Justia Patents US Patent Application for FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS Patent Application (Application #20220382195)
FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Sep 30, 2021 - FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
A fixing device includes a movable belt; and a planar heat-generating section that is in contact with the belt and in which, among plural heat-generating portions provided in a movement direction of the belt, a heat-generating portion on an upstream side in the movement direction of the belt has a larger heat generation amount than a heat-generating portion on a downstream side.
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This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-087854 filed May 25, 2021.
BACKGROUND (i) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.
(ii) Related Art
In the related art, as techniques related to fixing devices, for example, fixing devices disclosed in JP1994-230780A, JP2004-117800A or the like have already been proposed.
JP1994-230780A is a heating element in which a plurality of power feed electrodes and resistance heating elements are formed on one side of a ceramic base material, and the resistance heating elements form an outward path and a return path between the power feed electrodes.
In JP2004-117800A, in a configuration in which a heating section and a rotating body including the heating section are provided, the rotating body moves at a constant speed with a transfer material carrying an unfixed image, a pressure roller that pressurizes and is in pressure contact with the rotating body to form a nip is provided, the heating section consists of a plurality of heat-generating elements that can be independently driven, and the plurality of heating elements are arranged in a paper transport direction within the nip, the heat generation distribution of each of the plurality of heat-generating elements during the heating of a first surface and the heat generation distribution of the heat-generating element during the heating of a second surface are different from each other, and the heat generation distribution of the second surface is adjusted such that a heat generation peak thereof is brought closer to the downstream side than the heat generation peak of the first surface.
Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus that make the temperature distribution of a planar heat-generating section in a movement direction of a belt uniform as compared to a case where a plurality of heat-generating portions provided in the movement direction of the belt have the same heat generation amount.
Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the advantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address advantages described above.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fixing device including a movable belt; and a planar heat-generating section that is in contact with the belt and in which, among a plurality of heat-generating portions provided in a movement direction of the belt, a heat-generating portion on an upstream side in the movement direction of the belt has a larger heat generation amount than a heat-generating portion on a downstream side.
Exemplary embodiment (s) of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus to which a fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a heating belt;
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing major parts of a related-art fixing device;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are graphs showing the characteristics of a related-art fixing device;
FIG. 6 is a plan configuration diagram showing a ceramic heater of the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are graphs showing the action of the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a plan configuration diagram showing a ceramic heater of a fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing major parts of a fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Exemplary Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus to which a fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is applied.
Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus
The image forming apparatus 1 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is configured as, for example, a color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of image creating devices 10 that form toner images developed with a toner constituting a developer 4, an intermediate transfer device 20 that holds a toner image formed by each image creating device 10 and finally transports the held toner image to a secondary transfer position where the transported toner image is secondarily transferred to recording paper 5 serving as an example of a recording medium, a paper feed device 50 that accommodates and transports a required recording paper 5 to be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 20, and a fixing device 40 that fixes the toner image on the recording paper 5 secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 20. The plurality of image creating devices 10 and the intermediate transfer device 20 constitute an image forming section 2 that forms an image on the recording paper 5. In addition, 1a in the figure indicates an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 1, and the apparatus body 1a is formed of a supporting structural member, an exterior cover, and the like. Additionally, a two-dot chain line in the figure indicates a transport route along which the recording paper 5 is transported in the apparatus body 1a.
The image creating device 10 includes four image creating devices 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that exclusively form toner images in four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The four image creating devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) are disposed to be arranged in a row in an inclined state in an internal space of the apparatus body 1a.
The four image creating devices 10 include yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) color image creating devices 10 (Y, M, C) and a black (K) image creating device 10K. The black image creating device 10K is disposed on the most downstream side along a movement direction B of the intermediate transfer belt 21 of the intermediate transfer device 20. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, as image forming modes, a full-color mode in which the color image creating devices 10 (Y, M, C) and the black (K) image creating device 10K are operated to form a full-color image, and a black-and-white mode in which only the black (K) image creating device 10K is operated to form a black-and-white (monochrome) image.
As shown in FIG. 1, each of the image creating devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) includes a rotating photoconductive drum 11 serving as an example of an image holder, and each device serving as an example of the following toner image forming section is disposed around the photoconductive drum 11. The devices are a charging device 12 that charges a peripheral surface (image holding surface) capable of forming an image on each photoconductive drum 11 to a required potential, an exposure device 13 that irradiates the charged peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 11 with the light based on information (signal) of an image to form an electrostatic latent image (for each color) having a potential difference, a developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) that develop the electrostatic latent image with a toner of a developer 4 for a corresponding color (Y, M, C, K) to form a toner image, a primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) that transfer each toner image to the intermediate transfer device 20, and a drum cleaning device 16 (Y, M, C, K) that remove and clean a deposit such as the toner remaining on and adhering to the image holding surface of the photoconductive drum 11 after the primary transfer.
The photoconductive drum 11 has an image holding surface having a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material formed on a peripheral surface of a cylindrical or columnar base material to be subjected to ground treatment. The photoconductive drum 11 is supported such that power is transmitted thereto from a drive device (not shown) and the photoconductive drum 11 rotates in a direction indicated by arrow A.
The charging device 12 includes a contact type charging roll that is disposed in contact with the photoconductive drum 11. A charging voltage is supplied to the charging device 12. As the charging voltage, in a case where the developing device 14 performs reverse development, a voltage or current having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner supplied from the developing device 14 is supplied. In addition, as the charging device 12, a non-contact type charging device such as a scorotron disposed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 11 in a non-contact state may be used.
The exposure device 13 consists of an LED printhead that irradiates the photoconductive drum 11 with the light according to the image information by a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) serving as a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in an axial direction of the photoconductive drum 11 to form an electrostatic latent image. In addition, as the exposure device 13, one that deflects and scans a laser beam configured in accordance with the image information in the axial direction of the photoconductive drum 11 may be used.
All of the developing devices 14 (Y, M, C, K) are configured such that a developing roll 141 that holds the developer 4 to transport the developer 4 to a developing region that faces the photoconductive drum 11, agitating and transporting members 142 and 143 such as two screw augers that transports the developer 4 to pass through the developing roll 141 while agitating the developer 4, a layer thickness regulating member 144 that regulates the amount (layer thickness) of the developer held on the developing roll 141, and the like are disposed inside a housing 140 in which an opening portion and an accommodation chamber of the developer are formed. A developing voltage is supplied to the developing device 14 from a power supply device (not shown) between the developing roll 141 and the photoconductive drum 11. Additionally, the developing roll 141 and the agitating and transporting members 142 and 143 rotate in a required direction by transmitting power from the drive device (not shown). Moreover, as the four-color developers 4 (Y, M, C, K), two-component developers containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier are used.
The primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) is a contact type transfer device including a primary transfer roll that rotates around the photoconductive drum 11 in contact therewith via the intermediate transfer belt 21 and is supplied with a primary transfer voltage. As the primary transfer voltage, a direct-current voltage indicating a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is supplied from the power supply device (not shown).
The drum cleaning device 16 includes a container-shaped main body 160 that partially opens, a cleaning plate 161 that is disposed to be in contact with the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 11 after the primary transfer at a required pressure and removes and cleans deposits such as residual toner, a delivery member 162 such as a screw auger that recovers the deposits such as toner removed by the cleaning plate 161 and transports the deposits for delivery to a recovery system (not shown), and the like. As the cleaning plate 161, a plate-shaped member (for example, a blade) made of a material such as rubber is used.
As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer device 20 is disposed to be present at a position above each image creating device 10 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer device 20 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21 that rotates in a direction indicated by arrow B while passing through a primary transfer position between the photoconductive drum 11 and the primary transfer device 15 (primary transfer roll), a plurality of belt support rolls 22 to 27 that hold the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a desired state from an inner surface thereof and rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt 21, a secondary transfer device 30 serving as an example of a secondary transfer section that is disposed on an outer peripheral surface (image holding surface) side of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the belt support roll 25 and secondarily transfers an toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5, and a belt cleaning device 28 that removes and cleans deposits such as toner and paper dust remaining on and adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after passing through the secondary transfer device 30.
