Fixing device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide a fixing device and an image forming device that can also remove wax contained in toner, compared to a configuration with cleaning means for removing toner from a heating roller.SOLUTION: A fixing device of the image forming device includes: a heating roller 801 which rotates while contacting a recording medium P on which a toner image has been formed and heats the recording medium P; a pressure roller 802 which applies pressure to the recording medium P by sandwiching the recording medium P with the heating roller 801; a first cleaning part 803 which removes toner adhered to the heating roller 801; and a second cleaning part 804 which is located downstream of the first cleaning part 803 in a direction of rotation of the heating roller 801 and removes wax adhered to the heating roller 801.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a toner image is formed on the surface of a recording medium such as paper, and then the toner image is fixed to the recording medium using a fixing device. The fixing device, for example, sandwiches the recording medium between a heating roll and a pressure roll, and applies heat and pressure to the toner to melt and adhere it to the recording medium. During this fixing process, some of the toner forming the toner image peels off from the recording medium and adheres to the heating roll. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the toner that has adhered to the heating roll.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a web is fed while being in contact with a heating roll, thereby cleaning the surface of the heating roll. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-183682 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Not only toner particles but also wax contained in the toner adheres to the heating roll, so when cleaning the heating roll, it is necessary to remove this wax as well.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus that can also remove wax contained in toner, as compared to a configuration in which a cleaning device is provided to remove toner from a heating roll. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention according to claim 1 is a heating roll that rotates in contact with the recording medium on which the toner image is formed and heats the recording medium; a pressure roll that applies pressure to the recording medium by sandwiching the recording medium together with the heating roll; a first cleaning unit that removes toner adhering to the heating roll; a second cleaning unit located downstream of the first cleaning unit in the rotation direction of the heating roll and configured to remove wax adhering to the heating roll; The fixing device is characterized by comprising: The present invention according to claim 2 is The first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are a web member in contact with the heating roll; a feeding mechanism for feeding the web member so that an unused portion of the web member contacts the heating roll; The fixing device according to claim 1 is characterized by comprising: The present invention according to claim 3 is 3. The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the web member of the second cleaning unit is made of a material having a smoother surface than the web member of the first cleaning unit. The present invention according to claim 4 is 3. The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the feeding speed of the web member in the second cleaning section is slower than the feeding speed of the web member in the first cleaning section. The present invention according to claim 5 is 5. The fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the feed speed of the web member in the second cleaning unit is an integer fraction of the feed speed of the web member in the first cleaning unit. The present invention according to claim 6 is Further, an external heating device for heating the heating roll is provided. the first cleaning unit removes toner transferred from the heating roll to the external heating device; The second cleaning unit removes wax transferred from the heating roll to the external heating device. The fixing device according to claim 1 is characterized by the above. The present invention according to claim 7 is The fixing device described in claim 6 is characterized in that when multiple external heating devices are provided, the first cleaning unit removes toner from the external heating device that is upstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll, and the second cleaning unit removes wax from the external heating device that is downstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll. The present invention according to claim 8 is An image forming apparatus is provided with the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the first aspect of the invention, wax contained in the toner can also be removed, compared to a configuration in which only a cleaning unit that removes toner from the heating roll is provided. According to the invention of claim 2, by feeding the web member with the feeding mechanism, cleaning can be performed on an unused portion of the web member. According to the invention of claim 3, compared to a configuration in which the web members of the first and second cleaning units are made of the same material, wax that cannot be completely removed by the first cleaning unit can be effectively removed. According to the invention of claim 4, wear of the web member of the second cleaning section can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the same feed speed is used in the first and second cleaning sections. According to the invention of claim 5, the replacement time of the second cleaning part coincides with the replacement time of the first cleaning part, so that the time required for replacement can be reduced. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, damage to the surface of the heating roll can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the heating roll is cleaned by contacting the heating roll. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, wax can be removed more effectively than in a configuration in which a cleaning unit is provided for only one external heating device. According to the invention of claim 8, in a fixing device provided in an image forming apparatus, wax contained in toner can also be removed, compared to a configuration in which only a cleaning unit that removes toner from a heating roll is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a fixing unit. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating exemplary configurations of a first cleaning unit and a second cleaning unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the fixing unit. [Figure 5] 5 is a diagram showing a modification of the fixing unit shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a fixing unit having an external heating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Configuration of image forming device> 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 1 to which this embodiment is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a paper feed unit 1A, an image forming unit 1B, and a paper discharge unit 1C. The paper feed unit 1A includes a first paper storage section 11 to a fourth paper storage section 14 that store paper P as an example of a recording medium. The paper feed unit 1A also includes feed rolls 15 to 18 that correspond to the first paper storage section 11 to the fourth paper storage section 14, respectively, and that feed paper P stored in each paper storage section to a transport path connected to the image forming unit 1B.

