JP6565261B2 - Annular body for image forming apparatus, annular body unit for image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an annular body for an image forming apparatus, an annular body unit for an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a polyamideimide resin film characterized by having a light transmittance of 80% or more at a measurement wavelength of 400 nm.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a seamless belt characterized by having a base material composed of a single layer manufactured by centrifugal molding, which has different properties on the front and back surfaces due to uneven distribution of additives in the thickness direction. .

  In Patent Document 3, all the layers other than the substrate including the recorded image and the ink absorbing layer after the inkjet recording are performed on the intermediate transfer medium for inkjet recording having at least the ink absorbing layer on the substrate, or the entire substrate. A printing system is disclosed that includes a thermal transfer process in which a color image is formed on a transfer medium by thermal transfer onto the transfer medium.

  In Patent Document 4, a layer (powder mixture layer) of a powder and an ultraviolet absorber that can be dissolved or swelled by droplets in advance and can increase the viscosity of the droplets is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member. Then, droplets are applied on the powder mixture layer to form a visible image on the intermediate transfer body, and then the visible image formed on the intermediate transfer body is transferred to a recording paper. An image recording method is disclosed.

JP 2011-213849 A JP 2002-012681 A JP 2002-370347 A JP 2000-141864 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an annular body for an image forming apparatus that generates heat by infrared rays.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to < 1 >
A monolayer composed of a resin layer containing a flame retardant resin of UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level or higher, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or a laminate having at least a surface layer of the resin layer An annular body for an image forming apparatus that is transparent to infrared rays in at least a part of a wavelength region of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less.

The invention according to < 2 >
An annular body for an image forming apparatus according to < 1 > ;
From the inside of the annular body, an infrared light irradiation device that irradiates the irradiated body with infrared laser light;
An annular body unit for an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to < 3 >
An intermediate transfer member comprising an annular member for an image forming apparatus according to < 1 > ;
A supply device for supplying a curable solution containing an ultraviolet curable material onto the intermediate transfer body to form a cured layer;
An ejection device that ejects ink droplets onto the cured layer formed on the intermediate transfer member;
A transfer device for transferring the cured layer onto which the ink droplets have been discharged from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
From the inside of the intermediate transfer body, an ultraviolet light irradiation device that irradiates the cured layer with ultraviolet light through the intermediate transfer body;
An infrared light irradiation device for irradiating the intermediate transfer body with infrared laser light from the inside of the intermediate transfer body;
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to < 4 >
An intermediate transfer member comprising an annular member for an image forming apparatus according to < 1 > ;
A discharge device that discharges droplets of a curable ink containing an ultraviolet curable material onto the intermediate transfer member to form an ink layer;
A transfer device for transferring the ink layer from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
An ultraviolet light irradiation device for irradiating the ink layer with ultraviolet light from the inside of the intermediate transfer member through the intermediate transfer member;
An infrared light irradiation device for irradiating the intermediate transfer body with infrared laser light from the inside of the intermediate transfer body;
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to < 5 >
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A transfer fixing member comprising an annular body for an image forming apparatus according to < 1 > ;
A primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the transfer fixing member;
An infrared light irradiation device for irradiating infrared laser light, and the infrared image is transferred from the inside of the transfer fixing member to the toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the transfer fixing member via the transfer fixing member. A secondary transfer fixing device that irradiates a laser beam to secondary-transfer and fix the toner image to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to < 6 >
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image to a recording medium;
A fixing member formed of an annular body for an image forming apparatus according to < 1 > , and a rotation that rotates in a circumferential direction in contact with the surface of the fixing member and sandwiches the recording medium with the fixing member. Infrared light irradiation for irradiating the toner image transferred to the recording medium with infrared laser light from the inside of the fixing member through the fixing member and fixing the toner image on the recording medium A fixing device comprising:
An image forming apparatus.

According to the invention according to < 1 > , an annular body for an image forming apparatus that generates heat by infrared rays is provided.

According to the invention according to < 2 > , an annular unit for an image forming apparatus including an annular body for an image forming apparatus that generates heat by infrared rays is provided.

According to the invention according to < 3 > , a monolayer consisting of a resin layer containing a resin having flame retardancy equal to or higher than the UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or Compared to the case where an intermediate transfer body composed of an annular body that does not contain an infrared absorber is applied to the resin layer, an image in which the transfer failure of the cured layer is suppressed is composed of a laminate having the resin layer at least on the surface layer. A forming apparatus is provided.

According to the invention according to < 4 > , a monolayer composed of a resin layer including a resin having flame retardancy of UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level or more, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or Image formation in which transfer failure of the ink layer is suppressed as compared with the case where an intermediate transfer body composed of an annular body that does not contain an infrared absorber is applied to the resin layer, which is composed of a laminate having the resin layer at least on the surface layer. An apparatus is provided.

According to the invention according to < 5 > , a monolayer consisting of a resin layer containing a resin having flame retardancy equal to or higher than the UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or Compared to the case where a transfer fixing member made of an annular body that does not contain an infrared absorber is applied to the resin layer, an image in which the transfer fixing defect of the toner image is suppressed is formed by a laminate having at least the surface layer of the resin layer. A forming apparatus is provided.

According to the invention according to < 6 > , a monolayer composed of a resin layer including a resin having flame retardancy equal to or higher than the UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or An image forming apparatus that is composed of a laminate having at least a surface layer of the resin layer, and in which fixing failure of a toner image is suppressed as compared with a case where a fixing member made of an annular body that does not contain an infrared absorber is applied to the resin layer. Is provided.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an annular body for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the infrared light irradiation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device according to an exemplary embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Annular body for image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an annular body according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, an annular body for image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “annular body”) 15 according to the present embodiment has a flame retardancy equal to or higher than the UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level. It is comprised with the single layer body which consists of a resin layer containing resin (henceforth "specific resin"), a electrically conductive agent, and an infrared absorber. In addition, the annular body 15 may be comprised with the laminated body which has the said resin layer in at least a surface layer.
The annular body 15 is transparent to infrared rays (hereinafter also simply referred to as “infrared rays”) in at least a part of the wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm.
Here, “having transparency with respect to infrared rays” means that the transmittance is at least 80% (preferably at least 90%) for infrared rays in a part of the wavelength region in the above range. According to the annular body according to the present embodiment, for example, since it contains an infrared absorbent (for example, a near-infrared absorbing dye) that absorbs infrared laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser device, it has a heat generation effect.

The annular body 15 according to the present embodiment has a property of transmitting infrared rays, and contains an infrared absorber in the resin layer. For this reason, for example, when the annular body 15 is irradiated with infrared laser light (hereinafter also referred to as “infrared laser light”), a part of the infrared laser light is absorbed by the infrared absorbent and a part of the remaining infrared laser light. Passes through the annular body 15. The portion of the annular body 15 that absorbs the infrared laser light (region including the infrared absorber) locally releases heat and self-heats. That is, the annular body 15 is a self-heat-generating annular body that generates heat by infrared laser light (a region of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less).
The resin layer contains a resin having flame retardancy equal to or higher than the UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level. Due to this flame retardancy, the annular body 15 becomes difficult to thermally decompose in a heating environment when an ink droplet (for example, an ultraviolet curable ink) or a toner image is transferred or fixed.
The annular body 15 contains a conductive agent and has conductivity. Due to this conductivity, charging due to static electricity is suppressed. For example, when a toner image is transferred and fixed or fixed using the annular body 15, a phenomenon (toner offset) in which a part of the toner image adheres to the annular body 15 without being transferred and fixed or fixed to the recording medium is suppressed. . Further, when the toner image is transferred and fixed using the annular body 15, it becomes easy to electrostatically transfer and hold the toner image from the surface of the image holding body to the outer peripheral surface of the annular body 15.
In the present embodiment, this self-heating annular member 15 is applied to members of various image forming apparatuses (for example, a transfer member, a transfer fixing member, and a fixing member). This improves the transferability and fixability of ink droplets or toner images to the recording medium, and suppresses image defects.
Note that application examples of the annular body 15 to various image forming apparatuses will be described in detail in an embodiment described later.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the annular body 15 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

(Resin layer)
The resin layer includes, for example, a specific resin, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber. Further, the resin layer may contain other additives as necessary.
-Specific resin-
The specific resin is not particularly limited as long as the resin has flame retardancy equal to or higher than the UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level and has a property of transmitting infrared rays. As the resin, what is generally called engineering plastic is suitable.
Engineering plastics include, for example, polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA) (eg nylon 9, nylon 12), polyamideimide (PAI), reinforced polyethylene terephthalate (reinforced PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene terephthalate ( PBT), polysulfone (PSU), polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyethersulfone (PES), polyarylate (PAR), polyacetal (POM), modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE), fluororesin (FR), polyetherimide (PEI), syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS), polyester elastomer (TPC), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketo (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polycycloolefin (COP), polymethylpentene (PMP), wholly aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer), and the like.

Among these, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, and polyethylene naphthalate having excellent heat resistance are preferable. From the viewpoint of processability, polycarbonate and polyethersulfone are preferred. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The resin preferably contains a fluorine atom in the molecule from the viewpoint of improving releasability from the annular body 15 with respect to the cured layer of the curable solution, the ink layer of the curable ink, or the toner image.

Examples of the polyimide include a polyimide obtained by imidization reaction (dehydration ring-closing reaction) of polyamic acid, which is a condensate of tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine compound.
Specifically, for example, a polyimide is obtained by mixing tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine compound at a molar ratio of 1: 1, performing a polymerization reaction in an organic polar solvent, and then imidizing a polyamic acid. The obtained polyimide is mentioned.
In addition, the polyamic acid before the imidation reaction which is a polyimide precursor is included in a coating liquid, and after application | coating, a polyamic acid is imidized and forms a polyimide.

The tetracarboxylic dianhydride is not particularly limited, and may be an aromatic or aliphatic compound.
Examples of the tetracarboxylic dianhydride include hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic dianhydride, 2,2-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropanoic dianhydride (6FDA), 1,3 -Dimethyl-1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DMCBDA), cyclohexanetetracarboxylic dianhydride, norbornene dicarboxylic dianhydride is preferably used.
These tetracarboxylic dianhydrides are used alone or in combination of two or more.

The diamine compound is not particularly limited as long as it is a diamine compound having two amino groups in the molecular structure.
Examples of the diamine compound include 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidenebis (p-phenyleneoxy) diamine (APPF), 2,2′-bis (3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane (6FAP). 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl) -4,4′-diaminobiphenyl (TFMB).
In addition, the diamine compound may be a diamine compound having a diphenyl ether skeleton. Examples of the diamine compound having a diphenyl ether skeleton include 3,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-diethoxy-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether. -Aromatic diamines such as tellurium, para-phenylenediamine (PDA) and meta-phenylenediamine.
These diamine compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The above tetracarboxylic dianhydride and diamine compound preferably have an aliphatic ring structure from the viewpoint of the infrared transmission of the cyclic body, mechanical strength, and flexibility. Moreover, it is preferable that at least one of said tetracarboxylic dianhydride and diamine compound is substituted by the substituent which has a fluorine atom from a viewpoint of providing mold release property to the said specific resin. The substituent having a fluorine atom is preferably a trifluoromethyl group (CF ₃ group) or fluorine (F group).