As the intermediate transfer belt 21, for example, an endless belt made of a material in which a resistance modifier such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as a polyimide resin or a polyamide resin is used. Additionally, the belt support roll 22 is configured as a drive roll that is rotationally driven by the drive device (not shown) that also serves as a counter roll of the belt cleaning device 28, the belt support roll 23 is configured as a face-out roll that forms an image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21, the belt support roll 24 is configured as a tension applying roll that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 21, the belt support roll 25 is configured as a counter roll that faces the secondary transfer device 30, and the belt support rolls 26 and 27 are configured as driven rolls that support the traveling position of the intermediate transfer belt 21.
As shown in FIG. 1, the secondary transfer device 30 is a contact type transfer device including a secondary transfer roll 31, which rotates in contact with a peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 and is supplied with a secondary transfer voltage, at the secondary transfer position that is an outer peripheral surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the belt support roll 25 in the intermediate transfer device 20. Additionally, a direct-current voltage showing the opposite polarity or the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is supplied to the secondary transfer roll 31 or the belt support roll 25 of the intermediate transfer device 20 from the power supply device (not shown) as the secondary transfer voltage.
The fixing device 40 is configured such that a heating belt 42 that is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow and heated by a heating section such that the surface temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature, a pressure roll 43 or the like that is in contact with the heating belt 42 at a predetermined pressure and rotates in a driven manner substantially in an axial direction of the heating belt 42, and the like are disposed inside the housing 41 in which an introduction port and an ejection port of the recording paper 5 are formed. In the fixing device 40, a contact portion where the heating belt 42 and the pressure roll 43 are in contact with each other is a fixing treatment portion that performs a required fixing treatment (heating and pressurizing). In addition, the fixing device 40 will be described in detail below.
The paper feed device 50 is disposed to be present at a position below the image creating device 10 (Y, M, C, K). The paper feed device 50 includes a single (or a plurality of) paper accommodation body 51 that accommodates the recording paper 5 of a desired size, type, or the like in a loaded state, and delivery devices 52 and 53 that deliver recording paper 5 sheet by sheet from the paper accommodation body 51. The paper accommodation body 51 is attached so that the paper accommodation body 51 can be pulled out to a front side (a side surface facing a user during operation) of the apparatus body 1a, for example.
Examples of the recording paper 5 include thin paper such as plain paper and tracing paper, OHP sheets, or the like, which are used in electrophotographic copying machines and printers. In order to further improve the smoothness of an image surface after fixing, for example, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper 5 is as smooth as possible. For example, coated paper in which the surface of plain paper is coated with resin or the like, for example, so-called thick paper such as art paper for printing, or the like having a relatively large basis weight can also be used.
A paper feed transport route 56 including a single or a plurality of paper transport roll pairs 54 and transport guides 55, which transport the recording paper 5 delivered from the paper feed device 50 to the secondary transfer position, is provided between the paper feed device 50 and the secondary transfer device 30. The paper transport roll pair 54 disposed at a position immediately before the secondary transfer position in the paper feed transport route 56 is configured as, for example, a roll (registration roll) that adjusts the transport timing of the recording paper 5. Additionally, a paper transport route 57 for transporting the recording paper 5 after the secondary transfer, which is delivered from the secondary transfer device 30, to the fixing device 40 is provided between the secondary transfer device 30 and the fixing device 40. Moreover, an ejection transport route 59 including a paper ejection roll pair 59a for ejecting the recording paper 5 after fixing, which is delivered from the fixing device 40 by an outlet roll 36, to a paper ejection portion 58 on an upper portion of the apparatus body 1a is provided in a portion of the image forming apparatus 1 near the paper ejection port formed in the apparatus body 1a.
Reference sign 1200 in FIG. 1 indicates a control device that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control device 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) (not shown), a bus for connecting the CPU, the ROM, and the like to each other, a communication interface, and the like. Additionally, reference sign 201 indicates a communication unit in which the image forming apparatus 1 communicates with an external device, and reference sign 202 indicates an image processing unit that processes image information input via the communication unit 201.
Operation of Image Forming Apparatus
Hereinafter, the basic image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
Here, first, the operation in the full-color mode in which a full-color image configured by combining toner images of four colors (Y, M, C, K) is formed using the four image creating devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) will be is described.
In a case where the image forming apparatus 1 receives image information and request command information for a full-color image forming operation (print) from a personal computer, an image reading device, or the like (not shown) via the communication unit 201, the control device 200 starts the four image creating devices 10 (Y, M, C, K), the intermediate transfer device 20, the secondary transfer device 30, the fixing device 40, and the like.
Then, in each image creating device 10 (Y, M, C, K), as shown in FIG. 1, each photoconductive drum 11 first rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and each charging device 12 charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 11 to a required polarity (negative polarity in Exemplary Embodiment 1) and a required potential. Subsequently, the exposure device 13 irradiates the surface of the photoconductive drum 11 after charging with the light emitted on the basis of image signals obtained by converting the image information input to the image forming apparatus 1 into each color component (Y, M, C, K) by the image processing unit 202, and forms an electrostatic latent image of each color component configured with a required potential difference on the surface thereof.
Subsequently, each image creating device 10 (Y, M, C, K) supplies a toner of a corresponding color (Y, M, C, K) charged with a required polarity (negative polarity) from the developing rolls 141 to the electrostatic latent image of each color component formed on the photoconductive drum 11 and causes the toner to electrostatically adhere to the electrostatic latent image to development. By virtue of this development, the electrostatic latent images of the respective color components formed on the respective photoconductive drums 11 are visualized as toner images of four colors (Y, M, C, K) developed with the toners of the corresponding colors.
Subsequently, in a case where the toner image of each color formed on the photoconductive drum 11 of each image creating device 10 (Y, M, C, K) is transported to the primary transfer position, the primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) primarily transfers the toner image of each color in a state in which the toner image of each color is sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 while rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow B of the intermediate transfer device 20.
Additionally, in each image creating device 10 (Y, M, C, K) in which the primary transfer is completed, the drum cleaning device 16 removes deposits to scrape off the deposits and cleans the surface of the photoconductive drum 11. Accordingly, each image creating device 10 (Y, M, C, K) is in a state in which the next image creating operation can be performed.
Subsequently, the intermediate transfer device 20 holds the toner image that is primarily transferred by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21 and transports the toner image to the secondary transfer position. Meanwhile, in the paper feed device 50, the required recording paper 5 is delivered to the paper feed transport route 56 in conformity with the image creating operation. In the paper feed transport route 56, the paper transport roll pair 54 serving as the registration roll delivers and supplies the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position in conformity with a transfer timing.
At the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer device 30 collectively secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5. Additionally, in the intermediate transfer device 20 in which the secondary transfer is completed, the belt cleaning device 28 removes and cleans the deposits such as toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer.
Subsequently, the recording paper 5 on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 21 and then transported to the fixing device 40 via the paper transport route 57. In the fixing device 40, by introducing and passing the recording paper 5 after the secondary transfer into and through the contact portion between the rotating heating belt 42 and the pressure roll 43, the required fixing treatment (heating and pressurizing) is performed, and an unfixed toner image is fixed on the recording paper 5. Finally, the recording paper 5 after the fixing is completed is ejected to, for example, the paper ejection portion 58 installed in the upper portion of the apparatus body 1a by the paper ejection roll pair 59a.
By the above operation, the recording paper 5 on which the full-color image configured by combining the toner images of four colors is formed is output.
Configuration of Fixing Device
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 40 generally includes a heating unit 44 having the heating belt 42 serving as an example of a rotating endless belt, and the pressure roll 43 serving as an example of a rotating body being in pressure contact with the heating unit 44. A fixing nip portion N serving as an example of a pressure contact portion, which is a region through which the recording paper 5 serving as an example of a recording medium holding an unfixed toner image T serving as an example of an unfixed image passes, is formed between the heating belt 42 and the pressure roll 43. In addition, the recording paper 5 is transported with a center in a direction intersecting a transport direction as a reference (so-called center registration).
