Heating device and heated object utilizing device

Abstract

The present application provides a heating device and a heated material utilizing device. The heating device comprises: a heating roller having a resistance heating layer that generates heat by electric conduction; a pressurizing rotating body that rotates to press a sheet-shaped heated material subjected to a heating process against an outer peripheral surface of the heating roller and to pass the heated material; and an auxiliary heating unit that assists in heating at least an end region in the axial direction of a heating region of the heating roller using heat generated by the resistance heating layer.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 3436437 (claim 1) Figures 1-6 A fixing heating roller and a fixing device formed by pressing the fixing heating roller into contact with a pressing roller are described in (etc.). The fixing heating roller includes a roller body formed in a hollow shape and a resistance heating element that heats up when a predetermined drive signal is applied. By conducting the heat emitted by the resistance heating element to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body, the recording material attached to the recording medium that is being conveyed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roller body is heated to perform fixing. In addition, Japanese Patent No. 3436437 (claim 1, Figures 1-6 In the article (etc.), regarding the heating roller for fixing, the following is described: the aforementioned resistive heating component is composed of a heating element sheet, on one side of the heating element sheet is a resistive heating element fixed to an insulating film material, and on the other side is a heat conductor that conducts heat emitted by the resistive heating element fixed to it; the aforementioned heat conductor contacts the inner circumferential surface of the roller body, and the resistive heating element is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the roller body in a state facing the center of the roller body.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-3226 (claim 1) Figures 1-4 A fixing heating roller and a fixing device formed by pressing the fixing heating roller into contact with a pressing roller are described in (etc.). The fixing heating roller includes at least: a heating element for generating heat by applying voltage and flowing current; and a cylindrical roller body for transferring the heat generated by the heating element. Additionally, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-3226 (claim 1, ...) discloses... Figures 1-4 The document describes the following: The heating element is formed by bonding a heating element, which is a sheet-shaped resistive heating element pre-formed into an arbitrary pattern, to one side of an insulating film material, and the other side of the insulating film material is fixedly disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the roller body. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a heating device and a heating object utilization device, which, compared with the case without an auxiliary heating unit, can suppress the temperature unevenness of the axial end region of a heating roller provided with a resistive heating layer that is heated by electricity. The auxiliary heating unit assists in heating at least the axial end region of the heating area of ​​the resistive heating layer of the heating roller.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a heating device is provided, comprising: a heating roller having a resistive heating layer that heats up when energized; a pressure rotating body that rotates to press a sheet-like object to be heated onto the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller and allow it to pass through; and an auxiliary heating unit that auxiliaryly heats at least an axial end region of the heating roller in the heating region utilizing the resistive heating layer.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a heating device is provided, comprising: a heating roller having a resistive heating layer that heats up when energized; a support member supporting a processing section subjected to heating treatment; a belt that is wound around at least the heating roller and the support member and rotates thereon; a pressure rotating body that rotates to press a sheet-like object to be heated against the processing section formed by the outer peripheral surface portion of the belt supported by the support member and allow it to pass through; and an auxiliary heating unit that auxiliaryly heats at least an axial end region of the heating roller in the heating region utilizing the resistive heating layer.

[0007] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary heating unit is an auxiliary resistive heating layer partially disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller on which the resistive heating layer is disposed.

[0008] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the resistive heating layer and the auxiliary resistive heating layer are layers composed of spiral patterns extending in parallel along the axial direction, and the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistive heating layer corresponding to the end region of the heating region is smaller than the width of the resistive heating layer.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistive heating layer corresponding to the remaining region other than the end region of the heating region is greater than the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistive heating layer corresponding to the end region of the heating region.

[0010] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary heating unit is an auxiliary resistive heating layer partially disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the heating roller that is not provided with the resistive heating layer.

[0011] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary resistive heating layer is a layer composed of a spiral pattern extending along the axial direction, and the width of the portion corresponding to the regions at both ends of the heating region is smaller than the width of the portion corresponding to the remaining regions other than the two ends of the heating region.

[0012] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary heating unit is an end heating device that heats the portion of the heating roller corresponding to the end region of the heating area.

[0013] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the resistive heating layer has a film thickness in the end region of the heating region that is greater than the film thickness in the remaining region outside the end region of the heating region.

[0014] According to a 10th aspect of the present invention, a temperature measuring unit is provided, which measures the surface temperature of the end region of the heating area in the heating roller and the surface temperature of the remaining region other than the end region, and adjusts the heating state of the auxiliary heating unit according to the measurement result of the temperature measuring unit.

[0015] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a heating object utilization device is provided, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying a sheet-like heating object; and a heating device for heating the heating object conveyed by the conveying unit, the heating device being configured as described above.

