Heating device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The heating device and the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure suppress temperature unevenness of a conveyed material in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction, as compared with a structure in which the nearest air blow holes adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction of the conveyed material are arranged along the conveyance direction. The heating device includes: a heating portion that heats an upper surface of a conveyed material being conveyed in a non-contact manner; and an air blow portion that blows air to a lower surface of the conveyed material through a plurality of air blow holes opened with respect to the lower surface, among the plurality of air blow holes, the nearest air blow holes adjacent to each other in a conveyance direction of the conveyed material are arranged offset from each other in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heating device and an image forming apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] [RELATED ART]

[0003] In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-39148, a fixing device is disclosed that has a non-contact carrying member that carries a leading end of a single sheet of paper in a carrying direction while not contacting both surfaces of the single sheet of paper having an unfixed image, and a non-contact heating member that heats the single sheet of paper in a carrying state by the non-contact carrying member without contact, and the fixing device is characterized by having a gas blowing member that blows gas toward the front and back surfaces of the single sheet of paper in a heating state by the non-contact heating member, respectively. SUMMARY

[0004] In a heating device including a heating section that heats an upper surface of a carried carried material without contact, and a blow section that blows air toward a lower surface of the carried material through a plurality of blow holes that are open with respect to the lower surface, if the nearest blow holes adjacent to each other in a carrying direction of the carried material are arranged along the carrying direction, temperature unevenness of the carried material in a direction intersecting the carrying direction is sometimes generated.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress temperature unevenness of a carried material in a direction intersecting a carrying direction, as compared with a structure in which the nearest blow holes adjacent to each other in the carrying direction of the carried material are arranged along the carrying direction.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a heating device can be provided that includes a heating section that heats an upper surface of a carried carried material without contact, and a blow section that blows air toward a lower surface of the carried material through a plurality of blow holes that are open with respect to the lower surface, of which the nearest blow holes adjacent to each other in a carrying direction of the carried material are arranged apart from each other in a direction intersecting the carrying direction.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the nearest blow holes adjacent to each other in the carrying direction of the carried material are arranged apart from each other in the entire holes in the intersecting direction.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a parallelogram is formed by lines connecting each of a nearest pair of blow holes adjacent to each other in the carrying direction of the carried material and a pair of blow holes adjacent to the pair of blow holes in the intersecting direction.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, each of a pair of air supply holes adjacent to the closest pair of air supply holes adjacent in the conveying direction of the conveyed material and a pair of air supply holes adjacent to the pair of air supply holes in the intersecting direction is formed in a shape other than a square by lines connecting the air supply holes.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of air supply holes has a plurality of columns of the air supply holes arranged along the intersecting direction, a plurality of the columns arranged in the conveying direction, and the closest air supply holes in the columns adjacent to each other in the conveying direction are arranged offset from each other in the intersecting direction.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the air supply portion supplies air to the lower surface of the conveyed material, the conveyed material is conveyed in a state in which a downstream side portion in the conveying direction of the conveyed material is held and an upstream side portion in the conveying direction of the conveyed material is not held, and the upstream side portion in the conveying direction of the conveyed material is floated up.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus can be provided, the image forming apparatus including: an image forming portion that forms an image on a recording medium that is a conveyed material; and a heating device that heats an upper surface of the conveyed material on which the image is formed by the image forming portion in a non-contact manner.

[0013] [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the first aspect, compared to a structure in which the closest air supply holes adjacent to each other in the conveying direction of the conveyed material are arranged along the conveying direction, temperature unevenness in the intersecting direction of the conveying direction of the conveyed material can be suppressed.

[0015] According to the second aspect, compared to a structure in which a part of the holes of the closest air supply holes adjacent to each other in the conveying direction of the conveyed material overlap in the intersecting direction, temperature unevenness in the intersecting direction of the conveying direction of the conveyed material can be suppressed.

[0016] According to the third aspect, compared to a structure in which the lines form a trapezoid, temperature unevenness in the intersecting direction of the conveying direction of the conveyed material can be suppressed.

[0017] According to the fourth aspect, compared to a structure in which the lines form a square, temperature unevenness in the intersecting direction of the conveying direction of the conveyed material can be suppressed.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect, compared to a structure in which the closest air supply holes in the columns adjacent to each other in the conveying direction are arranged along the conveying direction, temperature unevenness in the intersecting direction of the conveying direction of the conveyed material can be suppressed.

[0019] According to the sixth aspect, compared with a structure in which the nearest air supply holes adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction of the conveyed material are arranged along the conveyance direction, it is possible to suppress unevenness in the cross direction of the amount of floating of the conveyed material due to air supply from the plurality of air supply holes.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect, compared with a structure in which the heating device including the nearest air supply holes adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction of the conveyed material are arranged along the conveyance direction, it is possible to suppress unevenness in the cross direction of the conveyance direction in heating of an image of the conveyed material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a heating device of the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a chain gripper of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an air supply device of the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement of air supply holes of the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the arrangement of air supply holes of a comparative example.

[0027] Figure 7 is a plan view showing the arrangement of air supply holes of a modified example.

[0028] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an image forming apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a toner image forming section of the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a fixing unit of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. Further, the arrow H shown in each of the drawings is a vertical direction and indicates an apparatus up-down direction, the arrow W is a horizontal direction and indicates an apparatus width direction, and the arrow D indicates an apparatus front-rear direction (apparatus depth direction).

[0032] <First Embodiment>

[0033] (Image forming apparatus 10)

[0034] The structure of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

[0035] Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium that is an example of a sheet-shaped conveyed material. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 is an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a paper sheet P that is an example of a recording medium using ink. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has a housing portion 50, a discharge portion 52, an image forming portion 12, a heating device 100, a cooling portion 90, and a conveyance device 16. Hereinafter, each portion (the housing portion 50, the discharge portion 52, the image forming portion 12, the heating device 100, the cooling portion 90, and the conveyance device 16) of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 1

[0036] (Housing portion 50)

[0037] Figure 1 The housing portion 50 shown in FIG. 1 has a function of housing the paper sheet P. In the image forming apparatus 10, a plurality of (for example, two) housing portions 50 are included. The paper sheet P is selectively fed from the plurality of housing portions 50. As the paper sheet P, for example, a continuous sheet (so-called single sheet) that is set to a predetermined size (i.e., dimension) can be used.

[0038] (Discharge portion 52)

[0039] Figure 1 The discharge portion 52 shown in FIG. 1 is a portion that discharges the paper sheet P on which an image is formed. In the image forming apparatus 10, the paper sheet P that is cooled by the cooling portion 90 after being heated by the heating device 100 is discharged to the discharge portion 52.

[0040] (Image forming portion 12)

[0041] Figure 1 The image forming portion 12 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an image forming portion that forms an image on a recording medium. Specifically, the image forming portion 12 forms an image on the paper sheet P using ink. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming portion 12 has an ink ejection portion 14Y, an ink ejection portion 14M, an ink ejection portion 14C, and an ink ejection portion 14K (hereinafter, referred to as 14Y to 14K) that eject ink. In addition, the image forming portion 12 has a transfer drum 13 and a counter roller 15. Figure 1

[0042] ​​The transfer drum 13 is disposed on a conveyance path of the paper P conveyed by the conveyance device 16, at a position in contact with a face (hereinafter referred to as "upper face") of the paper P on the upper side in the orientation thereof. The transfer drum 13 is rotationally driven in the E direction in Fig. 1. The counter roller 15 is disposed on the lower side of the transfer drum 13 in opposition to the transfer drum 13. Specifically, the counter roller 15 is in contact with the transfer drum 13 at a predetermined pressure. Further, the direction in which the paper P is conveyed by the conveyance device 16 is referred to as "conveyance direction". In the drawings, the conveyance direction is indicated by the arrow X direction. Figure 1

[0043] Each of the discharge portions 14Y to 14K discharges droplets of ink of each of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to the outer peripheral face of the transfer drum 13, to form an image on the outer peripheral face of the transfer drum 13. The discharge portion 14Y to the discharge portion 14K are disposed in the order mentioned above toward the downstream side in the rotation direction (E direction) of the transfer drum 13. In addition, each of the discharge portions 14Y to 14K has a length in the axial direction of the transfer drum 13. Each of the discharge portions 14Y to 14K discharges droplets of ink from a nozzle (not shown) to the outer peripheral face of the transfer drum 13 by a known method such as a thermal method or a piezoelectric method.

[0044] In the image forming portion 12, each of the discharge portions 14Y to 14K discharges droplets of ink of each color to the outer peripheral face of the transfer drum 13, to form an image on the outer peripheral face of the transfer drum 13. Further, in the image forming portion 12, the image formed on the outer peripheral face of the transfer drum 13 is transferred to the paper P passing between the transfer drum 13 and the counter roller 15. Thus, an image is formed on the upper face of the paper P. Further, the counter roller 15 is provided with a recess 17 for preventing interference with a gripper 76 of the conveyance device 16 described later. When the gripper 76 passes between the transfer drum 13 and the counter roller 15, it passes in a state of entering the recess 17.

[0045] (Heating device 100)

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of the heating device 100. As shown in Figure 1 , the heating device 100 is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the image forming portion 12.

[0047] The heating device 100 is a device that heats the paper P. Specifically, the heating device 100 has a function of drying ink on the paper P by heating. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2 , the heating device 100 includes a heating portion 102 and a blowing device 160.

[0048] ​The heating unit 102 has the function of heating the upper surface of the paper P transported by the transport device 16 (specifically, the transport mechanism 60 described later) in a non-contact manner. Specifically, the heating unit 102 heats the upper surface of the paper P on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 12 in a non-contact manner. More specifically, the heating unit 102 includes: a reflector 104, a plurality of heaters 106 (heating sources), and a metal mesh 112. Furthermore, the structure of the air supply device 160 is described later.

[0049] The reflector 104 has the function of reflecting infrared rays from the heater 106 to the lower side (i.e., the paper P side carried by the conveying device 16). The reflector 104 is formed as a box with an open lower side. The reflector 104 is formed, for example, using a metal plate such as an aluminum plate.

[0050] Heater 106 is a cylindrical infrared heater having a length along the width direction of the paper P (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "paper width direction"). Multiple heaters 106 are arranged inside the reflector 104 along the transport direction. Furthermore, the paper width direction is an intersecting direction (specifically, an orthogonal direction) that intersects the transport direction. In the figures, the paper width direction is indicated by the arrow Y-direction.

[0051] A metal mesh 112 is disposed in the opening on the lower side of the reflector 104. Thus, the metal mesh 112 separates the interior of the reflector 104 from its exterior. Furthermore, the metal mesh 112 prevents the paper P transported by the conveying device 16 from contacting the heater 106.

[0052] (Cooling section 90)

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the cooling section 90 is disposed downstream of the heating device 100 in the transport direction. The cooling section 90 includes a plurality (e.g., two) of cooling rollers 92 arranged in the transport direction.

[0054] The cooling roller 92 comprises a cylindrical roller formed of metal or the like. The cooling roller 92 employs a structure that utilizes heat exchange with a refrigerant such as air or water to cool the paper P by circulating a refrigerant inside it.

[0055] (Transportation device 16)

[0056] Figure 1 The conveying device 16 shown is a device for conveying paper P. Specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown, the conveying device 16 has a conveying mechanism 60 and a reversing mechanism 80.

[0057] (Transportation mechanism 60)

[0058] Figure 1The conveying mechanism 60 shown is a mechanism for conveying paper P. Specifically, the conveying mechanism 60 conveys paper P housed in the receiving section 50 to the image forming section 12, allowing paper P to pass through the image forming section 12. Additionally, the conveying mechanism 60 conveys paper P from the image forming section 12 to the heating device 100, allowing paper P to pass through the heating device 100. In other words, the conveying mechanism 60 has the function of conveying paper P with an image formed on it within the heating device 100.

[0059] Furthermore, in the transport mechanism 60, the paper P is transported with one side facing upwards in the image forming unit 12 and the heating device 100. This one side is the image surface in the image forming unit 12 where the image is formed, and it is also the surface that is heated in the heating device 100.

[0060] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the conveying mechanism 60 includes a feed roller 62, a plurality of conveying rollers 64, and a chain clamp 66. Furthermore, the conveying mechanism 60 is an example of a conveying unit. The chain clamp 66, which is a component of the conveying mechanism 60, can also be understood as an example of a conveying unit.

[0061] The feed roller 62 feeds out the paper P contained in the receiving section 50. Multiple transfer rollers 64 transfer the paper P fed out by the feed roller 62 to the chain clamp 66.

[0062] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the chain clamp 66 is a transport unit that holds the front end of the paper P (i.e., the downstream part in the transport direction) to transport the paper P. Specifically, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the chain clamp 66 includes a pair of chains 72 and a clamp 76 as a holding member (gripping member).

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, a pair of chains 72 are formed in a loop. The pair of chains 72 are in the front-to-back direction of the device ( Figure 1 The spaced-out configuration is located in the D direction (refer to...). Figure 3 Moreover, such as Figure 1 As shown, a pair of chains 72 are respectively wound around a pair of sprockets (not shown) arranged axially at one end and the other end relative to the opposing rollers 15, and a pair of sprockets 73 and 74 spaced apart in the front-rear direction of the device. The structure in which the chains 72 are wound in the direction of arrow C is adopted by rotating any one of these pairs of sprockets (see Figure 1). Figure 1 Furthermore, the drawings of the teeth located on the outer periphery of sprockets 73 and 74 are omitted in the various figures.

[0064] like Figure 3As shown, a mounting member 75 with a clamp 76 is mounted on a pair of chains 72 along the front-to-back direction of the device. The mounting member 75 secures multiple components to the pair of chains 72 at predetermined intervals along the circumference (circumferential direction) of the chains 72 (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 2 Furthermore, in each figure, to simplify the illustration of chain 72, chain 72 is represented in blocks.

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, multiple clamps 76 are mounted on the mounting member 75 at predetermined intervals along the front-to-back direction of the device. The clamps 76 function to hold (grip) the leading edge of the paper P. Specifically, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the clamp 76 has a jaw 76A and a jaw platform 76B. The clamp 76 holds the paper P by clamping the front end of the paper P between the jaw 76A and the jaw platform 76B. The clamp 76 uses, for example, a spring to press the jaw 76A onto the jaw platform 76B, and a cam or similar mechanism to open and close the jaw 76A relative to the jaw platform 76B. Thus, in this embodiment, the clamp 76, located downstream of the paper P in the transport direction, holds the front end of the paper P from the downstream side of the paper P's transport direction.

[0066] Moreover, such as Figure 2 As shown, with the front end of the paper P held by the clamp 76, the chain 72 wraps around in the direction of arrow C, thereby transporting the paper P with one side facing upwards. At this time, the chain clamp 66 transports the paper P without holding the rear end portion. That is, the rear end portion of the paper P is unrestricted and transported in a free state. Thus, the paper P passes through the image forming unit 12 and the heating device 100 with one side facing upwards.

[0067] Furthermore, the front end of the paper P is an example of a downstream portion in the transport direction of the transported material. The rear end portion of the paper P is an example of an end portion in the transport direction of the transported material, and an example of an upstream portion in the transport direction of the transported material. Additionally, in Figure 1 The dashed line in the middle represents a part of the transport path of the paper P in the transport mechanism 60.

[0068] (Air supply device 160)

[0069] Figure 2 The air supply device 160 shown is an example of an air supply section. For example... Figure 2As shown, the air supply device 160 is positioned inside the chain 72 (inner circumferential side) and below the heating unit 102 when viewed from the side (i.e., from the front-to-back direction of the device). That is, when viewed from the side, a portion of the chain 72 is positioned between the heating unit 102 and the air supply device 160. Thus, the paper P carried by the chain clamp 66 passes between the heating unit 102 and the air supply device 160.

[0070] The air supply device 160 is a device for supplying air to the lower surface of the paper P carried by the chain clamp 66. Specifically, as... Figure 2 As shown, the air supply device 160 includes a fan 161, a device body 166, and an air supply plate 180. The device body 166 is formed as a box shape with an open top side. Specifically, the device body 166 has a side wall 163 that is frame-shaped when viewed from above, and a bottom wall 162 that is plate-shaped. An opening 164 is formed at the center of the bottom wall 162 in the transport direction and at the center of the device's front-to-back direction. The fan 161 is mounted on the opening 164. The fan 161 is driven to supply air into the interior of the device body 166 through the opening 164.

[0071] As an example, fan 161 uses an axial flow fan that supplies air in the axial direction. Furthermore, fan 161 can be a centrifugal fan that supplies air in the centrifugal direction, such as a multi-blade fan (e.g., a multi-blade type fan); any fan that supplies air in the centrifugal direction is acceptable. Furthermore, fan 161 is an example of a blower.

[0072] The air supply plate 180 is installed on the upper end of the side wall 163 in such a way that it blocks the upper opening of the device body 166. As a result, the device body 166 is sealed except for the opening 164 and the air supply hole 182 described later.