Examples of the polyamideimide include a polyamideimide obtained by subjecting a polyamide-polyamic acid, which is a condensate of a tricarboxylic acid and a diamine compound, to a dehydration ring-closing reaction.
Specifically, the polyamideimide is, for example,
(1) A method in which an equimolar amount of a tricarboxylic acid anhydride and a diamine is subjected to a polycondensation / imidization reaction (dehydration ring-closing reaction) at high temperature in the presence of a dehydration catalyst in an organic polar solvent,
(2) A method in which an equimolar amount of tricarboxylic anhydride monochloride and diamine is subjected to polycondensation / imidization reaction at low temperature in an organic polar solvent,
(3) A method of polycondensation / imidation reaction of tricarboxylic acid anhydride and diisocyanate at high temperature in an organic polar solvent,
Polyamideimide obtained by the above.
In addition, the polyamide-polyamic acid before the imidation reaction which is a polyimide precursor is included in the coating liquid, and after coating, the polyamide-polyamic acid is imidized to form polyamideimide.

  Examples of the tricarboxylic acid anhydride include trimellitic acid anhydride or trimellitic acid monochloride.

  As a diamine compound, the diamine compound used for the synthesis | combination of the said polyamic acid is mentioned.

As the tricarboxylic acid anhydride and the diamine compound, those having an aliphatic ring structure are preferable from the viewpoints of the transmittance of infrared materials to infrared rays, mechanical strength, and flexibility. In addition, at least one of the tricarboxylic acid anhydride and the diamine compound is preferably substituted with a substituent having a fluorine atom from the viewpoint of imparting releasability to the specific resin. The substituent having a fluorine atom is preferably a trifluoromethyl group (CF ₃ group) or fluorine (F group).

  Examples of the diisocyanate compound include those in which two amino groups in the diamine compound used for the synthesis of the polyamic acid are substituted with isocyanate groups.

  Polyethersulfone is a resin in which paraphenylene groups are alternately bonded by sulfone groups and ether groups. Examples of the polyether sulfone include commercially available products such as Solvay Advanced Polymer product Radel series, BASF product Ultrazol series, Sumitomo Chemical product Sumika Excel PES series, and ICI product Victrex PES.

-Conductive agent-
As the conductive agent, a conductive agent that suppresses a decrease in infrared transmittance is preferable, and an ionic conductive agent is preferable.

Examples of the ionic conductive agent include quaternary ammonium salts (for example, lauryltrimethylammonium, stearyltrimethylammonium, octadodecyltrimethylammonium, dodecyltrimethylammonium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium, perchlorates such as modified fatty acid and dimethylethylammonium urine, Chlorates, borofluorides, sulfates, etosulphate salts, benzyl halide salts (eg, benzyl bromide salts, benzyl chloride salts, etc.), aliphatic sulfonates, higher alcohol sulfates, higher Alcohol ethylene oxide addition sulfate ester salt, higher alcohol phosphate ester salt, higher alcohol ethylene oxide addition phosphate ester salt, various betaines, higher alcohol ethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol Fatty acid esters, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, various ionic liquids, and fluororesin-based antistatic agent.
A conductive agent may be used independently and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

The content of the conductive agent contained in the annular body 15 (resin layer) is, for example, preferably in the range of 0.01 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, preferably 0.1 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin layer. 1 part by mass or more and 3 parts by mass or less.
When the content of the conductive agent with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin layer is set to 0.01 parts by mass or more, charge elimination is obtained, and charge accumulation due to rotation is less likely to occur.
On the other hand, by setting the content of the conductive agent to 10 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin layer, compatibility with the resin is high, it is difficult to whiten and opaque, and a decrease in chargeability due to electrical conductivity is easily suppressed. Become.

The content of the conductive agent may be adjusted so that the volume resistivity of the resin layer is, for example, 10 ⁶ Ωcm or more and 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm or less.

-Infrared absorber-
As the infrared absorber, a known one can be used as long as it has an absorption peak in a wavelength range of 600 nm to 1000 nm.
Examples of infrared absorbers include indium oxide metal oxides, tin oxide metal oxides, zinc oxide metal oxides, cadmium stannate, specific amide compounds, lanthanoid compounds, cyanine compounds, merocyanine compounds, and benzenethiol compounds. Metal complexes, mercaptophenol metal complexes, aromatic diamine metal complexes, diimonium compounds, aminium compounds, nickel complex compounds, phthalocyanine compounds, anthraquinone compounds, naphthalocyanine compounds, squarylium compounds, azurenium compounds, triphenylamine Compounds, triazulene compounds, triazo compounds, compounds having a (Ph) ₂ C═C—C ⁺ —C═C (Ph) ₂ skeleton, and the like. _{Incidentally,} in the compound having a skeleton represented by ^{(Ph) 2 C = C-} C + -C = C (Ph) 2, "Ph" represents a benzene ring.
Among infrared absorbers, near infrared absorbing dyes are preferably used from the viewpoint of enhancing the self-heating property of the annular body 15. Among near-infrared absorbing dyes, phthalocyanine compounds, squarylium compounds, azurenium compounds, triphenylamine compounds, triazulene compounds, triazo compounds, (Ph) ₂ C═C—C ⁺ —C═C (Ph) It is preferable to use a compound having a skeleton represented by ₂ . These infrared absorbers may be used alone or in combination.

The content of the infrared absorber is adjusted in a range that does not hinder the transmittance of the annular body 15 with respect to infrared rays (a range in which the transmittance is 80% or more). Although depending on the type of the image forming apparatus to which the annular body 15 is applied and the use of the annular body 15, it is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, and 0.1% by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin layer. 3 mass% or less is more preferable.
Depending on the content of the infrared absorber, the amount of infrared rays absorbed into the annular body 15 when irradiated with infrared rays is adjusted, and the amount of self-heating of the annular body 15 is adjusted.

-Other additives-
Other additives include, for example, a release material for imparting releasability to the resin layer (for example, a fluorine compound (fluorine resin or particles thereof), etc.), and an oxidation for preventing thermal deterioration of the resin layer. Examples of the additive include a surfactant, a surfactant for improving fluidity, a heat-resistant anti-aging agent, and the like, and particularly known additives blended in an annular body (for example, an endless belt) of an image forming apparatus.

  In the embodiment described above, the embodiment has been described in which the annular body 15 is configured by a single-layer body made of a resin layer. However, the annular body 15 has two layers as long as the resin layer has at least a surface layer. You may be comprised with the above laminated body. In this case, the annular body 15 includes, for example, a base material and a surface layer made of the resin layer laminated on the surface of the base material. Moreover, an intermediate | middle layer (for example, elastic layer) may be provided between a base material and a surface layer as needed, and base material itself may be comprised with the laminated body of 2 or more layers.

-Base material-
A base material will not be specifically limited if it has the transmittance | permeability with respect to infrared rays. Examples of the substrate include polyimide resins, polyamideimide resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, and fluorine resins. These base materials may be used alone or in combination.

-Surface layer-
The surface layer has the same configuration as the resin layer.

-Characteristics of annular bodies-
The total thickness of the annular body 15 (resin layer) is, for example, from 10 μm to 1000 μm, preferably from 30 μm to 500 μm, and more preferably from 50 μm to 300 μm.
In addition, the film thickness variation is 10% or less from the viewpoint of having transparency to infrared rays, suppressing the decrease in rigidity, preventing the occurrence of cracks due to end fatigue due to rotation, and suppressing buckling and embrittlement. It is preferable to suppress to.
Moreover, when the annular body 15 is comprised by the laminated body of a base material and a surface layer, as a thickness of a base material, 10 micrometers or more and 300 micrometers or less are mentioned, for example, 40 micrometers or more and 300 micrometers or less are preferable, and 50 micrometers or more and 150 micrometers or less are mentioned. More preferred.
As thickness of a surface layer, 0.1 micrometer or more and 50 micrometers or less are mentioned, for example, 0.5 micrometer or more and 30 micrometers or less are preferable, and 1 micrometer or more and 20 micrometers or less are more preferable.

From the viewpoint of rotating while maintaining the shape of the annular body 15, the elastic modulus of the annular body 15 is, for example, 1 GPa or more, preferably 2 GPa or more and 4 GPa or less.
The elastic modulus is measured according to JIS-K7162 (1994, 1BA type, speed 1 mm / min).
The annular body 15 preferably has a volume resistivity of 10 ⁵ Ωcm or more and 10 ¹³ Ωcm or less, for example.

The tensile strength at break of the annular body 15 is preferably 100 MPa or more, and more preferably 100 MPa or more and 300 MPa or less in that the ability to relax and adjust the rigidity to obtain high resolution is maintained.
Further, the annular body 15 preferably has an elongation at break of 5% or more, and more preferably 5% or more and 20% or less.
Measurement of tensile strength at break and elongation at break is performed as follows.
A sample piece is punched from the produced annular body 15 using dumbbell No. 3. The sample piece is placed in a tensile tester, and the tensile break strength (applied load) at which the sample piece is pulled and broken and the elongation at break are measured under the following conditions. Based on the film thickness value measured using a micrometer, the breaking strength is calculated.
・ Test apparatus: Tensile tester model 1605 manufactured by Aiko Engineering Co., Ltd. ・ Sample length: 30 mm
・ Sample width: 5mm
・ Tensile speed: 10mm / min

  Further, the annular body 15 is further reinforced by blending transparent fibers (fluorine resin powder, polyester, polyamide, glass fibers, etc.) and fillers (inorganic particles such as silica) within a range that does not impair the transparency to infrared rays. It may be a thing.

-Manufacturing method of annular body-
The annular body 15 is prepared by, for example, kneading and mixing the specific resin, the conductive agent, the infrared absorber, and, if necessary, other additives in respective target amounts, and extruding the mixture. Is extruded into a cylindrical shape and cooled and solidified (controlling crystallization) to obtain a cylindrical shaped body (annular body). Moreover, you may obtain the annular body 15 by centrifugal molding, inflation molding, immersion molding, T-die molding, and flow molding using the above mixture.
For example, when a polyimide annular body composed of a single layer is produced as the annular body 15, for example, polycarboxylic acid dianhydride and a diamine compound are polycondensed in an organic solvent at, for example, 250 ° C. or less to obtain a polyamic acid. A prepolymer is made. Next, the polyamic acid prepolymer is purified by reprecipitation with a poor solvent such as alcohol to obtain a powder. This powder is dissolved again in a polar solvent, and this solution is applied to the core (for example, centrifugal coating, dip coating, flow coating) to form a coating film. Next, the coating film is dried (for example, 80 ° C. or higher and 250 ° C. or lower), and then heated (for example, 250 ° C. or lower) to imidize. Then, the annular body 15 is obtained by removing the imidized film from the core body. In addition, it is preferable to add a catalyst in the said organic solvent from a viewpoint of accelerating the polycondensation with tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine compound. Examples of the catalyst include acid components such as acetic anhydride and amine components such as pyridine.
The polar solvent is not particularly limited. For example, dimethylacetamide (DMAC), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), cyclohexanone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), γ -Butyrolactone, cyclopentanone and dichloromethane are preferably used.

  Moreover, when manufacturing the polyimide annular body which consists of a laminated body as the annular body 15, for example, for surface layer formation containing the said specific resin, a electrically conductive agent, an infrared absorber, and other additives as needed. It is obtained by preparing a solution, applying a surface layer forming solution on a substrate to form a coating film, and then heating. Examples of the coating method include dip coating, spray coating, flow coating, roll coating, and the like. In addition, you may mix | blend the mold release material (For example, a fluorine compound (fluorine resin, its particle | grains, etc.) etc.) for providing a mold release property to a surface layer formation solution.

  The annular body 15 according to the present embodiment described above can be applied to, for example, a member for an image forming apparatus (for example, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer fixing belt, a fixing belt, a recording medium conveyance transfer belt).

<First Embodiment>
An example in which the annular body 15 according to the present embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, the annular body 15 is mounted as an intermediate transfer belt (an example of an intermediate transfer body). The annular body 15 applied to the intermediate transfer belt of the image forming apparatus 101 has transparency to at least some wavelength regions of 600 nm to 1000 nm and has at least some wavelength regions of 360 nm to 420 nm. Transparent to ultraviolet light. The transmittance of the intermediate transfer belt with respect to ultraviolet light is 80% or more (preferably 90% or more).
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment supplies an intermediate transfer belt 15 formed of an annular body and a curable solution 12A containing an ultraviolet curable material onto the intermediate transfer belt 15. A cured layer forming device (an example of a supply device) 12 that forms the cured layer 12B, and an ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets 14A to the cured layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 (of the ejection device). Example) 14, a transfer device 16 that transfers the cured layer 12B from which the ink droplets 14A have been discharged from the intermediate transfer belt 15 to the recording medium P, and from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 via the intermediate transfer belt 15 The ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 for irradiating the cured layer 12B with ultraviolet light and the infrared light irradiation for irradiating the intermediate transfer belt 15 with the infrared laser light I from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 It includes a location 70. In addition, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a transport unit (not shown) that transports the recording medium P onto which the cured layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transferred.
In the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, a portion including the intermediate transfer belt 15 as an annular body and the infrared light irradiation device 70 corresponds to an annular body unit.

  The conveying means includes a conveying belt / conveying drum that conveys the recording medium P by adhering to the outer peripheral surface by an electrostatic force or the like, and a conveying roll pair that conveys the recording medium P with the recording medium P interposed therebetween. The recording medium P is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  As the recording medium P, for example, paper (specifically, plain paper, inkjet coated paper, art paper, synthetic paper, etc.) is used. The recording medium P is not limited to paper. For example, a film formed of a resin or the like (specifically, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, polyarylate, polyethersulfone, TAC: cellulose acetate) Or any other material that can be transferred to the cured layer 12B.

  A plurality of winding rolls 16 </ b> B, 10 </ b> C, 10 </ b> A, and 10 </ b> B are provided on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 as an example of a member to be wound around which the intermediate transfer belt 15 is wound. The winding roll 16B is arranged on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 2) in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P with respect to the ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 to be described later, and the winding roll 10C includes the winding roll 16B and ultraviolet light irradiation. It is arranged on the downstream side (right side in FIG. 2) in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P with respect to the apparatus 18.

  The winding roll 10A is on the downstream side (right side in FIG. 2) in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P with respect to the winding roll 10C, and is on the opposite side (upper side in FIG. 2) from the arrangement side of the flat plate 22 described later. Is arranged. The winding roll 10B is on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 2) in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P with respect to the winding roll 16B, and is on the opposite side (upper side in FIG. 2) from the arrangement side of the flat plate 22 described later. Is arranged.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 15 has a width (length in the axial direction) equal to or greater than the width of the recording medium P. The end may be provided with ribs for preventing belt meandering to prevent the left and right belts from meandering.

  On the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (side in FIG. 2), a release agent 24A is supplied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a release agent layer 24B is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. An agent layer forming device 24 is provided. Specifically, the release agent layer forming device 24 faces the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 15 around which the winding roll 10A is wound, and the mold release agent layer forming device 24 releases the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 15 from the above portion. The release agent layer 24B is formed by supplying the agent 24A.

  Further, the release agent layer forming device 24 has a length along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15), and the length along the width direction. Is greater than the area to be ejected in the intermediate transfer belt 15 (more than the area to be imaged).

  The release agent layer forming device 24 includes, for example, a casing 24C that houses the release agent 24A, a supply roller 24D that is provided in the casing 24C and supplies the release agent 24A to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a supply roller 24D. A blade 24E that defines a layer thickness of a release agent layer 24B formed of a release agent 24A (for example, silicone-based, fluorine-based, wax-based oil, etc.) supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 15. The release agent layer forming apparatus 24 may include a heating means (not shown) for heating and melting the release agent 24A.

  The release agent layer forming apparatus 24 may be configured such that the supply roller 24 </ b> D is in continuous contact with the intermediate transfer belt 15 or is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 15. Further, the release agent layer forming device 24 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and a known coating method (for example, bar coater coating, spray coating, ink jet coating, air knife coating, slit die coater coating, blade) An apparatus using a coating method, a roll method, a comma coater, an anilox roll, etc.) may be applied.

  Specific examples of the release agent 24A include silicone-based oil, fluorine-based oil, hydrocarbon-based / polyalkylene glycol, fatty acid ester, phenyl ether, phosphate ester, and a hydrophobic surfactant. Of these, silicone oil, fluorine oil, polyalkylene glycol, and hydrophobic surfactant are preferable.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the release agent layer 24B is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 has been described. However, the release agent layer 24B may not be formed if the release agent layer 24B has surface releasability. .

  On the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 with respect to the release agent layer forming device 24, a curable solution (hereinafter also simply referred to as “curable solution”) 12 A containing an ultraviolet curable material is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. A to-be-cured layer forming device (a feeding device using a slit die coater) 12 is provided for forming a to-be-cured layer 12B.

  Specifically, the curable layer forming apparatus 12 faces the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 15 between the winding roll 10A and the winding roll 10B, and is curable with respect to the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The solution 12A is supplied to form the cured layer 12B.

  Further, the cured layer forming apparatus 12 has a length along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15), and the length along the width direction is Further, the area is equal to or greater than the area to be ejected (more than the area to be imaged) in the intermediate transfer belt 15.

  The cured layer forming apparatus 12 is disposed above the winding roll 10A on the outer peripheral side (upper side in FIG. 2) of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and is wound around the winding roll 10A in the intermediate transfer belt 15. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the cured layer 12B is formed.

  The cured layer forming apparatus 12 includes, for example, a housing 12C that stores the curable solution 12A, a supply roller 12D that is provided in the housing 12C, and supplies the curable solution 12A to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a supply roller 12D. A blade 12E that defines the layer thickness of the layer to be cured 12B formed by the curable solution 12A supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The to-be-cured layer forming apparatus 12 may be configured such that the supply roller 12 </ b> D continuously contacts the intermediate transfer belt 15 or is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 15. Further, the curable layer forming apparatus 12 may supply the curable solution 12A to the housing 12C from an independent solution supply system (not shown) so that the supply of the curable solution 12A is not interrupted.
The curable solution 12A includes at least an ultraviolet curable material that is cured by ultraviolet light. Examples of the “ultraviolet curable resin” obtained by curing an ultraviolet curable material include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, maleimide resin, epoxy resin, oxetane resin, polyether resin, and polyvinyl ether. Resin etc. are mentioned. The ultraviolet curable material includes at least one of an ultraviolet curable monomer, an ultraviolet curable macromer, an ultraviolet curable oligomer, and an ultraviolet curable prepolymer. Moreover, it is desirable to contain the ultraviolet polymerization initiator for advancing ultraviolet curing reaction. Furthermore, a reaction aid, a polymerization accelerator, a thickener and the like for further progressing the polymerization reaction may be included as necessary.

  Here, as the ultraviolet curable monomer, for example, acrylic acid ester (for example, acrylic acid ester of alcohol, polyhydric alcohol or amino alcohol), methacrylic acid ester (for example, methacrylic acid ester of alcohol or polyhydric alcohol), acrylic fat Radical curable materials such as aromatic amides, acrylic alicyclic amides, and acrylic cyclic amides (morphine); and cationic curable materials such as epoxy monomers, oxetane monomers, and vinyl ether monomers. The ultraviolet curable macromer, the ultraviolet curable oligomer, and the ultraviolet curable prepolymer include those obtained by polymerizing these monomers, an epoxy skeleton, a urethane skeleton, a polyester skeleton, or a polyether skeleton, an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group. (Meth) acrylate (for example, epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, urethane methacrylate, polyester methacrylate) and the like.

  The cured layer forming apparatus 12 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and a known supply method (coating method: for example, die coater, bar coater coating, spray coating, ink jet coating, air knife coating, blade coating) An apparatus using application, roll-type application, or the like may be applied.

  On the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 with respect to the cured layer forming apparatus 12, ink droplets (hereinafter also referred to as “ink droplets”) are formed on the surface of the cured layer 12B formed by the cured layer forming apparatus 12. An inkjet recording head 14 that discharges 14A to form an image is provided on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (upper side in FIG. 2). Specifically, the inkjet recording head 14 is opposed to a flat portion (non-bent portion) between the winding roll 10 </ b> A and the winding roll 10 </ b> B in the intermediate transfer belt 15. In contrast, an ink droplet 14A is ejected to form an image.

  The ink jet recording head 14 includes, for example, an ink jet recording head 14K that ejects black ink droplets, an ink jet recording head 14C that ejects cyan ink droplets, and a magenta color ink in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15. An inkjet recording head 14M that ejects ink droplets and an inkjet recording head 14Y that ejects yellow ink droplets are provided.

  Specifically, the ink jet recording head 14 is a recording head that ejects ink droplets 14A from a plurality of nozzles by an ink jet method, and is driven by a piezoelectric method, a thermal method, a stream method, and the like, and is to be cured. The ink droplets 14A are ejected onto the surface of the layer 12B.

  The ink jet recording head 14 has a length along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15), and the discharge width along the width direction is intermediate. The transfer belt 15 has a discharge area or more (image formation area or more). That is, the inkjet recording head 14 can form one line in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the discharge target region (image forming region) without moving relative to the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the width direction. It is configured.

In the ink jet recording head 14, the control unit 28 determines the nozzle to be used and the discharge timing based on the image information, and forms an image according to the image information by discharging the ink droplet 14A.
The ink contained in the ink droplet 14A is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an aqueous ink containing an aqueous solvent as a solvent and an oil-based ink containing an oily solvent as a solvent. Note that ultraviolet curable ink may be used.

Examples of the water-based ink include an ink in which a water-soluble dye or pigment is dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous solvent. Examples of the oil-based ink include an ink in which an oil-soluble dye is dissolved in an oil-based solvent, and an ink in which a dye or pigment is dispersed as a reverse micelle as a recording material.
The ultraviolet curable ink includes at least a curable material that is cured by ultraviolet rays. The curable material is the same as the curable material contained in the curable solution 12A.

  The ink jet recording head 14 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and ejects ink while moving in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the width direction (main scanning direction) of the discharge area (image formation area). May be a scan type ink jet recording head capable of forming a single line, as long as an image can be formed on the cured layer 12B.

  A transfer device 16 is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 with respect to the ink jet recording head 14 to transfer the cured layer 12B from which the ink droplets 14A have been discharged from the intermediate transfer belt 15 to the recording medium P. Specifically, the transfer device 16 includes winding rolls 16B and 10C around which the intermediate transfer belt 15 is wound, and a pressure roll 16A disposed so as to face the winding roll 16B with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. And a flat plate (platen) 22 disposed opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 between the winding rolls 16B and 10C.

  In the transfer device 16, the recording medium P is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the pressure roll 16A and conveyed while the pressure roll 16A applies pressure to the winding roll 16B. Further, the recording medium P is transported by being sandwiched between the lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (a portion that is separated from the winding roll 16B and contacts the winding roll 10C) and the flat plate 22.

  Thus, from the position where the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the recording medium P are sandwiched between the pressure roll 16A and the winding roll 16B (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “contact start position”), the winding roll 10C and the flat plate 22 are used. In the transfer region R1 up to the sandwiched position (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “peeling position”), the cured layer 12B on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 is in contact with the recording medium P.

  On the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 with respect to the pressure roll 16A, red is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the cured layer 12B formed thereon from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 with infrared laser light I. An external light irradiation device 70 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. This infrared light irradiation device 70 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 and on the transfer region R1 before the cured layer 12B is cured by ultraviolet light (hereinafter also referred to as “ultraviolet light”) described later. The cured layer 12B is preliminarily heated. The details of the infrared light irradiation device 70 will be described later.

  Further, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 with respect to the infrared light irradiation device 70, the cured layer 12 </ b> B on which an image is formed by the ink jet recording head 14 is transferred to the recording medium P, and on the intermediate transfer belt 15. An ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 that irradiates the formed cured layer 12 </ b> B with ultraviolet light from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 cures the cured layer 12B by irradiating the cured layer 12B in contact with the recording medium P in the transfer region R2 by irradiating ultraviolet light, and the cured layer 12B is intermediate-transferred. Transfer from the belt 15 to the recording medium P is configured.

  The ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 is adjusted so that the length in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer belt of the region (ultraviolet light irradiation region) R2 to which the ultraviolet light is irradiated in the cured layer 12B is in the range of 5 mm to 300 mm. Furthermore, it is preferably 100 mm or more and 250 mm or less (depending on the coating print width).

  Examples of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 include a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp, a deep ultraviolet lamp, a lamp that uses a microwave to excite a mercury lamp from the outside without an electrode, an ultraviolet laser, a xenon lamp, and a UV-LED. Applied.

The irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light is desirably an amount that allows the layer 12B to be cured to be completely cured. Specifically, for example, a range of 10 mJ / cm ² or more and 1000 mJ / cm ² or less in irradiation amount (integrated light amount) is desirable. However, the optimum light amount is adjusted depending on the actual curing speed.

  A removal device 20 that removes the curable solution 12A and the release agent 24A remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 with respect to the ultraviolet light irradiation device 18. It is provided on the outer peripheral side. Specifically, the removing device 20 is opposed to a side portion of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (a portion from the winding roll 10 </ b> C until it comes into contact with the winding roll 10 </ b> A).

  The removing device 20 includes a removing member 20 </ b> A that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 15 and scrapes off the curable solution 12 </ b> A remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15. 20 A of removal members are comprised by the plate-shaped blade formed with the rubber material, for example. Further, the removing device 20 includes an accommodating portion 20B that accommodates the curable solution 12A and the releasing agent 24A scraped by the removing member 20A. The accommodating portion 20B is a box that is open on the side facing the intermediate transfer belt 15, and serves as a receiving portion that receives the curable solution 12A and the release agent 24A that have been scraped off by the removing member 20A.

Here, the configuration of the infrared light irradiation device 70 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the infrared light irradiation device 70.
The infrared light irradiation device 70 includes an infrared light irradiation unit 70 </ b> A that irradiates infrared laser light I, and an infrared transmission member 30 that rotates in the direction of arrow R.
The infrared transmitting member 30 rotates (moves) in an arrow B direction, an annular protective member 71 that is rotatably supported, a lens member 72 that collects the infrared laser light I emitted from the infrared light irradiation unit 70A. And a sliding member 74 disposed between the lens member 72 and the protection member 71 at a position facing and contacting the intermediate transfer belt 15.
The infrared transmitting member 30 includes a lubricant supply member 76 that supplies a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 71, a support member 78 that supports the lens member 72, the sliding member 74, and the lubricant supply member 76. Is provided.

As the infrared light irradiation unit 70A, a light source that is disposed on the inner side (inner peripheral side) of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and emits infrared laser light I having a wavelength of 600 nm to 1000 nm is used. Specifically, for example, a light source such as a semiconductor laser or a solid-state laser can be used.
The irradiation intensity of the infrared laser beam I is desirably an intensity that allows the infrared absorbent (not shown) contained in the intermediate transfer belt 15 to absorb the infrared laser beam I and release heat. The irradiation intensity of the infrared laser beam I, for example, 10 mW / cm ² or more 1000 mW / cm ² or less and comprising strength in the opposing area (contact portion) between the infrared transmission member 30 and the intermediate transfer belt 15.

-Protective member-
The protection member 71 is an annular member that protects the lens member 72 disposed inside, and is formed of glass or resin that transmits infrared rays.
The resin constituting the protective member 71 is not particularly limited as long as it includes a fluorine-containing resin and has transparency to infrared rays (for example, the infrared transmittance is 80% or more).
Examples of the fluorine-containing resin include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoro. Examples include propylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer (THV), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and perfluorinated cyclic ether polymers. PFA, polyvinylidene fluoride, perfluorinated cyclic ether polymers, and the like are preferable.
Further, a coating material may be applied to the surface of the protection member 71 that protects the lens member 72 as a surface protection layer of the intermediate transfer belt 15. It is preferable to provide a surface protective layer by spray coating or dip coating with a releasable coating such as Lumiflon (registered trademark) -based copolymerized fluororesin polymer or silicon-based inorganic nanoglass coating as the fluorine-based coating material.

-Lens member-
The lens member 72 is not limited as long as it has transparency to infrared rays having a wavelength of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less and collects the infrared laser beam I. Examples of the material used for the lens member 72 include glass and acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
As the lens member 72, for example, a lens member having a focal length at which the focal point of the infrared laser beam I comes to a region (contact portion) between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the infrared transmission member 30 may be selected. The position of the focal point may be controlled by adjusting the position of the external light irradiation device 70.

-Sliding member-
The sliding member 74 prevents the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 71 and the lens member 72 from coming into direct contact with each other during the rotation of the protection member 71 and prevents the surfaces of these members from being damaged. For example, the surface of the lens member 72 is damaged. This is a member for preventing a decrease in the transmittance of infrared rays and the like.
As the sliding member 74, a material that is transparent to infrared rays having a wavelength of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less and that is made of a material that has a small friction coefficient and excellent wear resistance with respect to the protective member 71 is suitable. .
The material of the sliding member 74 is, for example, a resin that is transparent to infrared rays (specifically, urethane rubber, olefin rubber, etc. in which a lubricating filler such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is dispersed). And transparent liquid silicone rubber impregnated or surface-treated with PFA resin reinforced with fibers such as glass, silicone oil, and silicone-based surfactant.
Moreover, as thickness of the sliding member 74, 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less are mentioned, for example.
Further, the foaming member impregnated with wax, silicone oil or the like is provided inside the sliding member 74 to improve lubricity, and the frictional resistance between the sliding member 74 and the protective member 71 when the protective member 71 rotates. In addition, the friction may be reduced and the influence on these members may be reduced.

-Lubricant supply member-
The lubricant supply member 76 is a member that holds the lubricant and supplies the lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 71.
Examples of the lubricant include silicone oil, paraffin oil, fluorine oil, and other synthetic lubricant greases, waxes and the like in which solid substances and liquids are mixed.
In this embodiment, the lubricant is supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the protective member 71, but the lubricant may not be used.

  Next, an image forming operation according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 15 is rotationally driven. First, a release agent layer 24B is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the release agent layer forming apparatus 24, and this release agent. The curable solution 12A is supplied to the surface of the layer 24B by the curable layer forming apparatus 12 to form the curable layer 12B.

  Next, ink droplets 14 </ b> A for recording dots corresponding to each pixel of the image of the image data to be formed are ejected from the inkjet recording head 14 onto the surface of the cured layer 12 </ b> B under the control of the control unit 28. As a result, an image region T1 is formed on the cured layer 12B by dots recorded by the ejected ink droplets 14A.

  In the present embodiment, an area in which dots recorded by ejecting ink droplets 14A on the surface of the cured layer 12B will be referred to as “image area T1”.

  The ink droplets 14A are ejected by the ink jet recording head 14 on the surface of the non-bending region of the intermediate transfer belt 15 that is rotatably supported in a tensioned state. That is, the ink droplets 14A are ejected to the cured layer 12B with the belt surface being less bent.

  Next, the recording medium P and the intermediate transfer belt 15 are sandwiched between the pressure roll 16A and the winding roll 16B of the transfer device 16, and pressure is applied. At this time, in the transfer region R1, the cured layer 12B on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 comes into contact with the recording medium P (contact start position), and is then sandwiched between the winding roll 10C and the flat plate 22 (peeling position). The state in which the cured layer 12B is in contact with both the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the recording medium P is maintained.

  Then, the cured layer 12B sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the recording medium P passes through the contact start position of the transfer region R1, and faces the irradiation member (infrared transmitting member 30) of the infrared light irradiation device 70. When the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the cured layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 are reached, the infrared laser beam I is irradiated from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the cured layer. Layer 12B is heated. Thereafter, ultraviolet light is irradiated from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to the curable layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15. Thereby, in the transfer region R1, the curable layer 12B is transferred to the recording medium P, and the curable layer 12B is cured. The action of the infrared laser light I and the ultraviolet light in the transfer region R1 will be described later.

  Next, the cured layer 12B is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the peeling position. Thereby, an image region T1 made of a curable resin layer is formed on the recording medium P.

  Then, the removing device 20 removes the residue and foreign matter of the curable solution 12A and the release agent 24A remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the layer to be cured 12B is transferred to the recording medium P. As described above, a series of image forming operations are performed in the image forming apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment.

Here, the action of the infrared laser light I and the ultraviolet light in the transfer region R1 will be described.
Since the intermediate transfer belt 15 according to the present embodiment is transparent to infrared rays and contains an infrared absorber, the intermediate transfer belt 15 is intermediately transferred in a region facing the infrared transmission member 30 (contact portion) as described above. When the infrared laser light I is irradiated by the infrared light irradiation device 70 over the entire width direction of the belt 15 and the cured layer 12B formed thereon, a part of the infrared laser light I is in the intermediate transfer belt 15. A portion of the remaining infrared laser beam I is transmitted through the intermediate transfer belt 15 and reaches the cured layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15. The portion of the intermediate transfer belt 15 that has absorbed the infrared laser beam I (region including the infrared absorber) locally releases heat and self-heats.
For this reason, in the transfer region R1, the cured layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 passes through the intermediate transfer belt 15 and reaches the cured layer 12B, and the intermediate transfer belt 15 self- Heated by both exothermic heat. Thereby, the temperature of the to-be-hardened layer 12B rises.

  Next, in the ultraviolet light irradiation region R2, since the ultraviolet light is irradiated to the cured layer 12B in a state where the temperature is increased, the curing of the cured layer 12B proceeds efficiently. Specifically, when the cured layer 12B is cured, the evaporation rate of the solvent contained in the ink, the decomposition rate of the polymerization initiator, and the like are increased, and the transferability of the cured layer 12B to the recording medium P is improved. To do. Thereby, image defects are suppressed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment, since the curing of the cured layer 12B proceeds efficiently, the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the cured layer 12B formed thereon are in contact with the recording medium P. Time can be reduced. That is, the distance of the transfer region R1 can be shortened. Thereby, high-speed transfer is possible and energy loss is reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the infrared light irradiation device 70 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the transfer to the recording medium P is performed by the infrared laser light I. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be downsized. The

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the infrared light irradiation device 70 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the infrared laser light I is irradiated from the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. If it is the aspect irradiated from the said inner peripheral side, the irradiation method will not be specifically limited. For example, the infrared light irradiation device 70 may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the infrared laser light I may be irradiated from the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 via a reflecting mirror or the like.

  In this embodiment, in the transfer region R1, the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the cured layer 12B formed thereon are first irradiated with infrared laser light I and then irradiated with ultraviolet light. Irradiation with ultraviolet light and then irradiation with infrared laser light I may be performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 applies ultraviolet light to the cured layer 12B in contact with both the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the recording medium P through the intermediate transfer belt 15 so as to be covered. Although the case where the hardened layer 12B is hardened has been described, a hardening device (not shown) for completely hardening the hardened layer 12B after being transferred to the recording medium P may be further provided.

Second Embodiment
Another example in which the annular body 15 according to the present embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment, the annular body 15 is mounted as an intermediate transfer belt (an example of an intermediate transfer body). The annular body 15 applied to the intermediate transfer belt of the image forming apparatus 102 has transparency to at least a part of the wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm, and has at least a part of the wavelength region of 360 nm to 420 nm. Transparent to ultraviolet light. The transmittance of the intermediate transfer belt with respect to ultraviolet light is 80% or more (preferably 90% or more).
As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment includes an intermediate transfer belt 15 formed of an annular body and a curable ink droplet (hereinafter simply referred to as “ink droplet”) including an ultraviolet curable material. 14A) is discharged onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 to form an ink layer 14B, and an ink jet recording head (an example of a discharge device) 14 and a transfer device 16 that transfers the ink layer 14B from the intermediate transfer belt 15 to the recording medium P. And an ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 for irradiating the ink layer 14B with ultraviolet light from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 through the intermediate transfer belt 15, and an infrared ray from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to the intermediate transfer belt 15. And an infrared light irradiation device 70 for irradiating laser light I.
In the image forming apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment, a portion including the intermediate transfer belt 15 as an annular body and the infrared light irradiation device 70 corresponds to an annular body unit.

  In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  In the image forming apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment, the ink layer 14B is formed by ejecting the droplets 14A of the curable ink from the inkjet recording head 14 without forming the curable layer 12B in the first embodiment. That is, the image forming apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, except that curable ink is used as the ink and the cured layer forming apparatus 12 is not provided. is there.

An image forming operation according to the second embodiment will be described.
In the image forming operation according to the second embodiment, first, the release agent layer 24 </ b> B is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the release agent layer forming device 24.

  Next, the ink jet recording head 14 ejects ink droplets 14A onto the surface of the release agent layer 24B, thereby forming an ink layer 14B composed of the ink droplets 14A.

  Next, the recording medium P and the intermediate transfer belt 15 are sandwiched between the pressure roll 16A and the winding roll 16B of the transfer device 16, and pressure is applied. At this time, in the transfer region R1, the state where the ink layer 14B is in contact with both the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the recording medium P is maintained from the contact start position to the peeling position.

Then, when the ink layer 14B passes through the contact start position while being sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the recording medium P and reaches a region facing the infrared transmitting member 30, the intermediate transfer belt 15 holding the ink layer 14B. Of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the ink layer 14B are irradiated with the infrared laser light I from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 over the entire area in the width direction (the entire area in the width direction of the region where the ink layer 14B of the intermediate transfer belt 15 can be formed). Is heated. Thereafter, the ink layer 14 </ b> B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 15 through the intermediate transfer belt 15. Thereby, in the transfer region R1, the ink layer 14B is transferred to the recording medium P, and the ink layer 14B is cured.
Next, the ink layer 14B is peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the peeling position of the transfer region R1. Thereby, an image region T1 made of a curable resin layer is formed on the recording medium P.

Here, the action of the infrared laser light I and the ultraviolet light in the transfer region R1 will be described.
Since the image forming apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment includes the intermediate transfer belt 15 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the first embodiment is caused by the action of infrared laser light I and ultraviolet light in the transfer region R1. It is thought that the same effect as can be obtained.
Specifically, in the transfer region R1, the ink layer 14B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 passes through the intermediate transfer belt 15 and reaches the ink layer 14B, and the self-heating of the intermediate transfer belt 15 occurs. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the ink layer 14B is efficiently cured and the transferability of the ink layer 14B to the recording medium P is improved. Thereby, image defects are suppressed.
Further, since the curing of the ink layer 14B proceeds efficiently, the contact time between the recording medium P and the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the ink layer 14B formed thereon is reduced for the same reason as in the first embodiment. it can. That is, the distance of the transfer region R1 can be shortened. Thereby, high-speed transfer is possible and energy loss is reduced.
In this embodiment, the infrared laser beam is applied over the entire width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15 that continuously holds the ink layer 14B (the entire width direction of the region where the ink layer 14B of the intermediate transfer belt 15 can be formed). The mode of irradiating I has been described. For example, only when the ink layer 14B faces the infrared transmitting member 30 through the intermediate transfer belt 15, the infrared laser beam I is irradiated to the entire width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15. May be. Further, for example, when the ink layer 14B faces the infrared transmitting member 30 via the intermediate transfer belt 15, the infrared laser light I may be irradiated only for the width in which the ink layer 14B is formed. Thereby, excessive heat generation of the intermediate transfer belt 15 is suppressed.

<Third Embodiment>
Another example in which the annular body 15 according to the present embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 according to the third embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 103 according to the third embodiment, the annular body 15 is mounted as a transfer fixing belt (an example of a transfer fixing member). Note that the annular body 15 applied to the transfer fixing belt of the image forming apparatus 103 has transparency to infrared rays in at least a part of the wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm.
As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 103 according to the third embodiment includes a photoreceptor 11 (an example of an image carrier), a charger 23 (an example of a charging device) that charges the surface of the photoreceptor 11, A laser exposure device 13 (an example of a latent image forming apparatus) that forms a latent image on the surface of the charged photoconductor 11 and development that develops the latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 with toner to form a toner image. A container 19 (an example of a developing device), a transfer fixing belt 15 formed of an annular body for an image forming apparatus, and a primary transfer roll for primarily transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 11 onto the surface of the transfer fixing belt 15. 21 (an example of a primary transfer device) and a secondary transfer fixing device 60 that transfers and fixes a toner image onto a recording medium P.
The secondary transfer fixing device 60 includes an infrared light irradiation device 70 that irradiates infrared laser light I. From the inside of the transfer fixing belt 15 to the surface of the transfer fixing belt 15 via the transfer fixing belt 15. The primary transferred toner image is irradiated with infrared laser light I, and the toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording medium P and fixed.
In the image forming apparatus 103 according to the third embodiment, a portion including the transfer fixing belt 15 as an annular body and the infrared light irradiation device 70 corresponds to an annular body unit.

  An image forming apparatus 103 shown in FIG. 5 is an image forming apparatus generally called a tandem type that includes a secondary transfer fixing device 60, and a plurality of image forming units 1Y that form toner images of respective color components by electrophotography. 1M, 1C, and 1K, and a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) the color component toner images formed by the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to the transfer fixing belt 15, and the transfer fixing belt 15. The superimposed toner image transferred above is collectively transferred (secondary transfer) to the recording medium P, and infrared rays are irradiated from the infrared light irradiation device 70 arranged inside the transfer fixing belt 15 via the transfer fixing belt 15. And a secondary transfer fixing unit 90 that fixes the superimposed toner image to the recording medium P by irradiating the laser beam I. The image forming apparatus 103 includes a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

  Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming apparatus 103 includes a photoconductor 11 that rotates in the arrow A direction as an example of an image holding body that holds a toner image formed on the surface.

  A charger 23 for charging the photosensitive member 11 is provided around the photosensitive member 11 as an example of a charging device, and a laser exposure device for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 11 as an example of a latent image forming device. 13 (the exposure beam is indicated by Bm in the figure) is provided.

  Further, around the photoconductor 11, as an example of a developing device, a developing device 19 that accommodates each color component toner and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11 with the toner is provided. A primary transfer roll 21 is provided as an example of a primary transfer device that transfers the color component toner images formed thereon onto the transfer fixing belt 15 by the primary transfer unit 10.

  Further, a photoconductor cleaner 17 for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 11 is provided around the photoconductor 11, and a charger 23, a laser exposure device 13, a developing device 19, a primary transfer roll 21, and a photoconductor cleaner. Seventeen electrophotographic devices are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 11. These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged in a substantially straight line from the upstream side of the transfer and fixing belt 15 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Has been.

  The transfer fixing belt 15 is circulated and driven (rotated) at a speed determined in the direction B shown in FIG. 5 by various rolls. As these various rolls, a drive roll 31 that is driven by a motor (not shown) excellent in constant speed and rotates the transfer and fixing belt 15, and a transfer and fixing belt that extends substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of the respective photoreceptors 11. 15, a tension roller 33 that functions as a correction roller that applies a constant tension to the transfer fixing belt 15 and prevents meandering of the transfer fixing belt 15, and an infrared ray provided in the secondary transfer fixing unit 90. A cleaning back roll 34 is provided in a cleaning unit that scrapes residual toner on the transmission member 30 and the transfer fixing belt 15.

In the primary transfer unit 10, a primary transfer roll 21 is disposed so as to face the photoconductor 11 with the transfer fixing belt 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 21 includes, for example, a shaft and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the shaft. The shaft is a cylindrical bar made of metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is a sponge-like cylindrical roll formed of a blend rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black and having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ωcm or less.

  The primary transfer roll 21 is disposed opposite to the photoconductor 11 with the transfer fixing belt 15 in between. Further, the primary transfer roll 21 has a voltage (primary polarity) opposite to the toner charging polarity (negative polarity; the same applies hereinafter). Transfer bias) is applied. As a result, the toner images on the respective photoreceptors 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the transfer and fixing belt 15, and the superimposed toner images are formed and held on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer and fixing belt 15. .

  A secondary transfer fixing device 60 is disposed in the secondary transfer fixing unit 90. The secondary transfer fixing device 60 includes an infrared light irradiation device 70 that irradiates infrared laser light I and a counter roll 36. In addition, about the infrared light irradiation apparatus 70, it is the same as that of the structure of the infrared light irradiation apparatus 70 in 1st Embodiment (refer FIG. 3).

  The facing roll 36 is disposed so as to face the infrared transmitting member 30 with the transfer fixing belt 15 interposed therebetween.

A transfer fixing belt cleaner 35 that removes residual toner and paper dust on the transfer fixing belt 15 after the secondary transfer fixing and cleans the surface of the transfer fixing belt 15 is contacted and separated on the downstream side of the secondary transfer fixing unit 90. It is provided freely.
The form of the transfer fixing belt cleaner 35 is not limited to this, and examples include a brush, a blade, an electrostatic cleaning roll, and a foam pad.

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

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 103 according to the present embodiment, the recording medium accommodation unit 50 that accommodates the recording medium P and the recording medium P that is integrated in the recording medium accommodation unit 50 are determined in advance as a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium P. The paper feed roll 51 that is picked up and transported at a given timing, the transport roll 52 that transports the recording medium P that has been fed out by the paper feed roll 51, and the recording medium P transported by the transport roll 52 to the secondary transfer fixing unit 90. The conveyance guide 53 that feeds in, the conveyance belt 55 that conveys the recording medium P on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred and fixed in the secondary transfer fixing unit 90, and the discharge medium (not shown) provided with the recording medium P in the discharge unit. A guide 56 for guiding is provided.

Next, a basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 103 according to the third embodiment, image data output from an image reading device (not shown) or a personal computer (PC) (not shown) is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown), and then image formation is performed. Image forming work is executed by the units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

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

  The laser exposure unit 13 irradiates each of the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with, for example, an exposure beam Bm emitted from a semiconductor laser in accordance with the input color material gradation data. . In each of the photoreceptors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, after the surface is charged by the charger 23, the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure unit 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The formed electrostatic latent images are developed as toner images of respective colors Y, M, C, and K by the respective image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

  The toner images formed on the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the transfer and fixing belt 15 in the primary transfer unit 10 where the photoconductors 11 and the transfer and fixing belt 15 contact each other. The More specifically, in the primary transfer unit 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity (minus polarity) of toner is applied to the base material of the transfer fixing belt 15 by the primary transfer roll 21, and the toner image. Are sequentially superimposed on the surface of the transfer fixing belt 15 to perform primary transfer.

  After the toner images are sequentially primary transferred onto the surface of the transfer and fixing belt 15, the transfer and fixing belt 15 moves in the direction of arrow B, and the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer and fixing unit 90. When the toner image is transported to the secondary transfer fixing unit 90, the transport unit rotates the paper feed roll 51 in accordance with the timing at which the toner image is transported to the secondary transfer fixing unit 90, and from the recording medium storage unit 50. A recording medium P having a target size is supplied. The recording medium P supplied by the paper feed roll 51 is transported by the transport roll 52 and reaches the secondary transfer fixing unit 90 through the transport guide 53. Before reaching the secondary transfer fixing unit 90, the recording medium P is temporarily stopped, and a registration roll (not shown) rotates in accordance with the movement timing of the transfer fixing belt 15 holding the toner image. The position of the recording medium P and the position of the toner image are aligned.

  In the secondary transfer fixing unit 90, the opposing roll 36 is pressed against the infrared transmitting member 30 through the transfer fixing belt 15. At this time, the recording medium P conveyed at the same timing is sandwiched between the transfer fixing belt 15 and the opposing roll 36. At this time, the transfer fixing belt 15 holding an unfixed toner image (hereinafter also simply referred to as “toner image”) is directed toward a contact portion (secondary transfer fixing portion 90) between the transfer fixing belt 15 and the opposing roll 36. Infrared laser light I is irradiated from the infrared light irradiation device 70 over the entire area in the width direction (the entire area in the width direction of the region on the transfer fixing belt 15 where the toner image can be formed). The toner image held on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer fixing belt 15 is collectively electrostatically transferred onto the recording medium P in the secondary transfer fixing unit 90 pressed by the opposing roll 36 and the infrared transmitting member 30. (Secondary transfer) and fixing.

In order to reliably secondary transfer the toner image held on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer fixing belt 15 by the recording medium P, for example, the opposing roll 36 is grounded and a secondary transfer bias is provided between the infrared transmission member 30 and the opposite roll 36. The toner image may be electrostatically secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P that is formed and conveyed to the secondary transfer fixing unit 90.
In an apparatus in which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the recording medium P and then fixed by the fixing device, it is easily affected by the film thickness, roughness, resistance, and surface properties of the recording medium, and image degradation (blur, image Disorder, smear, smudge, etc.). On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 103 that performs transfer and fixing with the transfer and fixing belt 15 according to the third embodiment is less affected by the recording medium P and functions as a transport belt, and is therefore suitable for high-speed image formation.

  The recording medium P on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred and fixed is conveyed as it is while being peeled off from the transfer and fixing belt 15 by the opposing roll 36, and is conveyed to a conveying belt 55 provided on the downstream side of the opposing roll 36 in the recording medium conveying direction. It is conveyed. Further, the conveyance belt 55 is guided by the guide 56 and conveys the recording medium P to a paper discharge accommodating portion (not shown) provided in the discharge portion of the image forming apparatus 103.

  On the other hand, after the transfer to the recording medium P is completed, the residual toner remaining on the transfer and fixing belt 15 is conveyed to the cleaning unit as the transfer and fixing belt 15 rotates, and the cleaning back roll 34 and the transfer and fixing belt cleaner 35 are transferred. Is removed from the transfer fixing belt 15.

Here, the operation of the infrared laser beam I in the secondary transfer fixing unit 90 will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 103, an infrared laser beam I is irradiated from the inside of the transfer fixing belt 15 to the toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the transfer fixing belt 15 in the secondary transfer fixing unit 90. Since the transfer fixing belt 15 according to the present embodiment is transmissive to infrared rays and contains an infrared absorber, the infrared light irradiation device 70 irradiates the toner image with infrared laser light I. Then, a part of the infrared laser beam I is absorbed by an infrared absorbent (not shown) contained in the transfer fixing belt 15 and a part of the remaining infrared laser beam I passes through the transfer fixing belt 15 to form a toner image. To reach. The portion of the transfer and fixing belt 15 that has absorbed the infrared laser beam I (region including the infrared absorbent) locally releases heat and self-heats.
For this reason, the toner image primarily transferred to the surface of the transfer and fixing belt 15 is heated by both the infrared laser beam I and the heat of self-heating of the transfer and fixing belt 15. As a result, the temperature of the toner image rises while pressure is applied by the transfer fixing belt 15 and the opposing roll 36. In the secondary transfer fixing unit 90, the toner layer in a state where the temperature is increased and melted is subjected to secondary transfer and fixing (secondary transfer fixing) to the recording medium P. Therefore, the secondary transfer and fixing (secondary transfer) of the toner layer is performed. Next transfer fixing) proceeds efficiently. Specifically, the toner evaporation rate in the secondary transfer fixing unit 90 is increased, and the secondary transfer property and the fixability (secondary transfer fixability) of the toner image onto the recording medium P are improved. Thereby, image defects are suppressed.

  Note that the toner image held on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer and fixing belt 15 may be secondarily and electrostatically transferred onto the recording medium P in order to reliably perform secondary transfer and fixing on the recording medium P.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the heating and pressing time (that is, the time during which the toner image is melted by the temperature rise and is flattened by the pressure of the transfer fixing belt 15) is as short as several msec, and high-speed transfer fixing can be performed. In addition, since the toner image is instantaneously heated by the high-energy infrared laser beam, the toner image is transferred and fixed without heating the recording medium P. Therefore, the fixability at the time of double-sided transfer fixing is stable, and the peelability of the recording medium does not change, so that from thin paper to thick paper, embossed paper, continuous paper, coated paper, PET film, polypropylene (PP) film, Applicability to a wide range of recording media such as non-penetrating media such as nylon film and shrink film can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the infrared light irradiation device 70 is provided inside the transfer and fixing belt 15, and the toner image is secondarily transferred and fixed onto the recording medium P by the infrared laser light I. As a result, the toner image can be transferred and fixed at high speed, and energy loss can be reduced.
Further, in this embodiment, since the toner image transferred to the recording medium P is secondarily transferred and fixed without passing through the fixing device, the toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording medium P and then passed through the fixing device. As compared with the case where fixing is performed, image deterioration is suppressed.

The image forming apparatus 103 according to the third embodiment described above is not limited to the above-described aspect, and various modifications, changes, and improvements may be performed.
In the present embodiment, the infrared light irradiation device 70 is provided inside the transfer and fixing belt 15 and the infrared laser light I is irradiated from the inner peripheral side of the transfer and fixing belt 15. The irradiation method is not particularly limited as long as the irradiation is performed from the peripheral side. For example, the infrared light irradiation device 70 may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the transfer and fixing belt 15 and the infrared laser light I may be irradiated from the inner peripheral side of the transfer and fixing belt 15 via a reflecting mirror or the like.
In the present embodiment, the entire area in the width direction of the transfer and fixing belt 15 that continuously holds the toner image (the transfer and fixing belt) at the contact portion (secondary transfer and fixing portion 90) between the transfer and fixing belt 15 and the opposing roll 36. Although the embodiment in which the infrared laser beam I is irradiated over the entire area in the width direction of the area where the toner image can be formed has been described, for example, when the toner image faces the infrared transmitting member 30 via the transfer fixing belt 15 Only the entire area in the width direction of the transfer fixing belt 15 may be irradiated with the infrared laser beam I. Further, for example, when the toner image faces the infrared transmitting member 30 through the transfer fixing belt 15, the infrared laser beam I may be irradiated with a line only for the width in which the toner image is formed. Thereby, excessive heat generation of the transfer fixing belt 15 is suppressed. Further, excessive melting of the toner is suppressed, and toner offset hardly occurs.
In the present embodiment, the case where the opposing roll 36 is provided as a rotating member that faces the infrared light irradiation device 70 with the transfer fixing belt 15 interposed therebetween is described, but not limited to the roll, for example, a belt-shaped rotating member (drive) , Tension, anti-roll meandering roll, etc.).

<Fourth embodiment>
Another example in which the annular body 15 according to the present embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 104 according to the fourth embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 104 according to the fourth embodiment, the annular body 15 is mounted as a fixing belt (an example of a fixing member). Note that the annular body 15A applied to the secondary transfer belt of the image forming apparatus 104 has transparency to infrared rays in at least some wavelength regions of 600 nm to 1000 nm.
As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 104 according to the fourth embodiment includes a photosensitive member 11 (an example of an image holding member), a charger 23 that charges the surface of the photosensitive member 11 (an example of a charging device), A laser exposure device 13 (an example of a latent image forming apparatus) that forms a latent image on the surface of the charged photoconductor 11 and development that develops the latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 with toner to form a toner image. A container 19 (an example of a developing device), a secondary transfer belt 15A, a primary transfer roll 21 that primarily transfers a toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 11 to the secondary transfer belt 15A, and a secondary transfer belt 15A. A secondary transfer roll 39 for secondary transfer of the toner image primarily transferred on the surface to the recording medium P; a back roll 38 provided opposite to the secondary transfer roll 39 via the secondary transfer belt 15A; And a device 160. The primary transfer roll 21, the secondary transfer belt 15A, the secondary transfer roll 39, and the back roll 38 correspond to an example of a transfer device.
The fixing device 160 contacts the surface of the fixing belt 15 formed of an annular body for the image forming apparatus and rotates in the circumferential direction, and conveys the recording medium P between the fixing belt 15 and the fixing belt 15. Infrared light for fixing the toner image to the recording medium P by irradiating the toner image transferred to the recording medium P from the inside of the rotating member 45 and the fixing belt 15 via the fixing belt 15 with the infrared laser light I. And an irradiation device 170.
In the image forming apparatus 104 according to the fourth embodiment, a portion including the fixing belt 15 as an annular body and the infrared light irradiation device 70 corresponds to an annular body unit.

  In the following description, the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  In the image forming apparatus 104 according to the fourth embodiment, the secondary transfer of the toner image onto the recording medium P is performed without irradiating the secondary transfer unit 90A with the infrared laser light I. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed while irradiating the contact portion 80 (fixing portion) with the infrared laser beam I with the fixing device 160 shown in FIG. 7 provided separately. That is, in the image forming apparatus 104 according to the fourth embodiment, the third embodiment is performed except that the infrared light irradiation device 70 is not provided inside the secondary transfer belt 15A and the fixing device 160 is provided with the infrared light irradiation device 170. The configuration is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 103 according to the embodiment.

In the image forming apparatus 104 shown in FIG. 6, the toner image on the secondary transfer belt 15A is secondarily transferred to the recording medium P in the secondary transfer portion 90A. Thereafter, the recording medium P is transferred to the transport belt 55.
Is conveyed to the fixing device 160.

  The recording medium P onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is peeled off from the secondary transfer belt 15A and conveyed to the fixing device 160 by the conveying belt 55 provided on the downstream side of the recording medium P in the conveying direction of the secondary transfer roll 39. Is done. In the fixing device 160, the infrared laser beam I is irradiated toward the contact portion 80 (fixing portion), and the toner image is fixed to the recording medium P. Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed is peeled off from the fixing belt 15 by the rotating member 45, and is discharged by a discharge belt of the image forming apparatus 104 (not shown) by a transport belt (not shown). ).

Here, the fixing device 160 included in the image forming apparatus 104 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the fixing device 160 is, for example, a rotation belt provided in contact with a fixing belt 15 that is transparent to infrared rays and has an endless belt shape (annular), and the fixing belt 15 is wound around. A member 45 and an infrared light irradiation device 170 provided outside the fixing belt 15 are provided. In addition, about the structure of the infrared light irradiation apparatus 170, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as the infrared light irradiation apparatus 70 with which the image forming apparatus 101 which concerns on 1st Embodiment is provided, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
The fixing belt 15 is supported by a drive roll 82 and a support roll 84 disposed inside. Further, the pressing roll 86 and the pressing roll 87 provided in the fixing belt 15 with a space therebetween are pressed against the rotating member 45 via the fixing belt 15, so that the pressing roll 86 and the pressing roll 87 in the fixing belt 15 are The region between the two is deformed inward, and the contact portion 80 is formed.
The infrared light irradiation device 170 includes an infrared light irradiation unit 70 </ b> A that irradiates infrared laser light I, a lens member 72 that condenses the infrared laser light I, an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 15, and a lens member 72. And a sliding member 74 provided therebetween. The lens member 72 is disposed inside the fixing belt 15 so as to be pressed against the rotating member 45 via the fixing belt 15. The sliding member 74 reduces the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 15 and the lens member 72, and prevents the occurrence of scratches caused by the direct contact between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 15 and the lens member 72. Therefore, the lens member 72 is provided on the surface in contact with the fixing belt 15.

In the fixing belt 15, the fixing belt 15 rotates in the direction of arrow S by the rotation of the driving roll 82, and accordingly, the rotating member 45 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the fixing belt 15.
On the other hand, the lens member 72 and the sliding member 74 are fixed by a support member (not shown), and the lens member 72 and the sliding member 74 remain stopped even when the fixing belt 15 rotates.
Further, since the sliding member 74 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 15 and the lens member 72, the lens member 72 is interposed via the sliding member 74 when the fixing belt 15 rotates. It touches the inner peripheral surface of.

  Then, the recording medium P on which the toner image T2 is formed is conveyed in the direction of the arrow U as the fixing belt 15 rotates, and the toner image T2 directly contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt 15 at the contact portion 80. As described above, it is sandwiched between the fixing belt 15 and the rotating member 45. In this state, the entire area in the width direction of the recording medium P holding the toner image T2 (the entire area in the width direction of the area where the toner image T2 can be formed on the recording medium P) is directed from the infrared light irradiation device 170 toward the contact portion 80. The infrared laser beam I is emitted, and the infrared laser beam I collected by the lens member 72 is irradiated onto the toner image T2, so that the toner image T2 is fixed on the recording medium P and becomes a fixed image F.

  Examples of the width (nip width) of the contact portion 80 include 0.005 cm or more and 1 cm or less. When the width of the contact portion 80 is increased, good fixability can be obtained even when, for example, a toner having a relatively long time from irradiation of the infrared laser beam I to fixing on the recording medium P is used.

Here, the action of the infrared laser beam I at the contact portion 80 (fixing portion) will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 104, the contact portion 80 irradiates the toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the fixing belt 15 with the infrared laser beam I from the inside of the fixing belt 15. Since the fixing belt 15 according to the present embodiment is transmissive to infrared rays and contains an infrared absorber, the infrared light irradiation device 170 irradiates the toner image with infrared laser light I. A part of the infrared laser light I is absorbed by an infrared absorbent (not shown) contained in the fixing belt 15, and a part of the remaining infrared laser light I passes through the fixing belt 15 and reaches the toner image. The portion of the fixing belt 15 that has absorbed the infrared laser beam I (region including the infrared absorber) locally releases heat and self-heats.
For this reason, the toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the fixing belt 15 is heated by both the infrared laser beam I and the heat of self-heating of the fixing belt 15. As a result, the temperature of the toner image rises while pressure is applied by the fixing belt 15 and the rotating member 45. In the contact portion 80, the toner layer in a melted state due to the increase in temperature is fixed on the recording medium P, so that the fixing of the toner layer proceeds efficiently. Specifically, the evaporation rate of the toner at the contact portion 80 is increased, and the fixability of the toner image on the recording medium P is improved. Thereby, image defects are suppressed.

In this embodiment, the heating and pressing time (that is, the time during which the toner image is melted by the temperature rise and is flattened by the pressing of the fixing belt 15) is as short as several milliseconds, and can be fixed at high speed. Since the toner image is instantaneously heated by the high-energy infrared laser beam I, the toner image is fixed without warming the recording medium P. For this reason, the fixability at the time of double-sided fixing is stable, and the peelability of the recording medium does not change, so that non-paper from thin paper to thick paper, embossed paper, continuous paper, coated paper, PET film, shrink film, etc. Applicability of a wide range of recording media such as permeation media can be obtained.
Further, in the present embodiment, infrared rays are transmitted over the entire area in the width direction of the recording medium P that continuously holds the toner image (the entire area in the width direction of the area where the toner image T2 can be formed on the recording medium P). Although the aspect of irradiating the laser beam I has been described, for example, the infrared laser beam I is irradiated to the entire area in the width direction of the recording medium P only when the toner image faces the infrared transmitting member 30 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. May be. Further, for example, when the toner image faces the infrared transmitting member 30 through the recording medium P, the infrared laser beam I may be irradiated with a line only for the width in which the toner image is formed. Thereby, excessive heat generation of the fixing belt 15 is suppressed. Further, excessive melting of the toner is suppressed, and toner offset hardly occurs.

  Hereinafter, although an embodiment explains this embodiment in detail, this embodiment is not limited to these examples at all. In the following description, “part” and “%” are all based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[Example 1]
(Manufacture of annular body 1)
50 parts of 2,2-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropanoic dianhydride (6FDA, manufactured by Daikin) and 50 of 4,4′-diphenyl ether diamine (ODA, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries) 1 part of trimethylbenzylammonium chloride (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) as an ionic conductive agent, and 0.3 part of IR-T (trade name) manufactured by Showa Denko KK as a near infrared absorbing dye. It was dissolved in 200 parts of methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), 0.3 parts of pyridine and 5 parts of acetic anhydride were further added and heat-treated at 230 ° C. to synthesize a polyamic acid prepolymer. The obtained polyamic acid prepolymer was reprecipitated in ethanol, and the precipitated solid was isolated and dried to obtain a powder. The obtained powder was dissolved in N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) (hereinafter also referred to as “solution 1”), and the solution 1 was applied to the core by centrifugal coating to form a coating film. Then, it baked at 180 degreeC, the imidized film was removed from the core, and the polyimide annular body 1 which consists of a single layer body of outer diameter (phi) 366mm and film thickness 88micrometer was obtained. The elastic modulus of the annular body 1 was 4.1 GPa, and the elongation at break was 9%. The elastic modulus and elongation at break were measured by the methods described above. The following measurement is the same.

[Example 2]
(Manufacture of annular body 2)
2,2-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropanoic dianhydride is converted to 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DMCBDA: Shin Nippon Rika) The powder was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl) -4,4′-diaminobiphenyl (TFMB, manufactured by Daikin) was used instead of diphenyl ether diamine. The obtained powder was dissolved in cyclopentanone (hereinafter also referred to as “solution 2”), and the solution 2 was applied to the core by centrifugal coating to form a coating film. Then, it baked at 150 degreeC, the imidized film was removed from the core, and the polyimide annular body 2 which consists of a single layer body of outer diameter (phi) 366mm and film thickness 92micrometer was obtained. The elastic modulus of the annular body 2 was 3.2 GPa, and the elongation at break was 12%.

[Example 3]
(Manufacture of annular body 3)
Using an extruded transparent polyethersulfone (PES) material (E2010, outer diameter φ366 mm: manufactured by BASF) as a base material, the powder obtained in Example 1 is applied to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) on the outer peripheral surface of the base material. The dissolved solution (solid content concentration 10% by mass) was spray-coated to prepare a 20 μm surface layer. As a result, a polyethersulfone cyclic product 3 comprising a laminate having an outer diameter of 366 mm and a film thickness of 108 μm having a base material and a surface layer was obtained. The elastic modulus of the annular body 3 was 2.3 GPa, and the elongation at break was 15%.

[Example 4]
(Manufacture of annular body 4)
A transparent polycarbonate material (TF1151-5, outer diameter φ60 mm: manufactured by Sumika Stylon Co., Ltd.) was used as a base material, and a silicon-coated SV2000 (Nano Glass coating Co., Ltd.) was dip coated to produce a film thickness of 2 μm. Thereby, the polycarbonate annular body 4 which consists of a laminated body with an outer diameter of 60 mm and a film thickness of 120 μm having a base material and a surface layer was obtained. The elastic modulus of the annular body 4 was 1.2 GPa, and the elongation at break was 15%.

[Comparative Example 1]
(Manufacture of annular body A1)
A base material similar to the base material used in Example 3 was used, and an ethylenetetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) film layer having a thickness of 25 μm was formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base material via a urethane adhesive. The end of the film layer was subjected to ultrasonic seam treatment to obtain an annular body A1 composed of a laminate having an outer diameter of 366 mm and a film thickness of 113 μm having a base material and an ETFE film layer. The elastic modulus of the annular body A1 was 2.3 GPa, and the elongation at break was 23%.

[Comparative Example 2]
(Manufacture of annular body A2)
Except not containing an infrared absorber, it carried out similarly to Example 1, and obtained cyclic | annular body A2 which consists of a single layer body of outer diameter (phi) 366mm and film thickness 73 micrometers. The elastic modulus of the annular body A2 was 3.8 GPa, and the elongation at break was 8%.

[Comparative Example 3]
(Manufacture of annular body A3)
An annular body A3 having an outer diameter of 366 mm and a film thickness of 88 μm was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the infrared absorbent was not included. The elastic modulus of the annular body A3 was 2.8 GPa, and the elongation at break was 15%.

