JP2016191879A - Fixing member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device that can reduce the amount of emission of ultra fine particles, such as siloxane molecules, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A fixing member of the present invention is at least one fixing member of a pair of fixing members used in an image forming apparatus that fixes a toner image on a recording material with a fixing device including the pair of fixing members; the fixing member has a roll-like shape and includes an elastic body layer including silicone rubber and a surface layer laminated on the outside of the elastic body layer; the surface layer includes a perfluoroalkoxy alkane resin having a specific substituent as a main component; the specific substituent is at least one group selected from a group including a siloxane bond and a bulky group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing member used in an image forming apparatus, a fixing device including the fixing member, and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, a latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier is developed with toner, and the obtained toner image is temporarily held on an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member, The toner image on the intermediate transfer member is transferred onto a recording material such as paper. The recording material onto which the toner image has been transferred is introduced into a fixing device, and the toner image is heated and heated by passing through a region sandwiched between a pair of fixing members (a heating member and a pressure member). It is pressed and fixed on the recording member.

  By the way, in recent years, there is a concern that volatile organic compounds (VOC) and fine particles generated from electronic devices including an image forming apparatus may adversely affect health, and the amount of VOC and fine particles generated is regulated by various environmental standards. ing.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is known that VOC and fine particles are likely to be generated from a fixing member (roller) during a fixing process (heating). In particular, the fixing member has an elastic layer for uniform pressurization and the like, and when the elastic layer contains silicone rubber, siloxane molecules are likely to be generated by thermal decomposition of the silicone rubber.

  For this reason, in many image forming apparatuses, measures are taken to collect VOC and fine particles such as siloxane molecules generated from each member with a filter or the like.

  As a countermeasure for preventing VOC and other fine particles from being released from the fixing member itself, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-185247 (Patent Document 1) discloses a silicone rubber portion (elastic body layer) of the fixing member as perfluorocarbon. Covered with a surface layer (release layer) made of a fluororesin such as an alkoxyalkane (hereinafter may be abbreviated as “PFA”) resin, and has little VOC at the end portion of the elastic layer not covered with the surface layer A method using a high hardness silicone rubber has been proposed.

JP 2012-185247 A

  However, it is difficult to completely remove fine particles such as VOCs only by collecting with a filter or the like, and there is a possibility that the standards cannot be satisfied if regulations become stricter in the future.

  Further, according to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to reduce the amount of fine particles released from the fixing member itself, but ultra fine particles such as siloxane molecules pass through a surface layer made of PFA resin or the like. The amount of ultrafine particles released through the PFA resin cannot be reduced. For this reason, it cannot be said that it is sufficient as a measure for reducing the amount of released ultrafine particles.

  In recent years, there is a concern that ultrafine particles (UFP: Ultrafine Particles) having a particle diameter of less than 100 nm will have a negative effect on health, and in the Blue Angel Mark (BAM: German environmental standards) There is a movement to be standardized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing member, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the amount of ultrafine particles such as siloxane molecules released. There is to do.

  That is, the fixing member of the present invention is at least one of the pair of fixing members used in an image forming apparatus for fixing a toner image onto a recording material by a fixing device including a pair of fixing members, Includes a roll-shaped elastic layer containing silicone rubber and a surface layer laminated on the outer side of the elastic layer, and the surface layer is a perfluoro having a specific substituent. It contains an alkoxyalkane resin as a main component, and the specific substituent is at least one substituent selected from a group containing a siloxane bond and a bulky group.

  Here, the number of siloxane bonds contained in the group containing the siloxane bond is preferably 1 to 10.

  The bulky group preferably contains carbon atoms, and the bulky group preferably has 8 or more carbon atoms. The bulky group preferably has 30 or less carbon atoms. The bulky group preferably contains a siloxane bond.

  In the fixing member, the thickness of the surface layer is preferably 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less.

The present invention also relates to a fixing device including any one of the fixing members described above.
The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the above fixing device.

  The fixing member of the present invention has a surface layer formed of ultrafine particles such as siloxane molecules generated from an elastic layer (silicone rubber) of the fixing member by introducing a specific substituent into the PFA resin constituting the surface layer of the fixing member. It has an excellent effect that the amount of ultrafine particles such as siloxane molecules can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the fixing member according to the first exemplary embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a fixing member according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pressure member among the fixing members shown in FIG. 2. (a) And (b) is sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing process of the pressurization member in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts when they are described using the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
<Fixing member>
The fixing member according to the present embodiment is at least one of the pair of fixing members used in an image forming apparatus that fixes a toner image onto a recording material by a fixing device including the pair of fixing members. Details of such an image forming apparatus will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the fixing member of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the fixing member of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a pressure member of the fixing member shown in FIG.

