JP5597982B2 - Fixing device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  In Patent Document 1, a toner image on a recording medium is scanned with a high energy laser beam in synchronization with an image-modulated laser beam, the toner is melted or softened, and then passed through a pair of rolls to apply pressure to the toner. In addition, a laser fixing method for firmly fixing to a recording medium is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of condensing optical systems such as a SELFOC lens are arranged for a plurality of laser devices arranged so that a laser beam can be irradiated to the entire recording paper by conveying the recording paper. A laser fixing system is disclosed in which a laser beam emitted from a laser beam is condensed on a recording sheet to fix unfixed toner. Further, in Patent Document 3, when irradiating an unfixed toner image on a recording paper with a laser beam, the laser fixing is arranged such that the laser spot is elliptical and the irradiation area of the beam spreads along the recording paper conveyance direction. A scheme is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-168469 (Example, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-191560 (Example, FIG. 3) JP 2007-57903 A (Claims, FIG. 7)

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that when an image formed on a recording medium is heated and melted using a laser beam and then pressed and fixed, the laser beam irradiation position can be placed close to the pressurization site. And a fixing device configured to perform laser irradiation and an image forming apparatus using the same.

The invention according to claim 1 is provided with a transmission part made of a material having an internal space and capable of transmitting laser light, and a rotation member that rotates and moves the transmission part, and is provided to face the rotation member. Forming a contact pressure area between the rotating member and the rotating member while pressing the image of the thermoplastic image forming material on the recording medium in the contact pressing area. It is provided in the internal space of the opposing member that moves and conveys and the rotating member, and is defined in advance before the image of the thermoplastic image forming material on the recording medium in the conveyance path of the recording medium reaches the contact pressure area. A laser beam irradiating means for irradiating an image made of a thermoplastic imaging material on the recording medium at the irradiated position of the laser beam through the transmission part of the rotating member, and a laser beam from the laser beam irradiating means. In the transmission part of the rotating member From a position perpendicular to to move toward a position perpendicular to the recording medium, the fixing device characterized by comprising a an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting the irradiation angle of the laser beam from the laser beam irradiation means It is.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixing device according to the first aspect, wherein the laser beam irradiating means is adjacent to the conveyance path of the recording medium before reaching the contact pressure area and on the recording medium. The fixing device is characterized in that the laser light irradiation position is set at a position where an image made of a thermoplastic image forming material reaches a contact pressure region in a heated and melted state.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the fixing device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a cooling device that cools the transmission portion of the rotating member.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a cleaning device that cleans a surface of the transmitting portion of the rotating member.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the facing member is connected to the contact pressure area on the upstream side of the contact pressure area in the conveyance path of the recording medium. The portion has a support surface that supports the recording medium in a curved shape, and the laser beam irradiation unit irradiates the laser beam toward a laser beam irradiation position provided at a position corresponding to the support surface of the opposing member. A fixing device characterized in that the fixing device.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the reflection of the reflected laser beam irradiated to the laser beam irradiation position is again reflected toward the laser beam irradiation position. The fixing device further includes a member.
The invention according to claim 7 is based on an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium using a thermoplastic image forming material, and a thermoplastic image forming material formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing device according to claim 1 for fixing an image.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, while the device configuration is reduced in size, the heating portion by the laser light irradiation means and the contact pressure area of the rotating member and the opposing member are added. In addition to being close to the pressure site, the laser beam irradiation position can be adjusted to a desired position, and the irradiation intensity at the laser beam irradiation position can be adjusted.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, compared with the case where it does not have this structure, an image glossiness can be made high.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the temperature rise more than the necessity of a rotation member can be prevented.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image smearing as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fixing efficiency of the image by the laser beam can be improved as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the fixing efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the invention of claim 7, compared with the case where this configuration is not provided, while the device configuration is reduced in size, the heating site by the laser beam irradiation means and the contact pressure area of the rotating member and the opposing member are added. The pressure site can be placed close together.

(A) is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of embodiment of the fixing device to which this invention was applied, (b) is explanatory drawing at the time of assuming arrangement | positioning of the laser beam irradiation means in various places. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment model of a fixing device according to the present invention and a comparison model. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a fixing device according to a first embodiment, where FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of Fig.4 (a). (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a laser stack, (a) is the thing of a 1 line structure, (b) shows the thing of a 2 line structure. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the other modification of a laser stack. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a fixing device according to a second embodiment. (A) shows the outline | summary of the fixing device of Embodiment 3, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the fixing device of Embodiment 4. FIG. (A) and (b) are explanatory views showing the outline of the fixing device of Embodiment 5, wherein (a) shows an aspect using an external reflection member, and (b) shows an aspect using an internal reflection member. (A) and (b) are the explanatory views showing the outline of the fixing device of Embodiment 6, (a) is a perspective view of a rotating member, and (b) is a side view of (a). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. (A) shows the outline | summary of the fixing device of Embodiment 7, (b) is the principal part enlarged view of (a). (A) shows an outline of the fixing device according to the eighth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the fixing device according to the ninth embodiment. (A) shows an outline of the fixing device of the tenth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the fixing device of the eleventh embodiment. It is a graph which shows the result of an Example.

Outline of Embodiment First, an outline of an embodiment of a fixing device to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1A is a fixing device according to an embodiment model embodying the present invention, which is a fixing device that heat-presses and fixes an image formed of a thermoplastic image forming material 2 on a recording medium 1. The fixing device includes a transmission part 3a made of a material that has an internal space and is capable of transmitting laser light. The rotation member 3 rotates the transmission part 3a, and faces the rotation member 3. The contact pressurization area N is formed between the rotating member 3 and the recording medium 1 is placed between the rotating member 3 while pressing the image on the recording medium 1 in the contact pressurizing area N. Predetermined laser beam irradiation position before the image on the recording medium 1 reaches the contact pressure area N in the conveying path of the recording medium 1 provided in the inner space of the moving member 4 and the rotating member 3. Laser light irradiation means 5 for irradiating the image on the recording medium 1 with laser light via the transmission part 3a of the rotating member 3 by the LP, and the laser light from the laser light irradiation means 5 is transmitted to the transmission part 3a of the rotation member 3. Directly from the position perpendicular to the recording medium 1 To move toward a position that has become a thing of the configuration including the angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting the irradiation angle of the laser beam from the laser beam irradiation unit 5 (not shown).

Here, the “predetermined position before reaching the contact pressure area N” means a laser light irradiation position so that an image heated by laser light irradiation can be sufficiently pressurized in the contact pressure area N. It means the position defined as LP. That is, the laser light irradiation position LP is such that the surface of the image is not solidified when reaching the entrance of the contact pressure area N.
By adopting such a configuration, it becomes easy to place the laser light irradiation position LP on the recording medium 1 close to the entrance of the contact pressure area N formed by the rotating member 3 and the opposing member 4. The image of the image forming material 2 heated by the laser light is rapidly radiated in the subsequent contact pressurizing region N, so that the surface of the image forming material 2 is transmitted through the rotating member 3 at the exit of the contact pressurizing region N. The surface is smoothed by the surface of the portion 3a, and the glossiness is improved.

A typical embodiment of the image forming material 2 includes a toner used in an electrophotographic system, but is not limited thereto, and may be a heat-melt type ink used in, for example, an ink jet system. In the present embodiment model, it is preferable that the image forming material 2 is heated and melted at least once by laser light irradiation by the laser light irradiation means 5, but the contact pressure region N between the rotating member 3 and the opposing member 4. If it is in a state where pressure is effectively applied at, it may be in a semi-molten or softened state without reaching a molten state, for example, and the melting point and glass transition point may be specified in advance.
Further, as the recording medium 1 to be used, a sheet paper (cut paper) and a continuous paper (roll paper) are typically exemplified, but a film medium other than the paper medium may be used.

Furthermore, the transmission part 3a of the rotating member 3 includes a drum-like (pipe-like) aspect and a belt-like aspect. The transmitting portion 3a may be made of a material that can transmit laser light, but the entire transmitting portion 3a does not necessarily have to be formed of a material that can transmit laser light. For example, the recording medium 1 The portion exceeding the size (width or length) may be made of a material that does not transmit laser light.
Further, the opposing member 4 only needs to be able to transport the recording medium 1 to and from the rotating member 3 so that a contact pressure area N can be formed between them, and may be in the form of a roll or a belt. However, from the viewpoint of effectively forming the contact pressure region N, a configuration having an elastic portion is preferable.

  Further, as a typical mode of the laser beam irradiation means 5, an array type in which a plurality of laser beam emission portions are provided in a line in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the recording medium 1 can be cited. It is not limited, and a stack type in which a plurality of light emitting portions are stacked along the moving direction of the recording medium 1 may be used. Further, a plurality of individual laser diodes may be arranged instead of the array. Further, for example, a scanning method may be used as long as a sufficient amount of light can be secured.

Next, the operation at the laser light irradiation position LP will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 1B, in the present invention, the laser light irradiation means 5 is arranged in the internal space of the rotating member 3 (position indicated by A in the figure). At this time, the laser light is The laser beam is irradiated toward the laser beam irradiation position LP on the recording medium 1, and the incident angle of the laser beam with respect to the recording medium 1 is θ. On the other hand, when the laser beam is irradiated from the outside of the rotating member 3 at the same incident angle θ to the laser beam irradiation position LP, it is necessary to arrange the laser beam irradiation means 5 ″ indicated by a virtual line at the position indicated by B in the figure. At this time, since the laser beam is blocked by the rotating member 3, the laser beam irradiation means 5 ″ at the position B cannot be arranged. Therefore, if the laser beam irradiation means 5 is arranged outside the rotating member 3, the laser beam irradiation means 5 ′ must be arranged at a position shown by C in the figure. At this time, the laser beam is irradiated toward the laser beam irradiation position LP ′ on the recording medium 1, and the incident angle of the laser beam at that time is θ ′. Accordingly, the laser light irradiation position LP is set at a position close to the contact pressure area N on the recording medium 1 at the position A, but the laser light irradiation is performed at a position far from the contact pressure area N at the position C. A position LP ′ is set. Further, in the laser beam irradiation means 5 ′ at the position C, the incident angle with respect to the recording medium 1 becomes θ ′, which is larger and more oblique than the laser light irradiation means 5 at the position A.

Therefore, using FIG. 2, when comparing the method of irradiating laser light from the inside of the rotating member 3 as in the embodiment model and the method of irradiating laser light from the outside of the rotating member as a comparative model, It becomes as follows.
Now, assuming that the width of the laser beam (the length along the moving direction of the recording medium 1) is the same, in the embodiment model, the laser beam irradiation position LP is set close to the entrance of the contact pressure area N. However, in the comparative form model, the laser light irradiation position LP ′ must be set at a position far from the entrance of the contact pressure area N. In addition, the embodiment model can irradiate the surface of the recording medium 1 in the vertical direction, whereas the comparative embodiment model has to irradiate the surface of the recording medium 1 obliquely.

Therefore, in the embodiment model, the effective irradiation width W by the laser beam on the recording medium 1 can be suppressed narrow, whereas in the comparative embodiment model, the effective irradiation width W ′ becomes wider and the fluctuation of the recording medium 1 fluctuates. It becomes easy to be affected by. Therefore, in the embodiment model, the heat-melted image forming material 2 is pressurized in the contact pressure region N and rapidly dissipated, and the surface after passing through the contact pressure region N is favorably formed. While the irradiation intensity of the laser beam is effectively utilized, in the comparative morphological model, there is a time margin until the heated and melted image forming material 2 reaches the contact pressurization region N, and the contact pressurization is performed. The temperature of the image forming material 2 is likely to decrease before reaching the area N, and the sufficient pressurizing effect by the contact pressure area N is not exhibited, and the surface properties after passing through the contact pressure area N are inferior to the embodiment model. It becomes like this. Further, there is a problem that the recording medium 1 is easily affected by fluctuations.
Therefore, it is very effective to dispose the laser beam irradiation means 5 inside the rotating member 3 as in the present embodiment model.

  Next, looking at the model of the present embodiment in terms of the relationship between the laser light irradiation position LP and the image forming material 2, the laser light irradiation means 5 is arranged before reaching the contact pressure area N in the conveyance path of the recording medium 1. It is preferable to set the laser beam irradiation position LP at a position close to and reaching the contact pressure area N while the image on the recording medium 1 is sufficiently heated and melted. As a result, the pressurizing effect in the contact pressurizing area N for the image is sufficiently utilized.

  The temperature of the transmission part 3a of the rotating member 3 is expected to increase because the laser beam is irradiated. However, if the temperature of the rotating member 3 increases excessively, wrinkles may occur in the recording medium 1, other members, There is a risk of various adverse effects on the rotating member 3 itself. In order to avoid this, it is preferable to further include a cooling device for cooling the transmission part 3a of the rotating member 3 from the viewpoint of suppressing the temperature rise. Thus, even if the rotating member 3 (specifically, the transmitting portion 3a) absorbs heat from the recording medium 1 heated by heating in the contact pressure region N between the rotating member 3 and the opposing member 4, the transmitting portion 3a. The excessive temperature rise is suppressed, and effective heat dissipation in the subsequent contact pressurizing zone N is performed. Such a cooling device is not particularly limited as long as the transmission portion 3a of the rotating member 3 is cooled, and may be provided in the internal space of the rotating member 3 inside the transmission portion 3a. Alternatively, it may be provided outside the transmission part 3a. For example, when it is provided inside, a method using a heat sink or a heat pipe is adopted, and when it is provided outside, a method using a cooling fan or the like is adopted.

Further, from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of contamination on the transmission part 3 a of the rotating member 3, it is preferable to further include a cleaning device that cleans the surface of the transmission part of the rotating member 3. As a result, even if the image forming material 2 heated and melted by the laser beam adheres to the surface of the transmissive portion that comes into contact, the surface of the transmissive portion is cleaned by the cleaning device. Suppresses dirt adhesion.
Although it does not specifically limit as such a cleaning apparatus, From a viewpoint of maintaining the surface property in the permeation | transmission part surface, a brush roll is suitable.

  Further, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the posture of the recording medium 1 at the laser light irradiation position LP, the opposing member 4 is located on the upstream side of the contact pressure area N in the conveyance path of the recording medium 1. A support surface for supporting the recording medium 1 in a curved shape is provided at a portion connected to N, and the laser light irradiation means 5 is directed toward a laser light irradiation position LP provided at a position corresponding to the support surface of the facing member 4. It is preferable to irradiate with laser light. Such a support surface of the facing member 4 may correspond to the case where, for example, a sheet is used as the recording medium 1, but the recording medium 1 can be easily applied to a case where continuous forms such as continuous paper are used. Will come to be.

  Further, from the viewpoint of effectively using the reflected laser beam irradiated to the laser beam irradiation position LP, the reflected laser beam irradiated to the laser beam irradiation position LP is again used as the laser beam irradiation position LP. It is preferable to further include a reflecting member that reflects toward the surface. At this time, it is sufficient that the reflecting member reflects the reflected laser light toward the laser light irradiation position LP, and for example, an aspect constituted by a concave mirror is preferable. The reflection member may be installed outside the transmission part 3a of the rotating member 3, or may be provided in the internal space inside the transmission part 3a, or in both. There is no problem.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment to which the fixing device of the above-described embodiment model is applied.
In the figure, an image forming apparatus uses, for example, an electrophotographic system, and each color image forming unit 10 (for example, using four color toners as an image forming material on a recording medium 1 forms toner images of a plurality of colors. Specifically, the black color image forming unit 10K, the cyan image forming unit 10C, the magenta image forming unit 10M, and the yellow image forming unit 10Y) and the color toner images formed by these color image forming units 10 are multiplexed. The intermediate transfer belt 21 transported by the printer, a batch transfer device (secondary transfer device) 22 that batch-transfers the multiplexed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording medium 1 such as recording paper, and the secondary transfer device 22. And a fixing device 40 for fixing the unfixed toner image transferred onto the recording medium 1.

Here, since each color image forming unit 10 has substantially the same configuration except for the toner to be used, the black image forming unit 10K will be described as an example. The black image forming unit 10K includes a cylindrical photosensitive member 11 having a photosensitive layer (not shown) on the surface and rotatable in the direction of arrow E. Around the photosensitive member 11, a charging device 12 for charging the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member 11 to a predetermined potential, and the photosensitive layer charged by the charging device 12 is selectively irradiated using, for example, a laser beam to electrostatically An exposure device 13 that forms a latent image, a developing device 14 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 13 with toner, and a toner image on the photoreceptor 11 on the intermediate transfer belt 21 A primary transfer device 15 for transferring the toner to the intermediate transfer belt 21 and a cleaning device 16 for cleaning residual toner on the photoconductor 11 after the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 21 are disposed.
In the figure, reference numerals 23 to 27 denote a tension roll for stretching the intermediate transfer belt 21, reference numeral 28 denotes a belt cleaning device for cleaning residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer, and reference numeral 29 denotes a secondary. A conveyance belt that conveys the recording medium 1 after transfer toward the fixing device 40, a discharge roller 30 for discharging the recording medium 1 after fixing out of the image forming apparatus, and a reference numeral 31 for storing the recording medium 1 before image formation. The accommodating portions and reference numerals 32 to 34 serve as conveyance rolls for conveying the recording medium 1 toward the secondary transfer position.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, each color toner image formed on the photoconductor 11 in each color image forming unit 10 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the primary transfer device 15, so that the image on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Thus, a multiplexed toner image is formed. On the other hand, the recording medium 1 is conveyed from the storage unit 31 to the secondary transfer position by the conveyance rollers 32 to 34, and the toner image multiplexed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred onto the recording medium 1 by the secondary transfer device 22. Batch transfer. The recording medium 1 on which the multiplexed toner images are collectively transferred by the secondary transfer device 22 is conveyed as it is by the conveying belt 29 and fixed by the fixing device 40. After the fixing, the recording medium 1 is discharged out of the image forming apparatus by the discharge roll 30.

Next, the fixing device 40 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Here, FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment as viewed from the side with respect to the moving direction of the recording medium 1, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. It is the schematic shown about the rotation member 41 mentioned later.
In the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment, a rotating member 41 having a cylindrical transmission portion 42 that can transmit laser light is disposed corresponding to the side of the recording medium 1 on which the unfixed toner image is formed. The rotating member 41 and a roll-shaped opposing member 49 arranged to face each other with the recording medium 1 interposed therebetween. For this reason, the recording medium 1 is conveyed while being pressurized in the contact pressure area N between the rotating member 41 and the opposing member 49.

As the transmitting portion 42 of the rotating member 41, for example, a pipe-shaped member such as glass (preferably quartz glass), acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like is used, and the laser beam to be used can be easily transmitted and has sufficient rigidity. It is comprised with the material which has. Further, flanges 43 and 44 for fixing and supporting the transmission part 42 are provided at both ends of the transmission part 42, and one flange 44 side is free by a bearing 45 provided in a subframe, for example, not shown. It can be rotated. The other flange 43 is attached with a drive mechanism (not shown) (for example, a mechanism that rotates the flange 43 using a gear, a belt, or the like).
Further, an attachment shaft 46 fixedly supported by a subframe (not shown) or the like is provided in the internal space of the rotation member 41 so as to penetrate the rotation member 41, and a laser head 47 (in the drawing, in the drawing) is provided. Three laser heads are shown as an example). The mounting angle of the laser head 47 is adjusted so that the laser light irradiation position LP is outside the transmission part 42 and in the vicinity of the entrance of the contact pressure area N.
For this reason, the laser light irradiation position LP is maintained at a fixed position regardless of the rotation operation of the rotating member 41. The laser head 47 is connected to an external power control system or the like from the rotating member 41 by wiring or a printed wiring board provided along the mounting shaft 46.

The laser head 47 diffuses a laser beam generated from the inside by a predetermined amount along the width direction intersecting the moving direction of the recording medium 1 and irradiates the laser beam by reducing the predetermined amount in the moving direction. A plurality of LDs (semiconductor lasers) are arranged in a line, and a light beam adjusting member for adjusting a light beam is provided on the laser light emission end side. By arranging a plurality of such laser heads 47, the entire width direction of the recording medium 1 can be irradiated.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of laser heads 47 are arranged in a line. However, if a sufficient heating amount for the toner image can be secured, a method of scanning the laser beam in the width direction of the recording medium 1 is used. It may be adopted.

Next, the operation of the fixing device 40 having such a configuration will be described.
The unfixed toner image on the recording medium 1 is heated by the laser beam at the laser beam irradiation position LP in the vicinity of the entrance of the contact pressure area N between the rotating member 41 and the facing member 49. By this heating, the unfixed toner particles are sufficiently heated and melted, and the heated and melted toner image reaches the contact pressure area N while causing a decrease in the surface temperature while improving the adhesion to the recording medium 1. At this time, in the present embodiment, the laser light irradiation position LP and the contact pressurization region N are arranged close to each other, and therefore the contact pressurization region N is reached in a state where the temperature of the toner particles is sufficiently maintained. The whole surface is pressurized while the surface is dissipated. For this reason, the toner surface is cooled and solidified with an appearance that closely follows the surface property of the transmission part 42 that is in direct contact with the contact pressure region N. When cooled and solidified in this manner, the surface gloss is improved particularly in a solid image having a high toner density. Further, by setting the laser light irradiation position LP in the vicinity of the contact pressure area N, the shake of the recording medium 1 being conveyed is also suppressed, and the irradiation intensity of the laser light is stabilized over the entire area of the recording medium 1. It becomes like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as the transmission part 42 of the rotating member 41, for example, from the viewpoint of reducing the adhesion force with the toner on the surface and improving the wear resistance and surface property, for example, a silicone resin or a fluorine resin For example, a resin may be applied or a PFA (tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer) tube may be applied.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the main part of the rotating member 41 shown in FIG. 4A. When the laser head 47 is arranged at a position indicated by a solid line, the laser light from the laser head 47 is transmitted through the rotating member 41. Irradiation is performed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the portion 42, scattered light at the transmission portion 42 is reduced, and the irradiation intensity at the laser light irradiation position LP is increased. At this time, the incident angle of the laser beam with respect to the recording medium 1 is θ, and the distance from the laser beam irradiation position LP to the contact pressure area N is M. Further, by providing the laser head 47 in the internal space of the rotating member 41 in this way, if the laser head 47 is disposed at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line, for example, a direction substantially orthogonal to the recording medium 1 ( The laser beam can be irradiated from an incident angle of substantially zero), the spot on the recording medium 1 is narrower, and the irradiation intensity per unit area is increased.
That is, according to the present embodiment, by adjusting the angle of the laser head 47, the position of the laser light irradiation position LP is adjusted to a desired position, and the irradiation intensity at the laser light irradiation position LP is taken into consideration. It becomes easy to do.

FIG. 6A shows a laser array 400 in which a plurality of laser light emitting elements 401 are arranged in a line along the width direction intersecting the moving direction of the recording medium 1 as an example of laser light irradiation means. The laser array 400 includes a plurality of laser light emitting elements 401 arranged at equal intervals on the end of a single substrate 402, and a light beam adjusting member 403 combined with the laser light emitting end of the laser light emitting element 401. ing. The light beam adjusting member 403 diffuses the laser beam from the laser light emitting element 401 by a predetermined amount along the width direction intersecting the moving direction of the recording medium 1, and in advance along the moving direction of the recording medium 1. For example, it is composed of a collimating lens extending in a columnar shape in the width direction of the substrate 402. Therefore, the laser beam 404 exhibits a substantially linear irradiation region 405 in the width direction of the recording medium 1 at the laser beam irradiation position LP of the recording medium 1.
FIG. 6B is a diagram in which (a) is arranged in two rows along the moving direction of the recording medium 1, and a plurality of substrates 402 (402a, 402b) may be arranged in this way. When the irradiation intensity of one laser light emitting element 401 is insufficient, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the toner is heated and melted by repeating a plurality of irradiations. In addition, since the component of (b) is the same as that of (a), the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted here.

7A and 7B show another example of the laser head 47, and such a laser head 47 may be used.
FIG. 7A shows a plurality of rows of laser heads 471 and 472 arranged in the moving direction of the recording medium 1 (in this example, two rows are shown here). The irradiation intensity per unit area has the same configuration. That is, the laser beam irradiation positions LP are arranged at two places (LP1, LP2). In such a configuration, the laser image is first irradiated to the toner image on the recording medium 1 by the upstream laser head 471, and after the predetermined time has passed, the downstream laser head 472 further performs the next operation. Laser light irradiation is performed.

When the irradiation is performed in this manner, the interface temperature between the toner image and the recording medium 1 is slightly increased by the upstream laser head 471 in a portion with a high toner density (for example, a solid image portion) on the recording medium 1. Thereafter, during a period when there is no irradiation, the temperature gradually decreases, but since the surface area is small due to the high toner density, the amount of heat radiation is small, and the temperature decrease can be suppressed. Next, by heating again by the laser head 472 on the downstream side, the interface temperature is also sufficiently increased, and sufficient adhesion can be secured. On the other hand, although the interface temperature once rises sufficiently in a portion where the toner density is low (for example, a highlight image portion), this temperature rapidly decreases. Then, heating is performed once again at the downstream laser head 472, and the interface temperature is once again increased. That is, the interface temperature is ensured by twice irradiation in the portion where the toner density is high, whereas the interface temperature is ensured by one irradiation in the portion where the toner density is low, and this is repeated.
Accordingly, sufficient adhesion can be ensured regardless of the toner density on the recording medium 1.

  FIG. 7B shows a configuration in which two laser heads 471 and 472 are used and irradiation conditions are changed. That is, the irradiation intensity per unit area of the upstream laser head 471 is made smaller than that of the downstream laser head 472, and the irradiation area length in the moving direction of the recording medium 1 is increased correspondingly, thereby reducing the downstream side. The irradiation time is longer than that of the laser head 472. At this time, it goes without saying that the irradiation intensity and irradiation region length are set so that the toner can be sufficiently heated and melted by the laser head 471 on the upstream side in accordance with the high toner density portion.

  When irradiated in this way, sufficient adhesion is secured by the upstream laser head 471 at a portion where the toner density is high, and there is no problem even if irradiation is performed for a short time by the downstream laser head 472. On the other hand, in the portion where the toner density is low, irradiation with the upstream laser head 471 increases the amount of heat dissipation due to the large contact area between the toner particles and the outside air, and the toner is not sufficiently heated and melted. Since the irradiation intensity is increased by the laser head 472, the melting is sufficiently achieved and the adhesion is ensured. That is, the toner is sufficiently heated and melted regardless of the image density on the recording medium 1.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the fixing device 40 of the second embodiment different from the fixing device 40 of the first embodiment. In the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment, the rotating member 41 is different from that of the first embodiment. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

In the same figure, the transmitting part 42 of the rotating member 41 is made of a heat-resistant belt-shaped material that can transmit the laser beam to be used. For example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin sheet, a PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) resin sheet, A PC (polycarbonate) resin sheet, a polyamide (PA) resin sheet, a polyimide (PI) resin sheet, a polyamideimide (PAI) resin sheet, or the like is used.
In the internal space of the rotating member 41, for example, a driving roll 51 and a tension roll 52 for rotating the transmitting portion 42 are provided, and a laser beam is transmitted at a position facing the facing member 49, such as glass. A pressing member 48 made of is fixedly arranged. The pressing member 48 is fixed to a shaft (not shown) similarly to the laser head 47 so that the recording medium 1 can be sufficiently pressurized with the opposing member 49 when the transmission portion 42 rotates. It has become.

In the present embodiment, since the belt-like transmission part 42 is used, a contact pressure area N is formed between the pressing member 48 and the opposing member 49, and the unfixed toner image T on the recording medium 1 is a laser beam. Laser irradiation is performed at the irradiation position LP, and heat is radiated in the contact pressure region N close to the laser light irradiation position LP. Therefore, good fixability is ensured.
Here, the shape of the pressing member 48 on the laser head 47 side is linear, but if the reflection of the laser beam at this portion is large, the pressing member 48 may be curved, for example. Further, the pressing member 48 that constitutes the contact pressure area N is configured such that the laser beam cannot be transmitted, and laser light is irradiated from the position avoiding the pressing member 48 to the vicinity of the upstream side in the moving direction of the recording medium 1 in the contact pressure area N. You may comprise. In this case, for example, it is only necessary that the transmission part 42 rotates along a trajectory that brings the inclination of the transmission part 42 upstream of the pressing member 48 closer to the recording medium 1 side.

Embodiment 3
FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the fixing device 40 of the third embodiment different from the fixing device 40 of the first embodiment. In the figure, the fixing device 40 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a cooling device 53 including, for example, a cooling fan for forcibly cooling the transmission portion 42 of the rotating member 41 is provided. At this time, the wind from the cooling device 53 does not cool the laser light irradiation position LP.
In the present embodiment, forcible cooling is performed on the transmission part 42 of the rotating member 41 after the unfixed toner image T is fixed, and the heat from the recording medium 1 heated in the contact pressure region N is absorbed. As a result, even if the temperature rises in the transmission part 42, it is cooled by the cooling device 53, so that a sufficient heat radiation effect of the toner image T can be maintained in the next contact pressure region N, and is heated and melted. Good toner image T is fixed.

  In the present embodiment, a cooling fan is used as such a cooling device 53 from the outside of the transmission part 42 of the rotating member 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a radiating fin is provided inside the transmission part 42. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the heat radiation fins are filled with wind from the fan. Further, a cooling medium (water or the like) may be allowed to flow through the radiating fins, and further, a heat pipe type may be used.

Embodiment 4
FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the fixing device 40 of the fourth embodiment different from the fixing device 40 of the first embodiment. In the figure, the fixing device 40 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a cleaning device 54 for cleaning dirt on the transmission portion 42 of the rotating member 41 is provided. The installation location of the cleaning device 54 is not particularly limited as long as it does not hinder the conveyance of the recording medium 1.
In the present embodiment, by providing the cleaning device 54 in this way, for example, toner is partially offset and adhered to the transmission part 42 on the transmission part 42 of the rotating member 41 in contact with the heated and melted toner image T. Even in this case, the cleaning device 54 keeps the transmissive portion 42 clean, and the next contact pressure area N is pressurized well, so that the surface finish of the toner image T is maintained well.
As such a cleaning device 54, a device that removes dirt on the transmission portion 42 of the rotating member 41 and does not cause scratches on the surface of the transmission portion 42 is preferable. For example, a soft brush-shaped device is preferable.

Embodiment 5
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing an outline of the fixing device 40 of the fifth embodiment different from the fixing device 40 of the first embodiment.
FIG. 10A shows a configuration in which an external reflection member 55 is provided on the toner image T side of the recording medium 1 before the recording medium 1 contacts the rotating member 41. The external reflection member 55 is configured to reflect the reflected laser beam, which is scattered or reflected from the surface of the recording medium 1 or the like, to the laser beam irradiation position LP again. A configuration such as a concave mirror is adopted. By providing such an external reflection member 55, the effective use of laser light is enhanced, and the irradiation efficiency at the time of fixing is improved.

  FIG. 10B is different from FIG. 10A in that the internal reflection member 56 is provided inside the rotation member 41, and the transmission part 42 of the rotation member 41 can transmit the laser beam. become. For example, a slit 56a that opens toward the laser head 47 is provided in the internal reflection member 56, and the laser light can pass through the slit 56a, so that the internal reflection member 56 is installed in the vicinity of the laser light irradiation position LP. As a result, the irradiation efficiency during fixing can be improved.

Embodiment 6
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing an outline of the fixing device 40 according to the sixth embodiment. In the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment, like the fixing device 40 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 8), the transmitting portion 42 of the rotating member 41 is configured by a belt-shaped member, and the rotating member 41 has an inside. The cooling device 53 is provided. Here, only the rotating member 41 is shown, (a) shows a perspective view of the rotating member 41, and (b) shows a view of (a) seen from the lateral direction.
In the figure, the rotating member 41 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a driving roll 57 extending in the width direction of the transmission portion 42 and a driven roll 58 disposed to face a facing member (not shown). The transmission roll 42 is stretched and rotated by the driven roll 58.

The drive roll 57 has a rotation shaft 57a extending outward from the width of the transmission portion 42 of the rotation member 41, and is driven to rotate by a drive means using a gear, a belt, or the like not shown. In addition, the driven roll 58 has a configuration in which the rotation shaft 58a passes through the internal space of the rotation member 41, and the disk portion 58b is formed at both ends in the width direction of the transmission portion 42, and the rotation shaft is formed on the inner side thereof. Only 58a extends. Further, for example, a curved pressing member 48 made of a material capable of transmitting laser light is provided so as to face a facing member (not shown) corresponding to a portion where the rotating shaft 58a extends inward. Yes.
Further, in the present embodiment, a cooling device 53 is provided so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the transmission part 42. The cooling device 53 includes a cooling plate 531 disposed so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the transmission portion 42 and a large number of cooling fins 532 protruding from the cooling plate 531 to the internal space of the rotating member 41. In any case, for example, an aluminum alloy having a good thermal conductivity is used, and the cooling plate 531 is cooled by the heat radiation effect of the cooling fins 532.
Furthermore, a laser head 47 is provided inside the rotating member 41, and the laser head 47 is arranged so that the laser beam to be irradiated is at a position where it is not shielded by the rotating shaft 58 a of the driven roll 58.

  With this configuration, in the rotating member 41, the transmission portion 42 is rotated by the rotation of the drive roll 57, and the transmission portion 42 is rotated by the disk portion 58 b of the drive roll 57 and the driven roll 58. Then, a good contact pressure area N is formed at the facing portion between the pressing member 48 and the facing member (not shown). Therefore, the toner image heated and melted at the laser light irradiation position LP upstream of the contact pressure area N by the laser head 47 is sufficiently dissipated in the contact pressure area N, and further, the transmissive part 42 is cooled. By being cooled by the device 53, sufficient heat dissipation in the contact pressure area N is ensured, and good fixing is achieved.

In the above first to sixth embodiments, the cooling device 53 (see, for example, FIG. 9A), the cleaning device 54 (see, for example, FIG. 9B), the external reflection member 55 (see, for example, FIG. 10A), Although the fixing device 40 having a configuration including only one type of internal reflection member 56 (see, for example, FIG. 10B) has been described, the fixing device 40 is not limited thereto, and an aspect including a cooling device 53 and a cleaning device 54, cooling Needless to say, the combination of the device 53 and the aspect including the external reflection member 55 and the internal reflection member 56 may be selected as appropriate, and all of them may be combined.
Although the image forming apparatus corresponding to multiple colors is shown, it goes without saying that the same fixing device 40 can be applied even if it is compatible with a single color.
Furthermore, although the roll member is shown as the facing member 49, for example, a belt member may be used as long as the contact pressure area N with the rotating member 41 can be satisfactorily formed. Furthermore, a cooling device for cooling the facing member 49 may be provided separately.

◎ Embodiment 7
FIG. 12 shows an outline of an image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment in which the fixing device 40 according to the present invention is used. The image forming apparatus has a configuration different from that of the first embodiment. ing. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is configured to use, for example, continuous paper 61 as a recording medium, and the continuous paper 61 is supplied to both sides of an image forming main body apparatus 60A that forms an image on the continuous paper 61. And a storage device 60C for storing the continuous paper 61 on which an image is formed. The continuous paper 61 may have a roll shape or may be a folded shape. For example, in the present embodiment, the continuous paper 61 will be described as a roll shape.

  In the figure, an image forming main body device 60A of the present embodiment uses, for example, an electrophotographic system, and forms, for example, four-color toner images on a continuous paper 61 using, for example, four color toners as image forming materials. Each color image forming section 70 (specifically, yellow image forming section 70Y, magenta image forming section 70M, cyan image forming section 70C, black image forming section 70K), and these color image forming sections 70 on continuous paper 61 The fixing device 40 includes a fixing device 40 that fixes the formed and multiplexed toner images, and tension applying rollers 78 and 79 that appropriately apply tension when the continuous paper 61 after fixing is conveyed toward the storage device 60C. Reference numeral 77 denotes a position adjustment roll for adjusting the position when the continuous paper 61 is guided to the image forming unit 70, for example.

  Here, since each color image forming unit 70 has substantially the same configuration except for the toner to be used, the yellow image forming unit 70Y will be described as an example. The yellow image forming unit 70Y includes a cylindrical photosensitive member 71 having a photosensitive layer (not shown) on the surface and rotatable in the direction of arrow F. Around the photosensitive member 71, a charging device 72 for charging the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member 71 to a predetermined potential, the photosensitive layer charged by the charging device 72 is selectively irradiated using, for example, laser light, and electrostatically charged. An exposure device 73 that forms a latent image, a developing device 74 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 73 with toner, and a toner image on the photoreceptor 71 on the continuous paper 61 A transfer device 75 for transferring, a cleaning device 76 for cleaning residual toner on the photoreceptor 71 after transfer, and the like are arranged.

Further, the supply device 60B includes a supply roll 81 that holds the continuous paper 61 wound around the core material in a roll shape, and a tension that applies tension while transporting the continuous paper 61 to the image forming main body device 60A. It is comprised by the grant rolls 82 and 83 grade | etc.,. On the other hand, the storage device 60 </ b> C includes a winding roll 84 that winds and stores the continuous paper 61 around a core material.
In such an image forming apparatus, each color toner image is transferred to the continuous paper 61 supplied from the supply device 60B by each color image forming unit 70 of the image forming main body device 60A and multiplexed on the continuous paper 61. The continuous paper 61 onto which the unfixed multiplexed toner image has been transferred is fixed by the fixing device 40 and then wound up and stored in the storage device 60C.

Next, the fixing device 40 in such an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the fixing device 40 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 4A), but the recording medium used is continuous paper 61. The point is different. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.
In the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment, the facing member 49 supports the continuous paper 61 in a curved shape at a portion connected to the contact pressure area N on the upstream side of the contact pressure area N in the conveyance path of the continuous paper 61. The laser beam irradiation position LP from the laser head 47 is set to be a position corresponding to the support surface of the facing member 49. That is, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the continuous paper 61 is partially wound around the facing member 49 is employed, and the laser light irradiation position LP is set within this winding range.

  Therefore, the conveyance path of the continuous paper 61 in the vicinity of the laser beam irradiation position LP is further stabilized, and the irradiation intensity of the laser beam at the laser beam irradiation position LP is also stabilized. Therefore, more stable fixing can be performed. Further, the passing component of the laser beam that has passed through the continuous paper 61 at the laser beam irradiation position LP is easily reflected as it is by the surface of the facing member 49, and this passing component is superimposed on the heating and melting of the toner image T. Further, the irradiation efficiency can be further improved.

FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 13A. In this embodiment, the laser head 47 is arranged at a position indicated by a solid line. At this time, the laser light from the laser head 47 is irradiated in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transmission part 42 of the rotating member 41, and the scattered light in the transmission part 42 is reduced, and at the laser light irradiation position LP. The irradiation intensity increases. At this time, the incident angle with respect to the continuous paper 61 on the opposing member 49 is θ, and the distance from the laser light irradiation position LP to the contact pressure area N is M. Further, by providing the laser head 47 in the internal space of the rotating member 41 in this way, if the laser head 47 is arranged at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line, for example, a direction substantially orthogonal to the continuous paper 61 ( The laser beam can be irradiated from an incident angle of substantially zero), the spot on the continuous paper 61 is narrower, and the irradiation intensity per unit area is increased.
That is, also in the present embodiment, by adjusting the angle of the laser head 47, the position of the laser light irradiation position LP is adjusted to a desired position, or the irradiation intensity at the laser light irradiation position LP is taken into consideration. It will be easy to do.

◎ Eighth embodiment
FIG. 14A shows the fixing device 40 according to the eighth embodiment, in which a cooling device 53 is added to the fixing device 40 according to the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 13A).
The fixing device 40 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the fixing device according to the third embodiment (see FIG. 9A), and has the same function, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

Ninth embodiment
FIG. 14B shows the fixing device 40 according to the ninth embodiment, in which a cleaning device 54 is added to the fixing device 40 according to the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 13A).
The fixing device 40 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the fixing device according to the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 9B), and also has the same function, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[Embodiment 10]
FIG. 15A shows the fixing device 40 according to the tenth embodiment, in which an external reflection member 55 is added to the fixing device 40 according to the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 13A).
Since the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the fixing device of the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 10A), the operation is also the same, but in this embodiment, the fixing device 40 is continuous with the rotating member 41. Since the gap between the paper 61 and the paper 61 is wide, it is possible to install a large external reflection member 55, and the laser beam irradiation efficiency can be further improved.

◎ Embodiment 11
FIG. 15B shows the fixing device 40 according to the eleventh embodiment, in which an internal reflection member 56 is added to the fixing device 40 according to the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 13A).
The fixing device 40 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 10B) and has the same operation, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  Also in the above seventh to eleventh embodiments, the cooling device 53, the cleaning device 54, the external reflection member 55, the internal reflection member 56, and the like may be used appropriately and selectively combined. Although the image forming apparatus corresponding to multiple colors is shown, it goes without saying that the same fixing device 40 can be applied even if it is compatible with a single color. Furthermore, although the roll member is shown as the facing member 49, for example, a belt member may be used as long as the contact pressure area N with the rotating member 41 can be satisfactorily formed. Furthermore, you may make it provide the other cooling device for cooling the opposing member 49 separately.

In this example, the toner surface temperature at the fixing portion when the high-quality paper (paper) is used as the recording medium using the fixing device of the first embodiment, and the interface temperature between the paper and the toner (paper interface temperature) This is a survey of the relationship.
As the sample, a paper having a basis weight of 64 g / m ² was used, and a toner having a melting temperature of 110 ° C. was used.
The temperature was measured as follows. The surface temperature t1 of the toner was measured with an infrared radiation thermometer (IT2-50 manufactured by Keyence Corporation), and the paper interface temperature t2 was measured by installing a thermocouple between the paper and the toner.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, both the toner surface temperature t1 and the paper interface temperature t2 rose with substantially the same curve by laser irradiation, and the toner surface temperature t1 was about 290 ° C. at the end of laser irradiation. On the other hand, the paper interface temperature t2 was about 260 ° C. Thereafter, due to heat dissipation up to the contact pressure range, the toner surface temperature t1 decreased to about 160 ° C. and the paper interface temperature decreased to about 150 ° C. at the entrance of the contact pressure range. In the contact pressurization region, the temperature of the toner surface temperature decreased quickly, and the paper interface temperature became higher, and both temperatures became equal at the exit of the contact pressurization region.
This confirmed that the toner was sufficiently heated by the laser irradiation and reached the inlet of the contact pressure area in a state where the melted state of the toner was ensured. Then, it was confirmed that in the contact pressure region, the toner is rapidly dissipated by the rotating member, sufficient cooling is performed at the outlet of the contact pressure region, and the toner is sufficiently solidified.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it has been found that good fixability is ensured by using the above-described fixing device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording medium, 2 ... Image forming material, 3 ... Rotating member, 3a ... Transmission part, 4 ... Opposing member, 5 ... Laser beam irradiation means, N ... Contact pressure area, LP ... Laser beam irradiation position

Claims (7)

A rotating member having an internal space and made of a material capable of transmitting laser light and rotating the transmitting part; and
The rotating member is provided so as to face the rotating member and forms a contact pressure area between the rotating member and presses the image by the thermoplastic image forming material on the recording medium in the contact pressing area. An opposing member that moves and conveys the recording medium to and from the member;
Provided in the internal space of the rotating member, at a predetermined laser beam irradiation position before the image of the thermoplastic image forming material on the recording medium in the conveyance path of the recording medium reaches the contact pressure area A laser beam irradiation means for irradiating an image of a thermoplastic imaging material on a recording medium with a laser beam through the transmission part of the rotating member;
The irradiation angle of the laser beam from the laser beam irradiation unit so that the laser beam from the laser beam irradiation unit moves from a position orthogonal to the transmission part of the rotating member to a position orthogonal to the recording medium. An angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting
A fixing device comprising: The fixing device according to claim 1.
The laser beam irradiation means is close to the recording medium conveyance path before reaching the contact pressurizing region, and the image of the thermoplastic image forming material on the recording medium is in contact and pressurization while being heated and melted. A fixing device characterized in that the laser beam irradiation position is set at a position reaching the area. The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The fixing device further comprising a cooling device that cools the transmission portion of the rotating member. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The fixing device further comprising a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the transmission part of the rotating member. The fixing device according to claim 1,
The opposing member has a support surface that supports the recording medium in a curved shape at a portion connected to the contact pressure area on the upstream side of the contact pressure area in the conveyance path of the recording medium,
The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam irradiation unit irradiates a laser beam toward a laser beam irradiation position provided at a position corresponding to a support surface of the facing member. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A fixing device, further comprising: a reflecting member that reflects the reflected laser beam irradiated to the laser beam irradiation position again toward the laser beam irradiation position. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium using a thermoplastic imaging material;
The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an image formed of a thermoplastic image forming material formed on a recording medium is fixed by the image forming unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising: