Heating device and device for utilizing heated object

Abstract

To provide a heating device or the like capable of feeding power to a resistance heat generation layer of a rotating heating roll having the resistance heat generation layer stably as compared with a case via a power feeding member brought into contact with one portion of the rotating heating roll at a predetermined position.SOLUTION: A heating device includes: a heating roll having a resistance heat generation layer; and a connection power supply body that is mounted at an edge of the heating roll and connected to the resistance heat generation layer, and feeds power. The connection power supply body includes: a ring-shaped frame that is disposed so as to be concentric with the heating roll and is connected so as to make continuity with the resistance heat generation layer; a power feeding shaft that is partially disposed in the frame and feeds power; a plurality of rolling elements that are in conductive contact with an inner peripheral surface of the frame and an outer peripheral surface of the power feeding shaft and are rolled; and a non-conductive cover for holding and covering the frame and the rolling bodies in a state in which a part excluding the one portion of the power feeding shaft is exposed. The connection power supply body is mounted so as to be rotated integrally with the heating roll excluding the power feeding shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating device and an apparatus for utilizing an object to be heated. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a fixing device having a heating roll in which an electrical insulating layer and a layered resistance heating element are formed in this order on the inner peripheral surface of a core roller. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes that the heating roll is configured such that a conductive ring-shaped current receiving member is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of both ends of the resistance heating element to electrically connect it to the resistance heating element layer, while a pair of conductive current supply members are arranged in the inner space of the core roller so that they are pressed against the current receiving member by springs, so that the current receiving member and the current supply member maintain electrical connection at the contact surface between them even when the current receiving member rotates integrally with the core roller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 09-114315 A (paragraphs 0019-0021, Figure 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a heating device and a heated object utilization device using the same that can supply power to the resistance heating layer of a rotating heating roll having a resistance heating layer in a more stable manner than when power is supplied via a power supply member that contacts a part of the rotating heating roll at a predetermined position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This invention (1) is A heating roll having a resistance heating layer and a power supply connection member attached to an end of the heating roll and connected to the resistance heating layer to supply power, the connection power feeder includes an annular frame disposed concentrically with the heating roll and electrically connected to the resistance heating layer; a power feed shaft partially disposed within the frame for feeding power; a plurality of rolling elements that roll in electrically conductive contact with an inner peripheral surface of the frame and an outer peripheral surface of the power feed shaft; and a non-conductive cover that holds and covers the frame and the rolling elements while exposing the power feed shaft except for the partially disposed portion; The connecting power feeder is a heating device that is attached so as to rotate integrally with the heating roll, except for the power feed shaft.

[0006] This invention (2) is the heating device of the above invention (1), The end of the heating roll is provided with a hole or a recess for use when attaching the connecting power feeder, The connection power feeder is a heating device having a portion provided with a first protrusion that fits into the hole or recess at the end of the heating roll.

[0007] The present invention (3) is the heating device of the above invention (2), The portion where the first protrusion is provided is a heating device configured as a plurality of protrusions protruding from a part of the power connection body.

[0008] The present invention (4) is the heating device of the above invention (3), The plurality of protrusions are heating devices provided on the cover.

[0009] The present invention (5) is the heating device of the above invention (2), The portion where the first convex portion is provided is a heating device made up of a plurality of plate-like members attached to the power connection body.

[0010] The present invention (6) provides the heating device of the above invention (1), a power receiving part that receives power to rotate the heating roll, the power receiving part is attached to a portion of the end of the heating roll that is located inside the connection power feeder, a key groove into which a fixed key of the power receiving part is fitted is provided at an end of the heating roll; The heating device has a portion of the power connection body provided with a second protrusion that fits into the key groove.

[0011] This invention (7) is the heating device of the above invention (6), the key groove is a groove cut along the axial direction of the heating roll, The second protrusion is a heating device configured to be fitted into a surplus portion of the key groove that remains after the fixed key of the power receiving component is fitted into the key groove.

[0012] The present invention (8) provides the heating device of the above invention (6), The second protrusion is a heating device provided on the cover.

[0013] Also, this invention (9) is, A conveying means for conveying a sheet-shaped object to be heated; a heating device that heats the object to be heated that is transported by the transport means; Equipped with The heating device is an apparatus for utilizing an object to be heated, which is configured by the heating device of any one of the above inventions (1) to (8).

[0014] The present invention (10) provides the device for utilizing an object to be heated according to the above invention (9), The heating device is a device utilizing an object to be heated, which is a fixing device that fixes an unfixed image on a recording medium, which is a sheet-like object to be heated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the heating device of the above invention (1), power can be supplied to the resistance heating layer of a rotating heating roll having a resistance heating layer more stably than when power is supplied via a power supply member that contacts a part of the rotating heating roll at a predetermined position.

[0016] According to the above invention (2), the connection power supply can be easily attached and detached to the end of the heating roll compared to when the connection power supply does not have a portion with a first convex portion that fits into a hole or recess provided at the end of the heating roll.

[0017] According to the above invention (3), the connection power supply can be easily attached to the end of the heating roll without requiring any additional attachment work, compared to when the portion where the first convex portion is provided is not configured as multiple protrusions protruding from a part of the connection power supply.

[0018] According to the above invention (4), the connection power supply can be attached to the end of the heating roll more easily than when the cover is not provided with a plurality of protrusions.

[0019] According to the above invention (5), the portion where the first convex portion is provided can be constructed more simply than when the portion where the first convex portion is provided is not composed of multiple plate-shaped members attached to the connection power supply body.

[0020] According to the above invention (6), in order to attach the connection power supply body to the end of the heating roll, the key groove into which the fixed key of the power receiving part is inserted can be effectively utilized, thereby enabling the connection power supply body to be accurately attached to the end of the heating roll.

[0021] According to the above invention (7), the keyway can be used more effectively to attach the connection power supply body than when the second convex portion is not configured to fit into the excess part of the keyway that remains after the fixed key of the power receiving part is fitted in.

[0022] According to the above invention (8), the connection power supply body can be attached to the end of the heating roll more easily than when the second convex portion is not provided on the cover.

[0023] According to the device for utilizing a heated object of the above invention (9), the power supply to the resistance heating layer of a rotating heating roll having a resistance heating layer can be carried out more stably than in the case where the heating device is equipped with a heating device that supplies power to the resistance heating layer via a power supply member that contacts a part of the rotating heating roll at a predetermined position, and the heated object can be heated stably by the heating device.

[0024] According to the above invention (10), the fixing by the fixing device can be stably performed with stable power supply to the resistance heating layer of the heating roll. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus which is an example of an apparatus utilizing an object to be heated according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fixing device which is an example of a heating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a part of the fixing device in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating roll, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which a connection power feeder is attached to one end side of the heating roll. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the heating roll and the connection power feeder of FIG. 5 with a portion cut away. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the heating roll and the power supply connector of FIG. 5 when they are separated. [Figure 8] (A) is a perspective view of the connection power feeder with a portion cut away, and (B) is a perspective view of the internal components of the connection power feeder of (A) with one part (cover) removed. [Figure 9] 8(A) is a perspective view of the components remaining when one component (frame) is removed from the internal components of FIG. 8(B), and FIG. 8(B) is a perspective view of the components remaining when one component (feed shaft) is removed from the components of FIG. 8(A). [Figure 10] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which a connection power feeder is attached to one end side of the heating roll of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating roll and the power supply connector of FIG. 5 when they are separated. [Figure 12] 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the configuration of the heating roll and the connecting power feeder, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another part of the configuration of the heating roll and the connecting power feeder. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing a part of the configuration of a heating roll. [Figure 14] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing the state of the power supply connection when attached to a heating roll, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing another state of the power supply connection of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fixing device which is an example of a heating device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a part of the fixing device in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a heating and drying device which is an example of a heating device and an apparatus utilizing an object to be heated according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of a connection power feeder and a heating roll when a modified plate-like member is applied. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] First embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an apparatus 1 utilizing an object to be heated according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a heating device 5 according to the first embodiment. In the following explanation, the direction indicated by arrow X in the drawings is the width direction of the device, the direction indicated by arrow Y is the height direction of the device, and the direction indicated by arrow Z is the depth direction of the device which is perpendicular to both the width and height directions. The circle at the intersection of arrow X and arrow Z in the drawings indicates that arrow Z, which is the depth direction of the device, is pointing downward perpendicular to the drawing (paper surface).

[0028] The apparatus 1 using an object to be heated according to the first embodiment is an apparatus that uses a sheet-like object to be heated 9. This apparatus 1 using an object to be heated is configured as an example of an image forming apparatus 1A. The heating device 5 according to the first embodiment is a device that at least heats the sheet-like object to be heated 9. The heating device 5 is configured as a fixing device 5A, which is an example of such a device.

[0029] <Heated object utilization device> An image forming apparatus 1A, which is an example of an apparatus 1 utilizing an object to be heated, is an apparatus that forms an image made of a powder developer on a sheet-like object to be heated 9, and then heats the image to form the image. As the sheet-like object to be heated 9, a recording medium 9A, which is an example of the sheet-like object to be heated, is used.

[0030] 1, image forming apparatus 1A has a housing 10 having a required external shape, and is configured by arranging image forming device 2, medium supply device 4, medium conveying device 45, fixing device 5A, etc. in the internal space of housing 10. The dotted and dashed lines in FIG. 1 indicate the main conveying path when recording medium 9A is conveyed by medium conveying device 45 within housing 10.

[0031] The image forming device 2 is a device that forms a toner image made of toner as a developer and transfers it to a recording medium 9A. The image forming device 2 is configured as a device that employs an image forming method such as an electrophotographic method, and is configured by arranging devices such as a charging device 22, an exposure device 23, a developing device 24, a transfer device 25, and a cleaning device 26 around a photosensitive drum 21 that rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A.

[0032] Of these, the photosensitive drum 21 is an example of an image carrying means, and is a photosensitive member in the form of a drum having an image forming surface and a photosensitive layer that serves as the image carrying surface. The charging device 22 is a device that charges the outer peripheral surface (image forming surface) of the photosensitive drum 21 to a required surface potential. The charging device 22 is configured with a charging member in the form of, for example, a roll that is brought into contact with the image forming surface of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and to which a charging current is supplied.

[0033] The exposure device 23 is a device that exposes the charged outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image. This exposure device 23 operates by receiving an image signal that is generated by performing required processing on image information input from the outside using an image processing means (not shown) or the like. The image information is information related to the image to be formed, such as characters, figures, photographs, and patterns. The development device 24 is a device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with a developer (toner) of a corresponding predetermined color (e.g., black) to visualize it as a monochrome toner image.

[0034] Next, the transfer device 25 is a device that electrostatically transfers the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to the recording medium 9A. This transfer device 25 is configured to include a transfer member in the form of a roll or the like that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and is supplied with a transfer current. The cleaning device 26 is a device that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by removing unwanted toner, paper dust, and other unwanted matter adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. In the image forming device 2, the position where the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer device 25 face each other is the transfer position TP where the toner image is transferred.

[0035] The medium supply device 4 is a device that stores and feeds out recording media 9A to be supplied to the transfer position TP in the image forming device 2. This medium supply device 4 is configured by arranging devices such as a storage body 41 that stores recording media 9A and one or more feed devices 43 that feed out the recording media 9A one by one. The storage body 41 and feed device 43 are not limited to being singular, and multiple storage bodies 41 and feed devices 43 may be used. The recording medium 9A is not particularly limited in terms of material, shape, etc., as long as it can be transported by the medium transport device 45 inside the housing 10 and is a sheet-like recording medium onto which a toner image can be transferred and thermally fixed. In this image forming apparatus 1A, recording media such as plain paper, coated paper, film, foil, sheet-like cloth, etc. cut to a predetermined size, or a recording medium such as an envelope, etc., are used as the recording medium 9A.

[0036] The medium conveying device 45 is an example of a conveying means for conveying the object to be heated 9, such as a recording medium 9A. The medium conveying device 45 in this image forming apparatus 1A is configured as a device for conveying the recording medium 9A to each required location within the housing 10. The media conveying device 45 is arranged within the housing 10 to form a supply path that transports the recording medium 9A from the media supply device 4 to the transfer position TP in the image forming device 2, a relay path that transports the recording medium 9A from the transfer position TP in the image forming device 2 to the fixing device 5A, and a discharge path that transports the recording medium 9A from the fixing device 5A to a discharge outlet 12 provided on a side portion or the like of the housing 10. In addition, the medium conveying device 45 is specifically configured by arranging a pair of conveying rolls 46 (46a to 46d) that clamp and convey the recording medium 9A, a guide passage member 47 that forms a conveying space that guides the recording medium 9A to its destination, and the like, in the required positions and in the required number.

[0037] The fixing device 5A, which is an example of the heating device 5, is a device that applies heat and pressure to fix the unfixed toner image transferred at the transfer position TP of the image forming device 2 onto the recording medium 9A. The fixing device 5A is configured by arranging devices such as a heating rotor 51 and a pressure rotor 61 in the internal space of a housing 50 that is provided with an inlet 50a and an outlet 50b for the recording medium 9A. In addition, in the fixing device 5A, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heating rotor 51 and the pressure rotor 61 are arranged to rotate in contact with each other, and are configured as a fixing processing unit FN that heats and pressurizes the recording medium 9A and toner image that pass through the contact area. The fixing device 5A will be described in detail later.

[0038] In the image forming apparatus 1A, an image is formed, for example, as follows.

[0039] That is, in the image forming apparatus 1A, when a control means (not shown) receives a command for an operation to form an image, the image forming apparatus 2 performs charging, exposure, development and transfer operations, while the media supply device 4 performs an operation of feeding out the required recording medium 9A and transporting it to the transfer position TP via the supply path of the media conveying device 45.

[0040] As a result, a toner image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 21, and the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 9A supplied from the medium supply device 4 to the transfer position TP via the medium transport device 45. At this time, the recording medium 9A onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 21 while sandwiched between the rotating photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer device 25, and then sent toward the heating device 5 via the relay path of the medium transport device 45.

[0041] 2, in the image forming apparatus 1A, the fixing device 5A performs a fixing operation in which the recording medium 9A onto which the toner image 92 has been transferred is introduced into and passes through a fixing processing section FN where the heating rotator 51 and the pressure rotator 61 come into contact with each other. As a result, in the fixing device 5A, the unfixed toner image 92 on the recording medium 9A is heated under pressure, melted onto the recording medium 9A, and fixed thereto.

[0042] After fixing, the recording medium 9A is ejected from the housing 50 while sandwiched between the heating rotor 51 and the pressure rotor 61 in the fixing device 5A, then transported to the ejection outlet 12 via the ejection path of the media conveying device 45, and finally sent by the conveying roll 46d to an ejection paper storage section (not shown) provided in part of the housing 10, where it is stored.

[0043] The above series of operations completes the basic image forming operation for forming a monochromatic image on one side of one sheet of recording medium 9A.

[0044] <Heating device> Next, the fixing device 5A, which is an example of the heating device 5, will be described in detail.

[0045] As shown in Figures 2, 3, etc., the fixing device 5A of the first embodiment is configured by using a belt-nip type heating unit 52 as the heating rotor 51, while using a roll type pressure roll 62 as the pressure rotor 61.

[0046] The heating unit 52 is configured as a unit including a heating roll 53, a support member 54, a fixing belt 55, an adjustment support roll 56, and the like.

[0047] First, as shown in FIG. 4, the heating roll 53 is a roll body having a structure in which an electrical insulating layer 532, a resistance heating layer 533 that generates heat when electricity is applied, and a surface layer 534 are laminated in this order on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical roll substrate 531.

[0048] The roll substrate 531 is a cylindrical body made of a metal material such as aluminum or iron, with a thickness of about 0.2 to 1.0 mm. The electrical insulating layer 532 is an insulating film made of an electrically insulating (non-conductive) material such as polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), etc. The electrical insulating layer 532 is formed on almost the entire outer circumferential surface of the roll substrate 531.

[0049] The resistance heating layer 533 is a layer that generates heat when electricity is applied. This resistance heating layer 533 is formed on a portion of the heating roll 53 that is wider than the maximum width dimension during transport of the recording medium 9A. In other words, as shown in Fig. 4, the resistance heating layer 533 is formed on a central portion 53a of the outer peripheral surface of the roll substrate 531, excluding both end portions 53b, 53c in the axial direction J of the heating roll 53. Both end portions 53b, 53c are portions (zones) that extend from each roll end 53e in the axial direction J of the heating roll 53 toward the center by a required width.

[0050] The resistive heating layer 533 is formed as a layer or film made of a material such as silver palladium, gold palladium, a carbon metal filler mixture, etc. Incidentally, the resistive heating layer 533 is formed by a mold pouring coating method, for example, from the viewpoint of achieving a uniform layer thickness. 4 and other figures, the resistance heating layer 533 is configured to be energized when power is supplied via a power supply layer 535 provided at both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 with a required width along the circumferential direction perpendicular to the axial direction J of the heating roll 53. The power supply layer 535 is formed as a layer or film made of a material such as beryllium copper or silver paste.

[0051] Surface layer 534 is a layer that is non-conductive and has good thermal conductivity, as well as a protective function for protecting resistance heating layer 533. This surface layer 534 is preferably a layer that has tackiness for transmitting rotational power to fixing belt 55 and wettability with a lubricant, which will be described later, and from this perspective is made of a material with low releasability. Examples of materials with low releasability that can be used include polyimide and polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0052] 3, the heating roll 53 is provided with a power supply connection 70 attached to each of both ends 53b, 53c in the axial direction J of the heating roll 53 to supply power to the resistance heating layer 533. The power supply connection 70 is connected to a power supply unit 17, and when heating is required, the power supply unit 17 supplies the required current, etc. The connection power feeder 70 will be described in detail later.

[0053] 3, the heating roll 53 has bearings 65 disposed in parts of both end portions 53b, 53c in the axial direction J of the heating roll 53. As a result, the heating roll 53 is rotatably attached to the upper sides of the side support portions 50c, 50d of the housing 50 via the bearings 65.

[0054] 3, a gear 67 as an example of a power receiving component is disposed in a portion of one end portion 53b of the heating roll 53. A transmission gear 18 that transmits rotational power from a rotation drive device (not shown) is meshed with and connected to the gear 67. As a result, the rotational power from the transmission gear 18 is input to the heating roll 53 by the gear 67, and the heating roll 53 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction B.

[0055] Next, the fixing belt 55 is heated by the heating roll 53 and comes into contact with the surface of the recording medium 9A onto which the toner image 92 has been transferred in the fixing process part FN, thereby heating the surface.

[0056] The fixing belt 55 is an endless heat-conducting belt that is flexible and heat-resistant, and may be, for example, a laminated belt having an elastic layer and a release layer formed in this order on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical belt substrate. The belt substrate is a cylindrical member made of a synthetic resin such as polyimide or polyamide. The elastic layer is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The release layer is made of a resin material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing belt 55 is attached so as to be wound around the heating roll 53, the support member 54, and the adjustment support roll 56, and in this state, it is adapted to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow C.

[0057] The support member 54 is a member that supports and forms the fixing processing unit FN, which is disposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 55 and performs the heat treatment. The fixing processing unit FN is a processing unit for heat fixing that is formed on the outer peripheral surface portion of the fixing belt 55 that is supported by the support member 54. This support member 54 is configured as a structure having a hollow plate-shaped support body arranged to extend parallel to the axial direction J of the heating roll 53, and a pad member attached to the surface of the support body that comes into contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 55. The support member 54 is disposed by attaching the portions of the support body, which protrude outward from both ends of the fixing belt 55, to the side support portions 50c, 50d of the housing 50, etc.

[0058] The adjustment support roll 56 is a roll that maintains the wound state of the fixing belt 55 in a desired shape while applying the required tension, and also adjusts the state of the fixing belt 55 so that the state of rotation and running is stable.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 52 is also provided with a lubricant applicator 57 that applies a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 55 and a temperature sensor 59 that measures the surface temperature of the heating roll 53. 3, in the heating unit 52, a plurality of temperature sensors 59a to 59d are arranged at predetermined locations (for example, a central region and an end region) in the heating region in the axial direction J of the heating roll 53 to measure the surface temperatures of a plurality of regions in the heating region, and the measurement results are transmitted to the control device 15. Meanwhile, the control device 15 controls the operation of the power supply device 17, such as the output, by referring to the measurement results. As a result, in the heating unit 52, the heat generation state of the heating roll 53 is adjusted, and ultimately the heating state in the fixing part FN is adjusted.

[0060] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure roll 62 is a roll body having a structure in which an elastic release layer 622 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a columnar or cylindrical roll substrate 621.

[0061] As shown in Figure 2, this pressure roll 62 is rotatably attached to the lower side of the side support parts 50c, 50d of the housing 50 at a position facing the support member 54 in the heating unit 52 via bearings 66 attached to shaft parts 623 protruding from both ends of the roll base material 621. The pressure roll 62 is attached to the side support portions 50c and 50d so that the bearing 66 can be displaced in a direction toward and away from the support member 54, and a predetermined pressure toward the support member 54 is applied to the bearing 66 by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown). As a result, the pressure roll 62 presses the fixing belt 55 against (the pad member of) the support member 54 with a predetermined pressure to allow the fixing belt 55 to pass through.

[0062] Then, in the fixing device 5A, when it is time to perform a fixing operation, the resistance heating layer 533 of the heating roll 53 in the heating unit 52 begins to generate heat when electricity is applied to keep the heating roll 53 at the required temperature, and the heating roll 53 begins to heat up due to this heat generation. In addition, in the fixing device 5A, the heating roll 53 begins to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and due to this rotation drive, the pressure roll 62 begins to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow C, and the fixing belt 55 begins to rotate in the same direction indicated by the arrow B as the heating roll 53. As a result, the fixing device 5A rotates so that the fixing belt 55 passes through the fixing processing section FN while being heated by the heating roll 53, and becomes ready for the fixing operation.

[0063] <More detailed configuration of the heating device> In the fixing device 5A, as shown in FIG. 3, the bearing 65 is arranged at the portion of each of the end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 in the axial direction J that is inside the connection power supply body 70 (at a position closer to the center in the axial direction J). For example, a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing is used as the bearing 65. When a ball bearing is used as the bearing 65, it is preferable to use a highly heat-resistant oil as the lubricating oil filled inside, from the viewpoint of ensuring good rolling of the balls for a long period of time even when high heat is transferred from the heating roll 53.

[0064] 13, the bearings 65 are disposed at portions (positions closer to the roll ends 53e) of both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 that are outer than the resistance heating layer 533 in the axial direction J. The bearings 65 in the first embodiment are attached in the axial direction J of the heating roll 53 such that the power supply layer 535 is sandwiched between the bearings 65 and the resistance heating layer 533.

[0065] Furthermore, the bearings 65 are attached by being press-fitted into both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 with resin members 68 interposed therebetween. The resin members 68 are annular members that can be fitted from the outside into both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. The resin members 68 are formed using a resin material such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyimide, or PEEK. As a result, in the fixing device 5A, there is less risk of damage to the end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53, including layers such as the surface layer 534, when the bearing 65 is attached, compared to when the bearing 65 is attached to the end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 without the resin member 68 interposed therebetween.

[0066] Furthermore, in the fixing device 5A, as shown in Figures 3, 5, 10, etc., the gear 67 is arranged at a portion of the end 53b of the heating roll 53 that is outside the bearing 65 in the axial direction J and inside the connecting power supply body 70.

[0067] The gear 67 is an annular gear with gear teeth formed on its outer circumferential surface. As shown in Figures 7, 11, 12(B), etc., the gear 67 is provided with a fixing key 675 on its inner circumferential surface for fixing the position of the end 53b of the heating roll 53 in the circumferential direction. The fixing key 675 is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped protrusion that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the gear 67 toward the center of rotation. In the first embodiment, two fixing keys 675 are provided, but the number is not particularly limited.

[0068] 7, 12(B), etc., a key groove 539 into which a fixed key 675 is fitted is provided at the end 53b of the heating roll 53. The key groove 539 is formed as a notched groove cut in a required width and length from the roll end 53e of the end 53b of the heating roll 53 along the axial direction J. The gear 67 is attached to the heating roll 53 by fitting it onto the end 53 b of the heating roll 53 and fitting the fixed key 675 into the key groove 539 .

[0069] Next, the connection power feeders 70 attached to both end portions 53b and 53c of the heating roll 53 in the fixing device 5A will be described.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, the connection power supply element 70 has an annular frame 71, a power supply shaft 72, a plurality of rolling elements 73, and a non-conductive cover 75.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 6, 10, 11, etc., the annular frame 71 is a component that is disposed concentrically with the heating roll 53 and is electrically connected to the resistance heating layer 533.

[0072] The frame 71 is disposed at a distance from both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. The frame 71 is configured as a component having a shape including a main body portion 711 and a protruding connection portion 712.

[0073] The main body 711 is a part formed in the shape of a ring having a diameter (outer diameter) larger than the diameter of the heating roll 53, and having an outer peripheral surface 71a and an inner peripheral surface 71b each having a predetermined width. The protruding connection portion 712 is a portion formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the main body portion 711 so as to protrude toward both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. 10, the protruding connection portion 712 is used as a portion for attaching one end of a conductive elastic member 76 that electrically connects the frame 71 and (the extension layer 536 of) the power supply layer 535 of the heating roll 53. As the conductive elastic member 76, for example, a conductive leaf spring or the like is used. The frame 71 is formed as a conductive member using a material such as pure copper, brass, phosphor bronze, nickel, etc. The frame 71 may be plated with gold or tin.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 11, etc., the power supply shaft 72 is a shaft whose part 721 is disposed within the frame 71 and which supplies power.

[0075] The power supply shaft 72 is configured as a cylindrical shaft having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the frame 71 . The power supply shaft 72 is arranged with a portion 721 thereof existing concentrically within the space within the frame 71. On the other hand, the power supply shaft 72 is arranged with the remaining portion 722 excluding the portion 721 thereof exposed to the outside. Furthermore, a part of the remaining portion 722 of the power supply shaft 72 is fixedly attached to, for example, the side support portions 50c and 50d of the housing 50. In this way, the power supply shaft 72 is used as a fixed shaft (a shaft that does not rotate). 9 and other figures, a portion 723 having a larger diameter than the other portions is formed in a part 721 of the power supply shaft 72. This large-diameter portion 723 is formed so that the rolling element 73 can rotate stably without being displaced in the axial direction. The power supply shaft 72 is formed as a conductive shaft using a material such as pure copper, brass, phosphor bronze, nickel, etc. The power supply shaft 72 may be plated with gold or tin.

[0076] The power supply shaft 72 receives the power supply current and the like output from the power supply device 17 through the remaining portion 722 thereof. As shown in Figures 10, 11, 14(B), etc., the power supply shaft 72 is configured so that the power supply current and the like are transmitted to a mounting hole 725 provided in the remaining portion 722 thereof via a connection terminal 726.

[0077] The rolling elements 73 are components that roll in conductive contact with the inner circumferential surface 71b of the frame 71 and the outer circumferential surface 72a of the power supply shaft 72.

[0078] Five roll-shaped members are used as the rolling elements 73 in the first embodiment. The rolling elements 73 are disposed in the gap between the inner peripheral surface 71b of the frame 71 and the outer peripheral surface 72a of the power supply shaft 72 and roll therein, and are therefore configured as roll-shaped or spherical members with an outer diameter substantially equal to the size of the gap. At least the outer peripheral surface of the rolling elements 73 is formed as a component having electrical conductivity.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9 and other figures, the five rolling elements 73 are arranged at equal intervals by a retainer 74 and are rotatably held by the retainer. The holder 74 is a member having a ring-shaped main body 741 and five rotation shafts 743. The main body 741 is formed in a ring shape with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the frame 71 and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the power supply shaft 72. The five rotation shafts 743 are formed as shafts for the rolling elements 73, which are erected on one side of the main body 741 at positions corresponding to the vertices of a regular pentagon. Furthermore, the holder 74 rotatably holds the rolling elements 73 on its rotation shaft 743. The holder 74, including the rotation shaft 743, is formed as a non-conductive part. The holder 74 is disposed so as to be present within the frame 71. Furthermore, when the connection power supply member 70 is in a completed state, the rolling elements 73 are present and held between the frame 71 and the power supply shaft 72, so the holder 74 is kept in a non-contact state, i.e., not in contact with the frame 71 or the power supply shaft 72.

[0080] The non-conductive cover 75 is a non-conductive part that holds and covers the frame 71 and the rolling elements 73 while leaving a portion 722 of the power supply shaft 72 exposed except for a part 721 of the power supply shaft 72.

[0081] Cover 75 is configured as, for example, two split cover portions 75A and 75B, which are fastened together by fastening means such as screws (not shown) when in use. Line DL in Figure 7 is the dividing line when the two split cover portions 75A and 75B are combined.

[0082] 8(B), the cover 75 has a cylindrical shape as a whole. Inside the cover 75, there are provided a frame holding portion 752 into which the frame 71 is fitted and held, a shaft holding portion 753 into which an end of a part 721 of the power supply shaft 72 is fitted and held, a roll holding portion 754 into which the ends of both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 are fitted and held, and a narrow boundary portion 755 with a small diameter is provided between the shaft holding portion 753 and the roll holding portion 754. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 and other figures, the cover 75 is provided on its outer periphery with a mounting recess 757 for connecting the conductive elastic member 76 to the protruding connecting portion 712 of the frame 71, and for accommodating the same.

[0083] A fastener 77 is disposed in the mounting recess 757 to mount and fix an elastic member 76 that is connected to a member such as a screw that is electrically connected to the protruding connection portion 712. As the conductive elastic member 76 in the first embodiment, a leaf spring having a bifurcated end attached to the fastener 77 is used.

[0084] In addition, in order to enable the connection power supply 70 to be detachably attached to both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53, an attachment portion 80, which is an example of a portion having a protrusion, is provided on the cover 75, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, etc. Correspondingly, both end portions 53b and 53c of the heating roll 53 are provided with locking holes 538 for locking the attachment portions 80 therein.

[0085] 12 and other figures, the mounting portion 80 is formed as a protruding structure having a plate-shaped main body portion 81 that is disposed at a predetermined portion of the roll holding portion 754 of the cover 75 and protrudes outward, and a first protrusion portion 82 that protrudes from the tip end of the main body portion 81 toward the inside of the cover (the opposite side to the outer circumferential surface of the cover). A gap exists on the side opposite to the side where the first protrusion portion 82 is located, allowing the main body portion 81 to be elastically deformable. The first protrusion portion 82 is a portion that has a protruding shape that can be fitted into the locking holes 538 at both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. The mounting portion 80 may be provided integrally with the cover 75, or may be produced as a separate part from the cover 75 and attached to the cover 75. 7, the cover 75 is provided with an elongated hole 758 penetrating from the outer circumferential surface near the portion where the mounting portion 80 is provided. This elongated hole 758 is a hole for pushing the first protrusion 82 of the mounting portion 80 when fitting it into the locking hole 538 of the heating roll 53.

[0086] Furthermore, in order to install the connection power supply 70 while positioning it circumferentially at both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cover 75 is provided with a second protrusion 85, which is another example of a portion having a protrusion, and which fits into the key grooves 539 at both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53.

[0087] The second protrusion 85 is formed as a protrusion that protrudes toward the inside of the cover (the side opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the cover) at a predetermined portion of the roll holding portion 754 of the cover 75. As shown in Figures 7 and 12(B), the second protrusion 85 is formed as a protrusion having a shape and dimensions that allow it to be fitted into the surplus portion 539n of the key groove 539 that remains after the fixed key 675 of the gear 67 is fitted into it. On the other hand, in the heating roll 53, as shown in Figure 13, the power supply layer 535 is provided with a plurality of extension layers 536 that are electrically conductive and extend to a portion outside the bearing 65 in the axial direction J while being spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the heating roll 53.

[0088] The extension layer 536 is formed so as to extend from the power supply layer 535, passing through the bearing 65 (actually, the resin member 68) and below (inside) the gear 67. In the first embodiment, four or five extension layers 536 are provided, but the number is not limited to this. The extension layer 536 may be formed using the same material as the power supply layer 535, or may be formed using a different conductive material. A non-conductive surface layer is formed on the outer surface of the extension layer 536. This non-conductive surface layer is formed using the same material as the surface layer 534, but may also be formed using a different non-conductive material.

[0089] At least one of the extension layers 536 is electrically connected to one end of the conductive elastic member 76 arranged between the extension layer 536 and the frame 71 of the power supply connector 70 .

[0090] The power connection member 70 is assembled, for example, in the following procedure.

[0091] First, the frame 71 is fitted around the outer periphery of the plurality of rolling elements 73 held by the holder 74. Then, a part 721 of the power supply shaft 72 is fitted into the inner space of the plurality of rolling elements 73 held by the holder 74. This assembly process may be performed in the reverse order or simultaneously. As a result of this assembly work, as shown in FIG. 8(B), a group of components is obtained in which multiple rolling elements 73 are present in the space between the frame 71 and the power supply shaft 72 and are in contact with the inner surface 71b of the frame 71 and the outer surface 72a of the power supply shaft 72 so as to be able to rotate.

[0092] Next, cover 75 is attached to the group of components described above. Cover 75 is made by temporarily fastening two divided cover portions 75A and 75B to cover frame 71, part 721 of power supply shaft 72, and rolling element 73 and holder 74 that holds it, and then joining two divided cover portions 75A and 75B together with fixing means such as screws (not shown) to form an integrated unit.

[0093] As a result of the above, a power connection member 70 having the appearance shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

[0094] In this connection feeder 70, the remaining portion 722 of the feed shaft 72 is exposed to the outside, except for a portion 721 of the feed shaft 72, and is not covered by the cover 75. On the other hand, in the connection feeder 70, the frame 71, the portion 721 of the feed shaft 72, the rolling elements 73, and the holder 74 are covered by the cover 75. In addition, in the connection feeder 70, the frame 71 and the portion 721 of the feed shaft 72 are held by the frame holder 752 and the shaft holder 753 of the cover 75, respectively. In this completed connection power supply body 70, for example, assuming that the power supply shaft 72 is fixed, the frame 71 and cover 75 form a structure that can rotate relative to the power supply shaft 72 with the rolling body 73 interposed therebetween.

[0095] In the fixing device 5A, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, power supply connectors 70 are attached to both end portions 53b and 53c of the heating roll 53, respectively.

[0096] At this time, as shown in FIG. 8(A), FIG. 10, and the like, the connection power feeder 70 has both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 inserted into the roll holding portion 754 of the cover 75. At this time, as shown in Figure 10, the first protrusion 82 of the mounting portion 80 provided on part of the roll holding portion 754 of the cover 75 is fitted into and locked in the locking holes 538 at both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. As a result, the connection power feeder 70 is attached to and integrated with both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. Furthermore, with the first protrusion 82 locked in the locking holes 538, the connection power feeder 70 is kept fixed in the circumferential direction and axial direction J of the heating roll 53.

[0097] 10, the second protrusion 85 provided on a part of the roll holding portion 754 of the cover 75 is fitted into the excess portion 539n of the key groove 539 at both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. As a result, the connection power feeder 70 is attached to both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53, and is positioned and fixed in the circumferential direction.

[0098] Next, in the fixing device 5A, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, conductive elastic members 76 are attached between the connection power feeder 70 and both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53.

[0099] At this time, one end of the conductive elastic member 76 is in contact with one of the multiple extension layers 536 of the power supply layer 535 that extends to the vicinity of the roll ends 53e of both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53, and the other end is fixed to the fastener 77 in the mounting recess 757 of the cover 75. As a result, the frame 71 (the protruding connection portion 712) of the connection power supply body 70 and the extension layer 536 of the power supply layer 535 of the heating roll 53 are electrically connected via the conductive elastic member 76, as shown in Figure 10.

[0100] The heating roll 53 to which the connection power feeder 70 is attached is rotatably attached to the side support parts 50c, 50d of the housing 50 via bearings 65, as shown in Fig. 3. At this time, the gear 67 of the heating roll 53 is engaged with the transmission gear 18, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, so that the heating roll 53 can receive rotational power. 10 and 14(B), the power supply shaft 72 of the connection power feeder 70 is connected to the power supply device 17 for power supply via the connection terminal 726. The power supply shaft 72 of the connection power feeder 70 is fixed to the side support parts 50c and 50d of the housing 50, for example, so as not to rotate.

[0101] In fixing device 5A, when rotational power is input from transmission gear 18 through gear 67, heating roll 53 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B, and at this time, connection power feeder 70, frame 71 and cover 75 except for power feeder shaft 72, also rotate in the direction indicated by arrow B. At this time, rolling element 73 moves while rolling in the direction indicated by arrow B.

[0102] At this time, as shown in Figure 14(A), the first convex portion 82 of the mounting portion 80 of the connection power supply body 70 is fitted into the locking hole 538 on the heating roll 53 side, and the second convex portion 85 is fitted into the excess portion 539n of the key groove 539 on the heating roll 53 side, so that the frame 71 and cover 75 rotate synchronously with the heating roll 53 in the direction indicated by arrow B.

[0103] In addition, in the fixing device 5A, as shown in Figures 10 and 14(B), when a power supply current is sent from the power supply device 17 via the connection terminal 726, the current flows from the power supply shaft 72 to the rolling element 73 and the frame 71 in that order, and then flows via the conductive elastic member 76 to the extension layer 536 of the power supply layer 535 in the heating roll 53, and finally flows through the power supply layer 535 to the resistance heating layer 533, thereby supplying power. In power supply to this fixing device 5A, the power supply member is not kept in contact with a part of the rotating heating roll 53 so as to be rubbed at a predetermined position (fixed position).

[0104] Incidentally, the connection power feeder 70 is removed from the heating roll 53 as follows. First, the conductive elastic member 76 is removed. Next, the cover 75 is removed. In this case, in this embodiment, the cover 75 is released from the fixing means, and then the divided parts are removed. During this removal operation, the first protrusion 82 of the mounting portion 80 on the cover 75 is pulled out of the locking hole 538 on the heating roll 53 side and released. Finally, the connection power feeder 70 is pulled in a direction away from both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 and removed. This allows the connection power feeder 70 to be easily removed from the heating roll 53.

[0105] In the fixing device 5A described above, power is supplied to the resistance heating layer 533 of the rotating heating roll 53 more stably than when power is supplied via a power supply member that contacts a part of the rotating heating roll 53 at a predetermined position.

[0106] Furthermore, in the fixing device 5A, the connection power feeder 70 has an attachment portion 80 with a first protrusion 82 that fits into the locking holes 538 provided in both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. Therefore, compared to a case where there is no portion with the first protrusion 82, the connection power feeder 70 can be attached to and detached from both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 more easily.

[0107] Furthermore, in the fixing device 5A, the attachment portion 80 provided with the first convex portion 82 is configured as a plurality of protrusions that protrude from a portion of the connection power feeder 70. Therefore, compared to a case in which the attachment portion 80 is not configured as a plurality of protrusions that protrude from a portion of the connection power feeder 70, the attachment of the connection power feeder 70 to both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53 can be easily performed without the need to perform separate attachment work for attachment parts, etc., separate from the connection power feeder 70.

[0108] Moreover, in the fixing device 5A, the two mounting portions 80 are provided on the cover 75 of the connection power feeder 70. Therefore, compared to a case where the two mounting portions 80 are not provided on the cover 75 of the connection power feeder 70, the connection power feeder 70 can be more easily attached to both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53.

[0109] Furthermore, in the fixing device 5A, when attaching the connection power supply 70 to one end 53b of the heating roll 53, the key groove 539 into which the fixed key 675 of the gear 67 is fitted is effectively utilized, so that the connection power supply 70 can be accurately attached to the end 53b of the heating roll 53.

[0110] Furthermore, in the fixing device 5A, the second protrusion 85 of the connection power feeder 70 is configured to fit into the surplus portion 539n of the key groove 539 that remains after the fixed key 675 of the gear 67 is fitted in. Therefore, the key groove 539 is used more effectively to attach the connection power feeder 70 than when the second protrusion 85 of the connection power feeder 70 is not configured to fit into the surplus portion 539n. Moreover, in the fixing device 5A, the second protrusion 85 is provided on the cover 75 of the connection power feeder 70. Therefore, compared to a case where the second protrusion 85 is not provided on the cover 75, the connection power feeder 70 can be attached to the end 53b of the heating roll 53 more easily.

[0111] In the image forming apparatus 1A equipped with a fixing device configured as this fixing device 5A, stable power supply is provided to the resistance heating layer 533 of the heating roll 53 in the fixing device 5A, so that thermal fixing by the fixing device 5A is also stable.

[0112] Second embodiment. 15 and 16 show a fixing device 5B, which is another example of the heating device 5 according to the second embodiment.

[0113] As shown in Figure 15, etc., the fixing device 5B of the second embodiment differs from the fixing device 5A of the first embodiment in that it uses a heating roll 53 alone as the heating rotor 51 instead of a belt-nip type heating unit 52, and the heating roll 53 is brought into direct contact with a pressure roll 62 as the pressure rotor 61 to form a fixing processing section FN, making it a roll nip type fixing device, but otherwise has the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description and drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted unless necessary.

[0114] 16, in this fixing device 5B, the connection power feeder 70 and bearing 65 in the first embodiment are attached to both end portions 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. Also, in the fixing device 5B, as shown in FIG. 16, the gear 67 in the first embodiment is attached to one end portion 53b of the heating roll 53. In the fixing device 5B, the pressure roll 62 is brought into direct contact with the heating roll 53 to which the power supply connection member 70, the bearing 65 and the gear 67 are attached, thereby forming the fixing processing section FN.

[0115] In this fixing device 5B, when it is time to perform a fixing operation, the resistance heating layer 533 of the heating roll 53 begins to generate heat when electricity is applied to keep the heating roll 53 at the required temperature, and the heating roll 53 begins to heat up due to this heat generation. In the fixing device 5B, the heating roll 53 starts to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the pressure roll 62 starts to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow C in response to this rotation. As a result, the fixing device 5B rotates so that the heating roll 53 passes through the fixing part FN while being heated, and becomes ready for the fixing operation.

[0116] In the fixing device 5B, as in the fixing device 5A according to the first embodiment, power is supplied to the resistance heating layer 533 of the rotating heating roll 53 in a stable manner without increasing the size of the device. Furthermore, in the fixing device 5B, similarly to the fixing device 5A according to the first embodiment, the above-mentioned other operational effects can also be obtained.

[0117] Third embodiment. FIG. 17 shows a heating device 5C which is yet another example of the heating device 5 according to the third embodiment, and a heating and drying device 1B which is another example of the apparatus 1 using an object to be heated and which uses the heating device 5C.

[0118] The heating device 5C of the third embodiment differs from the fixing device 5A of the first embodiment in that the fixing belt 55 is replaced with a heating belt 55B, but otherwise has the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description and drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted unless necessary.

[0119] In the heating device 5C, a belt having good thermal conductivity is applied as the heating belt 55B, and for example, a belt having a cylindrical belt base material made of a synthetic resin such as polyimide, polyamide, etc. Note that the fixing belt 55 may be used as the heating belt 55B. In the heating device 5C, the portion of the heating belt 55B supported by the support member 54 and the portion where the pressure roll 62 is in pressure contact with each other is configured as a drying processing portion DN where heating and drying processing is performed.

[0120] The heating and drying apparatus 1B using the heating device 5C is equipped with a sheet conveying device 45B that introduces a sheet-like material 9B that needs to be heated and dried as the object to be heated 9 into a drying processing section DN of the heating device 5C and conveys the sheet-like material 9B through the drying processing section DN. The sheet conveying device 45B is composed of a pair of conveying rolls 48, a guide member 49, etc. Examples of the sheet-like material 9B include the recording medium 9A described above.

[0121] In this heating device 5C, as in the fixing device 5A according to the first embodiment, power is supplied to the resistance heating layer 533 of the rotating heating roll 53 in a stable manner without increasing the size of the device. Furthermore, in the heating device 5C, similarly to the fixing device 5A according to the first embodiment, the above-mentioned other operational effects can also be obtained. Furthermore, in the heating and drying device 1B, stable power supply to the resistance heating layer 533 of the heating roll 53 in the heating device 5C is achieved, so that the heating and drying by the heating device 5C becomes stable.

[0122] Variant. The present invention is not limited to the configuration examples exemplified in the above embodiments, and can be modified by making necessary changes, combinations, etc., as long as the gist of the invention described as a means for solving the problem is not changed. The present invention also includes, for example, the following modified examples.

[0123] In the connection power feeder 70, instead of the mounting portion 80 provided with the first protrusion 82, a plurality of plate-like members 90 separate from the connection power feeder 70 may be used, as exemplified in FIG. The plate-like member 90 is a member having a plate-like elastic main body 91 that is elongated in one direction and has a first protrusion 82 at one end thereof that fits into the locking holes 538 at both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. When using this plate-like member 90, for example, one end thereof is fixed to a part of the outer circumferential surface of the cover 75 with a fixing means such as a screw, and the first protrusion 82 at the other end is fitted into the locking holes 538 at both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. In this way, the connection power feeder 70 can be attached to both ends 53b, 53c of the heating roll 53. When such a plate-like member 90 is used, the portion of the connection power feeder 70 where the first protrusion 82 is provided can be configured more simply than when the plate-like member 90 is not used.

[0124] The heating roll 53 may be provided with a recess (a hollow portion that does not penetrate) into which the first protrusion 82 fits, instead of the locking hole 538 into which the first protrusion 82 fits.

[0125] The connecting power supply element 70 may employ a sphere (ball) as the rolling element 73, as long as it rolls in conductive contact with the inner circumferential surface 71b of the frame 71 and the outer circumferential surface 72a of the power supply shaft 72.

[0126] In the fixing devices 5A and 5B and the heating device 5C, it is also possible to omit the adjustment support roll 56 in the heating unit 52. Furthermore, the pressure rotating body 61 may be, for example, a belt-nip type pressure rotating body instead of the roll type pressure roll 62. Furthermore, as the power receiving part, instead of the gear 67, a part such as a pulley that receives a timing belt for driving transmission may be used.

[0127] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 1A forms a monochrome image is shown, but the image forming apparatus may also be an apparatus that forms a multicolor image by combining multiple colors of toner, and is not particularly limited in terms of its type, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1...Heated object utilization device 1A...Image forming apparatus (an example of an apparatus utilizing a heated object) 1B...Heat drying device (an example of a device that uses heated objects) 5,5C…Heating device 5A, 5B...fixing device (an example of a heating device) 9...Sheet-shaped heated object 9A...Recording medium (an example of a sheet-shaped object to be heated) 9B...Sheet-shaped object (an example of a sheet-shaped object to be heated) 53...Heated roll 53b, 53c...Ends of the heating roll 533...resistance heating layer 538...hole (an example of a hole into which the first protrusion is fitted) 539...Keyway 539n...Excess part of keyway 67...Gear (an example of a power receiving part) 675...Fixed Key 80... Mounting portion (an example of a portion where the first convex portion is provided and a protruding portion) 82...First convex part 90...Plate-shaped member 70...Connecting power supply 71...frame 72...Power supply shaft 73...Rolling element J…Axis direction

Claims

1. a heating roll having a resistance heating layer; a power supply connection member attached to an end of the heating roll and connected to the resistance heating layer to supply power; Equipped with the connection power feeder includes an annular frame disposed concentrically with the heating roll and electrically connected to the resistance heating layer; a power feed shaft partially disposed within the frame for feeding power; a plurality of rolling elements that roll in electrically conductive contact with an inner peripheral surface of the frame and an outer peripheral surface of the power feed shaft; and a non-conductive cover that holds and covers the frame and the rolling elements while exposing the power feed shaft except for the partially disposed portion; A heating device in which the connecting power feeder is attached so as to rotate integrally with the heating roll, excluding the power feed shaft.

2. The end of the heating roll is provided with a hole or a recess for use when attaching the connecting power feeder, 2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply connection member has a portion provided with a first protrusion that fits into the hole or recess at the end of the heating roll.

3. 3. The heating device according to claim 2, wherein the portion where the first convex portion is provided is configured as a plurality of protrusions protruding from a part of the power connection body.

4. The heating device according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are provided on the cover.

5. 3. The heating device according to claim 2, wherein the portion where the first convex portion is provided is composed of a plurality of plate-like members attached to the power connection member.

6. a power receiving part that receives power to rotate the heating roll, the power receiving part is attached to a portion of the end of the heating roll that is located inside the connection power feeder, a key groove into which a fixed key of the power receiving part is fitted is provided at an end of the heating roll; 2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein a second protrusion that fits into the key groove is provided on a part of the power connection member.

7. the key groove is a groove cut along the axial direction of the heating roll, The heating device according to claim 6, wherein the second protrusion is configured to fit into a surplus portion of the key groove that remains after the fixed key of the power receiving component is fitted into the key groove.

8. The heating device according to claim 6 , wherein the second protrusion is provided on the cover.

9. A conveying means for conveying a sheet-shaped object to be heated; a heating device that heats the object to be heated that is transported by the transport means; Equipped with 9. An apparatus for utilizing an object to be heated, wherein the heating device is configured as the heating device according to claim 1.

10. The apparatus for utilizing an object to be heated according to claim 9, wherein the heating device is a fixing device that fixes an unfixed image on a recording medium that is a sheet-like object to be heated.

Images