Conveying device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To suppress the generation of wrinkles on a to-be-transported object.SOLUTION: A transportation device includes a first transporter, a second transporter movable between a contact position and a separate position toward and away from the first transporter to hold a to-be-transported object between the second transporter and the first transporter in the contact position, and a transportation unit that transports the to be-transported object to a nip area where the first transporter and the second transporter hold the to-be transported object therebetween while the second transporter is located in the separate position. The second transporter moves from the separate position to the contact position to hold the to-be-transported object transported to the nip area by the transportation unit between the second transporter and the first transporter to transport the to be-transported object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fixing device that fixes an image drawn on a recording medium using particles containing at least a resin onto the recording medium. The fixing device includes a first fixing roll and a second fixing roll arranged in a pair with the first fixing roll, at least one of which is a heating roll, and a fixing roll pair in which the surface layer of at least one fixing roll is replaceable, a sticking means including a sticking member for sticking the recording medium, a charging means for charging at least one of the recording medium and the sticking means, and a fixing means for physically fixing the leading end portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to a predetermined position of the sticking member by a gripping portion. By the charging means, the sticking member and the recording medium on which the image is drawn are electrostatically adsorbed, and after the leading end portion of the recording medium on which the image is drawn is fixed to a predetermined position of the sticking member by the fixing means, the recording medium is sandwiched and conveyed together with the sticking means by the fixing roll pair, thereby fixing the image onto the recording medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration in which a conveyed material conveyed between a first conveyance body (for example, a conveyance roll or a heating roll) and a second conveyance body (for example, a conveyance roll or a pressure roll) that are in contact with each other is sandwiched and conveyed by the first conveyance body and the second conveyance body, wrinkles may occur in the conveyed material.

[0005] The present invention aims to suppress the generation of wrinkles in a material to be conveyed, as compared with a configuration in which the material to be conveyed, which is conveyed between a first conveyor and a second conveyor in a state of being in contact with each other, is sandwiched and conveyed by the first conveyor and the second conveyor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor that is movable between a contact position and a separation position with respect to the first conveyor, and sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor at the contact position, and a conveying unit that conveys the material to be conveyed to a sandwiching region where the first conveyor and the second conveyor sandwich the material to be conveyed in a state where the second conveyor is located at the separation position. The second conveyor moves the material to be conveyed, which has been conveyed to the sandwiching region by the conveying unit, from the separation position to the contact position, sandwiches it with the first conveyor, and conveys the material to be conveyed.

[0007] In a second aspect, the second conveyor is disposed above the first conveyor.

[0008] In a third aspect, the second conveyor , front has a first moving speed of moving from the separation position to the contact position that is faster than a second moving speed of moving from the contact position to the separation position.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, at least one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor is formed of an elastic body that elastically deforms under a load when the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor.

[0010] In a fifth aspect , front before the leading end of the material to be conveyed enters the sandwiching region and until it finishes passing through the sandwiching region, The second conveyance member includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a first conveyance member that is one of a heating member and a pressure member; and a second conveyance member that is the other of the heating member and the pressure member and is movable between a contact position with the first conveyance member and a separation position, and sandwiches the recording medium with the first conveyance member at the contact position. The fixing device further includes a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium to a sandwiching region where the first conveyance member and the second conveyance member sandwich the recording medium in a state where the second conveyance member is at the separation position. The second conveyance member moves the recording medium conveyed to the sandwiching region by the conveyance unit from the separation position to the contact position and sandwiches the recording medium with the first conveyance member, and fixes the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit to the recording medium. The second conveyance member sandwiches the recording medium with the first conveyance member after the rear end of the recording medium has passed through the image forming unit. the material to be conveyed is sandwiched by the first conveyor.

[0011] In the sixth aspect, in a state where both the first carrier and the second carrier are rotating, the second carrier moves from the separated position to the contact position to sandwich the material to be conveyed between the second carrier and the first carrier.

[0012] In the seventh aspect, the first carrier and the second carrier in a rotating state have the same peripheral speed.

[0013] The eighth aspect is a fixing device as a conveying device in which the first carrier is one of a heating member and a pressing member, and the second carrier is the other of the heating member and the pressing member.

[0014] In the ninth aspect, when the material to be conveyed is plain paper, the second carrier sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first carrier at a first load, and when the material to be conveyed is coated paper, the second carrier sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first carrier at a second load greater than the first load.

[0015] In the tenth aspect, when the basis weight of the material to be conveyed is less than a predetermined reference value, the second carrier sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first carrier at a first load, and when the basis weight of the material to be conveyed is equal to or greater than the reference value, the second carrier sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first carrier at a second load greater than the first load.

[0016] The eleventh aspect is slower

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the configuration of the first aspect, compared with a configuration in which a material to be conveyed conveyed between a first carrier and a second carrier in contact with each other is sandwiched and conveyed by the first carrier and the second carrier, the generation of wrinkles in the material to be conveyed is suppressed.

[0018] According to the configuration of the second aspect, compared with a configuration in which the carrier disposed on the lower side moves between a contact position and a separated position, the generation of wrinkles in the material to be conveyed is suppressed.

[0019] According to the configuration of the third aspect, compared with the configuration where the first moving speed is the second moving speed, the generation of wrinkles on the material to be conveyed is suppressed. in a state where at least one of them is stopped Compared with the configuration, the generation of wrinkles on the material to be conveyed is suppressed.

[0020] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, compared with the configuration where both the first conveyor and the second conveyor are rigid bodies that do not elastically deform, the impact when the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor is absorbed.

[0021] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the conveyance of the material to be conveyed can be started from the state where the second conveyor sandwiches the tip of the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor.

[0022] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, compared with the configuration where the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor, the generation of wrinkles on the material to be conveyed is suppressed. [FIG. 1] Compared with the configuration where the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor, the generation of wrinkles on the material to be conveyed is suppressed.

[0023] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, compared with the configuration where the peripheral speeds of the first conveyor and the second conveyor in the rotating state are different, the generation of wrinkles on the material to be conveyed is suppressed.

[0024] According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, compared with the configuration where the material to be conveyed conveyed between the first conveyor and the second conveyor in contact with each other is sandwiched and conveyed by the first conveyor and the second conveyor, the generation of wrinkles on the material to be conveyed is suppressed.

[0025] According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, when the material to be conveyed is coated paper, compared with the configuration where the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor at the first load, the gloss of the material to be conveyed is improved.

[0026] According to the configuration of the tenth aspect, when the basis weight of the material to be conveyed is equal to or greater than the reference value, compared with the configuration where the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor at the first load, the fixing failure of the material to be conveyed is suppressed.

[0027] According to the configuration of the eleventh aspect, compared with the configuration in which the recording medium conveyed between the first carrier and the second carrier in contact with each other is sandwiched and conveyed by the first carrier and the second carrier, the generation of wrinkles on the recording medium is suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [FIG. 2] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 3] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 4] In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, it is a schematic diagram showing a state where the heating roll is located at a position separated from the pressure roll. [FIG. 5] In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, it is a schematic diagram showing a state where the conveyance belt has conveyed the recording medium to before the sandwiching region. [FIG. 6] In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, it is a schematic diagram showing a state where the conveyance belt has conveyed the recording medium to the sandwiching region. [FIG. 7] In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, it is a schematic diagram showing a state where the recording medium conveyed to the sandwiching region is sandwiched between the heating roll and the pressure roll. [FIG. 8] In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, it is a schematic diagram showing a state where the recording medium sandwiched between the heating roll and the pressure roll is being conveyed. [FIG. 9] It is a schematic diagram showing a configuration (comparative example) in which the recording medium is conveyed between the heating roll and the pressure roll in a state where the heating roll and the pressure roll are in contact with each other. [FIG. 10] In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, it is a schematic diagram showing a state where wrinkles have occurred on the conveyed recording medium. [FIG. 11] It is a schematic diagram showing a modified example in which a heating belt is used instead of the heating roll. In the present embodiment, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 after the rear end of the recording medium P has passed through the image forming unit 14 (specifically, the sandwiching region 36T). It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] <First Embodiment> (Image forming apparatus 10) First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that the arrow H shown in each figure is in the vertical direction and indicates the up and down direction of the apparatus, the arrow W is in the horizontal direction and indicates the width direction of the apparatus, and the arrow D indicates the front and rear direction (depth direction of the apparatus). The dimensional ratios in the H direction, W direction, and D direction between the respective parts shown in each figure may be different from the actual dimensional ratios.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 is an inkjet type image forming apparatus that forms an ink image on the recording medium P. The recording medium P is an example of a material to be conveyed, and the ink image is an example of an image.

[0032] More specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 14 and a fixing device 60. Hereinafter, each part (image forming unit 14 and fixing device 60) of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0033] (Image forming unit 14) The image forming unit 14 has a function of forming an ink image on the recording medium P. Specifically, the image forming unit 14 includes a transfer belt 31 as an intermediate transfer member, a plurality of rolls 32, a counter roll 34, an adhesive layer forming device 24, a particle supply device 18, a discharge head 20, a transfer roll 36, and a cleaner 28.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer belt 31 is endless and is wound around a plurality of rolls 32 and a counter roll 34 so as to have an inverted triangular shape in a front view (that is, when viewed in the depth direction of the apparatus). The transfer belt 31 circulates in the direction of arrow A when at least one of the plurality of rolls 32 is rotationally driven.

[0035] The adhesive layer forming device 24, the particle supply device 18, the ejection head 20, the transfer roll 36, and the cleaner 28 are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction of the transfer belt 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "belt circumferential direction") on the outer peripheral portion of the transfer belt 31.

[0036] Specifically, the adhesive layer forming device 24 is arranged at one end (the left side in the figure) in the device width direction of the horizontal portion of the transfer belt 31 in an inverted triangular posture. The adhesive layer forming device 24 houses an adhesive inside, and forms an adhesive layer (not shown) by applying the adhesive to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating transfer belt 31. For the adhesive, for example, paste, organic solvent, etc. are used.

[0037] The particle supply device 18 is arranged on the downstream side (the right side in the figure) in the belt circumferential direction with respect to the adhesive layer forming device 24 in the horizontal portion of the transfer belt 31. The particle supply device 18 houses ink-receptive particles 16 capable of receiving ink droplets inside, and supplies the ink-receptive particles 16 to the transfer belt 31 on which the adhesive layer is formed. As a result, the ink-receptive particles 16 supplied to the transfer belt 31 by the particle supply device 18 adhere to the adhesive layer by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer, and an ink-receptive particle layer 16A is formed on the transfer belt 31.

[0038] The ejection head 20 is arranged on the downstream side (the right side in the figure) in the belt circumferential direction with respect to the particle supply device 18 in the horizontal portion of the transfer belt 31. A plurality of these ejection heads 20 are provided so as to form an ink image for each color. In the present embodiment, a total of four-color ejection heads 20 for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. (Y), (M), (C), and (K) shown in FIG. 1 indicate the components corresponding to the respective colors.

[0039] In each of the color ejection heads 20, ink droplets are ejected from nozzles (not shown) onto the ink-receptive particle layer 16A by a known method such as a thermal method or a piezoelectric method to form an ink image based on image data. The ink droplets ejected from each of the color ejection heads 20 are received by the ink-receptive particle layer 16A to form an ink image.

[0040] The transfer roll 36 is disposed opposite to the transfer belt 31 on the lower side with respect to the transfer belt 31. Specifically, the transfer roll 36 forms a sandwiching region 36T that sandwiches the transfer belt 31 with the opposing roll 34.

[0041] In the present embodiment, due to the rotation of the transfer belt 31, the ink image formed on the ink-receptive particle layer 16A is conveyed to the sandwiching region 36T, and the recording medium P is conveyed to the sandwiching region 36T by a conveying mechanism (not shown). In each figure, the conveying path along which the recording medium P is conveyed is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the conveying direction of the recording medium P is indicated by an arrow X.

[0042] Then, the transfer roll 36 transfers the ink image to the recording medium P by sandwiching and pressing the recording medium P and the ink image conveyed to the sandwiching region 36T between the transfer roll 36 and the transfer belt 31.

[0043] Note that when sandwiching and pressing the recording medium P and the ink image between the transfer roll 36 and the transfer belt 31 in the sandwiching region 36T, the transfer roll 36 may heat the recording medium P and the ink image.

[0044] The cleaner 28 is disposed on the downstream side in the belt circumferential direction with respect to the sandwiching region 36T and on the upstream side in the belt circumferential direction with respect to the adhesive layer forming device 24. The cleaner 28 includes a blade 28a that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 31. The cleaner 28 removes the adhesive layer, ink-receptive particles 16, ink, and other foreign matters (e.g., paper dust when the recording medium P is paper) remaining on the portion of the transfer belt 31 that has passed through the sandwiching region 36T with the rotation of the transfer belt 31 using the blade 28a.

[0045] (Fixing device 60) The fixing device 60 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that fixes the ink image transferred to the recording medium P onto the recording medium P, and is an example of a conveying device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 60 includes a conveying belt 65, a pressure roll 61, and a heating roll 62. The conveying belt 65 is an example of a conveying unit. The pressure roll 61 is an example of a first conveying body and an example of a pressure member. The heating roll 62 is an example of a second conveying body and an example of a heating member.

[0046] The pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 are arranged side by side vertically. Specifically, the heating roll 62 is arranged above the pressure roll 61. This heating roll 62 has a heating source 62A such as a halogen lamp inside the roll.

[0047] In this embodiment, for example, one of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 is rotationally driven, and the other of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 rotates passively. Note that a configuration in which both the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 are rotationally driven may also be adopted.

[0048] The heating roll 62 is movable between a contact position (the position shown in FIG. 2) and a separation position (the position shown in FIG. 3) with respect to the pressure roll 61. Specifically, the heating roll 62 moves between the contact position (the position shown in FIG. 2) and the separation position (the position shown in FIG. 3) by a moving mechanism using a cam or the like (hereinafter referred to as moving mechanism A). That is, the heating roll 62 is pushed or pulled to the contact position by the elastic force of an elastic member (for example, a spring or the like) of the moving mechanism A, and moves to the separation position by the cam of the moving mechanism A against the elastic force.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, this heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the contact position. In each figure, the sandwiching region where the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 sandwich the recording medium P is denoted by the reference numeral NP. This sandwiching region NP is a region having a width in the conveyance direction X. Further, as will be described later, since the recording medium P conveyed to the sandwiching region NP is sandwiched between the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 in the sandwiching region NP, the sandwiching region NP can be said to be a place where sandwiching by the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 is planned.

[0050] The conveyance belt 65 is a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium P in non-contact with the transfer surface of the recording medium P and in contact with the non-transfer surface. Specifically, the conveyance belt 65 is composed of an annular belt wound around a pair of rolls 65A. The conveyance belt 65 conveys the recording medium P by attracting it to the belt, for example, by a negative pressure or an attractive force due to electrostatic force. The transfer surface of the recording medium P is the surface on which an image is transferred, and the non-transfer surface is the surface on the opposite side of the transfer surface. Further, guide portions (i.e., guides) (not shown) for guiding the recording medium P are provided between the sandwiching region 36T and the conveyance belt 65 and between the conveyance belt 65 and the sandwiching region NP.

[0051] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveyance belt 65 conveys the recording medium P to the sandwiching region NP in a state where the heating roll 62 is in a separated position. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveyance belt 65 conveys the leading end of the recording medium P along the pressure roll 61 to the sandwiching region NP. That is, the conveyance belt 65 conveys the recording medium P to the sandwiching region NP via the outer periphery of the pressure roll 61. The conveyance belt 65 stops, for example, when conveying the recording medium P to the sandwiching region NP. Specifically, the conveyance belt 65 stops the recording medium P after the leading end of the recording medium P enters the sandwiching region NP and until it passes through the sandwiching region NP. In other words, the conveyance belt 65 stops the recording medium P in a state where the leading end of the recording medium P is located in the sandwiching region NP. When the leading end of the recording medium P enters the sandwiching region NP, for example, the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 are in a stopped state where they are not rotating.

[0052] Note that the fact that the recording medium P has been conveyed to the sandwiching area NP is detected, for example, by the time from when a detection unit (specifically, a sensor) on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sandwiching area NP detects the leading edge of the recording medium P.

[0053] The heating roll 62 moves the recording medium P conveyed to the sandwiching area NP by the conveyance belt 65 from the separated position to the contact position, and sandwiches it with the pressure roll 61 as shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 from when the leading edge of the recording medium P enters the sandwiching area NP until it finishes passing through the sandwiching area NP. In other words, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 in a state where the leading edge of the recording medium P is located in the sandwiching area NP. slower Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 start rotating and convey the recording medium P while sandwiching the recording medium P.

[0054] In the fixing device 60, while conveying the recording medium P in a state where the recording medium P is sandwiched between the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61, the recording medium P is heated and pressurized to fix the ink image transferred to the recording medium P onto the recording medium P.

[0055] After conveying the recording medium P, the heating roll 62 moves from the contact position (the position shown in FIG. 2) to the separated position (the position shown in FIG. 3). Specifically, the heating roll 62 moves from the contact position to the separated position after finishing the conveyance of the recording medium P (in other words, after finishing the fixing of the image on the recording medium P) and before the leading edge of the recording medium P to be conveyed to the sandwiching area NP next enters the sandwiching area NP.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, when the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61, it moves from the separated position to the contact position, and when the conveyance of the recording medium P ends, it moves from the contact position to the separated position. Then, the first moving speed at which the heating roll 62 moves from the separated position to the contact position is faster than the second moving speed at which the heating roll 62 moves from the contact position to the separated position. That is, the heating roll 62 is moved from the separated position to the contact position by the moving mechanism A at a first moving speed faster than the second moving speed. In other words, the moving time of the heating roll 62 from the separated position to the contact position is shorter than the moving time from the contact position to the separated position.

[0057] Here, the moving mechanism A includes a support (not shown) that supports the heating roll 62 or a cam follower (not shown) provided on the heating roll 62, and a cam (not shown) having a minor diameter portion and a major diameter portion whose length along the radial direction from the rotation center is longer than that of the minor diameter portion. In the moving mechanism A, for example, by rotating the cam in a predetermined rotational direction, the cam follower contacts the cam follower in a range from the minor diameter portion to the major diameter portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cam (hereinafter referred to as range X), thereby moving the heating roll 62 from the contact position to the separated position. Further, in the moving mechanism A, for example, by rotating the cam in the above rotational direction, the cam follower contacts the cam follower in a range from the major diameter portion to the minor diameter portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cam (hereinafter referred to as range Y), thereby moving the heating roll 62 from the separated position to the contact position. In this configuration, for example, range X is formed longer than range Y on the outer peripheral surface of the cam, and the change in the radial length from the minor diameter portion to the major diameter portion in range X is made gentler than the change in the radial length from the major diameter portion to the minor diameter portion in range Y. Thereby, the heating roll 62 moves from the separated position to the contact position at a first moving speed faster than the second moving speed.

[0058] Note that on the outer peripheral surface of the cam, the range X and the range Y may be set to the same length, and the change in the radial length from the minor diameter portion to the major diameter portion in the range X and the change in the radial length from the major diameter portion to the minor diameter portion in the range Y may be the same. In this configuration, for example, by setting the rotational speed of the cam when the range Y contacts the cam follower to be higher than the rotational speed of the cam when the range X contacts the cam follower, the heating roll 62 moves from the separated position to the contact position at a first moving speed faster than the second moving speed.

[0059] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the recording medium P is plain paper (i.e., not coated paper), the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the first load, and when the recording medium P is coated paper, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at a second load greater than the first load. Note that in the present embodiment, when the recording medium P is coated paper, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the second load regardless of the basis weight of the recording medium P. Plain paper is paper on which a coating layer is not formed.

[0060] In the present embodiment, for example, it is determined whether the recording medium P is coated paper by input from the user of the fixing device 60 or by detecting the presence or absence of the coating layer of the recording medium P by a detection unit such as an optical sensor. Then, in the present embodiment, based on this determination, the first load or the second load is selected as the load of the heating roll 62.

[0061] Also, in the present embodiment, when the recording medium P is plain paper, if the basis weight of the recording medium P is less than a predetermined reference value, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the first load, and if the basis weight of the recording medium P is greater than or equal to the reference value, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the second load.

[0062] In this embodiment, for example, by detecting the basis weight of the recording medium P through the input by the user of the fixing device 60 or by a detection unit such as an ultrasonic sensor, it is determined whether the basis weight of the recording medium P is equal to or greater than a reference value. Then, in this embodiment, based on this determination, the first load or the second load is selected as the load of the heating roll 62.

[0063] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism A adjusts the load of the heating roll 62 by changing the contact position of the cam follower at the minor diameter portion of the cam according to the rotation angle of the cam. Specifically, in the moving mechanism A, when the shortest diameter position with the shortest radial length in the minor diameter portion of the cam contacts the cam follower, the second load is generated as the load of the heating roll 62. Further, in the moving mechanism A, when a position with a longer radial length than the shortest diameter position in the minor diameter portion of the cam contacts the cam follower, the first load is generated as the load of the heating roll 62.

[0064] Note that in this embodiment, depending on the size of the recording medium P, the load of the heating roll 62 is not changed. Therefore, when the recording medium P is coated paper, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the second load regardless of the size of the recording medium P. Also, when the recording medium P is plain paper and the basis weight of the recording medium P is equal to or greater than the reference value, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the second load regardless of the size of the recording medium P. Further, when the recording medium P is plain paper and the basis weight of the recording medium P is less than a predetermined reference value, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the first load regardless of the size of the recording medium P.

[0065] At least one of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 is formed of an elastic body that elastically deforms under the load when the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61. In this embodiment, both the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 are formed of, for example, a rubber roll (an example of an elastic body) having a rubber layer on the outer periphery of the roll.

[0066] (Operation of this Embodiment) In the image forming apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the adhesive layer forming device 24 forms an adhesive layer (not shown) by applying an adhesive to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating transfer belt 31. Next, the particle supply device 18 supplies the ink-receptive particles 16 to the transfer belt 31, and an ink-receptive particle layer 16A is formed on the adhesive layer of the transfer belt 31.

[0067] Next, the ejection head 20 ejects ink droplets onto the ink-receptive particle layer 16A to form an ink image. The ink image formed on the ink-receptive particle layer 16A is conveyed to the sandwiching region 36T by the rotation of the transfer belt 31, and the recording medium P is conveyed to the sandwiching region 36T by a conveyance mechanism (not shown).

[0068] The transfer roll 36 sandwiches and presses the recording medium P and the ink image conveyed to the sandwiching region 36T between the transfer belt 31 to transfer the ink image to the recording medium P.

[0069] The recording medium P onto which the ink has been transferred is conveyed to the sandwiching region NP by the conveyance belt 65 in a state where the heating roll 62 is located at the separated position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording medium P is conveyed to the sandwiching region NP along the pressure roll 61 after the leading end first contacts the pressure roll 61.

[0070] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the heating roll 62 moves from the separated position to the contact position and sandwiches the recording medium P conveyed to the sandwiching region NP by the conveyance belt 65 between the pressure roll 61. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 start rotating while sandwiching the recording medium P and convey the recording medium P.

[0071] While the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 sandwich and convey the recording medium P, the ink image transferred to the recording medium P is fixed to the recording medium P by heating and pressing the recording medium P.

[0072] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, in a configuration (hereinafter referred to as the "first configuration") in which the recording medium P conveyed between the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 in a state of being in contact with each other is sandwiched and conveyed by the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62, the leading end portion of the recording medium P is constrained in the posture when it enters between the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62. For example, when the recording medium P enters between the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 in a wavy state or in a state inclined with respect to the conveyance direction X, it is sandwiched between the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 in that state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, wrinkles may occur in the recording medium P. In particular, when the recording medium P is thin paper, wrinkles are likely to occur.

[0073] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveyance belt 65 conveys the recording medium P to the sandwiching region NP in a state where the heating roll 62 is in the separated position. The heating roll 62 moves the recording medium P conveyed to the sandwiching region NP by the conveyance belt 65 from the separated position to the contact position and sandwiches it with the pressure roll 61 as shown in FIG. 6. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 convey the recording medium P in a state of sandwiching the recording medium P.

[0074] In this way, since the recording medium P is conveyed to the sandwiching region NP in a state where the heating roll 62 is in the separated position, the leading end portion of the recording medium P is not constrained in the posture when it enters between the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62. For this reason, for example, when the recording medium P is in a wavy state or in a state inclined with respect to the conveyance direction X, the state of the recording medium P can be eliminated. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the occurrence of wrinkles in the recording medium P is suppressed as compared with the first configuration.

[0075] Further, in the present embodiment, the heating roll 62 disposed above the pressure roll 61 moves between a contact position and a separation position. Here, in a configuration where the pressure roll 61 disposed on the lower side moves between a contact position and a separation position (hereinafter referred to as "second configuration"), when the pressure roll 61 moves from the separation position to the contact position and sandwiches the recording medium P, the recording medium P placed on the pressure roll 61 moves and is sandwiched while the posture of the recording medium P changes, so that wrinkles may occur in the recording medium P.

[0076] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the heating roll 62 disposed above the pressure roll 61 moves between a contact position and a separation position, compared with the second configuration, the recording medium P placed on the pressure roll 61 is less likely to move, and it is less likely to be sandwiched while the posture of the recording medium P changes. Therefore, compared with the second configuration, the occurrence of wrinkles in the recording medium P is suppressed.

[0077] Further, in the present embodiment, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 after the leading end of the recording medium P enters the sandwiching region NP and until it passes through the sandwiching region NP. Thereby, the conveyance of the recording medium P is started from the state where the leading end of the recording medium P is sandwiched between the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61. As a result, it becomes possible to fix an image to the recording medium P from the leading end of the recording medium P.

[0078] Further, in the present embodiment, the first moving speed at which the heating roll 62 moves from the separation position to the contact position is faster than the second moving speed at which the heating roll 62 moves from the contact position to the separation position. Therefore, for example, even when the heating roll 62 tilts with respect to the pressure roll 61 and there is a deviation in the contact timing with the recording medium P between one end portion and the other end portion in the axial direction of the heating roll 62, the first moving speed is the second moving speed in a state where at least one of them is stopped Compared with the configuration, the deviation becomes smaller. As a result, the time during which the load acts biased to one side of the recording medium P is reduced, and the occurrence of wrinkles in the recording medium P is suppressed.

[0079] Also, in the present embodiment, since the second moving speed is slower than the first moving speed, in the range X from the minor diameter portion to the major diameter portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cam, the change in the radial length from the minor diameter portion to the major diameter portion is gentler than the range Y from the major diameter portion to the minor diameter portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cam. Therefore, when moving the heating roll 62 from the contact position to the separated position, noise due to the contact between the cam and the cam follower is suppressed.

[0080] Also, in the present embodiment, both the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 are formed of, for example, rubber rolls (an example of an elastic body) having a rubber layer on the outer periphery of the roll. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which both the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 are rigid bodies that do not elastically deform, the impact when the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 is absorbed.

[0081] Also, in the present embodiment, when the recording medium P is plain paper, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the first load, and when the recording medium P is coated paper, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at a second load greater than the first load. Therefore, when the recording medium P is coated paper, the amount of heat applied to the recording medium P increases compared to a configuration in which the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the first load, and the gloss of the recording medium P is improved.

[0082] Also, in the present embodiment, when the recording medium P is plain paper, if the basis weight of the recording medium P is less than a predetermined reference value, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the conveyed material with the first conveyor at the first load, and if the basis weight of the recording medium P is equal to or greater than the reference value, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the second load. Therefore, when the basis weight of the recording medium P is equal to or greater than the reference value, the amount of heat applied to the recording medium P increases compared to a configuration in which the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P with the pressure roll 61 at the first load, and fixing failure of the recording medium P is suppressed.

[0083] (Modification example of the conveying device) In this embodiment, as an example of the conveying device, the fixing device 60 having a conveying function and a fixing function is taken as an example, but it is not limited thereto. As an example of the conveying device, for example, a device having a function other than the conveying function and the fixing function (for example, a transfer function), or a conveying device having only a conveying function may be used.

[0084] (Modification Examples of the First Conveyor and the Second Conveyor) In this embodiment, the pressure roll 61 is used as the first conveyor, but it is not limited thereto. As an example of the first conveyor, a pressure belt wound around a plurality of rolls may be used.

[0085] In this embodiment, the heating roll 62 is used as an example of the second conveyor, but it is not limited thereto. As an example of the second conveyor, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a heating belt 162 wound around the heating roll 62 and the roll 161 may be used.

[0086] Further, as an example of the first conveyor, a heating member such as a heating roll and a heating belt may be used, and as an example of the second conveyor, a pressure member such as a pressure roll and a pressure belt may be used.

[0087] When a device having a conveying function and a transfer function is used as an example of the conveying device, as an example of the first conveyor and the second conveyor, a transfer member such as a transfer roll or a transfer belt, and an opposing member such as an opposing roll or an opposing belt opposing the transfer member may be used.

[0088] When a conveying device having only a conveying function is used as an example of the conveying device, as an example of the first conveyor and the second conveyor, a conveying member such as a conveying roll or a conveying belt, and a conveying member such as a conveying roll or a conveying belt opposing the conveying member may be used.

[0089] Also, in this embodiment, both the pressure roll 61 as an example of the first conveyor and the heating roll 62 as an example of the second conveyor were formed of rubber rolls (an example of an elastic body) having a rubber layer on the outer periphery of the rolls, but the present invention is not limited to this. Only one of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 may be formed of an elastic body such as a rubber roll, and at least one of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 may be formed of an elastic body.

[0090] Further, in this embodiment, one of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 was rotationally driven and the other was driven to rotate passively, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, both the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 may be rotationally driven. In this configuration, for example, with the heating roll 62 positioned at the separated position, each of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 rotates, and in this rotational state, the conveyance belt 65 conveys the recording medium P to the sandwiching region NP. Thereby, the recording medium P is imparted with a conveyance force from the pressure roll 61.

[0091] Then, in a state where both the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 are rotating, the heating roll 62 moves from the separated position to the contact position and sandwiches the recording medium P between the pressure roll 61. Therefore, in this embodiment, while the pressure roll 61 conveys the recording medium P, the recording medium P is sandwiched between the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61. At this time, in addition to the pressure roll 61, the conveyance belt 65 may convey the recording medium P. The heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 are configured to be rotationally driven, for example, by a driving force being transmitted to their respective rotation shafts via a transmission member such as a gear. Note that at least one of the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 may be configured to rotate independently by contacting a driving roll different from the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 and being driven to rotate passively. In this case, the heating roll 62 may be configured such that heat is transmitted from the driving roll in contact with the heating roll 62 instead of or in addition to the heating source 62A.

[0092] Furthermore, the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 are rotated at the same circumferential speed. The circumferential speeds of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 do not need to be completely the same, and a difference in the circumferential speeds of the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 is allowed within a range in which no wrinkles are generated in the recording medium P.

[0093] Here, the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 ​ In a configuration in which the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P between the pressure roll 61 (hereinafter referred to as the first configuration), a conveying force is applied to one side of the recording medium P and a brake acts on the other side, making it easy for wrinkles to occur in the recording medium P.

[0094] In contrast, in the above-mentioned modified example, when both the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 are rotating, the heating roll 62 sandwiches the recording medium P between itself and the pressure roll 61, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the recording medium P compared to the first configuration.

[0095] In the above modification, the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 have the same circumferential speed while rotating. Therefore, the conveying forces acting on one side and the other side of the recording medium P are the same. As a result, the occurrence of wrinkles in the recording medium P is suppressed compared to a configuration in which the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 have different circumferential speeds while rotating (hereinafter, referred to as the second configuration). Note that the second configuration is a configuration in which the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 have different circumferential speeds while rotating to such an extent that wrinkles are generated in the recording medium P.

[0096] (Modification of the conveying section) In the present embodiment, the conveyor belt 65 is used as an example of the conveyor, but is not limited to this. As an example of the conveyor, for example, a conveyor member such as a conveyor drum that conveys the recording medium P in a non-contact with the transfer surface of the recording medium P and in contact with the non-transfer surface may be used.

[0097] Further, as an example of the conveyance unit, a conveyance unit having a contact member that contacts the transfer surface within a range that does not affect the image transferred to the recording medium P, such as a conveyance roll or a conveyance belt having a release layer, may be used.

[0098] Furthermore, as the image forming apparatus, a configuration may be adopted in which there is no conveyance member for conveying the recording medium P between the sandwiching region 36T and the fixing device 60. In this case, the transfer belt 31 and the transfer roll 36 function as an example of the conveyance unit.

[0099] As an example of the conveyance device, when a device having a conveyance function and a transfer function or a conveyance device having only a conveyance function is used, and the influence on the image of the recording medium P is not considered, as an example of the conveyance unit, a conveyance member such as a conveyance roll that contacts both sides of the recording medium P may be used.

[0100] <Second Embodiment> (Image Forming Apparatus 200) In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is an inkjet type image forming apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium P using ink. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. As an example of the image forming apparatus, for example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus may be used, and any apparatus that forms an image may be used. In the second embodiment, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. Note that parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0101] (Image Forming Unit 214) The image forming apparatus 200 has an image forming unit 214 instead of the image forming unit 14. The image forming unit 214 is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium. Specifically, the image forming unit 214 has a function of forming a toner image (an example of an image) on the recording medium P by an electrophotographic method. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the image forming unit 214 includes a toner image forming unit 222 that forms a toner image, and a transfer device 217 that transfers the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 222 to the recording medium P.

[0102] (Toner image forming unit 222) The toner image forming unit 222 shown in FIG. 11 includes a plurality of units configured to form toner images for each color. In the present embodiment, a total of four toner image forming units 222 for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. (Y), (M), (C), and (K) shown in FIG. 11 indicate the components corresponding to the respective colors.

[0103] Since the toner image forming units 222 for each color are similarly configured except for the toner used, reference numerals are assigned to the respective parts of the toner image forming unit 222(K) in FIG. 11 to represent the toner image forming units 222 for each color.

[0104] Specifically, each toner image forming unit 222 has a photoreceptor 224 that rotates in one direction (for example, the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11). Each toner image forming unit 222 also includes a charger 223, an exposure device 240, and a developing device 238.

[0105] In each toner image forming unit 222, the charger 223 charges the photoreceptor 224. Further, the exposure device 240 exposes the photoreceptor 224 charged by the charger 223 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 224. Also, the developing device 238 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 224 by the exposure device 240 to form a toner image.

[0106] (Transfer device 217) The transfer device 217 shown in FIG. 11 is a device that transfers the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 222 to the recording medium P. Specifically, the transfer device 217 superposes and primarily transfers the toner image of each photoreceptor 224 onto the transfer belt 213 as an intermediate transfer member, and secondarily transfers the superposed toner image onto the recording medium P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the transfer device 217 includes a transfer belt 213, a primary transfer roll 226, and a secondary transfer roll 236.

[0107] The primary transfer roll 226 is a roll that transfers the toner image of each color photoreceptor 224 to the transfer belt 213 at the primary transfer position T1 between the photoreceptor 224 and the primary transfer roll 226. In the present embodiment, by applying a primary transfer electric field between the primary transfer roll 226 and the photoreceptor 224, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 224 is transferred to the transfer belt 213 at the primary transfer position T1.

[0108] The transfer belt 213 has toner images transferred from the photoreceptors 224 of each color to its outer peripheral surface. As shown in FIG. 11, this transfer belt 213 is endless and is wound around a plurality of rolls 232 and the opposing roll 234 so as to have an inverted triangular shape in a front view (when viewed in the depth direction of the apparatus). The transfer belt 213 circulates in the direction of arrow A by driving at least one of the plurality of rolls 232 to rotate.

[0109] The secondary transfer roll 236 is a roll that transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 213 to the recording medium P at the secondary transfer position T2 between the opposing roll 234 and the secondary transfer roll 236. In the present embodiment, by applying a secondary transfer electric field between the opposing roll 234 and the secondary transfer roll 236, the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 213 is transferred to the recording medium P at the secondary transfer position T2.

[0110] (Fixing device 60) In the present embodiment, the fixing device 60 functions as a device that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium P by the secondary transfer roll 236 to the recording medium P.

[0111] In the fixing device 60, while sandwiching and conveying the recording medium P between the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61, the toner image transferred to the recording medium P is fixed to the recording medium P by heating and pressing the recording medium P. The fixing device 60 is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment except for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording medium P to the recording medium P.

[0112] (Operation of the present embodiment) In the image forming apparatus 200, toner image forming units 222 for respective colors form toner images. The toner images formed by the toner image forming units 222 for respective colors are primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 213 in an overlapping manner at respective primary transfer positions T1, and the overlapped toner images are secondarily transferred onto a recording medium P at a secondary transfer position T2.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the recording medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a sandwiching region NP by a conveyance belt 65 in a state where the heating roll 62 is located at a separated position. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the leading end of the recording medium P first comes into contact with the pressure roll 61 and then is conveyed along the pressure roll 61 to the sandwiching region NP.

[0114] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the heating roll 62 moves from the separated position to the contact position and sandwiches the recording medium P conveyed to the sandwiching region NP by the conveyance belt 65 with the pressure roll 61. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62 convey the recording medium P in a state of sandwiching the recording medium P.

[0115] While the heating roll 62 and the pressure roll 61 sandwich and convey the recording medium P, the toner image transferred onto the recording medium P is fixed to the recording medium P by heating and pressurizing the recording medium P.

[0116] In this way, since the recording medium P is conveyed to the sandwiching region NP in a state where the heating roll 62 is located at the separated position, the recording medium P is not restricted in the posture when the leading end thereof enters between the pressure roll 61 and the heating roll 62. For this reason, for example, when the recording medium P is in a wavy state or is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction X, such a state of the recording medium P can be eliminated. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, generation of wrinkles on the recording medium P is suppressed as compared with the first configuration.

[0117] In this embodiment, as described above, since the heating roll 62 disposed above the pressure roll 61 moves between a contact position and a separated position, compared with the second configuration, the recording medium P placed on the pressure roll 61 is less likely to move, and it is difficult to sandwich the recording medium P while its posture changes. Therefore, generation of wrinkles in the recording medium P is suppressed compared with the second configuration.

[0118] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the above-described modification examples may be configured by appropriately combining a plurality of them. Further, the members in the embodiments may be integrated with the peripheral members in addition to being single.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0119] 10, 200 Image forming apparatus 14 Image forming unit 60 Fixing device (an example of a conveying device) 61 Pressure roll (an example of a first conveying body, an example of a pressing member) 62 Heating roll (an example of a second conveying body, an example of a heating member) 65 Conveying belt (an example of a conveying unit) NP Sandwiching region P Recording medium (an example of a material to be conveyed)

Claims

1. A first conveyor, a second conveyor that is movable between a contact position and a separation position with respect to the first conveyor, and sandwiches a material to be conveyed with the first conveyor at the contact position, a conveying unit that conveys the material to be conveyed to a sandwiching region where the first conveyor and the second conveyor sandwich the material to be conveyed in a state where the second conveyor is located at the separation position, comprising: the second conveyor moves the material to be conveyed from the separation position to the contact position, sandwiches it with the first conveyor, and conveys the material to be conveyed, the second conveyor, a first moving speed at which the second conveyor moves from the separation position to the contact position is faster than a second moving speed at which the second conveyor moves from the contact position to the separation position a conveying device.

2. The second conveyor is disposed above the first conveyor. The conveying device according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor is formed of an elastic body that elastically deforms under a load when the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Before the leading end of the material to be conveyed enters the sandwiching region and until it passes through the sandwiching region, the second conveyor sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In a state where both the first conveyor and the second conveyor are rotating, the second conveyor moves from the separation position to the contact position and sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first conveyor and the second conveyor in a rotating state have the same peripheral speed. The conveying device according to claim 5.

7. The first conveyor is one of a heating member and a pressing member, the second conveyor is the other of the heating member and the pressing member. A fixing device as the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The second conveyor, when the material to be conveyed is plain paper, sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor at a first load, when the material to be conveyed is coated paper, sandwiches the material to be conveyed with the first conveyor at a second load greater than the first load. The fixing device according to claim 7.

9. The second conveyor, When the basis weight of the material to be conveyed is less than a predetermined reference value, the material to be conveyed is sandwiched between the first conveyor at a first load. When the basis weight of the material to be conveyed is equal to or greater than the reference value, the material to be conveyed is sandwiched between the first conveyor at a second load greater than the first load. The fixing device according to claim 7.

10. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, A first conveyor that is one of a heating member and a pressure member, and a second conveyor that is the other of the heating member and the pressure member and is movable between a contact position and a separation position with respect to the first conveyor, and sandwiches the recording medium with the first conveyor at the contact position, and a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium to a sandwiching region where the first conveyor and the second conveyor sandwich the recording medium in a state where the second conveyor is located at the separation position. The second conveyor is a fixing device that moves the recording medium conveyed to the sandwiching region by the conveyance unit from the separation position to the contact position and sandwiches it with the first conveyor, and fixes the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit to the recording medium. Comprising The second conveyor A first moving speed of moving from the separation position to the contact position is faster than a second moving speed of moving from the contact position to the separation position. An image forming apparatus.

Images