[0011] Image forming unit 1B includes an image forming section 20 that forms an image on paper P. Image forming unit 1B also includes a control section 21 that controls each section of image forming apparatus 1. Image forming unit 1B also includes an image processing section 22. Image processing section 22 performs image processing on image data transmitted from image reading device 4 and personal computer (PC) 5. Image forming unit 1B also includes a UI (User Interface) 23 that is configured with a touch panel or the like and that notifies the user of information and accepts information input from the user.

[0012] Image forming section 20, which is an example of an image forming means, is provided with six image forming units 30T, 30P, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "image forming units 30") arranged in parallel at regular intervals. Each image forming unit 30 is provided with a photosensitive drum 31 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed while rotating in the direction of arrow A, a charging roll 32 that charges the surface of photosensitive drum 31, a developing device 33 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on photosensitive drum 31, and a drum cleaner 34 that removes toner and the like from the surface of photosensitive drum 31.

[0013] The image forming section 20 is also provided with an exposure device 26 that exposes the photosensitive drum 31 of each image forming unit 30 with laser light. Note that the exposure of the photosensitive drum 31 by the exposure device 26 is not limited to using laser light. For example, a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be provided for each image forming unit 30, and the photosensitive drum 31 may be exposed using light emitted from this light source.

[0014] Each image forming unit 30 is configured similarly except for the toner stored in the developing device 33. Image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K form toner images in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using toner corresponding to corporate colors, foam toner for Braille, fluorescent toner, toner for improving gloss, etc. In other words, image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using toner of specific colors.

[0015] The image forming section 20 is also provided with an intermediate transfer belt 41 onto which the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 31 of each image forming unit 30 are transferred. The image forming section 20 is also provided with a primary transfer roll 42 that transfers the toner images of each color of each image forming unit 30 onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 at a primary transfer section T1. The image forming section 20 is also provided with a secondary transfer roll 40 that collectively transfers the toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 onto paper P at a secondary transfer section T2. ​​The image forming section 20 is also provided with a belt cleaner 45 that removes toner and the like from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and a fuser 80 that fuses the secondarily transferred image onto paper P.

[0016] Image forming section 20 performs an image forming operation based on a control signal from control section 21. Specifically, in image forming section 20, image processing section 22 first performs image processing on image data input from image reading device 4 or PC 5, and the image data after image processing is supplied to exposure device 26. Then, for example, in magenta (M) image forming unit 30M, after the surface of photosensitive drum 31 is charged by charging roll 32, exposure device 26 irradiates photosensitive drum 31 with laser light modulated by image data obtained from image processing section 22.

[0017] As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 33, and a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. Similarly, yellow, cyan, and black toner images are formed in the image forming units 30Y, 30C, and 30K, and special color toner images are formed in the image forming units 30T and 30P.

[0018] The color toner images formed in each image forming unit 30 are sequentially electrostatically transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 41 rotating in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 1 by a primary transfer roll 42, forming superimposed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 41. The superimposed toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 are transported to a secondary transfer section T2 constituted by a secondary transfer roll 40 and a backup roll 49 as the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves.

[0019] Meanwhile, the paper P is removed from the first paper storage unit 11 by, for example, a delivery roll 15, and then transported via a transport path to the position of the registration roll 74. When the superimposed toner image is transported to the secondary transfer unit T2, the paper P is supplied from the registration roll 74 to the secondary transfer unit T2 in time with this transport. Then, at the secondary transfer unit T2, the superimposed toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the paper P all at once due to the action of a transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roll 40 and the backup roll 49.

[0020] Thereafter, the paper sheet P onto which the superimposed toner image has been electrostatically transferred is transported to the fixing device 80. This superimposed toner image is an unfixed toner image before being subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 80. In the fixing device 80, pressure and heat are applied to the paper sheet P on which the unfixed toner image has been formed, and a process of fixing the toner image to the paper sheet P is carried out. Then, after the fixing process has been carried out, the paper sheet P passes through a curl correction section 81 provided in the paper discharge unit 1C, and is transported to a paper stacking section (not shown).