[0016] According to the 12th aspect of the present invention, the heating device described above is a fixing device for fixing an unfixed image onto a recording medium that is a sheet-shaped heated object.

[0017] (Effect)

[0018] According to the first and second schemes described above, compared with the case without an auxiliary heating unit, the temperature unevenness of the axial end region of the heating roller provided with a resistive heating layer that is heated by electricity can be suppressed. The auxiliary heating unit assists in heating at least the axial end region of the heating roller in the heating region of the resistive heating layer.

[0019] According to the third scheme described above, compared to the case where the auxiliary heating unit is partially disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the heating roller without an auxiliary resistive heating layer, the heating roller is easier to manufacture and can easily suppress temperature unevenness in the end region of the heating roller.

[0020] According to the fourth scheme described above, compared to the case where the resistive heating layer and the auxiliary resistive heating layer are not composed of layers consisting of spiral patterns extending in parallel along the axial direction, the heating roller is easier to manufacture and can easily suppress temperature unevenness in the end region of the heating roller.

[0021] According to the fifth scheme above, compared with the case where the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistor heating layer corresponding to the remaining area other than the end area of ​​the heating area is not greater than the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistor heating layer corresponding to the end area of ​​the heating area, even if the auxiliary resistor heating layer is a layer composed of a spiral pattern, the heating roller is easy to manufacture and the temperature unevenness of the end area of ​​the heating roller can be easily suppressed.

[0022] According to the sixth solution described above, compared to the case where the auxiliary heating unit is partially disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller where the auxiliary resistive heating layer is disposed, the smoothness of the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller can be ensured, and the temperature unevenness of the end region of the heating roller can be suppressed.

[0023] According to the seventh scheme described above, compared to the case where the auxiliary resistive heating layer is not composed of a spiral pattern extending in parallel along the axial direction, it is possible to easily suppress the temperature unevenness in the end region of the heating roller.

[0024] According to the eighth scheme described above, the end region of the heating area can be easily and auxiliaryly heated.

[0025] According to the above-mentioned ninth scheme, the temperature of the axial end region of the heating area of ​​the resistive heating layer will not be higher than the temperature of the remaining region outside the end region, which can easily suppress the temperature unevenness of the end region of the heating roller.

[0026] According to the 10th scheme described above, compared with the case where the heating state of the auxiliary heating unit is not adjusted according to the measurement results of the temperature measuring unit, the generation of temperature unevenness in the end region of the heating roller can be appropriately suppressed.

[0027] According to the above-mentioned 11th solution, compared with the case where the heating unit does not have an auxiliary heating unit, it is possible to suppress the temperature unevenness of the end region of the heating roller and suppress the generation of uneven heating of the heated object caused by the temperature unevenness of the heating roller. The auxiliary heating unit assists in heating at least the end region of the heating area of ​​the heating roller using the resistance heating layer.

[0028] According to the above-mentioned 12th scheme, it is possible to suppress the temperature unevenness of the axial end region of the heating roller in the fixing device, and also to suppress the generation of fixing unevenness caused by the temperature unevenness of the heating roller. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus, which is an example of a heated object utilization device according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fixing device, which is an example of a heating device in the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partial schematic diagram of the fixing device.

[0032] Figure 4 In the diagram, (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating roller, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view along line BB of (A).

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating roller used in a variation of the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the heating roller.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a fixing device, which is another example of a heating device in the second embodiment.

[0036] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A partial schematic diagram of the fixing device.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the heating device of the third embodiment and another example of a heating and drying device that utilizes the heated object. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Implementation Method 1

[0040] Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 1A is shown as an example of the heated object utilization apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 The image shows a fixing device 5A, which is an example of the heating device 5 in the first embodiment.

[0041] The heating device 1 is a device that utilizes a sheet-shaped heating object 9. The heating device 5 is a device that heats at least the sheet-shaped heating object 9.

[0042] In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow X in the accompanying drawings is the width direction of the device, the direction indicated by arrow Y is the height direction of the device, and the direction indicated by arrow Z is the depth direction of the device, which is orthogonal to the aforementioned width and height directions, respectively. The circular mark at the intersection of arrow X and arrow Z in the accompanying drawings indicates that arrow Z, representing the depth direction of the device, points downwards and is orthogonal to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] <Heated Object Utilization Device>

[0044] An image forming apparatus 1A, as an example of a heated object utilization device 1, is an apparatus that forms an image composed of a powder developer on a recording medium 9A, which is an example of a sheet-shaped heated object 9, and then heats it to form an image.

[0045] like Figure 1As shown, the image forming apparatus 1A has a housing 10 with a desired appearance shape, and the image forming apparatus 2, the medium supply device 4, the medium transfer device 45, the fixing device 5A, etc. are arranged in the internal space of the housing 10 to form the image forming apparatus 1A. Figure 1 The single-dotted line in the diagram represents the main transmission path when the recording medium 9A is transmitted within the housing 10 via the media transmission device 45.

