JP2006350099A

JP2006350099A - Fixing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and fixing method

Info

Publication number: JP2006350099A
Application number: JP2005177854A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hiromichi Komai; 博道駒井; Yasuo Katano; 泰男片野; Tsuneo Kurotori; 恒夫黒鳥; Takuma Nakamura; 琢磨中村
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-06-17
Filing date: 2005-06-17
Publication date: 2006-12-28

Abstract

【課題】定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置、およびそのような定着装置を用いた画像形成装置、ならびに定着方法を提供する。
【解決手段】トナーを軟化させる軟化材と、それを分散または溶解する、水等の溶媒とからなる定着液を用い、その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体２３上に定着する定着装置２５において、画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定する画像濃度判定手段４６と、その画像濃度判定手段に基づき分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御する定着液吐出制御手段４７と、その定着液吐出制御手段に基づき、分割区分した領域ごとに吐出量や軟化材濃度、またはそれらの双方を加減して定着液を記録媒体に向けて吐出する定着液吐出手段４８とを備える。
【選択図】図３An image forming apparatus using such a fixing device, and an image fixing apparatus capable of obtaining a good image quality by applying an appropriate fixing solution according to an amount of toner to be fixed and performing stable fixing. Provide a method.
A fixing solution comprising a softening material that softens toner and a solvent such as water that disperses or dissolves the toner, and by adhering the fixing solution, unfixed toner is dissolved or semi-dissolved with the softening material. Then, in the fixing device 25 that fixes the image on the recording medium 23, the image surface is divided into a plurality of parts, and the image density determining means 46 for determining the image density for each divided area, and the division classification based on the image density determination means The fixing liquid discharge control means 47 for controlling the discharge of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the discharge amount and softening material concentration for each divided area based on the fixing liquid discharge control means, or And a fixing solution discharging means 48 for discharging the fixing solution toward the recording medium.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

この発明は、複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ、またはそれらの複合機などの画像形成装置に関する。特にそのうち、帯電、書込み、現像を行って像担持体上にトナー画像を形成し、そのトナー画像を直接または中間転写体を介して間接的に転写して記録媒体に画像を記録する電子写真式の画像形成装置に関する。ならびに、そのような画像形成装置において、トナー画像転写後の未定着トナーを記録媒体上に定着する定着装置および定着方法に関する。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof. In particular, an electrophotographic system in which a toner image is formed on an image carrier by charging, writing, and developing, and the toner image is transferred directly or indirectly via an intermediate transfer member to record an image on a recording medium. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. The present invention also relates to a fixing device and a fixing method for fixing unfixed toner after toner image transfer onto a recording medium in such an image forming apparatus.

プリンタ、ファクシミリ、複写機などの画像形成装置は、画像情報に基づいて、紙、布、ＯＨＰフィルム等の記録媒体に、文字や記号等を含む画像を記録するものである。このような画像形成装置には、種々の方式のものがあるが、そのうち、電子写真方式の画像形成装置は、普通紙に高精細な画像を高速で記録することができる点から、オフィスで現在広く使用されている。 Image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, and copiers record images including characters, symbols, and the like on recording media such as paper, cloth, and OHP film based on image information. There are various types of such image forming apparatuses. Among them, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can record high-definition images on plain paper at a high speed. Widely used.

電子写真方式の画像形成装置は、ドラム状やベルト状の像担持体のまわりに帯電装置、書込み装置、現像装置、転写装置、クリーニング装置、除電装置などを配置し、像担持体の回転とともに帯電して後、書込みを行って像担持体表面に静電潜像を形成し、トナーを付着することによりその静電潜像を現像して像担持体上にトナー画像を形成し、そのトナー画像を直接、またはベルト状等の中間転写体を介して間接的に転写して記録媒体に画像を記録する。そして、トナー画像転写後の記録媒体を定着装置に導き、未定着トナーを記録媒体上に定着する一方、画像転写後の像担持体表面をクリーニング装置で清掃するとともに除電し、再度の画像形成に備えていた。 In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a charging device, a writing device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a charge eliminating device, and the like are arranged around a drum-shaped or belt-shaped image bearing member, and charged with the rotation of the image bearing member. After that, writing is performed to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by attaching toner to form a toner image on the image carrier. Is directly transferred or indirectly transferred via an intermediate transfer member such as a belt to record an image on a recording medium. Then, the recording medium after the toner image transfer is guided to the fixing device, and the unfixed toner is fixed on the recording medium. On the other hand, the surface of the image carrier after the image transfer is cleaned by the cleaning device and the charge is removed, so that the image is formed again. I was prepared.

この種の電子写真方式の画像形成装置では、定着装置として、定着速度が速く、定着画像品質が良好なことなどから、記録媒体上のトナーを加熱して溶解し、これを加圧することでトナーを記録媒体上に定着させる熱定着方式が広く普及している。しかしながら、このような熱定着方式の定着装置を用いる画像形成装置では、トナーを加熱することから多量の電力が消費されており、省エネルギが叫ばれている今日、熱定着方式のものに代えて低消費電力の定着装置の採用が強く望まれている。 In this type of electrophotographic image forming apparatus, since the fixing speed is fast and the quality of the fixed image is good as a fixing device, the toner on the recording medium is heated and dissolved, and the toner is pressed by pressurizing the toner. A thermal fixing method for fixing the image on the recording medium is widely used. However, in an image forming apparatus using such a heat fixing type fixing device, a large amount of electric power is consumed because the toner is heated. Adoption of a low power consumption fixing device is strongly desired.

そこで、従来の定着装置の中には、例えば特許文献１に記載されるように、トナーを溶解または半溶解させる軟化材と、その軟化材を分散または溶解する溶媒とからなる定着液を用い、その定着液を噴霧または滴下して画像転写後の記録媒体に付着し、トナーを溶解しまたは半溶解してその後定着液を乾燥させることで未定着トナーを記録媒体上に定着する方法が提案されている。この方式の定着装置は、熱定着方式の場合のようにトナー加熱処理を必要としないことから、低消費電力で省エネルギ対策として優れた定着方式ということができる。 Therefore, in a conventional fixing device, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a fixing solution including a softening material that dissolves or semi-dissolves toner and a solvent that disperses or dissolves the softening material is used. A method for fixing unfixed toner onto a recording medium by spraying or dripping the fixing liquid onto the recording medium after image transfer, dissolving or semi-dissolving the toner, and then drying the fixing liquid is proposed. ing. Since this type of fixing device does not require toner heat treatment unlike the case of the thermal fixing method, it can be said to be a fixing method excellent in energy saving measures with low power consumption.

しかしながら、この定着方式では、記録媒体に多量の定着液が付与されるという解決課題があった。すなわち、１）定着液の溶媒として水が用いられた場合には、この多量の水が記録媒体としての紙の繊維を膨潤させてしまうこととなる。この結果、溶解したトナーが記録媒体の裏面にまで達して画像の裏抜けを生じ、画像品質を劣化させることとなる。また、２）多量の水分の吸収により記録媒体に皺やカールが発生し、画像形成装置としての安定かつ高速な記録媒体搬送を著しく損なうこととなる。さらに、３）この多量の水を乾燥装置を用いて蒸発させて除去しようとすると、上記熱定着方式に匹敵する電力消費を必要とすることとなる。またさらに、４）多量の定着液を使用するために、頻繁に定着液を交換する必要があり、また大容量の定着液タンクを使用すると、定着装置が大型化し、ひいては画像形成装置の小型化を阻害するなどの課題があった。 However, this fixing method has a problem that a large amount of fixing solution is applied to the recording medium. That is, 1) When water is used as the solvent of the fixing solution, this large amount of water swells the paper fibers as the recording medium. As a result, the melted toner reaches the back surface of the recording medium, causing image back-through and degrading the image quality. Also, 2) wrinkles and curls occur in the recording medium due to the absorption of a large amount of water, and the stable and high-speed conveyance of the recording medium as the image forming apparatus is significantly impaired. 3) If this large amount of water is removed by evaporation using a drying device, power consumption comparable to that of the thermal fixing method is required. 4) In order to use a large amount of the fixing solution, it is necessary to change the fixing solution frequently, and when a large-capacity fixing solution tank is used, the fixing device becomes larger and the image forming apparatus becomes smaller. There were problems such as obstructing.

