporting member 43 reinforces the guide member 41 so as to minimize the bending deformation of the guide member 41.
  • the supporting member 43 is disposed on the guide member 41 to support the guide member 41 in a direction of the fixing belt 20.
  • the supporting member 43 may be formed in a structure having large cross section moment of inertia such as a U shape having a flat bottom, an I-shaped beam, an H-shaped beam, and the like, in addition to an N shape supporting the guide member 41.
  • the heat source 30 is installed inside the fixing belt 20 and generates heat to heat the fixing belt 20 to a fixing temperature.
  • the heat source 30 is disposed to directly perform a radiant heating for at least a portion of an inner surface of the fixing belt 20.
  • the heat source 30 may be installed below the guide member 41 and disposed to face the fixing belt 20. Since the heat source 30 is disposed to directly transfer the heat to the fixing belt 20 at the lower portion of the pressure member 40, heat loss may be reduced, thereby making it possible to improve heat transfer efficiency.
  • the heat source 30 is provided as a ceramic heater coupled to the lower portion of the pressure member 40.
  • the heat source 30 is connected to an electric wire for supplying electricity.
  • the electric wire is omitted in FIG. 2 for convenience of illustration. Since the heat source used in the fixing device according to the related art may be used as it is as the heat source 30 as described above, a detailed description of the heat source 30 will be omitted.
  • the heat source 30 may also be configured to heat the fixing belt 20 by radiation.
  • a sheet type heating element (not shown) may be used.
  • the sheet type heating element which is an electric resistor that generates heat when a current is supplied thereto, may be formed to form a layer sandwiched between the outer surface and the inner surface of the fixing belt 20.
  • the heat source 30 installed on the lower surface of the pressure member 40, that is, the lower surface of the guide member 41 is in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 20, and an upper portion of the rotation member 10 which is in contact with a portion of the fixing belt 20 supported by the heat source 30 forms the fixing nib N. Therefore, when the rotation member 10 is rotated, the fixing belt 20 is rotated by friction with the rotation member 10.
  • a heat pipe 100 re-distributes heat of a high temperature portion to a low temperature portion, such that the fixing device 1 may achieve thermal equilibrium over the entire area when printing a print medium S1 (see FIG. 3) having a narrow width. If the temperature of the fixing device 1 becomes uniform by the heat pipe 100, the heat is uniformly supplied to the entire width of the print medium S, thereby making it possible to uniformly maintain image quality.
  • the heat pipe 100 is disposed inside the fixing belt 20 along a length direction of the fixing belt 20 to transfer heat of both sides of an end portion of the fixing belt 20 in the length direction thereof to an intermediate portion of the fixing belt 20.
  • the heat pipe 100 may be disposed to be in contact with an inner circumference surface of the fixing belt 20 on which the fixing nib N is formed. Specifically, the heat pipe 100 may be disposed to be in contact with the heat source 30 forming the fixing nib N. The heat is transferred to the heat pipe 100 from the heat source 30 by the contact between the heat pipe 100 and the heat source 30. In order to increase thermal conductivity between the heat pipe 100 and the heat source 30, a thermal conductive plate 60 may be disposed between the fixing belt 20 and the heat pipe 100.
  • the heat pipe 100 is disposed at a position corresponding to the fixing nib N, the position of the heat pipe 100 is not limited thereto, and the heat pipe 100 may be disposed at a position at which the heat may be transferred from the fixing belt 20.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is to maximize a contact area between the heat source 30 and the heat pipe 100, and is disposed between the fixing belt 20 and the heat pipe 100.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 may be formed of a metal, and may be preferably formed of copper.
  • the elastic member 61 elastically supports the heat pipe in a direction of the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • the heat pipe 100 is pressurized to the thermal conductive plate 60 by pressure force of the elastic member 61 to maximize the contact area with the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • the elastic member 61 may prevent damage due to thermal expansion between the heat pipe 100 and the heat source 30.
  • the elastic member 61 may be formed of a plate spring, but is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the heat pipe 100 is to maintain a contact surface pressure with the thermal conductive plate 60 at a predetermined level or more.
  • the pair of rotating ring members 81 is installed at both ends of the fixing belt 20, support inner surfaces of both ends of the fixing belt 20, and limit a movement of the fixing belt 20 in a direction of a center shaft.
