JP2019159126A - Fixing member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fixing member that has improved peel durability of a substrate and an elastic layer.SOLUTION: A fixing member 110 has a substrate 110A, a foam layer 110B provided on the substrate 110A, and an elastic layer 110C provided on the foam layer 110B. The fixing member 110 has the substrate 110A, the foam layer 110B provided on the substrate 110A, and the elastic layer 110C provided on the foam layer 110B, and the initial inter-layer peel strength between the substrate 110A and the elastic layer 110C exceeds 1.0 N/15 mm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing member, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus (copier, facsimile, printer, etc.) using an electrophotographic system, an unfixed toner image formed on a recording medium is fixed by a fixing device to form an image.

For example, Patent Document 1 states that “a multilayer belt composed of a base material layer and a surface layer, the surface layer is made of a fluororesin, and the adhesive strength between the base material layer and the surface layer is 1.5 N / 10 mm or more And a multi-layer endless tubular belt having no primer layer between the substrate layer and the surface layer. "
Patent Document 2 states that “an endless belt having at least a resin-made base layer formed in a cylindrical shape, wherein the base layer includes one or more resins selected from polyamideimide and polyimide. And an endless belt having a large number of independent spheroidal pores in the base layer. "
Patent Document 3 discloses “Seamless tubular body for belt base material made of an aromatic polyamide porous membrane obtained by a wet coagulation method.”

JP 2014-231153 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-087546 JP 2002-229351 A

  The fixing member has, for example, a base material and an elastic layer provided on the base material. Conventional fixing members sometimes have low durability because peeling may occur between the base material and the elastic layer.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing member having a base material and an elastic layer, and when the elastic layer is directly provided on the base material, or the base material, the adhesive layer, and the elastic layer are provided in this order. It is to provide a fixing member having improved peeling durability between a base material and an elastic layer even when an image is repeatedly formed as compared with the case where it is present.

  The above problem is solved by the following means.

<1>
A substrate;
A foam layer provided on the substrate;
An elastic layer provided on the foam layer;
A fixing member.
<2>
A substrate;
A foam layer provided on the substrate;
An elastic layer provided on the foam layer;
Have
A fixing member having an initial delamination force between the substrate and the elastic layer exceeding 1.0 N / 15 mm.

<3>
The fixing member according to <1> or <2>, wherein the base material and the foamed layer contain the same resin.
<4>
The fixing member according to <3>, wherein the resin contained in the base material and the foamed layer is at least one of polyimide and polyamideimide.
<5>
The fixing member according to <4>, wherein the resin contained in the base material and the foamed layer is polyimide.
<6>
The fixing member according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the film thickness of the foam is 30 μm or more and 200 μm or less.
<7>
The fixing member according to <6>, wherein the foam layer has a thickness of 40 μm or more and 200 μm or less.
<8>
Any one of <1> to <7>, in which the area ratio is 5.0% or more and 20.0 or less when the cross-section cut in the direction along the circumferential direction is observed in the foam layer. The fixing member according to Item 1.
<9>
The fixing member according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein an adhesive layer is provided between the foam layer and the surface layer.
<10>
The fixing member according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein a surface layer is provided on the elastic layer.
<11>
The fixing member according to any one of <1> to <10>, which is a belt-shaped fixing member.

<12>
A first rotating body, and a second rotating body arranged in contact with the outer surface of the first rotating body,
The fixing device, wherein at least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body is the fixing member according to any one of <1> to <11>.

<13>
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image with toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image to the recording medium, the fixing means being the fixing device according to <12>;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

  According to the invention according to <1> or <2>, in the fixing member having the base material and the elastic layer, when the elastic layer is directly provided on the base material, or the base material, the adhesive layer, and the elasticity Compared to the case where the layers are provided in this order, a fixing member is provided in which the peeling durability between the substrate and the elastic layer is improved even when images are repeatedly formed.

According to the invention according to <3>, <4>, or <5>, even when a repeated image is formed as compared with the case where the resins contained in the base material and the foamed layer are different, the base material and the elasticity A fixing member having improved peeling durability from the layer is provided.
According to the invention according to <6> or <7>, the peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer is improved even when the image is repeatedly formed as compared with the case where the thickness of the foam layer is less than 30 μm. An improved fuser member is provided.
According to the invention which concerns on <8>, when the cross section cut | disconnected in the direction along the circumferential direction is observed, the ratio of the porosity which exists in a foamed layer is repeated compared with the case where it is less than 5.0% by area ratio. Even when an image is formed, a fixing member having improved peeling durability between the substrate and the elastic layer is provided.
According to the invention according to <9>, the peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer is improved even when images are repeatedly formed as compared with the case where the elastic layer is directly provided on the foam layer. A fixing member is provided.

According to the invention according to <10>, in the fixing member having a base material and an elastic layer, when the elastic layer is directly provided on the base material, or the base material, the adhesive layer, and the elastic layer are in this order. Compared with the case where it is provided with, the peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer is improved even when the surface layer is formed on the elastic layer or when images are repeatedly formed. A fuser member is provided.
According to the invention according to <11>, in the fixing member having the base material and the elastic layer, when the elastic layer is directly provided on the base material, or the base material, the adhesive layer, and the elastic layer are in this order. The belt-like fixing member is provided in which the peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer is improved even when an image is repeatedly formed as compared with the case where the belt-shaped fixing member is provided.

  According to the invention according to <12> or <13>, in the fixing member having the base material and the elastic layer, when the elastic layer is directly provided on the base material, or the base material, the adhesive layer, and the elasticity A fixing device including a fixing member in which peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer is improved even when an image is repeatedly formed as compared with a case where the layers include a fixing member provided in this order, Alternatively, an image forming apparatus is provided.