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 40 is disposed such that the heating belt 42 and the pressure roll 43 face each other in a substantially horizontal direction in order to perform the fixing treatment on the recording paper 5 transported in an extension direction, in the paper transport route 57 along which the recording paper 5 is transported from a lower side toward an upper side in a vertical direction. However, in FIG. 2, for convenience, the heating belt 42 and the pressure roll 43 are shown in an upward-downward direction.
As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 44 includes the heating belt 42, a ceramic heater 45 serving as an example of a planar heat-generating section (planar heat-generating element) that is disposed inside the heating belt 42 and heats the heating belt 42, a holding member 46 serving as an example of a holding section that is also disposed inside the heating belt 42 and holds the ceramic heater 45 to be in pressure contact with the surface of the pressure roll 43 via the heating belt 42, a support member 47 serving as an example of a support section that is disposed inside the heating belt 42 and supports the holding member 46 to be in pressure contact with the pressure roll 43.
In addition, in the ceramic heater 45 serving as an example of the planar heat-generating section, a heat-generating portion itself is not necessarily planar. Even in a case where the heat-generating portion may be linearly formed, a lower end surface (heating surface) of the ceramic heater 45 that heats the heating belt 42 may be planar. Additionally, the lower end surface (heating surface) of the ceramic heater 45 is not necessarily a flat surface and may have a curved surface shape.
The heating belt 42 is made of a material having flexibility and is configured as an endless belt in which a free shape thereof is thin-walled cylindrical in a state before mounting. In addition, the shape of the belt is not limited to the endless shape as in the present example, but may be a belt having both ends. In the case of the belt having both ends, a type in which the belt is wound around two rolls from both ends of the belt and moved between the two rolls may be adopted. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating belt 42 has a base material layer 421 that is disposed on the ceramic heater 45 side, an elastic body layer 423 that is coated on the surface of the base material layer 421 via an adhesive layer 422, and a surface layer 424 that is coated on the surface of the elastic body layer 423 directly or via an adhesive layer (not shown). The heating belt 42 does not necessarily include all of the base material layer 421, the adhesive layer 422, the elastic body layer 423, and a release layer 433, and may include the base material layer 421, the surface layer 424, and the like. The base material layer 421 is formed using a heat-resistant synthetic resin such as polyimide, polyamide, or polyimideamide as a component. The elastic body layer 423 is made of a heat-resistant elastic body such as silicone rubber or fluororubber. The surface layer 424 is formed of perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or the like. The thickness of the heating belt 42 can be set to, for example, about 50 μm to 200 μm.
The base material layer 421 contains, as necessary, a heat-resistant synthetic resin such as polyimide, polyamide, or polyimideamide as a component, and a filler such as carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, or glass fibers is blended to improve the characteristics such as the thermal conductivity of the heating belt 42. As the filler, for example, the carbon nanotubes are desirable from the viewpoint of high thermal conductivity, low dynamic friction coefficient, and wear resistance.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ceramic heater 45 includes a ceramic substrate 451 serving as an example of an insulating substrate, a plurality of first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 linearly formed in a longitudinal direction on the surface of the substrate 451, and a coating layer 455 made of glass or the like that is coated on the surfaces of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522.
The holding member 46 is made of, for example, a heat-resistant synthetic resin integrally molded into a required shape by injection molding or the like. Examples of the heat-resistant synthetic resin include liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamideimide (PAI), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or a composite material thereof.
The holding member 46 has a support frame portion 461 that supports the ceramic heater 45 to pressurize the pressure roll 43 via the heating belt 42 at the fixing nip portion N and is made of an elongated rectangular frame corresponding to the planar shape of the ceramic heater 45 (refer to FIG. 9). The holding member 46 is disposed to be longer than the total length in the longitudinal direction of the heating belt 42.
As shown in FIG. 2, the holding member 46 is provided with a first guide portion 462 that is formed in a curved cross-sectional shape and guides the heating belt 42 to the fixing nip portion N on the upstream side of the fixing nip portion N in a rotational direction of the heating belt 42. A lower end surface 463 of the holding member 46 is formed in a planar shape. The lower end surface 463 of the holding member 46 is formed to form substantially the same plane as the surface of the ceramic heater 45. Additionally, the holding member 46 has a second guide portion 464 provided at a position adjacent to the downstream side of the fixing nip portion N in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42. The second guide portion 464 guides the heating belt 42 to be in contact with the inner surface of the heating belt 42 that has passed through the fixing nip portion N and return to a substantially free shape, and has a cross-sectional shape formed in a curved cross-sectional shape.
Additionally, abutment portions 465 and 466 that hold the support member 47 in a state where the tips of vertical plate portions 471 and 472 of the support member 47 abut against the surface of the holding member 46 opposite to the fixing nip portion N, are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42.
As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 47 is made of, for example, a metallic plate material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or steel. The support member 47 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section from vertical plate portions 471 and 472 that are disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the ceramic heater 45 on the upstream side and the downstream side of the fixing nip portion N in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42, and horizontal plate portions 473 that is disposed in the horizontal direction to connect the base end portions of the plate portions 471 and 472.
The temperature of the fixing nip portion N of the heating belt 42 is detected by a temperature sensor 49 that is disposed to be in contact with the surface of the ceramic heater 45 opposite to the fixing nip portion N. As described above, the ceramic heater 45 includes the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 having different heat-generating regions in the longitudinal direction. For that reason, a plurality (for example, three) of temperature sensors 49 are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the ceramic heater 45 in correspondence with the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522. The heating belt 42 is heated such that the fixing nip portion N reaches a required fixing temperature (for example, about 200° C. to 230° C.) depending on the size of the recording paper 5 by controlling the energization of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 of the ceramic heater 45 on the basis of the detection result of the temperature sensor 49 by a temperature control circuit (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure roll 43 has a columnar or cylindrical core metal 431 made of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, or iron (thin-walled high-tension steel pipe), an elastic body layer 432 made of a heat-resistant elastic body such as silicone rubber or fluororubber relatively thickly coated at an outer periphery of the core metal 431, and a release layer 433 made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), or the like relatively thinly coated on the surface of the elastic body layer 432. In addition, as necessary, a heating section (heating source) including a halogen lamp or the like may be disposed inside the pressure roll 43.
Both end portions of the core metal 431 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the pressure roll 43 are rotatably supported by a frame of a device housing (not shown) of the fixing device 40 via a bearing member. The pressure roll 43 is in pressure contact with the heating unit 44 at a required pressure. The pressure roll 43 is rotationally driven at a required speed in a direction of arrow C by the drive device via a drive gear (not shown) attached to one end portion in an axial direction of the core metal 431 that also serves as a rotation shaft. In addition, the heating belt 42 is in pressure contact against the rotationally driven pressure roll 43 and rotates in a driven manner.
In the fixing device 40 configured as described above, the ceramic heater 45 is in pressure contact with the pressure roll 43 via the heating belt 42, and the heating belt 42 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the figure with the rotation of the pressure roll 43. A lubricant such as silicone oil or grease is applied to an inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 42 in order to reduce the sliding resistance with the ceramic heater 45. The lubricant is supplied in a state of being applied to the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 42 in advance. Additionally, the lubricant may be configured to be supplied by a lubricant supply member (not shown) made of felt or the like that holds the lubricant and is disposed to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 42.
In the related-art fixing device 40, as shown in FIG. 4, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 of the ceramic heater 45 disposed in a movement direction of the heating belt 42 are set to have the same heat generation amount. For that reason, as shown in FIG. 5A, at the time of startup, in a case where the fixing device 40 starts the energization to the ceramic heater 45 and rotates the heating belt 42, the ceramic heater 45 is deprived of heat in the movement direction of the heating belt 42, and the temperature on the upstream side in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 becomes drastically lower than the temperature on the downstream side. In this case, in order to fix images on 35 sheets of A4 size recording paper 5 per minute in the fixing device 40, in a case where the movement speed of the heating belt 42 is set to 155 mm/sec, a temperature difference between an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 reaches about 25° C.
In the fixing device 40, as shown in FIG. 5B, in a case where the recording paper 5 is passed through the fixing nip portion N in order to fix the unfixed toner image on the recording paper 5 during the fixing operation, the temperature difference between the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 under the same conditions is about 18° C., although lower than the temperature difference at the time of startup.
In this way, in the related-art fixing device 40, at the time of startup, the temperature difference between the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 of the ceramic heater 45 reaches about 25°. Even during the fixing operation, the temperature difference between the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 of the ceramic heater 45 is as drastically large as about 18° C.
For that reason, in the related-art fixing device 40, in a case where the heat generation amount of the ceramic heater 45 is increased to realize a high productivity of 35 ppm and the fixing of the recording paper 5 having a relatively large basis weight is enabled, technical challenges occur in that the temperature difference between the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 of the ceramic heater 45 is large, and the holding member 46 made of heat-resistant synthetic resin that holds the ceramic heater 45 is thermally damaged.
Thus, the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is configured to includes a planar heat-generating section which is disposed inside a belt and in which, among a plurality of heat-generating portions provided in a movement direction of the belt, a heat-generating portion on an upstream side in the movement direction of the belt has a larger heat generation amount than a heat-generating portion on a downstream side.
Additionally, the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is configured such that the heat generation amount of the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction of the belt is 1.5 times or more and 2.0 times or less than the heat generation amount the heat generation amount of the heat-generating portion on the downstream side.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the ceramic heater 45 of the fixing device 40 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 includes the ceramic substrate 451, the plurality of first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 that are linearly formed on the surface of and the substrate 451 to be parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, first and second electrodes 4531 and 4532 for simultaneously energizing the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522, a connection electrode 454 that connects the other end portions of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 to each other in series, and the coating layer 455 (refer to FIG. 2) made of glass or the like that is coated on at least the surfaces of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522.
As described above, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are linearly formed on the surface of the substrate 451 to be parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction. Additionally, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are disposed such that the first heat-generating portion 4521 is located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 and the second heat-generating portion 4522 is disposed to be located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42.
Additionally, the first heat-generating portion 4521 is set to have a larger heat generation amount than the second heat-generating portion 4522. The heat generation amounts of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are set by making at least any one of the widths, the film thicknesses, or the resistivities of heat-generating resistors constituting the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 different from each other.
In Exemplary Embodiment 1, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are connected to each other in series, and current values I flowing through both heat-generating portions are equal to each other. Meanwhile, the second heat-generating portion 4522 is set to have a smaller line width W and a larger resistance value than the first heat-generating portion 4521. The first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are formed by linearly patterning and baking materials having electrical resistance in the shape of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 on the surface of the ceramic substrate 451. The materials having electrical resistance forming the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are linearly formed to have the same thickness and different line widths. For that reason, the second heat-generating portion 4522, which has a larger line width than the first heat-generating portion 4521, has a smaller electrical resistance value than the first heat-generating portion 4521 by a larger line width, and has a smaller heat generation amount (W) than the first heat-generating portion 4521.
The first heat-generating portion 4521 is set to have a heat generation amount of 1.5 times or more and 2.0 times or less than the heat generation amount of the second heat-generating portion 4522. In a case where the heat generation amount of the first heat-generating portion 4521 is less than 1.5 times the heat generation amount of the second heat-generating portion 4522, a temperature distribution is obtained that becomes higher on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42, and the heating efficiency of the heating belt 42 and the recording paper 5 becomes low. Additionally, in a case where the heat generation amount of the first heat-generating portion 4521 exceeds 2.0 times the heat generation amount of the second heat-generating portion 4522, there is a concern that a temperature distribution is obtained that becomes too high on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42, the heating efficiency of the heating belt 42 and the recording paper 5 decreases, and a thermal shock is given to the ceramic heater 45 due to the difference between the heat generation amounts of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522.
In addition, in order to make the heat generation amounts of the first and second heat generating portions 4521 and 4522 different from each other, as described above, at least any one of the widths, the film thicknesses, or the resistivities of the heat-generating resistor constituting the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 may be made different from each other. However, in a case where the heat generation amounts of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are made different from each other by making the line widths W of the heat generating resistors constituting the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 different from each other, it is only necessary to make the line widths in a case where the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are linearly patterned different from each other. Thus, the formation (manufacture) is easy as compared to a case where the film thicknesses or resistivities of the heat-generating resistors are made different from each other.
Additionally, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 may have at least any one of the widths, the film thicknesses and the resistivities of the heat-generating resistors constituting the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 different from each other. However, two or more of the widths, the film thicknesses, and the resistivities of the heat-generating resistors may be different from each other. In this case, the heat generation amounts of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 can be greatly different from each other.
Operation of Fixing Device
In the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, as compared to a case where the heat generation amounts of the plurality of heat-generating portions provided in the movement direction of the belt are equal to each other, it is possible to make the temperature distribution of the planar heat-generating section in the movement direction of the belt uniform.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the fixing device 40 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, at the time of startup, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 of the ceramic heater 45 are energized, and the heating belt 42 is rotated in a driven manner by the pressure roll 43 that is rotationally driven.
In the ceramic heater 45 of the fixing device 40, the heat generation amount of the second heat-generating portion 4522 located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 is set to be larger than the heat generation amount of the first heat-generating portion 4521 located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42.
For that reason, in the fixing device 40, the heating belt 42 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, and the heating belt 42 that has passed through an air layer located in a space inside the fixing device 40 enters the fixing nip portion N. At the time of startup, the recording paper 5 is not passed through the fixing device 40, and only the heating belt 42 passes through the fixing nip portion N.
Therefore, the ceramic heater 45, which is in contact with the pressure roll 43 via the heating belt 42, is deprived of heat by the heating belt 42 and the pressure roll 43, and the temperature thereof drops.
Meanwhile, the fixing device 40 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is configured such that the second heat-generating portion 4522 located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 is larger than the first heat-generating portion 4521 located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 in terms of the heat generation amounts of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 of the ceramic heater 45.
For that reason, the temperature of the ceramic heater 45 of the fixing device 40 tends to further decrease on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 compared to on the downstream side because heat is deprived of by the heating belt 42 and the pressure roll 43. However, the first heat-generating portion 4521 located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 is set to have a large heat generation amount than the second heat-generating portion 4522 located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42.
Therefore, in the fixing device 40, as shown in FIG. 7A, at the time of startup, in a case where the energization to the ceramic heater 45 is started and the heating belt 42 is rotated, heat tends to be further deprived of on the upstream side in the movement direction of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 than on the downstream side. However, since the heat generation amount of the first heat-generating portion 4521 located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 is larger than the heat generation amount of the second heat-generating portion 4522 located on the downstream side, a temperature drop on the upstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 is suppressed.
As a result, in the fixing device 40, at the time of startup, in a case where the ratio of the heat generation amounts of the first heat-generating portion 4521 and the second heat-generating portion 4522 is set to 1.5, the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 is about 7° C., which is 10° C. or lower, and in a case where the ratio of the heat generation amounts of the first heat-generating portion 4521 and the second heat-generating portion 4522 is set to 2.0, the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 is about 5° C. As a result, the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 is drastically suppressed.
Additionally, in the fixing device 40, as shown in FIG. 7B, in a case where the printing operation in which the recording paper 5 is continuously passed is stable and in a case where the ratio of the heat generation amounts of the first heat-generating portion 4521 and the second heat-generating portion 4522 is set to 1.5, the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 is about 8° C., which is 10° C. or lower, and in a case where the ratio of the heat generation amounts of the first heat-generating portion 4521 and the second heat-generating portion 4522 is set to 2.0, the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 is about 2° C. As a result, the temperatures on the upstream side and the downstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 can be made uniform to be substantially equal to each other.
In the fixing device 40 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, the heat generation amount of the first heat-generating portion 4521 located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 is set to be larger than the heat generation amount of the second heat-generating portion 4522 located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42. In other words, it can be said that the heat generation amount of the first heat-generating portion 4521 located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 is set to be larger than the heat generation amount of the second heat-generating portion 4522 located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 such that, during heating, the temperatures on the upstream side and the downstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 are set to 10° C. or lower.
For that reason, in the fixing device 40 according to Exemplary embodiment 1, even in a case where the heat generation amount of the ceramic heater 45 is increased compared to the related art to realize a high productivity of 70 ppm and the fixing of the recording paper 5 having a relatively large basis weight is enabled, it is possible to make the temperature difference between the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion of the ceramic heater 45 in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 extremely small, and it is possible to suppress giving thermal damage to the holding member 46 made of heat-resistant synthetic resin that holds the ceramic heater 45.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing major parts of a fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
The fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 is configured such that a heat-generating portion located on an upstream side in a movement direction of a belt and a heat-generating portion located on a downstream side in the movement direction of the belt are connected in parallel to each other and both ends of the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction and the heat-generating portion on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt are respectively energized.
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the ceramic heater 45 of the fixing device 40 according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 includes the ceramic substrate 451, the plurality of first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 that are linearly formed on the surface of and the substrate 451 to be parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, the first electrodes 4531 for simultaneously (in parallel) energizing one end portions of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522, a second electrode 4532 for simultaneously (in parallel) energizing the other end portions of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 to each other, and the coating layer 455 (refer to FIG. 2) made of glass or the like that is coated on at least the surfaces of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522.
The first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are linearly formed on the surface of the substrate 451 to be parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction. Additionally, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are disposed such that the first heat-generating portion 4521 is located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 and the second heat-generating portion 4522 is disposed to be located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42.
Additionally, the first heat-generating portion 4521 is set to have a larger heat generation amount than the second heat-generating portion 4522.
In Exemplary Embodiment 1, the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are connected to each other in parallel, and voltage values V applied to both are equal. Meanwhile, the first heat-generating portion 4521 having a larger line width than the second heat-generating portion 4522 has a smaller electrical resistance value than the second heat-generating portion 4522 by a larger line width.
The heat generation amounts W1 and W2 of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are given as the product of the voltage value V applied to the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 and current values I1 and I2 flowing through the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522.
W1=I1×V
Here, assuming that the resistance values of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are R1 and R2,
I1=V/R1
W1=V2/R1
Will be.
Additionally, the resistance values R1 and R2 of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 have a relationship that the line width W1 of the first heat-generating portion 4521 is larger than the line width W2 of the second heat-generating portion 4522 and R1<R2 is established.
Therefore, the heat generation amounts W1 and W2 of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 are set to be larger in the first heat-generating portion 4521 than in the second heat-generating portion 4522.
In the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 2, by connecting the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 to each other in parallel, it is possible to increase the heat generation amount of the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 with the same applied voltage, compared to a case where the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction of the heating belt 42 and the heat-generating portion on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt are connected to each other in series.
In addition, in the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 2, the heat-generating regions of the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 in the longitudinal direction are not necessarily the same (constant), and heat-generating regions along the first and second heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 may be configured to be different from each other depending on the size (width) of the recording paper 5 in the direction intersecting as the transport direction.
In the fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 2, the number of heat-generating portions 4521 and 4522 is not limited to two, and may be three or more.
Since the other configurations and actions are the same as the configurations and actions of Exemplary Embodiment 1, the description thereof will be omitted.
The fixing device according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 is configured to include a heat pipe that is disposed to be in contact with the surface of the planar heat-generating section opposite to the belt closer to the end portion than the heat-generating portion on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt.
That is, in the fixing device 40 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3, as shown in FIG. 9, the heat pipe 48 is disposed to be in contact with the back surface of the ceramic heater 45 closer to the end portion than the second heat-generating portion 4522 on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42.
By configuring the present invention in this way, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, it is possible to further suppress a temperature rise at a portion closer to the end portion than the second heat-generating portion 4522 on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42 whose temperature tends to rise higher than on the upstream side of the ceramic heater 45 in the rotational direction of the heating belt 42, by the heat pipe 48.
In addition, in the above exemplary embodiments, the case where the ceramic heater is used as the planar heat-generating section has been described, but the planar heat-generating section is not limited to the ceramic heater, and anything that generates heat literally in a planar manner at the fixing nip portion N may be used.
Additionally, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, the case where the pressure roll is used as the pressurizing section has been described, but a pressure belt may be used as the pressurizing section.
Additionally, although the present invention has been described with the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. For example, it is also possible to apply the present invention to an ink jet type image forming apparatus or the like in which an unfixed ink image is fixed on paper in contact with the paper transported while holding an image of an undried layer with ink (an unfixed ink image).
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
1. A fixing device comprising:
a movable belt; and
a planar heat-generating section that is in contact with the belt and in which, among a plurality of heat-generating portions provided in a movement direction of the belt, a heat-generating portion on an upstream side in the movement direction of the belt has a larger heat generation amount than a heat-generating portion on a downstream side.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1,
wherein the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction of the belt has a heat generation amount of 1.5 times or more and 2.0 times or less than a heat generation amount of the heat-generating portion on the downstream side.
wherein the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction of the belt and the heat-generating portion on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt are connected to each other in series, and one end of the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction of the belt and the other end of the heat-generating portion on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt is energized.
wherein the heat-generating portion located on the upstream side in the movement direction of the belt and the heat-generating portion located on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt are connected to each other in parallel, and both ends of the heat-generating portions on the upstream side and on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt are energized, respectively.
wherein the heat-generating portion on the upstream side in the movement direction of the belt and the heat-generating portion on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt are different from each other in terms of at least any one of a width, a film thickness, and a resistivity of a heat-generating resistor constituting the heat-generating portion.
10. The fixing device according to claim 6,
wherein the planar heat-generating section is held by a holding section to be in pressure contact with a rotating body via the belt.
12. The fixing device according to claim 11,
wherein the holding section holds at least both end portions of the planar heat-generating section outside the heat-generating portions in the movement direction of the belt.
13. A fixing device comprising:
a planar heat-generating section that is in contact with the belt and is provided with a plurality of heat-generating portions on an insulating substrate in a movement direction of the belt, the plurality of heat-generating portions being adapted such that a heat-generating portion on an upstream side in the movement direction of the belt is set to have a larger heat generation amount than a heat-generating portion on a downstream side such that a temperature difference between an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion of the insulating substrate in the movement direction of the belt is 10° C. or lower at the time of fixing.
14. The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a heat pipe that is disposed to be in contact with a surface of the planar heat-generating section opposite to the belt closer to an end portion than the heat-generating portion on the downstream side in the movement direction of the belt.
15. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium; and
a fixing section that fixes the image formed on the recording medium,
wherein the fixing device according to claim 1 is used as the fixing section.
Filed: Sep 30, 2021
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2022
Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp. (Tokyo)
Inventors: Kiyoshi KOYANAGI (Kanagawa), Toko HARA (Kanagawa), Toshiyuki MIYATA (Kanagawa), Kazuyoshi ITOH (Kanagawa), Keitaro MORI (Kanagawa), Motoharu NAKAO (Kanagawa), Sou MORIZAKI (Kanagawa), Toru INOUE (Kanagawa)
International Classification: G03G 15/20 (20060101);


Evaluation in the FWF
The evaluation of the FWF – the FWF as the object of evaluation
The evaluation of the FWF
Evaluation of projects – the FWF as an evaluation user
Political considerations make it imperative that a funding institution such as the FWF is itself the object of evaluation, in which its operation, its portfolio of programmes and its position in the national and international system for promoting scientific innovation are subjected to scrutiny. The evaluation of projects and programmes form an essential basis for such an evaluation.