  • the pair of flange members 80 rotatably supports the pair of rotating ring members 81.
  • the pair of flange members 80 is formed to be fixed to an inner frame 83 of the fixing device.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a case in which a print medium having various widths passes through the fixing device of FIG. 1 and
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV indicated in FIG. 1.
  • the fixing nib N is formed between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10. If the rotation member 10 is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated by an arrow by a rotating driving device such as a motor or the like, the inner surface of the fixing belt 20 is in closely contact with the surface of the heat source 30 and the fixing belt 20 is rotated in the clockwise direction of the arrow while being slid on the surface of the heat source.
  • a rotating driving device such as a motor or the like
  • the rotation member 10 is installed at a position facing the fixing belt 20.
  • the rotation member 10 and the fixing belt 20 are pressurized to each other and elastically deformed.
  • the fixing nib N having a predetermined width about a transfer direction of the print medium is formed between the rotation member 10 and the fixing belt 20.
  • the fixing nib N is formed along a length direction of the rotation member 10 and the fixing belt 20.
  • the nib N between the rotation member 10 and the fixing belt 20 transfers the print medium S while insertedly supporting the print medium S.
  • the fixing belt 20 is heated by the heat source 30 until a surface temperature thereof arrives at a predetermined temperature (e.g., 200°C).
  • a predetermined temperature e.g. 200°C.
  • the un-fixed toner on the print medium S is heated and pressurized. Thereafter, since the un-fixed toner is melted and color-mixed, the un-fixed toner is then cooled. As a result, an un-fixed toner image is fixed onto the print medium S as a fixed image.
  • a toner image is fixed onto the surface of the print medium S while the print medium S on which the toner image is transferred passes between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10.
  • the fixing device having a uniform temperature across the entire region of the surface thereof is required.
  • the width of the paper used as the print media S1 and S2 for recording the image is various such as A1 to A5, B1 to B5, and the like depending on the use thereof.
  • a portion (hereinafter, referred to 'contact portion' A) in which the fixing belt 20 and the print medium S1 are in contact with each other, and a portion (hereinafter, 'non-contact portion' B) in which the fixing belt 20 and the print medium S1 are not in contact with each other occur.
  • the surface temperature of the fixing device is lowered at the portion A which is in contact with the print medium S1, a temperature of the portion B which is not in contact with the print medium S1 among the surface of the fixing device rises, and the risen temperature may damage the fixing device.
  • the temperature of the fixing device is not uniform, fixing performance may be deteriorated.
  • the image forming device 1 capable of forming an image on the print medium S having a large width
  • the print medium S1 having a narrow width such as a medium having a size of an envelop, a postcard, or a letter
  • the temperature at the portion A which is in contact with the print medium S1 among the surface of the fixing device is lowered (as compared to a temperature before being in contact with the print medium S1), but the temperature of the portion B which is out of the width of the print medium S1 among the surface of the fixing device rises (as compared to the temperature before being in contact with the print medium S1).
  • the non-contact portion B corresponds to the both end portions of the fixing belt 20 through which the print medium S1 does not pass. The increase in the temperature of such non-contact portion B is more likely to occur as the processing speed of the image forming device 1 is increased. Since the time that the print medium S passes through the fixing nib N is shortened as the processing speed is increased, it is necessary to increase an amount of heat for fixing the toner onto the print medium.
  • the processing speed is lowered. That is, the increase in the temperature of the non-contact portion b causes productivity of image formation to be deteriorated.
  • the speed of the entire image forming process of the image forming device may be slowed, or a time difference may be set between the fixed print media, but this has a problem that it deteriorates overall efficiency of the image forming device.
  • the fixing device 1 include the heat pipe 100 disposed along the length direction of the fixing belt 20.
  • the heat pipe 100 transfers the heat of the non-contact portions B, which are both sides of the end portion in the length direction, to the contact portion A, which is an intermediate portion of the fixing belt 20, thereby reducing a temperature difference between the both sides B of the end portion and the intermediate portion A of the fixing belt 20. Since a local temperature deviation of the fixing device 1 is reduced and overall thermal equilibrium is improved by the heat pipe 100, the problems such as deterioration in the fixing performance, damage on the print medium, damage on the fixing device, and the like may be solved.
