Rubbing unit, fixing device, image forming apparatus, and maintenance method of fixing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9989898-B2
Application number	US-201715414029-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 24, 2017
Priority date	Jan 26, 2016
Publication date	Jun 5, 2018
Grant date	Jun 5, 2018

Abstract

A polishing unit is attached to an opening/closing cover included in a fixing device so as to polish a fixing belt. The polishing unit includes: a polishing unit body support member that is detachably attached to the opening/closing cover; and a polishing section that is held by the polishing unit body support member and that makes contact with the fixing belt so as to polish the fixing belt when the opening/closing cover is closed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rubbing unit used in a device having a rotary member and a pivoting member that covers the rotary member, the rubbing unit being configured to rub the rotary member, comprising:
a support member detachably attached to the pivoting member; and
a rubbing member held by the support member, the rubbing member being configured to make contact with the rotary member so as to polish a surface of the rotary member when the pivoting member is closed,
wherein the rubbing member is detachably attached to the rubbing unit.

2. The rubbing unit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the rubbing member is attached to a simulated peeling member that is mounted on the support member.

3. The rubbing unit according to claim 2 ,
wherein the simulated peeling member has a shape similar to a peeling member configured to peel, from the rotary member, a sheet on which an image has been formed.

4. The rubbing unit according to claim 2 ,
wherein, as the simulated peeling member, a plurality of claw-like members is arranged along the rotary member at a predetermined interval.

5. The rubbing unit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the rubbing member is a member configured by adding, to a simulated peeling member that is mounted on the support member, a function of polishing the surface of the rotary member.

6. The rubbing unit according to claim 5 ,
wherein the simulated peeling member has a shape similar to a peeling member configured to peel, from the rotary member, a sheet on which an image has been formed.

7. The rubbing unit according to claim 5 ,
wherein, as the simulated peeling member, a plurality of claw-like members is arranged along the rotary member at a predetermined interval.

8. The rubbing unit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the rubbing member is an abrasive to polish the rotary member.

9. The rubbing unit according to claim 8 ,
wherein a position of the rubbing member relative to the support member is adjusted in a direction perpendicular to a sheet transport direction.

10. The rubbing unit according to claim 9 ,
wherein indexes indicating respective sizes of sheets are disposed on the support member so that the position of the rubbing member is adjusted corresponding to the indexes.

11. A fixing device to be included in an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a rotary member configured to pass a recording sheet therethrough and fix an image on the recording sheet; and
a pivoting member configured to cover the rotary member,
wherein the pivoting member has a configuration in which a peeling-member support member for holding a peeling member or the rubbing unit according to claim 1 is selectively attachable.

12. An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 11 .

13. A method for performing maintenance on a fixing device by polishing a surface of a rotary member included in the fixing device, the fixing device as a unit capable of being installed in an image forming apparatus,
wherein the fixing device includes:
the rotary member configured to pass a recording sheet therethrough and fix an image on the recording sheet; and
a pivoting member configured to cover the rotary member, and
wherein the pivoting member has a configuration in which a peeling-member support member for holding a peeling member or the rubbing unit according to claim 1 is selectively attachable,
the method comprising:
a first step of attaching the rubbing unit by opening the pivoting member and by detaching the peeling-member support member;
a second step of installing, in the image forming apparatus, the fixing device with the rubbing unit in a state in which the pivoting member is closed; and
a third step of polishing the surface of the rotary member by rotating the rotary member.

Assignees

• Sharp Kk

Inventors

• Ohta Motoki
• Yoshikawa Kota

Classifications

• G03G2215/2032

  the belt further entrained around additional rotating belt support members · CPC title

• G03G2215/0132

  vertical medium transport path at the secondary transfer · CPC title

• G03G15/2017 Primary

  Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means (G03G15/2053 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G03G15/2025 Primary

  with special means for lubricating and/or cleaning the fixing unit, e.g. applying offset preventing fluid · CPC title

• B24B29/04

  for rotationally symmetrical workpieces, e.g. ball-, cylinder- or cone-shaped workpieces · CPC title