[Evaluation]
(Transmissivity of the annular body)
About the annular body obtained by each Example and each comparative example, the infrared transmission spectrum was measured and the transmittance | permeability in the wavelength (808 nm) of an infrared laser beam was computed. Similarly, the ultraviolet light transmission spectrum was measured, and the transmittance at the wavelength of ultraviolet light (365 nm) was calculated. The results are shown in Table 1. Table 1 shows the UL94 standard level of the resin contained as the main component in the annular body.
In addition, the transmission spectrum of infrared laser light and ultraviolet light was measured under measurement conditions in a 350 nm to 950 nm region using an ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, model number: JASCO-V560). The following measurements were performed in the same manner.

(Image formation evaluation)
The annular bodies obtained in each Example and each Comparative Example were mounted on the image forming apparatuses shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6, and image formation evaluation was performed in the following manner.
<Evaluation of Image Formation in Image Forming Apparatus Shown in FIG. 2>
The annular body obtained in each example and each comparative example was mounted as an intermediate transfer belt 15 in an inkjet image forming apparatus 101 having the same configuration as in FIG. 2 (process speed of the intermediate transfer belt: 50 mm / sec).
2 is equipped with the infrared light irradiation device 70 and the ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 shown in FIG. 3 inside the intermediate transfer belt 15. The setting conditions of the infrared light irradiation device 70 and the ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 are as follows.

-Setting conditions of infrared light irradiation device 70-
Protective member 71: Glass tube (inner diameter: 25 mm, outer diameter: 28 mm)
Lens member 72: Cylindrical lens (manufactured by Sigma Koki Co., model number: BK7)
-Light source 70A of infrared light irradiation device 70: Semiconductor laser (manufactured by Enoptic, wavelength of infrared laser light: 808 nm)
-Irradiation intensity of the infrared laser beam I on the facing region (contact portion) between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the infrared transmitting member 30: 30 W / cm ²
-Irradiation amount of the infrared laser beam I to the cured layer 12B of the contact portion: 800 mJ / cm ²

-Setting conditions of ultraviolet light irradiation device 18-
-Light source of ultraviolet light irradiation device 18: LED (wavelength of ultraviolet light: 365 nm)
・ The irradiation amount of ultraviolet light is 300 mJ / cm ²

-Evaluation of image contamination-
The image forming apparatus 101 was used to form an image of a 1% printing chart in an environment of 35 ° C./85% RH, and the 100,000th image stain was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.
G1 (◯): Image contamination is not visually recognized.
G2 (Δ): Image contamination is slightly recognized visually but is at an acceptable level.
G3 (x): Image contamination is clearly recognized visually.

<Evaluation of Image Formation in Image Forming Apparatus Shown in FIG. 4>
The annular body obtained in each example and each comparative example was mounted as an intermediate transfer belt 15 in an inkjet image forming apparatus 102 having the same configuration as in FIG. 4 (process speed of the intermediate transfer belt: 50 mm / sec).
In the image forming apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 4, an infrared light irradiation device 70 and an ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 are mounted inside the intermediate transfer belt 15. The setting conditions of the infrared light irradiation device 70 and the ultraviolet light irradiation device 18 are as follows.

-Setting conditions of infrared light irradiation device 70-
Protective member 71: Glass tube (inner diameter: 25 mm, outer diameter: 28 mm)
Lens member 72: Cylindrical lens (manufactured by Sigma Koki Co., model number: BK7)
-Light source 70A of infrared light irradiation device 70: Semiconductor laser (manufactured by Enoptic, wavelength of infrared laser light: 808 nm)
-Irradiation intensity of the infrared laser beam I to the facing region (contact portion) between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the infrared transmitting member 30: 80 W / cm ²
-Irradiation amount of the infrared laser beam I to the ink layer 14B of the contact portion: 300 mJ / cm ²

-Setting conditions of ultraviolet light irradiation device 18-
-Light source of ultraviolet light irradiation device 18: LED (wavelength of ultraviolet light: 365 nm)
-Irradiation amount of ultraviolet light is 100 mJ / cm ²

-Evaluation of image contamination-
An image was formed using the image forming apparatus 102 by the same method as described above, and the image contamination was evaluated according to the same criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Evaluation of Image Formation in Image Forming Apparatus Shown in FIG. 5>
The annular body obtained in each example and each comparative example was mounted as a transfer fixing belt 15 in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (DC4300: manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co.) 103 having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. Process speed: 50 mm / sec).
In addition, in the image forming apparatus 103 shown in FIG. 5, the infrared light irradiation device 70 shown in FIG. The setting conditions of the infrared light irradiation device 70 are as follows.

-Setting conditions of infrared light irradiation device 70-
Protective member 71: Glass tube (inner diameter: 25 mm, outer diameter: 28 mm)
Lens member 72: Cylindrical lens (manufactured by Sigma Koki Co., model number: BK7)
-Light source 70A of infrared light irradiation device 70: Semiconductor laser (manufactured by Enoptic, wavelength of infrared laser light: 808 nm)
Irradiation intensity of the infrared laser beam I to the secondary transfer fixing unit 90: 100 W / cm ²
Irradiation amount of the infrared laser beam I to the unfixed toner image of the secondary transfer fixing unit 90: 300 mJ / cm ²

-Evaluation of image contamination-
An image was formed using the image forming apparatus 103 by the same method as described above, and the image contamination was evaluated according to the same criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Evaluation of Image Formation in Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus Shown in FIG. 6>
The annular body obtained in each example and each comparative example was mounted as a fixing belt 15 in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (DC1225: manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co.) 104 having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. Speed: 50 mm / sec).
In the image forming apparatus 104 shown in FIG. 6, an infrared light irradiation device 170 shown in FIG. 7 is mounted inside the fixing belt 15. The setting conditions of the infrared light irradiation device 170 are as follows.

-Setting conditions of infrared light irradiation device 170-
Lens member 72: Cylindrical lens (manufactured by Sigma Koki Co., model number: BK7)
-Light source 70A of infrared light irradiation device 70: Semiconductor laser (manufactured by Enoptic, wavelength of infrared laser light: 808 nm)
-Irradiation intensity of the infrared laser beam I to the contact portion 80 (fixing portion): 30 W / cm ²
Irradiation amount of the infrared laser beam I to the unfixed toner image on the contact portion 80: 300 mJ / cm ²

-Evaluation of image contamination-
Using the image forming apparatus 104, an image was formed by the same method as described above, and the image contamination was evaluated according to the same criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.

From Table 1, it can be seen that each of the annular bodies of the examples has transparency to infrared laser light and ultraviolet light. Moreover, it turns out that cyclic | annular body A2 of the comparative example 2 which does not contain an infrared absorber in a resin layer has the high transmittance | permeability with respect to an infrared laser beam compared with the cyclic body 1 of Example 1 containing an infrared absorber. Similarly, it can be seen that the annular body A3 of Comparative Example 3 that does not contain an infrared absorber in the resin layer has higher permeability to infrared laser light than the annular body 2 of Example 2 that contains an infrared absorber.
From Table 2, it can be seen that image contamination is suppressed in this example compared to the comparative example. As a result, it can be seen that application of an annular body (intermediate transfer belt, transfer fixing belt, fixing belt) that generates heat by infrared laser light to the image forming apparatus suppresses image contamination.

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image forming unit 10 Transfer section (primary transfer section)
10A, 10B, 10C, 16B Rolling roll 11 Photoconductor (image carrier)
12 Cured layer forming device 13 Laser exposure device (latent image forming device)
14 Inkjet recording head 15 Annular member, intermediate transfer belt, transfer fixing belt, fixing belt 16 Transfer device 17 Photoconductor cleaner 18 Ultraviolet light irradiation device 19 Developer (Developing device)
20 Removal device 21 Primary transfer roll 23 Charger (charging device)
24 Release agent layer forming devices 28 and 40 Control unit 30 Infrared transmitting member 35 Transfer fixing belt cleaner 36 Opposing roll 39 Secondary transfer roll 45 Rotating member 50 Recording medium container 51 Paper feed roll 52 Transport roll 53 Transport guide 55 Transport belt 60 Secondary transfer fixing device 70, 170 Infrared light irradiation device 71 Protection member 72 Lens member 74 Sliding member 76 Lubricant supply member 78 Support member 80 Contact portion 82 Drive roll 84 Support roll 90 Secondary transfer fixing portion 101, 102 , 103, 104 Image forming apparatus 160 Fixing apparatus I Infrared laser beam P Recording medium

Claims (4)

A monolayer composed of a resin layer containing a flame retardant resin of UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level or higher, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or a laminate having at least a surface layer of the resin layer An intermediate transfer body composed of an annular body for an image forming apparatus that is transparent to infrared rays in at least some wavelength regions of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less ,
A supply device for supplying a curable solution containing an ultraviolet curable material onto the intermediate transfer body to form a cured layer;
An ejection device that ejects ink droplets onto the cured layer formed on the intermediate transfer member;
A transfer device for transferring the cured layer onto which the ink droplets have been discharged from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
From the inside of the intermediate transfer body, an ultraviolet light irradiation device that irradiates the cured layer with ultraviolet light through the intermediate transfer body;
An infrared light irradiation device for irradiating the intermediate transfer body with infrared laser light from the inside of the intermediate transfer body;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A monolayer composed of a resin layer containing a flame retardant resin of UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level or higher, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or a laminate having at least a surface layer of the resin layer An intermediate transfer body composed of an annular body for an image forming apparatus that is transparent to infrared rays in at least some wavelength regions of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less ,
A discharge device that discharges droplets of a curable ink containing an ultraviolet curable material onto the intermediate transfer member to form an ink layer;
A transfer device for transferring the ink layer from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
An ultraviolet light irradiation device for irradiating the ink layer with ultraviolet light from the inside of the intermediate transfer member through the intermediate transfer member;
An infrared light irradiation device for irradiating the intermediate transfer body with infrared laser light from the inside of the intermediate transfer body;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A monolayer composed of a resin layer containing a flame retardant resin of UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level or higher, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or a laminate having at least a surface layer of the resin layer A transfer fixing member composed of an annular body for an image forming apparatus that is configured to be transparent to infrared rays in at least some wavelength regions of 600 nm or more and 1000 nm or less ;
A primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the transfer fixing member;
An infrared light irradiation device for irradiating infrared laser light, and the infrared image is transferred from the inside of the transfer fixing member to the toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the transfer fixing member via the transfer fixing member. A secondary transfer fixing device that irradiates a laser beam to secondary-transfer and fix the toner image to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image to a recording medium;
A monolayer composed of a resin layer containing a flame retardant resin of UL94 standard HB level or V-2 level or higher, a conductive agent, and an infrared absorber, or a laminate having at least a surface layer of the resin layer A fixing member made of an annular body for an image forming apparatus having transparency to at least a part of a wavelength region of 600 nm to 1000 nm, and rotating in the circumferential direction in contact with the surface of the fixing member A rotating member that conveys the recording medium between the fixing member and an infrared laser beam on the toner image transferred to the recording medium from the inside of the fixing member via the fixing member. And an infrared light irradiation device that fixes the toner image on the recording medium, and a fixing device,
An image forming apparatus comprising: