Fixing device, image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent regulation members from coming off from a fixing belt.SOLUTION: A fixing device comprises: a rotatable endless fixing belt 24; a pressure roller 23 that faces the fixing belt 24; a pressure pad 22 that is provided inside the fixing belt 24 and forms a fixing nip with the pressure roller 23; skew prevention guides 32 that are provided at the ends in a width direction inside of the fixing belt 24 to regulate a movement in the width direction of the fixing belt 24; and lubricant that is provided between an inner face of the fixing belt 24 and the pressure pad 22. The difference in solubility parameter between the lubricant and the skew prevention guides 32 is 0.5 (MPa)0.5 or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a fixing device equipped with an endless fixing belt, a nip forming member is provided that slides against the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and forms a fixing nip between the fixing belt and a pressure member such as a pressure roller via the fixing belt. A lubricant is applied between the nip forming member and the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt to reduce the frictional force generated between them.

[0003] Furthermore, in the fixing device described above, in Cited Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5133036), a guide for preventing deviation of the fixing belt is provided on the widthwise end side of the fixing belt to prevent deviation of the fixing belt.

[0004] However, when the aforementioned lubricant flows down the fixing belt and onto the regulating member that regulates the widthwise movement of the fixing belt, it soaks into the regulating member and the adhesive that adheres the regulating member to the fixing belt, causing the regulating member to fall off from the fixing belt. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to prevent the regulating member from falling off the fixing belt. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a fixing device including a rotatable endless fixing belt, a pressure member facing the fixing belt, a nip forming member provided inside the fixing belt and forming a fixing nip between the pressure member and the pressure member, a regulating member provided on an inner side of the fixing belt at an end in a width direction thereof and regulating movement of the fixing belt in the width direction, and a lubricant provided between the inner surface of the fixing belt and the nip forming member, wherein the difference in solubility parameter between the lubricant and the regulating member is 0.5 (MPa). 0.5 That's all. an adhesive for adhering the fixing belt and the regulating member is provided, and the difference in solubility parameter between the lubricant and the adhesive is 0.5 (MPa) 0.5 That's all It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The regulating member can be prevented from falling off the fixing belt. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the stopper guide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0010] An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Examples of the image forming apparatus include printers, copiers, fax machines, and other devices that form images using toner, and that include a fixing device that fixes a toner image (unfixed image) formed on a recording medium.

[0011] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a tandem intermediate transfer type. The image forming apparatus 100 has a paper feed table 200 with a paper feed tray 44 at its bottom.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a tandem intermediate transfer type tandem image forming unit 11. A plurality of image forming means 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K are arranged side by side in the image forming unit 11. The subscripts Y, M, C, and K attached to these reference numerals represent the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.

[0013] An endless belt-like intermediate transfer body (hereinafter referred to as intermediate transfer belt) 10 is provided near the center of the image forming apparatus 100. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is supported by being wound around a plurality of rollers 14, 15, 15', 16, etc., and can be rotated and conveyed clockwise in FIG.

[0014] 1, a cleaning device 17 for the intermediate transfer belt is provided downstream of the secondary transfer opposing roller 16, which is one of these support rollers, in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 10. The cleaning device 17 removes residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 10 after image transfer.

[0015] Intermediate transfer belt 10 is stretched between support roller 14 and support roller 15. Four image forming means 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged above intermediate transfer belt 10 along the conveying direction. The reference numerals will be abbreviated below as 18(Y, M, C, K).

[0016] In this way, the four image forming means 18 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged side by side to form the tandem image forming unit 11 as described above. Each image forming means 18 (Y, M, C, K) of this tandem image forming unit 11 has a photosensitive drum 40 (Y, M, C, K) as an image carrier that carries a toner image of each color, yellow, magenta, cyan, or black.

[0017] Two exposure devices 12 are provided above the tandem image forming unit 11. Each exposure device 12 is provided corresponding to two image forming means (18Y and 18M, 18C and 18K). Each exposure device 12 is an optical scanning exposure device consisting of a light source device such as a semiconductor laser, a semiconductor laser array, or a multi-beam light source, a coupling optical system, a common optical deflector such as a polygon mirror, and two scanning and imaging optical systems. Each exposure device 12 exposes each photosensitive drum 40 (Y, M, C, K) to light according to image information for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0018] In addition, a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device are provided around the photosensitive drum 40 (Y, M, C, K) of each image forming means 18 (Y, M, C, K). The charging device uniformly charges each photosensitive drum prior to exposure. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image formed by exposure with toner of the corresponding color. The cleaning device removes residual toner from the photosensitive drum after transfer.

[0019] Furthermore, primary transfer rollers 62 (Y, M, C, K) are provided at primary transfer positions where toner images are transferred from each photosensitive drum 40 (Y, M, C, K) to the intermediate transfer belt 10. The primary transfer rollers 62 (Y, M, C, K) are provided to face each photosensitive drum 40 (Y, M, C, K) with the intermediate transfer belt 10 sandwiched therebetween, and are components of primary transfer means.

[0020] Of the multiple support rollers that support the intermediate transfer belt 10, support roller 14 is a drive roller that rotates and drives the intermediate transfer belt 10, and is connected to a motor via a drive transmission mechanism such as gears, pulleys, and belts. When a black monochrome image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10, the support rollers 15 and 15' other than support roller 14 can be moved by a movement mechanism to separate the photosensitive drums 40 (Y, M, C) from the intermediate transfer belt 10. In addition, a backup roller 63 is also provided as a supporting roller.

[0021] A secondary transfer device 13 is provided on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 10 from the tandem image forming unit 11. This secondary transfer device 13 transfers the image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 to a sheet-like recording medium P by pressing a secondary transfer roller 16' against a secondary transfer opposing roller 16 and applying a transfer electric field.

[0022] Further, a fixing device 20 that fixes the transferred image on the recording medium P is provided downstream of the secondary transfer device 13 in the conveying direction. The recording medium P onto which the image has been transferred by the secondary transfer device 13 is conveyed to the fixing device 20 by a conveying belt 38 supported by two rollers 37. Of course, the conveying belt 38 may be a fixed guide member, or may be a conveying roller or a conveying roller.

[0023] A sheet inverting device 39 is provided below the tandem image forming unit 11, the secondary transfer device 13, and the fixing device 20. The sheet inverting device 39 inverts and transports the recording medium P when images are recorded on both sides of the recording medium P.

[0024] The recording medium P is conveyed as follows: First, one of the paper feed rollers 42 of the paper feed table 200 is selectively rotated to feed the recording medium P from one of the paper feed trays 44 arranged in multiple stages in the paper bank 43. The fed recording medium P is separated one by one by a separation roller 45 and introduced into a paper feed path 46, and is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 47 and is led to a paper feed path 48 inside the image forming apparatus 100, where it is stopped by a pair of positioning rollers (registration rollers) 49.

[0025] When the manual feed tray 51 is used, the paper feed roller 50 is rotated to feed out the recording medium P on the manual feed tray 51, and the fed out recording medium P is separated one by one by the separation roller 52, and then introduced into the manual feed path 53, and similarly abutted against the positioning roller pair 49 and stopped.

[0026] Thereafter, the positioning roller pair 49 is rotated in synchronization with the formation of the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10, and the recording medium P is sent to the secondary transfer position between the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the secondary transfer roller 16'. Then, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is transferred onto the recording medium P all at once.

[0027] The recording medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported by a transport belt 38 and sent to a fixing device 20, where heat and pressure are applied to fix the transferred toner image, and then the recording medium P is discharged onto a discharge tray 57 by a discharge roller 56 and stacked thereon.

[0028] In the case of double-sided printing, the recording medium P with an image fixed on one side is introduced into the sheet inverting device 39, inverted, and then led again to the secondary transfer position. Then, an image is transferred onto the back side as well, and after the image is fixed on the back side of the recording medium P by the fixing device 20, the recording medium P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 57 by the discharge rollers 56.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows an example of the fixing device 20, and is a schematic diagram of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the pressure roller .

[0030] The fixing device 20 includes a heating roller 21, a pressure pad 22 as a nip forming member, a tension roller 27, a pressure roller 23 as a pressure member, a fixing belt 24, and heaters 25 and 26 as heat sources. The fixing belt 24 is stretched across the heating roller 21, the pressure pad 22, and the tension roller 27. The pressure roller 23 presses the pressure pad 22 through the fixing belt 24 to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt 24 and the pressure pad 22. The heating roller 21, the pressure pad 22, the pressure roller 23, and the fixing belt 24 extend in a longitudinal direction, which is perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2 . This direction is also the width direction of the fixing belt 24 or the width direction of a recording medium passed through the fixing device 20.

[0031] The heating roller 21 has a heater 25 therein, and the pressure roller 23 has a heater 26 therein.

[0032] The fixing device 20 heats and fixes a recording medium P carrying an unfixed toner image T (transferred image) by passing the recording medium P through a fixing nip. This fixing nip is formed between a fixing belt 24 and a pressure roller 23 by the pressure contact between a pressure pad 22 and a pressure roller 23. The heating roller 21 and the pressure roller 23 are rotatably supported on both ends in the longitudinal direction by a housing of the fixing device, and the drive means for each roller is fixedly held by the housing.

[0033] The leading edge of the recording medium P that has passed through the fixing nip is separated by a separation plate 28 arranged on the fixing belt 24 side or a separation plate 29 arranged on the pressure roller 23 side, and the recording medium P is discharged to the next process. Note that the separation plates 28 and 29, which are separating members arranged on the pressure pad 22 side and the pressure roller 23 side, respectively, are not limited to plate-shaped members, and separation claws may also be used.

[0034] The heating roller 21 heats the surface of the fixing belt 24 on the upstream side of the fixing nip. The heating roller 21 is, for example, a thin-walled cylindrical body made of a metal material, and a heater 25 is fixed inside the cylindrical body. For example, a halogen heater or a carbon heater can be used as the heater 25. Both ends of the heater 25 are fixed to the housing of the fixing device 20. The heater 25 may also be an induction heating means (IH heating means) that heats the heating roller 21 from the outside.

[0035] The output of heater 25 is controlled by a power supply (AC power supply) of the apparatus main body, and heating roller 21 is heated by radiant heat from heater 25. Furthermore, heat is applied to unfixed toner image T on recording medium P from the surface of fixing belt 24 heated by heating roller 21. The output of heater 25 is controlled based on the detection result of the belt surface temperature by temperature sensor 30 such as a thermopile. The thermopile is provided at a position facing the surface of fixing belt 24. The installation position and number of temperature sensors 30 are not limited to this; for example, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of pressure roller 23 may be provided, and heaters 25, 26 may be controlled based on this.

[0036] The fixing belt 24 is wound around the tension roller 27 and the heating roller 21, and rotates while sliding on the pressure pad 22.

[0037] The pressure pad 22 is disposed along the axial direction of the fixing belt 24 and determines the shape of the fixing nip N by receiving the pressure of the pressure roller 23. The pressure pad 22 is fixed and supported by a support member (stay), which prevents the pressure of the pressure roller 23 from causing bending of the pressure pad 22 and ensures that a uniform nip width is obtained along the axial direction of the pressure roller 23.

[0038] The pressure pad 22 is also made of a heat-resistant material. This prevents deformation of the pressure pad 22 due to heat in the toner fixing temperature range, ensures a stable state of the fixing nip N, and stabilizes the output image quality. The pressure pad 22 can be made of common heat-resistant resins such as polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyethernitrile (PEN), polyamideimide (PAI), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0039] In addition, in order to reduce the sliding resistance of the fixing belt 24 caused by the pressure pad 22, a sliding sheet 31 impregnated with a lubricant such as silicone oil or fluorine grease is fixed to the surface of the pressure pad 22. The sliding sheet 31 may be disposed on at least the surface of the pressure pad 22 that faces the fixing belt 24 (the sliding surface). As a result, when the fixing belt 24 rotates, the fixing belt 24 slides against this low-friction sheet, thereby reducing the drive torque generated in the fixing belt 24 and the load on the fixing belt 24 due to frictional force. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a lubricant is applied between the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 24 and the pressure pad 22 without providing the sliding sheet 31. In addition, a lubricant supplying member such as a supply roller that supplies lubricant between the sliding sheet 31, the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 24, and the pressure pad 22 is provided.

[0040] The fixing belt 24 is an endless belt having a two-layer structure in which an elastic layer such as a silicone rubber layer is formed on a base material such as nickel, stainless steel, or polyimide.

[0041] Alternatively, the fixing belt 24 may be an endless belt having a multilayer structure in which an elastic layer such as silicone rubber and a release layer are sequentially laminated on a base layer made of, for example, PI (polyimide) resin. The elastic layer may have a thickness of, for example, about 200 μm and be made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, or foamed silicone rubber. The release layer may have a thickness of, for example, about 20 μm and be made of PFA (tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer resin), polyimide, polyetherimide, PES (polyether sulfide), or the like. Providing a release layer on the surface of the fixing belt 24 ensures releasability (separability) from the toner (toner image).

[0042] The pressure roller 23 is a roller member in which an elastic layer made of fluororubber, silicone rubber, foamed silicone rubber, or the like is formed on a core metal such as SUS304. A heater 26 provided inside the cylindrical body prevents a drop in temperature at the fixing nip. The heater 26 may also be omitted.

[0043] By controlling the pressing force (pressure) of the pressure roller 23 toward the pressure pad 22, it is possible to control the nip width of the fixing nip.

[0044] In the fixing device 20, the fixing belt 24 is conveyed by the pressure roller 23, which is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a driving means, while sliding on the pressure pad 22. Alternatively, the heating roller 21 may be driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a driving means, thereby applying a driving force for conveying the fixing belt 24.

[0045] Next, the slippage prevention guide 32 as a regulating member provided on the fixing belt 24 will be described with reference to the perspective view of FIG.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3, a slippage prevention guide 32 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 24, on one end side in the width direction. The slippage prevention guide 32 is an endless ring-shaped member that is provided integrally with the fixing belt 24 along the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 24. The slippage prevention guide 32 is formed from, for example, fluororubber, and is adhered to the fixing belt 24 using a heat-resistant adhesive. Although Fig. 3 shows only one end side in the width direction of the fixing belt 24, a slippage prevention guide is also provided on the other end side in the width direction.

[0047] The widthwise end side of the fixing belt 24 where the deviation prevention guide 32 is provided refers to at least one of the two end regions when the fixing belt 24 is divided into three in the width direction. In this embodiment, the deviation prevention guide 32 is provided in the vicinity of the widthwise end of the fixing belt 24.

[0048] The deviation prevention guides 32 are provided on the widthwise end sides of the fixing belt 24 to restrict the widthwise movement of the fixing belt 24. This makes it possible to prevent the fixing belt 24 from deviating to either side in the widthwise direction when the fixing belt 24 is rotating.

[0049] Incidentally, the lubricant applied between the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 24 and the pressure pad 22 may move along the fixing belt 24 in the width direction thereof during rotation of the fixing belt 24 and adhere to the slippage prevention guide 32. The lubricant then penetrates into the slippage prevention guide 32 and the molecular structure of the adhesive that bonds the slippage prevention guide 32 to the fixing belt 24. This may cause the slippage prevention guide 32 to expand, resulting in poor adhesion between the slippage prevention guide 32 and the fixing belt 24, and ultimately causing the slippage prevention guide 32 to fall off the fixing belt 24.

[0050] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the difference in solubility parameters (SP value: Solubility Parameters) between the material constituting the slip prevention guide 32 and the lubricant is set to 0.5 (MPa). 0.5This setting makes it difficult for the lubricant to penetrate into the molecular structure of the slippage prevention guide 32. This prevents the slippage prevention guide 32 from falling off the fixing belt 24, and maintains good adhesion between the slippage prevention guide 32 and the fixing belt 24 for a long period of time.

[0051] When the slippage prevention guide 32 is composed of multiple parts made of different materials, the solubility parameters of only some of the parts may be set as described above. For example, the solubility parameter of the main material of the slippage prevention guide 32 may be set as described above. Alternatively, the solubility parameter of only the region of the slippage prevention guide 32 that is likely to come into contact with the lubricant may be set as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the solubility parameter of the material of a portion 32a on the outer periphery of the slippage prevention guide 32 may be set as described above, and the remaining portions may be made of a different material (e.g., a cheaper material). This allows for greater freedom in selecting materials for the slippage prevention guide 32 and can reduce the cost of the slippage prevention guide 32.

[0052] In this embodiment, the difference in solubility parameter (SP value) between the adhesive that bonds the slippage prevention guide 32 and the fixing belt 24 and the lubricant is set to 0.5 (MPa). 0.5 This setting makes it difficult for the lubricant to penetrate into the molecular structure of the adhesive, thereby preventing the slippage prevention guide 32 from falling off the fixing belt 24. This allows the fixing device to have a longer life.

[0053] As a method for measuring the solubility parameter (SP value), any of the following methods can be appropriately used.

[0054] The SP value of low molecular weight compounds can be calculated directly from the evaporation energy. Methods for measuring the SP value of polymeric materials include determining it from its solubility in a known solvent, determining its osmotic pressure, or for crosslinked polymers, determining its swelling rate, or determining the change in turbidity when a poor solvent is added to a polymeric solution (turbidity titration). Furthermore, the SP value of polymeric materials is often calculated using the atomic group contribution method, which estimates the SP value based on parameters given for each chemical structure. Typical calculation methods include the Hansen method, Hildebrand method, Fedors method, Van Krevelen method, Hoy method, and Small method.

[0055] It is preferable to use silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or fluororubber as the material for the deviation prevention guide 32. This allows the deviation prevention guide 32 to have heat resistance, and can suppress deterioration due to use in a high-temperature environment (for example, up to 200°C) inside the fixing device. In addition, the deviation prevention guide 32 can have flexibility, and can follow changes in the shape of the fixing belt 24.

[0056] Silicone resin, fluorosilicone resin, or fluorine resin is preferably used as the material for the adhesive that bonds the slippage prevention guide 32 and the fixing belt 24. This allows the adhesive to have sufficient adhesive strength and heat resistance, and can suppress deterioration due to use in a high-temperature environment inside the fixing device.

[0057] The lubricant material preferably used is silicone oil, fluorosilicone oil, or fluorine oil. This allows the lubricant to have heat resistance and suppresses deterioration due to use in the high-temperature environment inside the fixing device. Furthermore, the lubricant has high lubricity and suppresses volatilization, allowing it to maintain high lubrication performance for a long period of time.

[0058] Next, we will explain the results of an experiment conducted to examine the difference in SP value and whether or not the slippage prevention guide peels off from the fixing belt when different materials are used for the slippage prevention guide, adhesive, and lubricant. In this experiment, Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were tested.

