Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program that can perform more appropriate processing in provision of a recording medium with a multilayer structure on which an image is formed.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: an image forming unit 50 that forms an image on a recording medium P with a multilayer structure; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the recording medium P; a first process member; a second process member; and a control unit 10. The control unit 10 controls at least a condition for the first process member on the basis of the characteristics of a top layer P1 on a first surface side of the recording medium P acquired by the acquisition unit, and controls at least physical characteristics of the second process member to be acted on the recording medium P on the basis of the characteristics of a top layer P4 on a second surface side of the recording medium P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process technology is known. In the image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating a charged photoreceptor with laser light based on image data. The image forming apparatus visualizes the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image by supplying toner from a developing device to the photoreceptor drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, after transferring the formed toner image to a recording medium P, the image forming apparatus heats and presses the image to fix it on the recording medium.

[0003] By the way, the characteristics such as heat conductivity of the recording medium vary depending on the paper type. Therefore, even if the toner image is heated at a certain temperature, depending on the type of the recording medium, the heating temperature may decrease and not reach a sufficient fixing temperature, resulting in a risk of poor fixing. Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that acquires information related to the paper type of the recording medium and controls the heating temperature according to the information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for example, when a tack paper having a multilayer structure including a surface base material and release paper is a recording medium, the heat transfer temperature to the heating surface varies not only depending on the paper type of the surface base material which is the heating surface but also depending on the paper type of the release paper facing the surface base material. Therefore, simply managing the temperature (physical quantity) based only on the information that the recording medium is tack paper or the information on the type of the surface base material may not result in the fixing temperature being the appropriate temperature, and fixing failures may occur. Further, physical quantities that affect the image quality during image formation of such a recording medium having a multilayer structure include not only temperature but also charge amount and the like.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program capable of more appropriate processing when providing a recording medium having a multilayer structure on which an image is formed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium having a multilayer structure; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the recording medium; a first process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the first surface side where the image of the recording medium is formed; a second process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the second surface side opposite to the first surface; and a control unit, wherein the control unit adjusts at least the physical properties with which the first process member acts on the recording medium based on the properties of the uppermost layer on the first surface side acquired by the acquisition unit, and adjusts at least the physical properties with which the second process member acts on the recording medium based on the properties of the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first process member is a member facing the uppermost layer on the first surface side, The second process member is a member that faces the uppermost layer on the second surface side. The control unit separately controls the physical quantities of the first process member and the second process member.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, The first process member includes a fixing member that fixes an image on the recording medium. The second process member includes a pressing member that presses the fixing member and the recording medium into contact with each other. The control unit separately controls the temperatures of the fixing member and the pressing member.

[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The characteristic is thermal conductivity. The control unit controls the temperature of the fixing member and / or the pressing member to increase according to the height of the thermal conductivity of the uppermost layer on the first surface side and / or the uppermost layer on the second surface side.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The characteristic is heat capacity. The control unit controls the temperature of the fixing member and / or the pressing member to increase according to the height of the heat capacity of the uppermost layer on the first surface side and / or the uppermost layer on the second surface side.

[0012] The invention according to claim 6 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The control unit controls the conditions of the fixing member and the pressing member according to the ambient temperature and / or the temperature of the recording medium.

[0013] The invention according to claim 7 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, A fixing member that fixes an image on the recording medium and a pressing member that presses the fixing member and the recording medium into contact with each other are provided. The first process member and the second process member are preheating units that heat the recording medium upstream of the fixing member and the pressing member in the conveyance direction.

[0014] The invention according to claim 8 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a preheating unit that heats the recording medium upstream of the fixing member and the pressing member in the conveyance direction, wherein the control unit controls the preheating unit so as to assist in the temperature shortage of the fixing member and the pressing member.

[0015] The invention according to claim 9 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the preheating unit according to the environmental temperature and / or the temperature of the recording medium.

[0016] The invention according to claim 10 is an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recording medium is continuous paper.

[0017] The invention according to claim 11 is an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an operation unit capable of operating and inputting information on the characteristics of at least the uppermost layer on the first surface side and the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information input to the operation unit.

[0018] The invention according to claim 12 is an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a detection unit capable of detecting information on the characteristics of at least the uppermost layer on the first surface side and the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information detected by the detection unit.

[0019] The invention according to claim 13 is an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium having a multilayer structure, an acquisition unit that acquires information on the recording medium, A first process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the first surface side where the image of the recording medium is formed, A second process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the second surface side opposite to the first surface, and an image forming method of an image forming apparatus including the second process member, Based on the characteristics of the uppermost layer on the first surface side acquired by the acquisition unit, at least the physical characteristics of the first process member acting on the recording medium are adjusted, and based on the characteristics of the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium, at least the physical characteristics of the second process member acting on the recording medium are adjusted. The control step is provided.

[0020] The invention according to claim 14 is a program, An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium having a multilayer structure, An acquisition unit that acquires information on the recording medium, A first process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the first surface side where the image of the recording medium is formed, A second process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the second surface side opposite to the first surface, and a computer of an image forming apparatus including the second process member, Based on the characteristics of the uppermost layer on the first surface side acquired by the acquisition unit, at least the physical characteristics of the first process member acting on the recording medium are adjusted, and based on the characteristics of the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium, at least the physical characteristics of the second process member acting on the recording medium are adjusted. Function as a control unit.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, more appropriate processing can be performed when providing a recording medium having a multilayer structure on which an image is formed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 7C

Figure 7D

Figure 8

[0023] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In the following description, those having the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0024] [Overall Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an image reading unit 20, an operation display unit 30, an image processing unit 40, an image forming unit 50, a recording medium conveyance unit 60, a fixing unit 70, a preheating unit 80, and the like.

[0025] In the following, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shall refer to the directions shown in FIG. 1. Further, in the following, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction will be described as the width direction, conveyance direction, and height direction, respectively.

[0026] Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process technology. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 primarily transfers and superimposes toner images of each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) formed on the photoreceptor drum 513 described later onto the intermediate transfer belt 521. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 521 onto the recording medium P to form an image.

[0027] The recording medium P in the present invention is a roll-shaped continuous paper as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the recording medium P in the present invention is a recording medium P having a multilayer structure, such as so-called tack paper.

[0028] The structure of the recording medium P, which is tack paper, is shown in FIG. 3. The tack paper has a multilayer structure in which a surface base material P1, an adhesive P2, a release agent P3, and a release paper P4 are laminated in this order from the first surface side where the image is formed, which is the side facing the image forming unit 50. The surface base material P1 is the uppermost layer on the first surface side. Further, the release paper P4 is the uppermost layer on the second surface side opposite to the first surface side. The surface base material P1 is detachably attached to the release paper P4 by the adhesive P2 and the release agent P3. Also, the surface base material P1 and the release paper P4 are, for example, paper or PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

[0029] (Control Unit) {CPU, ROM, RAM, Storage Unit} The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a storage unit 14, etc. The CPU 11 reads out a program according to the processing content from the ROM 12 and expands it in the RAM 13, and centrally controls the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the expanded program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 14 are referred to. The storage unit 14 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

[0030] {Communication unit} Also, the control unit 10 transmits and receives various data to and from devices such as an external personal computer connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 15. For example, the control unit 10 receives image data transmitted from an external device, and based on the image data (input image data), causes the image forming unit 50 to form a toner image on the recording medium P. The communication unit 15 is composed of, for example, a communication control card such as a LAN card.

[0031] (Image reading unit) The image reading unit 20 acquires input image data without relying on the communication unit 15. The image reading unit 20 is configured to include an automatic document feeder 21 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and a document image scanning device 22 (scanner), etc.

[0032] {Automatic document feeder} The automatic document feeder 21 conveys the document placed on the document tray by a conveyance mechanism and sends it to the document image scanning device 22. The automatic document feeder 21 can continuously read out the images (including both sides) of a large number of documents placed on the document tray all at once.

[0033] {Document image scanning device} The original document image scanning device 22 optically scans the document conveyed onto the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 21 or the document placed on the contact glass. Then, the original document image scanning device 22 forms an image of the reflected light from the document on the light receiving surface of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor (not shown) to read the document image. The image reading unit 20 generates input image data based on the reading result by the original document image scanning device 22. The said input image data is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 40.

[0034] (Operation display unit) The operation display unit 30 receives various input operations by the user and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 10. The operation display unit 30 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as a display unit 31 and an operation unit 32.

[0035] {Display unit} The display unit 31 displays various operation screens, status displays of images, operation statuses of each function, etc. according to the display control signals input from the control unit 10 or the user.

[0036] {Operation unit} The operation unit 32 is equipped with various operation keys such as numeric keys and start keys, and receives various operation instructions from the user.

[0037] Also, when performing the image forming process described later, the user operates and inputs information of the recording medium P from the operation display unit 30. The information of the recording medium P that the user operates and inputs is the paper type, thickness, or basis weight, etc. of the surface base material P1 and the release paper P4 of the multi-layer structured recording medium P.

[0038] (Image processing unit) The image processing unit 40 includes a circuit or the like that performs digital image processing on the input image data according to initial settings or user settings. For example, under the control of the control unit 10, the image processing unit 40 performs gradation correction based on gradation correction data (gradation correction table). In addition, the image processing unit 40 performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction, as well as compression processing, etc. on the input image data. Based on the image data subjected to these processes, the image forming unit 50 is controlled.

[0039] (Image forming unit) The image forming unit 50 includes an image forming unit 51Y to 51K for forming an image with each colored toner of Y to K and an intermediate transfer unit 52, etc. based on the input image data.

[0040] {Image forming unit} The image forming units 51Y to 51K have the same configuration except for the toners used. Therefore, for the sake of convenience of illustration and description, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and when distinguishing each of them, Y to K are added to the reference numerals. In FIG. 1, only the components of the image forming unit 51Y for the Y component are denoted by reference numerals, and the components of the other image forming units 51M to 51K are omitted.

[0041] The image forming unit 51 includes an exposure device (not shown), a developing device (not shown), a photosensitive drum 513, a charging device (not shown), a drum cleaning device (not shown), etc.

[0042] The photosensitive drum 513 is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member in which an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer are sequentially laminated on the peripheral surface of a conductive cylindrical body (aluminum base tube) made of aluminum, for example. The charge generation layer is composed of an organic semiconductor in which a charge generation material (for example, phthalocyanine pigment) is dispersed in a resin binder (for example, polycarbonate). The charge generation layer generates a pair of positive charges and negative charges by exposure with an exposure device. The charge transport layer is formed by dispersing a hole transport material (an electron-donating nitrogen-containing compound) in a resin binder (for example, polycarbonate resin). The charge transport layer transports the positive charges generated in the charge generation layer to its surface.

[0043] The control unit 10 rotates the photosensitive drum 513 at a constant peripheral speed by controlling the drive current supplied to a drive motor (not shown) that rotates the photosensitive drum 513.

[0044] The charging device uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 513 having photoconductivity to a negative polarity. The exposure device is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 513 with laser light corresponding to an image of each color component. Positive charges are generated in the charge generation layer of the photosensitive drum 513 and are transported to the surface of the charge transport layer, whereby the surface charges (negative charges) of the photosensitive drum 513 are neutralized. An electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 513 due to the potential difference from the surroundings.

[0045] The developing device is, for example, a developing device using a two-component developing system. The developing device forms a toner image by visualizing an electrostatic latent image by attaching toner of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum 513.

[0046] The drum cleaning device has a drum cleaning blade or the like that is in sliding contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 513. The dry cleaning device removes the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 513 after primary transfer.

[0047] {Intermediate transfer unit} The intermediate transfer unit 52 includes an intermediate transfer belt 521, a primary transfer roller (not shown), a plurality of support rollers (not shown), a secondary transfer roller 524, a belt cleaning device (not shown), and the like.

[0048] The intermediate transfer belt 521 is formed of an endless belt and looped around a plurality of support rollers. At least one of the plurality of support rollers is a driving roller, and the others are driven rollers. For example, it is preferable that the roller disposed on the downstream side in the belt running direction from the primary transfer roller for the K component is the driving roller. This makes it easier to keep the running speed of the belt in the primary transfer section constant. When the driving roller rotates, the intermediate transfer belt 521 runs at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A.

[0049] The primary transfer roller is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 521 facing the photosensitive drum 513 of each color component. By pressing the primary transfer roller against the photosensitive drum 513 with the intermediate transfer belt 521 interposed therebetween, a primary transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the photosensitive drum 513 to the intermediate transfer belt 521 is formed.

[0050] The secondary transfer roller 524 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 521 facing a backup roller (not shown) disposed on the downstream side in the belt running direction of the driving roller. By pressing the secondary transfer roller 524 against the backup roller with the intermediate transfer belt 521 interposed therebetween, a secondary transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 521 to the recording medium P is formed.

[0051] When the intermediate transfer belt 521 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images on the photosensitive drum 513 are sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 521. Specifically, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller, and charges of the opposite polarity to the toner are applied to the back surface side (the side in contact with the primary transfer roller) of the intermediate transfer belt 521, whereby the toner images are electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 521.

[0052] Thereafter, when the recording medium P passes through the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 521 is secondarily transferred to the recording medium P. Specifically, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 524, and a charge of the opposite polarity to the toner is applied to the release paper P4 side (the secondary transfer roller 524 side) of the recording medium P, whereby the toner image is electrostatically transferred to the recording medium P. The recording medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 70.

[0053] The belt cleaning device has a belt cleaning blade or the like that is in sliding contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 521, and removes the residual transfer toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 521 after secondary transfer. Note that instead of the secondary transfer roller 524, a configuration in which a secondary transfer belt is looped around a plurality of support rollers including the secondary transfer roller (a so-called belt type secondary transfer unit) may be adopted.

[0054] (Recording Medium Conveying Unit) The recording medium conveying unit 60 includes a paper feeding unit 61, a paper discharging unit 62, a conveyance path unit 63, and the like. The paper feeding unit 61 includes a feeding roller 61a that feeds out the recording medium P in the form of a continuous sheet wound in a roll shape to the downstream side.

[0055] The recording medium P fed out to the downstream side of the paper feeding unit 61 is conveyed by the conveyance path unit 63 to the image forming unit 50 after passing through the preheating unit 80. In the image forming unit 50, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 521 is collectively secondarily transferred to the surface base material P1 of the recording medium P, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 70. The paper discharging unit 62 includes a winding roller 62a that winds up the image-formed recording medium P in a roll shape. The conveyance path unit 63 has a conveyance roller 63a that holds and conveys the recording medium P. Note that the conveyance path unit 63 may have a tension applying roller (not shown) that applies tension to the recording medium P and a meandering adjustment roller (not shown) that adjusts the meandering of the recording medium P.

[0056] (Fixing Unit) The fixing unit 70 includes an upper fixing unit 70A, a lower fixing unit 70B, an upper heating source 70C, a lower heating source 70D, etc. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the fixing unit 70. In this embodiment, the fixing method is limited to the belt fixing method, but in the present invention, it is not limited to the belt fixing method.

[0057] The fixing unit 70 fixes the toner image on the recording medium P by heating and pressing the recording medium P conveyed with the toner image secondarily transferred at the fixing nip. The fixing unit 70 is arranged as a unit in the fixing device, that is, in the housing.

[0058] {Upper fixing unit} The upper fixing unit 70A includes a fixing surface side member disposed on the surface base material P1 side of the recording medium P. The upper fixing unit 70A includes an endless fixing belt 71, a heating roller 72, and an upper pressure roller 73 as the fixing surface side members (belt heating method). The fixing belt 71 is stretched between the heating roller 72 and the upper pressure roller 73 with a predetermined tension. In the present embodiment, the upper fixing unit 70A, together with the upper heating source 70C, constitutes a first process member that faces the surface base material P1 and acts on the surface base material P1 in the image forming process.

[0059] The fixing belt 71 is formed by coating the outer peripheral surface of a base made of, for example, PI (polyimide) with heat-resistant silicone rubber as an elastic layer, and further coating or coating the surface layer with a PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) tube which is a heat-resistant resin. The fixing belt 71 contacts the recording medium P on which the toner image is formed, and heat-fixes the toner image on the recording medium P within a predetermined temperature range.

[0060] The heating roller 72 heats the fixing belt 71. The heating roller 72 incorporates an upper heating source 70C for heating the fixing belt 71. The upper heating source 70C is, for example, a halogen heater. The heating roller 72 is covered with a resin layer obtained by coating the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical core made of aluminum or the like with PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene).

[0061] The temperature of the upper heating source 70C is controlled by the control unit 10. The heating roller 72 is heated by the upper heating source 70C, and as a result, the fixing belt 71 is heated. Thereby, the toner formed on the recording medium P is heated. The control unit 10 controls the fixing temperature of the toner, for example, by controlling the upper heating source 70C based on an on / off pattern in half-wave units with a predetermined duty ratio.

[0062] The upper pressure roller 73 is, for example, a solid core bar made of a metal such as iron, coated with an elastic layer. As the material of the elastic layer, for example, heat-resistant silicone rubber can be used. Also, as the elastic layer, a configuration can be adopted in which heat-resistant silicone rubber is coated with a resin layer that is a PTFE, a heat-resistant resin with low friction. The upper pressure roller 73 is a fixing member that fixes the paper to the recording medium P.

[0063] {Lower fixing unit} The lower fixing unit 70B includes a backside support member disposed on the side of the release paper P4 of the recording medium P. In the present embodiment, the lower fixing unit 70B, together with the lower heating source 70D, constitutes a second process member that faces the release paper P4 and acts on the release paper P4 in the image forming process.

[0064] The lower fixing unit 70B includes a lower pressure roller 74 and a lower heating source 70D that constitute the backside support member (roller pressure method). The lower pressure roller 74 has an outer peripheral surface of a base material layer made of Al (aluminum) coated with an elastic layer. As the material of the elastic layer, for example, heat-resistant silicone rubber can be used. Also, as the elastic layer, a configuration can be adopted in which heat-resistant silicone rubber is coated with a resin layer of a PFA tube as a surface release layer.

[0065] The lower heating source 70D incorporates a heating source such as a halogen heater. When the heating source generates heat, the lower pressure roller 74 is heated, and the toner formed on the recording medium P is heated. The control unit 10 may control the fixing temperature of the toner, for example, by controlling the heating source based on an on / off pattern in half-wave units with a predetermined duty ratio.

[0066] The lower pressure roller 74 is pressed against the upper pressure roller 73 via the fixing belt 71 with a predetermined fixing load. In this way, the lower pressure roller 74 is pressed against the upper pressure roller 73 and the recording medium P. A fixing nip NP for sandwiching and conveying the recording medium P is formed between the upper pressure roller 73 and the fixing belt 71 and the lower pressure roller 74.

[0067] The lower pressure roller 74 is connected to a motor, gears, etc. (not shown), and the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the lower pressure roller 74. The control unit 10 outputs a driving signal to the motor that drives the lower pressure roller 74 to control the peripheral speed of the lower pressure roller 74.

[0068] (Preheating Unit) Returning to FIG. 1, the preheating unit 80 is provided upstream of the image forming unit 50 in the conveyance direction and heats the recording medium P before image formation as needed. The preheating unit 80 includes a front surface heating unit 81, a back surface heating unit 82, a first temperature measurement unit 83, and a second temperature measurement unit 84.

[0069] {Front surface heating unit, back surface heating unit} The front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 are, for example, rollers in which a heating source such as a halogen heater is disposed inside a rotatable heat-conductive sleeve made of aluminum. The front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 heat the front surface (front surface base material P1) and the back surface (release paper P4) of the recording medium P, respectively.

[0070] {First temperature measurement unit, second temperature measurement unit} The first temperature measurement unit 83 is provided upstream in the conveyance direction from the front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82. The first temperature measurement unit 83 measures the surface temperature of the recording medium P before heating by the front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 in a non-contact manner, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 10. The second temperature measurement unit 84 is provided downstream in the conveyance direction from the front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82. The second temperature measurement unit 84 measures the surface temperature of the recording medium P after heating by the front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 in a non-contact manner, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 10.

[0071] [Image forming process] Next, the image forming process on the recording medium P by the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the outline of the image forming process.

[0072] First, the control unit 10 acquires input image data (step S101). As described above, the input image data can be acquired from a document by the image reading unit 20, for example. Alternatively, the input image data can be acquired from an external device by the communication unit 15, for example.

[0073] Also, the control unit 10 acquires information on the recording medium P (step S102). In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 acquires information on the recording medium P from the operation display unit 30.

[0074] The control unit 10 causes the display unit 31 to display a setting change screen, such as that shown in FIG. 6A, which enables the setting and input of the type and thickness of the recording medium P. If there is no discrepancy in the information on the displayed recording medium P, the user approves it by operating the operation unit 32. On the other hand, for example, if there is a discrepancy in the type of the displayed recording medium P, the user causes the display unit 31 to display a recording medium type setting screen, such as that shown in FIG. 6B, by operating the operation unit 32, and designates the type of the recording medium P including the type of the surface base material P1. When it is designated that the recording medium has a multilayer structure (is a tack paper) on the recording medium type setting screen, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 31 to display a release paper type setting screen, such as that shown in FIG. 6C. Then, the user designates the type of the release paper P4 of the recording medium P by operating the operation unit 32. In this way, the control unit 10 acquires the information on the surface base material P1 of the recording medium P and the release paper P4.

[0075] After acquiring the information on the recording medium P, the control unit 10 starts the conveyance of the recording medium P by the recording medium conveyance unit 60 (step S103). Here, the control unit 10 acquires the surface temperature of the recording medium P from the first temperature measurement unit 83. Then, the control unit 10 heats the recording medium P by the surface heating unit 81 and / or the back surface heating unit 82 according to the information on the recording medium P acquired in step S102 and the surface temperature. When heating is performed by the surface heating unit 81 and / or the back surface heating unit 82, the control unit 10 acquires the surface temperature of the recording medium P after heating from the second temperature measurement unit 84.

[0076] Then, the control unit 10 adjusts the physical properties of the process member based on the acquired information on the recording medium P including the surface temperature of the recording medium P (step S104). Specifically, in the present embodiment, the control unit 10 adjusts the temperature of the upper pressure roller 73 (upper heat source 70C) based on the type of the surface base material P1. Further, the control unit 10 adjusts the temperature of the lower pressure roller 74 (lower heat source 70D) based on the type of the release paper P4.

[0077] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show an example of a temperature setting table for the upper pressure roller 73 and the lower pressure roller 74 based on the types of the surface base material (upper paper) P1 and the release paper P4. Note that FIG. 7A is a temperature setting table when the temperature of the recording medium P is 20° C. or higher, and FIG. 7B is a temperature setting table when the temperature of the recording medium P is less than 20° C.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the surface base material P1 and / or P4 is PET, for example, the control unit 10 controls the upper heat source 70C and / or the lower heat source 70D so that the temperature of the upper pressure roller 73 and / or the lower pressure roller 74 is higher than when it is paper. Since PET has a higher thermal conductivity than paper, even if PET is heated by the upper pressure roller 73 or the lower pressure roller 74, heat is easily transferred from the surface base material P1 to the release paper P4, and the fixing temperature, which is the surface temperature of the surface base material P1, decreases and the image fixing property deteriorates.

[0079] Also, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the temperature of the recording medium P is less than 20° C., the control unit 10 controls the upper heat source 70C so that the temperature of the upper pressure roller 73 is higher than when it is 20° C. or higher. When the temperature of the recording medium P is low, even if the recording medium P is heated by the upper pressure roller 73, the fixing temperature cannot rise sufficiently, and the image fixing property deteriorates.

[0080] Further, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the control unit 10 corrects the temperatures of both process members based not only on the paper types of the surface base material P1 and the release paper P4, but also on the basis weight and thickness of the surface base material P1 and the release paper P4. Also, when the basis weight and thickness of the surface base material P1 or the release paper P4 are known, the heat capacity can be calculated from the specific heat and density based on the type of the surface base material P1 or the release paper P4. Therefore, the control unit 10 controls the upper heat source 70C and / or the lower heat source 70D so that the temperature of the upper pressure roller 73 and / or the lower pressure roller 74 becomes higher according to the calculated heat capacity of the surface base material P1 and / or the release paper P4. At this time, it is more preferable that the control unit 10 controls the temperature of the process member according to not only the heat capacity of the surface base material P1 or the release paper P4 but also the height of the thermal conductivity, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0081] However, when the surface temperature of the recording medium P is less than 20°C, and the surface base material P1 is PET and the release paper P4 is paper, even if the temperatures of the upper pressure roller 73 and the lower pressure roller 74 are controlled, a sufficient fixing temperature cannot be achieved. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, in step S103, the control unit 10 heats the recording medium P to 20°C or higher by the surface heating unit 81 to assist the insufficient temperatures of the upper pressure roller 73 and the lower pressure roller 74. Similarly, when the paper temperature is less than 20°C and the surface base material P1 and the release paper P4 are PET, the control unit 10 heats the recording medium P to a predetermined temperature by the surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 in step S103.

[0082] After adjusting the process members, the control unit 10 forms an image on the recording medium P by the image forming unit 50 (step S105). After forming the image, the control unit 10 conveys the recording medium P to the fixing unit 70 to fix the image (step S106), and discharges it to the paper discharge unit 62. Since the method of forming an image on the recording medium P and the image fixing method by the image forming unit 50 are the same as the conventionally known methods, detailed description is omitted as described above.

[0083] [Effects of the First Embodiment] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 50 that forms an image on a recording medium P having a multilayer structure, and a control unit 10 that functions as an acquisition unit for acquiring information on the recording medium P. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an upper fixing unit 70A that functions as a first process member that physically acts on the recording medium P from the side of the surface base material P1 on which the image of the recording medium P is formed. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a lower fixing unit 70B that functions as a second process member that physically acts on the recording medium P from the side of the release paper P4 opposite to the surface base material P1. Then, the control unit 10 adjusts at least the temperature of the upper fixing unit 70A based on the characteristics of the acquired surface base material P1. Further, the control unit 10 adjusts at least the temperature of the lower fixing unit 70B based on the characteristics of the release paper P4. According to this configuration, the fixing process can be performed at an appropriate temperature according to the characteristics of the surface base material P1 and the release paper P4 of the recording medium P having a multilayer structure, and more appropriate processing can be performed for providing the recording medium P having a multilayer structure on which an image is formed.

[0084] Further, the control unit 10 separately controls the physical quantities of the first process member and the second process member. Specifically, the control unit 10 separately controls the temperatures of the upper pressure roller 73 and the lower pressure roller 74. According to this configuration, when forming an image on the recording medium P having a multilayer structure, the fixing temperature can be more appropriately controlled.

[0085] Further, the control unit 10 controls the temperature of the first process member and / or the second process member to increase according to the high thermal conductivity and heat capacity of the surface base material P1 and / or the release paper P4. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the fixing temperature from decreasing and not obtaining sufficient image fixability.

[0086] Further, a preheating unit 80 that heats the recording medium P upstream in the conveyance direction from the upper pressure roller 73 and the lower pressure roller 74 is provided. Then, the control unit 10 controls the temperature of the preheating unit 80 so as to assist the temperature shortage of the upper pressure roller 73 and the lower pressure roller 74. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the fixing temperature from decreasing and not obtaining sufficient image fixability.

[0087] [Second Embodiment] Next, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a detection unit 90. Also, in step S102 of the image forming process, the control unit 10 obtains information on the recording medium P from the detection result of the detection unit 90, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0088] (Detection Unit) The detection unit 90 is provided, for example, upstream of the preheating unit 80 and the image forming unit 50, and detects the physical properties of the conveyed recording medium P. The detection unit 90 detects, for example, the density, air permeability, stiffness, electrical resistance, thickness, smoothness, and smoothness of the recording medium P. Then, the detection unit 90 transmits the detected physical property values of the recording medium P to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 derives the basis weight, paper type, etc. of the recording medium P based on the acquired physical property values, and adjusts the temperatures of the upper fixing unit 70A and the lower fixing unit 70B.

[0089] [Effects of the Second Embodiment] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 90 that can detect information on at least the surface base material P1 and the release paper P4 of the recording medium P. According to this configuration, information on the recording medium P can be obtained without the user making an operation input on the operation display unit 30, and the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained without much effort.

[0090] Note that the detection by the detection unit 90 may be performed before or during the image forming process.

[0091] [Modification Example] Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Of course, various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

[0092] For example, in the above description, a configuration in which the control unit 10 controls the temperature of the process member according to the temperature of the recording medium P was exemplified, but it is not limited to this. The control unit 10 may control the temperature of the process member based not only on the temperature of the recording medium P but also on the ambient temperature. By adopting such a configuration, the fixing temperature can be controlled more appropriately. Further, the control unit 10 may control the temperature of the process member based only on the ambient temperature.

[0093] Also, in the above description, a case where the recording medium P is a roll-shaped continuous paper was exemplified, but it is not limited to this, and it may be a single sheet of paper. When the recording medium P is a single sheet of paper, heat of the upper pressure roller 73 is transferred to the lower pressure roller 74 between the papers. Therefore, the temperature of the upper pressure roller 73 may be set relatively low compared to the case where the recording medium P is a roll-shaped continuous paper.

[0094] Also, in the above description, the preheating unit 80 was exemplified as a configuration in which the recording medium P is less than 20°C and is heated to 20°C or higher when it is a predetermined paper type, but it is not limited to this. That is, the front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 may be used as the first and second process members, respectively, and the temperature of the recording medium P may be controlled based on the information of the recording medium P and the ambient temperature.

[0095] Also, in the above description, a charge adjustment device provided upstream of the image forming unit 50 in the conveyance direction may be used as a process member, and the charge removal and charge may be adjusted as physical characteristics based on the information of the recording medium P. Further, a cooling device provided downstream of the image forming unit 50 in the conveyance direction may be used as a process member, and the cooling temperature may be adjusted as a physical characteristic based on the information of the recording medium P. Further, a decurler provided downstream of the image forming unit 50 in the conveyance direction may be used as a process member, and the decurler conditions may be adjusted as physical characteristics based on the information of the recording medium P.

[0096] In addition, in these configurations described above, the order of the step S104 of adjusting the physical characteristics of the process member and the step S105 of forming an image on the recording medium P may be interchanged.

[0097] In addition, in the above, the case where the front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 are contact-type heating members that heat by directly contacting the recording medium P has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. The front surface heating unit 81 and the back surface heating unit 82 may be non-contact-type heating members such as a hot air device.

[0098] In addition, although an example in which a hard disk, a semiconductor non-volatile memory, or the like is used as the computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention has been disclosed, the present invention is not limited to this. As other computer-readable media, portable recording media such as CD-ROMs can be applied. In addition, a carrier wave is also applied as a medium for providing the program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

Explanation of Signs

[0099] 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control unit (acquisition unit) 32 Operation unit 50 Image forming unit 70A Upper fixing unit (first process member) 70B Lower fixing unit (second process member) 73 Upper pressure roller (fixing member) 74 Lower pressure roller (pressing member) 80 Preheating unit 81 Front surface heating unit (first process member) 82 Back surface heating unit (second process member) 90 Detection unit P Recording medium P1 Surface base material (uppermost layer on the first surface side) P4 Release paper (uppermost layer on the second surface side)

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a multilayer recording medium, An acquisition unit that acquires information on the recording medium, A first process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the first surface side where the image of the recording medium is formed, A second process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the second surface side opposite to the first surface, A control unit, and The control unit adjusts at least the physical properties with which the first process member acts on the recording medium based on the properties of the uppermost layer on the first surface side acquired by the acquisition unit, and adjusts at least the physical properties with which the second process member acts on the recording medium based on the properties of the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium. An image forming apparatus.

2. The first process member is a member facing the uppermost layer on the first surface side, The second process member is a member facing the uppermost layer on the second surface side, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit separately controls the physical quantities of the first process member and the second process member.

3. The first process member includes a fixing member that fixes an image to the recording medium, The second process member includes a pressing member that presses the fixing member and the recording medium into contact with each other, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit separately controls the temperatures of the fixing member and the pressing member.

4. The property is thermal conductivity, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the fixing member and / or the pressing member to increase according to the height of the thermal conductivity of the uppermost layer on the first surface side and / or the uppermost layer on the second surface side.

5. The property is heat capacity, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the fixing member and / or the pressing member to increase according to the height of the heat capacity of the uppermost layer on the first surface side and / or the uppermost layer on the second surface side.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the conditions of the fixing member and the pressing member according to the environmental temperature and / or the temperature of the recording medium.

7. A fixing member that fixes an image to the recording medium, and a pressing member that presses the fixing member and the recording medium into contact with each other, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first process member and the second process member are preheating units that heat the recording medium upstream of the fixing member and the pressing member in the conveyance direction.

8. A preliminary heating unit for heating the recording medium is provided upstream of the fixing member and the pressure member in the conveyance direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the preliminary heating unit so as to assist insufficient temperatures of the fixing member and the pressure member.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the preliminary heating unit according to the environmental temperature and / or the temperature of the recording medium.

10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recording medium is continuous paper.

11. An operation unit capable of operating and inputting information on characteristics of at least the uppermost layer on the first surface side and the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium is provided. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information input to the operation unit.

12. A detection unit capable of detecting information on characteristics of at least the uppermost layer on the first surface side and the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium is provided. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information detected by the detection unit.

13. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium having a multilayer structure, An acquisition unit that acquires information on the recording medium, A first process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the first surface side where the image of the recording medium is formed, A second process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the second surface side opposite to the first surface, and an image forming method of an image forming apparatus comprising: Based on the characteristics of the uppermost layer on the first surface side acquired by the acquisition unit, at least adjusting the physical characteristics of the first process member acting on the recording medium, and based on the characteristics of the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium, an image forming method comprising a control step of adjusting at least the physical characteristics of the second process member acting on the recording medium.

14. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium having a multilayer structure, An acquisition unit that acquires information on the recording medium, A first process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the first surface side where the image of the recording medium is formed, A second process member that physically acts on the recording medium from the second surface side opposite to the first surface, and a computer of an image forming apparatus comprising: A program that functions as a control unit that adjusts at least the physical properties to be applied to the recording medium by the first process member based on the properties of the uppermost layer on the first surface side acquired by the acquisition unit, and adjusts at least the physical properties to be applied to the recording medium by the second process member based on the properties of the uppermost layer on the second surface side of the recording medium.

Images