[0073] The air supply plate 180 is formed as a plate with its thickness in the vertical direction, and has a facing surface 181 facing the heating unit 102. The facing surface 181 faces upward and faces the lower surface of the paper P being transported between the heating unit 102 and the air supply plate 180.

[0074] The air supply plate 180 comprises a metal plate. The air supply plate 180 also functions as a reflector to reflect infrared rays from the heater 106 toward the upward side (the side of the paper P carried by the chain clamp 66).

[0075] A plurality of air supply holes 182 are formed in the air supply plate 180, which extend through the vertical direction. That is, the plurality of air supply holes 182 are provided on the opposing surface 181 and open relative to the lower surface of the paper P being transported between the heating section 102 and the air supply plate 180.

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, the air supply holes 182 are arranged in a two-dimensional (matrix) configuration along the transport direction and the paper width direction. Furthermore, in Figure 4In the present embodiment, each part of the chain gripper 66 and the air blowing device 160 is simply shown.

[0077] In the air blowing device 160, air flowing into the inside of the device main body 166 is blown toward the lower surface of the paper P being carried by the chain gripper 66 through a plurality of air blowing holes 182 by driving of the fan 161 (refer to FIG. 2). Figure 2 ). Thus, the end portion of the paper P held by the chain gripper 66 is lifted from the facing surface 181 of the air blowing plate 180 and does not come into contact with the facing surface 181 of the air blowing plate 180. That is, the paper P is carried by the chain gripper 66 and the air blowing device 160 in a state in which the paper P does not come into contact with the facing surface 181 of the air blowing plate 180.

[0078] Here, the plurality of air blowing holes 182 has a plurality of rows 185 in which the air blowing holes 182 are arranged along the paper width direction (Y direction), as shown in FIG. 3, and the plurality of rows 185 is arranged in the carrying direction (X direction). In each of the plurality of rows 185, the air blowing holes 182 are arranged at equal intervals along the paper width direction at a predetermined pitch (i.e., arrangement interval). In addition, the pitch of the air blowing holes 182 arranged at equal intervals in each of the plurality of rows 185 is the same among the plurality of rows 185. The pitch means the distance between the hole centers of the air blowing holes 182 and is the distance indicated by the symbol IP in FIG. 3. Further, the distance of the pitch is set to 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less as an example, and the hole diameter of the air blowing holes 182 is set to 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less as an example. In addition, Figure 5 In the present embodiment, a part of the plurality of air blowing holes 182 constituting the row 185 (specifically, five air blowing holes 182) is shown in FIG. 4. Figure 5 Figure 5 Further, the nearest air blowing holes 182 adjacent to each other in the carrying direction are arranged at different positions in the paper width direction from each other. The air blowing holes 182 adjacent to each other in the carrying direction are the air blowing holes 182 adjacent to each other in the carrying direction and are the air blowing holes 182 arranged at the nearest positions on the upstream side or the downstream side in the carrying direction. For example, the air blowing holes 182 adjacent to the air blowing hole 182 (B) are the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (A) and the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (C). The nearest air blowing hole 182 to the air blowing hole 182 (B) is the air blowing hole 182 (A) among the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (A). In addition, the nearest air blowing hole 182 to the air blowing hole 182 (B) is the air blowing hole 182 (C) among the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (C).

[0079] Further, the nearest air blowing holes 182 adjacent to each other in the carrying direction are arranged at different positions in the paper width direction from each other. The air blowing holes 182 adjacent to each other in the carrying direction are the air blowing holes 182 adjacent to each other in the carrying direction and are the air blowing holes 182 arranged at the nearest positions on the upstream side or the downstream side in the carrying direction. For example, the air blowing holes 182 adjacent to the air blowing hole 182 (B) are the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (A) and the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (C). The nearest air blowing hole 182 to the air blowing hole 182 (B) is the air blowing hole 182 (A) among the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (A). In addition, the nearest air blowing hole 182 to the air blowing hole 182 (B) is the air blowing hole 182 (C) among the plurality of air blowing holes 182 belonging to the row 185 (C).

[0080] ​Further, in the present embodiment, the closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(A) and air blow hole 182(B)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction. The closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(B) and air blow hole 182(C)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction.

[0081] Further, in the present embodiment, the closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(A) and air blow hole 182(B)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction. The closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(B) and air blow hole 182(C)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction.

[0082] When viewed with the air blow hole 182(B) of the column 185(B) as a reference, the air blow hole 182(A) belonging to the column 185(A) adjacent to the column 185(B) is the closest air blow hole 182. Further, when viewed with the air blow hole 182(B) as a reference, the air blow hole 182(C) belonging to the column 185(C) adjacent to the column 185(B) is the closest air blow hole 182. That is, the closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the columns 185 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are, for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B), and the air blow hole 182(B) and the air blow hole 182(C).

[0083] Further, in the present embodiment, the closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(A) and air blow hole 182(B)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction. The closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(B) and air blow hole 182(C)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction.

[0084] Further, in the present embodiment, the closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(A) and air blow hole 182(B)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction. The closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction, i.e., "air blow hole 182(B) and air blow hole 182(C)", are arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction.

[0085] The closest air blow holes 182 to each other among the air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are, specifically, arranged to be staggered in the paper width direction at a pitch of 1 / 4 of the width of the paper sheet (1 / 4 pitch) (see FIG. 6). Figure 5the interval indicated by the symbol 1 / 4P) are gradually staggered in the paper width direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the nearest air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are gradually staggered in the paper width direction at the same pitch. Further, in the present embodiment, the relationship of "1 / 4 pitch > hole diameter" and "1 / 4 pitch = interval DL + hole diameter" holds. In addition, Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the interval indicated by the symbol 1 / 2P represents half the pitch.

[0086] Further, in the present embodiment, a parallelogram is formed by the lines LA of the respective air blow holes connecting the nearest pair of air blow holes adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)) and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)). The parallelogram is an example of a shape other than a square. The square means a quadrangle in which all the angles are right angles. The square includes a square and a rectangle. The line LA is a line connecting the hole centers of the air blow holes 182.

[0087] (Reversing mechanism 80)

[0088] Figure 1 The reversing mechanism 80 shown is a mechanism that reverses the front and back of the paper P on which the image has been heated by the heating device 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the reversing mechanism 80 has a plurality of (for example, two) conveyance rollers 82, a reversing device 84, and a plurality of (for example, seven) conveyance rollers 86. Figure 1

[0089] The plurality of conveyance rollers 82 convey the paper P fed out from the heating device 100 to the reversing device 84. The reversing device 84 reverses the front and back of the paper P. The plurality of conveyance rollers 86 convey the paper P whose front and back have been reversed in the reversing device 84 to the chain gripper 66. That is, the plurality of conveyance rollers 86 have a function of handing over the paper P whose front and back have been reversed to the chain gripper 66.

[0090] Thus, the reversing mechanism 80 reverses the front and back of the paper P by the heating section 102 and the facing surface 181, hands over to the chain gripper 66, and thus the chain gripper 66 conveys the handed-over paper P again through the image forming section 12 with the surface on which the image has been dried facing the lower side, to the heating section 102 and the facing surface 181. Further, a part of the conveyance path of the paper P in the reversing mechanism 80 is indicated by a dotted line. Figure 1

[0091] (Action of the present embodiment)

[0092] In the present embodiment, the paper P is conveyed to the heating section 102 and the facing surface 181 in the state in which the front and back of the paper P have been reversed by the reversing mechanism 80. Thus, the paper P is conveyed to the heating section 102 and the facing surface 181 in the state in which the front and back of the paper P have been reversed. Figure 1 ​​The paper sheet P delivered by the illustrated housing section 50 is carried by a plurality of conveyance rollers 64 and is handed over to a chain gripper 66. The paper sheet P handed over to the chain gripper 66 is carried to the image forming section 12 in a state in which the chain gripper 66 holds the front end portion of the paper sheet P and does not hold the rear end portion. On the other hand, in the image forming section 12, each of the ejection sections 14Y to 14K ejects ink droplets of each color to the outer peripheral surface of the transfer drum 13, thereby forming an image on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer drum 13. The paper sheet P carried in the image forming section 12 is transferred with the image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer drum 13, thereby forming an image. As Figure 2 As illustrated, the paper sheet P on which the image is formed is carried by the chain gripper 66 in a state in which the image surface faces the heater 106 of the heating device 100, and the image is dried by heating by the heating device 100.

[0093] When the image is formed on only one surface of the paper sheet P, the paper sheet P on which the image is dried by the heating device 100 is cooled by the cooling roller 92 of the cooling section 90 and is discharged to the discharge section 52.

[0094] When the image is formed on both surfaces of the paper sheet P, the paper sheet P on which the image on one surface is dried is reversed by the reversing mechanism 80 and is handed over to the chain gripper 66 again. Figure 1 As illustrated, the paper sheet P on which the image is formed is carried by the chain gripper 66 in a state in which the image surface faces the heater 106 of the heating device 100, and the image is dried by heating by the heating device 100.

[0095] Here, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the closest air blowing holes 182 to each other (for example, the air blowing hole 182(A) and the air blowing hole 182(B)) among the air blowing holes 182 that are adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are arranged to be offset in the paper width direction.

[0096] For example, as illustrated in Figure 6 In the structure in which the closest air blowing holes 182 to each other (for example, the air blowing hole 182(A) and the air blowing hole 182(B)) among the air blowing holes 182 that are adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are arranged along the conveyance direction, air is blown to the paper sheet P at the arrangement positions of the air blowing holes 182, whereby the temperature at the arrangement positions decreases, and temperature unevenness occurs in the paper width direction of the paper sheet P. That is, as Figure 6As shown, in the arrangement position where the air blow holes 182 are arranged, the temperature of the paper P is lowered, and in the non-arrangement position where the air blow holes 182 are not arranged between the arrangement positions, the temperature of the paper P is maintained high. Figure 6 In the drawing, the portion where the temperature of the paper P is lowered is indicated as temperature "low", and the portion where the temperature of the paper P is maintained high is indicated as temperature "high". Further, Figure 6 The structure shown can also be said to be a structure in which the closest air blow holes 182 to each other in the rows 185 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are arranged along the conveyance direction.

[0097] In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 5 of the plurality of air blow holes 182, the closest air blow holes 182 to each other in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)) are arranged staggered in the paper width direction, and therefore the portion of the paper P where the temperature is lowered due to air blow is dispersed in the paper width direction, as shown in Figure 6

[0098] Therefore, according to the structure of the present embodiment, compared to the structure shown in Figure 6 , it is possible to suppress temperature unevenness in the paper width direction of the paper P. That is, according to the structure of the present embodiment, compared to the structure shown in Figure 6 , there is no portion where the temperature is locally high or low in the paper width direction of the paper P, as shown in Figure 5 , the temperature is averaged in the paper width direction of the paper P.

[0099] Further, in the present embodiment, the holes of the closest air blow holes 182 to each other in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)) are arranged staggered in the paper width direction as a whole. Therefore, compared to a structure in which a portion of the holes of the closest air blow holes 182 to each other in the conveyance direction overlap in the paper width direction, it is possible to suppress temperature unevenness in the paper width direction of the paper P.

[0100] Further, in the present embodiment, a parallelogram is formed by the line LA connecting each air blow hole of a closest pair of air blow holes in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and a pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)).

[0101] For example, as shown in Figure 7 ​In the structure shown in FIG. 18, the arrangement of the air blow holes 182 in the column 185(B) is deviated. Therefore, in the column 185(B), the air blow position is deviated, and temperature unevenness is easily generated. In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 18, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a square shape (i.e., the structure shown in FIG. 19), and temperature unevenness is also easily generated as described above. Figure 7 In the structure shown in FIG. 18, the arrangement of the air blow holes 182 in the column 185(B) is deviated. Therefore, in the column 185(B), the air blow position is deviated, and temperature unevenness is easily generated. In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 18, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a square shape (i.e., the structure shown in FIG. 19), and temperature unevenness is also easily generated as described above. Figure 7 In the structure shown in FIG. 18, the arrangement of the air blow holes 182 in the column 185(B) is deviated. Therefore, in the column 185(B), the air blow position is deviated, and temperature unevenness is easily generated. In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 18, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a square shape (i.e., the structure shown in FIG. 19), and temperature unevenness is also easily generated as described above. Figure 6 In the structure shown in FIG. 18, the arrangement of the air blow holes 182 in the column 185(B) is deviated. Therefore, in the column 185(B), the air blow position is deviated, and temperature unevenness is easily generated. In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 18, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a square shape (i.e., the structure shown in FIG. 19), and temperature unevenness is also easily generated as described above.

[0102] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a parallelogram, and therefore, in comparison with the structures shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the air blow holes 182 are arranged dispersedly in the paper width direction. Therefore, according to the structure of the present embodiment, in comparison with the structures shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, temperature unevenness in the paper width direction of the paper P can be suppressed. Figure 6 Figure 7 In the structure shown in FIG. 18, the arrangement of the air blow holes 182 in the column 185(B) is deviated. Therefore, in the column 185(B), the air blow position is deviated, and temperature unevenness is easily generated. In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 18, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a square shape (i.e., the structure shown in FIG. 19), and temperature unevenness is also easily generated as described above. Figure 6 Figure 7 In the structure shown in FIG. 18, the arrangement of the air blow holes 182 in the column 185(B) is deviated. Therefore, in the column 185(B), the air blow position is deviated, and temperature unevenness is easily generated. In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 18, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a square shape (i.e., the structure shown in FIG. 19), and temperature unevenness is also easily generated as described above.

[0103] As described above, in the present embodiment, temperature unevenness in the paper width direction of the paper P can be suppressed, and therefore, heating unevenness in the paper width direction of the image formed on the paper P can be suppressed. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the air blow holes 182 are arranged dispersedly in the paper width direction, the air blow position is dispersed in the paper width direction, and therefore, unevenness in the amount of floating of the paper P due to air blow from the plurality of air blow holes 182 in the paper width direction can be suppressed.

[0104] <Second Embodiment>

[0105] (Image forming apparatus 200)

[0106] ​​In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is an inkjet type image forming apparatus that forms an image on a paper P using ink, but the image forming apparatus is not limited thereto. As an example of the image forming apparatus, for example, an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus can be given, as long as it is an apparatus that forms an image. In the second embodiment, an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus 200 is described. Figure 8 is a schematic view that shows the structure of the image forming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment. Further, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same function as those of the first embodiment, and the description is appropriately omitted.

[0107] The image forming apparatus 200 has an image forming section 212 in place of the image forming section 12. In addition, the image forming apparatus 200 includes a fixing unit 120 (an example of a fixing apparatus).

[0108] (Image forming section 212)

[0109] Figure 8 The image forming section 212 shown is an example of an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium. Specifically, the image forming section 212 has a function of forming a toner image on a paper P using an electrophotographic method. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8 the image forming section 212 has a toner image forming section 20 that forms a toner image, and a transfer apparatus 30 that transfers the toner image formed by the toner image forming section 20 to the paper P.

[0110] (Toner image forming section 20)

[0111] The toner image forming section 20 includes a plurality of toner image forming sections so as to form a toner image in each color. The image forming apparatus 10 includes the toner image forming section 20 in a total of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Figure 8 (Y), (M), (C), and (K) shown indicate constituent portions corresponding to the respective colors.

[0112] The toner image forming section 20 of each color is basically constituted identically except for the toner used. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9 the toner image forming section 20 of each color has a photoreceptor drum 21 (a photoreceptor) that rotates in the direction of an arrow A in Figure 9 , and a charger 22 that charges the photoreceptor drum 21. Further, the toner image forming section 20 of each color has an exposure apparatus 23 that exposes the photoreceptor drum 21 charged by the charger 22, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 21, and a developing apparatus 24 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 21 by the exposure apparatus 23, thereby forming a toner image.

[0113] (Transfer device 30)

[0114] Figure 8 The illustrated transfer device 30 has a function of superimposing toner images of the photosensitive drums 21 of respective colors and primary transferring the superimposed toner images to an intermediate transfer body, and secondary transferring the superimposed toner images to a sheet P. Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 8 The transfer device 30 includes a transfer belt 31 as the intermediate transfer body, a primary transfer roller 33, and a transfer section 35.

[0115] The primary transfer roller 33 has a function of transferring toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 21 to the transfer belt 31 at a primary transfer position T (refer to Figure 9 ) between the photosensitive drums 21 and the primary transfer roller 33.

[0116] As illustrated in Figure 8 , the transfer belt 31 is formed in a ring shape, and is wound around a plurality of rollers 32 to determine a posture. The transfer belt 31 is rotated in a direction of an arrow B by at least one of the plurality of rollers 32 being rotationally driven, and conveys the primary-transferred images toward a secondary transfer position NT.

[0117] The transfer section 35 has a function of transferring toner images transferred to the transfer belt 31 to the sheet P. Specifically, the transfer section 35 has a secondary transfer section 34 and a counter roller 36.

[0118] The counter roller 36 is disposed on a lower side of the transfer belt 31 in a manner facing the transfer belt 31. As illustrated in Figure 8 , the secondary transfer section 34 is disposed on an inner side of the transfer belt 31 in a manner in which the transfer belt 31 is disposed between the secondary transfer section 34 and the counter roller 36. Specifically, the secondary transfer section 34 includes a corotron. In the transfer section 35, the toner images transferred to the transfer belt 31 are transferred to the sheet P passing through the secondary transfer position NT by electrostatic force generated by discharge of the secondary transfer section 34.

[0119] (Fixing unit 120)

[0120] Figure 10 The illustrated fixing unit 120 is a fixing section that fixes images of the sheet P to the sheet P. Specifically, the fixing unit 120 has a function of fixing toner images to the sheet P by heating and pressing the sheet P in contact with the sheet P. In the present embodiment, the sheet P is preheated by the heating device 100, and the fixing unit 120 fixes the sheet P.

[0121] In the present embodiment, a fixing unit 120 that performs heating and pressurization is described, but heating is not necessarily required, and if the purpose is to improve the surface properties of the toner melted in the heating device 100 of the previous process, for example, to adjust the gloss, a configuration in which only pressurization is performed by a pressurization section can also be used.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing unit 120 is disposed on the downstream side of the heating device 100 in the conveyance direction of the paper sheet P. Specifically, the fixing unit 120 has a heating roller 130, a pressurization roller 140, and a driven roller 150. Figure 10

[0123] (Heating Roller 130)

[0124] Figure 10 The heating roller 130 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the heating device 100 and has a function of contacting the paper sheet P to heat the paper sheet P. The heating roller 130 is disposed with the device front-rear direction as the axial direction so as not to contact the upper surface of the paper sheet P.

[0125] In addition, the heating roller 130 has a cylindrical base material 132, a rubber layer 134 formed on the outer periphery of the base material 132, a release layer 136 formed on the outer periphery of the rubber layer 134, and a heater 138 (heating source) housed inside the base material 132. The heater 138 includes, for example, a single or a plurality of halogen lamps.

[0126] (Driven Roller 150)

[0127] Figure 10 The driven roller 150 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed with the device front-rear direction as the axial direction so as to contact the area other than the contact area with the paper sheet P in the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 130. In addition, the driven roller 150 has a cylindrical base material 152 and a heater 154 (heating source) housed inside the base material 152. The driven roller 150 rotates in conjunction with the heating roller 130 and heats the heating roller 130.

[0128] (Pressurization Roller 140)

[0129] Figure 10 The pressurization roller 140 shown in FIG. 4 has a function of sandwiching the paper sheet P between the heating roller 130 to pressurize the paper sheet P. The pressurization roller 140 is disposed on the lower side of the heating roller 130 with the device front-rear direction as the axial direction.

[0130] The pressurization roller 140 has a cylindrical base material 142, a rubber layer 144 formed on the outer periphery of the base material 142, and a release layer 146 formed on the outer periphery of the rubber layer 144.

[0131] The circumference of the pressurization roller 140 is the same as the disposition interval of the clamp 76 disposed on the chain 72. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressurization roller 140 is disposed so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 130.​Figure 10 As shown, a recess 148 extending in the front-rear direction of the device is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 140.

[0132] Furthermore, the clamp 76, which holds the front end of the paper P, enters the recess 148 when it passes between the pressure roller 140 and the heating roller 130.

[0133] Furthermore, in the fixing unit 120, the pressure roller 140 is driven to rotate by the drive unit (not shown in the figure), the heating roller 130 is driven to rotate by the pressure roller 140, and the driven roller 150 is driven to rotate by the heating roller 130.

[0134] (The function of this implementation method)

[0135] In this embodiment, from Figure 8 The paper P fed from the receiving section 50 is transported by multiple transport rollers 64 and transferred to the chain clamp 66. The paper P transferred to the chain clamp 66 is transported to the secondary transfer position NT with the front end of the paper P held by the chain clamp 66 but the rear end portion not held, and the toner image is transferred from the transfer belt 31 to the upper surface of the paper P. Figure 10 As shown, the paper P with the toner image transferred is transported to the heater 106 of the heating device 100 with the image face facing each other using a chain clamp 66, and the toner image is heated.

[0136] The paper P, heated by the heating device 100 with the toner image, is further transported by the chain clamp 66 to the fixing unit 120, where it is held by the heating roller 130 and the pressure roller 140 and subjected to pressure and heating. Thus, the toner image is fixed on the paper P. When an image is formed only on one side of the paper P, the paper P with the fixed toner image is... Figure 8 After being cooled by the cooling roller 92 of the cooling section 90 shown, the product is discharged to the discharge section 52.

[0137] When images are formed on both sides of paper P, the paper P with an image fixed on one side is used... Figure 8 The reverse mechanism 80 shown reverses the back of the paper and is then transferred to the chain clamp 66 again. The paper P, which has been transferred to the chain clamp 66, is transported to the secondary transfer position NT with the toner image facing downwards after fixing, and the toner image is transferred from the transfer belt 31 to the upper surface of the paper P.

[0138] The paper P, with the toner image transferred onto it, is heated by the heating device 100 in the same manner as described above. It is then held by the heating roller 130 and the pressure roller 140 and subjected to pressure and heat, thereby fixing the toner image onto the paper P. After being cooled by the cooling roller 92 of the cooling section 90, the paper P with the toner image fixed is discharged to the discharge section 52.

[0139] Also in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5 the closest air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)) are arranged staggered in the paper width direction, and thus the portions of the paper P whose temperature is lowered by the air blow are dispersed in the paper width direction compared to the structure shown in Figure 6 . Thus, in this embodiment, as with the first embodiment, the temperature unevenness in the paper width direction of the paper P can be suppressed compared to the structure shown in Figure 6 . Thus, in this embodiment, the same effects as the first embodiment are also obtained.

[0140] (Modified Example of Arrangement of Air Blow Holes 182)

[0141] In addition, in this embodiment, the air blow holes 182 are arranged at equal intervals in the paper width direction in each of the plurality of columns 185, but are not limited thereto. For example, it can also be a structure in which the air blow holes 182 are arranged at a first interval and a second interval wider than the first interval in the paper width direction in each of the columns 185 (refer to Figure 7 ).

[0142] In addition, in this embodiment, the arrangement intervals of the air blow holes 182 arranged at equal intervals in each of the plurality of columns 185 are made the same between the columns 185, but are not limited thereto, and the arrangement intervals of the air blow holes 182 can also be different between the columns 185.

[0143] In addition, in this embodiment, the entire holes of the closest air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)) are arranged staggered in the paper width direction, but are not limited thereto. For example, it can also be a structure in which a portion of the holes of the closest air blow holes 182 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction overlap in the paper width direction.

[0144] In addition, in this embodiment, the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a parallelogram, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 7 , it can also be a structure in which the line LA connecting each of the air blow holes of the closest pair of air blow holes adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(A) and the air blow hole 182(B)), and the pair of air blow holes adjacent to the pair of air blow holes in the paper width direction (for example, the air blow hole 182(E) and the air blow hole 182(F)) forms a trapezoid, as long as it is a shape other than a square.

[0145] (Modified Example of Conveyance Mechanism 60)

[0146] In the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the chain gripper 66 conveys the paper P while the gripper 76 holds the leading end portion of the paper P, and the gripper 76 need only hold at least the leading end side portion of the paper P. The leading end side portion of the paper P refers to a portion of the paper P on the more downstream side (leading end side) than the center in the conveying direction.

[0147] In addition, in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the gripper 76 disposed on the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the paper P holds the leading end portion of the paper P from the downstream side in the conveying direction of the paper P, but is not limited thereto. The gripper 76 can also hold the leading end side portion of the paper P from both end sides in the paper width direction of the paper P.

[0148] In addition, in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the paper P is conveyed between the heating unit 102 and the air blowing device 160 in a state in which the chain gripper 66 holds the leading end portion of the paper P and does not hold the trailing end side portion, but is not limited thereto. For example, it can be a structure in which the paper P is conveyed between the heating unit 102 and the air blowing device 160 by a pair of conveying rollers. In this structure, a state in which the leading end side portion of the paper P is held and the trailing end side portion is not held to convey the paper P also occurs during conveying while the paper P is held by the pair of conveying rollers.

[0149] Further, in this structure, a state in which the trailing end side portion of the paper P is held and the leading end side portion is not held to convey the paper P occurs during conveying while the paper P is held by the pair of conveying rollers. In this case, the leading end side portion of the paper P is an example of one end side portion in the conveying direction of the sheet-shaped conveyed material. Thus, as an example of one end side portion in the conveying direction of the sheet-shaped conveyed material, not only the trailing end side portion of the paper P, but also the leading end side portion of the paper P can be used.

[0150] (Deformation Example of Conveyed Material)

[0151] In the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the paper P is used as an example of a sheet-shaped conveyed material, but is not limited thereto. Here, the "conveyed material" in the "sheet-shaped conveyed material" refers to a material that is conveyed. In addition, the "sheet" in the "sheet-shaped conveyed material" refers to paper or a thin plate, or the like. Thus, "sheet-shaped" refers to a shape such as paper or a thin plate, and the material is not limited. Thus, as an example of a sheet-shaped conveyed material, for example, a heat-resistant resin film, a metal film, or the like can be used, as long as it is a sheet-shaped material that can be conveyed.

[0152] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the illustrated deformation examples can be appropriately combined with each other to constitute.

Claims

1. A heating device, characterized in that, including: a heating section that heats an upper surface of a conveyed material being conveyed in a non-contact manner; and a blowing section that blows air to a lower surface of the conveyed material through a plurality of blowing holes that are opened with respect to the lower surface of the conveyed material, among which closest blowing holes that are adjacent in a conveying direction of the conveyed material are arranged apart from each other in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, part of the plurality of blowing holes are arranged in three adjacent rows in the conveying direction, and the part of the blowing holes do not overlap each other when viewed from the conveying direction.

2. The heating device of claim 1, wherein The holes of the closest blowing holes that are adjacent in the conveying direction of the conveyed material are arranged apart from each other in the direction intersecting the conveying direction as a whole.

3. The heating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A parallelogram is formed by lines connecting each of a closest pair of blowing holes that are adjacent in the conveying direction of the conveyed material and a pair of blowing holes that are adjacent to the pair of blowing holes in the direction intersecting the conveying direction.

4. The heating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A shape other than a square is formed by lines connecting each of a closest pair of blowing holes that are adjacent in the conveying direction of the conveyed material and a pair of blowing holes that are adjacent to the pair of blowing holes in the direction intersecting the conveying direction.

5. The heating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The plurality of blowing holes have a plurality of rows of the blowing holes arranged along the direction intersecting the conveying direction, a plurality of the rows are arranged in the conveying direction, closest blowing holes in the rows that are adjacent in the conveying direction are arranged apart from each other in the direction intersecting the conveying direction.

6. The heating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The blowing section blows air to the lower surface of the conveyed material being conveyed in a state in which a downstream side portion in the conveying direction of the conveyed material is held and an upstream side portion in the conveying direction of the conveyed material is not held, and causes the upstream side portion in the conveying direction of the conveyed material to float.

7. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: including: an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium that is a conveyed material; and the heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which heats an upper surface of the conveyed material on which the image is formed by the image forming section in a non-contact manner.

Images