  Each of the pair of fixing members (the heating member 41 and the pressure member 42) shown in FIG. 2 has a roll shape (the outer shape is a substantially cylindrical shape), and the pair of fixing members abut against each other. Rotate in the direction of the arrow.

  The fixing member of the present embodiment employs a heating roller method as a fixing method, and the heating member (heating roller) 41 includes, in order from the inside, at least a heater 411, a cored bar 412 having a hollow portion, and a surface. Layer 413 is included (see FIG. 2).

  Further, the pressure member (pressure roll) 42 as one fixing member includes at least a core metal 421, an elastic body layer 422, and a surface layer 423 in order from the inside (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  A pressure member 42 is pressed against the heating member 41 from below, and a predetermined fixing nip is formed between the heating member 41 and the pressure member 42.

  In the present embodiment, the heating member 41 is formed by coating the outer surface of an aluminum cored bar 412 with a fluororesin such as PFA resin or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled with a conductive material or wear-resistant material. A surface layer 413 is provided. The heater 411 disposed inside the heating member 41 is composed of a halogen lamp, and the heating member 41 is heated to a predetermined fixing temperature by the heater 411. Note that the surface temperature of the heating member 41 is constantly detected by a temperature sensor (not shown), and the detection signal is fed back to a controller (not shown) to control the surface temperature of the heating member 41 to a predetermined fixing temperature.

  The pressurizing member 42 is formed so that an elastic body layer 422 containing cylindrical silicone rubber is formed on the outer surface of a metal core 421 made of stainless steel or the like, and the outer surface of the elastic body layer 422 is covered. A layer (release layer) is provided.

  The heating member 41 can include an arbitrary configuration other than the heater 411, the core metal 412, and the surface layer 413, and the pressurizing member 42 is also other than the core metal 421, the elastic body layer 422, and the surface layer 423. Any other configuration can be included. Examples of such other configurations include a resin base material layer, an adhesive layer, a reinforcing layer, and an intermediate layer.

  In this embodiment, since the heating member 41 does not have an elastic layer, it is not included in the fixing member of the present invention, and the pressure member 42 corresponds to the fixing member of the present invention. However, if the heating member 41 has an elastic layer containing silicone rubber, the heating member 41 can also be a fixing member of the present invention. In this case, the pressure member 42 may or may not have an elastic layer, and the pressure member 42 may or may not correspond to the fixing member of the present invention.

Hereinafter, each configuration of the pressure member 42 corresponding to the fixing member of the present invention will be described.
(Elastic layer)
The elastic body layer 422 included in the pressure member 42 of the present embodiment is formed in a roll shape on the outer peripheral surface of the cored bar 421. Note that the elastic body layer is not limited to being formed directly on the cored bar 421, and may be formed on another layer formed on the cored bar 421, for example.

  The elastic layer is made of an elastic material. The elastic material contains at least silicone rubber. The elastic material may further include other materials, for example, other thermosetting elastomers other than silicone rubber. Examples of such other thermosetting elastomers include rubbers other than silicone rubber, thermosetting resin elastomers, and the like. Examples of rubber other than silicone rubber include chloroprene rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), ethylene / propylene / diene rubber (EPDM), and butyl rubber. Examples of the thermosetting resin-based elastomer include hydrogenated polybutadiene, polyurethane, and chlorinated polyisoprene. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The thickness of the elastic layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 mm to 30 mm in consideration of mechanical strength, image quality, manufacturing cost, and the like.

(Surface layer)
The surface layer included in the fixing member of this embodiment is laminated on the elastic body layer (outside the elastic body layer). The surface layer is not limited to the case where the surface layer is formed in direct contact with the elastic layer, and may be formed on another layer formed on the elastic layer, for example.

  Here, the surface layer 423 is preferably formed so as to cover the entire surface of the elastic body layer 422 (FIGS. 3 and 2). In this case, the surface of the elastic layer means the surface on the side where the toner image is transferred (formed). However, even if a part of the surface of the elastic layer is not covered with the surface layer, it does not deviate from the present embodiment as long as the above-described effects are exhibited.

  1 and 2, such a surface layer 423 includes a perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA) resin 423a having a specific substituent 423b as a main component.

  In the present specification, the “main component” is a component that is contained most in the material, preferably a component having a content of more than 50% by mass, and more preferably a component having a content of 70% by mass or more. Yes, more preferably a component having a content of 80% by mass or more. The main component may be 100% by mass (the surface layer may be composed only of PFA resin).

In addition, the PFA resin used in this embodiment is tetrafluoroethylene (C ₂ F ₄ ) and perfluoroalkoxyethylene (CF ₂ CFOR: R), as is also called a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer resin. An alkyl group which may have a substituent.) And a polymer containing a tetrafluoroethylene group and a perfluoroalkoxyethylene group. The ratio of the tetrafluoroethylene group and the perfluoroalkoxyethylene group contained in one molecule of the PFA resin is not particularly limited, but is preferably 4: 1 to 1: 4.

  Moreover, it is not restricted to what contains only a tetrafluoroethylene group and a perfluoro alkoxy ethylene group as a structural unit, The copolymer containing another structural unit may be sufficient. In the case of a copolymer, the ratio of other structural units to the whole polymer is preferably 50% by mass or less.

  Other structural units include, for example, (meth) acrylic acid derivatives, aromatic vinyl monomers, olefinic hydrocarbon monomers, vinyl ester monomers, vinyl halide monomers, vinyl ether monomers, etc. The structural unit derived from is mentioned. Such other structural units are not limited to one type, and may be two or more types.

  The PFA resin constituting the surface layer may include those having different molecular weights (polymerization degrees), and the mass average molecular weight of the PFA resin is preferably 80000 to 2000000, more preferably 150,000 to 1200000.

  The specific substituent that the PFA resin has is at least one substituent selected from a group containing a siloxane bond and a bulky group.

  The group containing a siloxane bond is not particularly limited as long as it contains a siloxane bond (—Si—O—), but the number of siloxane bonds contained in one substituent is preferably 1 to 10, more preferably. 1-5. As the number of siloxane bonds in the substituent increases, the adsorption effect (release suppression effect) of siloxane molecules increases. On the other hand, if the number of siloxane bonds is too large, the original properties (heat resistance, durability, non-adhesiveness, etc.) of the PFA resin are impaired, and the performance as the surface layer of the fixing member may be deteriorated. Note that in this specification, the siloxane bond is a bond represented by a chemical formula “—Si—O—”.

  Specific examples of the group containing a siloxane bond include groups represented by the following chemical formulas (7) and (8). In chemical formulas (7) and (8), * indicates the position to be a bond, and the chain end without the symbol * indicates a methyl group.

  The bulky group is a substituent having a predetermined size that makes it difficult for siloxane molecules to pass through the PFA resin (surface layer) due to steric hindrance.

  The bulky group preferably contains a carbon atom. The carbon number of the bulky group is preferably 5 or more, more preferably 8 or more. (However, the carbon number of the bulky group is preferably 40 or less, more preferably 30 or less, and further preferably 20 or less. The larger the carbon number of the bulky group, the more the siloxane molecule adsorption effect (release suppression effect). On the other hand, if the bulky group has too many carbon atoms, the original properties (heat resistance, durability, non-adhesiveness, etc.) of the PFA resin are impaired, and the performance as the surface layer of the fixing member is deteriorated. There is a case.

  Examples of the bulky group include an aliphatic group and an aromatic group. Examples of the aliphatic group include an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an acyl group which may have a substituent, and a silyl group which may have a substituent. Examples of the aromatic group include a benzyl group which may have a substituent and a phenyl group which may have a substituent. The bulky group may contain the siloxane bond described above.

  Specific examples of the bulky group include groups represented by the following chemical formulas (9) to (14). In chemical formulas (9) to (14), * indicates the position to be a bond, and the chain end without the symbol * indicates a methyl group.

As a method of adding the PFA resin of a specified substituent, can be employed without particular limitation and conventionally known methods, as an example, hydroxy groups and -O-CF ₃ group of PFA resin (-OH ), A PFA resin to which the hydroxy group is added and a compound having a chloro group (—Cl) at a position that becomes a bond of a specific substituent are subjected to a reduction reaction. The method of performing reaction which adds a substituent is mentioned.

  The number of the specific substituents contained in one molecule of the PFA resin is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10% to 80%, more preferably 20% to 70% of the substituted hydroxy group. It is as follows.