[0046] The image forming apparatus 2 is an apparatus that forms a toner image composed of a toner as a developer and transfers it onto the recording medium 9A. The image forming apparatus 2 is configured to be an image forming apparatus employing, for example, an electrophotographic method, and is composed of a charging device 22, an exposure device 23, a developing device 24, a transfer device 25, a cleaning device 26, and other equipment arranged around a photosensitive drum 21 that rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A.

[0047] The photosensitive drum 21 is an example of an image holding unit. It is a photosensitive element formed in a drum shape and has a photosensitive layer that serves as both the image forming surface and the 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. This charging device 22 is composed of a charging member, such as one formed in the shape of a roller, which contacts, for example, the image forming surface of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and supplies a charging current.

[0048] Exposure apparatus 23 is a device that exposes the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 based on image information after charging, forming an electrostatic latent image. This exposure apparatus 23 operates by receiving image signals generated from externally input image information through processing using an image processing unit (not shown). Image information refers to information related to the image to be formed, such as text, graphics, photographs, or patterns. Development apparatus 24 is a device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 using a developer (tone agent) of a corresponding specified color (e.g., black) and displays it as a monochrome tone agent image.

[0049] Next, the transfer device 25 is a device that electrostatically transfers the toner formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 onto the recording medium 9A. This transfer device 25 is composed of a transfer member, such as a roller, that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and supplies transfer current. The cleaning device 26 is a device that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by removing unwanted toner, paper dust, and other unwanted substances adhering to it.

[0050] In the image forming apparatus 2, the part facing each other between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer device 25 is the transfer position TP for transferring the toner image.

[0051] The media supply device 4 is a device that holds and delivers the recording medium 9A to the transfer position TP in the image forming apparatus 2. The media supply device 4 is configured with one or more containers 41 for holding the recording medium 9A and one or more delivery devices 43 for delivering the recording medium 9A one by one.

[0052] Furthermore, as for the recording medium 9A, there are no particular restrictions on its material or shape, as long as it is a sheet-like recording medium that can be transported within the housing 10 using the media transfer device 45 and can be used for tonal image transfer and thermal fixing. In this image forming apparatus 1A, the recording medium 9A can be ordinary paper, coated paper, film, foil, sheet cloth, or envelopes cut to a specified size.

[0053] The medium transfer device 45 is an example of a transfer unit for transferring heated objects 9 such as recording media 9A. In the image forming apparatus 1A, it is configured to transfer the recording media 9A to the required positions within the housing 10.

[0054] The media transport device 45 is arranged within the housing 10 in such a way that it forms the following paths: a supply path for transporting the recording medium 9A from the media supply device 4 to the transfer position TP in the image forming apparatus 2; a transfer path for transporting the recording medium 9A from the transfer position TP in the image forming apparatus 2 to the fixing apparatus 5A; and a discharge path for transporting the recording medium 9A from the fixing apparatus 5A to the discharge port 12 provided on the side of the housing 10, etc.; etc. Furthermore, specifically, the media transport device 45 is configured with the following components arranged in the required positions and in the required quantities: a pair of transport rollers 46 (46a to 46d) for holding and transporting the recording medium 9A; a guide channel component 47 for forming a transport space to guide the recording medium 9A to its destination; etc.

[0055] As an example of the heating device 5, the fixing device 5A is a device that performs heating and pressurization processes to fix the toner image of the unfixed image transferred at the transfer position TP of the image forming device 2 onto the recording medium 9A. This fixing device 5A is constructed by arranging a heating rotating body 51, a pressurizing rotating body 61, and other devices within the internal space of a housing 50, which is provided with an inlet 50a and an outlet 50b of the recording medium 9A.

[0056] Additionally, in the fixing device 5A, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fixing unit FN is configured to heat and pressurize the recording medium 9A and the toner image passing through the contact area by rotating the heating rotating body 51 and the pressurizing rotating body 61 in contact.

[0057] The details of the fixing device 5A will be described later.

[0058] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1A, an image is formed, for example, as follows.

[0059] That is, in the image forming apparatus 1A, when the control unit (not shown) receives an instruction to form an image, the image forming apparatus 2 performs charging, exposure, development and transfer operations. On the other hand, the media supply device 4 performs the operation of feeding out the required recording medium 9A and supplying it to the transfer position TP through the supply path of the media transfer device 45.

[0060] Thus, a tonal image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 21. On the other hand, this tonal image is transferred onto the recording medium 9A, which is supplied from the media supply device 4 to the transfer position TP via the media transfer device 45. Then, the recording medium 9A with the transferred tonal image is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 21 while being held between the rotating photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer device 25, and then transported to the heating device 5 via the transfer path of the media transfer device 45.

[0061] Next, in the image forming apparatus 1A, in the fixing apparatus 5A, as... Figure 2 As shown, when a recording medium 9A with a toner image 92 transferred onto it is introduced into the fixing processing section FN, where the heating rotating body 51 contacts the pressurizing rotating body 61, and the medium passes through it, a fixing operation is performed. Thus, in the fixing apparatus 5A, the unfixed toner image 92 on the recording medium 9A is heated under pressure and melted and fixed onto the recording medium 9A.

[0062] After being fixed, the recording medium 9A is discharged from the housing 50 while being held by the heating rotating body 51 and the pressure rotating body 61 in the fixing device 5A. It is then conveyed to the discharge outlet 12 through the discharge path of the media conveying device 45, and finally delivered by the conveying roller 46d and contained in a paper discharge receiving section (not shown) provided in part of the housing 10.

[0063] Through the above series of operations, the basic image forming operation of forming a monochrome image on one side of a recording medium 9A is completed.

[0064] <Heating device>

[0065] Next, the fixing device 5A will be described in detail.

[0066] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the fixing apparatus 5A of the first embodiment uses a heating unit 52 in the form of a belt-to-roll gap as the heating rotating body 51, and on the other hand, uses a pressure roller 62 in the form of a roller as the pressure rotating body 61.

[0067] The heating unit 52 is mainly composed of a heating roller 53A, a support component 54, a fixing belt 55, and an adjusting support roller 56, etc., and is modularized.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, the heating roller 53A has the following laminated structure: an electrically insulating layer 532, a first resistive heating layer 533 that heats up when energized, and an outer surface layer 534 are sequentially provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical roller substrate 531, while an electrically insulating layer 536, an inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71, and an inner surface layer 538 are sequentially provided on its inner peripheral surface as an example of an auxiliary heating unit 7 that assists in heating the axial end regions E1 and E2 in the heating region of the first resistive heating layer 533.

[0069] The roller substrate 531 is a cylindrical body with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, made of metal materials such as aluminum or iron. The electrical insulation layer 532 is an insulating film formed of insulating materials such as polyimide or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0070] The first resistive heating layer 533 is a layer that heats up by passing an electric current through it. To heat the entire predetermined heating area of ​​the heating roller 53A, it is solidly disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 53A (the roller substrate 531) with a desired layer thickness. This first resistive heating layer 533 is a layer or film composed of materials such as a mixture of silver-palladium, gold-palladium, and carbon metal fillers. For example, from the perspective of forming a uniform layer thickness, this first resistive heating layer 533 is formed by a mold casting coating method, but it can also be formed by screen printing or the like. Furthermore, the first resistive heating layer 533 is energized through electrode layers 535 disposed at both ends of the roller along its axial direction.

[0071] The outer surface layer 534 is a layer with good thermal conductivity and electrical insulation, and has protective properties for protecting the first resistive heating layer 533. The outer surface layer 534 is preferably a layer with adhesion for transmitting rotational power to the fixing belt 55 and wettability to the lubricant described later. From this point of view, it is made of a material with low anti-stick properties (e.g., polyimide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK)).

[0072] The inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is a layer that generates heat by energizing. It is partially disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the heating roller 53A (the roller substrate 531) to assist in heating the axial left and right end regions E1 and E2 of the predetermined heating area of ​​the heating roller 53A from the inside. This inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is a layer or film made of the same material as the first resistive heating layer 533.

[0073] Furthermore, the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is formed in a spiral pattern on the inner circumferential surface of the roller substrate 531 in a manner extending axially. In addition, the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 formed by this spiral pattern is formed such that the spiral pattern widths W1 and W2 of the end spiral portions 71A formed in the left and right end regions E1 and E2 are smaller than the spiral pattern width W3 of the central spiral portion 71B formed in the central region other than the left and right end regions E1 and E2.

[0074] Therefore, the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is configured such that the resistance of the end spiral portion 71A formed in the left and right end regions E1 and E2 is relatively increased, so it can generate relatively more heat compared with the central spiral portion 71B formed in the central region.

[0075] The inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is formed, for example, by a mold casting coating method. In addition, the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is energized by electrode layers 539 provided at both ends of the roller along its axial direction.

[0076] The inner surface layer 538 is, for example, a layer that has electrical insulation and protective properties that protect the inner auxiliary resistor heating layer 71.

[0077] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, in the heating roller 53A, the two ends of the roller substrate 531 are rotatably mounted on the upper side of the housing 50 by bearings 65 such as bearings.

[0078] In addition, in the heating roller 53A, power supply connectors 58A, 58B, 58C, and 58D are installed on the shaft portions at both ends of the roller substrate 531 that protrude to the outside of the bearing 65.

[0079] Power supply connectors 58A, 58B, 58C, and 58D have power supply rings (not shown) disposed inside the cylindrical insulating cover. The power supply rings of power supply connectors 58A and 58B are electrically connected to electrode layers 535 of the first resistive heating layer 533 formed on the outer peripheral surface of both ends of the heating roller 53A. Furthermore, the power supply rings of power supply connectors 58C and 58D are electrically connected to electrode layers 539 of the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 formed on the inner peripheral surface of both ends of the heating roller 53A.

[0080] In addition, power supply connectors 58A, 58B, 58C, and 58D are connected to power supply device 17. When heating is required, power supply device 17 supplies the power supply connectors 58A and 58B with the current required for the first resistive heating layer 533, and supplies the power supply connectors 58C and 58D with the current required for the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71.

[0081] The fixing belt 55 is heated by the heating roller 53A, and is heated by contact between the fixing processing section FN and the surface of the recording medium 9A on which the toner image 92 is transferred. The fixing belt 55 is a flexible and heat-resistant annular heat-conducting belt, for example, it can be applied to a belt with a layer structure formed sequentially on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical belt substrate made of synthetic resins such as polyimide and polyamide, wherein an elastic layer made of elastic material such as silicone rubber and a release layer made of resin material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are formed.

[0082] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the fixing belt 55 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow C while wrapped around the support member 54 and the adjusting support roller 56.

[0083] The support member 54 is a component that is configured to contact the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 55 and supports and forms the fixing processing section FN for heat treatment. The fixing processing section FN is a heat fixing processing section formed on the outer peripheral surface supported by the support member 54 of the fixing belt 55. The support member 54 on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 55 is configured as a hollow plate-shaped support body arranged in a state parallel to the axial direction of the heating roller 53A, and a pad member is installed on the part of the support body that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 55B.

[0084] In addition, the support member 54 is configured by fixing the two ends of the support body protruding outward from both ends of the fixing belt 55 to the side of the housing 50.

[0085] The support roller 56 is adjusted to maintain the desired winding state of the fixing belt 55 while applying the required tension, and is adjusted to stabilize the rotational operation of the fixing belt 55.

[0086] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the heating unit 52 is equipped with a lubricant coating device 57 for coating lubricant on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 55, and a temperature sensor 59, which is an example of a temperature measuring unit for measuring the surface temperature of the heating roller 53A.

[0087] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the heating unit 52 is equipped with multiple temperature sensors 59a to 59d at predetermined locations along the axial direction of the heating roller 53A (e.g., the end regions E1 and E2 at both ends and the central region elsewhere), which measure the surface temperature of the multiple regions and send the measurement results to the control device 15. Furthermore, the control device 15 controls operations such as the output of the power supply device 17 to adjust the heating state.

[0088] On the other hand, such as Figure 2As shown, the pressure roller 62 is a roller body with an elastic release layer 622 provided on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical or cylindrical roller substrate 621.

[0089] like Figure 2 As shown, the pressure roller 62 is rotatably mounted on the lower side of the housing 50 by means of a bearing 66 at a position opposite to the support member 54. The bearing 66 is mounted on a shaft portion 623 protruding from both ends of the roller substrate 621.

[0090] In addition, the pressure roller 62 is mounted such that the bearing 66 can be displaced in directions approaching and away from the support member 54, and a predetermined pressure toward the support member 54 is applied to the bearing 66 by a force-applying member such as a spring (not shown), thereby pressing the fixing belt 55 onto the support member 54 (the pad member) with a predetermined pressure and allowing it to pass through.

[0091] Furthermore, the pressure roller 62 is equipped with a power receiving component 67, such as a gear, which receives rotational power transmitted during fixing operations or similar processes on a shaft. The rotational power from a drive unit (not shown) located within the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1A is transmitted to this power receiving component 67 via a final transmission gear 18.

[0092] Furthermore, in this fixing device 5A, when it is time to perform fixing operations, the first resistive heating layer 533 of the heating roller 53A in the heating unit 52 is heated by energizing, and heating begins to maintain the heating roller 53A at the required temperature. Additionally, in this fixing device 5A, such as... Figure 2 As in the example, the pressure roller 62 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow B. The rotational force of the pressure roller 62 is transmitted to the fixing belt 55, which is in contact with the fixing processing unit FN, thereby causing the fixing belt 55 to start rotating passively in the direction indicated by arrow C.

[0093] Thus, in the fixing device 5A, the fixing belt 55 is heated to the required temperature by the heating roller 53A, and rotates as it passes through the fixing processing unit FN, thus becoming a state in which fixing operation can be performed.

[0094] In addition, in this fixing device 5A, when the surface temperature of the left and right end regions E1 and E2 of the heating predetermined area of ​​the heating roller 53A is lower than the surface temperature of the central region, the control device 15 supplies power to the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 in the heating roller 53A based on the detection information from multiple temperature sensors 59a to 59d, thereby generating heat.

[0095] At this time, the spiral portions 71A at the left and right ends of the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71, which is composed of a spiral pattern, emit more heat than the central spiral portion 71B, thus auxiliaryly heating the left and right end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53A. It should be noted that at this time, the central spiral portion 71B of the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 also generates heat to a certain extent, thus auxiliaryly heating the central region of the heating roller 53A.

[0096] Therefore, in this fixing device 5A, even if there is temperature unevenness in the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53A where the first resistive heating layer 533 is provided, auxiliary heating can be obtained by using the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 compared to the case where the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is not provided. Thus, the temperature unevenness can be suppressed. The inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 provides auxiliary heating to at least the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53A in the heating area of ​​the first resistive heating layer 533.

[0097] Incidentally, in this fixing device 5A, it is also configured such that, from the very beginning, the inner auxiliary resistor heating layer 71 is heated by energizing during its initial start-up or restart after a long period of inactivity.

[0098] <Modifications of the first embodiment>

[0099] In the fixing device 5A, a heating roller 53B configured as described below can be used instead of the heating roller 53A.

[0100] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The heating roller 53B shown is different in the following aspects: there is no material on the inner circumferential surface of the roller substrate 531, and a second resistive heating layer 533B with a spiral pattern and an outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 with a spiral pattern are provided on its outer circumferential surface. Otherwise, it is formed with the same structure as the heating roller 53A described above.

[0101] The second resistive heating layer 533B is configured as a layer consisting of a spiral pattern extending axially with the same pattern width W4. The second resistive heating layer 533B is identical to the first resistive heating layer 533, except for the pattern itself. Furthermore, this second resistive heating layer 533B is formed, for example, by screen printing.

[0102] The outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 is configured as a layer consisting of a spiral pattern extending axially parallel to the gaps in the spiral pattern of the second resistive heating layer 533B. Furthermore, like the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71, the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 is configured such that the spiral pattern widths W1 and W2 of the end spiral portions 72A formed in the left and right end regions E1 and E2 are smaller than the spiral pattern width W3 of the central spiral portion 72B formed in the central region outside the left and right end regions E1 and E2. Additionally, the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72, like the second resistive heating layer 533B, is formed, for example, by screen printing.

[0103] In addition, the second resistive heating layer 533B and the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 are heated by energizing electrodes (not shown) formed at the left and right ends of the predetermined heating area of ​​the heating roller 53B.

[0104] Furthermore, in the fixing device 5A that uses the heating roller 53B, when power is supplied from the power supply device 17, heating is performed by the heating of the second resistive heating layer 533B, and also by the heating of the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72.

[0105] At this time, the left and right end spiral portions 72A of the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72, which is composed of a spiral pattern, emit more heat than its central spiral portion 72B, thus strongly heating the left and right end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53B.

[0106] Therefore, in this fixing device 5A, even if there is temperature unevenness in the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53B where the second resistive heating layer 533B is provided, auxiliary heating can be obtained by utilizing the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 compared to the case without the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72. Thus, the temperature unevenness can be suppressed. The outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 assists in heating the heating roller 53B in at least the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating area of ​​the second resistive heating layer 533B.

[0107] Implementation Method 2

[0108] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The image shows another example of the heating device 5 in the second embodiment, namely the fixing device 5B.

[0109] The fixing device 5B of the second embodiment differs from the fixing device 5A of the first embodiment in that the heating rotating body 51 is replaced by a heating roller 53C in the form of a roller; otherwise, the configuration is the same. Therefore, in the following description and drawings, the common and identical components are similarly labeled with the symbols used in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted except where necessary.

[0110] The heating roller 53C in the fixing device 5B can utilize the heating rollers 53A and 53B illustrated in the first embodiment. However, in this case, conditions such as the thickness of the roller substrate 531 need to be appropriately modified. Furthermore, when using heating rollers 53A and 53B, it is unnecessary to provide an electrical insulation layer, an inner resistance heating layer, and an inner surface layer on the inner circumferential surface of the roller. Moreover, when using heating rollers 53A and 53B, the outer surface layer 534 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the roller is a layer with good thermal conductivity and electrical insulation, and has protective properties that protect the first resistance heating layer 533 or the second resistance heating layer 533B. Furthermore, this outer surface layer 534 requires good anti-stick properties, and is therefore made of a material with excellent anti-stick properties (e.g., fluororesin).

[0111] Furthermore, in the fixing device 5B that uses a heating roller 53C with this roller shape, even if there is temperature unevenness in the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53C (53A, 53B) where the first resistive heating layer 533 or the second resistive heating layer 533B is provided, the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 or the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 can be used for auxiliary heating compared to the case where the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 or the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 is not provided. Therefore, the temperature unevenness can be suppressed. The inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 or the outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72 assists in heating the heating roller in at least the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating area of ​​the first resistive heating layer 533 or the second resistive heating layer 533B.

[0112] Third implementation method

[0113] Figure 9 The diagram shows a heating device 5C, which is another example of the heating device 5 in the third embodiment, and a heating and drying device 1B, which is another example of the heating device 1 that uses the heating device 5C to heat the object.

[0114] The heating device 5C of the third embodiment differs from the fixing device 5A of the first embodiment only in that the fixing belt 55 is replaced with a heating belt 55B; otherwise, the configuration is identical. Therefore, in the following description and drawings, the common and identical components are similarly labeled with the symbols used in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted except where necessary.

[0115] The heating device 5C uses a belt with good thermal conductivity as the heating belt 55B, for example, a belt made of a cylindrical belt substrate made of synthetic resins such as polyimide or polyamide. It should be noted that the aforementioned fixing belt 55 can also be used as the heating belt 55B.

[0116] In addition, in the heating device 5C, the part supported by the support member 54 of the heating belt 55B and the part pressed by the pressure roller 62 constitute the drying treatment section DN for heating and drying.

[0117] Furthermore, the heating and drying apparatus 1B using the heating device 5C includes a sheet conveying device 45B that guides the sheet 9B (the object to be heated and dried) into the drying processing section DN of the heating device 5C and conveys it through. The sheet conveying device 45B consists of a pair of conveying rollers 48 and a guide member 49, etc. Examples of the sheet 9B include, for example, the recording medium 9A described above.

[0118] In this heating device 5C, even if there is temperature unevenness in the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53A where the first resistive heating layer 533 is provided, auxiliary heating can be obtained by using the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 compared to the case where the inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 is not provided. Therefore, the temperature unevenness can be suppressed. The inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 provides auxiliary heating to at least the axial end regions E1 and E2 of the heating roller 53A in the heating area of ​​the first resistive heating layer 533.

[0119] As a result, the sheet material 9B can be well heated and dried in the heating and drying apparatus 1B, and the uneven heating and drying caused by the uneven temperature of the heating roller 53 in the heating apparatus 5C is suppressed.

[0120] Variations.

[0121] The present invention is not limited to the configuration examples exemplified in the above embodiments, but also includes, for example, the following variations.

[0122] In addition, as an auxiliary heating unit 7, besides the aforementioned inner auxiliary resistive heating layer 71 or outer auxiliary resistive heating layer 72, an end heating device such as a halogen lamp can also be used to heat the portion of the heating roller 53A (53B) corresponding to the end regions E1 and E2 of the heating area of ​​the first or second resistive heating layer 533, 533B.

[0123] Furthermore, regarding the first resistive heating layer 533 and the second resistive heating layer 533B of the heating rollers 53A, 53B, the film thickness of the end regions E1 and E2 of each heating area can be set to be greater than the film thickness of the remaining (central) region other than the end regions E1 and E2. In this case, since the film thickness is thicker in the end regions E1 and E2 of the heating area of ​​the heating rollers 53A, etc., the heat generation is reduced, and the temperature drops. However, the temperature drop and insufficient heating in the end regions E1 and E2 can be compensated by auxiliary heating using the auxiliary heating unit 7.

[0124] In the aforementioned fixing device 5A, the adjusting support roller 56 in the heating unit 52 may be omitted. Furthermore, in the fixing devices 5A, 5B, or the heating device 5C, the pressure rotating body 61, for example, may be a belt-to-roll gap type pressure rotating body instead of a roller type pressure roller 62.

[0125] In addition, in the first embodiment, etc., an example of forming a monochrome image is shown as the image forming apparatus 1A, but it can also be an apparatus for forming a multicolor image that combines multiple color toners, and its form is not particularly limited.

Claims

1. A heating device, wherein, The heating device has the following features: Heating roller, which has a resistance heating layer that generates heat by energizing; A pressure rotating body rotates to press and pass a sheet-like object to be heated against the outer circumferential surface of the heating roller; and An auxiliary heating unit provides supplementary heating to at least the end region of the heating roller in the axial direction of the heating area utilizing the resistive heating layer. The auxiliary heating unit is an auxiliary resistive heating layer that is partially disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller, where the resistive heating layer is disposed. The resistive heating layer and the auxiliary resistive heating layer are layers composed of spiral patterns extending in parallel along the axial direction, and the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistive heating layer corresponding to the end region of the heating area is smaller than the width of the resistive heating layer.