このため、このような１）ないし４）などの問題を解決すべく、特許文献２では、定着液の付与量低減を目的とし、記録媒体上のトナー画像の位置情報、または記録媒体に転写される前の像担持体上のトナー画像の位置情報に基づき、トナー画像にのみ定着液を付与することが提案されている。 For this reason, in order to solve such problems 1) to 4), in Patent Document 2, the position information of the toner image on the recording medium or the image is transferred to the recording medium for the purpose of reducing the amount of fixing solution applied. It has been proposed to apply the fixing liquid only to the toner image based on the positional information of the toner image on the image carrier before the transfer.

特許第３２９０５１３号公報Japanese Patent No. 3290513 特開２００４−１０９７４７号公報JP 2004-109747 A 特開平７−２４６７１１号公報JP-A-7-246711 特開平９−５２３６０号公報JP-A-9-52360

ところが、特許文献２に記載されるような画像形成装置にあっては、トナー量の大小に関係なく、常に一定量の定着液を塗布していた。しかし、例えばカラー画像形成装置にあっては、一般に、画像のハイライト部とシャドウ部とでトナー量が異なっており、ハイライト部は単層の少量トナーで形成され、シャドウ部は複数層の大量トナーで形成されている。このため、カラー画像に対して、ハイライト部の定着に適する定着液の量や濃度を選択した場合には、シャドウ部の定着が不十分となり、トナー層が剥離してしまう現象が発生する。逆に、シャドウ部の定着に適する定着液の量や濃度を選択した場合には、ハイライト部の定着液が過剰となり、上述した１）ないし４）などの問題を生ずることとなる。 However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a fixed amount of fixing solution is always applied regardless of the amount of toner. However, for example, in a color image forming apparatus, the amount of toner is generally different between the highlight portion and the shadow portion of the image, the highlight portion is formed with a single layer of a small amount of toner, and the shadow portion is composed of a plurality of layers. It is formed with a large amount of toner. For this reason, when the amount and density of the fixing solution suitable for fixing the highlight portion is selected for the color image, the shadow portion is not sufficiently fixed, and the toner layer is peeled off. On the other hand, when the amount and concentration of the fixing solution suitable for fixing the shadow portion is selected, the fixing solution in the highlight portion becomes excessive, and the problems 1) to 4) described above occur.

この発明の目的は、上記のような課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置、およびそのような定着装置を用いた画像形成装置、ならびに定着方法を提供することにある。 An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is a fixing in which an appropriate fixing solution is applied according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and stable fixing is performed to obtain good image quality. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, an image forming apparatus using such a fixing device, and a fixing method.

上記目的を達成すべく、この発明の第１の態様では、
トナーを軟化させる脂肪酸エステルなどの軟化材と、その軟化材を分散または溶解する、水等の溶媒とからなる、好ましくは無臭で、かつ人体に無害な定着液を用い、その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して、紙、布、ＯＨＰフィルム等の記録媒体上に定着する定着装置において、
画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとのトナー濃度に応じてその各分割区分した領域に個別に定着液を付着するものである。
例えば、分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定する画像濃度判定手段と、その画像濃度判定手段に基づき前記分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御する定着液吐出制御手段と、その定着液吐出制御手段に基づき、分割区分した領域ごとに吐出量や軟化材濃度、またはそれらの双方を加減して定着液を噴霧したり滴下したりすることにより記録媒体に向けて吐出する定着液吐出手段とを備えるようにする。 In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention,
It consists of a softening material such as fatty acid ester that softens the toner and a solvent such as water that disperses or dissolves the softening material, and preferably uses a fixing solution that is odorless and harmless to the human body. In a fixing device that melts or semi-dissolves unfixed toner with a softening material and fixes it on a recording medium such as paper, cloth, or OHP film,
The image surface is divided into a plurality of portions, and the fixing solution is individually attached to each divided and divided area according to the toner density of each divided and divided area.
For example, an image density determination unit that determines an image density for each divided area, and a fixing liquid discharge that controls discharge of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided area based on the image density determination unit Based on the control means and the fixing liquid discharge control means, the fixing liquid is sprayed or dropped by adjusting the discharge amount, the softening material concentration, or both for each divided area, and directed toward the recording medium. And a fixing liquid discharging means for discharging the liquid.

定着液吐出手段は、例えばインクジェットヘッドなどの吐出ヘッドを有する。吐出ヘッドとしては、複数の吐出口列を記録媒体の搬送方向と直交する幅方向に並べて、記録媒体を搬送しながら吐出口から定着液を吐出するライン型のものを備え、またはキャリッジ等に搭載して幅方向に往復動しながら記録媒体を搬送し、吐出口から定着液を吐出するシリアル型のものを備える。また、定着装置には、ベルト面に多数の透孔を有するエンドレスの搬送ベルトと、透孔を通して吸気して記録媒体を搬送ベルトに吸着する吸引手段とを有する記録媒体搬送手段を備え、吸引手段により多数の透孔を通して吸気して記録媒体を搬送ベルトに吸着しながら、その搬送ベルトの走行にともない搬送するとよい。 The fixing liquid discharge unit has a discharge head such as an inkjet head. As the ejection head, a plurality of ejection port arrays are arranged in the width direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction, and a line type that ejects the fixing liquid from the ejection port while conveying the recording medium is provided, or mounted on a carriage or the like Then, a serial type medium is provided that conveys the recording medium while reciprocating in the width direction and discharges the fixing liquid from the discharge port. In addition, the fixing device includes a recording medium transport unit having an endless transport belt having a plurality of through holes on the belt surface, and a suction unit that sucks air through the through holes and sucks the recording medium to the transport belt. Thus, the recording medium may be sucked through a large number of through holes and adsorbed to the conveying belt, and conveyed as the conveying belt travels.

上記目的を達成すべく、この発明の第２の態様では、
請求項１ないし１１に記載の定着装置を備えることを特徴とする画像形成装置であり、
記録媒体上のトナー画像、または記録媒体に転写される前の像担持体上のトナー画像を読み取る画像読取センサを備え、その画像読取センサの出力信号を画像濃度判定手段に入力したり、原稿の画像面を読み取る画像読取装置を備え、その画像読取装置の出力信号を画像濃度判定手段に入力したり、ホストまたは別のファクシミリからの印字データを画像濃度判定手段に入力したりする。 In order to achieve the above object, in the second aspect of the present invention,
An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1.
An image reading sensor that reads a toner image on a recording medium or a toner image on an image carrier before being transferred to the recording medium is provided, and an output signal of the image reading sensor is input to an image density determination unit, An image reading device that reads an image surface is provided, and an output signal of the image reading device is input to the image density determination unit, or print data from a host or another facsimile is input to the image density determination unit.

また、定着装置の定着液吐出手段で吐出して定着液を付着した記録媒体を、常温で自然乾燥したり、風や熱を当てて強制乾燥したりする。 Further, the recording medium ejected by the fixing liquid ejecting means of the fixing device and attached with the fixing liquid is naturally dried at normal temperature or forcedly dried by applying wind or heat.

上記目的を達成すべく、この発明の第３の態様では、
トナーを軟化させる脂肪酸エステルなどの軟化材と、その軟化材を分散または溶解する、水等の溶媒とからなる、好ましくは無臭で、かつ人体に無害な定着液を用いる定着方法において、
画像読取センサや画像読取装置からの画像読取りデータや、ホストまたは別のファクシミリからの印字データなどを画像濃度判定手段に入力し、
その画像濃度判定手段により、画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定し、
その濃度判定結果に基づき、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御し、
その吐出制御に基づき、分割区分した領域ごとに定着液を噴霧したり滴下したりすることにより定着液を記録媒体に向けて吐出し、
その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体上に定着する。 In order to achieve the above object, in the third aspect of the present invention,
In a fixing method using a softening material such as a fatty acid ester that softens the toner and a solvent such as water that disperses or dissolves the softening material, preferably odorless and harmless to the human body.
Input image reading data from an image reading sensor or image reading device, print data from a host or another facsimile, etc., to the image density determination means,
The image density determination means determines the image density for each of the divided areas by dividing the image surface into a plurality of areas,
Based on the density determination result, the discharge of the fixing liquid is controlled in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas,
Based on the discharge control, the fixing solution is discharged toward the recording medium by spraying or dropping the fixing solution for each divided area,
By adhering the fixing solution, unfixed toner is dissolved or semi-dissolved with a softening material and fixed on the recording medium.

例えば、定着液吐出制御手段により、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液を複数段に分けて制御し、吐出量や軟化材濃度、またはそれらの双方を加減して定着液吐出手段から定着液を噴霧したり滴下したりすることにより記録媒体に向けて吐出する。 For example, the fixing liquid discharge control means controls the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and adjusts the discharge amount, the softening material concentration, or both of them to adjust the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid discharge means. Is sprayed or dropped onto the recording medium.

請求項１に記載の発明によれば、画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとのトナー濃度に応じてその各分割区分した領域に個別に前記定着液を付着するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image surface is divided into a plurality of parts, and the fixing solution is individually attached to the divided areas according to the toner density of the divided areas. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fixing device in which an appropriate fixing solution is applied in accordance with the amount of toner to be used and stable fixing is performed to obtain good image quality.

請求項２に記載の発明によれば、分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定し、その濃度判定結果に基づき分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御し、その吐出制御に基づき分割区分した領域ごとに定着液を記録媒体に向けて吐出し、その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体上に定着するので、簡潔な構成で、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image density for each divided area is determined, and the discharge of the fixing liquid is controlled in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided area based on the density determination result. Since the fixing solution is discharged toward the recording medium for each divided area based on the discharge control, and the fixing solution is attached, the unfixed toner is dissolved or semi-dissolved by the softening material and fixed on the recording medium. Thus, it is possible to provide a fixing device that has a simple configuration and that can apply a suitable fixing solution in accordance with the amount of toner to be fixed and perform stable fixing to obtain good image quality.

請求項３に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出手段にインクジェットヘッドを有するので、定着液の吐出量制御を容易とすることができる。
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出手段にライン型吐出ヘッドを備え、その吐出ヘッドから定着液を記録媒体に向けて吐出するので、複数の吐出口列を記録媒体の搬送方向と直交する幅方向に並べて、記録媒体を搬送しながら吐出口から定着液を吐出し、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the fixing liquid discharge means has the ink jet head, it is possible to easily control the discharge amount of the fixing liquid.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fixing liquid discharge means includes the line type discharge head, and the fixing liquid is discharged from the discharge head toward the recording medium. The fixing solution is ejected from the ejection port while transporting the recording medium, and the fixing solution is applied in an appropriate amount according to the amount of toner to be fixed. An obtained fixing device can be provided.

請求項５に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出手段にシリアル型吐出ヘッドを備え、その吐出ヘッドから定着液を記録媒体に向けて吐出するので、定着液吐出手段をキャリッジに搭載して幅方向に往復動しながら記録媒体を搬送し、吐出ヘッドの吐出口から定着液を吐出し、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fixing liquid discharging means includes the serial type discharge head, and the fixing liquid is discharged from the discharging head toward the recording medium. Conveys the recording medium while reciprocating in the direction, discharges the fixer from the discharge port of the discharge head, applies an appropriate fixer according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and performs stable fixing to achieve good image quality Can be provided.

請求項６に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出制御手段により、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出量をそれぞれ複数段に分けて制御し、定着液吐出手段から定着液の吐出量を複数段に分けて吐出するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて吐出量を変えて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the fixing liquid discharge control means controls the discharge amount of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and discharges the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid discharge means. Since the amount is ejected in a plurality of stages, a fixing device is provided which can apply a suitable fixing solution by changing the ejection amount according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and perform stable fixing to obtain good image quality. be able to.

請求項７に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出制御手段により、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の軟化材濃度をそれぞれ複数段に分けて制御し、定着液吐出手段から定着液の軟化材濃度を複数段に分けて吐出するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて軟化材濃度を変えて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the fixing liquid discharge control means controls the softener concentration of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the fixing liquid discharge means controls the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid discharge means. Since the softener concentration is ejected in multiple stages, the fixing device can apply the appropriate fixer and change the softener concentration according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and perform stable fixing to obtain good image quality. Can be provided.

請求項８に記載の発明によれば、軟化材濃度の異なる定着液を吐出する定着液吐出手段を複数備え、それらの定着液吐出手段の１つを定着液吐出制御手段により適宜選択して分割区分した領域に対応して定着液吐出手段から定着液の軟化材濃度を複数段に分けて吐出するので、簡単な構成で、定着すべきトナー量に応じて軟化材濃度を変えて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the invention described in claim 8, there are provided a plurality of fixing liquid discharging means for discharging fixing liquids having different softening agent concentrations, and one of the fixing liquid discharging means is appropriately selected by the fixing liquid discharge control means and divided. Since the softener concentration of the fixer is discharged in multiple stages from the fixer discharge means corresponding to the divided areas, it is easy to change the softener concentration according to the amount of toner to be fixed. It is possible to provide a fixing device that can apply a liquid and perform stable fixing to obtain good image quality.

請求項９に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出制御手段により、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出量とともに軟化材濃度を各々複数段に分けて制御し、定着液吐出手段から定着液を吐出量とともに軟化材濃度を複数段に分けて吐出するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて量とともに軟化材濃度を変えて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着装置を提供することができる。 According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the fixing liquid discharge control unit controls the softener concentration together with the discharge amount of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and from the fixing liquid discharge unit. Since the fixer is discharged in multiple stages along with the discharge amount of the softener, the softener concentration is changed according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and an appropriate fixer is applied to perform stable fixing. It is possible to provide a fixing device capable of obtaining a satisfactory image quality.

請求項１０に記載の発明によれば、定着液として無臭で、かつ人体に無害なものを使用するので、使い勝手よく安全に使用することができる。 According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the fixing solution is odorless and harmless to the human body, it can be used conveniently and safely.

請求項１１に記載の発明によれば、溶媒として水を用いるので、環境にやさしく、安価であり、無臭無害で、使い勝手がよく安全に使用することができる。 According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, since water is used as a solvent, it is environmentally friendly, inexpensive, odorless and harmless, easy to use and safe to use.

請求項１２に記載の発明によれば、吸引手段により多数の透孔を通して吸気して記録媒体を搬送ベルトに吸着し、その搬送ベルトの走行にともない搬送するので、記録媒体搬送手段で記録媒体を搬送しながら定着装置で安定した定着を行うことができる。 According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the recording medium is sucked by the suction means through the many through holes and adsorbed to the transport belt, and transported as the transport belt travels. Stable fixing can be performed by the fixing device while being conveyed.

請求項１３に記載の発明によれば、請求項１ないし１１に記載の定着装置を備えるので、定着装置で、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる画像形成装置を提供することができる。 According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since the fixing device according to the first to eleventh aspects is provided, an appropriate fixing solution is applied by the fixing device according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and stable fixing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can obtain good image quality.

請求項１４に記載の発明によれば、記録媒体上のトナー画像、または記録媒体に転写される前の像担持体上のトナー画像を読み取る画像読取センサを備え、その画像読取センサの出力信号を画像濃度判定手段に入力するので、画像読取センサからの画像読取データに基づき、定着装置で、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる画像形成装置を提供することができる。 According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the image reading sensor for reading the toner image on the recording medium or the toner image on the image carrier before being transferred to the recording medium is provided, and an output signal of the image reading sensor is obtained. Since it is input to the image density determination means, an appropriate fixing solution is applied by the fixing device according to the amount of toner to be fixed on the basis of the image reading data from the image reading sensor, and stable fixing is performed to achieve good image quality. Can be provided.

請求項１５に記載の発明によれば、原稿の画像面を読み取る画像読取装置を備え、その画像読取装置の出力信号を画像濃度判定手段に入力するので、画像読取装置からの画像読取データに基づき、定着装置で、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる画像形成装置を提供することができる。 According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, since the image reading device for reading the image surface of the original is provided and the output signal of the image reading device is input to the image density determination means, the image reading data from the image reading device is used. The fixing device can provide an image forming apparatus in which an appropriate fixing solution is applied according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and stable fixing is performed to obtain good image quality.

請求項１６に記載の発明によれば、ホストまたは別のファクシミリからの印字データを画像濃度判定手段に入力するので、ホストまたは別のファクシミリからの印字データに基づき、定着装置で、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる画像形成装置を提供することができる。 According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the print data from the host or another facsimile is input to the image density determination means. Therefore, the toner to be fixed by the fixing device based on the print data from the host or another facsimile. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which an appropriate fixing solution is applied according to the amount and stable fixing is performed to obtain good image quality.

請求項１７に記載の発明によれば、定着装置の定着液吐出手段で吐出して定着液を付着した記録媒体を自然乾燥するので、優れた省エネルギ対策の画像形成装置を提供することができる。 According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, since the recording medium discharged by the fixing liquid discharging means of the fixing apparatus and having the fixing liquid attached thereto is naturally dried, an image forming apparatus with excellent energy saving measures can be provided. .

請求項１８に記載の発明によれば、定着装置の定着液吐出手段で吐出して定着液を付着した記録媒体を強制乾燥するので、定着時間が短く一層安定した良好な定着を行う画像形成装置を提供することができる。 According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the recording medium ejected by the fixing liquid ejecting means of the fixing device and forcedly dried is attached to the recording medium, so that the image forming apparatus can perform better fixing with a shorter fixing time and more stable. Can be provided.

請求項１９に記載の発明によれば、分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定し、その濃度判定結果に基づき分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御し、その吐出制御に基づき分割区分した領域ごとに定着液を記録媒体に向けて吐出し、その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体上に定着するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着方法を提供することができる。 According to the invention described in claim 19, the image density for each divided area is determined, and the discharge of the fixing liquid is controlled in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided area based on the density determination result, Since the fixing solution is discharged toward the recording medium for each divided area based on the discharge control, and the fixing solution is attached, the unfixed toner is dissolved or semi-dissolved by the softening material and fixed on the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to provide a fixing method in which an appropriate fixing solution is applied in accordance with the amount of toner to be fixed, and stable fixing is performed to obtain good image quality.

請求項２０に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出制御手段により、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出量をそれぞれ複数段に分けて制御し、定着液吐出手段から定着液の量を複数段に分けて吐出するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて量を変えて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着方法を提供することができる。 According to the twentieth aspect, the fixing liquid discharge control means controls the discharge amount of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the amount of the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid discharge means. Therefore, it is possible to provide a fixing method capable of obtaining a good image quality by applying an appropriate fixing solution by changing the amount according to the amount of toner to be fixed and performing stable fixing. it can.

請求項２１に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出制御手段により、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の軟化材濃度をそれぞれ複数段に分けて制御し、定着液吐出手段から定着液の軟化材濃度を複数段に分けて吐出するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて軟化材濃度を変えて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着方法を提供することができる。 According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the fixing liquid discharge control means controls the softener concentration of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the fixing liquid discharge means controls the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid discharge means. Since the softener concentration is ejected in multiple stages, the fixing method can be applied with a suitable fixing solution by changing the softener concentration according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and stable fixing can be performed to obtain good image quality. Can be provided.

請求項２２に記載の発明によれば、定着液吐出制御手段により、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出量とともに軟化材濃度を各々複数段に分けて制御し、定着液吐出手段から定着液を吐出量とともに軟化材濃度を複数段に分けて吐出するので、定着すべきトナー量に応じて量とともに軟化材濃度を変えて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる定着方法を提供することができる。 According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the fixing liquid discharge control unit controls the softener concentration together with the discharge amount of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and from the fixing liquid discharge unit. Since the fixer is discharged in multiple stages along with the discharge amount of the softener, the softener concentration is changed according to the amount of toner to be fixed, and an appropriate fixer is applied to perform stable fixing. It is possible to provide a fixing method capable of obtaining excellent image quality.

以下、図面を参照しつつ、この発明の実施の最良形態につき説明する。
図１には、複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ、またはそれらの複合機などの画像形成装置の要部構成を示す。図示のものは、電子写真方式のタンデム型カラー画像形成装置である。 The best mode of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a main configuration of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof. The illustrated one is an electrophotographic tandem color image forming apparatus.

図中符号１０は、無端ベルト状の像担持体である中間転写体である。中間転写体１０は、図示例では１つの駆動ローラ１２と２つの従動ローラ１３・１４に掛けまわして図中時計まわりに回転走行可能に設ける。もちろん、中間転写体１０を掛けまわすローラは、３つに限らず、別途中間転写体１０の片寄りを調整するローラなど、４つ以上のローラに掛けまわすようにしてもよい。 Reference numeral 10 in the figure denotes an intermediate transfer member which is an endless belt-like image carrier. In the illustrated example, the intermediate transfer member 10 is provided so as to rotate around one drive roller 12 and two driven rollers 13 and 14 so as to rotate clockwise in the drawing. Needless to say, the number of rollers around which the intermediate transfer member 10 is wound is not limited to three, and it may be wound around four or more rollers such as a roller for adjusting the offset of the intermediate transfer member 10 separately.

中間転写体１０のまわりには、駆動ローラ１２と従動ローラ１３間に張り渡した水平部分上に、中間転写体１０の搬送方向に沿って順に、ブラック・イエロ・マゼンタ・シアンの４つの単色作像手段１５Ｋ・１５Ｙ・１５Ｍ・１５Ｃを横に並べて配置し、タンデム作像装置１６を構成する。タンデム作像装置１６の上には、図示省略するが、さらに露光装置などが設けられている。 Around the intermediate transfer member 10, four monochrome products of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan are arranged in order along the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member 10 on a horizontal portion stretched between the driving roller 12 and the driven roller 13. The image means 15K, 15Y, 15M, and 15C are arranged side by side to constitute the tandem image forming device 16. Although not shown, an exposure device and the like are further provided on the tandem image forming device 16.

さらに、一方の従動ローラ１３の左には、二次クリーニング装置１７を設ける。また、他方の従動ローラ１４の下には、二次転写装置１８を備える。二次転写装置１８は、図示例では、２つのローラ１９間に、無端ベルトである二次転写ベルト２０を掛けまわして構成する。この二次転写装置は、図示例のものに代えて、ローラ状のものでもよく、非接触のチャージャを配置してもよい。 Further, a secondary cleaning device 17 is provided on the left side of the one driven roller 13. A secondary transfer device 18 is provided below the other driven roller 14. In the illustrated example, the secondary transfer device 18 is configured by winding a secondary transfer belt 20 that is an endless belt between two rollers 19. The secondary transfer device may be a roller-like one instead of the illustrated example, and a non-contact charger may be arranged.

中間転写体１０の下には、中間転写体１０と二次転写ベルト２０間の二次転写位置２２を通過して記録媒体２３を搬送する記録媒体搬送路Ｐを設け、記録媒体搬送路Ｐに沿って二次転写位置２２の上流にはレジストローラ２４を配置し、下流には定着装置２５を設置する。 Under the intermediate transfer body 10, a recording medium conveyance path P that conveys the recording medium 23 through the secondary transfer position 22 between the intermediate transfer body 10 and the secondary transfer belt 20 is provided. A registration roller 24 is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer position 22 and a fixing device 25 is disposed downstream.

４つの単色作像手段１５Ｋ・１５Ｙ・１５Ｍ・１５Ｃは、それぞれ図２に示すような同一の構成をなす。 The four monochrome image forming means 15K, 15Y, 15M, and 15C have the same configuration as shown in FIG.

図中符号３０は、ドラム状の像担持体である感光体である。感光体３０のまわりには、上方に配置する帯電装置３１から図中矢示する回転方向に順に、現像装置３２、一次転写装置３３、一次クリーニング装置３４、除電装置３５などを配置する。 Reference numeral 30 in the drawing denotes a photosensitive member which is a drum-shaped image carrier. Around the photosensitive member 30, a developing device 32, a primary transfer device 33, a primary cleaning device 34, a charge removal device 35, and the like are arranged in order from the charging device 31 disposed above in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing.

ところで、帯電装置３１は、帯電ローラを用いる接触帯電方式を採用したが、スコロトロンチャージなどを用いる非接触帯電方式を採用してもよい。現像装置３２は、不図示の攪拌部と現像部とで構成され、それぞれには各色現像剤を収納してなる。現像部で現像に寄与しなかった現像剤は、攪拌部に戻されて再利用される。攪拌部のトナー濃度は、トナー濃度センサで検出されて一定になるように制御されている。現像剤を構成するトナーは、それぞれの色に着色された樹脂材料からなる。トナーを構成する樹脂としては、ポリスチレン樹脂、ポリプロピレン樹脂、ポリアクリル樹脂、ポリエステル樹脂などを上げることができる。 The charging device 31 employs a contact charging method using a charging roller, but may employ a non-contact charging method using a scorotron charge or the like. The developing device 32 includes a stirring unit (not shown) and a developing unit, each of which stores each color developer. The developer that has not contributed to development in the developing unit is returned to the stirring unit and reused. The toner concentration in the agitation unit is controlled so as to be constant as detected by the toner concentration sensor. The toner constituting the developer is made of a resin material colored in each color. Examples of the resin constituting the toner include polystyrene resin, polypropylene resin, polyacrylic resin, and polyester resin.

