JP2011123198A - Fixing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust surface temperature of a pressure member to appropriate temperature. <P>SOLUTION: A fixing device includes: a contact/separation means 160 making the pressure member 58 contact with/separate from a heating member 51; a blower means 200 sending cooling air to the pressure member 58; and a control means 16 controlling operation of the blower means 200 and operation of the contact/separation means 160 so that the surface temperature of the pressure member 58 may be kept in a predetermined control range and may be equal to or below upper limit temperature set so as not to exceed allowable temperature of a component member. When the surface temperature of the pressure member 58 is higher than the control range, the control means 16 operates the blower means 200, and when the surface temperature of the pressure member 58 is lower than the control range, the pressure member 58 is made to contact with the heating member 51, and when the surface temperature of the pressure member 58 is higher than the upper limit temperature, the contact/separation means 160 makes the pressure member 58 separate from the heating member 51 and operates the blower means 200 to make the surface temperature of the pressure member 58 within the control range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that suppresses the occurrence of image defects by blowing cooling air on the surface of a pressure roll and preventing a high temperature region from being generated on the surface of the pressure roll in a heat pressure fixing type fixing device has been known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-210792 A

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a fixing device and an image forming apparatus that can adjust the surface temperature of a pressure member to an appropriate temperature.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fixing device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a heating member having a heat source and a recording medium to which a developer image is transferred, sandwiched between the heating member. A pressure member that conveys the pressure member, a contact / separation unit that contacts and separates the pressure member from the heating member, a blower unit that blows cooling air to the pressure member, and a surface temperature of the pressure member The surface temperature of the pressure member is kept within a predetermined control range based on the measurement means for measuring the contactlessly and the measurement result by the measurement means, and the allowable temperature of the component member is not exceeded. Control means for controlling the operation of the air blowing means and the operation of the contact / separation means so as to be equal to or lower than a set upper limit temperature, and the control means has a surface temperature of the pressurizing member within the control range. If the air pressure is higher than the When the member is cooled and the surface temperature of the pressure member is lower than the control range, the pressure member is brought into contact with the heating member and heated in a state where the blower is stopped, and the pressure member When the surface temperature is higher than the upper limit temperature, the contact / separation means is operated to separate the pressure member from the heating member, and the air blowing means is operated to cool the pressure member, The surface temperature of the pressure member is set within the control range.

  The fixing device according to claim 2 is the fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is moved when the pressing member is moved away from the heating member by operating the contact / separation means. It is characterized by having a driving means for rotating.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image to be transferred to a recording medium as a developer image; and a developer image formed by the image forming unit as the recording medium. And a fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer image transferred to the recording medium by the transfer unit is fixed to the recording medium. When the surface temperature of the ink becomes higher than the upper limit temperature, the printing operation is stopped.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the surface temperature of the pressure member can be adjusted to an appropriate temperature.

  According to invention of Claim 2, the surface temperature of a pressurization member can be adjusted to suitable temperature in a short time.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects in the image fixed on the recording medium.

Schematic configuration diagram showing the entire image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment Schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment Schematic configuration diagram showing a fixing unit (fixing device) according to the present embodiment Schematic configuration diagram showing a pressure roll according to the present embodiment Schematic perspective view showing a pressure roll according to this embodiment Schematic perspective view showing a pressure roll and a heating roll according to this embodiment The schematic perspective view which shows the contact / separation means of the pressure roll which concerns on this embodiment (A) An explanatory view showing a state when the pressure roll is separated by the contacting / separating means, (B) an explanatory view showing a state when the pressure roll is pressed by the contacting / separating means Schematic perspective view showing drive means according to the present embodiment Schematic perspective view showing drive means according to the present embodiment Schematic configuration diagram showing the drive means when the pressure roll is pressed by the contacting / separating means Schematic configuration diagram showing the drive means when the pressure roll is separated by the contacting / separating means

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP is upward, the arrow RI is rightward, the arrow FR is forward, and in each figure, when each of the arrows is shown, it is up / down / left / right according to the direction indicated by the arrow.・ Express front and back. In the following, the upstream side in the transport direction and the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium that is a sheet-like member may be simply referred to as “upstream side” and “downstream side”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a step of secondarily transferring a developer image (hereinafter referred to as “toner image”) to a recording sheet P as an example of a recording medium and conveying it. The first processing unit 12 and the second processing unit 14 that performs processing subsequent to the process of fixing the toner image on the recording paper P conveyed from the first processing unit 12 are integrated (the recording paper P). It is configured to be connected in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction).

  The first processing unit 12 is incorporated in the first housing 11, and the second processing unit 14 is incorporated in a second housing 13 that is detachable from the first housing 11. On the second housing 13 adjacent to the first housing 11, a third housing 15 incorporating a control unit 16 as an example of a control unit is disposed. A display device 18 is disposed on the second casing 13 on the side (downstream side) of the second casing 13.

  The first processing unit 12 includes a paper feeding unit 20 that accommodates the recording paper P, a conveyance unit 120 that conveys the recording paper P, a transfer unit 100 that transfers a toner image to the recording paper P, and a primary to the transfer unit 100. And an image forming unit 30 that forms a toner image to be transferred. More specifically, first, in the lower part of the first housing 11, two paper feed cassettes 22 each holding the recording paper P are provided side by side in the horizontal direction.

  The paper feed cassette 22 can be pulled out from the first housing 11 to the front side. When the paper feed cassette 22 is pulled out from the first housing 11, a bottom plate provided in the paper feed cassette 22. The recording paper P can be replenished by lowering 24 and placing the recording paper P thereon. When the paper feed cassette 22 is mounted in the first casing 11, the bottom plate 24 is configured to rise.

  A transport unit 120 is disposed above each paper feed cassette 22, a transfer unit 100 is disposed above the transport unit 120, and an image forming unit 30 is disposed above the transfer unit 100. Has been. The image forming unit 30, the transfer unit 100, and the conveyance unit 120 will be described later. Further, an opening 26 is formed in the right wall surface 11A of the first housing 11 facing the second housing 13 so that the recording paper P is carried out from the upper part and carried in from the lower part.

  The second processing unit 14 includes a fixing unit 50 as an example of a fixing device for fixing the toner image secondarily transferred to the recording paper P by the transfer unit 100 to the recording paper P, and a toner by the fixing unit 50. A cooling unit 60 for cooling the recording paper P on which the image is fixed, and a reversing unit 80 for reversing the recording paper P and transporting it again to the first processing unit 12 at the time of double-sided printing are provided. Yes.

  In other words, the opening 28 for carrying the recording paper P from the top and carrying it out from the bottom faces the opening 26 on the left wall 13B of the second housing 13 facing the right wall 11A of the first housing 11. The fixing unit 50 is disposed so that the toner image can be fixed to the recording paper P conveyed through the opening 28 on the upper side. The fixing unit 50 will be described in detail later.

  A cooling unit 60 is disposed beside (downstream side) the fixing unit 50. The cooling unit 60 is provided with an absorbing device 70 that contacts the recording paper P and absorbs the heat on the upper side across the conveyance path 122 (described later) of the recording paper P, and the recording that is conveyed on the lower side. A pressing device 62 that presses the paper P against the absorbing device 70 is provided.

  The absorption device 70 includes a drive roll 72 that transmits a driving force and an endless absorption belt 74 wound around a plurality of tension rolls 73, and the absorption belt 74 is disposed inside the absorption belt 74. And a heat sink 76 that dissipates the heat absorbed by the absorption belt 74. Two suction fans 78 for removing heat from the heat sink 76 and discharging the hot air to the outside are provided side by side on the rear wall side (the back side in the drawing) of the second housing 13.

  The pressing device 62 has an endless pressing belt 64 that comes into contact with the recording paper P to be conveyed and presses it against the absorbing device 70. The pressing belt 64 is stretched between a plurality of stretching rolls 65. And is rotatably supported. The recording sheet P conveyed from the fixing unit 50 is cooled by the cooling unit 60 having such a configuration.

  A decurling unit 66 that corrects the curling of the recording paper P (makes the recording paper P flat) is disposed beside (downstream) the cooling unit 60. Next to the decurling unit 66 (on the downstream side), an inline sensor unit 68 for optically detecting density defects, image defects, image position defects, etc. of the toner image fixed on the recording paper P is disposed. ing.

  Note that, on the side (downstream side) of the inline sensor unit 68, the recording paper P on which an image is formed on one side is discharged to a discharge unit (discharge tray) 90 attached to the right wall surface 13A of the second housing 13. A roll 92 is provided, and the recording paper P is discharged onto the discharge unit 90 by the discharge roll 92 during single-sided printing.

  A reversing unit 80 is disposed below the fixing unit 50, the cooling unit 60, the decurling unit 66, and the inline sensor unit 68. That is, when forming images on both sides of the recording paper P, the recording paper P sent from the inline sensor unit 68 is conveyed to the reversing unit 80. Specifically, the recording paper P is guided to a reversing path 82 provided in the reversing unit 80 by a switching member (not shown).

  The reversing path 82 includes a branch path 84 that branches from a transport path 122 (described later) in the second processing unit 14 and a sheet that transports the recording paper P transported along the branch path 84 toward the first processing unit 12. A transport path 86 and a reversing path 88 for turning the recording paper P transported along the paper transport path 86 in the reverse direction and performing switchback transport to reverse the front and back are provided.

  With this configuration, the recording paper P that is switched back and conveyed by the reversing path 88 is conveyed toward the first processing unit 12 through the lower opening 28 and the opening 26, and is further conveyed in the conveyance unit 120. It is sent to 122 and sent again to a transfer point T which is a sandwiching portion between a secondary transfer roll 110 and a backup roll 112 described later.

