Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus. The fixing device includes: a first rotating body; a second rotating body which is disposed so as to be in contact with the first rotating body; a pressing member that is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body and presses the second rotating body from the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body toward the first rotating body; a sliding member interposed between an inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body and the pressing member; and a lubricant interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body and the sliding member, the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body being configured from a resin having a siloxane group and a siloxane-treated conductive material, the sliding surface of the sliding member is configured from a resin having a siloxane group and a siloxane-treated conductive material, and the lubricant contains an oil having a siloxane group in the main chain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-124559 discloses "a belt having a resin layer containing polyimide and a siloxane-modified resin at least on the outermost layer on the side sliding with a sliding part, wherein the molar ratio of the siloxane structure in the siloxane-modified resin is 20 mol% or more."

[0003] In addition, Japanese Patent Gazette No. 11-219036 discloses "a transfer body, which is a transfer body used in an image forming method, wherein the image forming method comprises transferring a colorant image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier to a transfer body, heating and pressurizing the transfer body in an overlapping state with a recording medium, and peeling the recording medium from the transfer body after cooling, thereby transferring and fixing the colorant image on the recording medium, wherein the transfer body is characterized in that a rubber layer and a silicone-modified polyimide resin layer having uniform thicknesses are sequentially provided on a substrate."

[0004] In addition, the specification of Japanese Patent No. 5147998 discloses "a multilayer annular tubular membrane, which is a multilayer annular tubular membrane having a surface layer, an elastic layer and a substrate layer, the entire layer is seamless, the surface layer is a membrane made by centrifugal molding, the material of the surface layer is at least one selected from the group consisting of fluororubber, fluororesin, siloxane-modified polyimide and polyurethane rubber, the surface roughness (Rz) of the surface layer is 0.25 to 1.5 μm, the substrate layer is a membrane made by centrifugal molding, and the material of the substrate layer is polyimide and / or polyamide-imide." Summary of the invention

[0005] At present, there is known a fixing device (hereinafter also referred to as a specific fixing device), which includes: a first rotating body; a second rotating body, which is arranged in contact with the first rotating body; a pressing component, which is arranged on the inner circumference of the second rotating body and presses the second rotating body toward the first rotating body from the inner circumference of the second rotating body; a sliding component, which is interposed between the inner circumference of the second rotating body and the pressing component; and a lubricant, which is interposed between the inner circumference of the second rotating body and the sliding component.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device, in which, in a specific fixing device, both sliding properties and charge suppression are excellent compared to a case where the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is composed only of a resin without a siloxane group (for example, a polyimide resin) and a sliding surface of a sliding component is composed only of a resin without a siloxane group (for example, a fluororesin).

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device comprising a first rotating body; a second rotating body, the second rotating body being arranged in contact with the first rotating body; a pressing member, the pressing member being arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and pressing the second rotating body toward the first rotating body from the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body; a sliding member, the sliding member being interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and the pressing member; and a lubricant, the lubricant being interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and the sliding member, the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body comprising a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane, the sliding surface of the sliding member comprising a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane, and the lubricant comprising an oil having a siloxane group in the main chain.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the first aspect, the conductive material contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the conductive material contained in the sliding surface of the sliding member is carbon black.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the first or second aspect, a content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 5 parts by mass or more based on 100 parts by mass of the resin.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the third aspect, a content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the resin.

[0011] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding part is at least one of a siloxane-modified polyimide resin and a siloxane-modified polyamide-imide resin.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the surface resistivity of the sliding surface of the sliding member is 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less.

[0014] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device based on any one of the first to seventh aspects, the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding component are resin particles.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the eighth aspect, the sliding surface of the sliding member includes a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, resin particles of the resin having a siloxane group, and the conductive material treated with siloxane.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the ninth aspect, the resin particles are thermosetting silicone resin particles.

[0017] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device based on the eighth aspect, the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body includes at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyimide resin, polyamide-imide resin, polyetheretherketone resin, and polyphenylene sulfide resin, resin particles of the resin having a siloxane group, and the conductive material treated with siloxane.

[0018] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to the eleventh aspect, the resin particles are thermosetting silicone resin particles.

[0019] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming device comprising: an image retaining body; a latent image forming device, which forms a latent image on the surface of the image retaining body; a developing device, which develops the latent image into a colorant image using a developer; a transfer device, which transfers the developed colorant image onto a recording medium; and the fixing device of any one of the first to twelfth aspects, which fixes the colorant image on the recording medium.

[0020] (Effect)

[0021] According to the first, second, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth aspects, a fixing device is provided, in which, in a specific fixing device, both sliding properties and charge suppression are excellent compared to a case where the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body is composed only of a resin without a siloxane group (for example, a polyimide resin) and a sliding surface of a sliding component is composed only of a resin without a siloxane group (for example, a fluororesin).

[0022] According to the third aspect, there is provided a fixing device having excellent sliding properties and charge suppression compared to a case where the content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is less than 5 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the resin.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect, a fixing device is provided which is excellent in both sliding property and charge suppression compared with a case where the content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is less than 10 parts by mass or more than 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the resin.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect, a fixing device is provided which is excellent in both sliding property and charge suppression compared to the case where the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding component is silicone oil glue.

[0025] According to the sixth aspect, there is provided a fixing device, wherein the surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body exceeds 1.0×10 7 Compared with the case of Ω / □, both sliding property and static charge suppression are excellent.

[0026] According to the seventh aspect, there is provided a fixing device, wherein the surface resistivity of the sliding surface of the sliding member exceeds 1.0×10 7 Compared with the case of Ω / □, both sliding property and static charge suppression are excellent.

[0027] According to the thirteenth aspect, there is provided an image forming device having excellent sliding properties and charge suppression compared to a fixing device in which, in a specific fixing device, the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is composed only of a resin without a silicone group (for example, a polyimide resin) and the sliding surface of the sliding component is composed only of a resin without a silicone group (for example, a fluororesin). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the fixing device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following is a description of an embodiment as an example of the present invention. These descriptions and examples are intended to illustrate the embodiment and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0031] In the numerical range recorded in stages in this specification, the upper limit or lower limit recorded in a numerical range can also be replaced by the upper limit or lower limit of the numerical range recorded in other stages. In addition, in the numerical range recorded in this specification, the upper limit or lower limit of its numerical range can also be replaced by the value shown in the embodiment.

[0032] Each component may also contain a plurality of corresponding substances.

[0033] When referring to the amount of each component in the composition, if there are multiple substances corresponding to each component in the composition, unless otherwise specified, it refers to the total amount of the multiple substances present in the composition.

[0034] When the embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, components having substantially the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.

[0035] <Fixing device / Image forming device>

[0036] The fixing device of this embodiment is a specific fixing device, which includes: a first rotating body; a second rotating body, which is arranged in contact with the first rotating body; a pressing component, which is arranged on the inner circumference of the second rotating body and presses the second rotating body toward the first rotating body from the inner circumference of the second rotating body; a sliding component, which is interposed between the inner circumference of the second rotating body and the pressing component; and a lubricant, which is interposed between the inner circumference of the second rotating body and the sliding component.

[0037] The inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is formed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material subjected to a siloxane treatment.

[0038] The sliding surface of the sliding member is composed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane.

[0039] The lubricant contains oil having a siloxane group in the main chain.

[0040] The image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes:

[0041] Like holding body;

[0042] A latent image forming device, wherein the latent image forming device forms a latent image on the surface of the image holding body;

[0043] a developing device that develops the latent image into a toner image using a developer;

[0044] a transfer device for transferring the developed toner image onto a recording medium; and

[0045] A fixing device fixes the toner image on the recording medium.

[0046] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment employs the fixing device of the present embodiment described above.

[0047] The fixing device and the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment are excellent in both sliding property and charge suppression due to the above-mentioned structure. The reason for this is presumably as follows.

[0048] In the past, when forming an image in an electronic photographic image forming device such as a printer, copier, or fax machine, after transferring the colorant image to a recording medium such as recording paper, a fixing device is used to heat and pressurize the recording medium to which the colorant image is transferred, thereby fixing the colorant image to the surface of the recording medium.

[0049] Conventionally, various types of fixing devices have been proposed, and the above-mentioned specific fixing device is known as one of them.

[0050] In a specific fixing device, as the friction with the sliding member increases in the second rotating body (e.g., fixing belt), the conveying performance of the recording medium decreases, and there is a tendency for paper wrinkles to occur. In addition, due to the increase in frictional charge accompanying the rotation, the electrostatic attraction of the toner on the recording medium acts, and the unfixed transferred toner image is easily disturbed near the entrance of the fixing nip, which is a phenomenon called electrostatic offset.

[0051] In this regard, in the fixing device and image forming device of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body comprises a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane. In addition, the sliding surface of the sliding member comprises a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane. Moreover, the lubricant comprises an oil having a siloxane group in the main chain. In this way, the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body, the sliding surface of the sliding member, and the lubricant all comprise a material having a siloxane bond, and therefore, have high affinity with each other and good compatibility. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the lubricant between the second rotating body and the sliding member from being discharged and exhausted, and it is easy to maintain low slip.

[0052] In addition, the resin having a siloxane group and the conductive material treated with siloxane have good compatibility on the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body, so it is possible to suppress the conductive material from peeling off from the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body as it slides. As a result, the reduction in charge suppression is suppressed. Similar to the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body, the resin having a siloxane group and the conductive material treated with siloxane have good compatibility on the sliding surface of the sliding part, so it is possible to suppress the conductive material from peeling off from the sliding surface of the sliding part as it slides. As a result, the reduction in charge suppression is further suppressed.

[0053] An example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0055] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the fixing device according to the present embodiment.

[0056] (Structure of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes first to fourth process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K (an example of an image forming unit) of an electrophotographic method for outputting images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors based on color-separated image data. These process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other along the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20. In addition, these process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0058] Above each of the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K ( Figure 1 The intermediate transfer belt 20 as an intermediate transfer body is arranged with its outer peripheral surface facing each process box. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is wound around a driving roller 22 and a support roller 24 that are arranged separately from each other and are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20, and is provided with tension, and runs in a loop from the first process box 10Y to the fourth process box 10K.

[0059] The support roller 24 is pressed away from the driving roller 22 by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) to apply tension to the intermediate transfer belt 20 wound therebetween. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 20a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 facing the driving roller 22.

[0060] The first to fourth process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K have substantially the same structure, and therefore the first process cartridge 10Y for forming a yellow image disposed on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt is described as a representative. In addition, the same reference numerals of magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are used instead of yellow (Y) for the same parts as the first process cartridge 10Y, and the description of the second to fourth process cartridges 10M, 10C, and 10K is omitted.

[0061] The first process cartridge 10Y has a photosensitive body 1Y that functions as an image holder. Around the photosensitive body 1Y, a charging roller (an example of a charging device) 2Y that charges the surface of the photosensitive body 1Y at a predetermined potential, a developing device 4Y that supplies charged toner contained in a developer to the electrostatic latent image to develop the electrostatic latent image, and a photosensitive body cleaning device 6Y that removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive body 1Y after the primary transfer are sequentially arranged. These are integrally formed in a housing 11Y (frame). Similarly, the second to fourth process cartridges 10M to 10K have their respective components integrally formed in housings 11M to 11K (frames).

[0062] Moreover, together with the first processing box 10Y, an exposure device 3 is configured to constitute an image forming unit, and the exposure device 3 forms an electrostatic latent image by transferring the developed colorant image to the primary transfer roller 5Y (an example of a primary transfer device) on the intermediate transfer belt 20 and exposing the charged surface to laser light 3Y based on the image signal that separates the colors.

[0063] In addition, the charging roller 2Y and the exposure device 3 correspond to an example of a latent image forming device.

[0064] In addition, the primary transfer roller 5Y is arranged inside the intermediate transfer belt 20 and is set at a position opposite to the photosensitive body 1Y. Furthermore, each of the primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K is connected to a bias power supply (not shown) for applying a primary transfer bias. Each bias power supply can change the transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller under the control of a control unit (not shown).

[0065] (Structure of Fixing Device)

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the fixing device 28 includes a heating roller 30 (an example of a first rotating body) and a pressure belt 40 (an example of a second rotating body), and the heating roller 30 and the pressure belt 40 are arranged opposite to each other. The pressure belt 40 is pressed against the heating roller 30 by a pressing pad 50 (an example of a pressing member) disposed inside the periphery thereof, and is pressed to form a contact portion, and is guided along a belt running guide 52, and is driven by receiving a driving force from the heating roller 30.

[0067] A sliding sheet 60 (an example of a sliding member) is interposed between the pressure belt 40 and the pressing pad 50. Moreover, a lubricant 62 (an example of a lubricant) is interposed between the sliding sheet 60 and the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 40. In addition, the lubricant 62 is supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 40 by, for example, a lubricant supplying member 64 provided in a part of the belt running guide 52, and is interposed between the sliding sheet 60 and the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 40.

[0068] Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , T represents a toner image.

[0069] -Heating roller 30 (an example of a first rotating body)-

[0070] The heating roller 30 is configured by sequentially forming an elastic layer 30 b and a release layer 30 c on a metal hollow core 30 a having a heat source 31 such as a halogen lamp inside.

[0071] The metal core 30a is composed of a cylindrical body made of metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc. The elastomer layer 30b is composed of, for example, HTV silicone rubber or fluororubber (JIS-A rubber hardness is about 45 degrees, and the rubber hardness is measured by a spring-type A-type hardness meter manufactured by Teclock Company in accordance with JIS K6301, with an additional load of 1,000 gf) with a thickness of about 2 mm to 5 mm. The release layer 30c is composed of, for example, fluororubber, silicone rubber, fluororesin, etc. with a thickness of 20 μm to 50 μm. Of course, it is not limited to this and can also be composed of conventionally known materials.