[0059] In Example 1, "KF968-100CS" (silicone oil manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the lubricant, "FE-281-U" (fluorosilicone rubber manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the rubber material for the slip prevention guide, and "FE-2000" (fluorosilicone adhesive manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0060] In Example 2, "KF968-100CS" (silicone oil manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the lubricant, "FC-2179" (fluororubber manufactured by 3M Corporation) is used as the rubber material for the slip prevention guide, and "SIFEL X-71-8094-5A / B" (fluorine-based adhesive manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0061] In Example 3, "FL-100-100CS" (fluorosilicone oil manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the lubricant, "XIAMETER RBB-6660-60" (silicone rubber manufactured by Dow-Toray Industries, Inc.) is used as the rubber material for the anti-slip guide, and "TSE387" (silicone adhesive manufactured by Momentive Japan Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0062] In Example 4, "FL-100-100CS" (fluorosilicone oil manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the lubricant, "FC-2179" (fluororubber manufactured by 3M Corporation) is used as the rubber material for the slip prevention guide, and "SIFEL X-71-8094-5A / B" (fluorine-based adhesive manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0063] In Example 5, "BARRIERTA J 800 FLUID" (fluorine oil manufactured by NOK Kluber) is used as the lubricant, "FE-281-U" (fluorosilicone rubber manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the rubber material for the slip prevention guide, and "FE-2000" (fluorosilicone adhesive manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0064] In Comparative Example 1, "KF968-100CS" (silicone oil manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the lubricant, "XIAMETER RBB-6660-60" (silicone rubber manufactured by Dow-Toray Industries, Inc.) is used as the rubber material for the anti-slip guide, and "TSE387" (silicone adhesive manufactured by Momentive Japan Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0065] In Comparative Example 2, "FL-100-100CS" (fluorosilicone oil manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the lubricant, "FE-281-U" (fluorosilicone rubber manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the rubber material for the slippage prevention guide, and "FE-2000" (fluorosilicone adhesive manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0066] In Comparative Example 3, "BARRIERTA J 800 FLUID" (fluorine oil manufactured by NOK Kluber) is used as the lubricant, "FC-2179" (fluorine rubber manufactured by 3M Corporation) is used as the rubber material for the slip prevention guide, and "SIFEL X-71-8094-5A / B" (fluorine-based adhesive manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the adhesive.

[0067] For the above Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (MPC4503, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) was used to perform image formation on paper (fixing operation by the fixing device) up to 500,000 sheets. If an abnormal stop of the device occurred due to separation of the slippage prevention guide from the fixing belt, the result was judged as ×, and if no abnormal stop occurred up to 500,000 sheets, the result was judged as ◯.

[0068] The lubricants, slip prevention guides, adhesives, and their SP values, as well as the experimental results, for each of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 are summarized in Table 1 below.

[0069] [Table 1]

[0070] As shown in Table 1, the difference in SP value between the lubricant and the guide or between the lubricant and the adhesive is 0.5 (MPa). 0.5 The evaluation was good for all of the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 5. On the other hand, when the difference in SP value between the lubricant and the slippage prevention guide or the lubricant and the adhesive was 0.5 (MPa), 0.5 In all of the smaller comparative examples 1 to 3, peeling of the slippage prevention guide occurred and the result was judged as x. In this way, when the difference in SP value between the lubricant and the slippage prevention guide or the lubricant and the adhesive was 0.5 (MPa), 0.5 By doing so, it is possible to prevent the deviation prevention guide from peeling off the fixing belt.

[0071] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0072] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, but may also be a monochrome image forming apparatus, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a combination machine of these.

[0073] Recording media include paper P (plain paper), as well as cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, OHP sheets, plastic film, prepreg, copper foil, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1. Image forming device 20 Fixing device 22 Pressure pad (nip forming member) 23 Pressure roller (pressure member) 24 Fixing belt 32 Stop guide (regulating member) P Recording medium [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0075] [License 1] Patent No. 5133036

Claims

1. a rotatable endless fixing belt; a pressure member facing the fixing belt; a nip forming member provided inside the fixing belt and forming a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure member; a regulating member provided on an inner end side of the fixing belt in the width direction, the regulating member regulating movement of the fixing belt in the width direction; a lubricant provided between the inner surface of the fixing belt and the nip forming member, The difference in solubility parameter between the lubricant and the restricting member is 0.5 (MPa). ０．５ That's all, an adhesive for bonding the fixing belt and the regulating member; The fixing device is characterized in that the difference in solubility parameter between the lubricant and the adhesive is 0.5 (MPa) 0.5 or more.

2. 2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is made of at least one of silicone resin, fluorosilicone resin, and fluorine resin.

3. 3. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is made of at least one of silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, and fluorine rubber.

4. 4. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is made of at least one of silicone oil, fluorosilicone oil, and fluorine oil.

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

Images