It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a fixing member according to the present embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device according to a first embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the fixing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Embodiments that are examples of the present invention will be described below.
In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the member which has the substantially same function throughout all the drawings, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted suitably.

<Fixing member>
The fixing member according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing member according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing member 110 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a base material 110A, a foam layer 110B provided on the base material 110A, and an elastic layer provided on the foam layer 110B. 110C and a surface layer 110D provided on the elastic layer 110C. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing member 110 according to the present embodiment is provided on, for example, the base material 110A, the foam layer 110B provided on the base material 110A, and the foam layer 110B. It has an elastic layer 110C and a surface layer 110D provided on the elastic layer 110C, and an initial delamination force between the foam layer and the elastic layer exceeds 1.0 N / 15 mm. Although not shown, an adhesive layer may be provided between the foam layer and the elastic layer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the foam layer 110 </ b> B of the fixing member 110 according to the present embodiment has a large number of holes, and has holes 113 that are not open and holes 115 that are open. A part of the opened holes 115 are connected to each other through the openings in the foamed layer. The elastic layer 110C enters a part of the open hole 115 existing in the foam layer 110B. Further, the periphery of the hole 113 present at the boundary between the foam layer 110B and the elastic layer 110C is surrounded by the elastic layer 110C. In the following description, the holes 113 that are not open and the holes 115 that are open are collectively referred to as pores.
Here, the surface layer 110D shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a layer provided as necessary.

  Note that the fixing member 110 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above layer configuration, and for example, a layer configuration in which a metal layer or a protective layer thereof is interposed between the base 110A and the elastic layer 110B as necessary. It may be. In the following description, the reference numerals are omitted.

  Here, in the conventional fixing member, peeling may occur between the base material and the elastic layer. Therefore, conventionally, in order to improve the physical bonding force between the base material and the elastic layer, 1) a method in which a plurality of grooves are provided on the surface of the base material, and the cutting direction, groove angle, and depth are within a specific range; 1) A method of roughening the surface of a substrate by treating it with an alkaline solution, 3) A method of covering with a sheet-like material having through holes. 4) A method of applying an adhesive is performed. For example, when the substrate is a resin such as polyimide, the adhesive strength with the elastic layer is ensured by at least one of physical and chemical treatment after the resin is deposited.

  However, it has been found that peeling may occur between the base material and the elastic layer even by the above method.

On the other hand, in the fixing member according to the present embodiment, a foam layer is provided as an intermediate layer between the base material and the elastic layer. By providing the foam layer as an intermediate layer on the substrate, an effect of increasing the contact area between the foam layer and the elastic layer can be obtained. Further, the foamed layer has a hole in which bubbles are not opened and a hole in which bubbles are opened by breaking the bubbles, whereby an uneven shape is formed on the surface of the foamed layer. Therefore, the wedge effect makes it easier for the elastic layer to bite into the foam layer, thereby improving the adhesion between the foam layer, the elastic layer, and the interlayer. For this reason, the fixing member according to the present embodiment is considered to have improved peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer even when images are repeatedly formed.
Further, in this embodiment, since a fixing member having an initial delamination force between the foam layer and the elastic layer exceeding 1.0 N / 15 mm can be obtained, the fixing excellent in peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer can be obtained. It can be considered to be a member.

  Hereinafter, components of the fixing member according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

(Base material)
As a base material, the thing using a resin material and a metal material is mentioned, for example. The fixing member may be a belt-shaped fixing member (that is, a fixing belt) or a roll-shaped fixing member (that is, a fixing roll). When the fixing member has a belt shape, the fixing member is preferably at least one of a resin material and a metal material, and preferably includes a resin material. By using a resin belt using a resin material as the base material, adhesion to a foam layer described later can be improved, and the durability of peeling between the base material and the elastic layer of the fixing member can be further improved.

Examples of the metal material used for the substrate include various metals such as SUS, nickel, copper, and aluminum.
Note that a resin material and a metal material may be laminated to form a base material.

  Examples of the resin material used for the substrate include polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polyethersulfur. Examples include phon (PES), polyarylate (PAR), polyester (PES), polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyetherimide (PEI), and the like. Among these, the resin material used for the base material is preferably at least one of polyimide and polyamideimide in terms of mechanical strength, heat resistance, etc., and is preferably polyimide.

  The volume resistivity may be controlled by adding and dispersing conductive powder or the like to the resin belt. Specifically, examples of the resin belt include a polyimide belt in which volume resistivity is controlled by adding and dispersing carbon black. Moreover, as a resin belt, what combined the both ends of the elongate polyimide sheet on the puzzle, thermocompression-bonded using the thermocompression-bonding member, and prepared the belt shape is mentioned, for example.

  When the fixing member is belt-shaped, the thickness of the base material is, for example, preferably 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less, desirably 30 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and more desirably 40 μm or more and 130 μm or less.

(Foam layer)
The foam layer is an inelastic layer. The material for forming the foam layer is not particularly limited as long as the foam layer has pores (open holes and non-open holes), and examples thereof include a resin material. When the base material includes a resin material, it is preferable to use the same resin material as that of the base material in terms of further improving the durability of peeling between the base material and the elastic layer of the fixing member. When the resin as the base material contains at least one of polyimide and polyamideimide, the foamed layer is preferably formed from a resin containing the same resin as the base material and containing at least one of polyimide and polyamideimide. When the resin as the base material contains polyimide, the foamed layer more preferably contains polyimide.

  The porosity in the foam layer (meaning the ratio of the pores in the foam layer) is 5.0% in area ratio when observing a cross section of the fixing member cut in the circumferential direction. The content is preferably 20.0 or less and more preferably 7.0% or more and 18.0% or less. When the porosity of the foamed layer is in the range of 5.0% or more and 20.0% or less (area ratio), the peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer is improved even when images are repeatedly formed. It becomes easy to do. Here, the hole which is not opened represents the hole of the structure where the part opened to the hole is not formed. The opened hole represents a hole having a structure in which the opened part is formed in a part of the hole.

The method for measuring the porosity in the foamed layer is as follows.
First, cutting is performed in a direction along the circumferential direction of the fixing member to be measured. Microscopic observation of the foam layer at a certain unit length, measurement of the size of bubbles (longitudinal and short-side diameters) contained in the foam layer, and calculation of the bubble area ratio (= porosity) in the entire foam layer To do.

  The film thickness of the foamed layer is preferably 30 μm or more and 200 μm or less, preferably 40 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and preferably 40 μm or more and 150 μm, in order to further improve the peeling durability between the base material of the fixing member and the elastic layer. The following is more preferable. When the film thickness is 30 μm or more, irregularities due to pores are easily formed, and the adhesiveness is easily improved. It is preferable that it is 200 micrometers or less at the point of the ease of forming a foaming layer.

(Adhesive layer)
An adhesive layer may be provided between the foam layer and the elastic layer in terms of further improving the durability of peeling between the base material of the fixing member and the elastic layer. The adhesive layer may be formed as a continuous layer or a discontinuous layer on the foam layer.
The material for forming the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include silane coupling agent-based, titanium coupling agent-based, urethane-based, acrylic-based, polyester-based, polyether-based, and epoxy-based adhesives. Among these, the adhesive agent normally used for adhesion | attachment of silicone rubber is mentioned. Examples of adhesives usually used for bonding silicone rubber include aminosilane coupling agents, chlorosilane coupling agents, chloromethylsilane coupling agents, cyanosilane coupling agents, methacrylic silane coupling agents, and styryl. Silane coupling agents, titanate coupling agents, and the like. Among these, aminosilane coupling agents and titanate coupling agents are preferred.

  Furthermore, various additives may be blended in the adhesive layer. As an additive, the additive similar to the various additives which may be mix | blended with an elastic layer is mentioned, for example.

  The thickness of the adhesive layer is not particularly limited and is, for example, preferably 300 μm or less, preferably 100 μm or less, and more preferably 30 μm or less. The lower limit of the thickness of the adhesive layer may be 1 μm or more, or 3 μm or more.

In the fixing member according to this embodiment, the initial delamination force between the foam layer and the elastic layer exceeds 1.0 N. The initial delamination force between the foam layer and the elastic layer is preferably 1.1 or more, and more preferably 1.2 or more. The upper limit of the initial delamination force is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 3.0 N or less.
Here, in the fixing member according to the present embodiment, the initial delamination force between the foam layer and the elastic layer refers to a test piece that is not particularly subjected to treatment (for example, heat treatment) after the fixing member is manufactured. The value measured by 180 ° peeling of the fixing belt heated to 200 ° C. with a hot plate is shown.

(Elastic layer)
The elastic layer includes a heat resistant elastic material. Examples of the heat resistant elastic material include silicone rubber and fluoro rubber.
Examples of the silicone rubber include RTV silicone rubber, HTV silicone rubber, and liquid silicone rubber. Specifically, polydimethyl silicone rubber (MQ), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), methyl phenyl silicone rubber (PMQ). ), Fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ) and the like.
Examples of the fluororubber include vinylidene fluoride rubber, tetrafluoroethylene / propylene rubber, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoromethyl vinyl ether rubber, phosphazene rubber, and fluoropolyether.
Here, the elastic layer is a non-foamed elastic layer. The non-foamed elastic layer is an elastic layer that has no porosity or has a porosity lower than that of the foamed layer even if it has a pore.
The elastic layer refers to a layer made of a material that can be restored to its original shape even when deformed by applying an external force of 100 Pa.
The heat resistance means a characteristic that does not melt or decompose even when the temperature rises (for example, the fixing temperature) of the fixing device. The same applies hereinafter.

  Various additives may be blended in the elastic layer. Examples of additives include softeners (paraffins, etc.), processing aids (stearic acid, etc.), anti-aging agents (amines, etc.), vulcanizing agents (sulfur, metal oxides, peroxides, etc.), functions, etc. Include fillers (such as alumina).

  The thickness of the elastic layer is, for example, preferably from 30 μm to 600 μm, and more preferably from 100 μm to 500 μm.

(Surface layer)
The surface layer includes, for example, a heat resistant release material.
Examples of the heat-resistant release material include fluororubber, fluororesin, silicone resin, and polyimide resin.
Among these, a fluororesin is preferable as the heat-resistant release material. The surface layer containing the fluororesin is likely to be wrinkled when it is thinned, but in this embodiment, the wrinkle of the surface layer is suppressed.
Specific examples of such a fluororesin include, for example, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), Examples thereof include polyethylene / tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychloroethylene trifluoride (PCTFE), and vinyl fluoride (PVF).

  The thickness of the surface layer is 100 μm or less, for example, preferably 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and desirably 10 μm or more and 40 μm or less.

  In addition, the tube for forming the surface layer may be subjected to an adhesive treatment on the inner surface in advance in order to enhance the adhesiveness with the adhesive layer. Examples of the adhesion treatment include liquid ammonia treatment, sodium naphthalene treatment, excimer laser treatment, and plasma treatment.

Next, a preferred method for manufacturing the fixing member according to this embodiment will be described.
The method for manufacturing a fixing member according to the present embodiment includes a step of forming a foam layer on a base material and a step of forming an elastic layer on the foam layer.
Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the fixing member will be described in detail, but the method is not limited thereto.

First, the process of forming a foam layer is demonstrated.
As the substrate, for example, a belt-shaped substrate is prepared. Hereinafter, a case where a resin belt is used as the belt-like substrate will be described.

