Heating device and heated body utilization device

Abstract

The present invention provides a heating device and a heating body utilization device, which, compared with the case where the power input component is disposed on the end side of the heat pipe with a riveted portion, can suppress the damage of the riveted portion of the heat pipe due to concentrated load. The heating device (5) includes: a heating component (54) for heating by contacting the heated body being transported with a contact portion; a heat pipe (7) disposed along a width direction (D) intersecting the transport direction of the heated body at a portion of the heating component (54) different from the contact portion, and having a riveted portion (73) at one end (71) of the heat pipe (7); a rotating body (52) for rotating by pressing the heated body to the contact portion of the heating component (54); and a power input component (57) disposed on one side of the other end (72) of the heat pipe (7) for inputting rotational force to at least the rotating body (52).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heating device and a device for utilizing the heated object. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, heating devices equipped with heat pipes, such as those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, are known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a heating device comprising: a heating element; a membrane member slidably connected to the heating element and freely movable in an annular shape; a pressurizing element disposed to be pressed against the heating element via the membrane member; a heat-spreading member such as a heat pipe disposed downstream of the heating element in the direction of movement of the membrane member, and pressed against the pressurizing element via the membrane member; a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the heating element; and an energy control element for controlling the energy supplied to the heating element. The heating device allows the heated material to receive heat energy from the heating element via the membrane member through a press-fit portion obtained by pressing the heating element and the heat-spreading member against the pressurizing element via the membrane member.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a heating element in which a heating element is printed on a substrate made of a plate-shaped heat pipe through an insulating layer, and at least one side of the heat pipe whose outermost surface is coated with the insulating layer is concave. Furthermore, a heating element is printed on the opposite side of the concave side through an insulating layer, and the uppermost surface is coated with the insulating layer.

[0005] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0006] [Patent Literature]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-235001 (Claim 2, Figure 1 (Figure 4, etc.)

[0008] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-142834 (Claim 3, Figure 3 wait) Summary of the Invention

[0009] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The present invention provides a heating device and a heating body utilization device, which, compared with the case where the power input component is disposed on the end side of the heat pipe with a riveted portion, can suppress the damage of the riveted portion of the heat pipe due to concentrated load.

[0011] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0012] The heating device of the present invention (1) includes:

[0013] The heating element heats the object being transported by contacting its contact portion with the object being heated.

[0014] A heat pipe is arranged along a width direction that intersects the transport direction of the heated body in a portion of the heating component that is different from the contact portion, and has a riveted portion at one end of the heat pipe;

[0015] A rotating body that rotates in such a way that it presses the heated body against the contact portion of the heating element; and

[0016] A power input component, disposed on one side of the other end of the heat pipe, inputs rotational force to at least the rotating body.

[0017] The heating device of the present invention (2) is the heating device according to the invention (1), and further includes: a power supply connection part disposed on one side of the end of the heat pipe and connected to a wiring for supplying power to the heating component, wherein the heating device is provided with a hygroscopic component in a state of contact or proximity to the riveting part.

[0018] The heating device of the present invention (3) is the heating device according to the invention (2), wherein the heating element heats the heated body passing through the heating element from below, and the power supply connection is disposed at an end corresponding to the upper side of the heating element.

[0019] Furthermore, the heating body utilization device of the present invention (4) includes:

[0020] Transporting components, transporting heated bodies; and

[0021] The heating device heats the object being heated, which is being transported by the conveying component.

[0022] The heating device includes the heating device according to any one of the inventions (1) to (3).

[0023] [The effects of the invention]

[0024] According to the heating device of the invention (1), compared with the case where the power input component is arranged on the end side of the heat pipe with the riveted part, the damage of the riveted part of the heat pipe due to the concentration of load can be suppressed.

[0025] According to the invention (2), compared to the case where no hygroscopic component is provided at the rivet joint, vapor leaking from the rivet joint can be temporarily trapped, and the vapor movement to the side with the power supply connection can be suppressed.

[0026] According to the invention (3), compared to the case where the power supply connection is located at the end corresponding to the lower side of the heating element, even if vapor leaking from the riveting part diffuses and moves to the side with the power supply connection and condenses, the droplets are unlikely to accumulate in the power supply connection.

[0027] According to the heating body utilization device of the invention (4), the damage of the riveted part of the heat pipe in the heating device due to the concentration of load can be suppressed, so that the heated body can be used while being heated stably. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating device according to Embodiment 1.

