EP0181723A1 - Kleinmassige Wärme-Drück-Schmelzfixiereinrichtung - Google Patents

Kleinmassige Wärme-Drück-Schmelzfixiereinrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0181723A1
EP0181723A1 EP85307764A EP85307764A EP0181723A1 EP 0181723 A1 EP0181723 A1 EP 0181723A1 EP 85307764 A EP85307764 A EP 85307764A EP 85307764 A EP85307764 A EP 85307764A EP 0181723 A1 EP0181723 A1 EP 0181723A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
belt structure
belt
pressure
nip
heat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85307764A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Scott David Reynolds
John Ralph Field
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Xerox Corp
Original Assignee
Xerox Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xerox Corp filed Critical Xerox Corp
Publication of EP0181723A1 publication Critical patent/EP0181723A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
    • G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
    • G03G15/2064—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat combined with pressure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/20—Details of the fixing device or porcess
    • G03G2215/2003—Structural features of the fixing device
    • G03G2215/2016—Heating belt
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/20—Details of the fixing device or porcess
    • G03G2215/2003—Structural features of the fixing device
    • G03G2215/2016—Heating belt
    • G03G2215/2035—Heating belt the fixing nip having a stationary belt support member opposing a pressure member
    • G03G2215/2038—Heating belt the fixing nip having a stationary belt support member opposing a pressure member the belt further entrained around one or more rotating belt support members

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a heat and pressure fuser apparatus for fixing powder images to substrates.
  • a latent electrostatic image is formed on a charge-retentive surface which may comprise a photoconductor which generally comprises a photoconductive insulating material adhered to a conductive backing.
  • a photoconductor which generally comprises a photoconductive insulating material adhered to a conductive backing.
  • the photoconductor is first provided with a uniform charge after which it is exposed to a light image of an original document to be reproduced.
  • the latent electrostatic images, thus formed, are rendered visible by applying any one of numerous pigmented resins specifically designed for this purpose.
  • the latent electrostatic image may be formed by means other than by the exposure of an electrostatically charged photosensitive member to a light image of an original document.
  • the latent electrostatic image may be generated from information electronically stored or generated, and the digital information may be converted to alphanumeric images by image generation electronics and optics.
  • the pigmented resin more commonly referred to as toner which forms the visible images is transferred to a substrate such as plain paper. After transfer the images are made to adhere to the substrate by a fuser apparatus.
  • a fuser apparatus To date, the use of simultaneous heat and contact pressure for fusing toner images has been the most widely accepted commercially.
  • Such delays would not be tolerated by the user even though operating the fuser in such a manner would eliminate a substantial waste of energy and therefore money.
  • this saving of energy there would also be a reduction in heat loading to the environment.
  • An important aspect of the present invention lies in the separation of the heat and pressure functions. By separating the two functions it is possible to optimize each of them whereas if, as in prior art devices, they are integrated, design criteria that must be satisfied for optimum heating of the belt are counter-productive to optimization of the pressure function and vise versa. For example, in an integrated arrangement, since pressure creating application requires a relatively large rigid mass the heating of such a mass would require standby energy to be used in order to minimize the total time required for making copies. On the other hand, if the mass is substantially reduced in order to accommodate fast heating then the requisite mass for applying the required pressure would not be present.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown by way of example an automatic xerographic reproduction or printing machine, designated generally by the numeral 10 incorporating a heat and pressure fuser apparatus 99 of the present invention.
  • the reproduction machine 10 depicted in Figure 1 illustrates the various components utilized in machines of this type for producing copies of a document original 14.
  • the apparatus 99 of the present invention is particularly well adapted for use in reproduction machine 10, it should become evident from the following description that it is equally well suited for use in a wide variety of other reproduction and printing machine types and systems and is not necessarily limited in application to the particular embodiments shown herein.
  • Reproduction machine 10 has an image recording photoreceptor 15 in the form of a drum, the outer periphery of which has a suitable photoconductive material 16.
  • Photoreceptor 15 is suitably journaled for rotation within the machine frame (not shown) as by means of shaft 17.
  • a main drive motor 19 is drivingly coupled to photoreceptor 15, motor 19 rotating photoreceptor 15 in the direction indicated by arrow 18 to ring the photoconductive surface 16 of photoreceptor 15 past a series of xerographic processing stations.
  • a suitable controller 21 with microprocessor 22 and memory 23 is provided for operating in predetermined timed relationship the various components that comprise machine 10 to reproduce the document original 14 upon a sheet of final support material such as copy sheet 20.
  • memory 23 may comprise suitable read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory (NVM), memory 23 serving to store the various operating parameters for reproduction machine 10 and the copy run information programmed by the machine user or operator.
  • ROM read only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • NVM non-volatile memory
  • the photoconductive surface 16 of photoreceptor 15 is uniformly charged by a suitable charging device such as scorotron 25 at charging station 24.
  • the uniformly charged photoconductive surface 16 is exposed at exposure station 26 to create a latent electrostatic image of the document original 14 on photoreceptor 15.
  • a suitable supporting surface or platen 28 for document original 14 is provided having a scan aperture or slit 30 therethrough.
  • a suitable document transport, depicted herein as inlet and outlet constant velocity roll pairs 32, 33 is provided for transporting the document original past scan slit 30.
  • Roll pairs 32, 33 are drivingly coupled to main drive motor 19, roll pair 32 being coupled through an electromagnetically operated clutch 34.
  • a suitable document sensor 31 is provided at the inlet to platen 28 for sensing the insertion of a document original 14 to be copied and initiating operation of the reproduction machine 10.
  • a lamp 35 which is disposed below platen 28, serves to illuminate scan slit 30 and the line-like portion of the document original 14 thereover.
  • a suitable fiber optic type lens array 37 which may, for example, comprise an array of gradient index fiber elements, is provided to optically transmit the image ray reflected from the line-like portion of the document original being scanned to the photoconductive surface 16 of photoreceptor 15 at exposure station 26.
  • the latent image of the photoconductive surface 16 of photoreceptor 15 is developed at a development station 40.
  • a suitable developer such as magnetic brush roll 41, which is drivingly coupled to main drive motor 19, brings a suitable developer mix in developer housing 43 into developing elevation with the latent image to develop the image and render the same visible.
  • Copy sheets 20 are supported in stack-like fashion on base 44 of copy sheet supply tray 45. Suitable biasing means are provided to raise base 44 of tray 45 and bring the topmost copy sheet 20 in the stack of sheets 47 into operative relationship with segmented feed rolls 49. Feed rolls 49 are driven by main drive motor 19 through an electromagnetically operated clutch 51. Rolls 49 serve upon actuation of clutch 51 to feed the topmost copy sheet forward into the nip of a registration roll pair 50 which register the copy sheet with the image on the photoconductive surface 16 of photoreceptor 15. Registration roll pair 50 advance the copy sheet to transfer station 52. There, suitable transfer/detack means such as transfer/detaek corotrons 53, 54 bring the copy sheet into transfer relation with the developed image on photoconductive surface 16 and separate the copy sheet therefrom for fixing and discharge as a finished copy.
  • suitable transfer/detack means such as transfer/detaek corotrons 53, 54 bring the copy sheet into transfer relation with the developed image on photoconductive surface 16 and separate the copy sheet therefrom for fixing and discharge as
  • the image bearing copy sheet is transported to fuser 57 where the image is permanently fixed to the copy sheet.
  • the finished copy is transported by roll pair 56 to a suitable receptacle such as an output tray (not shown).
  • Registration roll pair 50 and transport roll pair 56 are driven by main drive motor 19 through suitable driving means such as belts and pulleys.
  • drum type photoreceptor While a drum type photoreceptor is shown and described herein, it will be understood that other photoreceptor types may be employed such as belt, web, etc.
  • An erase device 69 is provided for this purpose.
  • the cleaning blade 63 is supported in contact with the photoreceptor 15 such that residual toner is chiselled therefrom.
  • the toner and debris that are removed from the photoreceptor 15 fall into the collector 64 and are transported by means of an auger 72 disposed in the bottom of the collector 64. It is moved toward the back of the machine where it falls through an opening in the bottom of the collector 64.
  • the residual toner and debris fall downwardly via conduit 71 into a receptacle (not shown) which serves to store the residual toner until the receptacle is full after which it is removed from the machine.
  • the fuser apparatus 57 shown in more detail therein comprises a relatively thin fuser belt structure 80 comprising a base member 82 preferably fabricated from a metal material which is sufficiently stiff to be dragged across a non-rotating mandrel.
  • the base member is fabricated from nickel by a conventional electroforming process which provides a uniform thickness in the order 50 - 76 ⁇ m (of 2-3 mils).
  • the outer surface of the base member is coated with a conformable layer 85 which preferably comprises silicone rubber.
  • the inner surface of the base member 82 is preferably coated with a low friction material 84 such as polytetrafluoroethylene commonly known by the tradename Teflon (registered trademark of E. I. DuPont).
  • the thickness of the conformable layer is preferably at least 120 pm (5 mils).
  • the belt structure is heated by a radiant heater 86 to a temperature suitable for fusing toner images carried by copy sheets 20.
  • the radiant heater 86 is positioned at a predetermined distance away from a nip area 88 through which the copy sheets pass with the conformable layer 85 contacting the toner images on the sheets. This distance between the nip area and the nip is such that the heated portion of the belt contacts the toner images before the temperature of the belt has time to drop to a non-fusing temperature.
  • a rigid pressure rod 90 for creating the required pressure in the nip area.
  • the rod 90 is supported in engagement with one of two mandrels 92 and 94 about which the belt is entrained.
  • a suitable force applying device such as a cam 96 is provided for effecting pressure engagement of the rod 90 and the mandrel 92 which, in turn, cooperate with pressure roll 100 to create the desired pressure on the belt and toner images sandwiched between the mandrel 92 and the pressure roll.
  • the cam is designed to apply a loading in the nip area 88 of approximately 90 kg (200 pounds) or 4.8-6.9 x 10 5 Pa(70-100 PSI).
  • a suitable drive train represented schematically by the reference character 101 serves to drive the pressure roll 100 which, in turn, frictionally effects movement of the belt about the mandrels.
  • the drive 101 also effects operation of the cam 96.
  • the belt structure 80 and radiant fuser 86 form a low (i.e. less than 150 grams and preferably 80 grams) mass fuser which can be elevated to an operating level in 6-8 seconds while operating at fusing speeds from 25-30 cms (10-12 in/sec) or any other desired speed.
  • the power rating of the radiant energy source 86 is in the order of 1500-2000 watts.
  • the belt structure in its non-tensioned condition has a diameter of 6.4 cm (2-1/2 inches) and a width of 33 cm (13 inches) or greater.
  • a further embodiment of our fuser apparatus shown in Figure 3 and represented by reference character 99 comprises a similar fuser belt structure 80.
  • the belt structure is entrained about a stationary mandrel 102 and a thin-walled, rotationally supported tube heater 104, the latter of which has an internal source of energy 106 for elevating the temperature of the belt.
  • the geometry of the mandrel 102 is such that it limits deflection of the belt structure 80.
  • a nip 108 is formed between the belt surface and a pressure roll 110.
  • the mandrel has appended thereto a plurality of insulating nubs 112 to minimize the heat loss from the belt.
  • Rotation of the pressure roll in a manner similar to that for rotating conventional roll fusers causes the belt to move about the mandrel whereby a heated portion of the belt is brought into the nip for fusing in toner images.
  • the belt structure, tube heater 104, and the internal heat source 106 form low mass fuser.
  • a suitable structure (not shown) effects proper tracking of the belt structure 80.
  • the tube heater 104 is preferably fabricated from nickel and has a thickness of approximately 100 pm (four mils).
  • the preferred method of forming the tube heater is by the electroforming process.
  • a structure that is relatively rigid and substantially uniform in thickness is provided. Since the tube heater rotates, sliding friction between the belt structure and the tube heater is avoided when movement of the belt structure is effected by the pressure roll.
  • the pressure roll in both embodiments of the invention has an outside diameter of 7.6 cm (three inches).
  • the outer surface of the pressure roll is provided with a relatively thick conformable layer which may comprise silicone rubber.
  • Bearings (not shown) support the tube heater for rotation by means of a drive schematically represented by reference character 116.
  • the drive 116 also serves to actuate a cam 118 which acts on a cam follower 120 for applying a load on the mandrel 102 for creating desired nip pressures.
  • the fuser apparatus representing our invention can be operated at relatively high (i.e. 25-30 cms (10-12 inches/sec.)) speeds without the use of standby power.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
EP85307764A 1984-10-31 1985-10-28 Kleinmassige Wärme-Drück-Schmelzfixiereinrichtung Withdrawn EP0181723A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66659684A 1984-10-31 1984-10-31
US666596 1984-10-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0181723A1 true EP0181723A1 (de) 1986-05-21

Family

ID=24674670

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85307764A Withdrawn EP0181723A1 (de) 1984-10-31 1985-10-28 Kleinmassige Wärme-Drück-Schmelzfixiereinrichtung

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0181723A1 (de)
JP (1) JPS61109083A (de)
BR (1) BR8505413A (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0411588A3 (en) * 1989-08-01 1991-07-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha An image fixing apparatus
US5157238A (en) * 1988-09-08 1992-10-20 Spectrum Sciences, B.V. Fusing apparatus and method
US5280155A (en) * 1991-07-19 1994-01-18 Canon Kabushihi Kaisha Image heater having film guide with projections
EP0461596A3 (de) * 1990-06-11 1994-02-09 Canon Kk
US5636349A (en) * 1988-09-08 1997-06-03 Indigo N.V. Method and apparatus for imaging using an intermediate transfer member
US5745829A (en) 1989-01-04 1998-04-28 Indigo N.V. Imaging apparatus and intermediate transfer blanket therefor
US5815783A (en) * 1989-12-06 1998-09-29 Indigo N.V. Method and apparatus for printing on both sides of a substrate
EP0935176A3 (de) * 1998-02-09 1999-10-27 Nitto Kogyo Co., Ltd. Fixiervorrichtung für Tonerbild
EP0935175A3 (de) * 1998-02-09 1999-10-27 Nitto Kogyo Co., Ltd. Fixiervorrichtung für Tonerbild
GB2357461A (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-06-27 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd Fixing devices for image processing devices

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07122771B2 (ja) * 1988-11-11 1995-12-25 キヤノン株式会社 定着装置
JPH07122770B2 (ja) * 1988-11-11 1995-12-25 キヤノン株式会社 定着装置
JPH0810375B2 (ja) * 1989-04-12 1996-01-31 キヤノン株式会社 定着装置
JPH0810376B2 (ja) * 1989-06-22 1996-01-31 キヤノン株式会社 定着装置
JPH0810377B2 (ja) * 1989-06-22 1996-01-31 キヤノン株式会社 定着装置及び定着用樹脂フィルム
JPH04166966A (ja) * 1990-10-31 1992-06-12 Babcock Hitachi Kk 熱定着装置

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3716018A (en) * 1969-10-09 1973-02-13 Ricoh Kk Device for heating and fixing toner images upon a recording medium
US3811828A (en) * 1970-10-29 1974-05-21 Ricoh Kk Process and device for heating and fixing an image upon a recording medium
GB2007159A (en) * 1977-10-31 1979-05-16 Oce Van Der Grinten Nv Electrophotographic Fixing
GB2027640A (en) * 1978-08-07 1980-02-27 Pitney Bowes Inc Apparatus for fixing toner images
US4242566A (en) * 1980-03-21 1980-12-30 Pitney Bowes Inc. Heat-pressure fusing device
GB2050943A (en) * 1979-05-16 1981-01-14 Pitney Bowes Inc Fusing device for electgrostatic copier
US4430406A (en) * 1981-10-22 1984-02-07 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser member

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3716018A (en) * 1969-10-09 1973-02-13 Ricoh Kk Device for heating and fixing toner images upon a recording medium
US3811828A (en) * 1970-10-29 1974-05-21 Ricoh Kk Process and device for heating and fixing an image upon a recording medium
GB2007159A (en) * 1977-10-31 1979-05-16 Oce Van Der Grinten Nv Electrophotographic Fixing
GB2027640A (en) * 1978-08-07 1980-02-27 Pitney Bowes Inc Apparatus for fixing toner images
GB2050943A (en) * 1979-05-16 1981-01-14 Pitney Bowes Inc Fusing device for electgrostatic copier
US4242566A (en) * 1980-03-21 1980-12-30 Pitney Bowes Inc. Heat-pressure fusing device
US4430406A (en) * 1981-10-22 1984-02-07 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser member

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5157238A (en) * 1988-09-08 1992-10-20 Spectrum Sciences, B.V. Fusing apparatus and method
US5636349A (en) * 1988-09-08 1997-06-03 Indigo N.V. Method and apparatus for imaging using an intermediate transfer member
US5745829A (en) 1989-01-04 1998-04-28 Indigo N.V. Imaging apparatus and intermediate transfer blanket therefor
US5235395A (en) * 1989-08-01 1993-08-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image fixing apparatus
EP0411588A3 (en) * 1989-08-01 1991-07-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha An image fixing apparatus
US5815783A (en) * 1989-12-06 1998-09-29 Indigo N.V. Method and apparatus for printing on both sides of a substrate
EP0461596A3 (de) * 1990-06-11 1994-02-09 Canon Kk
US5280155A (en) * 1991-07-19 1994-01-18 Canon Kabushihi Kaisha Image heater having film guide with projections
EP0935176A3 (de) * 1998-02-09 1999-10-27 Nitto Kogyo Co., Ltd. Fixiervorrichtung für Tonerbild
EP0935175A3 (de) * 1998-02-09 1999-10-27 Nitto Kogyo Co., Ltd. Fixiervorrichtung für Tonerbild
GB2357461A (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-06-27 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd Fixing devices for image processing devices
GB2357461B (en) * 1999-12-22 2002-05-08 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd Fixing device
US6449457B2 (en) 1999-12-22 2002-09-10 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Toner image forming device with belt heated by electromagnetic induction heating

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS61109083A (ja) 1986-05-27
BR8505413A (pt) 1986-08-05

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Inventor name: REYNOLDS, SCOTT DAVID