JP2015125390A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain transferability of each image to an intermediate transfer body without unnecessary installation of a static eliminator in an intermediate transfer type image formation device including a plurality of image holding bodies, and to enable a transfer simultaneous fixation to a recording material by laser light.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes: a first intermediate transfer body on which an image is transferred before the image is transferred to a recording material, and which temporarily holds and conveys the image; a second intermediate transfer body that is provided to face the first intermediate transfer body, has a volume resistivity of 10Ωcm or more, which is higher than that of the first intermediate transfer body, is formed of a transparent member allowing laser light to transmit, holds the image on the first intermediate transfer body by electrostatically transferring the image thereon and conveys the image; and a static eliminator that is provided on a movement direction downstream side further than a fixation area of a fixation device and on a movement direction upstream side further than a transfer area of the first intermediate transfer body and the second transfer body out of the second intermediate transfer body and eliminates static electricity of the second intermediate transfer body.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have already been provided.
Patent Document 1 discloses an untransferred image on an intermediate transfer body in an intermediate transfer apparatus having an intermediate transfer body that receives an unfixed image and heats the transferred unfixed image to transfer and fix it on a recording medium. An intermediate transfer device having a heating unit that selectively heats an image in the width direction of the intermediate transfer member perpendicular to the conveyance direction is disclosed (Example 2, FIG. 10).

  Patent Document 2 includes an image carrier that carries a toner image that is stretched around a plurality of members, and a counter member that forms a nip portion facing the image carrier, and passes through the nip portion. In the transfer device for transferring the toner image onto a medium, the transfer device includes a rotating member that contacts the image carrier at the downstream side of the nip and rotates in the same direction at a higher speed than the drive speed of the image carrier. Is disclosed (the best mode for carrying out the invention, FIG. 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-37879 (Example 2, FIG. 10) JP 2007-249098 A (Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention, FIG. 1)

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus having a plurality of image carriers, maintaining the transferability of each image to the intermediate transfer body without unnecessary installation of a static eliminator, and to the recording material. It is to enable simultaneous transfer and fixing by laser light.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image holders that respectively form and hold a plurality of color component images, and an image held on the image holder are transferred and temporarily transferred to a recording material. A first intermediate transfer member to be held and conveyed, and a laser having a volume resistivity of 10 ¹³ Ωcm or higher, which is provided opposite to the first intermediate transfer member and is higher than that of the first intermediate transfer member. A second intermediate transfer member made of a transparent member capable of transmitting light, electrostatically transferring and holding and conveying an image on the first intermediate transfer member; and on the second intermediate transfer member. A fixing device that transfers the held image to a recording material and fixes the image simultaneously; and a second intermediate transfer member that is downstream of the fixing region of the fixing device in the moving direction and the first intermediate transfer member and the first intermediate transfer member. The second intermediate transfer member is provided on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the transfer region with the second intermediate transfer member. A static eliminator that neutralizes the electric charge, and the fixing device is provided to face the second intermediate transfer member, and forms a contact area with the second intermediate transfer member, and at the contact area. A counter member that moves and conveys the recording material in cooperation with the second intermediate transfer member, and is provided outside or inside the second intermediate transfer member, and is provided between the second intermediate transfer member and the counter member. A laser beam irradiation device that irradiates a laser beam toward a contact area between the second intermediate transfer body and a laser beam irradiation apparatus that presses the second intermediate transfer body against the opposing member in the contact area An image forming apparatus comprising: a condensing member that condenses the laser light emitted from the laser light irradiation device with respect to the image on the recording material within the contact area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the second intermediate transfer member is a belt-like member that is rotatably wound around a plurality of stretching members. Forming device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, a transfer electric field for image transfer is provided between one stretching member of the second intermediate transfer member and the first intermediate transfer member. And an electrode member for forming the image forming apparatus.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the light condensing member also serves as one stretch member of the second intermediate transfer member. Device.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the lubricant supply means is capable of supplying a lubricant to a contact area between the light collecting member and the second intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatus.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the static eliminator is disposed in a non-contact manner with respect to the second intermediate transfer member. It is.
The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opposing member forms a transfer electric field for image transfer with the second intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus is also used as an image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus having a plurality of image holding members, the transfer property of each image to the intermediate transfer member can be maintained without unnecessarily installing a static eliminator. It is possible to simultaneously transfer and fix the material with a laser beam.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transfer to the recording material can be performed from the belt-shaped intermediate transfer member.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the electrode member different from a tension member becomes unnecessary, and it can anticipate reducing a number of parts.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the condensing member different from a tension member becomes unnecessary, and it can anticipate reducing a number of parts.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the risk of air entering between the belt and the light collecting member is reduced, and the influence of the air interface on the optical path of the laser light can be reduced.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the static eliminator from coming into contact with the second intermediate transfer member and hindering the operation of the second intermediate transfer member.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 7, the electrode member different from an opposing member becomes unnecessary, and it can anticipate reducing a number of parts.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a fixing device 50. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the shape of the lens 90, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is BB sectional drawing in (a). It is explanatory drawing about the function of the lens. (A), (b) is sectional drawing of the example of the sliding surface (laser beam emission surface) with the 2nd intermediate transfer body 30 of the lens 90. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a static eliminator 60. FIG. 2A and 2B are diagrams schematically illustrating a change in potential of an intermediate transfer member, in which FIG. 1A illustrates a change in potential of a first intermediate transfer member 20 and FIG. 2B illustrates a potential of a second intermediate transfer member 30; It is a figure which shows the change of. It is explanatory drawing of another aspect of arrangement | positioning of the laser beam irradiation apparatus. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the static eliminator 60 different from FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a fixing device 150 used in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is an exploded explanatory view showing each assembly part of the main part of fixing device 150 used in the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly state of each assembly component of the fixing device 150 shown in FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a driving mechanism of a fixing device 150 used in Embodiment 2. FIG.

Outline of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an outline of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 transfers a plurality of image holding bodies 18 that form and hold a plurality of color component images, and an image held by the image holding body 18 before transferring it to a recording material 4. The first intermediate transfer member 2 that is temporarily held and transported, and the first intermediate transfer member 2 are opposed to the first intermediate transfer member 2 and have a volume resistance of 10 ¹³ Ωcm or higher, which is higher than that of the first intermediate transfer member 2. A second intermediate transfer member 3 comprising a transparent member 3a capable of transmitting a laser beam having a ratio, electrostatically transferring, holding and conveying the image G on the first intermediate transfer member 2; A fixing device 5 that transfers the image G held on the intermediate transfer member 3 to the recording material 4 and fixes the image G at the same time, and a downstream side in the moving direction of the second intermediate transfer member 3 from the fixing area m of the fixing device 5. And provided upstream of the transfer area K between the first intermediate transfer member 2 and the second intermediate transfer member 3 in the moving direction. And a neutralization device 6 for neutralizing the second intermediate transfer member 3.

  The fixing device 5 is provided so as to face the second intermediate transfer member 3, and forms a contact area n with the second intermediate transfer member 3, and the second intermediate transfer member is formed in the contact area n. 3, a counter member 7 that moves and conveys the recording material 4 in cooperation with the recording medium 4, and a contact between the second intermediate transfer body 3 and the counter member 7 provided outside or inside the second intermediate transfer body 3. The laser beam irradiation device 8 that irradiates the laser beam Bm toward the area n and the second intermediate transfer body 3 are provided, and the second intermediate transfer body 3 is pressed against the opposing member 7 in the contact area n. In addition, a condensing member 9 that condenses the laser beam Bm irradiated from the laser beam irradiation device 8 on the image on the recording material 4 in the contact area n.

  In this example, if the image forming method of the image formed on each of the plurality of image holding members 18 is to produce an unfixed image G so as to require the fixing device 5, an ion current method such as an electrophotographic method is used. It is possible to select an appropriate electrostatic recording method using

The first intermediate transfer member 2 is composed of a conductive member or a semiconductive member. Preferably, the member has a volume resistivity of 10 ⁶ to 10 ¹² Ωcm. By using the conductive member or the semiconductive member, it is possible to eliminate the need for static elimination when the image held on the image carrier 18 is transferred. That is, if the first intermediate transfer member 2 is a conductive member or a semiconductive member, the first intermediate transfer member 2 is charged and an image is transferred from any of the plurality of image holding members 18. Thereafter, the unnecessary charge of the first intermediate transfer body 2 is attenuated before the transfer of the image on the next image carrier 18, so that it is not necessary to eliminate the charge every transfer.
The shape of the first intermediate transfer body 2 may be any shape as long as the transfer surface circulates, such as a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape, or a belt shape. The first intermediate transfer member 2 may be a rigid body or an elastic body. The first intermediate transfer member 2 may have a single-layer structure, but a plurality of layers can be used in consideration of securing strength, securing a transfer area K with the second intermediate transfer member 3, releasability from the image G, and the like. A functional layer may be provided.

The second intermediate transfer member 3 secures a transfer area K between the first intermediate transfer member 2 and the second intermediate transfer member 3. The second intermediate transfer member 3 is composed of a transparent member 3a. The second intermediate transfer member 3 has a volume resistivity of 10 ¹³ Ωcm or higher, which is higher than that of the first intermediate transfer member 2, and the image G is transferred from the second intermediate transfer member 3 to the recording material 4. After the transfer, the second intermediate transfer body 3 is neutralized by the neutralization device 6. The shape of the second intermediate transfer member 3 may be any shape as long as the transfer surface circulates, such as a columnar shape, a cylindrical shape, or a belt shape. Further, the second intermediate transfer member 3 may be a rigid body or an elastic body. The second intermediate transfer member 3 may have a single layer structure, but includes a plurality of functional layers in consideration of securing strength, securing a contact area with the opposing member 7, releasability from the image G, and the like. You may do it. For example, a release layer that makes it easy to release toner as an image forming material from the side closer to the transfer surface, an elastic layer that makes the transfer surface uniformly contact in the contact area, and to maintain the required strength A three-layer structure of the base material layer may be used.

  As the static eliminating device 6, a contact type that removes electricity with a charging roll, a non-contact type that removes electricity with an ionizer that performs corona discharge, or the like can be used.

  The opposing member 7 may be selected as appropriate as long as it can secure a contact area n with the second intermediate transfer member 3 and can sandwich and convey the recording material 4 in cooperation with the second intermediate transfer member 3. Absent. From the viewpoint of effectively using the laser beam Bm that has passed through the recording material 4, it is preferable that the facing member 7 has a reflecting surface that can reflect the laser beam Bm.

  The laser beam irradiation device 8 may be any device that irradiates the laser beam Bm toward a predetermined light incident position of the condensing member 9. From the viewpoint of facilitating the light collecting property of the light collecting member 9, it is preferable that a laser beam parallel to the light incident position of the light collecting member 9 is incident. In this case, for example, an optical member (such as a collimator lens) that converts the laser light emitted from the laser light source into parallel light may be used.

The condensing member 9 may be designed to have an optimum depth of focus in consideration of the distance from the light incident part to the light emitting part.
Further, the light collecting member 9 naturally has the light collecting action, but in addition to this, the light collecting member 9 contacts the second intermediate transfer body 3 at a position corresponding to the contact area n, and the recording is performed in the contact area n. A function to pressurize the image on the material 4 is provided. What is necessary is just to select the pressurization force at this time suitably in the range in which predetermined fixability is acquired in relation to the heating energy of the laser beam Bm.

  According to the present invention, in an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus having a plurality of image holding members, the transfer property of each image to the intermediate transfer member is maintained without unnecessary installation of a static eliminator, and a laser is applied to the recording material. Simultaneous transfer by light can be fixed.

Next, a typical aspect or a preferable aspect of the fixing device according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, as a preferable aspect of the second intermediate transfer member 3, an aspect in which the second intermediate transfer member 3 is a belt-like member that is rotatably wound around a plurality of stretching members can be cited.
In this aspect, since the second intermediate transfer body 3 has a belt shape, the tension of the second intermediate transfer body 3 can be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the plurality of stretching members. In addition, since the second intermediate transfer member 3 is in the form of a belt, the degree of freedom in changing the shape is increased, and the versatility of the recording material 4 is increased accordingly. It becomes easy to do. Moreover, the length of the contact area n can be set arbitrarily.

Further, as a preferred embodiment of the stretching member on which the second intermediate transfer member 3 is bridged, one stretching member of the second intermediate transfer member 3 is transferred between the first intermediate transfer member 2 and an image. The mode which also serves as the electrode member which forms the transcription | transfer electric field for this is mentioned.
In this aspect, transfer from the first intermediate transfer body 2 to the second intermediate transfer body 3 can be performed at the position of the stretching member of the second intermediate transfer body 3, and the stretching member and the electrode member are connected to each other. Compared with the case where they are provided separately, space is saved and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

In addition, as a preferable mode of the light collecting member, a mode in which the light collecting member 9 also serves as one stretching member of the second intermediate transfer body 3 can be cited.
In this aspect, the image can be fixed to the recording material 4 at the position of the stretching member of the second intermediate transfer member 3, and it is not necessary to provide a stretching member separately from the light collecting member 9, thus saving space. Thus, the apparatus can be miniaturized. Further, the laser beam Bm incident through the second intermediate transfer body 3 that is the transparent member 3a passes through the condensing member 9 and is condensed at a predetermined condensing position.

In addition, an aspect in which a transparent liquid supply unit that can supply a transparent liquid to a contact area between the light collecting member 9 and the second intermediate transfer body 3 is provided.
In this aspect, the transparent liquid supply means supplies the transparent liquid from, for example, a liquid filler. The liquid filling body may be appropriately selected as long as it fills at least the transparent liquid in the interface air layer between the condensing member 9 and the second intermediate transfer body 3 in the optical path of the laser beam Bm. The transparent liquid has optical transparency and transmits the laser beam Bm.
In this example, when an interfacial air layer exists between the condensing member 9 and the second intermediate transfer member 3 in the optical path of the laser light, the incident laser light Bm is reflected at the interface, and the irradiation efficiency of the laser light On the other hand, if the interface air layer is filled with a transparent liquid, the reflection of the incident laser beam Bm at the interface air layer is suppressed, so that the irradiation efficiency of the laser beam Bm increases accordingly.
Since the contact area n between the second intermediate transfer body 3 and the facing member 7 is a passing area of the laser beam Bm by the laser beam irradiation device 8, the liquid filling body avoids the interruption of the laser beam Bm as much as possible. The arrangement position may be any part excluding these regions.
The transparent liquid preferably plays a role as a lubricant between the light condensing member 9 and the second intermediate transfer body 3, and for example, a liquid having a low viscous resistance (for example, silicone oil, fluorine oil, etc.) is preferable.

Moreover, as a preferable aspect of the static elimination apparatus 6, the aspect by which the static elimination apparatus 6 is arrange | positioned with respect to the 2nd intermediate transfer body 3 is mentioned.
In this aspect, the static eliminator 6 can be a non-contact type, such as one that eliminates electricity with an ionizer that performs corona discharge, and the static eliminator 6 is a second intermediate compared to an aspect that does not have this configuration. It is possible to prevent the second intermediate transfer body 3 from becoming an obstacle to the operation without contacting the transfer body 3.

Moreover, as a preferable aspect of the opposing member 7, an aspect in which the opposing member 7 also serves as an electrode member that forms a transfer electric field for image transfer with the second intermediate transfer body 3 can be cited.
In this aspect, the transfer from the second intermediate transfer body 3 to the recording material 4 can be performed at the location of the facing member 7, which saves space compared to the case where the facing member 7 and the electrode member are provided separately. Thus, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
-Overall configuration-
FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 uses an image forming material on a recording material S and includes a plurality of color components (in this example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)). A plurality of image forming units 19 (specifically, 19a to 19d) that form images and each color component image formed by each image forming unit 19 are temporarily held before being transferred to the recording material S and conveyed. The belt-like first intermediate transfer member 20 and the first intermediate transfer member 20 are provided opposite to each other, and the image G on the first intermediate transfer member 20 is electrostatically transferred and held and conveyed. A belt-like second intermediate transfer member 30, a secondary transfer device 45 for electrostatically transferring the image G on the first intermediate transfer member 20 to the second intermediate transfer member 30, and a second intermediate Each color component image held on the transfer body 30 is transferred onto the recording material S at the same time and transferred onto the recording material S. A fixing device 50 for fixing the non-fixed image, a discharging device 60 for neutralizing the second intermediate transfer member 30, are provided on a device housing.

  Here, the basic configuration of each image forming unit 19 employs an electrophotographic system. For example, a drum-shaped photoconductor 119 having a photosensitive layer formed on the surface and rotatable in a predetermined direction. Around the photoconductor 119, a charging device 120 such as a corotron that precharges the photoconductor 119, and an electrostatic latent image with light on the photoconductor 119 charged by the charging device 120. A latent image writing device 121 such as a laser scanning device, a developing device 122 for developing the electrostatic latent image written by the latent image writing device 121 with each color component toner, and a residual on the photoreceptor 119. A cleaning device 123 for cleaning toner and the like is sequentially installed.

  The first intermediate transfer member 20 includes a belt member that is stretched over a plurality of stretching rolls 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d. For example, the stretching roll 21b serves as a driving roll and the other stretching rolls 21a, 21c. , 21d is rotated as a driven roll in a predetermined direction. In this example, the stretching roll 21 c functions as a tension applying roll that applies a predetermined tension to the first intermediate transfer body 20, and the stretching roll 21 a extends from the first intermediate transfer body 20 to the second intermediate transfer body 20. Also used as a transfer roll for transferring an image to the intermediate transfer member 30.

Further, a transfer device 40 is installed on the back surface of the first intermediate transfer member 20 corresponding to each image forming unit 19 (19a to 19d). In this example, the transfer device 40 includes, for example, a transfer roll to which a transfer voltage is applied, and a transfer electric field is formed between the transfer roll and the photoconductor 119 so that an image on the photoconductor 119 is converted into a first intermediate. It functions so as to be transferred to the transfer body 20.
The first intermediate transfer member 20 is composed of a conductive member or a semiconductive member. Preferably, the member has a volume resistivity of 10 ⁶ to 10 ¹² Ωcm. By comprising a conductive member or a semiconductive member, it is possible to eliminate the need for static elimination for the next transfer after the image held on the photoconductor 119 is transferred. That is, if the first intermediate transfer member 20 is a conductive member or a semiconductive member, after the first intermediate transfer member 20 is charged and an image is transferred from any of the plurality of image forming units 19, Unnecessary charging of the first intermediate transfer body 20 is attenuated before the image transfer of the next image forming unit 19, so that it is not necessary to eliminate the charge every transfer.

  The second intermediate transfer member 30 includes a plurality of stretching rolls 31a and 31b and a belt member that is stretched over a lens 90 that is a light collecting member. For example, the stretching roll 31b serves as a driving roll and the stretching roll 31a. Is rotated as a driven roll in a predetermined direction. In this example, the stretching roll 31 a functions as a tension applying roll that applies a predetermined tension to the second intermediate transfer member 30.

The second intermediate transfer member 30 is made of a transparent member capable of transmitting laser light having a volume resistivity of 10 ¹³ Ωcm or higher, which is higher than that of the first intermediate transfer member 20. Thus, the laser beam from the laser beam irradiation device 80 provided outside the second intermediate transfer member 30 can be transmitted.
In this example, the transparency in the second intermediate transfer body 30 means that the transmittance is sufficiently high in the wavelength region of the laser beam Bm, and any material that transmits the laser beam Bm may be used. From the viewpoint of preventing the lens 90 from being heated, the higher the transmittance, the better. For example, it is 90% or more, desirably 95% or more.

-Secondary transfer device-
The secondary transfer device 45 uses the stretching roll 21a of the first intermediate transfer body 20 as a transfer roll, and the stretching roll 31b of the second intermediate transfer body 30 as a grounded counter roll, and the stretching roll as the transfer roll. For example, the roll 21a is provided with a power supply roll 21aa connected to a power source 21ab that applies a predetermined transfer voltage.
In this example, the secondary transfer device 45 is held by the first intermediate transfer member 20 by forming a secondary transfer electric field between the first intermediate transfer member 20 and the second intermediate transfer member 30. The transferred image G is transferred to the second intermediate transfer member 30.
Of course, the tension roll 31b may be configured as a transfer roll and the tension roll 21a may be configured as an opposing roll.

-Fixing device-
The fixing device 50 performs fixing together with transfer (see FIG. 3). The fixing device 50 has a lens 90 as a transfer roll, and has an opposing roll 70 on the surface side of the second intermediate transfer body 30 facing the lens 90. In this example, the opposing roll 70 also serves as a power feeding roll. A batch transfer electric field is formed between the second intermediate transfer body 30 and the opposing roll 70, and each color component image on the second intermediate transfer body 30. Is transferred to the recording material S at a time. The opposing roll 70 may serve as a power supply roll itself, or a power supply roll (not shown) that supplies power so as to form a collective transfer electric field may be provided separately from the opposing roll 70. For transporting the second intermediate transfer member 30, a tension roll 31 a that stretches the second intermediate transfer member 30 is rotationally driven by a driving device 35. The tension roll 31a may be driven, and a driving means (not shown) may be provided in addition thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second intermediate transfer member 30 has a three-layer structure, and a base layer 30a for maintaining a required strength and an elastic layer laminated on the base layer. 30b and a release layer 30c which is laminated on the elastic layer and from which the toner as an image forming material is easy to release. In the present embodiment, the second intermediate transfer member 30 is not limited to a three-layer structure, and it is needless to say that an appropriate layer may be included depending on the function.
Here, the base material layer 30a is made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyimide (PI), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or other silicone, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly Ethersulfone (PES), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polytetrafluoroethylene ( PTFE) and a material selected from the group consisting of mixtures thereof. The thickness of the base material layer 30a is, for example, 75 μm.
The elastic layer 30b is made of LSR silicone rubber, HTV silicone rubber, RTV silicone rubber, or the like, and has elasticity to transmit the laser beam Bm and absorb the unevenness of the recording material S and the level difference of the image G due to the toner. If you do. The thickness of the elastic layer 30b is, for example, 175 μm.
Further, the release layer 30c is made of fluororesin such as tetrafluoroethylene polymer (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP). ) And the like, and can transmit the laser beam Bm and promote the release of the image G and the second intermediate transfer member 130 by the toner formed on the recording material S. The thickness of the release layer 30c is, for example, 30 μm. The release layer 30c also has a function of giving a preferable gloss to a fixed image in cooperation with the elastic layer 30b.

  The recording material S is accommodated in the recording material accommodation device 71, and is sent one by one from the recording material accommodation device 71 and then conveyed to the positioning roll 74 through an appropriate number of conveyance rollers 72 and 73. Is then conveyed to the fixing device 50 and discharged through a discharge roll 76 to a recording material discharge receiver (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the fixing device 50 is provided between the lens 90 that condenses the laser light Bm from the laser light irradiation device 80 and the lens 90, and between the second intermediate transfer member 30. An opposing roll 70 that forms a contact area n and moves and conveys the recording material S in cooperation with the second intermediate transfer member 30 in the contact area n, and is provided outside the second intermediate transfer body 30; A laser beam irradiation device 80 that irradiates the laser beam Bm toward a predetermined light incident position in the second intermediate transfer member 30, and the lens 90 is provided on the second intermediate transfer member 30. Provided inside, the second intermediate transfer member 30 is pressed against the opposing roll 70 in the contact area n, and the light incident position A of the second intermediate transfer member 30 is irradiated to the image G on the recording material S. Direction of the recording material S in the contact area n Functions as cum for condensing member pressure to condense.

<Opposite roll>
The facing roll 70 is made of, for example, a copper plate plated with aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, or the like, and is arranged so that a predetermined pressure is applied between the facing roll 70 and the lens 90.

<Lens>
The material of the lens 90 can be selected from those usually used for lenses that have heat resistance, and examples thereof include various optical glasses and optical transparent plastic resins. Examples of optically transparent plastic resins include polydiethylene glycol bisallyl carbonate (PADC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PSt), a polymer comprising methyl methacrylate units and styrene units (MS resin), polycarbonate resin, and cycloolefin resin. And materials containing fluorene resin and the like.
-Liquid application-
As will be described in detail later, a transparent liquid may be applied and supplied between the lens 90 and the second intermediate transfer body 30. When a transparent liquid is filled in the interface air layer between the lens 90 and the second intermediate transfer member 30, reflection of the incident laser beam Bm at the interface air layer is suppressed, and accordingly, the laser beam Bm Irradiation efficiency increases.
4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating examples of the shape of the lens 90, in which FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
In FIG. 4A, the width d of the lens 90 is a length necessary for irradiating the image G transferred on the recording material S with the laser beam Bm. The laser beam irradiation device 80 is configured to be able to supply a laser beam Bm having a width narrower than the width d to the lens 90.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the cross section of the lens 90, the laser light incident surface and the laser light emission surface are formed in a circular shape (a part of the circle C). Further, the length L of the lens 90 in the traveling direction of the laser beam is such that the condensing position of the laser beam Bm is on the outer image G by the thickness of the second intermediate transfer body 30 from the laser beam emission surface. Have been adjusted so that.

  For example, when the refractive index of the material constituting the lens 90 is 1.5, the condensing position of the laser beam Bm is determined based on the diameter of the circle C forming the laser beam incident surface and the laser beam emitting surface. It is far from the location. For this reason, in the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lens 90 has a cross-sectional shape in which a straight body portion is formed between a laser beam incident surface and a laser beam emission surface having a circular cross section. Yes. On the other hand, when the refractive index of the material constituting the lens 90 is a value close to 2.0, the straight body portion can be made unnecessary, and the cross-sectional shape of the lens 90 can be a circle (circle C). it can. The condensing position of the laser beam Bm in this case can be set near the surface of the lens 90 and outside the circle C having the circular cross section (outside the thickness of the second intermediate transfer member 30). The laser beam Bm can be condensed on the top. When the cross-sectional shape of the lens 90 is circular, the lens 90 may be rotated as the second intermediate transfer member 30 moves.

  The cross sections of the laser light incident surface and the laser light emitting surface of the lens 90 are not limited to the circular shape described above, and may be any shape as long as the laser light Bm can be condensed on the image G.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for the function of the lens 90.
In FIG. 5, the lens 90 is in contact with the second intermediate transfer body 30 from the opposite side of the opposing roll 70, and cooperates with the opposing roll 70 to form the second intermediate transfer body 30 and the opposing roll 70. A contact area N for pressurizing the image G formed on the recording material S conveyed while being sandwiched therebetween is formed. In the example of FIG. 5, the second intermediate transfer member 30 is configured to slide on the surface of the lens 90.
At this time, if an air layer exists between the second intermediate transfer member 30 and the lens 90, a part of the laser beam Bm is reflected at each interface. In order to prevent this reflection, a liquid such as silicone oil is supplied to the inner surface (the surface on the lens 90 side) of the second intermediate transfer member 30 so that an air layer does not enter. Thereby, the laser beam Bm irradiated from the laser beam irradiation apparatus 80 can be used effectively.

  The lens 90 condenses and heats the laser beam Bm in the irradiation area P while pressurizing the image G formed on the recording material S in cooperation with the opposing roll 70 in the contact area N. As a result, the image G is fixed on the recording material S. The irradiation area P of the laser beam Bm is set within the range of the contact area n.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of examples of sliding surfaces (laser light emission surfaces) of the lens 90 with the second intermediate transfer member 30. FIG.
In the example of FIG. 6A, curved surfaces having a curvature radius R are formed at both corners of the cross section of the sliding surface in the conveyance direction of the recording material S. The curvature radius R is smaller than the curvature radius of the sliding surface of the lens 90, and the second intermediate transfer body 30 does not contact both corners of the cross section of the sliding surface, thereby enabling smooth sliding. .
In the example of FIG. 6B, a protrusion 90 a is formed on the sliding surface of the lens 90, and the pressing force to the opposing roll 70 is increased via the second intermediate transfer body 30. This enables fixing with higher strength. For example, the position of the protrusion 90a is preferably the center of the sliding surface in the conveyance direction of the recording material S, but is not limited thereto.

The static eliminator 60 is provided on the downstream side in the movement direction with respect to the fixing area m of the fixing device 50 and on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the transfer area K between the first intermediate transfer body 20 and the second intermediate transfer body 30. The second intermediate transfer member 30 is neutralized.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the static eliminator 60 grounds the stretching roll 31a, and provides a charging roll 61a at a position facing the stretching roll 31a with the second intermediate transfer member 30 interposed therebetween. In contrast, the second intermediate transfer member 30 can be neutralized by applying a high-voltage alternating current from the power source 61b.
With this configuration, the surface potential of the second intermediate transfer member 30 is ± 0 V during transfer from the first intermediate transfer member 20 to the second intermediate transfer member 30 and when the recording material S is peeled and charged by the fixing device 50. Can be made uniform.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing an outline of a change in potential of the intermediate transfer member, where FIG. 8A shows a change in potential of the first intermediate transfer member 20, and FIG. 8B shows a second intermediate transfer. It is a figure which shows the change of the electric potential of the body.
As shown in FIG. 8A, in the first intermediate transfer member 20, the image is first transferred by the image forming unit 19a. Thereafter, until the image transfer position on the first intermediate transfer member 20 moves from the image forming unit 19a to the image forming unit 19b, the potential of the first intermediate transfer member 20 is naturally attenuated and is used for the next transfer. Return to a level that has no effect. Thereafter, in order, primary transfer of the image to the first intermediate transfer member 20 is performed by the image forming unit 19b, the image forming unit 19c, and the image forming unit 19d, and each time the potential of the first intermediate transfer member 20 is natural. Attenuates. Finally, secondary transfer of the image on the first intermediate transfer body 20 to the second intermediate transfer body 30 is performed by the secondary transfer device 45 at the positions of the tension roll 21a and the tension roll 31b. The potential is also naturally attenuated by the first transfer at the next image forming unit 19a.
As shown in FIG. 8A, in the second intermediate transfer body 30, the image on the second intermediate transfer body 30 is transferred to the recording material S by the fixing device 50 at the position of the lens 90 and the facing roll 70. Fixing is performed, and the electric potential is neutralized by the neutralization device 60.

-Image processing by image forming device-
First, in order to perform the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 10, an unillustrated start switch may be turned on after an unillustrated image forming mode selection button is operated.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, in each of the image forming units 19 (19 a to 19 d), an image with toner of each color component is formed on the photoconductor 119 and is sequentially primary-transferred to the first intermediate transfer body 20. .
Thereafter, the image primarily transferred to the first intermediate transfer member 20 is collectively transferred to the second intermediate transfer member 30 by the secondary transfer device 45.

-Transfer and fixing process by fixing device-
Then, the image transferred to the second intermediate transfer member 30 is collectively transferred to the recording material S by the fixing device 50, and then the unfixed image on the recording material S is fixed by the fixing device 50.
In the fixing device 50 according to the present embodiment, the laser beam Bm irradiated from the laser beam irradiation device 80 is irradiated to the light incident position of the lens 90 through the second intermediate transfer body 30.
Then, the laser beam Bm irradiated to the light incident position of the lens 90 passes through the lens 90 and then passes through the second intermediate transfer member 30 again, and is condensed toward the image G by the toner on the recording material S. To do.
In this state, the toner image G is fixed by the laser beam Bm.

-Neutralization treatment with static eliminator-
The static eliminator 60 is provided on the downstream side in the movement direction with respect to the fixing area m of the fixing device 50 and on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the transfer area K between the first intermediate transfer body 20 and the second intermediate transfer body 30. The second intermediate transfer member 30 is neutralized.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another aspect of the arrangement of the laser light irradiation device. About the same structure as FIG. 3, the same code | symbol as FIG. 3 is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the second intermediate transfer member 30 is stretched over the stretch rolls 31 a and 31 b and the lens 90, and outside the stretched second intermediate transfer member 30. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the laser light irradiation device 80 is provided inside the second intermediate transfer body 30.
In the example of FIG. 9, the second intermediate transfer member 30 is stretched over stretch rolls 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, 31 d and a lens 90, and the inner side of the stretched second intermediate transfer member 30. Is provided with a laser beam irradiation device 80. According to this configuration, the laser beam Bm irradiated from the laser beam irradiation device 80 can be directly incident on the lens 90 without passing through the second intermediate transfer body 30, and the laser beam can be compared with the example of FIG. Inclusions in the optical path of the light Bm can be reduced, and attenuation of the laser light Bm can be reduced.

◎ Another Mode of the Static Removal Device The static elimination device 60 may have a configuration other than the charging roll. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the static eliminator 60 may be configured to use an ionizer 62 a that grounds the stretching roll 31 a and performs static elimination with respect to the second intermediate transfer member 30. 10, the same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The ionizer 62a applies a high voltage to the discharge electrode 62a ′ by the high voltage power supply 62b, and generates positive and negative ions by corona discharge generated between the discharge electrode 62a ′ and the ground electrode (stretching roll 31a). The second intermediate transfer member 30 is neutralized by the action of an air flow or the like.
With this configuration, the surface potential of the second intermediate transfer member 30 is ± 0 V during transfer from the first intermediate transfer member 20 to the second intermediate transfer member 30 and when the recording material S is peeled and charged by the fixing device 50. Can be made uniform.
Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the static eliminator 60 from coming into contact with the second intermediate transfer member 30 and preventing the operation of the second intermediate transfer member 30.

Embodiment 2
-Overall configuration-
FIG. 11 shows the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
In addition, about the component similar to Embodiment 1, the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1 is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the figure, an image forming apparatus 11 uses an image forming material on a recording material S and includes a plurality of color components (in this example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)). A plurality of image forming units 19 (specifically, 19a to 19d) that form images and each color component image formed by each image forming unit 19 are temporarily held before being transferred to the recording material S and conveyed. The belt-like first intermediate transfer member 20 and the first intermediate transfer member 20 are provided opposite to each other, and the image G on the first intermediate transfer member 20 is electrostatically transferred and held and conveyed. A belt-like second intermediate transfer body 130, a secondary transfer device 45 for electrostatically transferring the image G on the first intermediate transfer body 20 to the second intermediate transfer body 130, and a second intermediate Each color component image held on the transfer body 130 is collectively transferred to the recording material S, and on the recording material S. A fixing device 150 for fixing the non-fixed image was photographed, a neutralization device 60 for neutralizing the second intermediate transfer member 130, and the device housing.

  In this example, the stretching roll 21 a also serves as a transfer roll for transferring an image from the first intermediate transfer body 20 to the second intermediate transfer body 130.

  In the second intermediate transfer body 130, a transparent tube 181 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 12) covering the lens pad 190, which is a condensing member, is used as one tension roll. The belt member is stretched around the gantry roll 131b. For example, the tension roll 131b is used as a driving roll and the other transparent tube 181 is used as a driven roll so as to circulate and rotate in a predetermined direction. In this example, the transparent tube 181 functions as a tension applying roll that applies a predetermined tension to the second intermediate transfer member 130.

The second intermediate transfer member 130 is made of a transparent member capable of transmitting laser light having a volume resistivity of 10 ¹³ Ωcm or higher, which is higher than that of the first intermediate transfer member 20. Thus, the laser beam from the laser beam irradiation device 80 provided outside the second intermediate transfer member 130 can be transmitted.
In this example, the transparency in the second intermediate transfer body 130 means that the transmittance is sufficiently high in the wavelength region of the laser beam Bm, and any material that transmits the laser beam Bm may be used. From the viewpoint of preventing the lens pad 190 from being heated, the higher the transmittance, the better. For example, it is 90% or more, desirably 95% or more.

-Secondary transfer device-
The secondary transfer device 145 uses the stretching roll 21a of the first intermediate transfer body 20 as a transfer roll, and the stretching roll 131b of the second intermediate transfer body 130 as a grounded counter roll, and the stretching roll as the transfer roll. For example, a power supply roll 21aa (similar to FIG. 3) connected to a power source 21ab (not shown in FIG. 11 since it has the same configuration as FIG. 3) is applied to the roll 21a. Therefore, the illustration is omitted in FIG.
In this example, the secondary transfer device 145 is held by the first intermediate transfer member 20 by forming a secondary transfer electric field between the first intermediate transfer member 20 and the second intermediate transfer member 130. The transferred image G is transferred to the second intermediate transfer member 130.
Of course, the tension roll 131b may be configured as a transfer roll and the tension roll 21a may be configured as an opposing roll.

-Fixing device-
The fixing device 150 performs fixing together with transfer. The fixing device 150 uses a transparent tube 181 that also serves as a stretching roll for the second intermediate transfer body 130 as a transfer roll, and has a counter roll 70 on the surface side of the second intermediate transfer body 130 that faces the transparent tube 181. Is. In this example, the opposing roll 70 also serves as a power feeding roll, and a collective transfer electric field is formed between the second first intermediate transfer body 130 and the opposing roll 70, and the second intermediate transfer body 130 is placed on the second intermediate transfer body 130. Each color component image functions to be collectively transferred to the recording material S.

  The second intermediate transfer member 130 has a three-layer configuration similar to that of the second intermediate transfer member 30 in the first embodiment, and includes a base material layer for maintaining necessary strength, It has an elastic layer laminated thereon, and a release layer laminated on the elastic layer and from which toner as an image forming material is easy to release. In the present embodiment, the second intermediate transfer member 130 is not limited to the three-layer structure, and it is needless to say that the second intermediate transfer member 130 may include an appropriate layer depending on its function.

  The recording material S is accommodated in the recording material accommodation device 71, and is sent one by one from the recording material accommodation device 71 and then conveyed to the positioning roll 74 through an appropriate number of conveyance rollers 72 and 73. Is then conveyed to the fixing device 150 and discharged to a recording material discharge receptacle (not shown) via a discharge roll 76.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the fixing device 150 is opposed to the transparent tube 181, which is rotatable and has a cylindrical shape made of a transparent material that can transmit the laser beam Bm. And a counter roll 70 that forms a contact area n with the second intermediate transfer body 130 and moves and conveys the recording material S in cooperation with the second intermediate transfer body 130 in the contact area n. And provided outside the transparent tube 181, and provided inside the transparent tube 181, a laser beam irradiation device 83 that irradiates the laser beam Bm toward a predetermined light incident position A of the transparent tube 181, The transparent tube 181 is pressed against the opposing roll 70 in the contact area n of the transparent tube 181 and the light incident position A of the transparent tube 181 is irradiated on the image G on the recording material S. The laser light Bm at the contact area in the n lens pad 90 as a pressure-cum for condensing member for condensing the conveying direction of the recording material S, and a.

<Transparent tube>
In this example, the transparency in the transparent tube 181 means that the transmittance is sufficiently high in the wavelength region of the laser beam Bm, and any material that transmits the laser beam Bm may be used. From the viewpoint of preventing heating, the higher the transmittance, the better. For example, it is 90% or more, desirably 95% or more.
The transparent tube 181 stretches the second intermediate transfer member 130 and rotates with the circulation rotation of the second intermediate transfer member 130.

<Opposite roll>
The facing roll 70 is made of, for example, a copper plate plated with aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, or the like, and is arranged so that a predetermined pressing force acts between the transparent roll 181.

<Laser beam irradiation device>
The laser light irradiation device 83 has a laser array 84 in which a plurality of laser light sources 85 are arranged in an array, and serves as an optical member that converts the laser light Bm emitted from each laser light source 85 of the laser array 84 into parallel light. A collimator lens 86 is incorporated in a housing (not shown), and the irradiation position and irradiation intensity of the laser beam Bm from each laser light source 85 can be appropriately selected.

<Lens pad>
The material of the lens pad 190 can be selected from those usually used for lenses having heat resistance, and examples thereof include various optical glasses and optical transparent plastic resins. Examples of optically transparent plastic resins include polydiethylene glycol bisallyl carbonate (PADC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PSt), a polymer comprising methyl methacrylate units and styrene units (MS resin), polycarbonate resin, and cycloolefin resin. And materials containing fluorene resin and the like.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lens pad 190 has a lens body 191 that condenses a plurality of laser beams Bm irradiated from the laser array 84 in the transmission direction. The lens body 191 is formed of a long lens member extending in the longitudinal direction of the laser array 84, and a direction along the rotation direction of the transparent tube 181 at a portion corresponding to the light incident position A of the transparent tube 181. A light incident portion 192 that is curved at a point, and a light emitting portion 193 that is curved in a direction along the rotational direction of the transparent tube 181 at a portion corresponding to the contact area n between the transparent tube 181 and the opposing roll 182. These light incident part 192 and light emitting part 193 are arranged in contact with the inner surface of the transparent tube 181.
In particular, in this example, the light incident portion 192 and the light emitting portion 193 are formed as curved portions having a curvature radius equal to or less than the curvature radius of the inner surface of the transparent tube 181. In this example, the radius of curvature of the light incident portion 192 and the radius of curvature of the light emitting portion 193 are the same, but they may be different.
In addition, the lens pad 190 has plane portions 194 that are substantially parallel to both sides of the lens body 191 except for the light incident portion 192 and the light emitting portion 193, and the length of the laser array 84 is part of each plane portion 194. A positioning groove 195 having a substantially rectangular cross section extending in the direction is integrally formed.

-Support structure for transparent tube and lens pad-
In this example, the lens pad 190 is fixedly held in the transparent tube 181 by the holding frame 1100.
In this example, the holding frame 1100 includes a pair of side holding frames 1101 and 1102 for holding the lens pad 190 from both sides and holding both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lens pad 190 and the pair of side holding frames 1101 and 1102. It has end holding frames 1131 and 1132 fixed and held by an adhesive not shown.
Here, the side holding frames 1101 and 1102 have a long frame material 1105 integrally formed using, for example, a metal or synthetic resin made of aluminum or stainless steel, and the frame material 1105 includes a transparent tube. A curved guide portion 1106 having a radius of curvature substantially corresponding to the radius of curvature of the inner surface of 181 and a part of the holding surface 1108 formed in a plane opposite to the flat portion 194 of the lens pad 190 are covered with the lens pad 190. And a positioning protrusion 1107 having a substantially rectangular cross section formed so as to protrude into the positioning groove 195. The holding surfaces 1108 of the side holding frames 1101 and 1102 have a size corresponding to the flat portion 194 of the lens pad 190, and the positioning protrusion 1107 is fitted in the positioning groove 195 of the lens pad 190. At this time, both ends of the guide portions 1106 in the side holding frames 1101 and 1102 in the bending direction are designed not to protrude from the extended surfaces of the light incident portions 192 and the light exit portions 193 of the lens pad 190.
Further, the end holding frames 1131 and 1132 include an end cover 1133 having a circular cross section for fixing both ends of the substantially cylindrical subassembly in which the lens pad 190 and the pair of side holding frames 1101 and 1102 are combined. A guide step 1134 that is adjacent to the outside of the end cover 1133 and has a smaller diameter than the end cover 1133 and projects with a predetermined step, and a cross section that protrudes adjacent to the outside of the guide step 1134 And a non-circular (rectangular in this example) support shaft 1135.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the transparent tube 181 has end caps 1140 (specifically, 1141 and 1142) at both ends thereof. The end cap 1140 is provided integrally with an end ring 1143 that fits into the inner surfaces of both ends of the transparent tube 181 and adjacent to the outside of the end ring 1143, and rotational driving force is applied to the transparent tube 181. And an annular gear 1144 for directly or indirectly applying.
In this example, the end cap 1140 (1141, 1142) does not completely block the opening at both ends of the transparent tube 181 and has a through hole 1145 communicating with the center of the end ring 1143 and the annular gear 1144. Yes.
Here, the guide step portion 1134 of the end portion holding frame 1131, 1132 is inserted into the through hole 1145 of the end portion ring body 1143, and the end portion ring body 1143 is relative to the guide step portion 1134 of the end portion holding frame 1131, 1132. It is designed to rotate so that it can slide. Further, the support shafts 1135 of the end holding frames 1131 and 1132 pass through the through holes 1145 of the annular gear 1144 so as to protrude outside the annular gear 1144.
The transparent tube 181 may be provided with a rotational driving force directly or indirectly by the annular gear 1144 as described above, or may be driven by the conveyance of the second intermediate transfer member 130. .

-Liquid applicator-
In the present embodiment, a liquid applicator 1150 is provided in the transparent tube 181 in order to apply a transparent liquid to the inner surface of the transparent tube 181.
In this example, the liquid applicator 1150 is made of a felt material impregnated with a transparent liquid such as silicone oil or fluorine oil, and the mounting structure of the liquid applicator 1150 is, for example, a guide portion 1106 of one side holding frame 1101. A mounting groove 1110 having a substantially rectangular cross section is formed in a part of the laser array 184 and a felt material as a liquid applicator 1150 is constrained and held in the mounting groove 1110, thereby the inner surface of the transparent tube 181. The liquid applicator 1150 is brought into close contact with the liquid applicator 1150 and the transparent liquid impregnated in the liquid applicator 1150 is evenly applied.
A configuration in which a transparent liquid is applied and supplied between the transparent tube 181 and the second intermediate transfer member 130 may be provided.
Further, the lens pad 190 may be in direct contact with the second intermediate transfer member 130 without providing the transparent tube 181.

-Assembly of lens pad assembly and liquid applicator into transparent tube-
Next, a procedure for incorporating the lens pad 190 into the transparent tube 181 will be described.
First, when holding the lens pad 190 on the holding frame 1100, as shown in FIG. 13, after holding the lens pad 190 by the pair of side holding frames 1101, 1102, the pair of end holding frames 1131, The lens pad 190 and both end portions of the side holding frames 1101 and 1102 are held with respect to 1132, and the lens pad assembly 1120 (see FIG. 14) in which the lens pad 190 and the holding frame 1100 are assembled is manufactured.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, after attaching one end cap 1140 (1141 in this example) to one end opening of the transparent tube 181, the lens pad assembly 1120 is inserted from the other end opening side of the transparent tube 181. The guide step 1134 of the one end holding frame 1131 of the lens pad assembly 1120 is fitted into the end ring 1143 of one end cap 1140 (1141 in this example) of the transparent tube 181 and the end cap 1140 ( In this example, the support shaft 1135 of one end holding frame 1131 is projected from the through hole 1145 of the annular gear 1144 of 1141), and the lens pad 190 of the lens pad assembly 1120 is completely inserted into the transparent tube 181. Then, the other end cap 1140 (1142 in this example) is inserted into the other end opening of the transparent tube 181. , The guide step 1134 of the other end holding frame 1132 of the lens pad assembly 1120 is fitted into the end ring 1143 of the other end cap 1140 (1142 in this example), and the end cap 1140 ( In this example, the support shaft 1135 of the other end holding frame 1132 may protrude from the through hole 1145 of the annular gear 1144 of 1142).
Furthermore, in this example, when the lens pad assembly 1120 is assembled into the transparent tube 181, the liquid applicator 1150 impregnated with the transparent liquid is previously incorporated into the lens pad assembly 1120, and in this state, the transparent tube 181 is incorporated into the transparent tube 181. The lens pad assembly 1120 and the liquid applicator 1150 may be incorporated.
In this state, the assembly work of the lens pad assembly 1120 and the liquid applicator 1150 into the transparent tube 181 is completed, and the transparent tube assembly 1125 in which the lens pad assembly 1120 and the liquid applicator 1150 are incorporated is completed. .

-Fixer drive system-
When the transparent tube assembly 1125 is completed, as shown in FIG. 15, the transparent tube assembly 1125 may be incorporated into a predetermined portion of the apparatus housing.
At this time, the lens pad assembly 1120 of the transparent tube assembly 1125 is fixedly supported by the support holes 1127 of the fixing device housing 1126 with respect to the device housing by supporting the support shaft 1135 protruding from both ends thereof. Fixed installation.
On the other hand, in the transparent tube assembly 1125, the drive system of the transparent tube 181 is connected to the annular motor 1144 of the end cap 1140 (1142 in this example) via the drive transmission mechanism 1160, for example. This driving force is transmitted to the transparent tube 181 through the end cap 1140 (1142 in this example). In this example, the other end cap 1140 of the transparent tube 181 is also provided with an annular gear 1144, and this annular gear 1144 is rotatably supported by a plurality of support gears (not shown). The load balance at both ends in the axial direction of 181 is intended.
Further, in this example, the opposing roll 70 also has a drive system separate from the transparent tube 181, and the drive system of the opposing roll 70 is connected to the drive motor 1171 via a drive transmission mechanism 1170 such as a gear or a belt. The drive force from the drive motor 1171 is transmitted to the opposing roll 70 through the drive transmission mechanism 1170.
And in this example, since a separate drive system is acting on the transparent tube 181 and the opposing roll 70, respectively, there is a concern that a large speed difference may occur between them in the contact area n of the transparent tube 181 and the opposing roll 70. is there.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, a one-way clutch 1162 is interposed in a part of the drive transmission mechanism 1160 in the drive system of the transparent tube 181 so that a large speed difference occurs between the two in the contact area n. In such a case, the one-way clutch 1162 is operated to reduce the speed difference between the two in the contact area n.

  The static eliminator 60 is provided on the downstream side in the movement direction with respect to the fixing area m of the fixing device 150 and on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the transfer area K between the first intermediate transfer body 20 and the second intermediate transfer body 130. The second intermediate transfer member 130 is neutralized.

-Image processing by image forming device-
First, in order to perform the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 11, it is only necessary to turn on a start switch (not shown) after operating an image forming mode selection button (not shown).
At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, in each of the image forming units 19 (19 a to 19 d), an image with toner of each color component is formed on the photoconductor 119 and is sequentially primary-transferred to the first intermediate transfer body 20. .
Thereafter, the image primarily transferred to the first intermediate transfer member 20 is collectively transferred to the second intermediate transfer member 130.

-Transfer and fixing process by fixing device-
Then, the image transferred to the second intermediate transfer member 130 is collectively transferred to the recording material S by the fixing device 150, and then the unfixed image on the recording material S is fixed by the fixing device 150.
In the fixing device 150 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the laser beam Bm irradiated from the laser array 84 of the laser beam irradiation device 83 is collimated by the collimator lens 86 and then collimated. The laser beam Bm is applied to the light incident position A of the second intermediate transfer body 130 and the transparent tube 181.
Then, the laser light Bm irradiated to the light incident position A of the second intermediate transfer body 130 and the transparent tube 181 passes through the second intermediate transfer body 130 and the transparent tube 181, and then the light incident portion of the lens pad 190. The light passes through the lens body 191 from 192, passes through the light emitting portion 193, passes again through the transparent tube 181 and the second intermediate transfer body 130, and is condensed toward the image G by the toner on the recording material S.
In this state, the toner image G is fixed by the laser beam Bm.

-Neutralization treatment with static eliminator-
The static eliminator 60 is provided on the downstream side in the movement direction with respect to the fixing area m of the fixing device 150 and on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the transfer area K between the first intermediate transfer body 20 and the second intermediate transfer body 130. The second intermediate transfer member 130 is neutralized.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above, and any combination of elements of the individual embodiments is included in the present invention, and various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art are also included. Thus, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described contents. That is, various additions, modifications, and partial deletions can be made without departing from the concept and spirit of the present invention derived from the contents defined in the claims and equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... 1st intermediate transfer body, 3 ... 2nd intermediate transfer body, 3a ... Transparent member, 4 ... Recording material, 5 ... Fixing device, 6 ... Static elimination apparatus, 7 ... Opposing member, 8 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Laser beam irradiation apparatus, 9 ... Condensing member, 18 ... Image carrier, A ... Light incident position, n ... Contact area, m ... Fixing area, Bm ... Laser beam, G ... Image, K ... Transfer area

Claims (7)

A plurality of image holding bodies for forming and holding a plurality of color component images respectively;
A first intermediate transfer body that transfers and temporarily holds and conveys the image held on the image holding body before transferring it to a recording material;
The first intermediate transfer member is provided facing the first intermediate transfer member, and has a volume resistivity of 10 ¹³ Ωcm or higher, which is higher than that of the first intermediate transfer member. A second intermediate transfer member that electrostatically transfers and holds and conveys an image on the intermediate transfer member;
A fixing device for transferring an image held on the second intermediate transfer member to a recording material and fixing it simultaneously;
The second intermediate transfer member is provided downstream of the fixing region of the fixing device in the movement direction and upstream of the transfer region of the first intermediate transfer member and the second intermediate transfer member. And a static elimination device that neutralizes the second intermediate transfer member,
The fixing device is provided to face the second intermediate transfer member, and forms a contact area with the second intermediate transfer member, and cooperates with the second intermediate transfer member in the contact area. An opposing member that moves and conveys the recording material,
A laser beam irradiation device that is provided outside or inside the second intermediate transfer member, and irradiates a laser beam toward a contact area between the second intermediate transfer member and the facing member;
A laser that is provided inside the second intermediate transfer member, presses the second intermediate transfer member against the opposing member in the contact area, and irradiates an image on a recording material from the laser light irradiation device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a light collecting member that collects light within the contact area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second intermediate transfer member is a belt-like member that is rotatably wound around a plurality of stretching members. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
One stretching member of the second intermediate transfer member also serves as an electrode member for forming a transfer electric field for image transfer between the first intermediate transfer member and the first intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condensing member also serves as one stretching member of the second intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a lubricant supply unit capable of supplying a lubricant to a contact area between the light collecting member and the second intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the static eliminator is disposed in a non-contact manner with respect to the second intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counter member also serves as an electrode member that forms a transfer electric field for image transfer with the second intermediate transfer member.

Images