また、一次転写装置３３は、図示例では転写ローラ方式を採用し、中間転写体１０を挟んで感光体３０に押し当てるように配置するが、転写ローラ方式の他に導電性ブラシ形状のものや、非接触のコロナチャージャなどを採用することもできる。一次クリーニング装置３４には、クリーニング部材として、ここでは先端を感光体３０に押し当てるクリーニングブレード３６を用いている。クリーニングブレード３６で掻き落とされたトナーは、不図示の回収スクリュやトナーリサイクル装置で現像装置３２に回収して再利用することができる。除電装置３５としては、例えばランプを用いる。 In the illustrated example, the primary transfer device 33 employs a transfer roller system and is disposed so as to be pressed against the photoconductor 30 with the intermediate transfer body 10 interposed therebetween. A non-contact corona charger can also be used. In the primary cleaning device 34, here, a cleaning blade 36 that presses the tip against the photoconductor 30 is used as a cleaning member. The toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 36 can be collected and reused in the developing device 32 by a collection screw (not shown) or a toner recycling device. For example, a lamp is used as the static eliminating device 35.

そして、感光体３０の反時計まわりの回転とともに、感光体３０の表面を帯電装置３１で一様に帯電し、不図示の露光装置で書込み光Ｌｋ・Ｌｙ・Ｌｍ・Ｌｃを照射してそれぞれ感光体３０上に静電潜像を形成して後、現像装置３２で各色トナーを付着してその静電潜像を可視像化し、各感光体３０上に各色の単色トナー画像を形成する。 As the photoconductor 30 rotates counterclockwise, the surface of the photoconductor 30 is uniformly charged by the charging device 31, and the exposure light (not shown) irradiates writing light Lk, Ly, Lm, and Lc, respectively. After forming an electrostatic latent image on the body 30, toner of each color is attached by the developing device 32 to visualize the electrostatic latent image, and a single color toner image of each color is formed on each photoreceptor 30.

各感光体３０の回転とともに中間転写体１０も同期して回転し、各感光体３０上の単色トナー画像をそれぞれ一次転写装置３３で順次転写し、中間転写体１０上に合成カラー画像を形成する。トナー画像転写後の感光体３０は、表面を一次クリーニング装置３４で清掃して後、除電装置３５で除電して初期化し、再び帯電装置３１からはじまる再度の画像形成に備える。 As each photoconductor 30 rotates, the intermediate transfer body 10 also rotates synchronously, and the single color toner images on each photoconductor 30 are sequentially transferred by the primary transfer device 33 to form a composite color image on the intermediate transfer body 10. . After the toner image has been transferred, the surface of the photoconductor 30 is cleaned by the primary cleaning device 34, and then is neutralized by the charge eliminating device 35 to be initialized, and is prepared for another image formation starting from the charging device 31 again.

記録媒体２３は、記録媒体搬送路Ｐを通して搬送し、中間転写体１０上に形成した合成カラー画像にタイミングを合わせてレジストローラ２４で二次転写位置２２へと送り込む。そして、二次転写装置１８で中間転写体１０上の合成カラー画像を記録媒体２３に転写し、二次転写装置１８で搬送して定着装置２５へと導き、その定着装置２５で未定着トナーを記録媒体２３に定着して後、不図示の排紙スタック部へと排出する。 The recording medium 23 is conveyed through the recording medium conveyance path P, and is sent to the secondary transfer position 22 by the registration roller 24 in time with the synthesized color image formed on the intermediate transfer body 10. Then, the composite color image on the intermediate transfer body 10 is transferred to the recording medium 23 by the secondary transfer device 18, conveyed by the secondary transfer device 18 to the fixing device 25, and unfixed toner is removed by the fixing device 25. After fixing on the recording medium 23, the recording medium 23 is discharged to a discharge stack unit (not shown).

一方、画像転写後の中間転写体１０は、表面を二次クリーニング装置１７で清掃して再度の画像転写に備える。 On the other hand, the intermediate transfer body 10 after image transfer is cleaned by the secondary cleaning device 17 to prepare for image transfer again.

図３には、上述した定着装置２５の概要構成を示す。
図中符号４０は、定着装置２５に備え、記録媒体２３を搬送する記録媒体搬送手段である。記録媒体搬送手段４０は、２つの搬送ローラ４１に、ベルト面に多数の透孔を有するエンドレスの搬送ベルト４２を掛けまわし、その搬送ベルト４２の上側張り渡し部分の内側にベルト面に対向して吸引板４３を配置してなる。吸引板４３には、吸引ポンプなどを接続して吸引手段４４を構成し、ベルト面に対向する板面に複数の吸引口を設けてなる。 FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the fixing device 25 described above.
Reference numeral 40 in the drawing denotes a recording medium transport unit that is provided in the fixing device 25 and transports the recording medium 23. The recording medium conveying means 40 hangs an endless conveying belt 42 having a plurality of through holes on the belt surface around two conveying rollers 41, and faces the belt surface inside the upper stretched portion of the conveying belt 42. A suction plate 43 is arranged. A suction pump 44 or the like is connected to the suction plate 43 to constitute the suction means 44, and a plurality of suction ports are provided on the plate surface facing the belt surface.

そして、吸引ポンプなどを作動するとともに搬送ローラ４１の一方を回転して他方を従動回転し、搬送ベルト４２を反時計まわりに回転走行する。これにより、二次転写後の記録媒体２３を上側張り渡し部分上に載せ、吸引ポンプなどで吸引板４３の吸引口から搬送ベルト４２の透孔を通して吸気し、吸引手段４４で記録媒体２３をベルト面に吸着しながら搬送ベルト４２の走行とともに矢示方向に搬送可能とする。 Then, while operating the suction pump or the like, one of the transport rollers 41 is rotated and the other is driven to rotate, and the transport belt 42 is rotated counterclockwise. As a result, the recording medium 23 after the secondary transfer is placed on the upper stretched portion, and sucked from the suction port of the suction plate 43 through the through hole of the conveying belt 42 by a suction pump or the like, and the recording medium 23 is belted by the suction means 44. The sheet can be conveyed in the direction of the arrow as the conveyor belt 42 travels while adsorbing to the surface.

このような記録媒体搬送手段４０の搬送ベルト４２上には、上側張り渡し部分のベルト面に上側から対向して画像読取センサ４５を設ける。画像読取センサ４５は、例えば発光素子と受光素子とからなる反射型の光センサで、搬送ベルト４２の走行方向と直交する幅方向に複数の画像読取素子を並べて備え、定位置で、搬送する記録媒体２３上のトナー画像を読み取るライン型のものでも、キャリッジ上に搭載して搬送ベルト４２の走行方向と直交する幅方向に往復動しながら、それに備える画像読取素子で、搬送する記録媒体２３上のトナー画像を読み取るシリアル型のものでもよい。そして、例えば３００ｄｐｉの解像度で読み取る。 An image reading sensor 45 is provided on the conveying belt 42 of the recording medium conveying means 40 so as to face the belt surface of the upper stretched portion from above. The image reading sensor 45 is a reflection type optical sensor composed of, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The image reading sensor 45 includes a plurality of image reading elements arranged side by side in a width direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the conveying belt 42 and is conveyed at a fixed position. Even a line type that reads a toner image on the medium 23 is mounted on the carriage and reciprocates in the width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the conveying belt 42, and is conveyed on the recording medium 23 to be conveyed by the image reading element provided therein. It may be a serial type that reads the toner image. Then, for example, it is read at a resolution of 300 dpi.

画像読取センサ４５には、電気回路で構成した画像濃度判定手段４６を接続する。そして、画像読取センサ４５の出力信号を画像濃度判定手段４６に入力し、画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定する。例えば、画像面の１ラインを３００ｄｐｉに分割して各画像濃度に応じて分割区分した領域を非画像部、ハイライト画像部、ベタ画像部に分け、さらにベタ画像部を１次色と２次色以上に分け、合計４種類の画像濃度状態に分類する。 The image reading sensor 45 is connected to an image density determination means 46 constituted by an electric circuit. Then, the output signal of the image reading sensor 45 is input to the image density determination means 46, and the image surface is divided into a plurality of areas, and the image density for each divided area is determined. For example, one line of the image plane is divided into 300 dpi, and the area divided according to each image density is divided into a non-image portion, a highlight image portion, and a solid image portion, and the solid image portion is further divided into a primary color and a secondary image portion. They are divided into colors or more, and are classified into a total of four types of image density states.