  The resin belt may be manufactured by a known method (such as coating by a flow coat method (spiral winding coating)). For example, a first step of applying a coating solution for forming a base material on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical or columnar core to form a coating film, an endless shape that is a film of a resin composition by heating the coating film The method of passing through the 2nd process etc. which form the base material of this is mentioned. The coating liquid for forming the foam layer base material contains, for example, at least one resin of polyimide and polyamideimide.

  Next, a foam layer is formed on the substrate. The foam layer is formed while supplying gas (for example, air), for example, by application by a flow coat method. The target pores are formed by applying on the substrate while adjusting the gas supply amount. The foaming layer is formed by, for example, applying a coating liquid for forming a base material to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical or columnar core body while supplying gas to form a coating film. The method of passing through the 2nd process etc. which form the endless base material which is a film | membrane of a resin composition by heating is mentioned.

  The foaming layer forming coating solution contains the same type of resin as the base material forming coating solution, and contains at least one of polyimide and polyamideimide resins. It is preferable that the foaming layer forming coating solution contains the same type of resin as the base material forming coating solution in terms of improving the peeling durability between the base material and the elastic layer of the fixing member. Moreover, it is preferable that the coating liquid for foaming layer formation has a viscosity higher than the coating liquid for base-material formation at the point which makes it easy to make it foam. Specifically, the viscosity of the foam layer forming coating solution is preferably 40 Pa · s or more and 120 Pa · s or less (preferably 60 Pa · s or more and 120 Pa · s or less). When the viscosity of the foam layer forming coating solution is 40 Pa · s or more, pores are easily formed. Moreover, it becomes easy to apply | coat the coating liquid for foaming layer formation as it is 120 Pa.s or less. What is necessary is just to adjust the ratio of the pore which occupies for a foamed layer with the supply amount of air other than the viscosity of a coating liquid, for example. And after apply | coating the coating liquid for foaming layer formation and forming a coating film, a foaming layer is formed on a base material by heating a coating film.

  Next, when providing an adhesive layer, an adhesive is applied on the foamed layer to form an adhesive layer. A known method may be applied to form the adhesive layer. For example, a coating solution for forming an adhesive layer may be formed on the foam layer by a known coating method. Preparation of the coating solution for forming the adhesive layer may be performed by a known method.

Next, an elastic layer is formed on the foam layer (or on the adhesive layer when an adhesive layer is provided). A known method may be applied to form the elastic layer. For example, the elastic layer may be formed on the adhesive layer by a coating method.
Specifically, for example, first, an elastic layer forming coating solution containing liquid silicone rubber that is cured by heating to become silicone rubber is prepared. Next, an elastic layer forming coating solution is applied onto the foam layer (on the adhesive film formed by applying and drying the adhesive layer forming composition when an adhesive layer is provided) (for example, An elastic coating is formed by applying a flow coating method). For example, the elastic coating is vulcanized as necessary to form an elastic layer on the adhesive layer. In addition, as vulcanization temperature in vulcanization, 150 degreeC or more and 250 degrees C or less are mentioned, for example, As vulcanization time, 30 minutes or more and 120 minutes or less are mentioned, for example.

  When providing a surface layer on an elastic layer, you may have the process of providing a surface layer on an elastic layer. For example, a releasable tube (for example, a PFA tube) serving as a surface layer on an elastic layer is formed of a hollow metal tube (outer mold) having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of a cylindrical body coated with the elastic layer. Expand to stick along the inner surface by vacuum suction. The releasable tube may be subjected to surface treatment such as plasma treatment on the inner surface.

  The fixing member according to the present embodiment may have a roll shape or a belt shape, and is preferably a belt shape.

  When the fixing member according to the present embodiment is a belt-like member, the fixing member is applied to a heating belt, a pressure belt, and the like in a fixing device for an image forming apparatus, for example. In addition, as a heat source in a heating belt, the system heated from an external heat source, an electromagnetic induction system, etc. are mentioned.

<Fixing device>
The fixing device according to the present embodiment has various configurations, and includes, for example, a first rotating body and a second rotating body disposed in contact with the outer surface of the first rotating body. The fixing member according to the present embodiment is applied as at least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body.

Hereinafter, as first and second embodiments, a fixing device including a heating belt and a pressure roll will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the fixing member according to this embodiment can be applied to both a heating belt and a pressure roll.
The fixing device according to this embodiment is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and may be a fixing device including a heating roll or a heating belt and a pressure belt. The fixing member according to the present embodiment can be applied to any of a heating roll, a heating belt, and a pressure belt.
The fixing device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and may be an electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device.

(First Embodiment of Fixing Device)
The fixing device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment includes, for example, a heating roll 61 (an example of a first rotating body) that is rotationally driven, a pressure belt 62 (an example of a second rotating body), A pressing pad 64 (an example of a pressing member) that presses the heating roll 61 via the pressure belt 62 is provided.
In addition, the press pad 64 should just pressurize the pressurization belt 62 and the heating roll 61 relatively, for example. Therefore, the pressure belt 62 side may be pressed by the heating roll 61, and the heating roll 61 side may be pressed by the heating roll 61.

  Inside the heating roll 61, a halogen lamp 66 (an example of a heating means) is disposed. The heating means is not limited to the halogen lamp, and other heat generating members that generate heat may be used.

  On the other hand, for example, a temperature sensitive element 69 is disposed on the surface of the heating roll 61 in contact therewith. The lighting of the halogen lamp 66 is controlled based on the temperature measurement value by the temperature sensing element 69, and the surface temperature of the heating roll 61 is maintained at a target set temperature (for example, 150 ° C.).

  The pressure belt 62 is rotatably supported by, for example, a pressing pad 64 and a belt traveling guide 63 disposed inside. And it is pressed against the heating roll 61 by the pressing pad 64 in the sandwiching area N (nip part).

For example, the pressing pad 64 is disposed inside the pressure belt 62 in a state of being pressed against the heating roll 61 via the pressure belt 62, and forms a sandwiching region N with the heating roll 61. Yes.
For example, the pressing pad 64 is provided with a front clamping member 64a for securing a wide clamping area N on the entrance side of the clamping area N, and a peeling clamping member 64b for distorting the heating roll 61. Is arranged on the exit side of the sandwiching region N.

In order to reduce the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 62 and the pressing pad 64, for example, the sheet-like sliding on the surface of the front sandwiching member 64a and the peeling sandwiching member 64b in contact with the pressure belt 62 A member 68 is provided. The pressing pad 64 and the sliding member 68 are held by a metal holding member 65.
The sliding member 68 is provided, for example, so that its sliding surface is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 62, and is involved in holding and supplying oil existing between the sliding member 68 and the pressure belt 62. .

  For example, a belt traveling guide 63 is attached to the holding member 65 so that the pressure belt 62 rotates.

  For example, the heating roll 61 is rotated in the arrow S direction by a drive motor (not shown), and the pressure belt 62 is rotated in the arrow R direction opposite to the rotation direction of the heating roll 61 following the rotation. That is, for example, while the heating roll 61 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, the pressure belt 62 rotates in the counterclockwise direction.

  Then, the sheet K (an example of a recording medium) having an unfixed toner image is guided by, for example, the fixing inlet guide 56 and conveyed to the sandwiching area N. When the paper K passes through the sandwiching area N, the toner image on the paper K is fixed by pressure and heat acting on the sandwiching area N.

  In the fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment, for example, the concave sandwiched front sandwiching member 64a that follows the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll 61 has a wider sandwiched region N as compared to the configuration without the front sandwiching member 64a. Secured.

  Further, in the fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment, for example, by disposing the peeling sandwiching member 64 b so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll 61, the heating roll 61 is distorted in the exit region of the sandwiching region N. Is configured to be locally large.

  If the peeling and clamping member 64b is arranged in this way, for example, the sheet K after being fixed passes through the locally formed distortion when passing through the peeling and clamping area. Is easy to peel from the heating roll 61.

  As an auxiliary means for peeling, for example, a peeling member 70 is disposed on the downstream side of the sandwiching area N of the heating roll 61. For example, the peeling member 70 is held by the holding member 72 in a state in which the peeling claw 71 is close to the heating roll 61 in a direction (counter direction) opposite to the rotation direction of the heating roll 61.

(Second Embodiment of Fixing Device)
A fixing device according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing device 80 according to the second embodiment, for example, presses the fixing belt module 86 including the heating belt 84 (an example of the first rotating body) and the heating belt 84 (the fixing belt module 86). And a pressurizing roll 88 (an example of a second rotating body) arranged. For example, a sandwiching region N (nip portion) where the heating belt 84 (fixing belt module 86) and the pressure roll 88 come into contact is formed. In the sandwiching area N, the sheet K (an example of a recording medium) is pressurized and heated to fix the toner image.

The fixing belt module 86 includes, for example, an endless heating belt 84 and a heating belt 84 wound around the pressure roll 88. The fixing belt module 86 is driven to rotate by a rotational force of a motor (not shown) and the heating belt 84 has an inner circumference. A heating and pressing roll 89 that is pressed from the surface toward the pressing roll 88 and a support roll 90 that supports the heating belt 84 from the inside at a position different from the heating and pressing roll 89 are provided.
The fixing belt module 86 is, for example, a support roll 92 that is disposed outside the heating belt 84 and defines a circulation path thereof, and a posture correction roll 94 that corrects the posture of the heating belt 84 from the heating pressure roll 89 to the support roll 90. And a support roll 98 for applying tension to the heating belt 84 from the inner peripheral surface on the downstream side of the sandwiching area N, which is an area where the heating belt 84 (fixing belt module 86) and the pressure roll 88 are in contact with each other. ing.

The fixing belt module 86 is provided, for example, such that a sheet-like sliding member 82 is interposed between the heating belt 84 and the heating press roll 89.
The sliding member 82 is provided, for example, so that its sliding surface is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 84, and is involved in holding and supplying oil existing between the sliding member 82 and the heating belt 84.
Here, the sliding member 82 is provided, for example, in a state in which both ends thereof are supported by the support member 96.

  Inside the heating and pressing roll 89, for example, a halogen heater 89A (an example of heating means) is provided.

The support roll 90 is, for example, a cylindrical roll formed of aluminum, and a halogen heater 90A (an example of a heating unit) is disposed therein so that the heating belt 84 is heated from the inner peripheral surface side. It has become.
For example, spring members (not shown) that press the heating belt 84 outward are disposed at both ends of the support roll 90.

The support roll 92 is, for example, a cylindrical roll made of aluminum, and a release layer made of a fluororesin having a thickness of 20 μm is formed on the surface of the support roll 92.
The release layer of the support roll 92 is formed, for example, to prevent toner and paper powder from the outer peripheral surface of the heating belt 84 from accumulating on the support roll 92.
For example, a halogen heater 92A (an example of a heating source) is disposed inside the support roll 92, and the heating belt 84 is heated from the outer peripheral surface side.

  That is, for example, the heating belt 84 is heated by the heating press roll 89, the support roll 90, and the support roll 92.

The posture correction roll 94 is, for example, a cylindrical roll formed of aluminum, and an end position measuring mechanism (not shown) that measures the end position of the heating belt 84 is disposed in the vicinity of the posture correction roll 94. ing.
For example, the posture correcting roll 94 is provided with an axial displacement mechanism (not shown) that displaces the contact position in the axial direction of the heating belt 84 in accordance with the measurement result of the end position measuring mechanism. Configured to control.

  On the other hand, for example, the pressure roll 88 is rotatably supported, and is provided by being pressed against a portion where the heating belt 84 is wound around the heating press roll 89 by an urging means such as a spring (not shown). Thus, as the heating belt 84 (heating press roll 89) of the fixing belt module 86 rotates in the direction of arrow S, the pressing roll 88 is moved by the arrow R following the heating belt 84 (heating press roll 89). It is designed to rotate in the direction.

  Then, the sheet K having the unfixed toner image (not shown) is conveyed in the direction of the arrow P, and when guided to the sandwiching area N of the fixing device 80, it is fixed by the pressure and heat acting on the sandwiching area N. The

  In the fixing device 80 according to the second embodiment, the embodiment in which the halogen heater (halogen lamp) is applied as an example of the heating source has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Etc.) and resistance heating elements (heating elements that generate Joule heat by passing a current through the resistance: for example, a film having resistance formed on a ceramic substrate and fired) Good.

<Image forming apparatus>
Next, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier, and the latent image as a toner. Developing means for forming a toner image by developing, a transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording medium, and a fixing means for fixing the toner image to the recording medium. The fixing device according to this embodiment is applied as the fixing unit.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus generally called a tandem type, and a plurality of toner images of each color component are formed by an electrophotographic system. Image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, and a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) the color component toner images formed by the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to the intermediate transfer belt 15. The secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 onto the paper K that is a recording medium, and the fixing that fixes the secondary transferred image onto the paper K. Device 60. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

  This fixing device 60 is the fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment described above. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may include the fixing device 80 according to the second embodiment described above.

  Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoconductor 11 that rotates in the arrow A direction as an example of an image holding body that holds a toner image formed on the surface.

  A charger 12 for charging the photosensitive member 11 is provided around the photosensitive member 11 as an example of a charging unit, and a laser exposure device for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 11 as an example of a latent image forming unit. 13 (the exposure beam is indicated by Bm in the figure) is provided.

  Further, around the photosensitive member 11, as an example of a developing unit, a developing device 14 that accommodates each color component toner and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 11 with the toner is provided. A primary transfer roll 16 for transferring the color component toner images formed thereon onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer unit 10 is provided.

  Further, a photoconductor cleaner 17 for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 11 is provided around the photoconductor 11, and a charger 12, a laser exposure device 13, a developing device 14, a primary transfer roll 16, and a photoconductor cleaner. Seventeen electrophotographic devices are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 11. These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged substantially linearly in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. Has been.

The intermediate transfer belt 15 as an intermediate transfer member is formed of a film-like pressure belt containing a resin such as polyimide or polyamide as a base layer and containing an appropriate amount of an antistatic agent such as carbon black. The volume resistivity is 10 ⁶ Ωcm or more and 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm or less, and the thickness is, for example, about 0.1 mm.

  The intermediate transfer belt 15 is circulated and rotated (rotated) at various speeds in the direction B shown in FIG. 5 by various rolls. As these various rolls, a drive roll 31 that is driven by a motor (not shown) having excellent constant speed to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the intermediate transfer belt 15 that extends substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of the respective photoreceptors 11. A support roll 32 for supporting the intermediate transfer belt 15, a tension applying roll 33 that functions as a correction roll that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and prevents meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 15, a back roll 25 provided in the secondary transfer unit 20, an intermediate A cleaning back roll 34 is provided in a cleaning unit that scrapes off residual toner on the transfer belt 15.

The primary transfer unit 10 includes a primary transfer roll 16 that is disposed to face the photoconductor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 16 is composed of a core body and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core body. The core is a cylindrical bar made of a metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is a sponge-like cylindrical roll formed of a blend rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black and having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ωcm or less.

  The primary transfer roll 16 is placed in pressure contact with the photoreceptor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 in between. Further, the primary transfer roll 16 has a voltage (primary polarity) opposite to the toner charging polarity (negative polarity; the same applies hereinafter). Transfer bias) is applied. As a result, the toner images on the respective photoconductors 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15 so that the superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

  The secondary transfer unit 20 includes a back roll 25 and a secondary transfer roll 22 disposed on the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The back roll 25 is made of a tube of EPDM and NBR blend rubber with carbon dispersed on the surface, and the inside is made of EPDM rubber. And it is formed so that the surface resistivity may be 10 ⁷ Ω / □ or more and 10 ¹⁰ Ω / □ or less, and the hardness is set to, for example, 70 ° (Asker C: manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd., the same shall apply hereinafter). The The back roll 25 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to constitute a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 22, and a metal power supply roll 26 to which a secondary transfer bias is stably applied is disposed in contact. ing.

On the other hand, the secondary transfer roll 22 is composed of a core body and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core body. The core is a cylindrical bar made of a metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is a sponge-like cylindrical roll formed of a blend rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black and having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ωcm or less.

  The secondary transfer roll 22 is placed in pressure contact with the back roll 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. Further, the secondary transfer roll 22 is grounded and a secondary transfer bias is formed between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25, and the secondary transfer roll 22 is grounded. The toner image is secondarily transferred onto the paper K conveyed to the transfer unit 20.

  Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15, an intermediate transfer belt that removes residual toner and paper dust on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer and cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. A cleaner 35 is provided so as to be able to contact and separate.

  The intermediate transfer belt 15, the primary transfer unit 10 (primary transfer roll 16), and the secondary transfer unit 20 (secondary transfer roll 22) correspond to an example of a transfer unit.

  On the other hand, on the upstream side of the yellow image forming unit 1Y, a reference sensor (home position sensor) 42 that generates a reference signal serving as a reference for taking image forming timings in the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. It is arranged. Further, an image density sensor 43 for adjusting image quality is disposed on the downstream side of the black image forming unit 1K. The reference sensor 42 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and generates a reference signal. In response to an instruction from the control unit 40 based on the recognition of the reference signal, each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are configured to start image formation.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a transport unit that transports the paper K, the paper storage unit 50 that stores the paper K, and the paper K accumulated in the paper storage unit 50 is taken out at a predetermined timing. A paper feed roll 51 that transports the paper K, a transport roll 52 that transports the paper K fed by the paper feed roll 51, a transport guide 53 that feeds the paper K transported by the transport roll 52 to the secondary transfer unit 20, and a secondary transfer A conveyance belt 55 that conveys the sheet K conveyed after the secondary transfer by the roll 22 to the fixing device 60 and a fixing entrance guide 56 that guides the sheet K to the fixing device 60 are provided.

Next, a basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, image data output from an image reading device (not shown) or a personal computer (PC) (not shown) is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown), and then the image forming unit 1Y. , 1M, 1C, 1K, image forming work is executed.

  In the image processing apparatus, input reflectance data is subjected to image processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasing, color editing, and moving editing. Is done. The image data that has undergone image processing is converted into color material gradation data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and is output to the laser exposure unit 13.

  The laser exposure unit 13 irradiates each of the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with, for example, an exposure beam Bm emitted from a semiconductor laser in accordance with the input color material gradation data. . In each of the photoreceptors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, the surface is charged by the charger 12, and then the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure unit 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The formed electrostatic latent images are developed as toner images of respective colors Y, M, C, and K by the respective image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

  The toner images formed on the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer unit 10 where the photoconductors 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 are in contact with each other. The More specifically, in the primary transfer portion 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity (minus polarity) is applied to the base material of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer roll 16, and the toner image. Are sequentially superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to perform primary transfer.

  After the toner images are sequentially primary transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves and the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20. When the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20, the conveyance unit rotates the paper feed roll 51 in accordance with the timing at which the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20. A size paper K is supplied. The paper K supplied by the paper feed roll 51 is transported by the transport roll 52, and reaches the secondary transfer unit 20 through the transport guide 53. Before reaching the secondary transfer unit 20, the sheet K is temporarily stopped, and an alignment roll (not shown) rotates in accordance with the movement timing of the intermediate transfer belt 15 that holds the toner image. And the position of the toner image are aligned.

  In the secondary transfer unit 20, the secondary transfer roll 22 is pressed against the back roll 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the sheet K conveyed at the same timing is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roll 22. At this time, when a voltage (secondary transfer bias) having the same polarity as the toner charging polarity (negative polarity) is applied from the power supply roll 26, a transfer electric field is formed between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25. Is done. The unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is collectively electrostatically transferred onto the paper K in the secondary transfer unit 20 pressed by the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25. The

  Thereafter, the sheet K on which the toner image has been electrostatically transferred is conveyed as it is while being peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roll 22, and is conveyed downstream of the secondary transfer roll 22 in the sheet conveyance direction. It is conveyed to the belt 55. The transport belt 55 transports the paper K to the fixing device 60 in accordance with the optimal transport speed in the fixing device 60. The unfixed toner image on the paper K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is fixed on the paper K by receiving a fixing process with heat and pressure by the fixing device 60. Then, the sheet K on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed to a paper discharge container (not shown) provided in the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, after the transfer to the paper K is completed, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the cleaning unit as the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates, and is cleaned by the cleaning back roll 34 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35. It is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 15.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made, and a range that satisfies the requirements of the present invention. Needless to say, this is feasible.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the following description, “part” and “%” are all based on mass unless otherwise specified.

<Example 1>
[Preparation of substrate]
As a conductive agent, 50 parts of carbon black and 100 parts of a polyimide precursor solution as a resin were dispersed by a disperser to obtain a polyimide precursor solution in which carbon black was dispersed. Then, the obtained polyimide precursor solution in which carbon black is dispersed is N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent, the solid content ratio is 20%, and the number of parts of carbon black is 26 with respect to 100 parts of resin. It mixed so that it might become a part, and it vacuum-mixed, and obtained the coating liquid for base-material formation. The viscosity of this base material-forming coating solution was 22 Pa · s. Using a radial screw pump for supplying the substrate-forming coating liquid and a MONO pump for discharging, a stainless steel cylindrical substrate was coated by spiral coating on the outer surface, and then the coating film was dried at 140 ° C. for 20 minutes. A substrate having a residual solvent ratio of about 30% was prepared.

[Formation of foamed layer]
Air equivalent to 1.2 times in volume ratio is supplied to a foam forming coating solution containing a polyimide precursor solution having a viscosity higher than that of the base material (80 Pa · s) using an air supply pump in a nearly constant amount. . The pressure is released in a flow-down apparatus connected only to a discharge mono pump, and the foam-forming coating liquid is discharged from the nozzle (discharge port diameter: 2 mm) at a rate of 15 ml per minute. The cylindrical substrate is rotated at 50 rpm, and after the discharged foam forming coating solution adheres to the substrate on the cylindrical substrate, the blade is pressed against the surface and moved in the axial direction of the cylindrical substrate at a speed of 55 mm / min. Blade coating was performed. Then, it is dried at 140 ° C. for 15 minutes, put in a heating and firing furnace with the cylindrical base body vertical, and heated at 130 ° C. for 25 minutes, 200 ° C. for 25 minutes, 250 ° C. for 25 minutes, and 315 ° C. for 25 minutes. did. After cooling, it was removed from the cylindrical substrate to obtain a two-layer structure of a base material containing polyimide (indicated as “PI” in Table 1) and a foamed layer containing polyimide. On the surface of the foam layer, pores corresponding to the coating pitch were formed.

[Formation of elastic layer and surface layer]
Primer No. 4 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied and dried as an adhesive on the outer peripheral surface of the foamed layer of the two-layer structure obtained above. Thereafter, 85% by mass of a silicone rubber material (X-34-1972-3A / X-34-1972-3B = 50/50 (mass ratio)) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. was diluted with 15% by mass of butyl acetate. The coating solution for forming the elastic layer was applied by a flow coating method so as to have a film thickness of 200 μm, and was cured by drying at 100 ° C. for 20 minutes. Thereafter, a primer (KE-1950-10A / KE-1950-10B = 1/1 (mass ratio)) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. was applied by a flow coating method so as to be 20 μm. Thereafter, it was dried at 50 ° C. for 60 minutes and semi-cured, and a PFA tube subjected to plasma treatment for easy adhesion was coated. After venting the air, it was heated and cured at 200 ° C. for 4 hours and cut to a width of 360 mm to obtain the fixing belt of Example 1.

<Example 2>
A fixing belt of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that no adhesive was applied on the outer peripheral surface of the foam layer of the two-layer structure.

<Example 3>
A fixing belt of Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the polyimide of the base material and the foamed layer was changed to polyamideimide (indicated as “PAI” in Table 1).

<Example 4>
A fixing belt of Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thicknesses of the base material and the foamed layer were changed.

<Comparative Example 1>
A fixing belt of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the foam layer was not provided and the adhesive was applied on the outer peripheral surface of the base material.

<Comparative example 2>
A fixing belt of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that no foamed layer was provided and no adhesive was applied on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate.

<Evaluation>
(Delamination test)
-Initial delamination test-
Each fixing belt obtained in each example was cut into a width of 15 mm and a length of 10 cm to prepare a test sample. With this sample heated on a hot plate, the initial delamination force between the elastic layer and the base material (foamed layer) was measured with a force gauge. The delamination test was performed at a belt surface temperature of 200 ° C., a peeling speed of 2 cm / second, and a peeling direction of 180 °. The state between the layers was visually observed together with the delamination force. The case where peeling at the interface between the elastic layer and the base material (foamed layer) did not occur was designated as G0, and the case where interface peeling occurred over the entire surface was designated as G4. The initial delamination test is expressed as (t = 0) in Table 1.

-Delamination test over time-
A sample having the same size as the sample for measuring the peel force is put in an oven heated to 230 ° C., taken out from the oven after 230 hours at a temperature of 230 ° C., and subjected to the same procedure as in the initial delamination test. The delamination test was performed and evaluated by delamination force and visual observation. In addition, the delamination test over time is described as (230 ° C. × 100 hr) in Table 1.

(Durability test)
The fixing belt roll obtained in each example was mounted on a fixing device of an image forming apparatus (manufactured by Fuji Xerox, “Docu Center-III C3300”). This fixing device was incorporated into an image forming apparatus. With this image forming apparatus, a running test for outputting 20,000 images was performed using J paper (manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.). Then, about peeling with an elastic layer and a base material (foaming layer), it observed visually and evaluated by the following evaluation criteria.
G0: No delamination is observed in all test pieces out of 10 tests.
G1: Delamination is observed in some test pieces out of 10 tests.
G2: Delamination is observed in all test pieces out of 10 tests.

(Measurement of porosity)
The amount of pores in the foam layer was measured by the method described above. In addition, the porosity in Table 1 is an area ratio.

  From the above results, it can be seen that this example has better delamination results than the comparative example. Therefore, it turns out that the peeling durability of a base material and an elastic layer is improving the present Example compared with the comparative example. Since Comparative Example 2 was not bonded, no durability test was performed.

62 Pressure belt 63 Belt running guide 64 Press pad 64a Front clamping member 64b Peeling clamping member 65 Holding member 66 Halogen lamp 68 Sliding member 69 Temperature sensing element 70 Peeling member 71 Peeling claw 72 Holding member 80 Fixing device 82 Sliding Member 84 Heating belt 86 Fixing belt module 88 Pressure roll 89A Halogen heater 89 Heating and pressing roll 90A Halogen heater 90 Support roll 92A Halogen heater 92 Support roll 94 Posture correction roll 96 Support member 98 Support roll 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Fixing member 110A Base Material 110B Foamed layer 110C Elastic layer 110D Surface layer

Claims (13)

A substrate;
A foam layer provided on the substrate;
An elastic layer provided on the foam layer;
A fixing member. A substrate;
A foam layer provided on the substrate;
An elastic layer provided on the foam layer;
Have
A fixing member having an initial delamination force between the substrate and the elastic layer exceeding 1.0 N / 15 mm.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the base material and the foamed layer contain the same resin.   The fixing member according to claim 3, wherein the resin contained in the base material and the foamed layer is at least one of polyimide and polyamideimide.   The fixing member according to claim 4, wherein the resin contained in the base material and the foamed layer is polyimide.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the foam layer is 30 μm or more and 200 μm or less.   The fixing member according to claim 6, wherein the foam layer has a thickness of 40 μm or more and 200 μm or less.   The ratio of the pores existing in the foamed layer is 5.0% or more and 20.0 or less in area ratio when observing a cross section cut in a direction along the circumferential direction. The fixing member according to Item 1.   The fixing member according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer between the foam layer and the surface layer.   The fixing member according to claim 1, further comprising a surface layer on the elastic layer.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is a belt-shaped fixing member. A first rotating body, and a second rotating body arranged in contact with the outer surface of the first rotating body,
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body is a fixing member according to claim 1. An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image with toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image to the recording medium, the fixing means being the fixing device according to claim 12;
An image forming apparatus comprising: