Roller device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

The cleaning member is disposed to be opposite to the first roller with the second roller being provided therebetween. Compared to a case when the second roller is placed at a first position on a side of the first roller, if the second roller is placed at a second position on a side of the cleaning roller, a pressure between the second roller and the first roller becomes smaller, and a pressure between the second roller and the cleaning member becomes larger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a roller device, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction machine, a printer apparatus, or a facsimile apparatus.

2. Description of the Background Art

When a roller device that includes a first roller and a second roller swingable to change the pressure on the first roller is included in an image forming apparatus, for example, the roller device is used for a fixing device in which the first roller is a fixing roller and the second roller is a pressure roller.

In such a roller device, a surface of the second roller is usually contaminated by foreign matter such as paper dust and toner. For this reason, the roller device usually includes a cleaning member that contacts the second roller to clean the second roller.

In a conventional roller device including such a cleaning member, the cleaning member is always made to press-contact the second roller with a constant contact pressure. Consequently, if the surface of the second roller is not contaminated or less contaminated, the contact pressure of the cleaning member on the second roller is always constant and the life of the cleaning member is reduced accordingly.

Regarding this point, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-167456 describes a configuration in which a tension roller (the first roller) and a backup roller (the second roller) are moved to be close to each other for the purpose of changing the contact pressure of a web (the cleaning member) disposed between the tension roller and the backup roller on the backup roller (see FIG. 4 in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-167456). In addition, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-50662 describes a configuration in which a web sheet is moved away from a pressure roller (a second roller) in response to the pressure roller moving away from a fixing roller (a first roller) (see FIGS. 2 and 3 in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-50662).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the configurations described in Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2003-167456 and 2013-50662, however, when a contact-pressure release operation is performed to release the contact pressure of a second roller on a first roller, a cleaning member cannot perform a cleaning operation.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the above problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a roller device that includes a first roller, a second roller swingable to change the pressure on the first roller, and a cleaning member which contacts the second roller to clean the second roller, that can improve the life of the cleaning member, and that enables the cleaning member to perform a cleaning operation when the second roller performs a contact-pressure release operation on the first roller and to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.

To solve the problems, the present invention provides a roller device, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus as follows.

(1) Roller Device

A roller device according to the present invention includes a first roller, a second roller that is swingable to change a pressure on the first roller, and a cleaning member that contacts the second roller to clean the second roller. The cleaning member is disposed to be opposite to the first roller with the second roller being provided between the cleaning member and the first member. When the second roller is placed at a first position on a side of the first roller, a pressure between the second roller and the first roller is a first roller pressure and a pressure between the second roller and the cleaning member is a first cleaning pressure. When the second roller is placed at a second position on a side of the cleaning roller, a pressure between the second roller and the first roller is a second roller pressure less than the first roller pressure, and a pressure between the second roller and the cleaning member is a second cleaning pressure larger than the first cleaning pressure.

A fixing device includes the roller device according to the present invention. The first roller is a fixing roller and the second roller is a pressure roller.

(3) Image Forming Apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes the roller device according to the present invention or the fixing device according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, the life of the cleaning member can be improved and when a contact-pressure release operation is performed to release the contact pressure of the second roller on first roller, the cleaning member can perform a cleaning operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components will be designated by the same reference numerals and, further, have the same names and the same functions. Consequently, these components will not be repeatedly described in detail.

[Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]

FIG. 1is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment is a color image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome or multicolor image on a sheet P such as a recording sheet (specifically, a recording sheet) based on image data read by an image reader90or image data externally transmitted. The image forming apparatus100may be a monochrome image forming apparatus. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus100may be other color image forming apparatuses.

The image forming apparatus100includes a document feeder108and an image forming apparatus main body110. The image forming apparatus main body110includes an image forming part102and a sheet transporting system103.

The image forming part102includes an optical scanner1, a plurality of development devices2, a plurality of photosensitive drums3functioning as an electrostatic latent image carrier, a plurality of cleaning devices4, a plurality of charging devices5, an intermediate transfer belt device6, a plurality of toner cartridge devices21, and a fixing device7. The sheet transporting system103includes a paper feed tray81, a manual paper feed tray82, and a discharge tray15.

A document table92composed of a transparent glass, on which a document (not shown) is placed, is disposed on the image forming apparatus main body110. The image reader90for reading images of the document is disposed under the document table92. The document feeder108is disposed on the document table92. An image of the document read by the image reader90is transmitted as image data to the image forming apparatus main body110. An image formed based on the image data in the image forming apparatus main body110is recorded on a sheet P.

Image data handled by the image forming apparatus100is applicable to color images using a plurality of colors (in this example, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y)). Consequently, the development device2, the photosensitive drum3, the cleaning device4, the charging device5, and the toner cartridge device21are respectively provided in plural (in this example, four for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) so as to form a plurality types (in this example, four types of) images of the respective colors. In this way, a plurality of (in this example, four) image stations are configured.

When the image forming apparatus100forms images, a sheet P is supplied from the paper feed tray81or the manual paper feed tray82and transported to a registration roller13by a first transportation roller12adisposed along a sheet transportation path S. Next, the sheet P is transported by a transfer roller10at a timing of registering toner images on an intermediate transfer belt61circulating in a circulation direction V in the intermediate transfer belt device6on the sheet P, so that the toner images are transferred to the sheet P. The sheet P then passes through a fixing roller71and a pressure roller72in the fixing device7for the purpose of thermally melting and fixing unfixed toner on the sheet P, and further passes through a second transportation roller12band a discharge roller31to be discharged on the discharge tray15.

The fixing device7is a fixing device with a belt fixing system. In the fixing device7, a fixing belt74is entrained about a plurality of rollers (in this example, the fixing roller71, a heating roller73, and a tension roller76). The fixing belt74transmits heat from the heating roller73to the fixing roller71. The fixing device7is configured that the pressure roller72is pressed against the fixing roller71via the fixing belt74.

In addition, the fixing belt74is heated by a heat source73cdisposed inside of the heating roller73. The fixing belt74is configured to keep a predetermined fixing temperature based on a signal from a temperature detector77. The fixing belt74thermally fixes multicolor toner images transferred to the sheet P on the sheet P with the pressure roller72. The multicolor toner images thus melt, mix, and press-contact the sheet P to be thermally fixed on the sheet P. The temperature detector77is a temperature sensor that detects the surface temperature of the fixing belt74in a contact or noncontact manner, such as a thermistor.

Next, an example of using the roller device200according to the present embodiment for the fixing device7with a belt fixing system is described below.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a schematic configuration of the fixing device7shown inFIG. 1, as viewed from diagonally upper right on the front side.FIG. 3is a perspective view of the schematic configuration of the fixing device7shown inFIG. 1, as viewed from diagonally upper left on the front side.FIG. 4is a perspective view of a press-contact unit220in the fixing device7shown inFIG. 1, as viewed from diagonally upper left on the front side.FIG. 5is a perspective view of a cleaning unit230as viewed from diagonally upper left on the front side.FIG. 6is a perspective view of the cleaning unit230as viewed from diagonally upper right on the front side.FIG. 7is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit230.FIGS. 8 and 9are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the fixing device7.FIG. 8shows a state where the pressure roller72is placed at a first position P1andFIG. 9shows a state where the pressure roller72is placed at a second position P2.

In the present embodiment, the fixing device7includes a first roller (in this example, the fixing roller71), a second roller (in this example, the pressure roller72), and a cleaning member (in this example, a cleaning roller75). The pressure roller72can swing to change the pressure on the fixing roller71. The cleaning roller75contacts the pressure roller72to clean the pressure roller72. The cleaning roller75is disposed to be opposite to the fixing roller71with the pressure roller72being provided therebetween.

The fixing device7further includes the endless fixing belt74, an urging member (specifically, a press-contact spring78), and a swing member211. The fixing belt74is entrained about the fixing roller71and the heating roller73. The swing member211is supported by a main body of the fixing device7(specifically, a main body frame FL) to be swingable around a swing axis (a swing shaft Q1) along a direction of a rotation axis of the pressure roller72. The press-contact spring78press-contacts the pressure roller72against the fixing roller71with the fixing belt74being interposed between the pressure roller72and the fixing roller71. A fixing nip is thus formed between the fixing belt74and the pressure roller72. The press-contact spring78is connected to the main frame FL at one end and to the swing member211at the other end.

The fixing device7is constituted by a belt unit210, a press-contact unit220, and the cleaning unit230.

The belt unit210includes the fixing roller71, the heating roller73, the fixing belt74, and the tension roller76. The fixing roller71is disposed in the main frame FL in a manner that a rotation shaft71ais rotatable via a bearing71b. The fixing roller71includes an elastic layer71c(seeFIGS. 8 and 9). The fixing roller71is driven to rotate through a drive transmission unit (not shown) by rotation drive force from a rotation drive part (not shown). The pressure roller72is disposed in the swing member211in a manner that a rotation shaft72ais rotatable via a bearing72b. The pressure roller72includes an elastic layer72c(seeFIGS. 8 and 9).

The heating roller73is disposed in the main body frame FL in a manner that a rotation shaft73ais rotatable via a bearing73b. The heating roller73includes the heat source73cand heated by the heat source73c. The fixing belt74can thus be heated through the heating roller73. The tension roller76may be disposed outside the fixing belt74.

The press-contact unit220functions as a unit that performs press-contact and pressure adjustments of the pressure roller72on the fixing roller71, and press-contact release of the pressure roller72from the fixing roller71.

The press-contact unit220includes a drive device221. The drive device221swings the swing member211around the swing shaft Q1. The drive device221includes a rotation drive shaft221a, an eccentric cam member221b, a rotation drive part221c, and a drive transmission mechanism221d.

Drive force is transmitted from the rotation drive part221cvia the drive transmission mechanism221dto the rotation drive shaft221a. The eccentric cam member221bis disposed on the rotation drive shaft221ato contact a rotation member FL1in the main body frame FL. The rotation drive part221cis configured by a drive motor. The drive transmission mechanism221dis configured by a gear train. The eccentric cam member221bcan rotate by rotation drive force transmitted from the rotation drive part221cvia the rotation drive shaft221aand the drive transmission mechanism221d. The eccentric cam member221bcan thus swing the pressure roller72that is supported by the swing member211against the press-contact spring78between the first position P1about the swing shaft Q1(seeFIG. 8) and the second position P2about the swing shaft Q1(seeFIG. 9). The first position P1is on a side of the fixing roller71and the second position P2is on a side of the cleaning roller.

The cleaning unit230is disposed to be removable from the main body frame FL. The cleaning unit230is disposed to be opposite to the belt unit210with the pressure roller72being interposed therebetween. The cleaning unit230includes a main body231, a movable part232, and an urging member (in this example, a press-contact spring233).

The main body231supports the movable part232in a manner that the movable part232can move in a movement direction M along a radial direction of the pressure roller72(in a horizontal direction) on the opposite side to the belt unit210. Unit support parts231aare respectively disposed at both end portions of the main body231in a longitudinal direction N. The longitudinal direction N is along an axial direction of the cleaning roller75. An engagement part231bis formed in each of the unit support parts231a(seeFIG. 7). The engagement part231bis recessed toward the pressure roller72in the movement direction M. Roller support parts232aare respectively disposed at both end portions of the movable part232in the longitudinal direction N. The cleaning roller75is supported by the roller support parts232ain a manner that the rotation shaft75ais rotatable about a rotation axis. The rotation shaft75ais composed of metal materials including, for example, stainless, SUM, iron, nickel, and aluminum. A cleaning member75bis formed on an outer peripheral part of the rotation shaft75a. The cleaning member75bis composed of an elastic body, in this example, an elastic foam body (a sponge layer). The elastic foam body is not particularly limited, and commonly used foam materials may be used. Examples of the elastic foam body include foam bodies using organic rubbers including polyurethane, isoprene rubber (IR), nitrile rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene rubber (FPDM) or foam bodies using at least one of polyethylene, polyester resin, polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane, and epoxy resin. The roller support part232aengages with the engagement part231bof the unit support part231aso as to be movable in the movement direction M. The press-contact spring233urges the roller support part232atoward the pressure roller72. The press-contact spring233is connected to the unit support part231ain a perpendicular direction Z (a vertical direction or a substantially vertical direction) perpendicular to the movement direction M and the longitudinal direction N to cover a side of the roller support part232aopposite to a side at which the pressure roller72is disposed.

The pressure roller72and the heating roller73are rotated in response to rotation of the fixing roller71. The cleaning roller75is rotated in response to rotation of the pressure roller72.

FIG. 10is a system block diagram of a schematic configuration of a control system in the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 10, the image forming apparatus100further includes a control unit130. The control unit130includes a processing unit131and a storage unit132. The processing unit131is configured by a microcomputer such as a CPU. The storage unit132includes a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM and a volatile memory such as a RAM. The control unit130is configured to control operations of various constituent elements when the processing unit131loads a control program stored in advance in a ROM of the storage unit132into a RAM of the storage unit132and performs the program. The control unit130may be included in the fixing device7.

Detection of Position of Pressure Roller

The fixing device7further includes a position detector240(seeFIGS. 2 to 4andFIG. 10). The position detector240includes a detected part241and a detector242. The detected part241is constituted by an eccentric cam member241aand an arm241b. The eccentric cam member241ais disposed at one end portion of the rotation drive shaft221a. The arm241bis supported by the main body frame FL to be rotatable about a rotation axis (a rotation shaft Q2) along the longitudinal direction N. One end portion of the arm241bslide-contacts the eccentric cam member241a. The arm241bis rotated about the rotation shaft Q2in response to rotation of the eccentric cam member241a. The detector242detects the other end portion of the arm241bby rotation of the arm241babout the rotation shaft Q2. The detector242is a transmissive optical sensor. The detector242is electrically connected to an input system of the control unit130. The control unit130can detect the home position (the original position) of the eccentric cam member241aand then the home position of the pressure roller72. The rotation drive part221cis electrically connected to an output system of the control unit130. The control unit130can thus control an operation of the rotation drive part221c.

Swing Operation of Pressure Roller

The control unit130outputs an operation signal indicating the rotational position (the rotation angle) of the eccentric cam member241adetermined by using the home position (the original position) of the eccentric cam member241aas a reference to the rotation drive part221c. The control unit130can rotate the eccentric cam member241avia the rotation drive shaft221aby the rotation drive unit221c. Consequently, it is possible to perform press-contact and pressure adjustments of the pressure roller72on the fixing roller71and press-contact release of the pressure roller72from the fixing roller71.

First Embodiment

In the present embodiment, when the pressure roller72is placed at the first position P1, the pressure between the pressure roller72and the fixing roller71is a first roller pressure. At this time, a cleaning operation is performed in a state where the pressure between the pressure roller72and the cleaning roller75is a first cleaning pressure. Meanwhile, when the pressure roller72is placed at the second position P2, the pressure between the pressure roller72and the fixing roller71is a second roller pressure less than the first roller pressure. At this time, the cleaning operation is performed in a state where the pressure between the pressure roller72and the cleaning roller75is a second cleaning pressure larger than the first cleaning pressure. Consequently, when the pressure roller72is placed at the first position P1, the pressure between the pressure roller72and the cleaning roller75is the first cleaning pressure less than the second cleaning pressure. The life of the cleaning roller75can thus be improved. In addition, even when the pressure roller72is placed at the second position P2, the cleaning roller75can perform the cleaning operation. Consequently, if a contact-pressure release operation is performed to release the pressure of the pressure roller72on the fixing roller71, the cleaning roller75can perform the cleaning operation.

As the contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72is increased, the cleaning performance of the cleaning roller75is improved. When the contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72is too large, however, foreign matter adhered to the cleaning roller75by the cleaning operation may return to the pressure roller72. When the cleaning operation is performed during an image forming operation, the foreign matter may affect images.

Regarding this point, the image forming operation can be performed when the pressure roller72is placed at the first position P1in the present embodiment. The image forming operation can be performed when the contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72is small. Consequently, when the cleaning operation is performed during the image forming operation, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter adhered to the cleaning roller75by the cleaning operation from returning to the pressure roller72. It is thus possible to prevent the foreign matter from affecting images. In addition, it may be configured that the image forming operation is not performed when the pressure roller72is placed at the second position P2. Consequently, the image forming operation is not performed when the contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72is large. The cleaning performance of the cleaning roller75can thus be more improved than that during the image forming operation. If the foreign matter adhered to the cleaning roller75by the cleaning operation returns to the pressure roller72, the image forming operation is not performed and thus influence of the foreign matter on images is not particularly problematic.

Magnitude relationships between the first roller pressure, the second roller pressure, the second cleaning pressure, and the first cleaning pressure are as follows.

The first roller pressure may be larger than the second cleaning pressure and the second cleaning pressure may be larger than the second roller pressure. In this case, the second roller pressure may be larger than the first cleaning pressure or may be equal to the first cleaning pressure (first roller pressure>second cleaning pressure>second roller pressure>first cleaning pressure).

Alternatively, the first roller pressure may be larger than the second cleaning pressure and the second cleaning pressure may be larger than the first cleaning pressure. In this case, the first cleaning pressure may be larger than the second roller pressure (including a case where no pressure is applied) (first roller pressure>second cleaning pressure>first cleaning pressure>second roller pressure).

Alternatively, the first roller pressure may be larger than the second cleaning pressure and the second cleaning pressure may be equal to the second roller pressure. In this case, the second roller pressure may be larger than the first cleaning pressure (first roller pressure>second cleaning pressure=second roller pressure>first cleaning pressure).

Alternatively, the first roller pressure may be larger than the second roller pressure and the second roller pressure may be larger than the second cleaning pressure. In this case, the second cleaning pressure may be larger than the first cleaning pressure (first roller pressure>second roller pressure>second cleaning pressure>first cleaning pressure).

The contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72can be changed in the present embodiment. The contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72can thus be changed according to contamination on a surface of the pressure roller72. The degree to which the cleaning roller75cleans the pressure roller72can thus be adjusted. That is, when the surface of the pressure roller72is less contaminated, the contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72is less than that when the surface of the pressure roller72is contaminated. It is thus possible to prevent a reduction in the life of the cleaning roller75. Such an adjustment is preferably performed when the pressure roller72is placed at the second position P2.

The cleaning roller75is urged toward the pressure roller72by the press-contact spring78in the present embodiment. The contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72can thus be increased. It is thus possible to further improve the cleaning performance of the cleaning roller75.

The pressure roller72may be formed in a manner that its outer diameter is gradually increased from a center portion of the pressure roller72in the longitudinal direction N toward an outer end portion thereof (formed in an inverted crown shape). In this case, when the outer diameter of the cleaning roller75is constant or substantially constant in the longitudinal direction N, the contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72is not uniform in the longitudinal direction N. Consequently, the cleaning performance of the cleaning roller75may vary in the longitudinal direction N.

Regarding this point, when the pressure roller72is formed in an inverted crown shape, the cleaning roller75is formed in a manner that its outer diameter is gradually reduced from a center portion of the cleaning roller75in the longitudinal direction N toward an outer end portion thereof (formed in a crown shape) according to the shape of the pressure roller72. The contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72can thus be uniform in the longitudinal direction N of the pressure roller72. Consequently, the cleaning performance of the cleaning roller75is constant or substantially constant in the longitudinal direction N.

It is configured in the present embodiment that the pressure roller72steplessly swings relative to the fixing roller71by a cam mechanism. The contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72can thus be changed steplessly. The contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72can be steplessly changed depending on contamination on the surface of the pressure roller72. The degree to which the cleaning roller75cleans the pressure roller72can be adjusted steplessly. In addition, the contact pressure between the pressure roller72and the fixing roller71(the fixing belt74) can be steplessly changed. The contact pressure between the pressure roller72and the fixing roller71can be steplessly changed depending on the degree of toner fixing. In this example, the control unit130is configured to adjust the degree of cleaning and/or the degree of fixing through an input screen displayed on a display unit (not shown) in an operation unit (not shown) in a simulation mode. On the input screen, values of the contact pressure between the cleaning roller75and the pressure roller72when the pressure roller72is placed at the second position P2and/or values of the contact pressure between the pressure roller72and the fixing roller71when the pressure roller72is placed at the first position P1can be input.

The fixing belt74is entrained about the fixing roller71in the present embodiment. In this manner, the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied to a fixing device of a fixing belt type.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, during an image forming operation, the control unit130drives the fixing device7to rotate the fixing roller71in the same direction as the rotation direction of the fixing roller71during the image forming operation while the pressure roller72is placed at the first position P1. The control unit130performs, for a predetermined first period T1, a first drive operation of driving the fixing device7to rotate the fixing roller71in the same direction as the rotation direction of the fixing roller71during the image forming operation while the pressure roller72is placed at the first position P1. In addition, the control unit130performs, for a predetermined second period T2, a second drive operation of driving the fixing device7to rotate the fixing roller71in the same direction as the rotation direction of the fixing roller71during the mage forming operation while the pressure roller72is placed at the second position P2. The first drive operation is thus continuously shifted to the second drive operation before or after the image forming operation.

FIG. 11is a timing chart of an example of a drive operation of the fixing device7. In an example ofFIG. 11, the control unit130performs a first drive operation for a first period T1(for example, for one minute) immediately after an image forming operation and then performs a second drive operation for a second period T2(for example, for one minute) immediately after the first drive operation. The image forming operation can thus be smoothly shifted to the first drive operation without switching the position of the pressure roller72.

FIG. 12is a timing chart of another example of the drive operation of the fixing device7. In an example ofFIG. 12, in addition to the configuration shown inFIG. 11or instead of that, the control unit130performs a second drive operation for a second period T2(for example, ten seconds) at the time of start-up of the image forming apparatus100and then performs a first drive operation for a first period T1(for example, ten seconds) immediately after the second drive operation. When receiving an instruction to perform an image forming operation, the control unit130performs the image forming operation. The first drive operation can thus be smoothly shifted to the image forming operation without switching the position of the pressure roller72.

Third Embodiment

In the present embodiment, the control unit130performs a third drive operation of driving the fixing device7to rotate the pressure roller72in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the pressure roller72during an image forming operation while the pressure roller72is placed at the second position P2. The pressure roller72can thus rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the pressure roller72during the image forming operation. The cleaning performance of the cleaning roller75can thus be further improved.

FIG. 13is a timing chart of yet another example of the drive operation of the fixing device7. In an example ofFIG. 13, the control unit130performs a first drive operation for a first period T1(for example, for one minute) immediately after the image forming operation, then performs a second drive operation for a second period T2(for example, for 50 seconds) immediately after the first drive operation, and performs a third drive operation for a third period T3(for example for ten seconds) immediately after the second drive operation. The pressure roller72can thus rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the pressure roller72during the image forming operation without switching the position of the pressure roller72. The cleaning performance of the cleaning roller75can thus be further improved.

In the second drive operation shown inFIG. 11and the second and third drive operations shown inFIG. 13, the fixing device7is driven in a state where heating of the heating roller73is stopped. The fixing roller71, the pressure roller72, the heating roller73, the fixing belt74, and the like can thus be uniformly cooled.

Other Embodiments

While the cleaning member is a cleaning roller in the present embodiment, the cleaning member may be a cleaning web or a cleaning pad.

While the roller device is used for a fixing device with a belt fixing system in the present embodiment, the roller device may be used for a fixing device without a belt. In addition, while the roller device is used for a fixing device, the roller device may be used for a transportation device that transports sheets in an image forming apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be implemented in other various forms. These embodiments are only illustrative in all aspects, not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and is not restricted by the specification. Modifications and changes falling within the equivalent scope of the claims are all included in the scope of the present invention.