[0030] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a portion of the heating device omitted.

[0031] Figure 4A It means applied to Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the heating unit of the heating device. Figure 4B yes Figure 4A An exploded view of the heating unit.

[0032] Figure 5 It means Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a part of the heating device.

[0033] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the heating unit. Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram representing a heat pipe.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the main parts of a modified example of the heating device.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing another variation of the heating device.

[0036] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1: Image forming apparatus (an example of an apparatus utilizing a heated object)

[0038] 5: Heating device

[0039] 7: Heat pipe

[0040] 9: Paper (an example of a heated object)

[0041] 51: Rotating body for heating (an example of a heating component)

[0042] 52: A rotating body for pressurization (an example of a rotating body)

[0043] 54: Heating element (an example of a heating component)

[0044] 56: Pressure roller (an example of a rotating body)

[0045] 57: Driven gear (an example of a power input component)

[0046] 71: One end

[0047] 72: The other end

[0048] 73: Riveted section

[0049] 75: Hygroscopic components

[0050] 541a: The side of the heating element that contacts the heating band (an example of the contact portion).

[0051] C: Direction of transport

[0052] D: Width direction

[0053] FN: The part that makes contact (an example of a contact area). Detailed Implementation

[0054] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the methods for carrying out the present invention will be described.

[0055] Implementation method 1.

[0056] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of the configuration of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in the figure. Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 is shown in the figure. Figure 2 The heating device 5 of Embodiment 1 is shown in the figure.

[0057] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the accompanying drawings, the arrows indicated by symbols X, Y, and Z represent the left-right direction (horizontal), the up-down direction (vertical), and the front-back direction (horizontal), respectively. Furthermore, the circular markings indicating the intersection of the X and Y arrows in the drawings indicate that the Z direction points vertically downwards towards the bottom of the drawing.

[0058] <Image forming apparatus>

[0059] Figure 1The image forming apparatus 1 shown is an apparatus that forms an image by heating a paper 9, which contains a developer, for example, as a powder, after forming an image on the paper 9, which is an example of a heated object. The image forming apparatus 1 is equivalent to an example of a heated object utilization apparatus that utilizes a heated object.

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 has a frame 10 with a desired external shape, and an image forming apparatus 2, a paper feeding device 4, a heating device 5, etc. are arranged in the internal space of the frame 10. Figure 1 The dotted lines in the diagram represent the main transport path when moving paper 9 within frame 10.

[0061] The image forming apparatus 2 is an apparatus for forming a toner image including toner as a developer and transferring the toner image onto paper 9. The image forming apparatus 2 is configured to include a photosensitive drum 21 that rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A, and to have an electric charging device 22, an exposure device 23, a developing device 24, a transfer device 25, a cleaning device 26, etc. arranged around the photosensitive drum 21.

[0062] The photosensitive drum 21 is an example of an image holding member, and is a photosensitive body with a drum shape having a photosensitive layer that forms both an image forming surface and an image holding surface. The charging device 22 is a device that charges the outer peripheral surface (image forming surface) of the photosensitive drum 21 to a desired surface potential. For example, the charging device 22 is configured to include a charging member, which may include a roller or the like, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface (image forming surface) of the photosensitive drum 21 and supplied with a charging current.

[0063] Exposure apparatus 23 is a device for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 based on image information. Exposure apparatus 23 operates after receiving an image signal, which is generated from externally input image information through necessary processing by an image processing unit (not shown). The image information may be, for example, text, graphics, photographs, patterns, or other information related to the image to be formed. Development apparatus 24 is a device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 into a monochrome toner image using a developer (toner) of a corresponding specified color (e.g., black).

[0064] Secondly, the transfer device 25 is a device that electrostatically transfers the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to the paper 9. The transfer device 25 includes a transfer member, which includes a roller or similar component, and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and is supplied with a transfer current. The cleaning device 26 is a device that removes unwanted toner, paper dust, and other unwanted objects adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to clean the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0065] In the image forming apparatus 2, the portion of the photosensitive drum 21 facing the transfer device 25 becomes the transfer position TP for transferring the toner image.

[0066] The paper feeding device 4 is a device for receiving and feeding paper 9 to be supplied to the transfer position TP in the image forming apparatus 2. The paper feeding device 4 is configured with one or more receiving bodies 41 for receiving paper 9 and one or more feeding devices 43 for feeding paper 9.

[0067] The receiving body 41 is a receiving member having a loading plate (not shown) that loads and holds multiple sheets of paper 9 in a desired orientation. The feeding device 43 is a device that uses multiple rollers or the like to extract the sheets of paper 9 one by one from the loading plate loaded on the receiving body 41. The paper feeding device 4 in Embodiment 1, for example, has two receiving bodies 41A and 41B capable of independently receiving sheets of paper 9A and paper 9B of different widths during transport, and two feeding devices 43A and 43B capable of independently feeding out the sheets of paper 9A and paper 9B respectively received in the receiving bodies 41A and 41B.

[0068] The paper feeding device 4 is connected to the transfer position TP in the image forming apparatus 2 via a paper feeding transport path 45, which is an example of a transport component. The paper feeding transport path 45 is a paper transport path that transports and supplies the paper 9 (9A or 9B) fed from the paper feeding device 4 to the transfer position TP. It is configured with multiple transport rollers 46a, 46b that hold the paper 9 for transport, or multiple guide members (not shown) that ensure transport space for the paper 9 and guide the transport of the paper 9.

[0069] Moreover, the paper 9 can be any sheet-like recording medium that can be moved within the frame 10 and can be used for toner image transfer and thermal fixing, and its material and shape are not particularly restricted.

[0070] The heating device 5 is a device that heats and pressurizes the toner image of the unfixed image transferred at the transfer position TP of the image forming apparatus 2 to fix it onto the paper 9. The heating device 5 is a device that is configured with a heating rotating body 51, a pressurizing rotating body 52, etc., arranged in the internal space of the frame 50, which is provided with the paper inlet 50a or outlet 50b.

[0071] Moreover, such as Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, in the heating device 5, the heating rotating body 51 and the pressurizing rotating body 52 are arranged in contact to rotate, thereby heating and pressurizing the paper 9 and the like passing through in the contacting part FN.

[0072] Details regarding the heating device 5 will be described later.

[0073] Then, in the image forming apparatus 1, for example, an image is formed as follows.

[0074] That is, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit (not shown) receives the instruction to form an image, the image forming apparatus 2 performs the charging operation, the exposure operation, the developing operation and the transfer operation. On the other hand, the paper feeding device 4 performs the paper feeding operation to feed out the required paper 9 (9A or 9B) and transport it to the transfer position TP via the paper feeding transport path 45.

[0075] Thus, a toner image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 21. On the other hand, the toner image is transferred to the paper 9 supplied from the paper feeding device 4 to the transfer position TP. At this time, the paper 9 with the toner image transferred is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 21 while being sandwiched between the rotating photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer device 25, and is sent toward the heating device 5.

[0076] Subsequently, in the image forming apparatus 1, in the heating apparatus 5, as... Figure 2 As shown, a fixing operation is performed, which involves heating and pressurizing the paper 9, on which the toner image 92 has been transferred, as it is fed into and passed through the contact portion FN. As a result, the unfixed toner image 92 melts under pressure and is fixed onto the paper 9. At this time, the heating rotor 51 and the pressurizing rotor 52 function as transporting components for the paper 9.

[0077] After being fixed, the paper 9 is discharged from the frame 50 while being sandwiched between the heating rotating body 51 and the pressurizing rotating body 52 in the heating device 5. It is then transported to the paper discharge outlet 12 via the paper discharge transport path, and finally sent out by the discharge roller 48 to the paper discharge receiving section 13 provided in a part of the frame 10 and received therein.

[0078] Through the above operations, the basic image forming action of the image forming apparatus 1, which forms a monochrome image on one side of a sheet of paper 9, is completed.

[0079] <Heating Device>

[0080] Next, the heating device 5 will be described in detail.

[0081] like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, in Embodiment 1, the heating device 5 uses a heating unit 55 in the form of a belt-clamping part (nip) as the heating rotating body 51 and a pressure roller 56 in the form of a roller as the pressure rotating body 52. ​​The heating unit 55 in the form of a belt-clamping part includes a rotatable heating belt 53 and a heating element 54, which heats the heating element by pressing the heating belt 53 from its inner circumferential surface to the pressure rotating body 52 to form a contact part (clamping part) FN.

[0082] The heating unit 55 is positioned along a width direction D that intersects the transport direction C of the paper 9. Figure 3 The part of the paper 9 that is in contact with the part FN (an example of the contact part) is heated.

