FIXING MEMBER, METHOD OF PRODUCING FIXING MEMBER, AND FIXING DEVICE

• US 20140153986A1
• Filed: 11/26/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Muramatsu, Hiroki
• Granted Patent: US 8,965,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/333
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/2057 relating to the chemical composition of the heat element and layers thereof

Abstract

When filler particles are added to a surface layer of a fixing member in order to enhance a toner releasing property, if the filler particles are randomly oriented, chemical affinity between the surface layer of the fixing member and toner is enhanced and a sufficient effect cannot be accomplished. Therefore, whisker-shaped filler particles are added to the surface layer of the fixing member, and the filler particles are oriented to approximately follow a rotation direction of the fixing member.

Claims

1. A fixing member comprising

a base layer;

and

a surface layer provided on the base layer,

wherein filler particles are added to the surface layer and 75% or more of the filler particles have an aspect ratio of 5 or more and are oriented to be within ±

30°

with respect to a rotation direction of the fixing member.

2. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein Rp satisfies 1 μ

m≦

Rp≦

3 μ

m where a maximum peak height of the surface layer is represented by Rp.

3. The fixing member according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic layer between the base layer and the surface layer.

4. The fixing member according to claim 1,

wherein a base of the surface layer is composed of fluorine-based resin, and

wherein at least one of carbon fibers, ZnO, TiO₂ and 2Al₂O₃.B₂O₃ as the filler having an aspect ratio of 5 or more is added to the surface layer.

5. The fixing member according to claim 1,

wherein a base of the surface layer is composed of PFA resin, and

wherein 2Al₂O₃.B₂O₃ having an aspect ratio of 5 or more is added to the surface layer as the filler.

6. A fixing device comprising

a fixing member including a base layer and a surface layer provided on the base layer and configured to fix a toner image formed on a sheet;

and

a heater configured to heat the fixing member,

wherein filler particles are added to the surface layer and 75% or more of the filler particles have an aspect ratio of 5 or more and are oriented to be within ±

30°

with respect to a rotation direction of the fixing member.

7. The fixing device according to claim 6, wherein Rp satisfies 1 μ

m≦

Rp≦

3 μ

m where a maximum peak height of the surface layer is represented by Rp.

8. The fixing device according to claim 6, further comprising an elastic layer between the base layer and the surface layer.

9. The fixing device according to claim 6,

wherein a base of the surface layer is composed of fluorine-based resin, and

wherein at least one of carbon fibers, ZnO, TiO₂ and 2Al₂O₃.B₂O₃ having an aspect ratio of 5 or more is added to the surface layer as the filler.

10. The fixing device according to claim 6,

wherein a base of the surface layer is composed of PFA resin, and

wherein 2Al₂O₃.B₂O₃ having an aspect ratio of 5 or more is added to the surface layer as the filler.

11. A method of producing a fixing member comprising:

adding filler particles having an aspect ratio of 5 or more to fluorine-based resin that is a base of the fixing member; and

coating the resin to which the filler particles are added onto a base layer while the base layer configuring the fixing member is rotated.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the base layer is relatively moved to a rotation axis line direction relative to a coating mechanism that coats the resin to which the filler particles are when coating the resin on the base layer.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising forming an elastic layer on the base layer,

wherein the surface layer is formed on the elastic layer.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of carbon fibers, ZnO, TiO₂ and 2Al₂O₃.B₂O₃ is added as the filler particles as filler particles.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the fluorine-based resin is PFA resin and the filler is 2Al₂O₃.B₂O₃.