  Note that a supply unit for allowing the recording paper P to be supplied to the left wall surface 11B of the first housing 11 from a large-capacity paper feed cassette (not shown) adjacent to the left wall surface 11B. 94 is provided. The control unit 16 includes an image signal processing unit 96 that processes image data sent from a computer (not shown), and a power supply unit 98 that supplies power to each unit.

  Next, the image forming unit 30 will be described. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a first special color (V), a second special color (W), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner. Toner cartridges 32V, 32W, 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are provided to be exchangeable side by side in the horizontal and horizontal directions (horizontal direction), and are configured to be able to form full-color images or monochrome images.

  The first special color and the second special color are appropriately selected from special colors (including transparency) other than yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Further, in the following description, when distinguishing V, W, Y, M, C, and K, an alphabetic character of V, W, Y, M, C, or K is attached after the number. When V, W, Y, M, C, and K are not distinguished, V, W, Y, M, C, and K are omitted.

  Under the toner cartridge 32, six image forming units 34 corresponding to the toners of the respective colors are provided side by side in the left-right lateral direction (horizontal direction) so as to correspond to the toner cartridges 32. An exposure unit 40 is provided between each toner cartridge 32 and the image forming unit 34.

  An exposure unit 40 provided for each image forming unit 34 receives the image data processed by the image signal processing unit 96 and modulates each semiconductor laser (not shown) according to the color material gradation data. The exposure light L is emitted from each semiconductor laser in accordance with the color material gradation data. Specifically, the surface of a photoreceptor 36 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is irradiated with exposure light L corresponding to each color to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 36.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 34 includes a photoconductor 36 that is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A (clockwise in the drawing). Around the photosensitive member 36, a corona discharge type (non-contact charging type) scorotron charger 38 as a charging device for uniformly charging the photosensitive member 36, and exposure light L emitted by the exposure unit 40, the photosensitive member. A developing device 42 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on each color with a developer (toner) of each color, a cleaning blade 44 that cleans the surface of the photoreceptor 36 after transfer, and a photosensitive material after transfer. An erase lamp 46 is provided as a static eliminating device that performs static elimination by irradiating the surface of the body 36 with light.

  The scorotron charger 38, the developing device 42, the cleaning blade 44, and the erase lamp 46 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 36 so as to face the surface of the photoconductor 36. ing.

  The developing device 42 is disposed beside the image forming unit 34 (on the right side in the drawing), and includes a developer containing member 48 filled with a developer G containing toner, and a toner filled in the developer containing member 48. And a developing roll 49 that moves the toner to the surface of the photosensitive member 36. The developer accommodating member 48 is connected to the toner cartridge 32 (see FIG. 1) through a toner supply path (not shown), and the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 32.

  Next, the transfer unit 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a transfer unit 100 is provided below each image forming unit 34. The transfer unit 100 is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 102 and an endless intermediate transfer belt 102 that is in contact with each photoconductor 36, and a toner image formed on each photoconductor 36 is multiplexed on the intermediate transfer belt 102. And primary transfer rolls 104 as six primary transfer members to be transferred.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 102 includes a drive roll 106 driven by a motor (not shown), a tension applying roll 108 that adjusts the tension of the intermediate transfer belt 102, and a backup roll disposed to face a secondary transfer roll 110 described later. 112 and a plurality of stretching rolls 114 are wound with a constant tension, and are circulated and moved in the direction of arrow B (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) by the driving roll 106. It has become.

  Specifically, each primary transfer roll 104 is disposed to face the photoreceptor 36 of each image forming unit 34 with the intermediate transfer belt 102 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 104 is applied with a transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner polarity by a power supply unit (not shown). With this configuration, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 36 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 102.

  On the other hand, a cleaning blade 116 whose tip is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 102 is provided on the opposite side of the drive roll 106 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 102, and this cleaning blade 116 is circulated on the intermediate transfer belt 102. Residual toner and paper dust are removed.

  Next, the conveyance unit 120 in the first processing unit 12 will be described. Above one end side (the right side in the drawing) of the paper feed cassette 22, a feed roll 118 that feeds the recording paper P from the paper feed cassette 22 to the transport path 122 is provided and is placed on the rising bottom plate 24. The delivery roll 118 comes into contact with the uppermost recording paper P.

  A pair of separation rolls 124 that prevent double feeding of the recording paper P is provided on the downstream side of the delivery roll 118, and a pair of conveyances that convey the recording paper P downstream on the downstream side of the separation roll 124. A plurality of rolls 126 are provided.

  The conveyance path 122 of the conveyance unit 120 provided between the paper supply unit 20 (paper supply cassette 22) and the transfer unit 100 (intermediate transfer belt 102) returns the recording paper P sent from the paper supply cassette 22 to the first return. The portion 122A is folded back in the left direction as shown, and the second turn-up portion 122B is folded back in the right direction as shown in the drawing and sent toward the transfer point T, which is a sandwiching portion between the secondary transfer roll 110 and the backup roll 112. ing.

  An aligner (not shown) for correcting the inclination of the conveyed recording paper P is provided between the second folding portion 122B and the transfer point T. Between the aligner and the transfer point T, An alignment roll 128 for adjusting the movement timing of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 102 and the conveyance timing of the recording paper P is provided.

  Further, a secondary transfer roll 110 as a secondary transfer member provided on the downstream side of the alignment roll 128 is applied with a transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner polarity by a power supply unit (not shown). It has become. With this configuration, each color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 is secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet P conveyed along the conveyance path 122 by the secondary transfer roll 110. ing. In addition, the above-mentioned supply part 94 merges to the 2nd folding | turning part 122B of the conveyance path | route 122. FIG.

  Further, on the downstream side of the transfer point T, a plurality of vacuum conveyance devices 130 that convey the recording paper P, onto which the toner image has been transferred, into the second processing unit 14 are provided. Each vacuum conveyance device 130 includes a drive roll 132 that is rotationally driven, a driven roll 134 that is rotatably supported, and a plurality of belt members 136 that are wound around the drive roll 132 and the driven roll 134.

  A plurality of through holes (not shown) are provided on the entire surface of the belt member 136, and a suction fan 138 that sucks air into the belt member 136 from the through holes is provided in the first housing 11. It is arrange | positioned at the rear wall part side (back side of illustration).

  With this configuration, the back surface (non-image surface) of the recording paper P on which the toner image is not formed is sucked to the belt member 136, and the driving roller 132 is driven to rotate to rotate the belt member 136. Is transported further downstream, that is, to the vacuum transport device 130 of the second processing unit 14.

  The vacuum transfer device 130 of the second processing unit 14 has the same configuration as the vacuum transfer device 130 of the first processing unit 12, and the transfer path 122 in the second processing unit 14 is a transfer unit of the first processing unit 12. 120 is continuous with the conveyance path 122.

  Next, the image forming process (action) will be described. The image data that has been subjected to the image processing by the image signal processing unit 96 is converted into color material gradation data of each color and sequentially output to each exposure unit 40. In each exposure unit 40, each exposure light L is emitted according to the color material gradation data of each color, and scanning exposure is performed on each photoconductor 36 charged by the scorotron charger 38 to form an electrostatic latent image. .

  The electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptor 36 are respectively developed by the developing device 42 in the first special color (V), the second special color (W), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). , And black (K) as toner images (developer images) of the respective colors.

  The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptors 36 of the image forming units 34V, 34W, 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K are intermediate transferred by six primary transfer rolls 104V, 104W, 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K. Multiple transfer is sequentially performed on the belt 102.

  The toner images of the respective colors transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 are secondarily transferred onto the recording paper P conveyed from the paper feed unit 20 (paper feed cassette 22) by the secondary transfer roll 110. The recording paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 50 by the vacuum conveyance device 130.

  The recording paper P conveyed to the fixing unit 50 is heated and pressurized in the fixing unit 50, whereby the toner images of the respective colors transferred onto the recording paper P are fixed. Then, the recording paper P on which the toner images of the respective colors are fixed is cooled by passing through the cooling unit 60, and then sent to the decurling unit 66, where the curl generated on the recording paper P is corrected. The recording paper P whose curl has been corrected is discharged to the discharge unit 90 by the discharge roll 92 after image defects and the like are detected by the inline sensor unit 68.

  When an image is formed on the back surface of the recording paper P on which no image is formed (in the case of double-sided printing), the recording paper P is sent to the reversing unit 80 after passing through the inline sensor unit 68. The recording paper P sent to the reversing unit 80 is reversed through the reversing path 82 and sent again to the first processing unit 12, and a toner image is formed on the back surface thereof by the above-described procedure.

  Next, the configuration of the fixing unit 50 (fixing device) in the image forming apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing unit 50 includes a fixing belt module 51 as an example of a heating member provided with a fixing belt 56, and an additional member disposed so as to be capable of being pressed (contacted) / separated from the fixing belt module 51. And a pressure roll 58 as an example of a pressure member.

  A region where the fixing belt 56 (fixing belt module 51) and the pressure roll 58 are in pressure contact with each other is a nip portion N, and the recording paper P is pressurized and heated in the nip portion N, whereby the recording paper P The toner image is fixed to the toner image. 6 to 12, the fixing belt 56 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing belt module 51 includes an endless fixing belt 56 and a driving motor 150 (see FIG. 6) as an example of a driving source while stretching the fixing belt 56 on the pressure roll 58 side. A heating roll 52 that is rotated by a rotational driving force transmitted through the gear train 152 and the gear 154, a support roll 54 that stretches the fixing belt 56 from the inside at a position (upward position) different from the heating roll 52, and fixing. A support roll 55 that is disposed outside the belt 56 and defines the circulation path thereof, and a posture correction roll 53 that is disposed inside the fixing belt 56 and corrects the posture thereof.

  The fixing belt module 51 and the pressure roll 58 are arranged in the vicinity of the heating roll 52 in the downstream area in the nip portion N where the fixing belt module 51 and the pressure roll 58 are in pressure contact, and inside the fixing belt 56. A separation pad 57 that separates the fixing belt 56 from the outer peripheral surface of the 52 and a support roll 59 that stretches the fixing belt 56 on the downstream side of the nip portion N are provided.

  Here, the heating roll 52 is a hard roll in which a protective layer for preventing metal wear is formed on the surface of a cylindrical metal core made of aluminum, and the protective layer is made of, for example, fluorine having a thickness of 200 μm. It is a resin film. Note that a halogen heater 142 as an example of a heat source is provided inside the heating roll 52.

  The support roll 54 is a cylindrical roll formed of aluminum, and a halogen heater 144 as an example of a heat source is disposed in the support roll 54 to heat the fixing belt 56 from the inner peripheral surface side. It is like that. Note that spring members (not shown) that press the wound fixing belt 56 outward are disposed at both ends of the support roll 54.

  The support roll 55 is a cylindrical roll made of aluminum, and a release layer made of a fluororesin having a thickness of 20 μm, for example, is formed on the surface of the support roll 55. This release layer is formed to prevent a slight amount of offset toner and paper dust from the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt 56 from accumulating on the support roll 55.

  In addition, a halogen heater 146 as an example of a heat source is disposed inside the support roll 55, and the fixing belt 56 is heated from the outer peripheral surface side. That is, in the fixing unit 50 according to the present embodiment, the fixing belt 56 is heated by the heating roll 52, the support roll 54, and the support roll 55.

  The posture correction roll 53 is a cylindrical roll made of aluminum, and an end position measuring mechanism (not shown) for measuring the end position of the fixing belt 56 is disposed in the vicinity of the posture correction roll 53. Yes. The posture correcting roll 53 is provided with an axial displacement mechanism (not shown) that displaces the contact position in the width direction (axial direction) orthogonal to the moving direction of the fixing belt 56 according to the measurement result of the end position measuring mechanism. And is configured to control the meandering of the fixing belt 56.

  The peeling pad 57 is a block-like member having a length corresponding to the length of the heating roll 52 in the axial direction, and is formed of, for example, a rigid body such as an iron-based metal or resin. The cross-sectional shape of the peeling pad 57 includes a curved inner surface 57A that faces the heating roll 52, a pressing surface 57B that presses the fixing belt 56 toward the pressing roll 58, and a predetermined angle with respect to the pressing surface 57B. And has an outer surface 57 </ b> C that bends the fixing belt 56.

  Further, a corner portion U is configured by the pressing surface 57B and the outer surface 57C of the peeling pad 57, and the corner portion U bends the fixing belt 56 pressed by the pressure roll 58. It has become. As described above, when the fixing belt 56 is bent, the leading edge of the recording paper P is easily peeled off from the fixing belt 56 when it passes through the corner portion U.

  On the other hand, the pressure roll 58 has a cylindrical roll 58A made of aluminum as a base, and an elastic layer 58B made of silicone rubber and a release layer made of a fluororesin having a thickness of 100 μm in this order from the base (roll 58A) side. 58C (hereinafter also referred to as “surface portion”) is laminated.

  The pressure roll 58 is rotatably supported, and is configured to be pressed against and separated from the fixing belt 56 wound around the heating roll 52 by a contact / separation means 160 described later. . The pressure roll 58 is brought into pressure contact with the fixing belt 56 by the contact / separation means 160, thereby rotating in the direction of arrow E following the circulation movement of the fixing belt 56 in the direction of arrow C. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the contact / separation means 160 of the pressure roll 58 is in a pressure contact position (FIG. 8B) where the pressure roll 58 is pressed against the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56). Reference) and a separation position (see FIG. 8A) for separation from the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56).

  That is, both end portions in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 158 of the pressure roll 58 enter the rectangular cutout portion 140A formed at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 140, and are supported from below. Below 140, support members 148 having a substantially “U” -shaped cross-section with the upper side open so as to accommodate the support plate 140 are provided.

  One end of each support plate 140 is rotatably supported on one end of the support member 148, and one end of each support member 148 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown). Further, an elastic member 147 such as a compression coil spring is provided between the other end side of each support plate 140 and the other end side of each support member 148, and the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56). A pressure contact load of the pressure roll 58 is set.

  In addition, at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the open end (upper side) edge of each support member 148, a rectangular that allows displacement of both ends of the rotating shaft 158 supported by the notch 140A of each support plate 140 is allowed. A notch 148A having a shape is formed. A support roll 149 is rotatably provided on the other end side of the notch 148A of each support member 148.

  Below each support roll 149, a cam plate 164 fixed to a rotation shaft 162 provided in the same axial direction as the rotation shaft 158 of the pressure roll 58 is disposed, and the cam surface of each cam plate 164 is arranged. Each support roll 149 is in contact with the peripheral surface of each support roll 149 and supported from below. The rotating shaft 162 of the cam plate 164 is rotated in one direction (in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. 8) and in the other direction (in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow D) by the rotational driving force transmitted from the driving motor 168 through the gear train 166. Direction).

  Therefore, the rotational shaft 162 rotates in one direction (arrow D direction) by the rotational driving force transmitted from the drive motor 168 via the gear train 166, and each cam plate 164 fixed to the rotational shaft 162 rotates. When the support rolls 149 are pushed up, the support members 148 and the support plates 140 are raised as shown in FIG. 8B, and the rotation shafts 158 of the pressure rolls 58 supported by the notches 140A. Are pushed up, and the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is brought into pressure contact with the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56).

  On the other hand, when the rotary shaft 162 rotates in the other direction (the direction opposite to the arrow D direction) by the rotational driving force transmitted from the drive motor 168 through the gear train 166, the cam plates 164 are pushed up with respect to the support rolls 149. Is released, each support member 148 and each support plate 140 are lowered by its own weight while supporting the rotating shaft 158 of the pressure roll 58, and as shown in FIG. 58C is separated from the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56).

  The rotating operation of the rotating shaft 162 in one direction and the other direction in the contact / separation means 160 is controlled by the control unit 16. In other words, the pressing / separating operation of the pressure roll 58 (surface portion 58C) with respect to the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56) is controlled by the control unit 16. The contact / separation means 160 is also controlled by the control unit 16 based on a measurement result of an infrared radiation temperature sensor 198 described later.

  In addition, the pressure roll 58 is configured to rotate (idle) at a separation position separated from the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56). That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 to 12, the pressure roll separated from the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56) from one outer side (rear side) to the lower side in the axial direction of the pressure roll 58. Driving means 170 for rotating 58 is provided.

  When the pressure roll 58 is separated from the fixing belt 56 by the contact / separation means 160, the driving means 170 transmits a rotational driving force from the fixing belt 56 (heating roll 52) to the pressure roll 58. When the pressure roll 58 comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt 56, the rotational driving force from the fixing belt 56 (heating roll 52) is cut off from the pressure roll 58.

  More specifically, the driving means 170 has a bracket 172 that has a lower end portion (one end portion) as a fulcrum 172A and is rotatably supported, and the bracket 172 has an upper end portion (the other end portion). The transmission gear 174 meshed with the drive gear 156 that rotates with the heating roll 52 is rotatably supported. The drive gear 156 with which the transmission gear 174 is engaged is attached concentrically with the gear 154 on one end side (rear side) in the axial direction of the heating roll 52 (see FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 10, an intermediate gear 175 that meshes with the transmission gear 174 and an intermediate gear 176 that meshes with the intermediate gear 175 are rotatably supported by the bracket 172, and mesh with the intermediate gear 176. A roll gear 178 that is long in the axial direction is rotatably supported at the lower end of the bracket 172. That is, the bracket 172 is rotatable with a portion where the roll gear 178 is rotatably supported as a fulcrum 172A.

  The roll gear 178 is engaged with a large gear 182 that is rotatably supported by a bracket 180 fixed to the bracket 172, and the large gear 182 is rotatable with respect to the bracket 183 fixed to the bracket 180. The supported small gear 184 is engaged. One end of a rotating shaft 186 that is rotatably supported by a housing member 190 described later is fixed to the small gear 184, and a pressure roll 58 is provided on the other end of the rotating shaft 186. A rubber roll 188 as an example of a rotating member that comes into contact with friction at the separation position is fixed.

  Therefore, the rubber roll 188 rotates from the transmission gear 174 meshed with the drive gear 156 via the intermediate gear 175, the intermediate gear 176, the roll gear 178, the large gear 182, the small gear 184, and the rotating shaft 186. The gear 175, the intermediate gear 176, the roll gear 178, the large gear 182, the small gear 184, and the rotating shaft 186 constitute an example of a transmission mechanism.

  The rubber roll 188 is rotatably accommodated in the accommodating member 190. That is, a pair of ring-shaped members 192 that are elastically supported from below by a coil spring 194 as an example of an urging means are provided at both ends in the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the rotating shaft 186) of the housing member 190. The rotating shaft 186 of the rubber roll 188 is inserted through the ring-shaped member 192 and is rotatably supported.

  Further, a coil spring 196 as an example of an elastic member is installed between the rotating shaft 182A of the large gear 182 and the bracket 172. The bracket 172 is rotated about the fulcrum 172A in a direction (arrow F direction shown in FIG. 11) in which the transmission gear 174 is separated from a drive gear 156 by a coil spring as an example of an urging means (not shown). Always energized.

  Therefore, when the pressing roll 58 is lowered to the separation position by the contact / separation means 160 and the surface portion 58C contacts the rubber roll 188, the rubber roll 188 is resisted against the urging force of the coil spring 194 as shown in FIG. Is lowered by the weight of the pressure roll 58, and the rotating shaft 186, the small gear 184, and the large gear 182 are lowered.