[0021] <Configuration of Fixing Unit 80> When performing the fixing process, toner forming the unfixed toner image on the paper P and wax contained in the toner adhere to the fixing device 80. The fixing device 80 of this embodiment is equipped with a cleaning device for removing the adhered toner, wax, etc. Below, the fixing device 80 will be described with several configuration examples. The fixing device 80 is an example of a fixing device.

[0022] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fixing unit 80. The fixing unit 80 includes a heating roll 801 and a pressure roll 802 that sandwich and heat the paper P on which an unfixed toner image has been formed. The heating roll 801 has a heat source (not shown), and heats the paper P while rotating by bringing its surface (circumferential surface) into contact with the surface of the paper P on which the unfixed toner image has been formed. The pressure roll 802 is provided opposite the heating roll 801, and sandwiches and presses the paper P together with the heating roll 801.

[0023] The fixing device 80 also includes a first cleaning unit and a second cleaning unit for cleaning the heating roll 801. Because the heating roll 801 comes into contact with the surface of the paper P on which an unfixed toner image has been formed during the fixing process, some of the toner forming the unfixed toner image adheres to the surface of the heating roll 801. The toner contains wax to prevent the toner from adhering to the heating roll 801, and some of this wax also adheres to the surface of the heating roll 801. The first cleaning unit 803 removes toner and foreign matter of similar size to the toner that has adhered to the heating roll 801. The second cleaning unit 804 removes wax that has adhered to the heating roll 801. In other words, the first cleaning unit 803 removes relatively large particles such as toner from the heating roll 801. On the other hand, the second cleaning unit 804 removes particles smaller than the toner that make up the wax.

[0024] In the fixing unit 80 shown in FIG. 2, when a fixing process is performed, the paper P moves from left to right between the heating roll 801 and the pressure roll 802. In the figure, the heating roll 801 rotates counterclockwise, and the pressure roll 802 rotates clockwise. Here, the first cleaning unit 803, which removes larger particles, is provided upstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll 801 from the second cleaning unit 804, which removes smaller particles. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the first cleaning unit 803 is located on the right side, and the second cleaning unit 804 is located on the left side.

[0025] 3 is a diagram showing an example configuration of first cleaning unit 803 and second cleaning unit 804. First cleaning unit 803 includes web member 803a that contacts the surface of heating roll 801, and a feed mechanism 803b that feeds out web member 803a so that an unused portion of web member 803a contacts heating roll 801. Web member 803a of first cleaning unit 803, which removes large particles, may be a member with a rougher surface than web member 804a of second cleaning unit 804, which removes small particles. Specifically, for example, a sheet material made of aramid fiber or the like is used.

[0026] The feeding mechanism 803b includes an unwinding unit 803c that holds and feeds out a roll of the web member 803a, and a winding unit 803d that winds up the web member 803a that has been fed out from the unwinding unit 803c and used to clean the heating roll 801. The unwinding unit 803c and the winding unit 803d feed out the web member 803a at a predetermined speed. This causes an unused portion of the web member 803a to come into contact with the heating roll 801, removing foreign matter such as toner adhering to the surface.

[0027] The feeding operation of the web member 803a by the feeding mechanism 803b may be linked to the operation of the fixing device 80, and the feeding operation of the web member 803a may be performed only when image formation is being performed and the fixing device 80 is operating. Furthermore, the feeding operation of the web member 803a by the feeding mechanism 803b may be performed continuously at a constant speed, or may be performed intermittently by a predetermined amount each time the heating roll 801 rotates a certain amount.

[0028] The second cleaning unit 804 includes a web member 804a that contacts the surface of the heating roll 801, and a feed mechanism 804b that feeds out the web member 804a so that an unused portion of the web member 804a contacts the heating roll 801. The web member 804a of the second cleaning unit 804 that removes small particles may be a member with a smoother surface than the web member 803a of the first cleaning unit 803 that removes large particles. Specifically, for example, a sheet material made of fluororesin or the like is used.

[0029] The feeding mechanism 804b includes an unwinding unit 804c that holds and unwinds the roll of web member 804a, and a winding unit 804d that winds up the web member 804a that has been unwound from the unwinding unit 804c and used to clean the heating roll 801. The unwinding unit 804c and the winding unit 804d unwind the web member 804a at a predetermined speed. This allows unused portions of the web member 804a to come into contact with the heating roll 801 and remove wax adhering to the surface. The feeding operation of the web member 804a by the feeding mechanism 804b may be linked to the operation of the fixing unit 80, so that the feeding operation of the web member 804a is performed only when image formation is being performed and the fixing unit 80 is operating. The feeding operation of the web member 804a by the feeding mechanism 804b may be performed continuously at a constant speed, or may be performed intermittently by a predetermined amount each time the heating roll 801 rotates a certain amount.

[0030] Here, the feed speed of web member 804a by feed mechanism 804b of second cleaning unit 804 may be slower than the feed speed of web member 803a by feed mechanism 803b of first cleaning unit 803. This is because cleaning using first cleaning unit 803 removes some of the wax adhering to heating roll 801 along with the toner, and therefore web member 804a of second cleaning unit 804 becomes less contaminated than web member 803a of first cleaning unit 803. By slowing down the feed speed of web member 804a of second cleaning unit 804, the amount of web member 804a consumed by second cleaning unit 804 is reduced, thereby reducing costs. When the feeding operation of the web members 803a, 804a by the feeding mechanisms 803b, 804b of the first cleaning unit 803 and the second cleaning unit 804 is performed intermittently, the feeding mechanism 804b of the second cleaning unit 804 may be configured to feed the web member 804a once every time the feeding mechanism 803b of the first cleaning unit 803 feeds the web member 803a a certain number of times.

[0031] More preferably, the feed speed of the web member 804a by the feed mechanism 804b of the second cleaning unit 804 may be set to an integer fraction of the feed speed of the web member 803a by the feed mechanism 803b of the first cleaning unit 803. In this way, the time required for the web member 804a of the second cleaning unit 804 to be consumed and replaced becomes an integer multiple of the time required for the web member 803a of the first cleaning unit 803 to be consumed and replaced. In other words, while the web member 804a of the second cleaning unit 804 is replaced once, the web member 803a of the first cleaning unit 803 is replaced multiple times, but the web member 803a of the first cleaning unit 803 is also replaced at the same time that the web member 804a of the second cleaning unit 804 is replaced. This reduces the effort required for replacing the web members 803a and 804a.

[0032] <Other Configuration Examples of Fixing Unit 80> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the fixing device 80. The fixing device 80 shown in Fig. 4 includes a heating roll 801, a pressure roll 802, and an external heating roll 805 that heats the heating roll 801. The heating roll 801 and the pressure roll 802 are the same as the heating roll 801 and the pressure roll 802 of the fixing device 80 described with reference to Fig. 2, so a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in the fixing device 80 shown in Fig. 4, the first cleaning unit 803 and the second cleaning unit 804 are provided in contact with the external heating roll 805.

[0033] The external heating roll 805 is an example of an external heating device that heats the heating roll 801 from the outside. In an image forming apparatus 1 that performs image formation at high speed, the fixing process by the fixing unit 80 is also performed at high speed. As a result, the amount of paper P that contacts the heating roll 801 per unit time increases, and the temperature of the heating roll 801 drops significantly as heat is absorbed by the paper P. Therefore, a configuration is adopted in which the external heating roll 805 heats the surface of the heating roll 801 to suppress a drop in temperature of the heating roll 801. The external heating roll 805 has a heat source (not shown), and multiple external heating rolls 805 are provided in the configuration shown in FIG. 4. In the illustrated example, two external heating rolls 805 are provided, but three or more external heating rolls 805 may be provided. Note that in a fixing unit 80 having an external heating roll 805, the heating roll 801 itself may also have a heat source, or the heating roll 801 itself may not have a heat source and is heated only by the external heating roll 805. The external heating roll 805 may have an existing configuration.

[0034] Because the external heating roll 805 is in contact with the surface of the heating roll 801, toner and wax adhering to the heating roll 801 are transferred to the external heating roll 805 during the process in which the external heating roll 805 heats the heating roll 801. Therefore, in the fixing device 80 shown in FIG. 4, the toner and wax transferred to the external heating roll 805 are removed by a first cleaning unit 803 and a second cleaning unit 804. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, of the two external heating rolls 805, foreign matter such as toner and some of the wax are transferred to the external heating roll 805 that is upstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll 801 (the right side of the figure). Therefore, the first cleaning unit 803 is arranged in contact with the upstream external heating roll 805. Furthermore, the wax that remains without being transferred to the upstream external heating roll 805 is transferred to the external heating roll 805 that is downstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll 801 (the left side of the figure). Therefore, the second cleaning unit 804 is arranged in contact with the downstream external heating roll 805.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the fixing device 80 shown in Fig. 4. The fixing device 80 shown in Fig. 5 includes a heating roll 801, a pressure roll 802, and one external heating roll 805. The heating roll 801 and the pressure roll 802 are similar to the heating roll 801 and the pressure roll 802 of the fixing device 80 described with reference to Fig. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in the fixing device 80 shown in Fig. 5, both the first cleaning unit 803 and the second cleaning unit 804 are provided in contact with the one external heating roll 805.

[0036] In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, foreign matter such as toner and wax transferred from heating roll 801 to external heating roll 805 are removed by first cleaning unit 803 and second cleaning unit 804. External heating roll 805 heats the surface of heating roll 801 while rotating, with its surface (circumferential surface) in contact with the surface of heating roll 801. Therefore, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5, the rotation direction of external heating roll 805 is opposite to that of heating roll 801. First cleaning unit 803 is provided upstream of the rotation direction of external heating roll 805, and second cleaning unit 804 is provided downstream of the rotation direction of external heating roll 805. Therefore, in FIG. 5, first cleaning unit 803 is located on the left side, and second cleaning unit 804 is located on the right side.

[0037] 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of a fixing device 80 having an external heating device. The fixing device 80 shown in FIG. 6 includes a heating roll 801, a pressure roll 802, and an external heating belt 806 that heats the heating roll 801. The heating roll 801 and the pressure roll 802 are the same as the heating roll 801 and the pressure roll 802 of the fixing device 80 described with reference to FIG. 2, so a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in the fixing device 80 shown in FIG. 6, a first cleaning unit 803 and a second cleaning unit 804 are provided in contact with the external heating belt 806.

[0038] The external heating belt 806 is an example of an external heating device. The external heating belt 806 includes two support rolls 806a and a belt member 806b stretched around the support rolls 806a. The support rolls 806a have a heat source (not shown) and support and heat the belt member 806b. The belt member 806b is stretched between the two support rolls 806a, with a portion (the lower portion in FIG. 6) in contact with the surface of the heating roll 801. The belt member 806b is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, is heated by the support rolls 806a, and heats the heating roll 801 at the portion in contact with the heating roll 801.

[0039] Because the belt member 806b of the external heating belt 806 is in contact with the surface of the heating roll 801, toner and wax adhering to the heating roll 801 are transferred to the belt member 806b when the external heating belt 806 heats the heating roll 801. Therefore, in the fixing device 80 shown in FIG. 6, the first cleaning unit 803 and the second cleaning unit 804 remove the toner and wax transferred to the belt member 806b of the external heating belt 806. The belt member 806b is wound around two support rolls 806a and heats the surface of the heating roll 801 while rotating in contact with the heating roll 801. Therefore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6, the rotation direction of the belt member 806b is opposite to the rotation direction of the heating roll 801. The first cleaning unit 803 is provided upstream of the rotation direction of the belt member 806b, and the second cleaning unit 804 is provided downstream of the rotation direction of the belt member 806b. Therefore, in FIG. 6, first cleaning unit 803 is arranged on the left side, and second cleaning unit 804 is arranged on the right side.

[0040] In the configuration examples described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 , in the fuser 80 having an external heating device, both the first cleaning unit 803 and the second cleaning unit 804 are configured to remove toner and wax that has transferred to the external heating device. This prevents the web members 803a and 804a of the first cleaning unit 803 and the second cleaning unit 804 from directly contacting the heating roll 801, thereby preventing the surface of the heating roll 801 from being deteriorated or damaged. On the other hand, if the surface material of the heating roll 801 or the material of the web members 803a and 804a can reduce the deterioration or damage to the surface of the heating roll 801, either the first cleaning unit 803 or the second cleaning unit 804 may be configured to remove toner or wax that has adhered to the heating roll 801. Regardless of whether an external heating device is provided, both the first cleaning unit 803 and the second cleaning unit 804 may be configured to remove toner or wax that has adhered to the heating roll 801, as in the fuser 80 described with reference to FIG. 2 .

[0041] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiments, web member 803a of first cleaning unit 803 and web member 804a of second cleaning unit 804 are made of different materials. However, as long as first cleaning unit 803 can remove toner and foreign matter and second cleaning unit 804 can remove wax, web member 803a and web member 804a may be made of the same material. In addition, various modifications and alternative configurations that do not deviate from the scope of the technical concept of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0042] <Additional Notes> (((1))) A fixing device comprising: a heating roll that rotates in contact with a recording medium on which a toner image is formed and heats the recording medium; a pressure roll that applies pressure to the recording medium by sandwiching the recording medium together with the heating roll; a first cleaning unit that removes toner adhering to the heating roll; and a second cleaning unit that is located downstream of the first cleaning unit in the rotation direction of the heating roll and removes wax adhering to the heating roll. (((2))) The fixing device described in (((1))) is characterized in that the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are provided with a web member that contacts the heating roll, and a feeding mechanism that feeds the web member so that an unused portion of the web member contacts the heating roll. (((3))) The fixing device described in (((2))) is characterized in that the web member of the second cleaning unit is made of a material having a smoother surface than the web member of the first cleaning unit. (((4))) The fixing device described in (((2))) or (((3))), characterized in that the feed speed of the web member in the second cleaning section is slower than the feed speed of the web member in the first cleaning section. (((5))) The fixing device described in any one of (((2))) to (((4))), characterized in that the feed speed of the web member in the second cleaning section is an integer multiple of the feed speed of the web member in the first cleaning section. (((6))) The fixing device described in any one of (((1))) to (((5))) further comprises an external heating device that heats the heating roll, wherein the first cleaning unit removes toner that has been transferred from the heating roll to the external heating device, and the second cleaning unit removes wax that has been transferred from the heating roll to the external heating device. (((7))) The fixing device described in (((7))) is characterized in that when the fixing device is equipped with a plurality of the external heating devices, the first cleaning unit removes toner from the external heating device that is upstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll, and the second cleaning unit removes wax from the external heating device that is downstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll. (((8))) An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))).

[0043] According to the fixing device of (((1))), wax contained in the toner can also be removed, compared to a configuration in which only a cleaning unit is provided to remove toner from the heating roll. According to the fixing device of (((2))), by feeding the web member with the feeding mechanism, cleaning can be performed on unused portions of the web member. According to the fixing device of (((3))), compared to a configuration in which the web members of the first and second cleaning units are made of the same material, wax that cannot be completely removed by the first cleaning unit can be effectively removed. According to the fixing device of (((4))), wear of the web member of the second cleaning unit can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the first and second cleaning units have the same feed speed. According to the fixing device of (((5))), the replacement period for the second cleaning unit coincides with the replacement period for the first cleaning unit, so that the time required for replacement can be reduced. According to the fixing device of (((6))), damage to the surface of the heating roll can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the heating roll is cleaned by contacting the heating roll. According to the fixing device of (((7))), wax can be removed more effectively than in a configuration in which a cleaning unit is provided for only one external heating device. According to the image forming apparatus of (((8))), the wax contained in the toner can also be removed, compared to a configuration in which the fixing device is provided with only a cleaning unit that removes toner from the heating roll. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1...image forming apparatus, 1B...image forming unit, 80...fixing device, 801...heating roll, 802...pressure roll, 803...first cleaning section, 803a...web member, 803b...feeding mechanism, 804...second cleaning section, 804a...web member, 804b...feeding mechanism, 805...external heating roll, 806...external heating belt

Claims

1. a heating roll that heats the recording medium while rotating in contact with the recording medium on which the toner image is formed; a pressure roll that applies pressure to the recording medium by sandwiching the recording medium together with the heating roll; a first cleaning unit that removes toner adhering to the heating roll; a second cleaning unit located downstream of the first cleaning unit in the rotation direction of the heating roll and configured to remove wax adhering to the heating roll; A fixing device comprising:

2. The first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are a web member in contact with the heating roll; a feed mechanism for feeding the web member so that an unused portion of the web member contacts the heating roll; The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein the web member of the second cleaning unit is made of a material having a smoother surface than the web member of the first cleaning unit.

4. The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein a feed speed of the web member in the second cleaning section is slower than a feed speed of the web member in the first cleaning section.

5. 5. The fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the feed speed of the web member in the second cleaning section is an integer fraction of the feed speed of the web member in the first cleaning section.

6. The heating roll further includes an external heating device. The first cleaning unit removes toner transferred from the heating roll to the external heating device, The second cleaning unit removes wax transferred from the heating roll to the external heating device. The fixing device according to claim 1 .

7. 7. The fixing device according to claim 6, wherein when the fixing device is provided with a plurality of the external heating devices, the first cleaning unit removes toner from the external heating device located upstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll, and the second cleaning unit removes wax from the external heating device located downstream in the rotation direction of the heating roll.

8. 8. An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1.

Images