2. The heating device as described in claim 1, wherein, The auxiliary resistive heating layer has a width greater than the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistive heating layer corresponding to the portion of the heating region other than the end region of the heating region.

3. A heating device, wherein, The heating device has the following features: Heating roller, which has a resistance heating layer that generates heat by energizing; A pressure rotating body rotates to press and pass a sheet-like object to be heated against the outer circumferential surface of the heating roller; and An auxiliary heating unit provides supplementary heating to at least the end region of the heating roller in the axial direction of the heating area utilizing the resistive heating layer. The auxiliary heating unit is an auxiliary resistive heating layer partially disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the heating roller that does not have the resistive heating layer. The auxiliary resistive heating layer is a layer composed of a spiral pattern extending along the axial direction, and the width of the portion corresponding to the two ends of the heating region is smaller than the width of the portion corresponding to the remaining portion outside the two ends of the heating region.

4. A heating device, wherein, The heating device has the following features: Heating roller, which has a resistance heating layer that generates heat by energizing; A pressure rotating body rotates to press and pass a sheet-like object to be heated against the outer circumferential surface of the heating roller; and An auxiliary heating unit provides supplementary heating to at least the end region of the heating roller in the axial direction of the heating area utilizing the resistive heating layer. The resistive heating layer has a film thickness at the end region of the heating area that is greater than the film thickness of the remaining region outside the end region of the heating area.

5. A heating device, wherein, The heating device has the following features: Heating roller, which has a resistance heating layer that generates heat by energizing; Supporting components that support the processing section undergoing heat treatment; A belt, which is at least wrapped around the heating roller and the support member and rotates; A pressure rotating body rotates to press and pass through a sheet-like object to be heated, which is supported by the support member, onto the processing section of the belt, which is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the sheet. An auxiliary heating unit provides supplementary heating to at least the end region of the heating roller in the axial direction of the heating area utilizing the resistive heating layer. The auxiliary heating unit is an auxiliary resistive heating layer that is partially disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller, where the resistive heating layer is disposed. The resistive heating layer and the auxiliary resistive heating layer are layers composed of spiral patterns extending in parallel along the axial direction, and the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistive heating layer corresponding to the end region of the heating area is smaller than the width of the resistive heating layer.

6. The heating device as described in claim 5, wherein, The auxiliary resistive heating layer has a width greater than the width of the portion of the auxiliary resistive heating layer corresponding to the portion of the heating region other than the end region of the heating region.

7. A heating device, wherein, The heating device has the following features: Heating roller, which has a resistance heating layer that generates heat by energizing; Supporting components that support the processing section undergoing heat treatment; A belt, which is at least wrapped around the heating roller and the support member and rotates; A pressure rotating body rotates to press and pass through a sheet-like object to be heated, which is supported by the support member, onto the processing section of the belt, which is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the sheet. An auxiliary heating unit provides supplementary heating to at least the end region of the heating roller in the axial direction of the heating area utilizing the resistive heating layer. The auxiliary heating unit is an auxiliary resistive heating layer partially disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the heating roller that does not have the resistive heating layer. The auxiliary resistive heating layer is a layer composed of a spiral pattern extending along the axial direction, and the width of the portion corresponding to the two ends of the heating region is smaller than the width of the portion corresponding to the remaining portion outside the two ends of the heating region.

8. A heating device, wherein, The heating device has the following features: Heating roller, which has a resistance heating layer that generates heat by energizing; Supporting components that support the processing section undergoing heat treatment; A belt, which is at least wrapped around the heating roller and the support member and rotates; A pressure rotating body rotates to press and pass through a sheet-like object to be heated, which is supported by the support member, onto the processing section of the belt, which is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the sheet. An auxiliary heating unit provides supplementary heating to at least the end region of the heating roller in the axial direction of the heating area utilizing the resistive heating layer. The resistive heating layer has a film thickness at the end region of the heating area that is greater than the film thickness of the remaining region outside the end region of the heating area.

9. The heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The auxiliary heating unit is an end heating device that heats the portion of the heating roller that corresponds to the end region of the heating area.

10. The heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The heating device includes a temperature measuring unit that measures the surface temperature of the end region of the heating zone in the heating roller and the surface temperature of the remaining region outside the end region. The heating state of the auxiliary heating unit is adjusted according to the measurement results of the temperature measuring unit.

11. A device for utilizing a heated object, wherein, The heating device includes: A conveying unit that conveys a sheet-like object to be heated; and A heating device that heats the object to be heated, which is conveyed by the conveying unit. The heating device is constituted by any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The heating object utilization device as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The heating device is a fixing device that fixes an unfixed image onto a recording medium that is a sheet-shaped object to be heated.

Images