The evaluation of the FWF and the FFF (as it was known at the time; it is now the Base Programme of the FFG) was undertaken between May 2003 and February 2004 and represented the first comprehensive evaluation of the two institutions since their establishment in 1967. The study was carried out to an internationally high standard by an international consortium under the leadership of Technopolis and combined the work of professional evaluators from within Austria and abroad with reviews obtained from international peers. These bodies not only analysed the structure, working practices and strategic direction of the two organizations but in their consideration of the impacts and positioning they also included large sections of the national system for science and innovation.
The reports of this evaluation are available under the following links:
Internal functioning and customer satisfaction
Governance and Processes
The results of the evaluation gave important information on the condition and the organization of the overall system for supporting research in Austria. With regard to the governance and organization of the two institutions that were evaluated, the results were implemented and have also been taken into account in the reorganization of the funding system and in the Advisory Board for the Development of Research and Technology's (RFTE's) strategic considerations, as published in its 2005 paper "Strategy 2010". 1 Furthermore, the results were taken into account in the FWF's mid-term plans, as required by the FTFG in 2004 2, and in the annual work programmes. Together with the RFTE's recommendations and the results of the FWF's own evaluations of its projects and programmes, they represent a key basis for strategic planning.
The implementation of the results from the evaluation is an ongoing process. In the light of current developments, the FWF is making many key contributions, as far as it is able. At a national level, the Austrian research dialogue, the RFTE's Strategy for Excellence and the systematic evaluation of research promotion and funding, which is scheduled for completion in March 2009, are the main initiatives. On the international level, the activities of the
EuroHORCS and the ESF and the development of the European higher education system and the ERC represent the major developments.
The good contacts to other international partner organizations ensure that the FWF's evaluation activities are carried out in accordance with current international practice. Since October 2007 the FWF has been working with about twenty other funding organizations within Europe in the framework of a forum initiated by the European Science Foundation on the topic "Evaluation of Funding Schemes and Research Programmes–Expectations, Practices and Experiences". The work is concentrating on exchange of experience and on further developments in the area.
A central theme of the Austrian Platform for the Evaluation of Research and Technology is that "a well developed culture of evaluation is a central part of a learning and strategically oriented policy for research and technology. At the same time, a good evaluation culture is a precondition and a consequence of good practices, i.e. efficient, transparent and fair procedures" 3. The FWF has no hesitation whatsoever in subscribing to this view.
1 RFTE 2005: "Strategy 2010: Perspectives for Research, Technology and Innovation in Austria [Strategie 2010-Perspektiven für Forschung, Technologie und Innovation in Österreich]"; www.rat-fte.at/UserFiles/File/Strategie2010.pdf
2 See the FWF Home Page Mehrjahresplan 2005 - 2008 (pdf, 135KB)
3 See the Platform's "Evaluation Standards [Standards der Evaluierung]" at
www.fteval.at/standards/


CFL Announces Renovation Works for 2020
Published on Friday, 10 Jan 2020 11:42 by JCA
Luxembourg's railway authority, the CFL, has announced that it is publishing its annual leaflet explaining the construction works to take place on Luxembourg train lines throughout the year; the new leaflet will be available from Monday 13 January 2020.
In addition to its major construction projects, aimed at increasing the quality of services offered to customers, the CFL works regularly to maintain and modernise the Luxembourg rail network. This year, the CFL will continue its efforts to increase punctuality, extend the rail network, improve reception at train stations and improve equipment and technology. There are also plans to offer 46% more seats on Luxembourg's trains.
Such work on the railway infrastructure requires the temporary closure of certain sections of train lines to allow a fast and safe operation. In order to minimise disruption, this work will be carried out during less busy periods, such as school holidays and weekends.
At different times throughout 2020, the CFL will temporarily and partially close lines 10 (Luxembourg-Troisvierges-Gouvy), 30 (Luxembourg-Wasserbillig-Trier), 50 (Luxembourg-Kleinbettingen-Arlon), 60 (Luxembourg-Esch-sur-Alzette-Rodange), 70 (Luxembourg-Rodange-Longwy) and 90 (Luxembourg-Bettembourg-Thionville). These closures could take place over weekends or even for one week or more, during which time alternative measures will be put in place.
An overview of all CFL work periods in 2020 can be found on the last page of the new leaflet and on the CFL website: www.cfl.lu. This leaflet will be available to customers from Monday at the train stations in Luxembourg, Bettembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Belval-Université , Pétange, Rodange, Wasserbillig, Mersch, Ettelbruck and Troisvierges, as well as on the CFL website.
Rail Replacement Buses Set Up between Ettelbruck-Goebelsmuhle
CFL Announces New Train Timetable for 2020
Rail Traffic Disrupted on Line 10
Disruptions to Rail Traffic on Line 10 Expected this Evening


Premier Daniel Andrews concerned about COVID-19 sewage detections as Victoria records 57 local cases
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and health authorities have warned there could be a rise in infections as isolated residents undertake day 13 testing. There are now concerns for regional and metropolitans with positive COVID-19 waste water detections.
August 19, 2021 - 12:45PM
Acting Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie is concerned about positive waste water detections across Victoria as they attempt to stamp out further COVID-19 transmission.
He stressed some of the detections came from locals who are no longer infectious but were still "shedding" the virus.
"When we don't know of any cases isolating in that area, that is when we call it an unexpected detection and when pay close attention. We have some signals alerting us right now," he said during Thursday's press conference.
Acting Chief Health Officer Professor Ben Cowie is concerned about the number of positive waste water detections from regional Victoria to metropolitan Melbourne. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray
There have been three repeated waste water detections in the regional area of Shepparton with the dates of concern from August 9 to August 16.
Lakes Entrance is another area that has been alerted from August 8 to August 11.
In Melbourne there are "repeated" positive sewage results from August 15 to August 17 in the suburbs of Albion, Braybrook, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine West and Tottenham.
There have been three detections in the city's southeast suburbs of Dingley Village, Keysborough, Noble Park, Springvale and Springvale South from August 11 to August 17.
The industrial precinct in Sunshine West where not many people reside has been named as an area of concern where "a lot of people" work.
"We are at a point where, based on these repeat strong detections, it becomes more likely than not that someone who works in this area actually does have coronavirus infection, and that is clearly of concern to get them tested," Mr Cowie said.
Mr Cowie said waste water detections have become an "early warning system" in assisting health teams find positive infections.
Premier Daniel Andrews and health authorities will speak about the 57 local cases reported on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
Premier Daniel Andrews has warned Victoria could see more infections in the coming days from testing of "tens of thousands" of isolated residents.
"There will be other parts of this that unfold over coming days so we may see further cases that are exactly the same as a result of day 13 testing," he said during Thursday's COVID-19 press conference.
While the high numbers of case were high, it was expected, with most of the positive infections coming from close and casual contacts from the Al-Taqwa College outbreak.
"I know 57 (cases) seems a very big number but when the vast majority of those have been in isolation for their infectious period, that's exactly what we want, that's the system working exactly as it should work," he said.
"Around 13, 14, days of one of these outbreaks you do see a spike because we do day 13 testing. There's a reason we do day 13 testing, because people can turn late, a number of days after they've been first been exposed."
Those who have tested positive will have to continue isolation for a further 14 days.
Victoria's Chief Commissioner Shane Patton confirmed four fines were handed to the couple and the parents of the bride-to-be who held the illegal engagement party in Caufield North.
"The parties involved in that have been very cooperative with police into our investigation. That is still ongoing, it is obviously hampered to a degree by the fact that they are in isolation," he said.
Investigations are ongoing with Zoom interviews to be conducted with other partygoers.
The Department of Health announced the state recorded 57 cases up to 7pm on Wednesday.
Of the new local infections, 54 are linked to known outbreaks with 44 in isolation for their full infectious period.
Of the 44 in isolation, 38 of those were linked to students and household members of the Al-Taqwa outbreak.
Three more cases are associated with Glenroy West Primary School, from day 13 testing, one case linked to the Caroline Springs Square Shopping Centre, one with the Newport Football Club and another in the Newport community.
Reported yesterday: 57 new local cases and no new cases acquired overseas.
- 27,581 vaccine doses were administered
- 49,607 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/8Bqckira3x
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) August 18, 2021
The following 10 infections have been linked to recent cases. One is associated with a close contact from 510 Lygon St, three linked to the St Kilda East engagement party last week and three connected to the pizza worker.
Three others are household contacts of recent positive cases.
The remaining three are under investigation with health teams still trying to determine whether they were mystery cases.
At least 13 were infectious while in the community.
There were more than 49,000 tests taken and there are currently 296 active cases in the state.
Fourteen have been admitted to hospitals, with three of those on ventilators.
The latest infections mark the largest spike since the state's second wave.
Melburnians are enduring their 200th day in lockdown since the beginning of the pandemic.
Melbourne sits at number four in the world after Buenos Aires (234 days), London (207 days), Czech Republic (201 days) with Bangladesh (169 days) rounding out the top five.
Sydney comes in at number 12 with 106 days in lockdown.
Mr Andrews announced three more drive-thru vaccination sites will be opened in the coming days with vaccines touted as the long term solution to avoid future lockdowns.
The Eagles Stadium in Werribee, the old Ford factory in Broadmeadows and Sandown racecourse.
He outlined there were still 26,000 bookings - 14,000 Pfizer vaccines and 12,000 AstraZeneca jabs - that are available for residents.


12 Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education
A liberal arts education prepares students to examine ideas from multiple points of view, solve problems, adapt, and collaborate.
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Spotlight on Austin, TX
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The Many Colors of Michael Nguyen
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An Education by Experience
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Making Up Your Own Mind
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Fulfilling the Dreams of Many
Shauna Davidson '08 helps build primary schools and empower children to overcome poverty in Northern Uganda.
Korouva Milk Bar: What's in Your Cup?
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The Truth about Rushing a Sorority
English major and communication studies and business minor Marissa Morin '19 examines how Southwestern breaks common stereotypes of undergraduate Greek life.
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Becoming Southwestern in London
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Sabrina Silva '18 provided research and writing support for the International Center for the Arts of the Americas at the leading art institute.
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Laura Sewell '95 Connects as an Alumna and Staff Member
Marie Nugpo '18, Southwestern Information Technology, and the Coalition for Diversity and Social Justice received a certificate of appreciation for bringing learning technology tools to a school in the Philippines.
Eleven Southwestern Faculty Members Awarded Prestigious Sam Taylor Fellowship Grant
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $1,600 will allow faculty to pursue graduate study or postgraduate research.
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Southwestern Students Do Good and Do It Well
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Listening to the Anthropocene - Brown Symposium Reception
Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center
6:00pm - 7:00pm CST February 27
Sarofim Fine Arts Gallery
Open daily, excluding Mondays and holidays.
Cynthia Camlin, Island of Ought and Naught (detail), Watercolor on paper mounted on panels, 54" x 75," 2015.
Sarofim School of Fine Arts' Art Department is thrilled to invite you to the reception of Listening to the Anthropocene, curated by Douglas Cushing.
Listening to the Anthropocene will coincide and connect with the 2019 Brown Symposium, as described by curator Douglas Cushing:
This exhibition gives a voice to the world that humanity has shaped and cast as other and external, even while remaining inextricably a part of it. We are in nature and nature is in us; what we do to nature we do to ourselves reflexively. Yet, we seem willfully unaware to such relations. We assume our world mute when we should stop and listen to it speak. Listening to the Anthropocene seeks to give the othered world—object, landscape, and non-human living organism—an equal place in a discourse regarding the manner in which humans live in and with the world, transforming in countless ways. Art, here, acts as mediator, translator and teacher, so that the world beyond us might be heard and fully recognized.
Listening to the Anthropocene includes work by Cynthia Camlin (Mount Vernon, WA), Erik Hagen (Houston, TX), Kelly Jazvac (Montreal, Canada), and Lorella Paleni (Paris, France).
Douglas Cushing is a Ph.D. Candidate in art history at the University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation, provisionally titled "Inter-war Romanticism, Revolution, and Modernism on Display in transition," approaches Eugene Jolas's little magazine transition (1927-38) as a virtual gallery space and meeting place, as well as a transatlantic vehicle for the transmission, circulation, and transformation of avant-garde ideas. Cushing's past research includes work on Marcel Duchamp's relationship with the writings of the Comte de Lautréamont (Isidore Ducasse), beginning before the advent of Dada and Surrealism. Cushing was the 2013-14 Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Prints and Drawings, and European Paintings at the Blanton Museum of Art, where he subsequently curated Goya: Mad Reason (June 19 to September 25, 2016). Cushing's most recent major awards include the 2017-18 Houghton Mifflin Fellowship in Publishing History, from the Houghton Library at Harvard University, a University Graduate Continuing Fellowship from the University of Texas at Austin , and the 2018-19 Vivian L. Smith Fellowship at the Menil Collection, in Houston, Texas.
Listening to the Anthropocene will be on exhibit at the Sarofim Fine Arts Gallery from February 2- March 3, 2019. The Fine Arts Gallery is open daily from 12:00-5:00 p.m., excluding Mondays and holidays.
This exhibit's closing reception will be held on February 27th from 6:00-7:00 p.m., in coordination with the 2019 Brown Symposium.
This exhibit is made possible by the generous philanthropic support of Lynn Parr Mock '83 and Presley M. Mock '82.


Breakup Guide
Ben Kriz
The Best Breakup Albums
Beck, Sea Change
After ending a nine-year relationship with his fiance, Beck went into a depressed state of deep introspection and wrote most of Sea Change in a week. What came of it was not only one of the best breakup records of all time, but one of the best albums ever recorded, period.
Bob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks
It's Dylan's best record of the '70s, and it's not a coincidence that it's also an angry, forlorn record about the collapse of his marriage and features the greatest F-you ever with the song "Idiot Wind." Turn it up and sing along if you were wronged.
Marvin Gaye, Here, My Dear
Gaye's 1978 record was initially a commercial flop, but it has since stood the test of time as a deeply personal and revelatory record. You can hear the pain in Gaye's voice. If an album is ever delayed because the artist thinks it might be too personal (as this one was), that's how you know it will be great.
Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker
Ryan Adams' debut record is also his best and most appropriately titled, because, wow, this album is a complete bummer. But that's what we want in a breakup record. The barely audible sigh at the start of "Call Me On Your Way Back Home" is the thing depressing albums are made of. Throw it on and weep (in a manly way, of course) into your pillow.
Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
The age-old story of girl breaks up with guy, guy secludes himself in a cabin in Wisconsin, guy records haunting and beautiful record about love lost, guy sells a million records. Classic.
The Top 10 Breakup Songs You Need In Your Life To Forget All About Her
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Brian Kelly, CFB Playoff, Comedy, ESPN, Football, LSU, NCAA, NCAAF, Notre Dame, Pope, Sports
Brian Kelly Is Another In A Long Line Of Great Catholic Leaders
So yesterday was a big day in the world of college football. Two premier coaches of some of the NCAA's most lucrative programs, Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma and Brian Kelly of Notre Dame, left their posts to join two other top tier schools, USC and LSU respectively.
As you can presume by the title, I'm not focusing on Riley today, largely because I went to the Vatican last week and can find no religious motifs to apply to him. Plus, I can't spin a narrative for a guy who willingly chose to leave Norman, Oklahoma for Los Angeles. Barring the tax increase, that's just good business. And when you look at his alleged contract, how can you blame him?
Lincoln Riley USC contract details (not confirmed; best I could do):
– $110 million
– USC buying both his homes in Norman for $500,000 over asking ($1 million bonus)
– Buying a $6 million home in LA for him
– Unlimited use of the private jet 24/7 for family#Sooners #Trojans
— Robert Hefner V (@RobertHefnerV) November 29, 2021
So, back to Brian Kelly. Notre Dame fans are justifiably stunned by the decision to leave the school. Kelly has been at Notre Dame since 2010 and, in that time, has become the winningest coach in school history, brought Notre Dame to it's first National Championship since the 1988, consistently had top-10 recruiting classes, and looks like 85% of patrons at any pub in Dublin.
As far as a leader of a group called "The Irish" goes, that's a grand slam of a resume.
But when you take a step back and look at the situation for what it is, this is a tale as old as time when it comes to any kind of Catholic institution. Time and time again, the Catholics have turned to their leader for guidance, only to have that leader's back turned on them.
We can look to Pope Benedict, who basically Richard Nixon'd his way out of the Vatican back in 2013.
We can go all the way back to, according to some, the beginning of time to the GOAT himself, Jesus Christ, who left twice in the span of three days. Dude was basically the Billy Martin of the religion back then. I think only my dad will get that joke, and he wont like it (big God guy).
To an even smaller scale of the local priests that Kelly likely grew up around in Everett, Massachusetts. Though, now that I think about it, those priests probably asked him to turn his back.
The point I'm trying to make is that Brian Kelly has done what every great Catholic leader does. Leave.
So what do they do now? I'd contend do what they always do, believe the second-coming of the savior will reveal himself, which should be any day now. It's been a while. Though, that said, there's a better chance of Jesus saying "what'd I miss" to us than Notre Dame winning it all.
schoolhousesports November 30, 2021
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Areas of Chemistry
Biological/Biochemistry
Crystallographers are fascinated by crystals, because crystals form the building blocks of so much of the world we live in. Professionals in this field must be patient and detail oriented. While computers can create 3D models of crystal structures, the crystallographer must be take the time to visualize and interpret those models.
Crystallographers must be collaborative and, often, find themselves working on cross-disciplinary teams. They must also be innovative, because they may be required to develop novel sample configurations, adapt their instruments to new applications, or adapt and create new software capabilities to handle unusual or difficult problems.
Typical Job Functions
Crystallography is the science that examines crystals, which can be found everywhere in nature—from salt to snowflakes to gemstones. They are part of a cadre of interdisciplinary scientists that work to understand diverse processes. Crystallographers use the properties and inner structures of crystals to determine the arrangement of atoms and generate knowledge that is used by chemists, physicists, biologists, and others.
Crystallographers are involved at the forefront of major discoveries in the life sciences, medicinal chemistry, and materials science. Crystallographers combine their multi-disciplinary backgrounds to address some of the most challenging questions in developing atomic-level insights into major biological processes, such as DNA repair, ribosome biogenesis, cell signaling, and cancer biology. Crystallographers are involved heavily in designing experiments and analyzing data to develop precise models of many of these biological processes.
Some crystallographers develop instrumentation and software for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data, and for translating that data into crystal structure models. Some crystallographers maintain and develop archival databases at industrial and academic, nonprofit, and government laboratories.
Common duties for a crystallographers include:
Conducting laboratory research in industrial, nonprofit institution, government, or academic laboratories
Characterizing new compounds and materials to support patent claims
Developing new software and hardware capabilities for data collection and analysis
Providing customer support as an employee of a service laboratory or a sales or service representative of an instrument manufacturer
Helping develop synthesis processes by monitoring product formation, purity, and identity
Characterizing mineral formations to shed light on geological and human-caused processes
Developing computer models and simulations of physical and biological phenomena
Professional-level crystallographers may pursue a teaching and/or research career in academia, or they may oversee a diffraction laboratory for a government agency, national laboratory, or industry. They may also support and train facility users, students, or customers or develop new capabilities for collecting and analyzing data. After gaining several years of postgraduate experience, crystallographers may move into managing a suite of laboratories, or directing research programs.
Following are examples of career paths a crystallography professional may take:
Research/Manufacturing: Crystal-growing specialists use a variety of techniques to produce crystalline forms of compounds. They may be experts in working with hard-to-crystallize materials, or they may grow crystals for use in computer chips, solar cells, optical components, or pharmaceutical products.
Pharmaceutical/Biochemical Fields: The pharmaceutical and biochemical fields rely extensively on crystallographic studies. Proteins and other biological materials (including viruses) may be crystallized to aid in studying their structures and composition. Many important pharmaceuticals are administered in crystalline form, and detailed descriptions of their crystal structures provide evidence to verify claims in patents.
Instrument Manufacturing: Employers hire crystallographers for customer sales and support functions, including instrument repair and helping customers with special projects. Staff crystallographers at national laboratories develop and maintain leading-edge research instruments and software capabilities.
Forensics: Forensic laboratories use crystallography to investigate cases involving product adulteration or counterfeiting. They may identify minerals, metals, or other materials found at crime scenes. They may also identify corrosion products and other residues found at the site of an industrial accident to help verify the events leading up to the accident.
Most crystallographers have a graduate degree. Limited opportunities exist for those with associate's or bachelor's degrees.
Laboratory Technicians or Research Assistants: Require associate's or bachelor's degree. Internships may help students or recent graduates with an interest in research to select an area of specialization for a graduate degree.
Research and Supervisory Positions: Typically require a master's or doctoral degree, often with several years of postgraduate experience. Postdoctoral fellowships are one way to gain this experience.
Teaching or Research Career: Professional-level crystallographers may pursue a teaching and/or research career in academia, or they may oversee a diffraction laboratory in industry or for a government agency or national laboratory. They may also support and train facility users, students, or customers or develop new capabilities for collecting and analyzing data.
Managing Labs and Programs: After gaining several years of postgraduate experience, crystallographers may move into managing a suite of laboratories, or directing research programs.
Christopher Cahill
Antonio dos Santos
Instrument Scientist
Brian Toby
Senior Physicist/Section Head
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Presidential connections in sports
Kellie Goodman Shaffer
News of the passing of George H.W. Bush at the age of 94 has filled the newspapers and airwaves in recent days, with political pundits and world leaders remembering the 41stPresident of the United States for his admirable character and incredible accomplishments throughout a lifetime of service.
Among the many loves in his life was the sport of baseball. He captained the Yale University team to an appearance in the first College World Series in 1947. And according to Baseball Almanac threw out the first pitch at a major league game eight times during his presidency, including the distinctions of being the first President to do so in Canada, and the first to do it from the pitcher's mound.
When asked once by an Associated Press reporter why he loved the sport, President Bush's answer was simple: "It's just got everything."
It should be no surprise that the President described by so many in recent days as a consummate gentleman, with words like fairness and integrity, spent so much of his youth on a baseball field, and so much of his life loving the gentleman's game.
It's also no surprise that many presidents have participated in athletics, and some at a very high level:
President George W. Bush, formerly part of the ownership of the Texas Rangers, played baseball at Yale like his father; he's also an avid cyclist who hosts an annual mountain bike ride for members of the armed forces wounded in the war on terror.
President Kennedy was a swimmer and sailing champion at Harvard whose family famously played football on the lawn at the White House during his time in office.
President Ford played on two national championship football teams at Michigan and reportedly turned down NFL contracts to pursue a career in politics.
President Eisenhower played football at West Point, and even took part in a game against Carlisle and Jim Thorpe.
President Carter was known for his love of running, as President Obama spoke often of his passion for basketball.
These are just a few examples of athletic presidents, there are many others: presidents who have recognized the value of being part of a team and who have led achieving teams, in the sports arena and on the world stage.
Like many high-fliers across a wide range of industries and experiences, they can look back on their time as young people cultivating skills in their chosen sport, while also learning valuable leadership principles: work ethic, motivation, dedication, goal-setting, performing under pressure, overcoming adversity, and so much more.
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden is credited with saying, "Sports don't build character, they reveal it." The same has been said about the office of president.
While these historic figures loved their sports, they most certainly learned from them as well.
Kellie Goodman Shaffer can be reached at kellie @bedfordcountychamber.org.
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