  Then, since the coil spring 196 is installed between the rotating shaft 182A of the large gear 182 and the bracket 172, the bracket 172 is pulled by the coil spring 196 and is shown in FIG. 11 with the fulcrum 172A as the center. Rotating in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow F, the transmission gear 174 is engaged with the drive gear 156. Thereby, the rotational driving force from the drive gear 156 is transmitted to the rubber roll 188, and the pressure roll 58 is rotated by the rubber roll 188.

  On the other hand, when the pressing roll 58 is raised to the pressing position by the contacting / separating means 160 and the surface portion 58C is separated from the rubber roll 188, the rotating shaft 186, the small gear 184, and the large gear 182 are, as shown in FIG. The bracket 172 is rotated about the fulcrum 172A in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 11 by the urging force of the coil spring (not shown) due to the urging force of the coil spring 194. As a result, the engagement of the transmission gear 174 with the drive gear 156 is released, and the rotational driving force is not transmitted (blocked) to the rubber roll 188.

  Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, cooling air is blown to the surface portion 58 </ b> C of the pressure roll 58 by a fan (sirocco fan) 200 as an example of a blowing unit. That is, three fans 200 are arranged in the axial direction in a position where the behavior of the recording paper P conveyed to the fixing unit 50 is not disturbed, for example, in the vicinity of the lower portion on the upstream side of the pressure roll 58. Specifically, one fan 200 is disposed at each of the axial central portion and both axial end portions of the rotation shaft 158 (surface portion 58 </ b> C) of the pressure roll 58.

  A plate-like guide member 202 that guides the cooling air from the fan 200 so as to flow along the surface portion 58C is disposed below the pressure roll 58. The guide member 202 has a hole or notch (not shown) through which the rubber roll 188 is inserted, is curved along the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58, and has an upper surface (a surface facing the surface portion 58C). ), A plurality of ribs 204 as rectifying plates are integrally formed side by side in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the pressure roll 58. The rib 204 allows the cooling air from the fan 200 to be efficiently blown to the lower surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58.

  It should be noted that even if the pressure roll 58 is lowered by the contact / separation means 160 and contacts the rubber roll 188, the vertical movement range (guide) of the pressure roll 58 does not contact the guide member 202 (rib 204). The position of the member 202 is determined. Further, a separation claw 206 for preventing the recording paper P from adhering to the pressure roll 58 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion on the downstream side of the pressure roll 58.

  Further, a position where the influence of the cooling air blown from the fan 200 does not occur, for example, a position opposite to the position where the fan 200 is disposed across the pressure roll 58 and approximately 180 degrees below the peeling claw 206. In the position, an infrared radiation temperature sensor (hereinafter referred to as “infrared sensor”) 198 as an example of a measuring means for measuring the temperature (surface temperature) of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 in a non-contact manner is provided on the pressure roll 58. Two are arranged in the axial direction so as to face the surface portion 58C. Specifically, one infrared sensor 198 is disposed at the axial center and one axial end of the rotating shaft 158 (surface portion 58C) of the pressure roll 58 (see FIG. 5).

  The temperature data of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 measured by the infrared sensor 198 is sent to the control unit (control means) 16, and the drive of each fan 200 is controlled independently by the control unit 16. It has come to be. That is, based on the measurement result by the infrared sensor 198, the temperature of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is maintained within a predetermined control range, and the constituent members (elastic layer 58B, The temperature is controlled to be lower than the upper limit temperature set so as not to exceed the allowable temperature determined from the material characteristics of the release layer 58C).

  The driving of the fan 200 disposed opposite to the axial central portion of the pressure roll 58 is controlled based on the result measured by the infrared sensor 198 disposed opposite to the axial central portion of the pressure roll 58. Based on the result measured by the infrared sensor 198 disposed opposite to one end of the pressure roll 58 in the axial direction, the drive of the fan 200 disposed opposite to both ends of the pressure roll 58 in the axial direction is controlled. Needless to say.

  In the fixing unit 50 (fixing device) configured as described above, a temperature adjustment method (action) of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 will be described next. In the fixing unit 50 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 16 controls the driving of the fan 200 and the operation of the contacting / separating unit 160 based on the measurement result of the infrared sensor 198.

  That is, the control unit 16 drives the fan 200 when it is determined from the measurement result of the infrared sensor 198 that the temperature of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is higher than a predetermined control range. Then, cooling air is blown to the surface portion 58C, and the temperature of the surface portion 58C is cooled by the infrared sensor 198 so that the temperature of the surface portion 58C reaches a temperature within a predetermined control range. .

  At this time, since the fan 200 is disposed at a position that does not disturb the behavior of the recording paper P that is being conveyed, during the execution of printing (at least from image formation to fixing, the pressure roll 58 is fixed). There is no problem even if cooling air is blown to the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 in a state where the belt 56 is in pressure contact. At this time, since the pressure roll 58 is driven and rotated with the circulation movement of the fixing belt 56, the surface portion 58C is efficiently cooled over the entire circumference.

  On the other hand, the control unit 16 does not drive the fan 200 when it is determined from the measurement result of the infrared sensor 198 that the temperature of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is lower than a predetermined control range. In addition, the pressure roll 58 is brought into contact with the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56). That is, it is in a state where printing can be executed without driving the fan 200.

  As a result, the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is heated by the heat of the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56), so that the surface portion 58C is measured while measuring the temperature of the surface portion 58C with the infrared sensor 198. Is heated to reach a temperature within a predetermined control range.

  At this time, since the fixing belt 56 is circulated and moved by the driving motor 150 of the heating roll 52 being driven by the control unit 16, the pressure roll 58 is moved along with the circulatory movement of the fixing belt 56. It is driven and rotated. Accordingly, the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is efficiently warmed over the entire circumference.

  Further, the control unit 16 has an upper limit temperature set so that the temperature of the surface portion 58 </ b> C of the pressure roll 58 does not exceed the allowable temperature of the constituent members constituting the pressure roll 58 based on the measurement result of the infrared sensor 198. If it is determined that the height is higher, the printing operation is stopped and the contact / separation means 160 is operated to separate the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 from the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56). The fan 200 is driven, cooling air is blown to the surface portion 58C, and the temperature of the surface portion 58C is measured within the predetermined control range while the temperature of the surface portion 58C is measured by the infrared sensor 198. Cool to reach.

  Here, when the pressure roll 58 is separated from the fixing belt module 51 (fixing belt 56) by the contact / separation means 160, the pressure roll 58 contacts the rubber roll 188 of the driving means 170. That is, the pressure roll 58 is rotated by the rubber roll 188 of the driving means 170 at the separation position. Therefore, the surface portion 58 </ b> C of the pressure roll 58 is efficiently cooled over the entire circumference by the cooling air blown from the fan 200.

  With the above control, the temperature of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is always adjusted to an appropriate temperature (temperature within a predetermined control range). Therefore, density defects, image defects, and the like are suppressed from occurring in the toner image fixed on the recording paper P. In addition, since the temperature of the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58 is always adjusted to an appropriate temperature, even if the peeling claw 206 faces the surface portion 58C of the pressure roll 58, the surface of the pressure roll 58 is removed by the peeling claw 206. There is no fear that the portion 58C is damaged.

  The fixing unit 50 (fixing device) and the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment have been described above. However, the fixing unit 50 (fixing device) and the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment are limited to the illustrated examples. It is not something. For example, the infrared sensor 198 disposed opposite to the pressure roll 58 has the same temperature at both ends in the axial direction of the pressure roll 58. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, the infrared sensor 198 is provided only at one end in the axial direction. However, it may be provided at the other axial end.

10 image forming apparatus 16 control unit (an example of control means)
20 Paper Feeding Unit 30 Image Forming Unit 50 Fixing Unit (Example of Fixing Device)
51 fixing belt module (an example of a heating member)
52 Heating Roll 54 Support Roll 56 Fixing Belt 58 Pressure Roll (Example of Pressure Member)
60 Cooling unit 80 Reversing unit 100 Transfer unit 120 Conveying unit 142 Halogen heater (an example of a heat source)
144 Halogen heater (an example of a heat source)
146 Halogen heater (example of heat source)
160 Contacting means 170 Driving means 198 Infrared sensor (an example of measuring means)
200 fans (an example of air blowing means)
P Recording paper (an example of a recording medium)

Claims (3)

A heating member with a heat source;
A pressure member that conveys the recording medium onto which the developer image has been transferred while being sandwiched between the heating member, and
Contacting / separating means for bringing the pressing member into contact with or separating from the heating member;
A blowing means for blowing cooling air to the pressure member;
Measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the pressure member in a non-contact manner;
Based on the measurement result by the measuring means, the surface temperature of the pressurizing member is kept within a predetermined control range and is not more than the upper limit temperature set so as not to exceed the allowable temperature of the constituent members. Control means for controlling the operation of the air blowing means and the contact / separation means;
Have
The control means includes
When the surface temperature of the pressing member is higher than the control range, the blowing member is operated to cool the pressing member,
When the surface temperature of the pressure member is lower than the control range, the pressure member is brought into contact with the heating member and heated in a state where the air blowing means is stopped,
When the surface temperature of the pressurizing member is higher than the upper limit temperature, the contacting / separating unit is operated to separate the pressurizing member from the heating member, and the air blowing unit is operated to operate the pressurizing member. Cool,
A fixing device, wherein a surface temperature of the pressure member is within the control range.   The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising a driving unit that rotates the pressing member when the pressing member is operated to separate the pressing member from the heating member. An image forming unit for forming an image to be transferred to a recording medium as a developer image;
A transfer unit that transfers the developer image formed by the image forming unit to the recording medium;
The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the developer image transferred to the recording medium by the transfer unit is fixed to the recording medium.
Have
An image forming apparatus configured to stop a printing operation when a surface temperature of the pressure member becomes higher than the upper limit temperature.

Images