  It is presumed that the PFA resin constituting the surface layer has such a specific substituent and thus exhibits the following action. That is, it is presumed that the introduction of a substituent having a siloxane bond having a high affinity with the siloxane molecule into the PFA resin makes it difficult for the siloxane molecule to be captured by the surface layer and to pass through. In addition, it is presumed that the introduction of a bulky group into the PFA resin makes it difficult for siloxane molecules to pass through the surface layer due to steric hindrance.

  In addition, when the bulky group contains the above-mentioned siloxane bond, it is considered that the siloxane molecule is more difficult to pass through the surface layer due to both the effect of steric hindrance and the effect of capturing the siloxane molecule.

  The fixing member according to the present embodiment introduces such a specific substituent into the PFA resin constituting the surface layer, thereby causing the surface layer to contain ultrafine particles such as siloxane molecules generated from the elastic layer (silicone rubber). The amount of ultrafine particles such as siloxane molecules released can be reduced.

  However, if the thickness of the surface layer is too thin, the durability improving effect by the surface layer cannot be sufficiently exhibited. On the other hand, if the surface layer is too thick, the effect of improving the transferability due to the elasticity of the elastic layer cannot be sufficiently exhibited. From these viewpoints, the thickness of the surface layer is preferably 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and more preferably 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

(Additive)
The elastic body layer, the surface layer, and the other layers (for example, the resin base material layer) constituting the fixing member (heating member and pressure member) can each contain an additive. Examples of such additives include a photocuring initiator, conductive particles (conductive filler), various fillers (mainly for the purpose of improving strength), various modifiers (such as graft copolymers), organic solvents, Light stabilizer, UV absorber, catalyst, colorant, antistatic agent, lubricant, leveling agent, antifoaming agent, polymerization accelerator, antioxidant, flame retardant, infrared absorber, surfactant, surface modifier Etc.

(Manufacturing method of fixing member (pressure member))
Next, a method for manufacturing the pressure member 42 described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the manufacturing process of the pressure member in the present embodiment.

  A vertical mold 90 is used for manufacturing the pressure member 42. In this mold 90, a cylindrical mold 91 having an inner diameter that is the same as the outer diameter of the pressure member 42 is erected vertically, and an upper mold 92 and a lower mold 93 are respectively fitted to the upper and lower sides of the cylindrical mold 91. It is constituted by.

  When manufacturing the pressure member 42, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, a cored bar 421 is inserted into the center of the mold 90 and set vertically, and a cylindrical PFA resin tube (surface Layer 423) is inserted and set along the inner surface of the cylindrical mold 91.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), a separately prepared liquid silicone rubber 422a is inserted into the core 92 from the injection port 92a formed at the center of the upper die 92 and the surface layer. Pour into the space between 423.

  Then, when the state is vulcanized, the pressure member 42 as shown in FIG. 3 in which the silicone rubber 422a (elastic body layer 422), the core metal 421 and the surface layer 423 are integrated is manufactured.

  In addition, the manufacturing method of the above-mentioned pressurization member can be implemented, for example using the method generally called a liquid silicone rubber injection molding system (LIMS: Liquid Injection Molding System).

  In the present embodiment, the heating member 41 does not have an elastic layer, but when an elastic layer is provided between the cored bar 412 having a hollow portion and the surface layer 413, the LIMS is the same as described above. Thus, an elastic body layer containing silicone rubber can be provided.

<Fixing device>
The fixing device 40 of the present embodiment includes the fixing member (the heating member 41 and the pressure member 42) described above. As long as the fixing member is provided, the other configurations are conventionally known configurations. It can employ | adopt, without restrict | limiting especially.

  The fixing device 40 is a device that can fix a toner image on a recording material (sheet) by a fixing process in which a sheet carrying toner is heated and pressed while passing through a nip portion between a pair of fixing members.

  The fixing device 40 includes, in addition to the fixing member, a rotation driving device for rotating at least one of the pair of fixing members, a pressing device for pressing the pressing member toward the heating member with a constant pressure, and control devices thereof. Etc.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the fixing device described above. As long as such a fixing device is provided, other configurations can be adopted without any particular limitation on conventionally known configurations. . Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5 forms an image on a recording material by a known electrophotographic method, and includes an image processing unit 10, a transfer unit 20, a paper feeding unit 30, a fixing device 40, and a control unit. 5 and selectively executes color and monochrome printing based on a print job received from an external terminal device (not shown) via a network (for example, LAN). In the image forming apparatus 1, the toner image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier (photosensitive drum 11) is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 21, and then the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member 21 to the recording material ( The image is formed on the recording material by performing secondary transfer to the sheet S) and fixing the toner image on the recording material by the fixing device 40.

  The image processing unit 10 includes image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K corresponding to development colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image forming unit 10Y includes a photosensitive drum 11 that is an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charger 12, an exposure unit 13, a developing unit 14, a primary transfer roller 15, a cleaner 16, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drum 11. . The charger 12 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The other image forming units 10M, 10C, and 10K have the same configuration as the image forming unit 10Y, and the reference numerals are omitted in FIG.

  The exposure unit 13 exposes and scans the charged photosensitive drum 11 with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11. The developing unit 14 stores therein a developer containing toner corresponding to the colors of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with toner. . As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. That is, a toner image is carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier.

  The primary transfer roller 15 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 onto the intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer belt) 21 by electrostatic action. That is, the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member. The cleaner 16 cleans residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 after transfer. The transfer unit 20 includes an intermediate transfer member 21 that is stretched around a driving roller 24 and a driven roller 25 and circulates in the direction of the arrow. The intermediate transfer member 21 has a seamless belt shape (that is, an endless belt shape), and is a cylindrical shape obtained by injection molding or centrifugal molding of a resin material so as to have a desired peripheral length determined by design.

  When color printing (color mode) is executed, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 with the corresponding color toner for each of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10c, and 10K. In this image forming operation for each of the colors Y, M, C, and K, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 11 are transferred while being superimposed on the same position on the traveling intermediate transfer body 21. Thus, the timing is shifted from the upstream side toward the downstream side. In this way, a toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 21 by superimposing the toner images of the respective colors.

  The paper feeding unit 30 feeds the sheet S, which is a recording material, one by one from the paper feeding cassette in accordance with the above image forming timing, and directs the fed sheet S on the conveyance path 31 to the secondary transfer roller 22. Transport. When the sheet S conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 22 passes between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the intermediate transfer member 21, each color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 21 is transferred to the secondary transfer roller 22. Secondary transfer is collectively performed on the sheet S by electrostatic action. That is, the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the recording material.

  The sheet S after the toner image of each color is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 40. The fixing device 40 includes at least a pair of fixing members (a heating member (heating roller) 41 and a pressure member (pressure roller) 42).

  The sheet S is heated and pressurized when passing between the at least one pair of fixing members. Thus, after the toner is fused and fixed on the surface of the sheet S, the sheet S is discharged onto the discharge tray 33 by the discharge roller 32. In this way, an image corresponding to the toner image is formed on the recording material.

  In the above description, the operation in the case of executing the color mode has been described. However, in the case of executing monochrome (for example, black) printing (monochrome mode), only the black image forming unit 10K is driven, and the above-described operation is performed. By the same operation as in step S1, black image formation (printing) is performed on the sheet S through the steps of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing for the black color.

  The toner or toner pattern that has not been transferred onto the sheet S on the intermediate transfer member 21 is removed by a cleaning blade 26 disposed at a position facing the driven roller 25 with the intermediate transfer member 21 interposed therebetween. Further, a density detection sensor 23 made of, for example, a reflection type photoelectric sensor is disposed on the downstream side of the image forming unit 10K in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer body 21, and the toner pattern formed on the intermediate transfer body 21 is arranged. Detect the concentration.

  The control unit 5 controls to execute a smooth printing operation. An operation panel 35 is arranged at a position that is easy to operate by the user, on the front side and the upper side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 based on print job data received from an external terminal device via an image network. Yes. The operation panel 35 includes buttons for receiving various instructions from the user, a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit, and the like, and can transmit the received instruction content to the control unit 5.

  Examples of such an image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a composite machine thereof. The image forming apparatus may be either a dry type or a wet type, but is preferably a dry type.

  Such an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment exhibits an excellent effect that an image with high image quality can be formed over a long period of time.

