Heating device

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a heating device that applies heat of a heating body to a material to be heated via a belt.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, a heat roller type device, a film heating type device, or a belt heating type device has been adopted as a heating fixing device as a heating device mounted on an image forming device.

【0003】

Here, since the terms film and belt are used in various definitions, the expressions used in each publication are used in the description of this prior art, but both film and belt are broadly defined as sheet-like or endless. It is used as a meaning to refer to a flexible member.

【0004】

The film (belt) heating type heating fixing device can be exemplified by a configuration represented by Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-313182, and many inventions with various improvements are known examples.

【0005】

These film heating type heating fixing devices have a film, a heating body fixedly supported inside the film, and a pressure member forming a nip with the heating body, and a material to be heated is introduced into the nip portion. The basic configuration is such that the heat of the heated body is applied to the material to be heated by sandwiching and transporting the film together with the film.

【0006】

Such a heating device can be used as a heat fixing device in which an unfixed image is heat-fixed as a permanently fixed image on the surface of a recording material on which an unfixed image is formed and supported. It can also be used as an image heating device or the like that heats a recording material carrying an image to modify surface properties such as gloss.

【0007】

In such a film heating type heating fixing device, by using a thin film having a low heat capacity, it is possible to shorten the start-up time until the desired temperature control is achieved, and it is possible to reduce the amount of heat at that time. Since it can be done, power saving and on-demand printing become possible.

【0008】

Further, such a film heating type heat fixing device achieves more effective heat transfer by limiting the place where the heat from the heating body is transferred to the film in the nip. This is a major difference from the thermal roller type heating device in which the entire roller is heated by a halogen lamp.

【0009】

Further, in the film heating type heating fixing device, a configuration is also proposed in which the place where the heat from the heating body is transferred to the film is not limited to the inside of the nip, and the heating body is extended to the outside of the nip. These proposals are proposals to solve various problems while taking advantage of the film heating type heat fixing device.

【0010】

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-305676, as a heating fixing device capable of improving the fixability of thick paper, envelopes, etc., a recording material is located closer to the paper feed side than the nip part and before passing through the nip part. We are proposing a heating fixing device including a heating element having a heating element that is designed to be heated.

【0011】

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-318882, in order to avoid troubles when the film is thin, as a fixing device which can reduce the electric power supplied to the heating element even when the film thickness is thick and save energy. , Proposes a fixing device in which a part of the heating layer of the heating element is present on the entry side of the recording material.

【0012】

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-314041, as a heating device in consideration of problems such as film wear due to setting the temperature of the heating body to a high temperature during high-speed processing and steam ejection due to rapid heating at the nip, the heating material is transported in the direction of transfer. We propose a heating device in which there are at least two heat generation distribution peaks, at least one peak is located in the nip portion, and the other at least one peak is located upstream of the nip portion in the direction of transporting the material to be heated.

【0013】

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-186911, a substrate made of aluminum nitride or silicon carbide ceramic is used as a heat fixing device that solves the problem of image tailing, prevents the heater from cracking, and maintains good fixability. We are proposing a heating and fixing device in which a heating heater having the above is provided so as to protrude to the upstream side of the flow of the recording material.

【0014】

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-66688, as a heating device for eliminating high-temperature offset and film wrinkles caused by temperature rise in the non-passing portion, a high thermal conductivity and a predetermined heat capacity are provided along the length of the heating body. We are proposing a heating device equipped with a heat-storing and heat-conducting member.

【0015】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the case of the configuration in which the heating body is extended to the outside of the nip as described above, the heat capacity of the entire heating body is increased, so that the heat response of the heating body becomes slow when compared with the same calorific value.

【0016】

The present invention proposes to solve various problems while taking advantage of the film heating type heating fixing device by reducing the delay in the thermal response of the heating body as much as possible and transferring the heat of the heating body to the outside of the nip. Is.