  • the heat pipe 100 is disposed inside the fixing belt 20 along a length direction of the fixing belt 20 to transfer heat of both sides of an end portion of the fixing belt 20 in the length direction thereof to an intermediate portion of the fixing belt 20.
  • the heat pipe 100 is vaporized by a high temperature of the fixing belt 20 at both sides of the end portion in the length direction to absorb the heat of the both end portions, and moves in the intermediate direction of the heat pipe 100, which is a direction opposite to each of the both sides of the end portion, to discharge the heat to the outside.
  • the heat pipe 100 includes a pipe 110 (see FIG. 5) of a hollow shape having a wick structure 120 (see FIG. 5), and a working fluid W which is vaporized at both end portions of the heat pipe 100, discharges the heat while being moved to the intermediate portion A of the heat pipe 100, is condensed after discharging the heat, is moved to the both end portions along the wick structure 120 by a capillary phenomenon, and is circulated in the pipe.
  • a detailed inner structure of the heat pipe 100 transferring the heat will be described below.
  • the heat pipe 100 is formed to have a cross section of a circular shape. Since fixing belt 20 is heated by the heat source 30 until the surface temperature thereof arrives at the predetermined temperature, the heat pipe 100 is formed in a cylindrical shape that may withstand internal pressure. In order to withstand the internal pressure, the heat pipe 100 is formed to have a circular cross section in which corners on which stress is concentrated are minimized. As the heat pipe 100 is formed to have the circular cross section which is strong against the internal pressure, it is possible to prevent a problem that the heat pipe does not withstand the internal pressure and the working fluid inside the heat pipe is leaked.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is disposed between the heat pipe 100 and the heat source 30 in order to maximize a contact area between the heat pipe 100 and the heat source 30.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 having a relatively large contactable surface area is provided between the heat pipe 100 and the heat source 30, it is possible to improve heat transfer efficiency of the heat pipe 100.
  • the heat pipe 100 is elastically supported in the direction of the fixing nib N by the elastic member 61.
  • the heat pipe 100 is pressurized by the elastic member 61, thereby making it possible to maximize the contact area with the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is provided, and a thermal conductive material such as a thermal compound may be positioned on an interface between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • a thermal conductive grease 65 may be filled between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60 may be in contact with each other through a soldering 65 therebetween.
  • the thermal conductive grease or the soldering may be filled in a gap between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60 and increase heat conductivity between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is disposed between the fixing belt 20 and the heat pipe 100 to make the temperature of the fixing belt 20 uniform.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 allows the contact area between the heat pipe 100 having the cross section formed in the circular shape and the heat source 30 to be maximized.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V indicated in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a longitudinal section structure of the fixing device 1.
  • the heat pipe 100 includes the pipe 110 and the working fluid W circulating in the pipe 110.
  • the pipe 110 is formed in a hollow shape and an inner portion thereof is sealed.
  • a pipe 110 may be formed of carbon steel, copper, stainless, or the like.
  • the width of the print medium S1 passing between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10 is narrower than that of the fixing belt 20
  • the decrease in the temperature occurs at the contact portion A through which the print medium S1 passes, and the temperature at the both end portions, which are the non-contact portions B through which the print medium S1 does not pass, is increased.
  • the both end portions (the non-contact portions B) of the pipe 110 are heated, such that the working fluid W disposed at one end inside the pipe 110 is vaporized.
  • the wick structure 120 is formed inside the pipe 110.
  • the wick structure circulates the working fluid of a liquid state from a condensing part (a central part A of the heat pipe) to a vaporizing part (both end portions B of the heat pipe) by using the working fluid W as a fluid medium.
  • the wick structure 120 is formed in a capillary structure around the inside of the pipe 110 and accommodates the working fluid W therein.
  • a movement of the fluid occurs between both ends of the pipe 110 at which a heat supply is performed and the intermediate part A at which a heat discharge occurs.
  • a flow of the working fluid of a gas phase occurs in a vapor space 130 at the center inside the pipe 110, and a movement of the working fluid of a condensed liquid phase occurs in the wick structure 120.
  • the wick structure 120 is formed in a groove shape depressed from the inside to the outside of the pipe 110.
  • the wick structure 120 is formed to be long in the length direction of the pipe 110, such that the working fluid W which is vaporized and is then condensed again is moved to the central part A of the pipe 110 along the wick structure 120 by the capillary shape.
  • the wick structure 120 may be formed to allow the working fluid W to move quickly and effectively through the entire inside area of the pipe 110.
  • the working fluid W is vaporized by the increase in the temperature of the non-contact portions B at the both ends of the pipe 110 and discharges the heat to the outside of the pipe 110 while moving to the central part A, which is a direction opposite to each of the both ends.
  • the working fluid W is condensed after discharging the heat to the outside of the pipe 110 and is moved in the directions of the both end portions of the pipe 110 along the wick structure 120 by the capillary phenomenon to be circulated in the pipe 110.
  • the working fluid W Since the working fluid W is circulated in the sealed pipe 110, the working fluid W is not dissipated and may permanently transfer the heat as long as the heat pipe 100 is operated. As a result, it is not necessary to supplement the working fluid W.
  • the wick structure 10 having a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the pipe 110 is positioned at the inside central part of the pipe 110. Therefore, a space in which the working fluid W is accommodated is provided between the pipe 110 and the wick structure 120.
  • the both end portions B of the wick structure 120 are heated by the increase in the temperature of the both end portions of the fixing belt 20, and the wick structure 120 heats the working fluid W which is in contact with an outer side surface thereof and evaporates the working fluid W.
  • the evaporated working fluid W moves to the central part A having the relatively low temperature along the gas space 130 of the heat pipe 100.
  • the working fluid W moved to the central part A is condensed after discharging the heat to the outside, and moves to the directions of the both end portions B having the relatively high temperature along a fluid space 140 by the capillary phenomenon through the wick structure 120.
  • the print medium S1 having the narrow width passes through the fixing device 1, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the temperature of the both end portions of the fixing device 1, which are the non-contact portions B. Even in a case in which the temperature of the non-contact portions B is increased, since it is easy for heat to flow toward the intermediate part of the fixing device 1, which is the contact portion A having the relatively low temperature, the temperature of the fixing device 1 may be uniformly maintained. That is, a temperature difference between the both end portions and the intermediate portion of the fixing device 1 is decreased by the heat pipe 100, and as the temperature difference becomes smaller, uniformity of the temperature of the fixing device 1 becomes higher.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a fixing device 2 includes the rotation member 10, the fixing belt 20, a pressure member 50, the pair of rotating ring members 81, the pair of flange members 80, the heat pipe 100, and a heat source 32, and the above-mentioned components are the same as the components described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 except for the configuration of the pressure member 50 and the heat source 32. Therefore, the components performing the same function as that of an embodiment will be denoted with the same reference numeral and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the pressure member 50 is installed in the fixing belt 20 to form the fixing nib N at a contact portion between the rotation member 10 and the fixing belt 20.
  • the pressure member 50 may be formed of an elastic body of a metal material having predetermined elasticity so as to face the rotation member 10 to adjust pressurizing force.
  • the pressure member 50 includes a guide member 51 that is in contact with an inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to guide the fixing belt 20, and a supporting member 53 disposed on the guide member 51 to pressurize and support the guide member 51.
  • the guide member 51 is in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to form a fixing nib N, and guides the fixing belt 20 so that the fixing belt 20 may smoothly run in the vicinity of the fixing nib N.
  • the guide member 51 is formed in a channel shape in which a cross section of a bottom of thereof has a flat U shape, and has the supporting member 53 installed inside thereof Heat shielding members 55 are coupled to both side surfaces of the guide member 51.
  • the supporting member 53 reinforces the guide member 51 so as to minimize the bending deformation of the guide member 51.
  • the supporting member 53 is formed in a channel shape in which a bottom thereof has a cross section of an approximately flat U shape, and is installed inside the guide member 51.
  • the supporting member 53 may be formed in a structure having large cross section moment of inertia such as an I-shaped beam, an H-shaped beam, and the like, in addition to the U shape having the flat bottom.
  • the fixing nib N may be formed between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10 by the flat bottom surface of the supporting member 53.
  • the supporting member 53 may further include a nib plate (not shown) disposed on a lower surface of the guide member 51 and supporting an inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to form the fixing nib N between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10.
  • a nib plate (not shown) disposed on a lower surface of the guide member 51 and supporting an inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to form the fixing nib N between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10.
  • the heat shielding members 55 prevents the heat generated from the heat source 32 from being directly radiated to the guide member 51.
  • the heat shielding members 55 are installed on the guide member 51 and the supporting member 53 so as to cover the guide member 51 and the supporting member 53.
  • the heat shielding members 55 are installed below the heat source 32 in an upward direction of the supporting member 53 inserted into the guide member 51.
  • the heat source 32 is installed inside the fixing belt 20 and generates heat to heat the fixing belt 20 to a fixing temperature.
  • the heat source 32 is installed on an upper side of the pressure member 50.
  • As the heat source 32 a halogen lamp or the like may be used.
  • the heat source 32 is connected to an electric wire for supplying electricity. However, the electric wire is omitted in FIG. 6 for convenience of illustration. Since the heat source used in the fixing device according to the related art may be used as it is as the heat source 32 as described above, a detailed description of the heat source 32 will be omitted.
  • the heat source 32 is installed on the upper side of the pressure member 50 to heat the fixing belt 20 by radiation.
  • the heat pipe 100 is disposed inside the fixing belt 20 along a length direction of the fixing belt 20 to transfer heat of both sides of an end portion of the fixing belt 20 in the length direction thereof to an intermediate portion of the fixing belt 20.
  • the pressure member 50 is formed to surround the periphery of the heat pipe 100 and the heat pipe 100 is installed within the pressure member 50.
  • An upper portion of the heat pipe 100 is surrounded by the supporting member 53, and a lower portion thereof is surrounded by the guide member 51.
  • the heat pipe 100 may be disposed to be in contact with the pressure member 50 forming the fixing nib N. Meanwhile, in a case in which the supporting member 53 includes the nib plate, the heat pipe 100 may be disposed to be in contact with the nib plate forming the fixing nib N.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is disposed below the guide member 51.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is to maximize a contact area between the heat pipe 100 and the guide member 51 forming the fixing nib N.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 may be formed of copper.
  • Slits or holes are formed in the guide member 51 which is in contact with the heat pipe 100. Adhesion between the heat pipe 100 and the fixing belt 20 is increased by the slits or the holes, thereby making it possible to improve heat transfer efficiency.
  • Such slits or holes may be formed to be long at a predetermined interval along a length direction of the guide member 51.
  • the heat pipe 100 having a cross section formed in a circular shape may be partially inserted into the slits or the holes of the guide member 51 and may be in contact with the thermal conductive plate 60 disposed below the guide member 51. As the heat pipe 100 is disposed to be partially inserted into the guide member 51, the contact area between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60 may be maximized.
  • thermal conductive plate 60 having a relatively large contactable surface area is provided between the heat pipe 100 and the fixing belt 20, it is possible to improve heat transfer efficiency of the heat pipe 100.
  • the heat pipe 100 is elastically supported in the direction of the fixing nib N by the elastic member 61.
  • the heat pipe 100 is pressurized by the elastic member 61, thereby making it possible to maximize the contact area with the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • a thermal conductive grease 65 may be filled between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60 may be in contact with each other through a soldering 65 therebetween.
  • the thermal conductive grease or the soldering may be filled in a gap between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60 and increase heat conductivity between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60. By increasing the heat conductivity, heat loss between the heat pipe 100 and the fixing belt 20 may be minimized.
  • thermal equilibrium of the fixing belt 20 may be improved. Radiant heat of the heat source 32 formed of a halogen lamp is transferred to the fixing belt 20. The transferred heat is transferred to the fixing nib N and the heat pipe 100 at the same time as being lost to the print medium S when the print medium S having the narrow width passes through the fixing device 1. Since the print medium S1 does not pass through the non-contact portions B, the temperature of the non-contact portions B is higher than that of the contact portion A.
  • the working fluid W is vaporized by a high temperature of the fixing belt 20 at the both sides of an end portion in a length direction of the heat pipe 100, which correspond to the non-contact portions B, to absorb the heat of the both end portions, and moves in the intermediate direction of the heat pipe 100, which is a direction opposite to each of the both end portions to discharge the heat to the outside.
  • the working fluid W condensed after discharging the heat while moving to the intermediate portion A of the heat pipe 100 is condensed and again moves to the both end portions of the heat pipe 100 along the wick structure by the capillary phenomenon.
  • the working fluid W is vaporized by a high temperature of the fixing belt 20 at both sides of the end portion in the length direction to absorb the heat of the both end portions, and moves in the intermediate direction of the heat pipe 100, which is a direction opposite to each of the both sides of the end portion, to discharge the heat to the outside. Accordingly, when the print medium S1 having the narrow width passes through the fixing device 2, a temperature difference between the contact portion A and the non-contact portions B may be minimized by the heat circulation through the heat pipe 100.
  • the heat pipe 100 It is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the temperature of the both end portions of the fixing device 2, which are non-contact portions B, by the heat pipe 100. Even in a case in which the temperature of the non-contact portions B is increased, since it is easy for heat to flow toward the intermediate part of the fixing device 2, which is the contact portion A having the relatively low temperature, the temperature of the fixing device 2 may be uniformly maintained. That is, a temperature difference between the both end portions and the intermediate portion of the fixing device 2 is decreased by the heat pipe 100, and as the temperature difference becomes smaller, uniformity of the temperature of the fixing device 2 becomes higher.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a fixing device 3 includes the rotation member 10, the fixing belt 20, a pressure member 70, the pair of rotating ring members 81, the pair of flange members 80, the heat pipe 100, and a heat source 33, and the above-mentioned components are the same as the components described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 except for the configuration of the pressure member 70 and the heat source 33. Therefore, the components performing the same function as that of an embodiment will be denoted with the same reference numeral and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • a heating part for providing heat for fixing is formed of a heating roller, and a pressing part for providing pressure for fixing is formed of the fixing belt.
  • the heat source 33 is disposed within the rotation member 10.
  • the rotation member 10 provides heat necessary for fixing.
  • the pressure member 70 is disposed on the fixing belt 20 to provide pressure necessary for fixing.
  • the pressure member 70 includes a nib pad 73 supporting an inner surface of the fixing belt 20 to form the fixing nib N between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10, and a supporting member 71 supporting the nib pad 73 in a direction of the fixing belt 20.
  • the nib pad 73 is provided to guide the rotation of the fixing belt 20 inside the fixing belt 20.
  • the nib pad 73 pressurizes the inner surface of the fixing belt 20 in the direction of the rotation member 10 to form the fixing nib N between the fixing belt 20 and the rotation member 10.
  • the heat pipe 100 to be described below may be disposed to be in contact with the nib pad 73.
  • the nib pad 73 may be formed of a metal to transfer heat of the fixing belt 20 to the heat pipe 100.
  • the supporting member 71 reinforces the nib pad 73 so as to minimize the bending deformation of the nib pad 73.
  • the supporting member 71 is disposed below the nib pad 73 to support the nib pad 73 in the direction of the fixing belt 20.
  • the supporting member 71 is formed of a frame supporting the nib pad 73 so that the nib pad 73 is not bent in the length direction due to the pressure.
  • the heat pipe 100 is disposed inside the fixing belt 20 along a length direction of the fixing belt 20 to transfer heat of both sides of an end portion of the fixing belt 20 in the length direction thereof to an intermediate portion of the fixing belt 20.
  • the heat pipe 100 is supported in the direction of the fixing belt 20 by the supporting member 71. A lower portion of the heat pipe 100 is supported by the supporting member 71.
  • the heat pipe 100 is disposed on a side surface of the nib pad 73, and may be transferred with heat from the nib pad 73 forming the fixing nib N.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is disposed between the heat pipe 100 and the fixing belt 20.
  • the thermal conductive plate 60 is to maximize the contact area between the heat pipe 100 and the fixing belt 20, and increases adhesion between the heat pipe 100 and the fixing belt 20, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency.
  • the heat pipe 100 is elastically supported in a direction of the thermal conductive plate 60 by the elastic member 61.
  • the heat pipe 100 is pressurized by the elastic member 61, thereby making it possible to maximize the contact area with the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • a thermal conductive grease 65 may be filled between the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60.
  • the heat pipe 100 and the thermal conductive plate 60 may be in contact with each other through a soldering 65 therebetween.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an image forming device including a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the image forming device 200 includes a main body 201, a paper supplying part 210, an image forming part 220, a fixing device 1, and a paper discharging part 250.
  • the main body 201 forms an outer shape of the image forming device 200, accommodates the paper supplying part 210, the image forming part 220, the fixing device 1, and the paper discharging part 250 therein, and supports the components accommodated therein.
  • the paper supplying part 210 is installed inside the main body 201 to supply the print medium S to the image forming part 220, and includes a paper feeding cassette 211 and a pickup roller 212.
  • the paper feeding cassette 211 loads a predetermined number of print medium and the pickup roller 212 picks up the print medium loaded in the paper feeding cassette 211 one by one and supplies it to the image forming part 220.
  • a plurality of carrier rollers 215 for moving the picked up print medium S by the pickup roller 212 is installed between the pickup roller 212 and the image forming part 220.
  • the image forming part 220 forms a predetermined image on the print medium S supplied from the paper supplying part 210 and includes an exposure part 221, a development cartridge 230, and a transfer roller 240.
  • the exposure part 221 emits a predetermined light corresponding to print data according to a print command.
  • the development cartridge 220 includes a photoreceptor 231 in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the light generated by the exposure part 210, and a development roller 232 installed at one side of the photoreceptor 231 and supplying a toner to the photoreceptor 231 to develop the electrostatic latent image formed in the photoreceptor 231 to a visual image.
  • the development cartridge 230 stores a predetermined toner and includes a toner supplying roller 233 for supplying the toner to the development roller 232.
  • the transfer roller 240 is installed to rotate in a state in which it faces the photoreceptor 231 of the development cartridge 230, and transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 231 to the print medium S.
  • the fixing device 1 fixes the toner image on the print medium S by applying heat and pressure to the print medium S while the print medium S to which the toner image is transferred from the image forming part 220 passes Since the structure and the operation of the fixing device 1 are described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the paper discharging part 250 discharges the print medium S on which the image is fixed by passing through the fixing device 1, to the outside of the image forming device 200, and may include a pair of paper discharging rollers which face each other and rotate.
  • the fixing device 1 may fix the toner image transferred to the print medium S on the print medium S.
  • the present disclosure may be applied not only to an S path-type image forming device but also to a C path-type image forming device.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de fixation. Le dispositif de fixation comprend une courroie de fixation configurée pour être disposée de manière rotative ; un élément de rotation configuré pour être disposé pour former la courroie de fixation et une pointe de fixation ; un élément de pression conçu pour mettre sous pression la courroie de fixation dans un sens de la pointe de fixation ; un caloduc conçu pour être disposé à l'intérieur de la courroie de fixation le long d'un sens de la longueur de la courroie de fixation pour transférer la chaleur des deux côtés d'une partie d'extrémité dans le sens de la longueur de la courroie de fixation à une partie intermédiaire de la courroie de fixation, et pour avoir une section transversale de forme circulaire ; et une plaque conductrice thermique conçue pour être disposée entre la courroie de fixation et le caloduc.
PCT/KR2018/010819 2018-03-29 2018-09-14 Dispositif de fixation destinée à distribuer uniformément de la chaleur à travers une courroie de fixation WO2019190005A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2018-0036499 2018-03-29
KR1020180036499A KR20190114186A (ko) 2018-03-29 2018-03-29 정착벨트에 열을 고르게 분산시키기 위한 정착장치

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WO (1) WO2019190005A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11338288A (ja) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-10 Konica Corp 定着装置及び画像形成装置
US20020118984A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-08-29 Kyung-Woo Lee Fusing roller assembly for electrophotographic image forming apparatus
JP2009186784A (ja) * 2008-02-06 2009-08-20 Sharp Corp 定着装置および画像形成装置
US20100158587A1 (en) * 2008-12-24 2010-06-24 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same
JP2012145700A (ja) * 2011-01-11 2012-08-02 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11338288A (ja) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-10 Konica Corp 定着装置及び画像形成装置
US20020118984A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-08-29 Kyung-Woo Lee Fusing roller assembly for electrophotographic image forming apparatus
JP2009186784A (ja) * 2008-02-06 2009-08-20 Sharp Corp 定着装置および画像形成装置
US20100158587A1 (en) * 2008-12-24 2010-06-24 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same
JP2012145700A (ja) * 2011-01-11 2012-08-02 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置

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