[0083] The heating unit 55 is configured such that the heating element 54 is held in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the heating band 53 by a contact holder 61, and the heating band 53 is held in a rotatable manner by a portion of the contact holder 61 and the left and right end holders 62A and 62B. Furthermore, the heating unit 55 is supported by a support 63, which holds the contact holder 61 and the left and right end holders 62A and 62B.

[0084] The heating belt 53 is a flexible or heat-resistant annular heat-conducting belt. The heating belt 53 can be made of materials such as polyimide, polyamide, or other synthetic resins and formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0085] The heating element 54 includes: a substrate 541, multiple (three in this example) heating elements 542A, 542B, and 542C with one side 541a disposed in the substrate 541 and in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the heating band 53, and a wiring portion 543 for supplying power to the heating elements 542A, 542B, and 542C.

[0086] The substrate 541 is a rectangular plate-shaped component with the following dimensions, wherein the width dimension W in the width direction D intersecting the transport direction C of the paper 9 is longer than the maximum dimension W1. The substrate 541 comprises an electrically insulating material, for example, a ceramic substrate. The surface (single side) 541a of the substrate 541 that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the heating band 53 is covered by a coating layer after the heating parts 542A, 542B, and 542C are provided.

[0087] like Figure 6AAs shown, heating elements 542A, 542B, and 542C are heating wires arranged in a straight line on one side 541a of substrate 541, in a parallel state that is separated from each other in the width direction D of paper 9 along its length direction (along the width direction D of paper 9).

[0088] Figure 6A The attached drawing shows the state as viewed from the back side (other side) 541b of one side 541a of the substrate 541 of the heating element 54. Therefore, the heating part 542 provided on the one side 541a side is not actually visible, but... Figure 6A In order to facilitate the explanation of the heating element 542, the heating element 542 is depicted in a state that can be observed from the other side 541b.

[0089] Furthermore, the heating elements 542A, 542B, and 542C have the same length relative to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 541, but are configured such that the areas with relatively large amounts of heat generation exist in different positions to accommodate the different widths of the paper 9 when it is being transported.

[0090] That is, the first heating element 542A is configured such that the central portion, excluding the two ends along its length, becomes a region of significant heat generation. The first heating element 542A is used when a piece of paper 9 with a width dimension W equal to the intermediate dimension W2 (< W1) passes through. Furthermore, the second heating element 542B is configured such that portions corresponding to the two ends of the first heating element 542A become regions of significant heat generation. Moreover, the third heating element 542C is configured such that the central portion along its length (for example, approximately one-third of the total length) becomes a region of significant heat generation. The third heating element 542C is used when a piece of paper 9 with a width dimension W equal to the minimum dimension W3 (< W2) passes through.

[0091] Incidentally, the configuration of the relatively large heating areas of heating units 542A, 542B, and 542C in Embodiment 1 is based on a central reference transport method (center register method). This central reference transport method (center register method) guides and transports the paper 9 by passing through the central position in the width direction D of the paper 9 through the central position of the contact portion FN of the heating device 5, which serves as the reference for the width of the area through which the paper 9 passes.

[0092] Furthermore, the relatively large amount of heat generated in the heating parts 542A, 542B, and 542C is achieved, for example, by making at least one of the width and thickness of the heating wire narrower or thinner than the other parts (the parts that suppress heat generation), or both narrower and thinner, thereby increasing the resistance value relatively.

[0093] Furthermore, the temperature of the heating element 54 formed by the heating of the heating elements 542A, 542B, and 542C is measured by a temperature sensor (not shown) arranged in a manner that contacts a necessary portion of the back surface 541b of the substrate 541 of the heating element 54, and the measured information is fed back to a heating control unit (not shown).

[0094] like Figure 6A As shown, the wiring portion 543 is configured such that its hub portion exists at one end of the heating element 54 in the longitudinal direction and is located outside either the end holder 62A or the end holder 62B. In Embodiment 1, the wiring portion 543 is configured such that one end of the substrate 541 extends to the end outside the right end holder 62B.

[0095] Furthermore, the wiring section 543 includes: a substrate 543a having electrical insulation properties, and a... Figure 6A The independent wiring sections 543b, 543c, and 543d, as shown by dashed lines, are independently connected to one end of each of the heating elements 542A, 542B, and 542C. Figure 6A The common wiring section 543e is connected to the other end of each of the heating parts 542A, 542B, and 542C as shown by the dotted or dashed lines.

[0096] Heating element 54 and image Figure 3 The power supply connection section 64, as shown, supplies power to the wiring section 543 and then to the heating section 542.

[0097] The power supply connection part 64 in Embodiment 1 includes: a frame (connector body) 641 with a detachable shape for connection, and a plurality of contact terminals 642 provided on one side of the frame 641 in a state of being connected to the connection ends of each wire of the wiring part 543.

[0098] The power supply connection part 64 is, for example, as shown in the example Figure 6A As shown, it is connected to a power supply connection section 14 that extends from a power supply section (not shown) in the image forming apparatus 1, and thus becomes energized.

[0099] Furthermore, the power supply connection portion 64 is positioned to connect to the connection ends of each wire in the wiring portion 543, and is positioned such that it exists on the outside of either of the left or right end holders 62A and 62B. In Embodiment 1, as Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6A , Figure 6BAs shown, the power supply connection 64 is located on the outside of the right end holder 62B, for example, at one end of the wiring portion 543 of the heating element 54 or at one end of the contact holder 61.

[0100] In particular, in the case of the power supply connection part 64, such as Figure 5 or Figure 6A As shown, since the heating unit 55 heats the paper 9 and the like, which are transported from bottom to top as shown in the transport direction C, it is positioned at the end corresponding to the upper side of the heating unit 55. Specifically, the power supply connection 64 is positioned at the downstream side (corresponding to the upper side) of the wiring portion 543 of the heating element 54 or at the end of the contact holder 61 in the transport direction C.

[0101] The contact holder 61 is a plate-shaped component that extends in one direction and has a receiving recess 61a that receives and holds the heating element 54 on one side of the side in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the heating band 53.

[0102] Furthermore, the contact retainer 61 has a mounting groove 61b or mounting contact 61c on the opposite side to the single side, which is used for mounting onto the support 63.

[0103] Furthermore, in the contact retainer 61, one long side end of the single side provided with the receiving recess 61a is formed as an introduction guide 61d including a buckled surface to guide the heating band 53 to the contact portion FN, and the other long side end of the single side is formed as a pull-out guide 61e including a bent surface to guide the heating band 53 in the direction of being pulled out from the contact portion FN.

[0104] The left and right end holders 62A and 62B each have a curved guide holding portion 622 on the inner surface of a circular plate-shaped main body 621 that is partially missing from the portion facing the pressure roller 56. This curved guide holding portion 622 guides and holds the heating belt 53 from its inner circumferential surface in a rotatable manner at both ends in the width direction. Furthermore, the left and right end holders 62A and 62B each have a mounting recess (not shown) inside the guide holding portion 622 of their main body 621, which is mounted to the end of the support body 63.

[0105] like Figure 3 As shown, the support 63 is a component that is longer than the heating element 54 in the longitudinal direction. As the support 63, for example... Figure 4A As shown, for example, a component can be bent into a roughly right-angle shape along the same direction by making the long side end of a unidirectionally elongated plate concave in cross-section.

[0106] Regarding the support 63, when installing the contact retainer 61, as follows: Figure 4B As shown, one bent end 63b is inserted into the mounting groove 61b of the contact retainer 61, while the other bent end 63c is maintained in contact with the mounting contact portion 61c of the contact retainer 61. Thus, the support 63 is supported in a state where a portion of the contact retainer 61 is sandwiched between it in the length direction.

[0107] The heating unit 55 is assembled, for example, in the following manner.

[0108] First, the contact holder 61, equipped with the heating element 54, is installed on the bent ends 63b and 63c of the support 63, and the resulting component is inserted into the heating band 53. In this state, the left and right end holders 62A and 62B are installed slightly inward from the two ends of the support 63 along its length, clamping the heating band 53 from both sides. At this time, as... Figure 6A As shown, the left and right end retainers 62A and 62B are installed at the end of the heating part 542 of the heating element 54 or at a position further outward.

[0109] The heating unit 55 can be assembled in this way. Moreover, the heating unit 55 is disposed in the heating device 5 by assembling and fixing the two ends 63d and 63e of the support body 63 in the longitudinal direction to an assembly part (not shown) provided on the inner wall surface of the frame 50.

[0110] Subsequently, the pressure roller 56, which serves as the rotating body 52 for applying pressure, can be, for example, a roller on which an elastomer layer and a release layer are provided on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical or cylindrical roller base containing metal or the like.

[0111] like Figure 3 As shown, in the pressure roller 56, the shaft portions 56c and 56d at both axial ends are supported in a manner that allows them to rotate relative to a pressure mechanism (not shown) disposed in the frame 50. Furthermore, the pressure roller 56 receives pressure from the pressure mechanism applied to the heating unit 55. Thus, as... Figure 2 or Figure 3 As shown, the pressure roller 56 is maintained in a state in which its outer circumferential surface is pressed against the length direction of one side 541a of the heating element 54 by the heating band 53 in the heating unit 55 with the required pressure.

[0112] The portion of the pressure roller 56 that presses against the heating unit 55 becomes the contact portion FN.

[0113] Moreover, such as Figure 3As shown, the pressure roller 56 has a power driven gear 57 mounted on one of its shaft portions 56c, which serves as an example of a drive input component. This power driven gear 57 meshes with a power driven gear (not shown) in the drive transmission device 15 located on the side of the frame 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, when image forming operations are required, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the pressure roller 56 is driven to rotate at the desired speed in the direction indicated by arrow B1 by the rotational force transmitted by the drive transmission device 15 and inputting the rotational force.

[0114] When the pressure roller 56 rotates and is driven, such as Figure 2 As shown, the heating band 53 in the heating unit 55 rotates passively in the direction indicated by arrow B2.

[0115] Furthermore, the heating device 5 is configured to adjust the area of ​​heating element 54 of heating unit 55 for heating according to the width dimension W of paper 9 that is in contact with the part FN when performing the image forming operation.

[0116] For example, when a piece of paper 9 with a width W of the maximum size W1 is passed through, power is supplied to both the first heating element 542A and the second heating element 542B, causing the area corresponding to the maximum size W1 to heat up. Furthermore, when a piece of paper 9 with a minimum size W3 is passed through, power is supplied only to the third heating element 542C, causing the area corresponding to the minimum size W3 to heat up. Moreover, when a piece of paper with an intermediate size W2 is passed through, power is supplied only to the first heating element 542A, causing the area corresponding to the intermediate size W2 to heat up.

[0117] Thus, the heating device 5 enables the heating element 54 of the heating unit 55 to generate heat efficiently in accordance with the different width dimensions W of the paper 9.

[0118] However, in the heating device 5, for example, when heating is performed by continuously passing through a paper 9 with a width W smaller than the maximum size W1 (including the middle size W2 and the minimum size W3), there is a situation where a non-paper feeding area is generated in the contacting part FN where the paper 9 does not pass through. This non-paper feeding area is continuously heated by the part of the heating unit 542 that suppresses the heat generation, thus resulting in a temperature rise.

[0119] In this situation, the non-paper feeding area of ​​the part of FN that is in contact becomes locally hot. As a result, the contact holder 61 is sometimes adversely affected by localized heating or uneven heating is induced.

[0120] Therefore, in the heating device 5, from the viewpoint of suppressing unnecessary temperature rise in the non-paper feeding area, such as Figures 2 to 4A , Figure 4B As shown, in the heating unit 55, two heat pipes 7A and 7B are arranged in contact on the opposite side (back side) 541b of the heating element 54, which is in contact with the heating band 53. Here, the side 541a of the heating element 54 that is in contact with the heating band 53 is also the part that is in contact with the paper 9 for heating. Moreover, the opposite side (back side) 541b of the heating element 54 is an example that is different from the part that is in contact with the paper 9 for heating.

[0121] Both heat pipe 7A and heat pipe 7B are sealed tubes formed by closing both ends of a cylinder containing materials with excellent thermal conductivity such as copper and stainless steel, and have a main body 70 with an inner wall capillary structure (so-called capillary (wick)), and a volatile working fluid (pure water, etc.) is sealed inside the main body 70.

[0122] like Figure 5 As shown, heat pipes 7A and 7B have a length approximately the same as the length of the heating element 542 of the heating element 54. Furthermore, since heat pipes 7A and 7B are used in a parallel configuration, heat pipes with a relatively small diameter (e.g., an outer diameter of a few millimeters) are used.

[0123] The heat pipes 7A and 7B are arranged parallel to each other along the length direction (along the width direction D of the paper 9) of the back surface 541b of the heating element 54, and at a required interval in the transport direction C of the paper 9.

[0124] In implementation method 1, such as Figure 4A , Figure 4B As shown, mounting grooves 65A and 65B for heat pipes 7A and 7B are provided in the receiving recess 61a of the contact holder 61. After heat pipes 7A and 7B are assembled in the mounting grooves 65A and 65B respectively, the heating element 54 is housed in the receiving recess 61a, maintaining a state where the back surface 541b of the heating element 54 presses against the heat pipes 7A and 7B. Alternatively, heat pipes 7A and 7B can be partially bonded to the back surface 541b of the heating element 54 using a thermally conductive adhesive.

[0125] In the heating device 5 equipped with heat pipes 7A and 7B, even if a non-paper-feeding area is generated in the contacting part FN and the temperature rises, the heat in the non-paper-feeding area of ​​the heating element 54 will be moved to the paper-feeding area of ​​the heating element 54 by the thermal movement of heat pipes 7A and 7B. The paper-feeding area is through which the paper 9 passes and is in a relatively low temperature state compared with the non-paper-feeding area.

[0126] Therefore, in the heating device 5, compared with the case where heat pipes 7A and 7B are not configured, the temperature rise in the non-paper feeding area is suppressed.

[0127] Furthermore, in the heating device 5, the two heat pipes 7A and 7B are arranged parallel to each other at intervals in the paper 9 transport direction C in the heating element 54. Therefore, compared with the case of arranging one heat pipe 7, the temperature rise is suppressed evenly and efficiently in the front and back of the paper 9 in the non-paper transport area in the paper transport direction C.

[0128] Moreover, such as Figure 6B As shown, the heat pipes 7A and 7B used in the heating device 5 have a riveting part 73 at one end 71 of the main body 70.

[0129] The riveting portion 73 is a part that has undergone processing to close the cylindrical end in a state of compression and joining under vacuum. It is also a part with thinner walls and weaker strength compared to the main body 70. There are no particular limitations on the appearance or shape of the riveting portion 73. The other end 72 of the main body 70 is an end shape that is closed by joining processes such as welding.

[0130] On the other hand, during the fixing operation of the heating device 5, the heat pipes 7A and 7B receive thermal pressure from the heating element 54 or vapor pressure generated when the working fluid evaporates.

[0131] Furthermore, during the fixing operation of the heating device 5, the pressure roller 56 rotates by receiving the rotational force from the drive transmission device 15 through the engagement of the power driven gear 57. On the other hand, the heating element 54 of the heating unit 55 receives the rotational force of the pressure roller 56 through the heating belt 53 at the contact portion FN, thereby generating a driving reaction force. As a result, the load tends to increase, and due to this effect, the load tends to concentrate in the riveting portion 73 of the heat pipes 7A and 7B. This load concentration tends to become more pronounced the higher the pressure roller 56 rotates.

[0132] Therefore, in the case of heat pipes 7A and 7B with riveting portions 73, there is a possibility that the riveting portion 73 may break due to the continued exposure to the pressure of heat or vapor pressure and the concentrated load.

[0133] Therefore, in the heating device 5, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5As shown, the power driven gear 57 is positioned on the other end 72 side of the heat pipe. In other words, it can also be said that the heat pipes 7A and 7B are configured such that one end 71 with the riveting part 73 is located on the opposite side of the power driven gear 57, which is an example of a power input component, in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 54.

[0134] In this case, while paying attention to the position of the riveting part 73, heat pipes 7A and 7B are received and assembled into the receiving recess 61a of the contact retainer 61. Furthermore, at this time, heat pipes 7A and 7B are as follows: Figure 3 or Figure 5 As shown, the bodies 62A and 62B are configured such that their ends along the length direction are close to the left and right ends and are held in a clamped state.

[0135] Therefore, in the heating device 5, even when the pressure roller 56 is rotated by a rotational force input via the power driven gear 57, a high load is applied to the heating element 54 of the heating unit 55 due to the generation of a driving reaction force. Compared with the case where the heat pipes 7A and 7B are not configured such that the riveting part 73 exists on the opposite side of the power driven gear 57 to which the power is input, the damage to the riveting part 73 of the heat pipes 7A and 7B due to the concentration of load is suppressed.

[0136] Moreover, in the heating device 5, such as Figure 5 As shown, the power supply connection 64 is located at the end corresponding to the upper side of the heating unit 55 (the downstream side of the transport direction C in which the paper 9 is transported from below upwards). Therefore, compared to the case where the power supply connection 64 is located at the end corresponding to the lower side of the heating unit 55, even if the riveting part 73 is sometimes deformed or damaged, and steam leaks from the riveting part 73 and condenses, there is no possibility that the liquid droplets will fall and accumulate in the power supply connection 64 and induce a short circuit.

[0137] Variations.

[0138] In the heating device 5 of embodiment 1, it is also possible to... Figure 3 or Figure 7 As illustrated, a moisture-absorbing component 75 is provided around the riveting portion 73 of heat pipes 7A and 7B.

[0139] The hygroscopic component 75 can be any component that can absorb vapor leaking from the riveting part 73 when the working fluid sealed to the heat pipe 7A and heat pipe 7B leaks out, and also has heat resistance. Moreover, the component 75 can be arranged in contact with or close to the riveting part 73, but it is preferable to arrange it in a non-contact state with the back surface 541b of the heating element 54.

[0140] The heating device 5 of Embodiment 1 is an example of a heating unit 55, which is a heating rotating body 51, and a pressure roller 56, which is a pressure rotating body 52, which are in contact and rotate in a state of being arranged laterally in a generally horizontal direction, but it is not limited to this.

[0141] That is, regarding the heating device 5, for example, it can be configured such that the heating unit 55 and the pressure roller 56 are in contact and rotate in a state where they are arranged vertically in the generally vertical direction (gravity direction), or it can be configured such that the heating unit 55 and the pressure roller 56 are in contact and rotate in a state where they are arranged vertically in the inclined direction.

[0142] Furthermore, the pressure-applying rotating body 52 is not limited to a roller form; for example, a belt-clamping part form can also be used. The drive input component of the pressure-applying rotating body 52 is not limited to a power driven gear 57; other forms are also possible.

[0143] Furthermore, while the heating device 5 is a so-called heating and pressurizing device with a pressurizing rotating body 52, it may not have a pressurizing rotating body 52 as long as the heated object can be moved in a manner that allows it to contact the heated portion of the heating unit 55 and be heated. Moreover, the heating unit 55 may also treat the heating band 53 as an example or part of the heated object. Furthermore, the heating unit 55 may also be configured without the heating band 53. The heating device 5 may also be configured such that the heating band 53 is powered, for example, by receiving power from the drive transmission device 15 via a power input member, thereby rotating.

[0144] Furthermore, the heating unit 55 can be equipped with one or more heat pipes 7. Moreover, the heat pipes 7 are not limited to cylindrical shapes; for example, they can also be flat plate shapes.

[0145] Regarding the power supply connection part 64, it can be as follows: Figure 8 As illustrated, the end retainer 62A is positioned on the outer side of the left end. In other words, the power supply connection 64 can be positioned on the same side as the power driven gear 57 of the pressure roller 56, which is an example of a rotating body. With this configuration, the riveting portions 73 of the heat pipes 7A and 7B are positioned opposite to the power supply connection 64 in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 54, so even if steam leaks from the riveting portions 73, short circuits in the power supply connection 64 due to the steam are suppressed.

[0146] Furthermore, regarding the power supply connection part 64, in cases where it is difficult to ensure the placement space, the power supply connection part 64 may also be placed at the end corresponding to the lower side of the heating unit 55.

[0147] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, an example of applying the heating device 5 to the image forming apparatus 1 is shown, but it is not limited to this.

[0148] That is, the heating device 5 can also be applied to other image forming devices, or to paper drying devices that heat or dry paper 9 carried by paper transporting members (an example of a heated body utilization device), or to devices that have a process of heating or drying a sheet that does not form an image while being transported by transporting members (an example of a heated body), etc.

[0149] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 can also be an apparatus for forming a multicolor image composed of multiple colors of pigments, and its form is not particularly limited.

Claims

1. A heating device, characterized in that, include: The heating element heats the object being transported by contacting its contact portion with the object being heated. The heat pipe is arranged along a width direction that intersects the transport direction of the heated body in a portion of the heating component that is different from the contact portion, and has a riveted portion only at one end of the heat pipe; The rotating body rotates in such a way that it presses the heated body against the contact portion of the heating element; as well as The power input component is disposed only on one side of the other end of the heat pipe, and at least inputs rotational force to the rotating body.

2. The heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A power supply connection is disposed on one side of one end of the heat pipe and connected to a wiring supplying power to the heating element. The heating device is provided with a moisture-absorbing component in a state of contact or proximity to the riveted part.

3. The heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heating element heats the object being heated as it passes from below. The power supply connection is located at the end corresponding to the upper side of the heating element.

4. A device for utilizing a heated body, characterized in that, include: Transporting components, transporting the heated body; as well as The heating device heats the object being heated, which is being transported by the conveying component. The heating device includes the heating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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