画像濃度判定手段４６には、電気回路で構成した定着液吐出制御手段４７を接続する。そして、画像濃度判定手段４６の出力信号を定着液吐出制御手段４７に入力し、画像濃度判定手段４６の濃度判定結果に基づき、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御する。例えば、定着液の吐出量を、「大」「中」「小」と「なし」の複数段に分けて制御する。 The image density determination means 46 is connected with a fixing liquid discharge control means 47 constituted by an electric circuit. Then, the output signal of the image density determination means 46 is inputted to the fixing liquid discharge control means 47, and the discharge of the fixing liquid is divided into a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas based on the density determination result of the image density determination means 46. Control. For example, the discharge amount of the fixing liquid is controlled in a plurality of stages of “large”, “medium”, “small”, and “none”.

定着液吐出制御手段４７には、定着液吐出手段４８を接続する。定着液吐出手段４８は、不図示の定着液タンクに吐出ヘッドを接続して設ける。吐出ヘッドとしては、吐出制御が容易な点から、例えばＰＺＴインクジェットヘッドを用いる。吐出ヘッドは、図４に示すようなライン型のもの５０でも、図５に示すようなシリアル型のもの５１でもよい。 A fixing liquid discharge means 48 is connected to the fixing liquid discharge control means 47. The fixer discharge means 48 is provided by connecting a discharge head to a fixer tank (not shown). As the discharge head, for example, a PZT ink jet head is used because discharge control is easy. The discharge head may be a line type 50 as shown in FIG. 4 or a serial type 51 as shown in FIG.

ライン型の吐出ヘッド５０では、搬送ベルト４２の走行方向、すなわち記録媒体２３の搬送方向と直交する幅方向に、例えば３００ｄｐｉ密度で吐出口列５０ａを備え、定位置で、搬送する記録媒体２３に向けて定着液を吐出する。また、シリアル型の吐出ヘッド５１では、搬送ベルト４２の走行方向、すなわち記録媒体２３の搬送方向に、例えば３００ｄｐｉ密度で吐出口列５１ａを備え、不図示のキャリッジ上に搭載して搬送ベルト４２の走行方向と直交する幅方向に往復動しながら、吐出口列５１ａから、搬送する記録媒体２３に向けて定着液を吐出する。 The line-type ejection head 50 is provided with ejection port arrays 50a with a density of, for example, 300 dpi in the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 42, that is, the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 23, and the recording medium 23 to be conveyed at a fixed position. The fixer is discharged. Further, the serial type ejection head 51 includes ejection port arrays 51a with a density of, for example, 300 dpi in the traveling direction of the conveyance belt 42, that is, the conveyance direction of the recording medium 23, and is mounted on a carriage (not shown). While reciprocating in the width direction orthogonal to the running direction, the fixing liquid is discharged from the discharge port array 51a toward the recording medium 23 to be conveyed.

つまり、画像読取センサ４５で読み取った記録媒体２３上の読取ラインが、定着液吐出手段４８の吐出ヘッド５０・５１の真下に移動してきたタイミングに合わせて、順次定着液吐出制御手段４７の吐出制御に基づき、分割区分した領域ごとに分けて吐出量を加減して吐出ヘッド５０・５１から噴霧したり滴下したりすることにより定着液を記録媒体２３に向けて吐出する。例えば、分割区分した領域に対応して４種類の画像濃度状態に合わせ、定着液を、吐出なし、小径滴、中径滴、大径滴の４段階に打ち分ける。 That is, the discharge control of the fixing liquid discharge control means 47 sequentially in accordance with the timing at which the reading line on the recording medium 23 read by the image reading sensor 45 has moved directly below the discharge heads 50 and 51 of the fixing liquid discharge means 48. On the basis of the above, the fixing liquid is discharged toward the recording medium 23 by spraying or dropping from the discharge heads 50 and 51 by adjusting the discharge amount separately for each divided region. For example, in accordance with the four divided image density states corresponding to the divided areas, the fixing liquid is divided into four stages of no discharge, small diameter drops, medium diameter drops, and large diameter drops.

定着液は、定着液タンクに収納する。そして、定着液吐出制御手段４７の吐出制御に基づき、その定着液タンク内の定着液を吐出ヘッド５０・５１に供給する。そして、記録媒体２３に定着液を付着することにより、定着液の軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体２３上に定着する。なお、この定着液吐出手段４８には、液詰まりを防止する適宜の回復手段などを設けることができる。 The fixer is stored in a fixer tank. Then, based on the discharge control of the fixing liquid discharge control means 47, the fixing liquid in the fixing liquid tank is supplied to the discharge heads 50 and 51. Then, by fixing the fixing solution to the recording medium 23, the unfixed toner is dissolved or semi-dissolved by the softening material of the fixing solution and fixed on the recording medium 23. The fixing liquid discharge means 48 can be provided with an appropriate recovery means for preventing liquid clogging.

この定着装置２５で使用する定着液は、トナーを溶解または半溶解して軟化させる軟化材と、その軟化材を分散または溶解する溶媒とからなる。無臭で、かつ人体に無害なものであることが好ましく、この点から、軟化材としては、脂肪酸エステル、詳しくは直鎖飽和脂肪酸エステル、脂肪族ニ塩基酸エステル、および脂肪族ニ塩基酸ジアルコキシジアルキルエステルなどを用いることが好ましい。また、溶媒は、環境保護の観点から、水を用いることが好ましく、所定濃度の軟化材を含む定着液の未定着トナーに対する濡れ性や、紙への浸透速度を制御する目的から、界面活性材を添加することも可能である。 The fixing solution used in the fixing device 25 includes a softening material that dissolves or semi-dissolves the toner and softens it, and a solvent that disperses or dissolves the softening material. It is preferably odorless and harmless to the human body. In this respect, the softening material includes fatty acid esters, specifically linear saturated fatty acid esters, aliphatic dibasic acid esters, and aliphatic dibasic acid dialkoxys. It is preferable to use a dialkyl ester or the like. Further, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, water is preferably used as the solvent. For the purpose of controlling the wettability of the fixing solution containing the softening material having a predetermined concentration to the unfixed toner and the penetration rate into the paper, the surfactant is used. It is also possible to add.

定着装置２５では、以上のように、画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定し、その濃度判定結果に基づき分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御し、その吐出制御に基づき分割区分した領域ごとに定着液を記録媒体に向けて吐出し、その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体上に定着する。その後、常温で放置して乾燥してもよいし、送風したり加熱したりして強制的に乾燥するようにしてもよい。 As described above, the fixing device 25 divides the image surface into a plurality of parts, determines the image density of each divided area, and discharges the fixing liquid corresponding to the divided area based on the density determination result. Control is divided into multiple stages, and the fixer is discharged to the recording medium for each divided area based on the discharge control, and the unfixed toner is dissolved or semi-dissolved with a softening material by attaching the fixer. To fix on the recording medium. Then, it may be left to dry at room temperature, or it may be forced to dry by blowing or heating.

これにより、例えば３００ｄｐｉに区分された未定着トナー画像領域のトナー量に対応して定着液の付与量を制御することが可能となるが、小径滴の吐出量はハイライト画像部の未定着トナーを十分軟化するように、また中径滴、および大径滴の吐出口量は１次色と２次色以上の未定着トナーを十分軟化するように選定される。その結果、未定着画像のトナー量に応じた定着液の付与が可能となり、未定着トナーに対するトナー溶解または半溶解度合いの過不足がなくなり、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる。 This makes it possible to control the application amount of the fixing liquid in accordance with the toner amount of the unfixed toner image area divided into 300 dpi, for example. The discharge port amount of the medium diameter droplet and the large diameter droplet is selected so as to sufficiently soften the unfixed toner of the primary color and the secondary color. As a result, it is possible to apply a fixer according to the amount of toner in the unfixed image, and there is no excess or deficiency in the degree of toner dissolution or semi-dissolution in the unfixed toner, and an appropriate fixer is applied according to the amount of toner to be fixed. In addition, stable fixing can be performed to obtain good image quality.

ところで、上述した例では、濃度判定結果に基づき、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出量を例えば吐出なし、小径滴、中径滴、大径滴の４段階に分け、その吐出制御に基づき分割区分した領域ごとに定着液を記録媒体２３に向けて吐出した。しかし、定着液吐出制御手段４７で、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出量でなく、軟化材濃度を複数段に分けて制御し、定着液の軟化材濃度を複数段に分けて加減して定着液吐出手段４８から定着液を噴霧したり滴下したりすることにより吐出するようにしてもよい。 By the way, in the above-described example, the discharge amount of the fixing liquid is divided into four stages, for example, no discharge, small-diameter droplet, medium-diameter droplet, and large-diameter droplet, corresponding to the divided areas based on the density determination result. The fixing solution was ejected toward the recording medium 23 for each area divided based on the above. However, the fixer discharge control means 47 controls the softener concentration in a plurality of stages, not the discharge amount of the fixer, corresponding to the divided areas, and the softener concentration in the fixer is divided into a plurality of stages. The fixing solution may be discharged by spraying or dropping the fixing solution from the fixing solution discharge means 48.