【0017】

An object of the first invention according to the present application is to transfer a part of the heat of the heating body to the vicinity of the nip to expand the heating region and increase the amount of heat transferred from the heating body. That is, the purpose is to shorten the start-up time when the belt is heated to a predetermined temperature, and to cope with high speed in which a large amount of heat is desired to be transferred in a short time. Further, by removing a part of the heat of the heating body, it is possible to design an appropriate heat conduction such as preventing an abnormal temperature rise of the heating body as a result.

【0018】

An object of the second invention according to the present application is to reduce the delay in the thermal response of the heated body as much as possible and to more effectively achieve the object of the first invention.

【0019】

An object of the third invention according to the present application is to make it easy to process a high thermal conductive member and achieve low cost.

【0020】

An object of the fourth to sixth inventions according to the present application is to maintain a good heat transfer state between the high heat conductive member and the belt. In particular, the fifth invention aims at achieving both slidability and heat conduction. Another object of the sixth invention is to improve the slidability in an easy-to-configure manner.

【0021】

An object of the seventh invention according to the present application is to solve the sliding itself between the high thermal conductive member and the belt.

【0022】

An object of the eighth to tenth inventions according to the present application is to take partial heat of a heating body and to design an appropriate heat conduction. An eighth invention aims to emphasize heat conduction both inside and outside the nip. A ninth aspect of the present invention is to alleviate an abnormal temperature rise on the surface of the heated body on the side opposite to the side facing the pressurizing member. Another object of the tenth invention is to alleviate the abnormal temperature rise of the surface of the heated body perpendicular to the transport direction of the material to be heated.

【0023】

An object of the eleventh to thirteenth inventions according to the present application is to transfer the heat of the heating body to an appropriate position of the belt. An eleventh invention aims to transfer heat to the upstream side, which is effective as a preheating of the belt. Another object of the twelfth invention is to transfer heat to the downstream side, which is effective in alleviating the temperature rise of the non-passing portion. The thirteenth invention aims at expanding the heat transfer capacity as well as the preheating effect and the relaxation of the temperature rise of the non-passing paper portion.

【0024】

An object of the fourteenth invention according to the present application is to solve the above-mentioned problems in a heating element made of ceramic having a resistance heating element inside. There is a concern that the heated body made of ceramic may crack due to abnormal temperature rise or temperature rise of the non-passing paper portion, and it is particularly desired to cope with high speed in which a large amount of heat is desired to be transferred in a short time. Therefore, the present invention can be applied more effectively.

【0025】

An object of the fifteenth invention according to the present application is to solve the above-mentioned problems in a belt having a heat-resistant elastic layer. The presence or absence of the elastic layer affects heat conduction, and depending on the degree of heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the elastic layer, the start-up time becomes long, and it is desirable to transfer a large amount of heat in a short time. Therefore, the present invention can be applied more effectively.

【0026】

An object of the sixteenth invention according to the present application is to set an appropriate ratio in the relationship between the nip width and the length of the high heat conductive member. By setting the length of the high thermal conductive member arranged outside the nip to an appropriate ratio with respect to the nip width, the effect of the above invention can be maximized.

【0027】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention according to the present application forms a belt, a heating body fixedly supported inside the belt, a heating body holding member fixedly supporting the heating body, and a heating body and a nip. In a heating device having a pressurizing member to apply heat to the heated body by introducing a material to be heated into the nip portion and sandwiching and transporting the material to be heated together with the belt, the heated body holding member The high heat conductive member in contact with the heating body is fixedly supported on the inner surface side of the belt with higher heat conductivity, and at least a part of the high heat conductive member is arranged outside the nip portion in the direction of transporting the material to be heated. It is characterized by that.

【0028】

In the above configuration, the high heat conductive member in contact with the heating body is fixedly supported on the inner surface side of the belt, and at least a part of the high heat conductive member is arranged outside the nip portion in the direction of transporting the material to be heated. It becomes possible to transfer a part of the heat of the heating body to the vicinity of the nip, expand the heating area, and increase the amount of heat transferred from the heating body.

【0029】

Further, in the second invention according to the present application, in the heating device of the first invention, the high thermal conductivity member has a thermal conductivity of 10 W / m · K or more at 25 ° C. It is characterized by being composed of a plate-shaped member having a thickness.

【0030】

In the above configuration, the high thermal conductive member has a thermal conductivity of 10 W / m · K or more at 25 ° C and is composed of a plate-shaped member having a thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm, so that the thermal responsiveness of the heating body The delay of the first invention can be reduced as much as possible, and the object of the first invention can be achieved more effectively.

【0031】

Further, the third invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating device of the first or second invention, the high thermal conductive member is a metal material.

【0032】

In the above configuration, since the high thermal conductive member is a metal material, the high thermal conductive member can be easily processed and low cost can be easily achieved.

【0033】

Further, the fourth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to third inventions, the high thermal conductive member is arranged so as to be slidably in contact with the inner surface of the belt.

【0034】

In the above configuration, by arranging the high heat conductive member so as to be slidably in contact with the inner surface of the belt, it is possible to maintain a good heat transfer state between the high heat conductive member and the belt.

【0035】

Further, the fifth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating device of the fourth invention, a lubricating liquid is interposed between the high thermal conductive member and the inner surface of the belt.

【0036】

In the above configuration, by interposing a lubricating liquid between the high heat conductive member and the inner surface of the belt, both slidability and heat conduction can be achieved at the same time.

【0037】

Further, the sixth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating device of the fourth or fifth invention, the high thermal conductive member has a rib shape and comes into contact with the inner surface of the belt.

【0038】

In the above configuration, the high thermal conductive member has a rib shape and comes into contact with the inner surface of the belt, so that the slidability can be easily improved.

【0039】

Further, the seventh invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to third inventions, the high thermal conductive member is arranged so as not to come into contact with the inner surface of the belt.

【0040】

In the above configuration, by arranging the high thermal conductive member so as not to come into contact with the inner surface of the belt, it is possible to solve the sliding itself between the high thermal conductive member and the belt.

【0041】

Further, the eighth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to seventh inventions, the high heat conductive member is in contact with at least the surface of the heating body on the side facing the pressure member.

【0042】

In the above configuration, the high heat conduction member comes into contact with at least the surface of the heating body on the side facing the pressurizing member, so that it is possible to emphasize heat conduction both inside and outside the nip.

【0043】

Further, the ninth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to seventh inventions, the high heat conductive member is in contact with at least the surface of the heating body opposite to the side facing the pressure member. ..

【0044】

In the above configuration, the high thermal conductive member is in contact with at least the surface of the heating body on the side opposite to the side facing the pressurizing member to alleviate the abnormal temperature rise of the surface of the heating body on the side opposite to the side facing the pressurizing member. Is possible.

【0045】

Further, the tenth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to seventh inventions, the high thermal conductive member is in contact with at least the surface of the heated body perpendicular to the material to be heated.

【0046】

In the above configuration, the high thermal conductive member is in contact with at least the surface of the heated body perpendicular to the transport direction of the material to be heated, so that the abnormal temperature rise of the surface of the heated body perpendicular to the transport direction of the material to be heated can be alleviated.

【0047】

Further, the eleventh invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to tenth inventions, the high thermal conductive member is arranged upstream in the direction of transporting the material to be heated.

【0048】

In the above configuration, by arranging the high thermal conductive member upstream in the direction of transporting the material to be heated, it is possible to transfer heat to the upstream side, which is effective as preheating of the belt.

【0049】

Further, the twelfth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to tenth inventions, the high thermal conductive member is arranged downstream in the direction of transporting the material to be heated.

【0050】

In the above configuration, by arranging the high thermal conductive member downstream in the direction of transporting the material to be heated, it is possible to transfer heat to the downstream side, which is effective in alleviating the temperature rise of the non-passing portion.

【0051】

Further, the thirteenth invention according to the present application is characterized in that, in the heating apparatus of the first to tenth inventions, the high thermal conductive member is arranged upstream and downstream in the direction of transporting the material to be heated.

【0052】

In the above configuration, by arranging the high thermal conductive member upstream and downstream in the direction of transporting the material to be heated, it is possible to expand the heat transfer capacity as well as the preheating effect and the relaxation of the temperature rise of the non-passing portion.

【0053】

Further, the fourteenth invention according to the present application states that in the heating devices of the first to thirteenth inventions, the heating element is a ceramic-molded heating element having at least one or more resistance heating elements inside. It is a feature.

【0054】

In the above configuration, the heating element is a ceramic molded heating element having at least one or more resistance heating elements inside, and by combining the features of the third invention, it is a ceramic having a resistance heating element inside. It is possible to solve the problems in the formed heating element.

【0055】

Further, in the fifteenth invention according to the present application, in the heating apparatus of the first to fourteenth inventions, the belt has an elastic body layer having a thickness of at least 0.01 mm or more, and the elastic body is at least silicone rubber or fluoropolymer. It is characterized by being an elastic body mainly composed of rubber.

【0056】

In the above configuration, the belt has an elastic body layer having a thickness of at least 0.01 mm or more, and the elastic body is an elastic body mainly composed of at least silicone rubber or fluororubber, and the features of the third invention are combined. This makes it possible to solve problems in a belt having a heat-resistant elastic layer.

【0057】

According to the sixteenth invention of the present application, in the heating apparatus of the first to fifteenth inventions, when the nip width is N, the length of the high heat conductive member arranged outside the nip in the direction of conveying the material to be heated is determined. It is characterized by being 0.5N to 2N.

【0058】

In the above configuration, when the nip width is N, the length of the high thermal conductive member arranged outside the nip in the heat-treated material transport direction is 0.5N to 2N, and the features of the third invention are combined. , It is possible to maximize the effect of the above invention.

【0059】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(1) Example of heating device FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional model view of an example of a belt (film) heating type heating device according to the present invention.

【0060】

1) Overall equipment configuration The heating device of this example is a pressure roller drive type heating and fixing device using a cylindrical seamless belt.

【0061】

1 is a heater (heater), 2 is a heater holder (heater holding member) that fixedly supports the heater, and 3 is a heater holder that is arranged in contact with the heater. The members and 3 are cylindrical seamless belts, which are loosely fitted to the assembly of the heating body 1, the heater holder 2, and the high heat conductive member 3 to form a heating assembly. Reference numeral 5 denotes an elastic pressurizing roller as a pressurizing member.

【0062】

The elastic pressurizing roller 5 has both end shafts rotatably supported by bearings, and the above heating assembly is arranged in parallel on the pressurizing roller 5 with the heating body 1 side facing down, and the heater holder 2 is placed. A pressure stay (not shown) pressurizes the pressure roller 5 from above with a predetermined pressing force against the elasticity of the pressure roller 5, sandwiches the belt 4 between the heating body 1 and the elastic pressure roller 5, and has a predetermined width. Nip part (heating nip part, fixing nip part) N is formed.

【0063】

The pressurizing roller 5 is rotationally driven by the driving means M in the counterclockwise direction of the arrow b. As the pressure roller 5 rotates, the inner surface of the belt 4 slides on the surface of the heating body 1 while rotating the outer circumference of the heater holder 2 in the clockwise direction of the arrow a. The heater holder 2 also functions as a guide member for the rotating belt 4.

【0064】

The heater 1 is a ceramic heater in the apparatus of this example, and is rapidly heated by energization to adjust the temperature to a predetermined fixing temperature.

【0065】

Then, the pressurizing roller 5 is rotationally driven, and the belt 4 is driven to rotate accordingly, the heating body 1 is energized, rises to a predetermined fixing temperature, and the temperature is adjusted. The recording material P on which the unfixed toner image t is formed is introduced as the material to be heated transferred from the image forming mechanism unit, and is sandwiched and conveyed between the nip portion N, that is, the belt 4 and the pressure roller 5. c is the transport direction of the material to be heated (recording material).

【0066】

In the process in which the recording material P sandwiches and conveys the nip portion N, the unfixed toner image t on the recording material P is heated and fixed on the recording material P surface by the heat from the heating body 1 via the belt 4. The recording material P exiting the nip portion N is separated from the surface of the belt 4 and discharged and conveyed.

【0067】

a) Heater 1 As the heating element, various known heating means can be used, and more specifically, a heating element using a resistance heating element as a heating source, a heating element using a halogen lamp as a heating source, or electromagnetic induction heating as a heating source. It is possible to use a heated body or the like.

【0068】

When the purpose is to solve a problem in a heating element (ceramic heater) made of ceramic having a resistance heating element inside, the heating element may be, for example, a ceramic substrate having heat resistance, insulation, and good thermal conductivity. In addition, a resistance heating element pattern made of silver-palladium is formed in the longitudinal direction of the ceramic substrate by a known method such as screen printing, with the direction orthogonal to the heating material transport direction as the length, and the resistance heating element pattern is heat resistant. It can be used that is coated with the glass of the above and formed as a protective layer.

【0069】

In this example device, the heating element 1 is a ceramic heater, and a silver-palladium resistance heating element line pattern is formed in the longitudinal direction on the surface of an alumina sintered body substrate having a length of 240 mm, a width of 9 mm, and a thickness of 1 mm in the longitudinal direction. A glass-coated surface was used.

【0070】

Temperature detecting means (not shown) are provided on the surface of the belt 4 downstream of the nip and the back surface of the heating element, which is the surface opposite to the side facing the roller, and a voltage control device (not shown) based on the temperature detection signal. ) To control the voltage applied to the resistance heating element of the heating element to enable temperature control.

【0071】

b) Heater holder 2 In the apparatus of this example, the material of the heater holder 2 is a liquid crystal polymer, the cross-sectional shape is a semi-circular gutter shape, and a groove 2a for fitting the heating body 1 is provided on the lower surface of the heater holder 2 along the length. It was formed, and the heating body 12 was fitted into the groove via the high heat conductive member 3 and adhered to be fixedly supported. The high thermal conductive member 3 will be described in detail in Section (2).

【0072】

In this example device, the heater holder 2 is pressurized from above with a total pressure of about 10 kg against the elasticity of the pressure roller 5 by a pressure stay (not shown), and the heater 1 and the elastic pressure roller 5 are pressed. A belt 4 is sandwiched between the two to form a nip portion N having a predetermined width.

【0073】

c) Belt 4 Various known belt members can be used for the belt 4, and more specifically, a material having good heat resistance and releasability such as fluororesin or silicone rubber is laminated as a surface layer on a heat-resistant resin or metal substrate. It is possible to use the one obtained by laminating heat-resistant silicone rubber or fluororubber as an elastic layer between the substrate and the surface layer, or the one formed only by the surface layer.

【0074】

As an example, a heat-resistant film such as polyimide, polyamide-imide, PEEK, PES or the like formed with a fluororesin such as PTFE, PFA or FEP as a surface layer can be used.

【0075】

For the purpose of solving problems in a belt having a heat-resistant elastic layer, the belt 4 has heat resistance of, for example, polyimide, polyamideimide, PEEK, PES, etc. as the belt base layer 4a, as shown in FIG. An elastic layer 4b mainly composed of silicone rubber or fluororubber is formed on the surface of the sex film, and a fluororesin such as PTFE, PFA, or FEP is formed as the surface layer 4c on the surface of the elastic layer 4b. Can be done.

【0076】

The elastic body layer 4b needs to have a thickness of 0.01 mm or more in order to function effectively as an elastic body. More preferably, it may have a thickness of 0.1 mm or more. The upper limit of the thickness is not particularly limited, but in reality, a thickness of 3 mm or less is preferable for handling, and a thickness of 1.0 mm or less is preferable in consideration of a balance with an increase in startup time due to an increase in heat capacity.

【0077】

In this example device, the belt 4 is a seamless belt having an inner diameter of 24 mm and a length of 230 mm in the longitudinal direction. For the belt 4, a seamless polyimide cylindrical member having a thickness of 40 μm and an inner diameter of 24 mm was prepared as a belt base layer 4a, and the surface of the polyimide film was primed with a primer for bonding silicone rubber. Next, as the elastic layer 4b, a silicone rubber having a JIS-A hardness of 30 ° and a thermal conductivity of about 0.76 W / m · K was molded on the polyimide with a thickness of 400 μm. Next, after the surface was primed with a fluororubber adhesive primer, a surface layer (GLS-213, Daikin Industries, Ltd.) 4c was formed in an amount of about 30 μm.

【0078】

d) Pressurized roller 5 The pressure roller 5 as a pressure member forming the heating body 1 and the nip portion N with the belt 4 sandwiched is not particularly limited as long as it is a heat-resistant roller having appropriate elasticity. An elastic pressure roller composed of a core metal 5a made of aluminum or the like, an elastic body layer 5b such as silicone rubber formed on the outer periphery of the core metal, and a surface layer 5c made of a fluororesin formed on the outer periphery of the elastic body layer is used. Can be done.

【0079】

In this example device, the pressure roller 5 is a roller having an outer diameter of 20 mm and a length of 230 mm in the longitudinal direction, and a silicone rubber layer 5b having a JIS-A hardness of 25 ° is formed on an aluminum core metal 5a with a thickness of 4 mm. Then, after the surface was primed with a fluororubber adhesive primer, a surface layer (GLS-213, Daikin Industries, Ltd.) 5c was formed in an amount of about 30 μm.

【0080】

(2) High thermal conductivity member 3 As described above, the heating body 1 is fixedly supported on the lower surface of the heater holder 2 by fitting it into the groove 2a formed along the longitudinal axis via the high thermal conductive member 3 and adhering it. Is a member having a higher thermal conductivity than the heater holder 2, and is in contact with the back surface side of the heating body 1, that is, the surface of the heating body opposite to the side facing the pressurizing roller 5. Then, in the apparatus of this example, the high thermal conductive member 3 is extended along the outer surface of the heater holder 2 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the material to be heated (recording material) from the nip portion N and is located outside the nip portion N. It is fixedly supported on the inner surface side of the belt 4.

【0081】

Here, the shape and material of the high thermal conductive member 3 are not particularly limited for the purpose of transferring the heat of the heating body 1 to the outside of the nip portion N. However, for the purpose of reducing the delay in the thermal response of the heating body 1 as much as possible, the high thermal conductive member 3 has a thermal conductivity of 10 W / m · K or more at 25 ° C and a thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm. It is preferable to use a plate-shaped member.

【0082】

Further, for the purpose of making the high thermal conductive member 3 easy to process and easy to achieve low cost, it is preferable to use a metal material. In order to make the present invention more effective, the length of the high thermal conductive member 3 outside the nip portion N in the heat conductive member transport direction is the ratio to the nip width when the nip width is N. The length is preferably 0.5N to 2N.

【0083】

Depending on the purpose, the high thermal conductive member 3 and the inner surface of the belt 1 may be arranged so as to be slidably in contact with the inner surface of the belt, or may be arranged so as not to come into contact with each other.

【0084】

Further, when the belts are arranged so as to be slidable in contact with each other, if the purpose is to achieve both slidability and heat conduction, a lubricating liquid is interposed between the high heat conduction member 3 and the inner surface of the belt 1. Is preferable.

【0085】

As the lubricating liquid, for example, heat-resistant grease such as fluorine grease or silicone grease can be used.

【0086】

Further, when the slidable contact is arranged and the purpose is to improve the slidability easily in the configuration, a plurality of rib shapes 3a (FIG. 3) are press-processed on the high thermal conductive member 3. It is preferable to form the belt 4 in contact with the inner surface of the belt 4.

【0087】

In addition to the case where the high thermal conductive member 3 is arranged along the outer surface of the heater holder 2 on the upstream side in the direction of transporting the material to be heated as shown in FIG. 1 above, as shown in FIG. As shown, when the heater holder 2 is arranged to be extended along the outer surface of the heater holder 2 on the downstream side in the heated material transport direction from the nip portion N, or as shown in FIG. 5, the heated material transport direction is larger than the nip portion N. It may be arranged so as to extend along the outer surface of the heating body support member 2 on both the upstream side and the downstream side.

【0088】

The method of contacting the high thermal conductive member 3 with the heating body 1 is different from the back surface side of the heating body 1, that is, the side facing the pressurizing roller 5, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 above, depending on the purpose. When it is in contact with the surface of the heating body, and when it is in contact with the surface of the heating body 1, that is, the surface of the heating body facing the pressure roller 5, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), and at least covered as shown in (b). It may come into contact with the side surface of the heating body perpendicular to the heating material transport direction.

【0089】

In the devices of FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the high thermal conductive member 3 is in contact with the back surface side of the heating body 1, that is, the surface of the heating body opposite to the side facing the pressurizing roller 5, but the above-mentioned is described depending on the purpose. In some cases, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, it is in contact with the surface side of the heating body 1, that is, the surface of the heating body facing the pressurizing roller 5, or as shown in (b), the side surface of the heating body perpendicular to the transport direction of the material to be heated. is there.

【0090】

(3) Examples and comparative examples [Example 1] In the heating device shown in FIG. 1, an aluminum sheet having a thickness of 0.1 mm (thermal conductivity of about 0.1 kW / m · K) was used as the high thermal conductive member 3. The high thermal conductive member 3 is processed by bending a sheet having a shape of 240 mm in the longitudinal direction and 30 mm in the lateral direction, with the direction orthogonal to the direction of transporting the material to be heated as the longitudinal direction, and this is processed as shown in FIG. It was in contact with the back surface of No. 1 and was positioned on the outside of the nip portion N along the outer surface of the heater holder 2 on the upstream side of the nip portion N in the transport direction of the material to be heated, and was fixedly supported on the inner surface side of the belt 4. In this heating device, the width of the nip portion N was about 11 mm, and the length of the high thermal conductive member portion arranged outside the nip portion was about 19 mm. Further, a small amount of grease having good heat resistance and lubricity was applied between the high thermal conductive member portion arranged outside the nip portion and the belt 4.

【0091】

[Comparative Example 1] A heating device having the same configuration as that of Example 1 was prepared except that the high thermal conductive member 3 was not attached.

【0092】

[Comparative Example 2] A heating device having a configuration in which the thickness of the high thermal conductive member 3 of Example 1 is set to 2 mm and the increased thickness of the high thermal conductive member is attached by cutting the surface of the groove 3a of the heater holder 2 is prepared. ..

【0093】

For the heating devices of Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the heating body 1 was energized while rotating the pressurizing roller 5, and the time until the belt surface reached 180 ° C was measured. As a result, in Example 1, the arrival time at 180 ° C was about 46 seconds, in Comparative Example 1, about 43 seconds, and in Comparative Example 2, it did not reach 180 ° C even after 100 seconds, so the experiment was terminated.

【0094】

From this result, the heating device of Example 1 of the present invention achieves a usage level comparable to that of the heating device of Comparative Example 1 in which the high thermal conductive member 3 is not arranged, in terms of the start-up time from room temperature to the target temperature. Was confirmed.