[0072] The heating roller 30 functions as a fixing roller, and is driven and rotated at a peripheral speed of, for example, 260 mm / sec, with its speed adjusted by a driving source (not shown). The outer diameter of the heating roller 30 is generally, for example, about 25 mm to 80 mm.

[0073] The surface temperature of the heating roller 30 is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) in contact with the surface, and the surface temperature is controlled by a control circuit (not shown) to reach, for example, 175° C.

[0074] -Pressure belt 40 (an example of a second rotating body)-

[0075] The pressure belt 40 is formed by including a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane on the inner peripheral surface. The resin is a heat-resistant resin. In addition, "heat resistance" means that it has the property of not melting or decomposing even when the temperature of the fixing device (for example, the fixing temperature) is reached. The same is true for the following.

[0076] The pressure belt 40 has a resin base material layer constituting an inner peripheral surface and containing a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material subjected to a siloxane treatment.

[0077] The pressure belt 40 can be a single-layer body of a resin base material layer constituting the inner circumferential surface of the pressure belt 40, or a laminate having a resin base material layer constituting the inner circumferential surface of the pressure belt 40, an elastic layer arranged on the resin base material layer, and a release layer arranged on the elastic layer, or a laminate having a resin base material layer constituting the inner circumferential surface of the pressure belt 40 and a release layer arranged on the resin base material layer.

[0078] The resin base material layer is a layer containing a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane, and preferably a layer containing a resin, resin particles of a resin having a siloxane group, and a conductive material treated with siloxane.

[0079] The surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 40 is preferably 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less, more preferably 1.0×10 6 Ω / □ or less, more preferably 5.0×10 5 Ω / □ or less.

[0080] When the surface resistivity of the inner surface is 1.0×10 7 When the resistance is Ω / □ or less, the static charge suppression is more excellent.

[0081] The method for setting the surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface within the above range is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method in which the inner peripheral surface is constituted by a resin, resin particles of a resin having a siloxane group, and a siloxane-treated conductive material.

[0082] The surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface can be measured by the same method as the method for measuring the surface resistivity of the sliding surface of the sliding sheet 60 described later.

[0083] Preferred embodiments of the resin having a siloxane group include the same preferred embodiments as those of the resin having a siloxane group in the sliding member described below.

[0084] Preferred embodiments of the conductive material subjected to siloxane treatment include the same preferred embodiments as those of the conductive material subjected to siloxane treatment in the sliding member described later.

[0085] The content of the conductive material of the layer (i.e., the resin base material layer) constituting the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body (e.g., the pressure belt 40) can be greater than 5 parts by mass, preferably greater than 5 parts by mass and less than 50 parts by mass, more preferably greater than 5 parts by mass and less than 40 parts by mass, and further preferably greater than 5 parts by mass and less than 30 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the resin.

[0086] When the content of the conductive material is 5 parts by mass or more, conductivity is appropriately imparted, and the charge suppression is more excellent. In addition, it is easy to improve the affinity of the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body, the sliding surface of the sliding part, and the lubricant, and the sliding property is more excellent. When the content of the conductive material is 50 parts by mass or less, it is easy to suppress the second rotating body from becoming brittle and the conductive material from peeling off, and the charge suppression is more excellent.

[0087] Examples of the resin include polyimide resins, polyamide-imide resins, polyetheretherketone resins, polyphenylene sulfide resins, polyethersulfone resins, polysulfone resins, and polyphenylsulfone resins. The resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0088] Among them, as the resin, at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyimide resin, polyamide-imide resin, polyetheretherketone resin, and polyphenylene sulfide resin is preferred, and polyimide resin is more preferred. These resins (especially polyimide resins) have high wear resistance and tend to have high affinity with lubricants. Therefore, the sliding property and charge suppression are more excellent.

[0089] As a polyimide resin, the imide compound of polyamic acid (precursor of a polyimide resin) which is a copolymer of tetracarboxylic dianhydride (tetracarboxylic dianhydride) and a diamine compound is mentioned, for example.

[0090] Examples of the polyimide resin include resins having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (I).

[0091]

[0092] General formula (I)

[0093] In the general formula (I), R 1 Represents a tetravalent organic group, R 2 It represents a divalent organic group.

[0094] As R 1 The tetravalent organic group represented by may include an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group, a group combining an aromatic group and an aliphatic group, or a substituted group thereof. Specifically, as the tetravalent organic group, for example, a residue of a tetracarboxylic dianhydride described below may be mentioned.

[0095] As R 2 The divalent organic group represented by may be an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group, a group combining an aromatic group and an aliphatic group, or a substituted group thereof. Specifically, as the divalent organic group, for example, a residue of a diamine compound described below may be mentioned.

[0096] Specific examples of the tetracarboxylic dianhydride used as a raw material for the polyimide resin include pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,3',4-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,2,5,6-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)sulfonic acid dianhydride, perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)ether dianhydride, and ethylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride.

[0097] Specific examples of the diamine compound used as a raw material of the polyimide resin include: 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfide, 3,3'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 1,5-naphthalenediamine, m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 3,3'-dimethyl 4,4'-diaminobiphenyl, benzidine, 3, 3'-Dimethylbenzidine, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl propane, 2,4-bis(β-aminotert-butyl)toluene, bis(p-β-amino-tert-butylphenyl)ether, bis(p-β-methyl-δ-aminophenyl)benzene, bis-p-(1,1-dimethyl-5-amino-pentyl)benzene, 1-isopropyl-2,4-m-phenylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine, p- Phenylenediamine, di(p-aminocyclohexyl)methane, hexanediamine, heptanediamine, octanediamine, nonanediamine, decanediamine, diaminopropyltetramethylene, 3-methylheptanediamine, 4,4-dimethylheptanediamine, 2,11-diaminododecane, 1,2-bis-3-aminopropoxyethane, 2,2-dimethylpropylenediamine, 3-methoxyhexanediamine, 2,5-dimethylheptanediamine, 3-methylheptanediamine, 5-methylnonanediamine, 2,17- Diaminoeicosane, 1,4-diaminocyclohexane, 1,10-diamino-1,10-dimethyldecane, 12-diaminooctadecane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, piperazine, H2N(CH2)3O(CH2)2O(CH2)NH2, H2N(CH2)3S(CH2)3NH2, H2N(CH2)3N(CH3)2(CH2)3NH2, etc.

[0098] Examples of the polyamide-imide resin include resins having an imide bond and an amide bond in a repeating unit.

[0099] More specifically, the polyamide-imide resin includes a polymer of a trivalent carboxylic acid compound (also referred to as tricarboxylic acid) having an acid anhydride group and a diisocyanate compound or a diamine compound.

[0100] As the tricarboxylic acid, trimellitic anhydride and its derivatives are preferred. In addition to the tricarboxylic acid, tetracarboxylic dianhydride, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, etc. may be used in combination.

[0101] Examples of the diisocyanate compound include 3,3'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3,3'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate, and naphthalene-2,6-diisocyanate.

[0102] As a diamine compound, the compound which has the same structure as the above-mentioned isocyanate and has an amino group instead of an isocyanate group is mentioned.

[0103] The resin base material layer may contain other components in addition to the resin. Examples of other components include conductive materials, fillers for improving mechanical strength, antioxidants for preventing thermal degradation, surfactants, and heat-resistant antioxidants.

[0104] Here, an example in which the first rotating body is a heating roller and the second rotating body is a pressure belt is given, but this also includes a mode in which the first rotating body is a pressure roller and the second rotating body is a heating belt.

[0105] When the first rotating body is a pressure roller, the structure of the pressure roller is preferably the same as the structure of the heating roller 30 described above.

[0106] When the second rotating body is a heating belt, the structure of the heating belt is preferably the same as the structure of the above-mentioned pressure belt 40 .

[0107] In particular, when the second rotating body is a heating belt, it may be a single-layer body of the resin base material layer constituting the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt, or a laminate having the resin base material layer constituting the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt, an elastic layer arranged on the resin base material layer, and a release layer arranged on the elastic layer, or a laminate having the resin base material layer constituting the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt and a release layer arranged on the resin base material layer, or a laminate having a metal layer arranged on the resin base material layer constituting the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt, an elastic layer arranged thereon, and a release layer arranged on the elastic layer.

[0108] The elastic layer will be described.

[0109] The elastic layer is composed of a heat-resistant elastic material.

[0110] Examples of the heat-resistant elastic material include silicone rubber and fluororubber.

[0111] Examples of the silicone rubber include RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) silicone rubber, HTV (High Temperature Vulcanizing) silicone rubber, and liquid silicone rubber. Specifically, examples include polydimethyl silicone rubber, methyl vinyl silicone rubber, methyl phenyl silicone rubber, and fluorosilicone rubber.

[0112] Examples of the fluororubber include vinylidene fluoride rubber, tetrafluoroethylene / propylene rubber, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoromethylvinyl ether rubber, phosphazene rubber, and fluoropolyether.

[0113] The elastic layer may also contain other components, such as fillers, conductive materials, softeners (paraffin wax, etc.), processing aids (stearic acid, etc.), antioxidants (amines, etc.), vulcanizers (sulfur, metal oxides, peroxides, etc.), functional fillers (alumina, etc.), etc.

[0114] The release layer will be described.

[0115] The release layer includes, for example, a heat-resistant release material.

[0116] Examples of the heat-resistant release material include fluororubber, fluororesin, silicone resin, and polyimide resin.

[0117] Among them, as a heat-resistant release material, fluororesin is preferred. As fluororesin, specifically, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroethyl vinyl ether copolymer (EFA), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoropropyl vinyl ether copolymer and other tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymers (PFA), etc. can be cited. Furthermore, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF), etc. can be cited.

[0118] Among them, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroethyl vinyl ether copolymer (EFA) and other tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymers (PFA) are preferably used, particularly in terms of heat resistance and mechanical properties.

[0119] The thickness of the release layer is preferably set to 5 μm to 100 μm, and more preferably set to 10 μm to 30 μm.

[0120] -Pressure pad 50 (an example of a pressure member)-

[0121] The pressing pad 50 has two pressing parts 51a and 51b with different hardnesses along the advancing direction of the recording medium P. The pressing part 51a on the recording medium P entry side of the pressing pad 50 is formed of a rubber-like elastic member, and the pressing part 51b on the recording medium P discharge side is formed of a hard pressure imparting member such as metal, so that the pressure of the contact area on the recording medium P discharge side is higher than that on the recording medium P entry side. The pressing parts 51a and 51b are supported by a bracket 51c, and press the heating roller 30 from the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 40 via a sliding sheet 60 (an example of a sliding member).

[0122] - Sliding sheet 60 (an example of a sliding member) -

[0123] The sliding surface of the sliding sheet 60 is composed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane. That is, the sliding sheet 60 may be a resin sheet containing these components on the sliding surface side. When the sliding sheet 60 is a resin sheet containing the above components, even when sliding with the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body, which is composed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane, the compatibility is good and the charge suppression is more excellent.

[0124] The surface resistivity of the sliding surface of the sliding sheet 60 is preferably 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less, more preferably 5.0×10 6 Ω / □ or less, more preferably 5.0×10 5 Ω / □ or less. When the surface resistivity of the sliding surface is 1×10 7 When the resistance is Ω / □ or less, the static charge suppression is more excellent.

[0125] The method for setting the surface resistivity of the sliding surface within the above range is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method in which the sliding surface includes a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, resin particles of a resin having a siloxane group other than the heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, and a siloxane-treated conductive material.

[0126] The surface resistivity of the sliding surface refers to the surface resistivity when a voltage of 500 V is applied to the sliding surface of the sliding piece 60 for 10 seconds, and is specifically obtained by the following method. A micro ammeter (R8430A manufactured by Advantest) is used as a resistance measuring machine, and a UR probe (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Analytech (Nittoseiko Analytech)) is used as a probe. The sliding surface of the sliding piece 60 is measured at 6 points at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and 3 points in the center and both ends in the width direction, a total of 18 points, at a voltage of 500 V, an application time of 10 seconds, and a pressure of 1 kgf, and the average value is calculated. At this time, the measurement is performed in an environment of a temperature of 22°C and a humidity of 55% RH.

[0127] The sliding sheet 60 may be composed of a sliding surface containing a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane. Preferably, the sliding surface is composed of a resin base material layer containing a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, resin particles of a resin having a siloxane group other than the heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, and a conductive material treated with siloxane.

[0128] The sliding sheet 60 may be a single layer composed only of a resin base material layer constituting a sliding surface, or may be a laminated body including a resin base material layer and other layers provided on the opposite side of the sliding surface of the resin base material layer.

[0129] Examples of the heat-resistant thermoplastic resin include polyetheretherketone resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyetherimide resin, polyphenylsulfone resin, polyethersulfone resin, polysulfone resin, etc. The heat-resistant plastic resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0130] Among the above, the heat-resistant thermoplastic resin is preferably at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyetheretherketone resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyetherimide resin, and polyphenylsulfone resin, and more preferably at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyetheretherketone resin and polyphenylene sulfide resin. These resins (particularly polyetheretherketone resin and polyphenylene sulfide resin) are preferred because they have high wear resistance, high toughness, and high elastic modulus.

[0131] Examples of the resin having a siloxane group include resins having a polysiloxane structure as a main chain or a side chain. The resin having a siloxane group may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0132] Specific examples of the resin having a siloxane group include siloxane-modified polyimide resins, siloxane-modified polyamide-imide resins, thermosetting silicone resins, silicone gel, silicone elastomers, and siloxane-modified polyacetamide.

[0133] Thermosetting silicone resin is a silicone resin particle that has rubber-like elasticity by heat curing. When it is a thermosetting silicone resin, it is easy to improve the affinity with the lubricant.

[0134] Silicone oil gel is a material that is formed into pellets with a molecular weight of more than 300,000 silicone oil.

[0135] Among the above, the resin having a siloxane group is preferably at least one of a siloxane-modified polyimide resin and a siloxane-modified polyamide-imide resin.

[0136] The resin having a siloxane group is preferably in the form of resin particles, and more preferably in the form of thermosetting silicone resin particles. These components have a higher affinity with lubricants, and therefore are more excellent in both sliding properties and charge suppression.

[0137] The content of the resin having a siloxane group is preferably 1.0 mass % to 20.0 mass % based on the heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, more preferably 2.0 mass % to 15.0 mass %, further preferably 5.0 mass % to 10.0 mass %.

[0138] When the content of the resin having a siloxane group is within the above range, affinity with the lubricant and the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is improved, and sliding properties and static charge suppression are further improved.

[0139] The siloxane-treated conductive material refers to a conductive material having a siloxane group on the surface by coating the surface with a siloxane compound such as a resin having a siloxane group (e.g., silicone resin, etc.) or a silane coupling agent. The siloxane-treated conductive material is preferably a conductive material having a siloxane group on the surface by coating the surface with a resin having a siloxane group, from the viewpoint of high stability, excellent sliding properties, and excellent charge suppression during long-term use of a fixing device.

[0140] Examples of the silicone resin include methyl straight silicone resins (e.g., dimethyl siloxane resins), methyl phenyl straight silicone resins, acrylic resin-modified silicone resins, ester resin-modified silicone resins, epoxy resin-modified silicone resins, alkyd resin-modified silicone resins, and rubber-based silicone resins. Among the above, the silicone resin is preferably a methyl straight silicone resin, and more preferably a dimethyl siloxane resin.

[0141] As the conductive material, for example, carbon black; metals such as aluminum and nickel; metal oxides such as yttrium oxide and tin oxide; ion conductive substances such as potassium titanate and potassium chloride; conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polysulfone, and polyacetylene, etc. Among them, carbon black is preferred from the viewpoint of improving affinity with the resin having a siloxane group and suppressing peeling of the conductive material from the sliding surface to achieve better charge suppression. Carbon black is also preferred from the viewpoint of excellent conductivity and being able to impart high conductivity even with a small content.

[0142] Examples of carbon black include Ketjen black, oil furnace black, channel black, acetylene black, and surface-oxidized carbon black (hereinafter referred to as "oxidized carbon black"). Among them, oxidized carbon black is preferred from the viewpoint of resistance stability over time.

[0143] The oxidation-treated carbon black may be provided with, for example, carboxyl groups, quinone groups, lactone groups, hydroxyl groups, etc. on its surface. Examples of the surface treatment method include: an air oxidation method in which the carbon black is contacted with air and reacted in a high-temperature atmosphere; a method in which the carbon black is reacted with nitrogen oxides or ozone at room temperature (e.g., 22° C.); a method in which the carbon black is oxidized in a high-temperature atmosphere and then oxidized by ozone at a low temperature; and the like.

[0144] The average primary particle size of the conductive material is preferably 5 nm to 50 nm, more preferably 10 nm to 30 nm, particularly preferably 15 nm to 25 nm.

[0145] When the average primary particle size of the conductive material is 5 nm or more and 50 nm or less, sufficient dispersibility of the conductive material is obtained in the sliding sheet 60 , and thus the surface smoothness with the second rotating body is preferably improved.

[0146] The average primary particle size of the conductive material treated with siloxane on the sliding sheet 60 is measured by the following method.

[0147] First, a measurement sample with a thickness of 100 nm was collected from the slide 60 by a microtome and observed by a TEM (transmission electron microscope). The diameter of each circle with equal projected area in 50 arbitrary conductive materials was taken as the particle size, and the average value was taken as the average primary particle size.

[0148] The content of the conductive material relative to 100 parts by mass of the resin constituting the sliding surface of the sliding component (e.g., sliding sheet 60) can be 5 parts by mass or more, preferably 5 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, more preferably 5 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, and further preferably 5 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less.

[0149] When the content of the conductive material is 5 parts by mass or more, conductivity is appropriately imparted, and the charge suppression is more excellent. In addition, the sliding surface of the sliding part and the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and the affinity of the lubricant are easily improved, and the sliding property is more excellent. When the content of the conductive material is 50 parts by mass or less, it is easy to suppress the sliding part from becoming brittle and the conductive material from peeling off, and the charge suppression is more excellent.

[0150] The resin substrate layer constituting the sliding surface may contain other components in addition to the resin having a siloxane group and the conductive material treated with siloxane. Other components include, for example, conductive materials, fillers for improving mechanical strength, antioxidants for preventing thermal degradation, surfactants, heat-resistant antioxidants, and the like.

[0151] -Lubricant 62 (an example of lubricant)-

[0152] The lubricant 62 contains oil having a siloxane group in its main chain.

[0153] The oil having a siloxane group in the main chain is an oil having a polysiloxane structure as the main chain, and includes silicone oil and various modified silicone oils. When the lubricant 62 is an oil having a siloxane group in the main chain, the lubricant 62 tends to have a high affinity with the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 40, and as a result, the lubricant has excellent sliding properties with the pressure belt 40.

[0154] Specific examples of the lubricant 62 include modified oils such as alkyl-modified silicone oil (dimethyl-modified silicone oil, etc.), amino-modified silicone oil, methylphenyl-modified silicone oil, epoxy-modified silicone oil, phenol-modified silicone oil, polyether-modified silicone oil, and fluorine-modified silicone oil, and greases containing these oils (silicone grease, etc.).

[0155] Among them, from the viewpoint of further improving the affinity with the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 40 and making the sliding property with the pressure belt 40 more excellent, the lubricant 62 preferably contains at least one of dimethyl silicone oil and amino-modified silicone oil.

[0156] The lubricant 62 may contain other components besides oil within the range in which the effect of the present embodiment is exerted. Examples of other components include grease, a heat conductor, an antioxidant, a surfactant, silicon particles, an organic metal salt, and a hindered amine.

[0157] (Image Forming Operation of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0158] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. The image forming operation will be described by taking the operation of forming a yellow image in the first process cartridge 10Y as a representative example.

[0159] First, before the image forming operation, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is charged by the charging roller 2Y to a potential of, for example, about -600 V to -800 V.

[0160] The photoreceptor 1Y is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a conductive substrate, for example. The photosensitive layer is usually high-resistance, for example, and has a property that the resistivity of the portion irradiated by the laser light 3Y changes when irradiated with the laser light 3Y. Then, the laser light 3Y is outputted from the exposure device 3 on the surface of the charged photoreceptor 1Y according to the image data for yellow sent from the control unit (not shown). The laser light 3Y irradiates the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of a yellow printing pattern on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y.

[0161] Thus, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1Y rotates to the developing position as the photoreceptor 1Y travels. Then, at the developing position, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1Y is formed into a visible image (toner image) by the developing device 4Y.

[0162] In the developing device 4Y, for example, a developer including a yellow toner and a carrier is stored. The yellow toner is frictionally charged by being stirred inside the developing device 4Y, and has the same polarity (negative polarity) as the charge on the photoreceptor 1Y. The surface of the photoreceptor 1Y passes through the developing device 4Y, whereby the yellow toner is electrostatically attached only to the de-charged latent image portion on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, and the latent image is developed by the yellow toner. The photoreceptor 1Y with the yellow toner image formed thereon continues to travel, and the toner image developed on the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to the primary transfer position.

[0163] When the yellow toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is transported to the primary transfer position, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 5Y, and an electrostatic force from the photoreceptor 1Y toward the primary transfer roller 5Y acts on the toner image, and the toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20. The transfer bias applied at this time is a (+) polarity opposite to the polarity (-) of the toner, and is, for example, controlled to a constant current of about +10 μA by a control unit (not shown) in the first process cartridge 10Y.

[0164] In addition, the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rollers 5M, 5C, and 5K of the second process cartridge 10M and subsequent ones is also controlled in the same manner.

[0165] In this way, the intermediate transfer belt 20 to which the yellow toner image has been transferred in the first process cartridge 10Y is sequentially conveyed by the second to fourth process cartridges 10M, 10C, and 10K, and the toner images of the respective colors are similarly overlapped and transferred multiple times.

[0166] The intermediate transfer belt 20 to which the toner images of all colors have been transferred multiple times through the first to fourth process boxes reaches the secondary transfer section composed of the intermediate transfer belt 20, the support roller 24 in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the secondary transfer roller (an example of a secondary transfer device) 26 arranged on the image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 20. On the other hand, the recording medium P is fed between the secondary transfer roller 26 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 via the supply mechanism, and the secondary transfer bias is applied to the support roller 24. The transfer bias applied at this time is the same polarity (-) as the polarity (-) of the toner, and the electrostatic force from the intermediate transfer belt 20 toward the recording medium P acts on the toner image, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the recording medium P. In addition, the secondary transfer bias at this time is determined based on the resistance detected by the resistance detection unit (not shown) that detects the resistance of the secondary transfer section, and is controlled by a constant voltage.

[0167] The intermediate transfer belt 20 , the primary transfer roller 5Y, and the secondary transfer roller 26 correspond to an example of a transfer device.

[0168] After that, the recording medium P is fed to the fixing device 28 and inserted into the contact area formed by the heating roller 30 and the pressure belt 40 which are rotated and driven in the direction of the arrow and pressed against each other. At this time, the recording medium P is inserted so that the surface of the recording medium P on which the unfixed toner image is formed faces the surface of the heating roller 30. When the recording medium P passes through the contact area, heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium P, and the unfixed toner image is fixed on the recording medium P. After passing through the contact area, the fixed recording medium is peeled off from the heating roller 30 and discharged from the fixing device 28.

[0169] In this way, the fixing process is completed and the image is permanently fixed on the recording medium P. The recording medium P on which the color image has been fixed is conveyed toward the discharge portion, and a series of color image forming operations are completed.

[0170] [Example]

[0171] Examples are described below, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples. In the following description, "parts" and "%" are based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0172] In addition, in Tables 1 to 3, for convenience, the resin base material layer is also simply referred to as a base material layer.

[0173] The amounts of the conductive materials shown in Tables 1 to 3 are parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the resin of the resin base material layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt or 100 parts by mass of the resin of the layer constituting the sliding surface of the sliding sheet (i.e., the sliding sheet).

[0174] <Pressure belt production>

[0175] (Pressure belt (1) production)

[0176] The surface of the aluminum cylindrical core body with uneven shapes formed on the surface by shot peening was coated with a silicone release agent, and after drying at 300° C. for 1 hour, an N-methylpyrrolidone solution containing a precursor of a siloxane-modified polyimide resin and a conductive material shown in Table 1: siloxane-treated carbon black (dimethylsiloxane-treated product, manufactured by Daito Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., SI-01) was dip-coated on the surface, and dried at 100° C. for 1 hour. Thus, a resin base material layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt was formed.

[0177] Next, a fluororesin dispersion (specifically, PTFE dispersion) is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the resin substrate layer, and then dried in a baking furnace at 60°C for 10 minutes, gradually heated to 380°C, baked for 20 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to form a release layer.

[0178] Thereafter, the resin base material layer on which the release layer is formed is extracted from the core body and cut into a target size by a cutting machine to obtain a pressurized belt (1).

[0179] (Pressure belt (2) production)

[0180] The surface of the aluminum cylindrical core body with uneven shapes formed on the surface by shot peening was coated with a silicone release agent, and after drying at 300° C. for 1 hour, an N-methylpyrrolidone solution containing a precursor of a siloxane-modified polyamide-imide resin and a conductive material shown in Table 1: siloxane-treated carbon black (dimethylsiloxane-treated product, manufactured by Daito Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., SI-01) was dip-coated on the surface, and dried at 100° C. for 1 hour. Thus, a resin base material layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt was formed.

[0181] Next, a fluororesin dispersion (specifically, PTFE dispersion) is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the resin substrate layer, and then dried in a baking furnace at 60°C for 10 minutes, gradually heated to 380°C, baked for 20 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to form a release layer.

[0182] Thereafter, the resin base material layer on which the release layer was formed was extracted from the core body and cut into a target size by a cutting machine to obtain a pressurized belt.

[0183] (Pressure belt (3) production)

[0184] A silicon-based release agent was applied to the surface of the aluminum cylindrical core body having a concavo-convex shape formed on the surface by shot peening, and after drying at 300° C. for 1 hour, an N-methylpyrrolidone solution containing a precursor of a siloxane-modified polyimide resin and conductive materials in an amount shown in Table 1: particles of siloxane-treated aluminum oxide was dip-coated on the surface, and dried at 100° C. for 1 hour. Thus, a resin base material layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt was formed.

[0185] Next, a fluororesin dispersion (specifically, a PTFE dispersion) is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the resin substrate layer, and then dried in a baking furnace at 60°C for 10 minutes, gradually heated to 380°C, baked for 20 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to form a release layer.

[0186] Thereafter, the resin base material layer on which the release layer was formed was extracted from the core body and cut into a target size by a cutting machine to obtain a pressurized belt.

[0187] (Manufacturing of pressure belts (4) to (5))

[0188] Each press belt was obtained by setting the same specifications as the press belt (1) except that the amount of the conductive material relative to the resin base material layer was set to the amount shown in Table 1.

[0189] (Pressure belt (6) production)

[0190] In the method for producing the pressurizing belt (1), the pressurizing belt of each example was obtained by the same method as the pressurizing belt (1) except that the amount of the conductive material was changed to 6 parts by mass.

[0191] (Preparation of the pressure belt (c1))

[0192] In the method for preparing the pressurized belt (1), the specification of "N-methylpyrrolidone solution containing a precursor of a siloxane-modified polyamide-imide resin and carbon black treated with siloxane (dimethylsiloxane-treated product, manufactured by Daito Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., SI-01)" is set to "N-methylpyrrolidone solution containing only an unmodified polyimide resin precursor". Except for this, the same method as the pressurized belt (1) is used to obtain the pressurized belts of each example.

[0193] <Manufacturing of Slide>

[0194] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheet (1))

[0195] A polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin (Victrex450G, manufactured by Victrex) was heated to 380°C and melted using a twin-screw extruder melt-kneading extruder (twin-screw melt-kneading extruder L / D60 (manufactured by Parker Corporation)). 100 parts by mass of thermosetting silicone resin particles ("KMP590" manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 15 parts by mass of siloxane-treated carbon black (dimethylsiloxane-treated product, manufactured by Daito Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., SI-01) were supplied from the side of the kneader using a side feeder to 100 parts by mass of the molten PEEK resin, and the mixture was melt-kneaded. The kneaded melt was placed in a water tank to cool and solidify, and then cut into a target size to obtain mixed resin pellets containing silicone resin particles.

[0196] The obtained mixed resin pellets were put into a uniaxial extruder, and the molten mixed resin was extruded into a sheet through a T-die heated to 380°C (melt discharge gap 200 μm), and then rolled on a cooling roll at 190°C and cooled. A roll having a 100-mesh SUS metal wire mesh wound on the roll surface was used, and the cooling sheet was given the shape of the metal wire mesh at 250°C and a pressure of 40 MPa to obtain a concave-convex sheet. The concave-convex sheet was cut into a predetermined size to prepare a sliding sheet (1).

[0197] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheet (2))

[0198] In the method for producing the sliding sheet (1), each sliding sheet was obtained in the same manner as the sliding sheet (1), except that unmodified thermosetting silicone resin particles ("R200" manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) were used instead of the thermosetting silicone resin particles ("KMP590" manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).

[0199] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheet (3))

[0200] In the method for producing the sliding sheet (1), each sliding sheet was obtained in the same manner as the sliding sheet (1), except that the conductive material: siloxane-treated alumina particles in the amounts shown in Table 1 were used instead of the siloxane-treated carbon black (dimethylsiloxane-treated product, manufactured by Daito Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., SI-01).

[0201] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheet (4))

[0202] In the method for producing the sliding sheet (1), each sliding sheet was obtained in the same manner as the sliding sheet (1) except that the amount of the conductive material was changed to 4 parts by mass.

[0203] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheets (5) to (6))

[0204] In the method for producing the sliding sheet (1), each sliding sheet was obtained in the same manner as the sliding sheet (1) except that the amount of the conductive material was set to the amount shown in Table 1.

[0205] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheet (c1))

[0206] A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin sintered body was cut into a film with a thickness of 200 μm (cut into a thin film with a sharp knife) to obtain a sliding sheet (c1).

[0207] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheet (c2))

[0208] The polyimide resin is melted by heating it to 380°C using a twin-screw melt kneading machine (twin-screw melt kneading extruder L / D60 (manufactured by Parker Corporation)), kneading the molten polyimide resin, placing the kneaded melt in a water tank to cool and solidify it, and cutting it into a target size to obtain resin pellets obtained by mixing the polyimide resin.

[0209] The obtained resin pellets were put into a single-axis extrusion device, and the molten mixed resin was extruded into a sheet through a T-die heated to 380°C (melt discharge gap 200μm), and then wound on a cooling roll at 190°C and cooled. A roll with a 100-mesh SUS metal mesh wound on the roll surface was used, and the cooling sheet was given the shape of the metal mesh at a pressure of 40Mpa at 250°C to obtain a concave-convex sheet. The concave-convex sheet was cut into a specified size and used as a sliding sheet.

[0210] (Manufacturing of Sliding Sheet (c3))

[0211] A polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin (Victrex450G, manufactured by Victrex) was heated to 380°C and melted using a twin-screw extruder melt kneader (twin-screw melt kneading extruder L / D60 (manufactured by Parker Corporation)). In 100 parts by mass of the molten PEEK resin, resin particles having a siloxane group shown in Table 3 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., product name KMP590) were fed from the side of the kneader using a side feeder.

[0212] The resulting molten material was placed in a water tank to cool and solidify, and then cut into a target size to obtain a mixed resin pellet containing silicone resin particles.

[0213] The obtained mixed resin pellets were put into a single-axis extrusion device, and the molten mixed resin was extruded into a sheet through a T-die heated to 380°C (melt discharge gap 200μm), and then wound on a cooling roll at 190°C and cooled. A roll with a 100-mesh SUS metal mesh wound on the roll surface was used, and the cooling sheet was given the shape of the metal mesh at 250°C at a pressure of 40Mpa to obtain a concave-convex sheet. The concave-convex sheet was cut into a specified size to form a sliding sheet (c3).

[0214] <Lubricant>

[0215] Lubricant (1): dimethyl silicone oil (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name "KF96")

[0216] Lubricant (2): amino-modified silicone oil (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name "KF8009")

[0217] Lubricant (3): Dimethyl silicone oil containing silicone grease ("G503" manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

[0218] <Example 1 to Example 10, Comparative Example 1 to Comparative Example 3>

[0219] According to the combinations shown in Tables 1 to 3, a pressure belt, a sliding sheet, and a lubricant were attached to a fixing device of an image forming apparatus "APEOS PORT Print C5570 modified machine" manufactured by FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corporation.

[0220] This apparatus was used as an image forming apparatus in each example, and the following evaluation was performed.

[0221] <Evaluation of paper wrinkles>

[0222] A solid image (blue solid 100% density) was continuously outputted at 1000 kPV on A4 paper. Then, evaluation was performed according to the following evaluation criteria based on the cumulative number of outputted papers when paper wrinkles occurred due to a decrease in slip properties.

[0223] A: Even when the cumulative number of sheets of paper reached 300,000, there was no deformation or wrinkling of the paper.

[0224] B: When paper wrinkles occur, the cumulative number of sheets is more than 200,000 and less than 300,000 sheets

[0225] C: When paper wrinkles occur, the cumulative number of sheets is more than 100,000 and less than 200,000 sheets

[0226] D: When paper wrinkles occur, the cumulative number of sheets is more than 50,000 and less than 100,000 sheets

[0227] E: When paper wrinkles occur, the cumulative number of sheets is less than 50,000 sheets

[0228] <Evaluation of static charge suppression>

[0229] After the image forming apparatus was left in an environment of 10°C and 5% RH for 24 hours, solid images were continuously output on A4 paper. Then, based on the density unevenness in the solid image caused by the increase in charging, the charging suppression was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria based on the cumulative number of output papers.

[0230] A: Even when the cumulative number of sheets is 300,000, there is no uneven image density.

[0231] B: The cumulative number of sheets when uneven image density occurred is more than 200,000 and less than 300,000 sheets

[0232] C: The cumulative number of sheets when uneven image density occurred is 100,000 or more and less than 200,000 sheets

[0233] D: The cumulative number of sheets when uneven image density occurred is 50,000 or more and less than 100,000 sheets

[0234] E: The cumulative number of sheets when uneven image density occurred was less than 50,000 sheets [Table 1]

[0235]

[0236] [Table 2]

[0237]

[0238] [Table 3]

[0239]

[0240] According to the above results, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment can suppress the occurrence of paper wrinkles and image density unevenness compared with the image forming apparatus of the comparative example. In other words, it can be seen that the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is superior in both sliding property and charge suppression compared with the image forming apparatus of the comparative example.

[0241] (Note) (((1)))

[0243] A fixing device, comprising:

[0244] a first rotating body;

[0245] a second rotating body, the second rotating body being arranged in contact with the first rotating body;

[0246] a pressing member, the pressing member being disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body and pressing the second rotating body against the first rotating body from the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body;

[0247] a sliding member interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and the pressing member; and

[0248] a lubricant interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and the sliding member,

[0249] The inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is composed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane.

[0250] The sliding surface of the sliding member is composed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane.

[0251] The lubricant includes oil having a siloxane group in the main chain. (((2)))

[0253] The fixing device according to (((1))), wherein:

[0254] The conductive material contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the conductive material contained in the sliding surface of the sliding member is carbon black. (((3)))

[0256] The fixing device according to (((1))) or (((2))), wherein:

[0257] The content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 5 parts by mass or more based on 100 parts by mass of the resin. (((4)))

[0259] The fixing device according to (((3))), wherein:

[0260] The content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the resin. (((5)))

[0262] The fixing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein:

[0263] The resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding member is at least one of a siloxane-modified polyimide resin and a siloxane-modified polyamide-imide resin. (((6)))

[0265] The fixing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein:

[0266] The surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less. (((7)))

[0268] The fixing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))), wherein:

[0269] The surface resistivity of the sliding surface of the sliding component is 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less. (((8)))

[0271] The fixing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))), wherein:

[0272] The resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding member are resin particles. (((9)))

[0274] The fixing device according to (((8))), wherein:

[0275] The sliding surface of the sliding member includes a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, resin particles of the resin having a siloxane group, and the conductive material treated with siloxane. (((10)))

[0277] The fixing device according to (((9))), wherein:

[0278] The resin particles are thermosetting silicone resin particles. (((11)))

[0280] The fixing device according to (((8))), wherein:

[0281] The inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body includes at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyimide resin, polyamide-imide resin, polyetheretherketone resin, and polyphenylene sulfide resin, resin particles of the resin having a siloxane group, and the siloxane-treated conductive material. (((12)))

[0283] The fixing device according to (((11))), wherein:

[0284] The resin particles are thermosetting silicone resin particles. (((13)))

[0286] An image forming device comprising:

[0287] Like holding body;

[0288] A latent image forming device, wherein the latent image forming device forms a latent image on the surface of the image holding body;

[0289] a developing device that develops the latent image into a toner image using a developer;

[0290] a transfer device for transferring the developed toner image onto a recording medium; and

[0291] The fixing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((12))) is configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium.

[0292] According to (((1))), (((2))), (((8))), (((9))), (((10))), (((11))) or (((12))), a fixing device can be provided. In a specific fixing device, when the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body is composed only of a resin without a siloxane group (for example, a polyimide resin), both sliding properties and charge suppression are excellent compared to a case where the sliding surface of the sliding part is composed only of a resin without a siloxane group (for example, a fluororesin).

[0293] According to (((3))), a fixing device having excellent sliding properties and charge suppression can be provided compared with a case where the content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is less than 5 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the resin.

[0294] According to (((4))), a fixing device can be provided which is excellent in both sliding property and charge suppression compared with a case where the content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is less than 10 parts by mass or more than 50 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the resin.

[0295] According to (((5))), a fixing device can be provided which is excellent in both sliding properties and charge suppression compared to the case where the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding component is silicone oil glue.

[0296] According to (((6))), a fixing device can be provided, wherein the surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body exceeds 1.0×10 7 Compared with the case of Ω / □, both sliding property and static charge suppression are excellent.

[0297] According to (((7))), a fixing device can be provided, wherein the surface resistivity of the sliding surface of the sliding member exceeds 1.0×10 7 Compared with the case of Ω / □, both sliding property and static charge suppression are excellent.

[0298] According to (((13))), an image forming device can be provided, which has excellent sliding properties and charge suppression compared to a fixing device in which, in a specific fixing device, the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is composed only of a resin without a silicone group (for example, a polyimide resin) and the sliding surface of the sliding component is composed only of a resin without a silicone group (for example, a fluororesin).

Claims

1. A fixing device, characterized in that: have: a first rotating body; a second rotating body, the second rotating body being arranged in contact with the first rotating body; a pressing member, the pressing member being disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body and pressing the second rotating body against the first rotating body from the inner circumferential surface of the second rotating body; a sliding member interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and the pressing member; and a lubricant interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and the sliding member, The inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is composed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane. The sliding surface of the sliding member is composed of a resin having a siloxane group and a conductive material treated with siloxane. The lubricant includes oil having a siloxane group in the main chain.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The conductive material contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the conductive material contained in the sliding surface of the sliding member is carbon black.

3. The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 5 parts by mass or more based on 100 parts by mass of the resin.

4. The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein: The content of the conductive material in the layer constituting the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the resin.

5. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding member is at least one of a siloxane-modified polyimide resin and a siloxane-modified polyamide-imide resin.

6. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The surface resistivity of the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body is 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less.

7. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The surface resistivity of the sliding surface of the sliding component is 1.0×10 7 Ω / □ or less.

8. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The resin having a siloxane group and contained in the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body and / or the resin having a siloxane group and contained in the sliding surface of the sliding member are resin particles.

9. The fixing device according to claim 8, wherein: The sliding surface of the sliding member includes a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, resin particles of the resin having a siloxane group, and the conductive material treated with siloxane.

10. The fixing device according to claim 9, wherein: The resin particles are thermosetting silicone resin particles.

11. The fixing device according to claim 8, wherein: The inner peripheral surface of the second rotating body includes at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyimide resin, polyamide-imide resin, polyetheretherketone resin, and polyphenylene sulfide resin, resin particles of the resin having a siloxane group, and the siloxane-treated conductive material.

12. The fixing device according to claim 11, wherein The resin particles are thermosetting silicone resin particles.

13. An image forming device, characterized in that: have: Like holding body; A latent image forming device, wherein the latent image forming device forms a latent image on the surface of the image holding body; a developing device that develops the latent image into a toner image using a developer; a transfer device for transferring the developed toner image onto a recording medium; as well as The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fixing device fixes the toner image on the recording medium.

Images