例えば図６に示すように、ライン型やシリアル型の吐出ヘッドを有する定着液吐出手段４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃを搬送ベルト４２の走行方向に３つの並べて備え、図示省略するが、各吐出ヘッドにそれぞれ定着液タンクを接続する。定着液タンクには、軟化材と溶媒の混合比率が異なる、各々軟化材濃度が５％、３０％、６０％である定着液を収納する。軟化材の濃度が異なると、液物性が異なり、同一の液吐出の駆動条件では吐出する定着液量が異なる。このため、ＰＺＴ駆動条件を調整して、同じ量の定着液が吐出するように設定されている。 For example, as shown in FIG. 6, three fixing liquid discharge means 48A, 48B, and 48C having line-type or serial-type discharge heads are arranged side by side in the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 42. Connect the fixer tank. In the fixing solution tank, fixing solutions having different mixing ratios of the softening material and the solvent and having softening material concentrations of 5%, 30%, and 60%, respectively, are stored. When the concentration of the softening material is different, the liquid physical properties are different, and the amount of fixing liquid discharged is different under the same liquid discharge driving conditions. For this reason, the PZT driving conditions are adjusted so that the same amount of fixing liquid is discharged.

そして、画像濃度判定手段４６は、同様に画像読取センサ４５で読み取った１ライン分の未定着トナー画像を例えば４段階の画像濃度状態に分類し、定着液吐出制御手段４７は、例えば３００ｄｐｉに区分された未定着画像領域のトナー量に対応して定着液吐出手段４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃと吐出口位置を適宜選択し、所定の時間後に軟化材濃度の異なる定着液を吐出する。なお、図６では、図３の対応部分に付した符号をそのまま使用する。 Similarly, the image density determination unit 46 classifies the unfixed toner image for one line read by the image reading sensor 45 into, for example, four levels of image density states, and the fixing liquid discharge control unit 47 classifies the image into, for example, 300 dpi. Fixing liquid discharge means 48A, 48B, and 48C and discharge port positions are appropriately selected corresponding to the amount of toner in the unfixed image area, and fixing liquids having different softener concentrations are discharged after a predetermined time. In FIG. 6, the reference numerals assigned to the corresponding parts in FIG. 3 are used as they are.

このようにして、例えば３００ｄｐｉに区分された未定着画像領域のトナー量に対応して濃度の異なる定着液を付与することが可能となるが、低濃度定着液はハイライト画像部の未定着トナーを十分軟化するように、また中濃度、および高濃度の定着液は１次色と２次色以上の未定着トナーを十分軟化するように選定されている。その結果、未定着トナーに対するトナー溶解または半溶解度合いの過不足がなくなり、定着すべきトナー量に応じて適度な定着液を塗布し、安定した定着を行って良好な画像品質が得られる。 In this way, for example, it is possible to apply a fixing solution having a different density corresponding to the amount of toner in an unfixed image area divided into 300 dpi. The medium and high density fixing solutions are selected so as to sufficiently soften unfixed toner of primary color and secondary color or higher. As a result, there is no excess or deficiency in the degree of toner dissolution or semi-dissolution with respect to the unfixed toner, and an appropriate fixing solution is applied in accordance with the amount of toner to be fixed, and stable fixing is performed to obtain good image quality.

また、図６に示すような定着装置２５において、各定着液吐出手段４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃで、例えば３水準の液滴量の定着液を吐出するようにしてもよい。そして、画像読取センサ４５で１ライン分の未定着トナー画像を読み取り、画像濃度判定手段４６で画像なしを含めて、合計１０種類の画像濃度状態に分類する。定着液吐出制御手段４７は、例えば３００ｄｐｉに区分された未定着画像領域のトナー量に対応して定着液吐出手段４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃと吐出口位置を適宜選択し、所定の時間後に軟化材濃度３水準、および吐出量３水準の定着液を吐出する。 Further, in the fixing device 25 as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a fixing liquid having a three-level droplet amount may be discharged by each of the fixing liquid discharge units 48 </ b> A, 48 </ b> B, and 48 </ b> C. Then, an unfixed toner image for one line is read by the image reading sensor 45 and classified into a total of ten types of image density states including no image by the image density determination means 46. The fixing liquid discharge control means 47 appropriately selects the fixing liquid discharge means 48A, 48B, 48C and the discharge port position corresponding to the toner amount in the unfixed image area divided into 300 dpi, for example, and after a predetermined time, the softener concentration A fixing liquid of level 3 and discharge level 3 is discharged.

このようにすると、例えば３００ｄｐｉに区分された未定着画像領域のトナー量に対応して軟化材濃度、および吐出量の異なる定着液を付与することが可能となり、より細かい画像濃度変化に対応した定着液付与を可能とし、その結果より均一な定着品質の画像を得ることができる。 In this way, for example, it is possible to apply fixing liquids having different softening material concentrations and ejection amounts corresponding to the toner amount of the unfixed image area divided into 300 dpi, and fixing corresponding to finer image density changes. Liquid application is possible, and as a result, an image with a more uniform fixing quality can be obtained.

以上の説明では、未定着トナー画像は３００ｄｐｉ×３００ｄｐｉの領域で読み取られ、吐出ヘッドは３００ｄｐｉ×３００ｄｐｉの領域に定着液を付与している。しかし、例えば、定着液吐出手段４８の吐出ヘッドの吐出口解像度を例えば１５０ｄｐｉのように読み取り解像度より低くすることも可能である。この場合、３００ｄｐｉ×３００ｄｐｉの領域で読み取られた画像濃度を１５０ｄｐｉ×１５０ｄｐｉ領域の画像濃度に変換し、定着液吐出手段４８の吐出ヘッドから１５０ｄｐｉ×１５０ｄｐｉの領域を覆うように定着液を付与することとなる。 In the above description, the unfixed toner image is read in an area of 300 dpi × 300 dpi, and the ejection head applies a fixing liquid to the area of 300 dpi × 300 dpi. However, for example, the ejection port resolution of the ejection head of the fixing liquid ejection unit 48 can be made lower than the reading resolution, for example, 150 dpi. In this case, the image density read in the 300 dpi × 300 dpi area is converted into the image density of the 150 dpi × 150 dpi area, and the fixing liquid is applied so as to cover the 150 dpi × 150 dpi area from the ejection head of the fixing liquid ejection means 48. It becomes.

また、上述した例では、画像読取センサ４５で記録媒体２３上のトナー画像を読み取り、その読取位置が定着液吐出手段４８・４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃの吐出ヘッドの真下に来るタイミングに合わせて各吐出ヘッドから定着液を吐出するようにした。しかし、記録媒体２３に転写される前の像担持体である中間転写体１０上のトナー画像を読み取り、その読取位置が定着液吐出手段４８・４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃの真下に来るタイミングに合わせて各定着液吐出手段で定着液を吐出するようにしてもよい。 In the above-described example, the toner image on the recording medium 23 is read by the image reading sensor 45, and each discharge position is adjusted in accordance with the timing when the reading position comes directly below the discharge heads of the fixing liquid discharge means 48, 48A, 48B, and 48C. The fixer was discharged from the head. However, the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 10 which is an image carrier before being transferred to the recording medium 23 is read, and the reading position is adjusted to the timing when it comes directly below the fixing liquid discharge means 48, 48A, 48B and 48C. The fixing liquid may be discharged by each fixing liquid discharging means.

さて、図７には、複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ機能を備える複合機の内部構成を示す。図中符号１００は、図１に示すような要部構成を有する複合機本体である。符号２００は、その複合機本体１００を載置する給紙テーブルである。符号３００は、複合機本体１００上に備える画像読取装置である。符号４００は、画像読取装置３００上に備える自動原稿搬送装置（ＡＤＦ）である。 FIG. 7 shows an internal configuration of a multifunction machine having a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile function. Reference numeral 100 in the figure denotes a multi-function device main body having a main configuration as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 200 denotes a paper feed table on which the MFP main body 100 is placed. Reference numeral 300 denotes an image reading apparatus provided on the multifunction peripheral main body 100. Reference numeral 400 denotes an automatic document feeder (ADF) provided on the image reading apparatus 300.

このような複合機では、記録媒体２３上のトナー画像、または記録媒体２３に転写される前の像担持体上のトナー画像を読み取る画像読取センサ４５を不要とし、図８や図９に示すように画像読取装置３００の出力信号を画像濃度判定手段４６に入力するようにするとよい。このようにすると、画像濃度判定手段４６で、画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定し、画像濃度判定手段４６の出力信号を定着液吐出制御手段４７に入力して、画像濃度判定手段４６の濃度判定結果に基づき、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御し、定着液吐出制御手段４７の吐出制御に基づき定着液吐出手段４８・４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃで、分割区分した領域ごとに定着液を記録媒体２３に向けて吐出し、その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体２３上に定着することができる。 In such a multifunction device, the image reading sensor 45 for reading the toner image on the recording medium 23 or the toner image on the image carrier before being transferred to the recording medium 23 is not required, and as shown in FIGS. In addition, the output signal of the image reading apparatus 300 may be input to the image density determination means 46. In this way, the image density determination means 46 divides the image surface into a plurality of areas, determines the image density for each of the divided areas, and inputs the output signal of the image density determination means 46 to the fixing liquid discharge control means 47. Then, based on the density determination result of the image density determination means 46, the discharge of the fixing liquid is controlled in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the fixing liquid discharge is controlled based on the discharge control of the fixing liquid discharge control means 47. By means of means 48, 48A, 48B, 48C, a fixing solution is discharged toward the recording medium 23 for each divided area, and the fixing solution is adhered to the unfixed toner with a softening material to record it. It can be fixed on the medium 23.

また、図１０や図１１に示すように、ホストまたは別のファクシミリからの印字データを画像濃度判定手段４６に入力し、画像面を複数に分割してその分割区分した領域ごとの画像濃度を判定し、その濃度判定結果に基づき、分割区分した領域に対応して定着液の吐出を複数段に分けて制御し、その吐出制御に基づき定着液吐出手段４８・４８Ａ・４８Ｂ・４８Ｃで、分割区分した領域ごとに定着液を記録媒体２３に向けて吐出し、その定着液を付着することにより軟化材で未定着トナーを溶解または半溶解して記録媒体２３上に定着することもできる。 Also, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, print data from the host or another facsimile is input to the image density determination means 46, and the image surface is divided into a plurality of parts to determine the image density for each divided area. Based on the density determination result, the discharge of the fixing liquid is controlled in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the divided liquid is divided by the fixing liquid discharge means 48, 48A, 48B, and 48C based on the discharge control. It is also possible to discharge the fixing liquid toward the recording medium 23 for each of the areas and adhere the fixing liquid to fix the toner on the recording medium 23 by dissolving or semi-dissolving the unfixed toner with a softening material.

なお、図８ないし１１では、図３の対応部分に付した符号をそのまま使用する。 8 to 11, the reference numerals assigned to the corresponding parts in FIG. 3 are used as they are.

画像形成装置の要部構成図である。1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus. その１の単色作像手段の拡大構成図である。FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram of the first monochromatic image forming means. その定着装置の概要構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of the fixing device. その定着液吐出手段のライン型吐出ヘッドを示す図である。It is a diagram showing a line-type ejection head of the fixing liquid ejection means. その定着液吐出手段のシリアル型吐出ヘッドを示す図である。It is a diagram showing a serial type discharge head of the fixing liquid discharge means. 別の定着装置の概要構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of another fixing device. 複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ機能を備える複合機の内部構成図である。FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of a multi-function machine having a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile function. その定着装置の概要構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of the fixing device. 別の定着装置の概要構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of another fixing device. さらに別の定着装置の概要構成図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of still another fixing device. またさらに別の定着装置の概要構成図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of still another fixing device.

Explanation of symbols

１０中間転写体（像担持体）
２３記録媒体
２５定着装置
４０記録媒体搬送手段
４２搬送ベルト
４４吸引手段
４５画像読取センサ
４６画像濃度判定手段
４７定着液吐出制御手段
４８定着液吐出手段
４８Ａ定着液吐出手段
４８Ｂ定着液吐出手段
４８Ｃ定着液吐出手段
５０ライン型吐出ヘッド
５１シリアル型吐出ヘッド
３００画像読取装置
10 Intermediate transfer member (image carrier)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 Recording medium 25 Fixing apparatus 40 Recording medium conveyance means 42 Conveyance belt 44 Suction means 45 Image reading sensor 46 Image density determination means 47 Fixing liquid discharge control means 48 Fixing liquid discharge means 48A Fixing liquid discharge means 48B Fixing liquid discharge means 48C Fixing liquid Discharge means 50 Line type discharge head 51 Serial type discharge head 300 Image reading apparatus

Claims

Fixing that uses a fixing solution composed of a softening material and a solvent that disperses or dissolves the softening material, and adheres the fixing solution to dissolve or semi-dissolve the unfixed toner with the softening material and fix it on the recording medium. In the device
A fixing device characterized in that an image surface is divided into a plurality of portions, and the fixing liquid is individually attached to each divided and divided area according to the toner density of each divided and divided area.

Image density determination means for determining an image density for each of the divided areas, and fixing liquid discharge for controlling the discharge of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas based on the image density determination means 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit; and a fixing liquid discharging unit that discharges the fixing liquid toward the recording medium for each of the divided areas based on the fixing liquid discharge control unit. Fixing device.

The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing liquid discharge unit includes an inkjet head.

The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing liquid discharge unit includes a line-type discharge head, and the fixing liquid is discharged from the discharge head toward the recording medium.

The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing liquid discharging unit includes a serial type discharge head, and the fixing liquid is discharged from the discharge head toward the recording medium.

The fixing liquid discharge control means controls the fixing liquid discharge amount in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the fixing liquid discharge amount from the fixing liquid discharge means in a plurality of stages. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device discharges.

The fixing liquid discharge control means controls the softening material concentration of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided regions, and the fixing liquid softening material concentration is divided into a plurality of stages from the fixing liquid discharge means. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device discharges separately.

A plurality of fixing solution discharging means for discharging fixing solutions having different softening material concentrations, one of the fixing solution discharging means is appropriately selected corresponding to the divided area by the fixing solution discharging control means, and The fixing device according to claim 7, wherein the fixing solution discharging unit discharges the softener concentration of the fixing solution in a plurality of stages.

The fixing liquid discharge control means controls the softener concentration together with the fixing liquid discharge amount in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the fixing liquid is discharged from the fixing liquid discharge means together with the discharge amount. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the softener concentration is discharged in a plurality of stages.

The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing solution is odorless and harmless to a human body.

The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein water is used as the solvent.

A recording medium conveying means comprising: an endless conveying belt having a plurality of through holes on a belt surface; and suction means for sucking the recording medium and sucking the recording medium to the conveying belt through the through holes. Item 12. The fixing device according to any one of Items 1 to 11.

An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1.

An image reading sensor for reading a toner image on the recording medium or a toner image on the image carrier before being transferred to the recording medium is provided, and an output signal of the image reading sensor is input to the image density determination means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an image reading device that reads an image surface of a document, and an output signal of the image reading device is input to the image density determination unit.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein print data from a host or another facsimile is input to the image density determination means.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the recording medium ejected by the fixing liquid ejecting unit of the fixing apparatus and having the fixing liquid attached thereto is naturally dried.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the recording medium ejected by the fixing liquid ejecting unit of the fixing apparatus and to which the fixing liquid is attached is forcibly dried.

Using a fixer composed of a softening material and a solvent that disperses or dissolves the softening material,
The image density determination means divides the image surface into a plurality of areas and determines the image density for each divided area,
Based on the image density determination result, the discharge of the fixing liquid is controlled in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas,
Based on the ejection control, the fixing liquid is ejected toward the recording medium for each of the divided sections,
By fixing the fixing solution onto the recording medium by dissolving or semi-dissolving unfixed toner with the softening material,
A fixing method.

The fixing liquid discharge control means controls the discharge amount of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and discharges the fixing liquid amount in a plurality of stages from the fixing liquid discharge means. The fixing method according to claim 19, wherein the fixing method is performed.

The fixing liquid discharge control means controls the softening material concentration of the fixing liquid in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided regions, and the fixing liquid softening material concentration is divided into a plurality of stages from the fixing liquid discharge means. The fixing method according to claim 19, wherein the fixing method is divided and discharged.

The fixing liquid discharge control means controls the softener concentration together with the fixing liquid discharge amount in a plurality of stages corresponding to the divided areas, and the fixing liquid is discharged from the fixing liquid discharge means together with the discharge amount. The fixing method according to claim 19, wherein the softener concentration is discharged in a plurality of stages.