  In the present embodiment, among the fixing members, the pressure member (pressure roll) 42 has an elastic body layer 422 containing silicone rubber, and PFA resin is used to cover the elastic body layer 422. The heating member (heating roll) 41 has an elastic layer containing silicone rubber, and the surface layer 413 made of PFA resin is formed so as to cover the elastic layer. Also good. Further, both the pressure member 41 and the pressure member 42 have an elastic body layer containing silicone rubber, and are made of the PFA resin having the above specific substituent so as to cover the elastic body layer. A surface layer may be formed. Thus, if at least one of the pair of fixing members includes an elastic layer containing silicone rubber and a surface layer laminated on the outer side of the elastic layer, the invention includes the present invention.

  In the fixing member (pressure member and pressure member), even if it is a layer other than a layer generally called an elastic layer (for example, a resin base material layer), if silicone rubber is contained as an elastic material, It corresponds to the “elastic layer” in the invention.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example is given and this invention is demonstrated in detail, this invention is not limited to these.

<Example 1>
In this example, a pressure member (fixing member) having a surface layer made of a PFA resin having a “group containing a siloxane bond” as a specific substituent was produced.

(Preparation of PFA resin tube)
First, a PFA resin tube (trade name “GRC”, manufactured by Gunze Co., Ltd., diameter 30 mm, thickness 40 μm) in which only an inner surface was subjected to a hydroxy group addition treatment was prepared.

  2.08 g of the PFA resin tube subjected to the addition treatment of the hydroxy group represented by the chemical formula (1-1) and 1.98 g of NaH were refluxed (refluxed) in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 8.94 g of chlorotrimethylsilane represented by the chemical formula (1-2) was gradually added, and further refluxed for about 1 hour to proceed the reaction.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin tube was taken out from toluene, and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having a group containing a siloxane bond represented by the chemical formula (1-3).

(Production of pressure member)
Using the PFA resin tube having the siloxane bond-containing group obtained as described above on the inner surface, the liquid silicone rubber injection molding system (LIMS) was used in the same manner as the pressure member manufacturing method described above. A pressure member was produced. That is, the above-mentioned PFA resin tube is inserted and set along the inner surface of the cylindrical mold, and a liquid silicone rubber (trade name: X-30-3888-U, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) prepared separately as a mold The pressure member was produced by pouring into the space between the inner metal core and the surface layer and vulcanizing the state.

  The cored bar was made of stainless steel having a diameter of 28 mm, and the elastic body layer made of silicone rubber was designed to have a thickness of 2 mm.

<Example 2>
In this example, the following “group containing two siloxane bonds” was used as a specific substituent added to the PFA resin tube used for the production of the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 2 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

(Preparation of PFA resin tube)
First, 1.29 g of dichlorodimethylsilane represented by the chemical formula (2-1) and 0.54 g of NaOMe were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 0.98 g of hydroxytrimethylsilane represented by the chemical formula (2-2) is gradually added, and further refluxed for about 1 hour to advance the reaction, thereby obtaining the compound represented by the chemical formula (2-3). It was.

  Reflux with 2.08 g of a PFA resin tube similar to the PFA resin tube subjected to the addition treatment of a hydroxy group used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula (2-4) and 1.98 g of NaH in toluene for about 1 hour. I let you. Next, 15.04 g of the compound represented by the chemical formula (2-3) was gradually added, and refluxed for about 1 hour to advance the reaction.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin tube was taken out from toluene and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having a “group containing two siloxane bonds” represented by the chemical formula (2-5).

<Example 3>
In this example, the following “bulky group” was used as a specific substituent added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 3 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

(Preparation of PFA resin)
First, 2.08 g of a PFA resin tube similar to the PFA resin tube subjected to the addition treatment of a hydroxy group used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula (3-1) and 1.98 g of NaH in toluene for about 1 hour. Refluxed. Next, 12.23 g of 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane represented by the chemical formula (3-2) was gradually added and refluxed for about 1 hour to proceed the reaction.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin tube was taken out from toluene, and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having a “bulky group” represented by the chemical formula (3-3).

<Example 4>
In this example, the following “bulky group” was used as a specific substituent added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 4 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

  First, 2.08 g of a PFA resin tube similar to the PFA resin tube subjected to the hydroxy group addition treatment used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula and 1.98 g of NaH were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 23.54 g of 1-chlorohexadecane represented by the chemical formula (4-2) was gradually added, and the mixture was refluxed for about 1 hour to proceed the reaction.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin tube was taken out of toluene and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having a “bulky group” represented by the chemical formula (4-3).

<Example 5>
In this example, the following “bulky group containing a siloxane bond” was used as a specific substituent to be added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 5 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

  1.30 g of 2-hydroxy-2,4,4-trimethylpentane represented by the chemical formula (5-1) and 0.54 g of NaOMe were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 1.29 g of dichlorodimethylsilane represented by the chemical formula (5-2) was gradually added, and further refluxed for about 1 hour, and the reaction was allowed to proceed to obtain the compound represented by the chemical formula (5-3). .

  Reflux with 2.08 g of a PFA resin tube similar to the PFA resin tube subjected to the addition treatment of a hydroxy group used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula (5-4) and 1.98 g of NaH in toluene for about 1 hour. I let you. Next, 18.33 g of the compound represented by the chemical formula (5-3) was gradually added and further refluxed for about 1 hour to proceed the reaction.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin was taken out from toluene, and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having a “bulky group containing a siloxane bond” represented by the chemical formula (5-5).

<Example 6>
In this example, the following “bulky group containing a siloxane bond” was used as a specific substituent to be added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 6 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

  1.29 g of 2-hydroxy-2,4,4-trimethylpentane represented by the chemical formula (6-1) and 0.54 g of NaOMe were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 2.67 g of dichlorodimethylsilane represented by the chemical formula (6-2) was gradually added, and further refluxed for about 1 hour, and the reaction was allowed to proceed to obtain the compound represented by the chemical formula (6-3). .

  A PFA resin tube 2.08 g similar to the PFA resin tube subjected to the addition treatment of a hydroxy group used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula (6-4) and 1.98 g of NaH were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. It was. Next, 29.64 g of the compound represented by the chemical formula (6-3) was gradually added and further refluxed for about 1 hour to proceed the reaction.

  Then, the PFA resin tube was taken out from toluene, and further washed with toluene several times to obtain a PFA resin tube having a “bulky group containing a siloxane bond” represented by chemical formula (6-6).

<Example 7>
In this example, the following “bulky group” was used as a specific substituent added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 4 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

  First, 2.08 g of a PFA resin tube similar to the PFA resin tube used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula and 1.98 g of NaH were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 22.6 g of the compound represented by the chemical formula (7-2) was gradually added and further refluxed for about 1 hour to proceed the reaction.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin tube was taken out from toluene, and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having a “bulky group” represented by the chemical formula (7-3).

<Example 8>
In this example, the following “bulky group” was used as a specific substituent added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 4 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

  First, 2.08 g of a PFA resin tube similar to the PFA resin tube used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula and 1.98 g of NaH were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 20.8 g of the compound represented by the chemical formula (8-2) was gradually added and further refluxed for about 1 hour to proceed the reaction.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin tube was taken out of toluene and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having a “bulky group” represented by the chemical formula (8-3).

<Example 9>
In this example, the following “bulky group” was used as a specific substituent added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Example 4 was produced in the same manner as Example 1.

  First, 2.08 g of a PFA resin tube similar to the PFA resin tube used in Example 1 represented by the chemical formula and 1.98 g of NaH were refluxed in toluene for about 1 hour. Next, 4.47 g of chlorotrimethylsilane represented by the chemical formula (9-2) and 6.12 g of 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane represented by the chemical formula (9-3) were gradually added. Refluxed for 1 hour to allow the reaction to proceed.

  Thereafter, the PFA resin tube was taken out of toluene and further washed several times with toluene to obtain a PFA resin tube having “siloxane” and “bulky group” represented by chemical formula (9-4).

<Comparative Example 1>
In Comparative Example 1, no substituent was added to the PFA resin tube used for producing the surface layer. Otherwise, the pressure member (fixing member) of Comparative Example 1 was produced in the same manner as Example 1. In addition, as a PFA resin tube, the thing which performed the addition process of the hydroxyl group similarly to Example 1 was used.

[Evaluation]
The following evaluations 1 to 3 were performed on the pressure members (fixing members) of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Example 1 prepared above.

<Evaluation 1: Ultrafine particle dust evaluation>
The pressure member (fixing member) produced in each of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Example 1 was used as a pressure member for a fixing device of a full-color composite machine (trade name: “bizhub C754”, manufactured by Konica Minolta Business Technologies). A printer testing machine was prepared. The printer tester was installed in a stainless steel chamber having a volume of 1 m ³ , and the chamber was set to be ventilated at 67 L / min.

  After the inside of the chamber was ventilated for about 1 hour, a printing operation for 10 minutes was performed by the printer tester, and dust (fine particles) discharged from the apparatus during the printing operation was sampled. A toner having a volume average particle diameter of 8 μm was used.

  The fine particles discharged into the chamber were continuously measured with a fine particle measuring instrument (model CPC3007) manufactured by TSI. The total number of fine particles having a particle diameter in the range of 10 nm to 1000 nm observed from the start of printing to the time corresponding to 3 ventilation after the end of printing was measured. The results are shown in Table 1 ("Ultrafine particle dust evaluation").

<Evaluation 2: Image evaluation>
The pressure member (fixing member) produced in each of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Example 1 was set in a full-color multifunction peripheral (trade name: “bizhub C754”, manufactured by Konica Minolta Business Technologies), and the exposure amount, etc. The printer paper (trade name: “J paper”, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) is used as a recording material for a blue solid image (an image with a cyan (C) printing rate of 100%) at 20 ° C. and 50% RH. 100,000 sheets were printed on a company, A4 size).

  The printer paper on which the solid image was printed was visually observed, and the number of “image stains” observed as spots (missing images) was counted. This spot is considered to be caused by the influence of fine particles or the like adhering to the surface of the pressure member. The results (number of image stains) are shown in Table 1 (“Image Evaluation” section).

  Note that the above-described full-color composite machine employs a laser exposure and reversal development method, and after the toner image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member, the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material by performing secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer member to the recording material and fixing the toner image on the recording material by the fixing device 40, which is schematically shown in FIG. It is what

  As is clear from Table 1, from the results of the ultrafine particle dust evaluation (Evaluation 1), the pressure member (fixing member) of the example has a number of generated ultrafine particles of 1 compared to the pressure member of the comparative example. It was confirmed that it could be reduced more than the order.

  Further, from the results of the image evaluation (Evaluation 2), the pressure member (fixing member) of the example has a smaller number of image stains due to fine particles adhering to the surface of the fixing member than the pressure member of the comparative example. It was confirmed that there was very little. If the number of image stains is 100 (pieces / sheet) or more, the image portion becomes dirty, and the image portion is recognized and becomes a practically problematic level.

  That is, it is apparent that the fixing member, the fixing device, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention exhibit an excellent effect that the amount of ultrafine particles such as siloxane molecules released can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the pressure members (fixing members) of Examples 5 and 6 in which the bulky group contains a siloxane bond are more in number of ultrafine particles and image stains than the pressure members of Examples 1 to 4. It can be seen that the amount of ultrafine particles released can be further reduced.

  Although the embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, it is also planned from the beginning to appropriately combine the configurations of the above-described embodiments and examples.

  It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 10 Image process part, 11 Photoconductor drum, 12 Charger, 13 Exposure part, 14 Developing part, 15 Primary transfer roller, 16 Cleaner, 20 Transfer part, 21 Intermediate transfer body, 21a Resin base material layer 21b Elastic layer, 21c Surface layer, 22 Secondary transfer roller, 23 Density detection sensor, 24 Drive roller, 25 Driven roller, 26 Cleaning blade, 30 Paper feed unit, 31 Transport path, 32 Paper discharge roller, 33 Paper discharge Tray, 35 operation panel, 40 fixing device, 41 heating member, 411 heater, 412 cored bar, 413 surface layer, 42 pressure member, 421 cored bar, 422 elastic body layer, 422a silicone rubber, 423 surface layer, 423a perfluoro Alkoxyalkane (PFA) resin, 423b Specific substituent, 5 Control unit, 90 Mold, 9 Cylindrical, 92 upper mold, 92a inlet, 93 a lower mold.

Claims (8)

A fixing member that is at least one of the pair of fixing members used in an image forming apparatus that fixes a toner image on a recording material by a fixing device including a pair of fixing members;
The fixing member has a roll-like shape, and includes an elastic body layer containing silicone rubber, and a surface layer laminated outside the elastic body layer,
The surface layer includes a perfluoroalkoxyalkane resin having a specific substituent as a main component,
The fixing member, wherein the specific substituent is a group including a siloxane bond and at least one substituent selected from a bulky group.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the number of siloxane bonds included in the group including the siloxane bond is 1 to 10.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the bulky group includes a carbon atom, and the bulky group has 5 or more carbon atoms.   The fixing member according to claim 3, wherein the bulky group has 40 or less carbon atoms.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the bulky group includes a siloxane bond.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the surface layer is 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less.   A fixing device comprising the fixing member according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 7.

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