Image formation device and program

Abstract

To make it possible to suppress deterioration in quality of a fixed image caused by a scratch on a surface of a fixing member.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 includes: a first fixing member (fixing belt 141) disposed to be able to come into contact with one surface of continuous recording media (recording media PM); a second fixing member (heating pressure roller 145) disposed to be able to come into contact with the other surface of the continuous recording media; an external heating unit (sub-heater roller 144) that comes into contact with the second fixing member; and a control unit 11 that sets relative speed between a circumferential speed of the second fixing member and a conveyance speed of the continuous recording media to zero in a state where the continuous recording media is in contact with the second fixing member during standby in which no fixing operation is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] An image forming apparatus utilizing electrophotographic process technology forms an image on a sheet of paper by transferring a toner image onto the sheet of paper and applying heat and pressure to the toner image on the sheet of paper in a fixing unit. In such an image forming apparatus, there are cases where an image is formed on a continuous recording medium such as continuous paper or continuous film. In this case, the image forming apparatus stops conveying the continuous recording medium during non-image formation (waiting for printing). At the same time, the image forming apparatus heats the fixing unit so that printing can be started in a short time after receiving a print instruction.

[0003] In this regard, Patent Document 1 describes the following image forming apparatus. Specifically, the image forming apparatus separates the roller on the fixing surface side from the continuous recording medium so that the fixing surface of the continuous recording medium does not come into contact with the roller on the fixing surface side and scratch the surface of the roller, and the continuous recording medium is not affected by the heat of the roller on the fixing surface side. In addition, the image forming apparatus applies tension to the continuous recording medium by bringing a pressure roller into contact with the back surface of the continuous recording medium opposite the fixing surface, thereby ensuring a distance between the fixing surface of the continuous recording medium and the heated roller on the fixing surface side.

[0004] The following image forming apparatus is described in Patent Document 2. Specifically, in order to improve fixing performance, the image forming apparatus heats a pressure roller to a predetermined temperature by an external heating unit and maintains the temperature. In such an image forming apparatus, the pressure roller is heated by the external heating unit even during standby for printing. In the image forming apparatus, the pressure roller needs to be rotated during standby for printing so that the temperature of the surface of the pressure roller does not become uneven. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-133657 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-101321 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when the pressure roller in contact with the continuous recording medium is rotated while the transport of the continuous recording medium is stopped during standby for printing, the continuous recording medium may cause fine scratches on the surface of the pressure roller. If the surface of the pressure roller is scratched, there is a problem that when printing on a thin continuous recording medium such as a resin sheet, streaks occur in the fixed image due to the unevenness of the scratches, degrading the image quality.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program capable of suppressing deterioration in the quality of a fixed image caused by scratches on the surface of a fixing member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprises: a first fixing member arranged to be able to come into contact with one surface of the continuous recording medium; a second fixing member arranged to be able to come into contact with the other surface of the continuous recording medium; an external heating unit in contact with the second fixing member; a control unit that sets a relative speed between a circumferential speed of the second fixing member and a transport speed of the continuous recording medium to zero in a state where the continuous recording medium is in contact with the second fixing member during a standby state in which no fixing operation is performed; Equipped with.

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, The control unit separates the first fixing member from the continuous recording medium during the standby state.

[0010] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, During the standby state, the control unit stops transport of the continuous recording medium and stops rotation of the second fixing member.

[0011] The invention described in claim 4 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 3, The control unit starts rotation of the second fixing member before starting the fixing operation after receiving a print instruction.

[0012] The invention described in claim 5 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 4, The control unit rotates the second fixing member at a second rotation speed slower than a first rotation speed during the fixing operation before starting the fixing operation after receiving the print instruction.

[0013] The invention described in claim 6 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the continuous recording medium; The control unit determines a relative speed between a peripheral speed of the second fixing member and a transport speed of the continuous recording medium based on the information about the continuous recording medium acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0014] The invention described in claim 7 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 6, The recording medium includes a detection unit that detects physical property values ​​of the continuous recording medium as information about the continuous recording medium.

[0015] The program according to claim 8 comprises: a first fixing member arranged to be able to come into contact with one surface of the continuous recording medium; a second fixing member arranged to be able to come into contact with the other surface of the continuous recording medium; an external heating unit in contact with the second fixing member; A computer of an image forming apparatus comprising: During standby when no fixing operation is being performed, when the continuous recording medium is in contact with the second fixing member, the control unit functions to set the relative speed between the circumferential speed of the second fixing member and the conveying speed of the continuous recording medium to zero. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of a fixed image caused by scratches on the surface of a fixing member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 3A] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a fixing unit in a separated state. [Figure 3B] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a fixing unit in a pressure-contact state. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart of a fixing unit control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, however, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0019] (1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 uses a recording medium PM (continuous recording medium) such as continuous paper or continuous film, and forms an image on this recording medium PM.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, an operation display unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a fixing unit 14, a communication unit 15, a paper feeding unit 16, a conveying unit 17, a winding unit 18, a memory unit 19, and a detection unit 20.

[0021] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU of the control unit 11 reads out various programs such as a system program and a processing program stored in the storage unit 19, expands them in the RAM, and executes various processes according to the expanded programs. The control unit 11 controls the communication unit 15 to receive, for example, a print job or image data transmitted from an external device, and controls the image forming unit 13 to form an image on a recording medium PM based on the received print job or image data.

[0022] The operation display unit 12 includes a display unit 12a and an operation unit 12b. The display unit 12 a includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 11 . The operation unit 12b includes various function keys and a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 12a, and receives various operations from the user.

[0023] The image forming unit 13 forms an image on the recording medium PM being conveyed by the conveying unit 17 by electrophotography. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 13 includes photoconductor drums (Y, M, C, and K), an intermediate transfer belt 131, a transfer roller 132, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 131 is an endless belt. In the image forming unit 13, the intermediate transfer belt 131 is wound around a plurality of rollers and supported so as to be movable. The transfer roller 132 is pressed by the intermediate transfer belt 131 and rotates in a follower manner.

[0024] The image forming unit 13 uniformly charges the photosensitive drums (Y, M, C, K). After that, the image forming unit 13 scans and exposes the photosensitive drums with a laser beam based on image data for each color, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. Next, the image forming unit 13 forms a toner image of each color by attaching toner of each color to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with a developing device, and sequentially transfers the toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 131 (primary transfer). As a result, the image forming unit 13 forms a toner image (color image) on the intermediate transfer belt 131 in which layers of each color (Y, M, C, K) are superimposed. Next, the image forming unit 13 applies a bias (voltage) of the opposite polarity to the toner to the transfer roller 132. As a result, the image forming unit 13 transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 131 onto the recording medium PM (secondary transfer).

[0025] The fixing unit 14 fixes the toner image that has been secondarily transferred onto the recording medium PM. 3A and 3B show examples of the configuration of the fixing unit 14. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the fixing portion 14 includes an upper fixing portion 14A, a lower fixing portion 14B, and a pressure contact / separation portion 146.

[0026] The upper fixing section 14A is disposed on the side of the recording medium PM on which the toner image is formed (fixing surface). The upper fixing section 14A includes an endless fixing belt 141 as a first fixing member, a main heater roller 142, and a heating roller 143. The main heater roller 142 and the heating roller 143 support the fixing belt 141 with a predetermined belt tension (for example, 40 [N]).

[0027] The fixing belt 141 comes into contact with the recording medium PM on which the toner image is formed, and heats and fixes the toner image to the recording medium PM at a fixing temperature (for example, 160 to 200° C.). The fixing temperature is a temperature that can supply the amount of heat required to melt the toner on the recording medium PM, and differs depending on the type of recording medium PM on which the image is formed. The types of recording medium PM include, for example, thick paper, thin paper, film, etc.

[0028] The main heater roller 142 includes a heating means (for example, a halogen heater) 142a and heats the fixing belt 141. The control unit 11 controls the temperature of the heating means 142a.

[0029] The control unit 11 controls the driving of the heating roller 143. For example, the control unit 11 controls the on / off of the rotation of the heating roller 143, the circumferential speed, etc. The control unit 11 rotates the heating roller 143 in a clockwise direction. As the heating roller 143 rotates, the fixing belt 141 and the main heater roller 142 are rotated in the clockwise direction.

[0030] The lower fixing unit 14B is disposed on the surface (rear surface) opposite to the fixing surface of the recording medium PM. The lower fixing section 14B has a sub-heater roller 144 as an external heating section, and a heating pressure roller 145 as a second fixing member.

[0031] The sub-heater roller 144 is disposed in contact with the heating pressure roller 145. The sub-heater roller 144 incorporates a heating means (for example, a halogen heater) 144a and heats the heating pressure roller 145. The control unit 11 controls the temperature of the heating means 144a.

[0032] The heating pressure roller 145 has a configuration in which an elastic layer made of silicon rubber or the like and a surface layer made of a PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane) tube are laminated in this order on the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical core metal made of iron or the like. The control unit 11 controls the driving of the heating pressure roller 145. For example, the control unit 11 controls the on / off and circumferential speed of the heating pressure roller 145. The control unit 11 rotates the heating pressure roller 145 in a counterclockwise direction. As the heating pressure roller 145 rotates, the sub-heater roller 144 is driven to rotate in a clockwise direction.

[0033] 3B, the heat pressure roller 145 is brought into pressure contact with the heat roller 143 via the fixing belt 141 at a predetermined fixing load (for example, 1000 [N]). As a result, the heat pressure roller 146 forms a fixing nip N between the fixing belt 141 and the heat pressure roller 145, which holds and transports the recording medium PM. 3A, the pressure contact / separation unit 146 separates the heating pressure roller 145 from the fixing belt 141. The control unit 11 controls the driving of the pressure contact / separation unit 146.

[0034] The fixing unit 14 applies heat and pressure to the recording medium PM onto which the toner image has been transferred by passing the recording medium PM through a fixing nip N between a fixing belt 141 and a heating and pressure roller 145, thereby melting and fixing the toner image.

[0035] In order to avoid the influence of heat from the heating means 142a while the fixing unit 14 is on standby and not performing a fixing operation (while waiting to print), the recording medium PM needs to be separated from the upper fixing unit 14A as shown in Fig. 3A. Therefore, while the fixing unit 14 is on standby and not performing a fixing operation, the recording medium PM is in contact with the heating pressure roller 145 and tension is applied thereto. The heating pressure roller 145 is in contact with the recording medium PM during the fixing operation of the fixing unit 14 and during standby when no fixing operation is being performed, that is, at all times.

[0036] The communication unit 15 transmits and receives data to and from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) connected via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit 15 receives, for example, a job including image data for printing from the external device.

[0037] The paper feed unit 16 feeds the recording medium PM to the image forming unit 13. Inside the housing of the paper feed unit 16, the roll-shaped recording medium PM is wound around a support shaft and held rotatably. In the paper feed unit 16, the recording medium PM wound around the support shaft is transported to the image forming unit 13 at a constant speed via multiple rollers. Although only one recording medium PM is shown in FIG. 1, multiple recording media PM may be held.

[0038] The conveying unit 17 is a conveying mechanism for the recording medium PM. The conveying unit 17 conveys the recording medium PM fed from the paper feed unit 16 to the image forming unit 13 by a plurality of rollers, and conveys the recording medium PM that has passed through the image forming unit 13 and the fixing unit 14 to the winding unit 18.

[0039] The winding unit 18 winds up the recording medium PM (printed output) transported from the fixing unit 14. Inside the housing of the winding unit 18, the recording medium PM is wound around a support shaft and held in a roll shape. In the winding unit 18, the recording medium PM transported from the fixing unit 14 passes through multiple rollers and is wound around the support shaft at a constant speed.

[0040] The storage unit 19 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 19 stores various programs such as a system program and a processing program executed by the control unit 11, and data required for executing these programs.

[0041] The detection unit 20 detects the physical property values ​​of the recording medium PM conveyed from the paper feed unit 16, and outputs the detection results to the control unit 11. The physical property values ​​of the recording medium PM include at least one of the resistance value, stiffness, moisture content, paper thickness, smoothness, and basis weight of the recording medium PM.

[0042] (2. Operation of the Image Forming System) Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0043] The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes a fixing unit control process shown in FIG. At the start of the fixing unit control process, the fixing belt 141 and the heating and pressure roller 145 are separated, and the conveyance of the recording medium PM, the rotation of the heating roller 143, and the rotation of the heating and pressure roller 145 are stopped.

[0044] (Fuser control process) The control unit 11 acquires information about the recording medium PM (step S1). The control unit 11 functions as an acquisition unit. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires the physical property values ​​of the recording medium PM from the detection unit 20 as information about the recording medium PM. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may acquire, as the information about the recording medium PM, the type of the recording medium PM stored in advance in the storage unit 19. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may acquire, as the information about the recording medium PM, the type of the recording medium PM input by the user via the operation unit 12b.

[0045] Next, the control unit 11 starts a standby temperature adjustment operation to raise the temperature of the fixing unit 14 to a fixing temperature corresponding to the recording medium PM based on the information about the recording medium PM acquired in step S1 (step S2). In the standby temperature adjustment operation, the control unit 11 controls the temperature of the heating means 142a to raise the temperature of the fixing belt 141 to the fixing temperature. The control unit 11 controls the temperature of the heating means 144a to raise the temperature of the heating pressure roller 145 to the fixing temperature. Next, the control unit 11 starts the rotation of the heating roller 143 (step S3). For example, the control unit 11 rotates the heating roller 143 at the maximum peripheral speed during image formation, but this is not limited to this. The control unit 11 may rotate the heating roller 143 at another peripheral speed.

[0046] Next, based on the information about the recording medium PM acquired in step S1, the control unit 11 determines (step S4) whether the recording medium PM is a recording medium that is likely to scratch the surface of the heating pressure roller 145 when the recording medium PM rubs against the heating pressure roller 145. A recording medium that is likely to scratch the surface of the heating pressure roller 145 is, for example, a recording medium other than a resin sheet. If the recording medium PM is a recording medium that is likely to scratch the surface of the heating pressure roller 145 (step S4; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not to prioritize uniformizing the surface temperature of the heating pressure roller 145 based on the setting information pre-stored in the memory unit 19 (step S5). In step S5, the control unit 11 may determine whether or not to prioritize uniformization of the surface temperature of the heating pressure roller 145 based on setting information input by the user via the operation unit 12b.

[0047] When the uniformization of the surface temperature of the heating pressure roller 145 is not given priority (step S5; NO), the control section 11 shifts the fixing section control process to step S8. That is, during standby when the fixing operation is not being performed, the control unit 11 stops the transport of the recording medium PM and stops the rotation of the heating pressure roller 145 in a state where the recording medium PM is in contact with the heating pressure roller 145 (second fixing member) and keeps the rotation of the heating pressure roller 145 stopped. In other words, during standby when the fixing operation is not being performed, the control unit sets the relative speed between the circumferential speed of the heating pressure roller 145 and the transport speed of the recording medium PM to 0.

[0048] On the other hand, if priority is given to uniforming the surface temperature of the heating pressure roller 145 (step S5; YES), the control unit 11 controls the transport unit 17 to start transporting the recording medium PM at a speed slower than that during the fixing operation. Furthermore, the control unit 11 starts rotating the heating pressure roller 145 at a speed slower than that during the fixing operation (step S6). In step S6, the control unit 11 controls the transport speed of the recording medium PM and the circumferential speed of the heating pressure roller 145 so that the relative speed between the transport speed of the recording medium PM and the circumferential speed of the heating pressure roller 145 becomes zero. In other words, during standby when no fixing operation is being performed and the recording medium PM is in contact with the heating pressure roller 145 (second fixing member), the control unit 11 sets the relative speed between the circumferential speed of the heating pressure roller 145 and the conveying speed of the recording medium PM to 0. In this case, the surface of the heating and pressure roller 145 is uniformly heated by the sub-heater roller 144 as the heating and pressure roller 145 rotates.

[0049] If the recording medium PM is not one that easily scratches the surface of the heating pressure roller 145 (step S4; NO), the control unit 11 starts rotating the heating pressure roller 145 at a slower speed than during the fixing operation (step S7). In step S7, the control unit 11 keeps the conveyance of the recording medium PM stopped. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may control the conveyance unit 17 to convey the recording medium PM at a speed slower than the peripheral speed of the heating pressure roller 145.

[0050] After step S5, S6 or S7, the control unit 11 determines whether the temperature of the fixing unit 14 has reached the fixing temperature corresponding to the recording medium PM and whether an instruction to start a print job has been received (step S8). When the temperature of the fixing unit 14 reaches the fixing temperature and an instruction to start a print job has not been accepted (step S8; NO), the control unit 11 returns the fixing unit control process to step S8.

[0051] On the other hand, when the temperature of the fixing unit 14 reaches the fixing temperature and an instruction to start a print job is received (step S8; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the heating pressure roller 145 was in a stopped state in the processing after step S2 (step S9).

[0052] In the process after step S2, if the heating pressure roller 145 is in a stopped state (step S9; YES), the control unit 11 rotates the heating pressure roller 145 at a speed slower than that during the fixing operation for a predetermined first time (step S10). The predetermined first time is a time shorter than the time elapsed in steps S2 to S8. In the process after step S2, when the heating pressure roller 145 is stopped, the sub-heater roller 144 and the heating pressure roller 145 are in a pressed state at the same position. Therefore, a dent occurs at the position of the heating pressure roller 145 where the sub-heater roller 144 is in pressed state. When an image is formed on a recording medium PM such as thin paper or a resin sheet in a state where there is a dent on the surface of the heating pressure roller 145, there is a possibility that unevenness will occur in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium PM. Therefore, by performing step S10, the dent on the surface of the heating pressure roller 145 can be restored. If the recording medium PM is cardboard or the like and the fixed image is not affected by depressions on the surface of the heating pressure roller 145, step S10 may be omitted. In step S10, the heating pressure roller 145 is rotated at a slower speed than during the fixing operation to prevent the recording medium PM from scratching the heating pressure roller 145. It is preferable to make the rotation speed of the heating pressure roller 145 as slow as possible in step S10. The slower the rotation speed of the heating pressure roller 145, the more likely it is that the recording medium PM will be prevented from scratching the heating pressure roller 145.

[0053] If the time elapsed in steps S2 to S8 is longer than a predetermined second time, the control unit 11 may execute the following process in step S10. Specifically, the control unit 11 rotates the heating pressure roller 145 at a speed slower than that during the fixing operation, and controls the transport unit 17 to transport the recording medium PM so that the relative speed between the transport speed of the recording medium PM and the circumferential speed of the heating pressure roller 145 becomes zero. On the other hand, if the time elapsed in steps S2 to S8 is equal to or less than the second predetermined time, the control unit 11 may execute the following process in step S10. Specifically, the control unit 11 rotates the heating pressure roller 145 at a speed slower than that during the fixing operation, but does not transport the recording medium PM.

[0054] In the processes after step S2, when the heating pressure roller 145 is rotated (step S9; NO), the control section 11 shifts the fixing section control process to step S11.

[0055] Next, the control unit 11 controls the image forming unit 13, the conveying unit 17, etc. to perform the image forming operation. The control unit 11 controls the pressure contact / separation unit 146 to bring the fixing belt 141 and the heating pressure roller 145 into pressure contact with each other, and performs the fixing operation (step S11). Next, after the print job is completed, the control unit 11 controls the transport unit 17 to stop transporting the recording medium PM. The control unit 11 stops the rotation of the heating roller 143 and the heating pressure roller 145. The control unit 11 controls the pressure contact / separation unit 146 to separate the fixing belt 141 and the heating pressure roller 145 (step S12).

[0056] Next, the control unit 11 judges whether or not there is a next print job to be executed (step S13). If there is no next print job (step S13; NO), the control section 11 ends the fixing section control process.

[0057] On the other hand, if there is a next print job (step S13; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not to replace the recording medium PM based on the setting information of the next print job (step S14). When the recording medium PM is replaced (step S14; YES), the control unit 11 shifts the fixing unit control process to step S1. In step S1, the control unit 11 obtains information about the replaced recording medium PM. When the recording medium PM is not replaced (step S14; NO), the control section 11 shifts the fixing section control process to step S2.

[0058] (3. Effects) As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes the first fixing member (fixing belt 141) that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with one surface of the continuous recording medium (recording medium PM). The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a second fixing member (heating pressure roller 145) that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the other surface of the continuous recording medium. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes an external heating unit (sub-heater roller 144) that contacts the second fixing member. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a control unit 11 that sets the relative speed between the peripheral speed of the second fixing member and the conveying speed of the continuous recording medium to zero when the continuous recording medium is in contact with the second fixing member during standby when no fixing operation is being performed. This makes it possible to prevent the heating pressure roller 145 and the recording medium PM from rubbing against each other and scratching the surface of the heating pressure roller 145. In other words, it is possible to prevent the quality of the formed image from deteriorating due to a heating pressure roller 145 with scratches on its surface.

[0059] The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment separates the first fixing member (fixing belt 141) from the continuous recording medium (recording medium PM) during standby when no fixing operation is being performed. This makes it possible to prevent the recording medium PM from being affected by the heat from the heating means 142a.

[0060] The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, during standby when no fixing operation is being performed, stops the transport of the continuous recording medium (recording medium PM) and stops the rotation of the second fixing member (heating pressure roller 145). This makes it possible to prevent the surface of the heating pressure roller 145 from being scratched due to friction between the heating pressure roller 145 and the recording medium PM.

[0061] The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment starts the rotation of the second fixing member (heating pressure roller 145) before the start of the fixing operation after receiving a print instruction. This makes it possible to restore the depression when it is present on the surface of the heating pressure roller 145. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image quality of the formed image from being deteriorated due to the depression.

[0062] The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment rotates the second fixing member (heating pressure roller 145) at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed during the fixing operation before starting the fixing operation after receiving a print instruction. The slower the rotation speed of the heating pressure roller 145, the more the recording medium PM can be prevented from scratching the heating pressure roller 145.

[0063] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes an acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires information regarding a continuous recording medium (recording medium PM). The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment determines the relative speed between the circumferential speed of the second fixing member (heating pressure roller 145) and the transport speed of the continuous recording medium, based on the information about the continuous recording medium acquired by the acquisition unit. That is, when the recording medium PM is a recording medium that is unlikely to scratch the heating pressure roller 145, the control unit 11 rotates the heating pressure roller 145 and stops the transport of the recording medium PM. In this case, the surface of the heating pressure roller 145 can be uniformly heated and the consumption of the recording medium PM can be reduced.

[0064] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a detection unit 20 that detects physical property values ​​of a continuous recording medium (recording medium PM) as information related to the continuous recording medium. This makes it possible to easily obtain information about the continuous recording medium (recording medium PM).

[0065] The embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to those described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as a control unit that sets the relative speed between the circumferential speed of the second fixing member and the conveying speed of the recording medium PM to 0 when the recording medium PM is in contact with the second fixing member during standby when no fixing operation is being performed, but this is not limited to the above. An external device connected to the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be able to communicate with it may have the above control unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Image forming device 11 Control unit (acquisition unit) 12 Operation display section 12a Display section 12b Operation section 13 Image forming section 131 Intermediate transfer belt 132 Transfer roller 14 Fixing section 14A Upper fixing part 14B Lower fixing part 141 Fixing belt 142 Main heater roller 142a Heating means 143 Heated Roller 144 Sub-heater roller 144a Heating means 145 Heating pressure roller 146 Pressure contact separation part 15 Communications Department 16 Paper feed section 17 Conveyor section 18 Winding section 19 Memory section 20 Detection unit PM Recording Media

Claims

1. a first fixing member arranged to be able to come into contact with one surface of the continuous recording medium; a second fixing member disposed so as to be able to come into contact with the other surface of the continuous recording medium; an external heating section in contact with the second fixing member; a control unit that sets a relative speed between a circumferential speed of the second fixing member and a transport speed of the continuous recording medium to zero in a state in which the continuous recording medium is in contact with the second fixing member during a standby state in which no fixing operation is performed; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit separates the first fixing member from the continuous recording medium during the standby state.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops the transport of the continuous recording medium and stops the rotation of the second fixing member during the standby state.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit starts rotation of the second fixing member before starting the fixing operation after receiving a print instruction.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit rotates the second fixing member at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed during the fixing operation before starting the fixing operation after receiving the print instruction.

6. an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the continuous recording medium; 2 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the relative speed between the peripheral speed of the second fixing member and the transport speed of the continuous recording medium based on the information about the continuous recording medium acquired by the acquisition unit.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a detection unit that detects physical property values ​​of the continuous recording medium as information regarding the continuous recording medium.

8. a first fixing member arranged to be able to come into contact with one surface of the continuous recording medium; a second fixing member disposed so as to be able to come into contact with the other surface of the continuous recording medium; an external heating section in contact with the second fixing member; A computer of an image forming apparatus comprising: A program that functions as a control unit to set the relative speed between the peripheral speed of the second fixing member and the conveying speed of the continuous recording medium to zero when the continuous recording medium is in contact with the second fixing member during standby when no fixing operation is being performed.

Images