【0095】

Further, at this time, in the heating device of Comparative Example 1, melt deformation of the heater holder was confirmed at the contact portion between the heater holder 2 and the heating body 1. It is considered that this is because the heating body 1 has reached the heat resistance limit of the heater holder 2.

【0096】

Here, considering Comparative Example 2, it is considered that the heat capacity is significantly increased by setting the thickness of the high thermal conductive member 3 to 2 mm, and it takes a long time to reach the target temperature. It is considered that this is a result of the fact that the heat capacity of general materials increases as the heat conductive member increases. Therefore, it is preferable that the high thermal conductive member 3 has a thermal conductivity of 10 W / m · K or more and a thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm.

【0097】

Further, in order to confirm the effectiveness of the present invention, in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, the temperature of the heating body was controlled so as not to exceed 210 ° C at the maximum until the belt surface reached 180 ° C. I measured the time.

【0098】

As a result, in Example 1, the arrival time at 180 ° C was about 62 seconds, whereas in Comparative Example 1, it did not reach 180 ° C even after 100 seconds, so the experiment was terminated.

【0099】

From the above, it can be demonstrated that by arranging the high thermal conductive member 3 as in the present invention, problems such as overheating of the heating body 1 can be solved and the start-up time until the desired temperature is reached can be relatively short. It was.

【0100】

Here, considering the reason why the temperature does not reach 180 ° C even after 100 seconds have passed in Comparative Example 1, in the above-mentioned experiment, unlike the experiment described before, the temperature of the heating body is set to 210 ° C at the maximum. We are conducting experiments while controlling so that it does not exceed. At this time, in the example without the high thermal conductive member (Comparative Example 1), the heat flow of the heating body is limited to the nip N only as compared with the first embodiment, and the heat is accumulated on the heating body side (Comparative Example 1). The heat flow velocity at the nip N becomes rate-determining, causing an excessive temperature rise of the heating body). Then, if the heating body is controlled so as not to exceed 210 ° C, as a result, the amount of heat generated by the heating body is controlled to be suppressed (energization is stopped or the voltage is controlled to be low). It is considered that it took a long time to reach the target temperature. In the first embodiment, the heat flow from the heating body is smoothly flowed by the high heat conductive member (so that the heat is not stored in the heating body), and the heat is transferred to the belt member without wasting it. The object of the present invention has been achieved.

【0101】

(4) Other 1) The pressurizing member is not limited to the roller body, but may be a rotating belt body or the like.

【0102】

2) The heating device of the present invention is not limited to the heating and fixing device in the electrophotographic copying machine and the printer of the embodiment, and other than that, the assumed image heating device and the recording material carrying the image are reheated to have a glossy surface. It can also be used as an image heating device that modifies the properties, a heat treatment device for drying, heat laminating, heat press wrinkle removal, heat press curl removal, etc. by passing a sheet-shaped material to be heated other than the recording material. [0103]

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, the belt heating type heating device takes advantage of the belt heating type heating fixing device by reducing the delay in the thermal response of the heating body as much as possible and transferring the heat of the heating body to the outside of the nip. At the same time, we were able to solve various problems.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

Cross-sectional model view of an example of a heating device according to the present invention [Figure 2]

Belt layer structure model diagram [Fig. 3]

Partial perspective view of high heat conductive member [Fig. 4]

Cross-sectional model view of a heating device in which the high thermal conductive member is arranged downstream of the nip portion in the direction of transporting the material to be heated. [Fig. 5]

Cross-sectional model view of a heating device in which the high thermal conductive member is arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side in the heat-treated material transport direction from the nip [Fig. 6]

FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

1 Heater, 2 Heater holder, 3 High heat conductive member 3 Belt, 5 Pressurized roller, a Belt rotation direction, b Roller rotation direction, c Heated material Transport direction, N ... Nip