Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080199231 | FUSING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A fusing unit is formed along a printing path in an image forming apparatus and fuses an image transferred to a printing medium. The fusing unit includes: a heat source; a nip plate which is heated by the heat source, and comprises a nip part to heat and press the printing medium; and a reflection member to reflect heat generated by the heat source toward the nip part. A belt member is rotatably provided about the heat source, the nip plate and the reflection member, and guides the movement of the printing medium. A driving roller faces the nip part and rotatably drives the belt member. The nip plate and the driving roller form a fusing nip, which quickly heats and provides for quick fusing of a toner image to a printing medium. | 08-21-2008 |
20080199232 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - In an image heating apparatus, the following expressions are satisfied: | 08-21-2008 |
20080205948 | Heating device, fixing device, and image forming device - A heating device has a magnetic field generating unit generating a magnetic field, a heat generating layer, and a heating/rotating unit. The heat generating layer is disposed so as to oppose the magnetic field generating unit, and is at least electromagnetically induced by the magnetic field to generate heat. The heating/rotating unit includes a supporting layer which supports the heat generating layer, and has n (n≧2) metal layers. | 08-28-2008 |
20080219723 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF HEATING IMAGE ON RECORDABLE MATERIAL - An image heating apparatus includes a pressure roller, a belting film to circulate while partially connecting with the pressure roller, a support member to be provided in the belting film and comprises a guide to guide the circulating of the belting film, a nip spring to comprise a nip portion to form a nip between the belting film and the pressure roller, and a support portion to support the nip portion against the support member, and a heater to be provided adjacent to the nip spring and transfer heat to the image through the belting film. | 09-11-2008 |
20080219724 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF HEATING IMAGE ON RECORDABLE MATERIAL - An image heating apparatus including: a pressure member; a fixing roller to rotate on the pressure member; a heater to heat an external surface of the fixing roller; and a film to be heated by the heater. While passing through a gap between the pressure member and the fixing roller, the film may form a nip with the pressure member. The image heating apparatus may reduce an initial warm-up time through a film heating operation, and may utilize the fixing roller as a heat reservoir by heating the fixing roller. | 09-11-2008 |
20080219725 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A fixing device, includes: a heating member that rotates in a state heated by a heating unit; a driven member that is rotated by the heating member, and that conveys a sheet in cooperation with the heating member; a biasing unit that biases the heating member and the driven member in a contacting direction; a contact area forming member that forms a contact area of the heating member and the driven member by making the heating member and the driven member come in contact with each other; a support member that supports at least one of the heating member and the driven member so as to be freely moved in a direction approaching and separated with respect to the other member; and a fulcrum that is arranged in a downstream side of the contact area in a sheet conveying direction, and that movably supports the support member. | 09-11-2008 |
20080219726 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus for fixing an toner image transferred onto a paper sheet, including: a fixing roller having a heater and an elastic layer on an external circumference surface thereof; a fixing belt driven by the fixing roller; a pressuring member which forms a nip portion between the fixing roller and the fixing belt; a separating member being arranged in a down stream of the pressuring member in a conveyance direction of a paper sheet, and being arranged to press the fixing belt; a pressing member which presses an edge of the separating member in a direction to which the fixing belt is pressed, and changes a position of the separating member relative to the fixing roller; and a plurality of adjusting members being provided in a longitudinal direction of the separating member and being arranged to adjust a position of the pressing member. | 09-11-2008 |
20080232870 | Fuser Assembly Having Compliant Stopping Flange - A fuser assembly configured to fix a toner image to a sheet of print media includes a fuser belt having a first side edge and a second side edge. A plurality of end cap assemblies is positioned to locate the fuser belt. The plurality of end cap assemblies include a first end cap assembly having a first compliant stopping flange positioned to engage the first side edge of the fuser belt, and a second end cap assembly having a second compliant flange positioned to engage the second side edge of the fuser belt. | 09-25-2008 |
20080232871 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a pressing roller, a fixing belt to receive a rotation force transferred from the pressing roller and to rotate thereby, a nip forming member which is mounted inside the fixing belt, the nip forming member including a heat transmission unit formed thereon, and a heat source, which is mounted inside the nip forming member, to simultaneously apply heat to the nip forming member and to the fixing belt through the heat transmission unit. | 09-25-2008 |
20080240807 | BELT MEANDER PREVENTING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing roller, a fixing belt which is made to rotate by a rotation force transferred from the fixing roller, a heat source which is mounted inside the fixing belt, a guide member, which is mounted inside the fixing belt, to guide the rotation of the fixing belt, and a belt meander preventing unit, which is mounted on the guide member, to elastically support both sides of the fixing belt and to prevent the fixing belt from meandering. Therefore, the sides of the fixing belt are elastically supported to gently absorb a reaction force acting on the end portion of the fixing belt, and accordingly it is possible to prevent the fixing belt from being damaged and meandering. | 10-02-2008 |
20080240808 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A fixing device includes: a magnetic field generating component that generates a magnetic field; a fixing member including a heat generating layer that is electromagnetically induced by the magnetic field to generate heat; a support disposed at an inner side of the fixing member; a pressure rotating body that applies pressure to the fixing member in the direction of the support; and a pair of magnetic circuit forming members that are disposed with the fixing member and the magnetic field generating component being placed therebetween and can be used while having either elastic deformation or plastic deformation applied thereto. | 10-02-2008 |
20080240809 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device forms, with use of an endless belt and a fixing roller that are positioned facing each other, a fixing nip by placing the endless belt in contact with the fixing roller while causing a pressing member to press the endless belt from an inner side thereof against the fixing roller, and fixes an unfixed image onto a recording medium when the recording medium passes through the fixing nip. The fixing device includes (i) a sheet member that is provided between the endless belt and the pressing member and thus reduces friction therebetween, (ii) a supporting mechanism that movably supports the sheet member, and (iii) a sheet member moving part that, when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, keeps the sheet member at rest, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, moves the sheet member in a certain direction by a predetermined amount. | 10-02-2008 |
20080247789 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing roller, a fixing belt which is made to rotate by a rotation force received from the fixing roller, a nip forming unit to form a nip zone at a contact area between the fixing roller and the fixing belt, and a first heating unit, which is separated from the nip zone, to apply heat to the fixing belt. The nip zone and the heating unit are separated, so that the heating unit can be prevented from being broken as a result of the pressurization and thermal deformation. | 10-09-2008 |
20080286017 | Belt fixing unit - A belt fixing unit has a fixing roller and a pressing roller that are provided in a pair midway along a transport passage through which paper having a toner image formed thereon is transported from bottom to top approximately in a vertical direction and that fix the toner image on the paper, a heating roller that is provided parallel to and in a position approximately horizontal to the fixing roller and that incorporates a heater for heating the fixing roller, and a fixing belt that is formed as an endless belt and that is wound around and between the fixing roller and the heating roller. A non-contact temperature sensor for controlling the fixing temperature is provided on a non-contact basis in the paper passage region on the surface of the upper one of the parts of the fixing belt facing each other up and down between the fixing roller and the heating roller. | 11-20-2008 |
20080286018 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FUSING UNIT THEREOF - An image forming apparatus and a fusing unit thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body on which to form an electrostatic latent image, an exposure device to irradiate light to the photosensitive body to form the electrostatic latent image, a developer adhering device to adhere a developer to the photosensitive body on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed to form a visible image, a transfer device to transfer the visible image formed on the photosensitive body onto a printing medium, and a fusing unit to fuse the visible image transferred onto the printing medium to the printing medium. The fusing unit includes a press roller, a heating belt to closely contact the press roller to form a fusing nip to apply heat and pressure to the printing medium onto which the visible image has been transferred, first and second support rollers disposed apart from each other to circulatingly support the heating belt, and an elastic support device to elastically bias the first support roller and/or the second support roller in a direction away from each other to maintain a constant tension of the heating belt. | 11-20-2008 |
20080292375 | Pigment-Adhering Apparatus For A Printer Device - A pigment-adhering apparatus for the printer device is provided. The pigment-adhering apparatus includes a pressing roller having two contacting components and a feeding component between the two contacting components. The feeding component transports an printed object to be printed and the pressing roller provides a pressure to a heat conducting film. The contacting components make the heat conducting film move with the pressing roller at the same speed. | 11-27-2008 |
20080304882 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device includes a pressing member, a belt member to rotate in contact with the pressing member, a nip forming member to support the belt member so that nip areas are formed on the pressing member and the belt member at contacting portions thereto, a heating member disposed away from the nip areas, to heat the belt member, and a tension application member to stiffen the belt member so that the heating member is tightly contacted with the belt member. The heating member includes a plate type heating element which is arranged at an upstream side of the nip areas, and to contact an inner circumference of the belt member, in an advancing direction of the fusing belt. The effective width of then nip areas increases, and the increased pressure is exerted to the nip areas, because the fusing belt enters a location where the nip areas are formed in a heated state. Furthermore, heating efficiency of the fusing belt is increased, because the fusing belt is heated while in a tight contact with the heating member. As a result, fusing performance is enhanced. | 12-11-2008 |
20080317522 | FUSER ASSEMBLY HAVING OIL RETENTION FEATURES - A fuser assembly includes a first end cap, and a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap along an axis orthogonal to a sheet feed direction. A fuser belt is positioned between and supported by the first end cap and the second end cap to rotate around the axis in a belt moving direction at the nip corresponding to the sheet feed direction. A heater assembly is located in the hollow interior of the fuser belt. A plurality of ribs is positioned to contact the interior surface of the fuser belt. A first rib is connected to one of the first end cap and the heater assembly. A second rib is connected to one of the second end cap and the heater assembly. Each of the plurality of ribs is oriented to longitudinally extend at an acute angle with respect to the belt moving direction. | 12-25-2008 |
20080317523 | Fixing Belt - A polyimide-based resinous cylindrical body characterized in that 3 to 20% by volume of fluororesin having a number average molecular weight of more than 56000 and equal to or less than 3000000 is combined in the resinous cylindrical body. In the resinous cylindrical body, preferably BN is further combined as a heat conductive element by the amount of 5 to 40% by volume in the resinous cylindrical body. The resinous cylindrical body and a fixing belt having an inner layer made of the resinous cylindrical body exhibit excellent properties in terms of friction with a slide member, resulting superior durability and image formation. | 12-25-2008 |
20080317524 | IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - When removing a sheet that is undesirably attached to a pressure belt as a result of a jam, if the sheet is pulled in the width direction of the pressure belt, the pressure belt may undesirably move in the width direction. This will make it difficult to perform a subsequent jam recovery operation properly. | 12-25-2008 |
20080317525 | BELT FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - A belt feeding apparatus includes an endless belt and a supporting member for rotatably supporting the belt. The belt feeding apparatus further includes a setting member for setting, when the belt is deviated from a widthwisely normal zone, an inclination angle of the supporting member to a return angle to return the belt toward the normal zone. The setting member also sets, when a predetermined time elapses from the belt returning to the normal zone, the inclination angle of the supporting member to a balance angle to keep the belt in the zone. | 12-25-2008 |
20080317526 | BELT FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - A belt feeding apparatus includes an endless belt; a supporting member for rotatably supporting said belt; and setting means for setting, when said belt is deviated from a widthwisely normal zone, an inclination angle of said supporting member to a returning angle to return said belt toward the normal zone, and for setting, when said belt is in the normal zone, the inclination angle of said supporting member to a balance angle. | 12-25-2008 |
20090003899 | TURRET FUSING APPARATUS - A turret fusing apparatus including (a) a frame; (b) a rotatable external pressure roller mounted at a first mounting position to the frame; and (c) a rotatable turret assembly mounted at a second mounting position on the frame for selectably forming different fusing nips having different characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller. The rotatable turret assembly has at least a pair of internal pressure rollers including a first rotatable internal pressure roller for forming a first fusing nip having a first set of characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller, and a second rotatable internal pressure roller for forming a second fusing nip having a second set of characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003900 | FIXING DEVICE, CARRYING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The conveying device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical first roller, a cylindrical second roller that has a surface hardness higher than a surface hardness of the first roller, and a belt placed in a state surrounding either the first roller or the second roller. The conveying device moves an object to be conveyed by bringing the first roller and the second roller in pressure contact with each other via the belt and making the object pass through a nip portion formed of the belt and the first roller or the second roller facing the belt. A length in a lengthwise direction of an outer peripheral portion of the first roller is shorter than a length in a lengthwise direction of an outer peripheral portion of the second roller. | 01-01-2009 |
20090016789 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The fusing device can include a fusing belt, a heat source disposed in an interior of the fusing belt, a supporting member to support at least a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the fusing belt, a press member mounted while opposing the fusing belt to form a fusing nip, and a nip forming part formed with an opening portion to enable heat emitted from the heat source to be transferred to the fusing belt at a position corresponding to the fusing nip. The nip forming part can have at least one gap maintaining part to prevent change of a gap of the opening portion. The nip forming part is provided at the supporting member or a nip forming member mounted between the heat source and the supporting member. Accordingly, a temperature of the fusing belt can rise quickly by directly heating the fusing belt, and deterioration of fusing performance due to deformation of the nip forming member can be prevented. | 01-15-2009 |
20090016790 | BELT-TYPE FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt-type fixing device having therein an endless fixing belt, a pressure roller arranged inside the aforesaid fixing belt and a pressure member that presses the fixing belt against the pressure roller, wherein a toner image on a recording material is fixed in the nip portion formed between the fixing belt and the pressure member, and wherein the pressure roller has an elastic layer made of solid rubber, and the elastic layer is covered by a resin layer, and further plural undulations are formed in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the pressure roller. | 01-15-2009 |
20090035034 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A fixing device, including: a rotatable heating roller including a heating source; and a pressure applying section including an endless fixing belt which is in pressure-contact with the heating roller and rotates with a rotation of the heating roller, wherein the pressure applying section further includes: a pressure applying member positioned to come into contact with an interior surface of the fixing belt and positioned to be inside both edges of the fixing belt to form a nipping portion between the fixing belt and the heating roller, by pressing the fixing belt against the heating roller; and a lubricant supplying member which supplies a lubricant onto the interior surface of the fixing belt, wherein the fixing device further includes a lubricant removing section including a scraping member to come into contact with the edge of the fixing belt to remove the lubricant. | 02-05-2009 |
20090035035 | BELT-TYPE FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt-type fixing device having therein a pressure roller that has an elastic layer which is made of solid rubber, wherein, the elastic layer is covered by a resin layer on which a plurality of cracks are formed to be substantially deep enough to arrive at the elastic layer, and cracks harmful for the elastic layer are not caused by pressurization at a nip portion. | 02-05-2009 |
20090047047 | Fuser Assembly Having Compliant End Cap - A fuser assembly configured to fix a toner image to a sheet of print media includes a fuser belt having a first side edge, a second side edge spaced apart from the first side edge, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a hollow interior defined by the interior surface. A pair of end cap assemblies is positioned to locate the fuser belt, and the fuser belt is positioned between and supported by the pair of end cap assemblies. Each end cap assembly of the pair of end cap assemblies includes an end cap body and a belt support mechanism. The belt support mechanism is coupled to the end cap body for supporting the fuser belt and is configured to be compliant in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the fuser belt to apply a biasing force to the interior surface of the fuser belt. | 02-19-2009 |
20090052955 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A fixing device capable of suitable fixing even after moving to a print mode by reducing overshoot at moving to a print mode, and an image forming device using this. A mode switching unit informs a set or switched print mode to a calorie control unit and a rotation speed control unit. The calorie control unit controls supply power to a fixing roller, a heating roller and a fixing belt, that is a heating output from a heating means consisting of the fixing roller, the heating roller and the fixing belt according to a print mode informed from the mode switching unit. Therefore, the image fixing temperature of a non-fixed image at the heating means can be maintained at a specified temperature corresponding to a print mode. | 02-26-2009 |
20090052956 | FIXING DEVICE SLIDE MEMBER AND FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device slide member has a surface | 02-26-2009 |
20090052957 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device of the present invention includes a holding frame placed along a fixed pressing member. The holding frame includes a groove section having a recessed cross section and extending along the width direction of a sheet. The fixed pressing member is housed in the groove section. The fixed pressing member is pressed toward the rotor so that the rotor and the fixed pressing member are put in pressure contact with each other. A first engaging element is provided in a predetermined position on the bottom face of the groove section of the holding frame. A second engaging element which engages with the first engaging element is provided in a position on the fixed pressing member which corresponds to the positions of the first engaging element on the holding frame. | 02-26-2009 |
20090052958 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device in which a width of a slide member is larger than a width of a pressurizing belt while both ends of the slide member are positioned outside of both ends of the pressurizing belt. The above-structured slide member makes it possible to prevent lubricant on the slide member from leaking out of the ends of the slide member and coming around the inner surface of the slide member, and thereby to prevent a pressing member beneath the slide member from swelling, resulting in avoidance of wrinkle generation on recording materials. | 02-26-2009 |
20090067900 | BELT FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material in a nip portion having: an endless fixing belt and a pressing device to press the fixing belt to a fixing member so as to form the nip portion between the fixing belt and the fixing member, wherein the pressing device is structured from an aggregate of a plurality of metal members arranged in a conveyance direction of the recording material. | 03-12-2009 |
20090067901 | FUSING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fusing unit, and an image forming apparatus including the same, includes: a driving roller; a belt disposed to be driven by the driving roller; a nip plate disposed along a lengthwise direction of the driving roller with the belt being disposed between the driving roller and the nip plate, the nip plate being pressed toward the driving roller to form a fusing nip; a heat radiating body disposed along the lengthwise direction to heat the nip plate by heat conduction; and a heat radiating body pressing member to press the heat radiating body toward the nip plate to prevent the heat radiating body from being spaced from the nip plate due to thermal deformation. The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit to form an image on a printing medium with a developer; and the fusing unit. | 03-12-2009 |
20090067902 | Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and method of manufacturing toner for image forming apparatus - In a fixing device, a first fixing member and a second fixing member nip a recording medium so as to fix a toner image on the recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium. A pressure application lever presses the second fixing member toward the first fixing member. A pressure release lever supported by the pressure application lever supports a lock member. An elastic member pulls the lock member in a lock direction. The pressure release lever moves the lock member between a pressure application position, at which the lock member causes the pressure application lever to press the second fixing member toward the first fixing member so as to apply tension to the second fixing member, and a pressure release position, at which the second fixing member separates from the first fixing member so as to release tension applied to the second fixing member. | 03-12-2009 |
20090074484 | MULTI-TAP SERIES CERAMIC HEATER COLD SPOT COMPENSATION - An improved fuser includes a heater that enhances uniform heating by altering the localized resistance which alters the localized power output of a resistive trace at the point of contact with a conductor trace in order to provide extra heating and thereby compensate for heat loss at the resistive trace/conductor trace junction. | 03-19-2009 |
20090074485 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device including a pressure member that presses an endless fixing belt toward a fixing nip portion from the inner circumferential surface side; a sliding sheet that covers the pressure member; and a regulating member arranged on an end part of the sliding sheet for regulating the slack of the sliding sheet. | 03-19-2009 |
20090074486 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device including an endless fixing belt; a pressure member that presses the fixing belt toward the fixing nip portion from the inner circumferential surface side of the fixing belt; and a sliding sheet that covers the pressure member and extends outside the pressure member in the longitudinal direction thereof wherein a surface other than an opposed surface opposed to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt is cut out. | 03-19-2009 |
20090074487 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device for conducting fixing by heating and pressurizing a recording material conveyed between a fixing member and a belt, having therein a pressing section that presses the recording material against a fixing member through a belt, a pressure applying section that generates pressing force proceeding to the pressing section, and a pressing force transmission section that is positioned between the pressing section and the pressure applying section and that transmits the pressing force to the pressing section, wherein the pressing force transmission section has plural first elastic members arranged in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the pressing section, and the first elastic members have a plurality of different elastic coefficients. | 03-19-2009 |
20090080954 | SLIDING MEMBER AND FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Provided is a sliding member, including: a substrate; and a non-continuous diamond-like carbon layer provided on a surface of the substrate, the non-continuous diamond-like carbon layer being formed from a plurality of diamond-like carbon layer portions that are separated from one another by grooves. Also provided is a fixing device including: a fixing belt; a pressure member that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt; and at least one fixed sliding member on which the fixing belt slides, the fixed sliding member contacting the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt, at least one of the fixing belt and the fixed sliding member comprising a non-continuous diamond-like carbon layer on a sliding surface between the fixing belt and the fixed sliding member, the non-continuous diamond-like carbon layer being formed from a plurality of diamond-like carbon layer portions that are separated from one another by grooves. Furthermore, provided is an image forming apparatus using the sliding member or the fixing device. | 03-26-2009 |
20090087235 | Fixing Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus, such as a laser printer, may use high levels of heat to form images, and some elements may expand and contract with changing temperatures. An apparatus may include a heat roller disposed against a pressure roller, with an endless belt member enclosing the pressure roller. The belt member may also have different frictional characteristics on an inside and outside of the roller, such that when peripheral speeds change due to expansion of the pressure roller, the belt member may be configured to slip against the pressure roller, and maintain a frictional relationship with the heat roller (or a printing medium, such as paper, that is pinched between the rollers). Additionally, the rotational speed of an axis of the pressure roller may be adjusted to compensate for the thermal expansion. | 04-02-2009 |
20090092423 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device includes a rotatable pressing roller, a fusing belt to rotate by a rotational force transmitted from the rotatable pressing roller, a nip forming member to contact an inner surface of the fusing belt to form a nip on a contact area between the rotatable pressing roller and the fusing belt, a heating member formed in approximately an internal central portion of the fusing belt to heat the nip forming member and the fusing belt, an inner support member formed within the fusing belt to press a nip part of the nip forming member toward the rotatable pressing roller, and an outer support member formed outside the fusing belt, and both ends of the outer support member being engaged with the inner support member to thereby reinforce the strength of the inner support member and form a path for radiation heat to disperse. The support unit includes an inner support member placed within the belt unit, and an outer support member placed outside the belt unit, both ends of the outer support member being engaged with the inner support member to reinforce the strength of the inner support member and to form a path for a radiation heat to disperse. | 04-09-2009 |
20090092424 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus capable of quickly heating a fixing belt with a simple configuration and stably maintaining the temperature of the fixing belt includes a fixing unit having a fixing belt, a fixing roller which supports a portion of the fixing belt and has a first heat source disposed therein, a heat transfer member which supports another portion of the fixing belt and transfers heat to the fixing belt, a pressing member which forms a fixing nip through which the fixing belt circulates, and a second heat source which is disposed outside the fixing roller and the heat transfer member and inside the fixing belt. The second heat source is disposed to heat at least two of the fixing belt, the fixing roller, and the heat transfer member. | 04-09-2009 |
20090092425 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MATERIAL CONVEYANCE APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus which fixes a toner image at a nip portion formed by a belt member and a rotating member controls a deviation of a belt by changing an inclination of a belt supporting member during a fixing operation. During a standby operation in which the belt member and the rotating member are separated from each other, the fixing apparatus stops changing the inclination of the belt supporting member and regulates the deviation of the belt by contacting a flange provided at the belt supporting member and a belt end portion. | 04-09-2009 |
20090097890 | Fluororesin tube and method for producing the same - A fluororesin tube | 04-16-2009 |
20090097891 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device is provided for use in an image forming apparatus to fuse a toner image having a polarity on a printable medium. Such a fusing device comprises: a heating roller which comprises a heat source; a driving roller which is spaced apart from the heating roller; a fusing belt which travels on the heating roller and the driving roller and is heated by the heating roller; a pressing roller which forms a fusing nip against a surface of the fusing belt and presses the printable medium to the fusing belt; and a power supply which applies a voltage to the pressing roller to electrify the printable medium into a polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner image. | 04-16-2009 |
20090110450 | Fuser Belt Assembly - A fuser belt assembly of a xerographic marking device is provided with an endless fuser belt having an inner side and an outer side, a pressure pad movable between a cammed-in position in which the pressure pad contacts an inner side of the fuser belt to press an outer side of the fuser belt against a fuser roll to form a fusing nip, and a cammed-out position in which the pressure pad does not press the fuser belt against the fuser roll. The pressure pad includes two or more embedded pressure sensors for sensing a load of the pressure pad in the cammed-in position, and one or more preload adjustment screws for adjusting the load on the pressure pad based on the sensed pressure pad loads. | 04-30-2009 |
20090110451 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device includes a pressure unit, a belt unit to rotate in outer contact with the pressure unit, a nip forming unit to form a nip over a contact portion between the pressure unit and the belt unit, a heating unit to heat the nip forming unit and the belt unit, and a support unit to press and support the nip forming unit constantly and having a plurality of heat transmission portions defined in a parallelogrammic shape of an oblique direction with respect to a traveling direction of the belt unit. | 04-30-2009 |
20090116885 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING METHOD - The fixing device is provided with: a fixing roll that is rotatable; a belt member that is stretched by the fixing roll; a pressure roll that presses the fixing roll through the belt member; and a peeling member that presses an outer surface of the belt member against the pressure roll. The pressure roll presses the belt member with pressure at an edge portion of the belt member larger than pressure at a central portion of the belt member in an axial direction, and the peeling member presses the belt member with pressure at the edge portion of the belt member equal to or larger than pressure at the central portion of the belt member in the axial direction. | 05-07-2009 |
20090123202 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A pressure releasing lever is operated to switch the position of a locking member between a pressure exertion position and a pressure release position. In the pressure exertion position a pressure exerting roller exerts pressure against another roller via a pressure exerting lever and in the pressure release position the pressure exerting roller separates from the roller. An elastic member pulls the locking member and a second end of the pressure exerting lever in a locking direction. A core end of the pressure exerting roller is rotatably supported by a shaft bearing. The pressure exerting lever engages with the shaft bearing. | 05-14-2009 |
20090129835 | BELT TYPE IMAGE FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME DEVICE - A belt type image fixing device, including: an image fixing endless belt, having: an electrically conductive layer; and an insulation layer to cover the electrically conductive layer; a pressure applying member to press against the image fixing endless belt, having: an electrically conductive layer; and an insulation layer to cover the electrically conductive layer; and an electrical voltage applying device which applies an electrical voltage to the electrical conductive layer of the image fixing endless belt, and to the electrical conductive layer of the pressure applying member, wherein the image fixing endless belt and the pressure applying member form a nipping portion which nips and conveys a recording medium carrying a toner image, and wherein a predetermined difference of electrical voltage is created between the image fixing endless belt and the pressure applying member, so that the recording medium is evenly nipped, and the toner image is evenly fixed. | 05-21-2009 |
20090136273 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device are supplied capable of preventing life of roller from shortening due to big shearing warp. | 05-28-2009 |
20090136274 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A fixing device fixes a recording medium with a toner image transferred thereon. The fixing device includes an endless belt heated with a heating member; a first pressing member contacting with the endless belt and extending the endless belt together with the heating member; a second pressing member for pressing the endless belt and sandwiching the endless belt together with the first pressing member; and a high thermal conductive member contacting with an inner surface of the endless belt and disposed along a direction crossing a direction that the endless belt moves. | 05-28-2009 |
20090162115 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heat member, a belt member, a belt support member, a first rotation member, a second rotation member, and a separation contact mechanism. The belt member is heated by the heat member. The belt support member operably supports the belt member. The first rotation member tightly stretches the belt member with the belt support member. The second rotation member is disposed opposite to the first rotation member through the belt member. The separation contact mechanism makes the heat member to contact the belt member when the first rotation member rotates, and makes the heat member separate from the belt member when the first rotation member halts. | 06-25-2009 |
20090162116 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus, including: a belt for heating a toner image formed on a sheet in a heating nip portion; a rotary member for forming the heating nip portion in cooperation with the belt and rotating the belt in conjunction with a rotation of the rotary member; a changing device for changing a pressure between the belt and the rotary member; and a warm-up device for starting a rotation of the belt by the rotary member with the pressure between the belt and the rotary member set to a first pressure, and thereafter changing the pressure between the belt and the rotary member from the first pressure to a second pressure higher than the first pressure after a lapse of a predetermined period of time from a start of the rotation of the belt so that the belt is rotated by the rotary member at the second pressure. | 06-25-2009 |
20090169276 | Fixing Device - A fixing device | 07-02-2009 |
20090180820 | Fuser device - A fuser device used with an imaging system for setting toner on a recording media is disclosed. The fuser device includes a heating element; a rolling piece for exerting pressure on the toner adhered on the recording media; a film for clamping the recording media with the rolling piece, the film being in the heat of the heating element to set the toner on the recording media; and a control structure. The control structure has a base piece on which a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion are disposed. The heating element, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion form a loop and the film surrounds the loop. | 07-16-2009 |
20090208262 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - In an image heating apparatus, outer peripheral surfaces of two endless belts are held in contact with each other to form a nip portion, and a recording material bearing a toner image is heated at the nip portion while being pinched and conveyed. In the image heating apparatus, the nip portion has a pre-nip portion formed by regions of the endless belts with no backup by pressure members, and a pressure nip portion where one endless belt with backup by the pressure members is held in contact with another endless belt. The image heating apparatus is capable of securing a large nip width compatible with an increase in speed and free from “pressure-absence” leading to image abnormality such as misregistration, thus enabling an image having a sufficient gloss to be obtained. | 08-20-2009 |
20090208263 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a heating section; and a press section which presses the heating section and thereby forms a fixing nip section, wherein at least one of the heating section and the press section comprises, an endless fixing belt; a press member which presses the fixing belt to the fixing nip; and a sliding sheet covering the press member, wherein the sliding sheet is wider than the fixing belt; projections are provided at a first area which is inside of an end part of the press member of a surface of the sliding sheet in the width direction; and projections lower than the projections provided at the first area are provided at a second area which is near the end of the fixing belt of the surface of the sliding sheet, or projections are not provided at all at the second area. | 08-20-2009 |
20090208264 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressure member, a contact member, and a heater. The fixing member is provided in a width direction of a recording medium and to heat and fuse a toner image on the recording medium. The pressure member is to press against the fixing member. The contact member is provided inside the fixing member and to contact the pressure member through the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressure member and the fixing member. The heater includes a heating element and is to heat the contact member. The heating element of the heater is a mold member of a relatively thin plate extending in a width direction of the fixing member and includes a flat surface that faces the contact member. An image forming apparatus for forming an image includes the fixing device. | 08-20-2009 |
20090208265 | IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - The present invention relates to an image heating device comprising, a first belt which heats an image on a recording material at a nip, a second belt which forms the nip with the first belt, a first pressure member and a first rotating member which press the first belt at the nip, the first pressure member and the first rotating member being provided while not being in contact with each other; and a second pressure member and a second rotating member which press the second belt at the nip, the second pressure member and the second rotating member being provided while not being in contact with each other. The nip is formed by a region where at least one of the first pressure member, the first rotating member, the second pressure member, and the second rotating member is in contact with the corresponding belt. | 08-20-2009 |
20090214275 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED THEREWITH - A fixing apparatus includes a pair of fixing sections pressed against each other and including a fixing roller having a heater lamp incorporated therein and a pressure roller; an endless belt for heating the surface of the fixing roller by bringing a heating nip portion into contact with the fixing roller; and a plurality of support rollers supporting the endless belt therearound so as to give tension, and each having a heater lamp incorporated therein. The endless belt has a thickness of 0.08 mm or more and 0.14 mm or less, and the heating nip portion is formed in an angular range of 50° or more and 90° or less around a center axis of the fixing roller. | 08-27-2009 |
20090232567 | FIXING DEVICE, CYLINDRICAL HEAT FIXING ROLL AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a magnetic field generating unit that generates a magnetic field; a cylindrical fixing member that is disposed to face the magnetic field generating unit, generates heat due to electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and includes a heat generating layer that has a thickness thinner than a skin depth, and a temperature sensing layer which has a magnetic permeability change starting temperature, in a temperature range from a set fixing temperature to a heat resisting temperature, at which a magnetic permeability starts to decrease continuously, and which contacts with a face of the heat generating layer opposite to the magnetic field generating unit; and a pressure rotating body that is brought into pressure contact with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing member and deformed. | 09-17-2009 |
20090232568 | FIXING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPER FIXING METHOD FOR THE FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes: a pressing roller having a heating device therein; a metal roller having a core bar of metal; and a fixing roller that is set in contact with the pressing roller across a fixing belt wound around the fixing roller and the metal roller, has the width of the center portion formed in a cylindrical shape smaller than the width of the pressing roller, and has, at both ends, small-diameter rollers having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the center portion. Since stress is not applied to both ends of the fixing belt, the durable life of the fixing belt is extended. | 09-17-2009 |
20090245899 | BELT FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt fixing device includes a fixing roller, a heating roller, a fixing belt stretched between the fixing roller and the heating roller, and a pressing roller pressing the fixing roller through the fixing belt. In at least one end portion of the heating roller in an axial direction, a ring regulating skewed movement of the fixing belt toward an axial end, a belt tension adjusting unit regulating tension of the fixing belt, and a ring separating/contacting unit operating in conjunction with the belt tension adjusting unit to separate the ring from the fixing belt or to bring the ring into contact with the fixing belt are provided. | 10-01-2009 |
20090245900 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A planar heat-generating body | 10-01-2009 |
20090252542 | Image Fixing System With Improved Lubrication - Disclosed is an image fixing system for use in an image forming system. The image fixing system of the present invention includes a heated member and a pressure member. Further disclosed is a lubricant for use in the image fixing system. The lubricant includes a fluorinated oil. Further, the lubricant includes less than or equal to about 25 percent by weight of a polytetrafluoroethylene filler. | 10-08-2009 |
20090257794 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND ENDLESS BELT USED FOR IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording medium includes an endless belt that includes a base layer made of a metal material; a heater that contacts with an inner surface of the endless belt; and a backup member that forms a nip portion together with the heater through the endless belt. The image formed on the recording medium is heated while being pinched and conveyed in the nip portion. An end surface of the base layer includes a plane region and a curved surface region. When the thickness of the base layer is t, the width of the plane region in a thickness direction of the base layer is h, and the flatness ratio H of the end surface of the base layer is defined as h/t, the flatness ratio H satisfies 50%≦H≦90%. | 10-15-2009 |
20090257795 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device is provided that suppresses loss in heat radiation from both ends in a longitudinal direction which is a direction corresponding to an axial direction of a fixing roller in a heating member so as to be able to uniform distribution of a temperature in the longitudinal direction of the heating member and to attain uniform fixing capability. A planar heat generating element provided in a heating member includes electrodes at both ends in a circumferential direction so that a flowing direction of current flowing through the planar heat generating element is a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction as a direction extending along an axial direction of a fixing roller in the planar heat generating element. The planar heat generating element is constituted so that the both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof have larger thickness than that of a center part thereof. | 10-15-2009 |
20090263168 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The fixing apparatus includes: a fixing member having base and conductive layers and fixing a toner onto a recording medium when the conductive layer is heated by electromagnetic induction; a magnetic field generating member generating an alternating-current magnetic field crossing the conductive layer; and a magnetic field inducing member arranged so as to face the magnetic field generating member across the fixing member, and inducing the magnetic field into itself or allowing the magnetic field to go through the member. The base layer and the magnetic field inducing member each contain a material having a magnetic permeability change onset temperature in a range from not less than a heating preset temperature of the fixing member to not more than a heatproof temperature of the fixing member. A thickness of the base layer is smaller than a skin depth of the layer at the heating preset temperature of the fixing member. | 10-22-2009 |
20090263169 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An aspect of the invention provides a fixing device that comprises: an endless fixing belt; a first rotating body arranged at an inner side of the fixing belt; and a heater arranged to face an inner surface of the fixing belt and configured to heat the fixing belt and to suspend the fixing belt in a tensioned state together with the first rotating body, the heater comprising: a heat generating unit arranged at an end portion of the heater on a downstream side in a direction of travel of the fixing belt and configured to heat the fixing belt; and a support including metal and configured to support the heat generating unit. | 10-22-2009 |
20090263170 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing belt for fixing an unfixed toner image onto a recording medium, a planar heating member for heating the fixing belt, and a pressure roller. The heating member includes a ceramic heat generating element having a PTC characteristic, and a high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member. The fixing belt is formed in an endless shape and is supported around, at least, the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member, thereby to be heated. The ceramic heat generating element comes into contact with the fixing belt over the full width thereof with the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member interposed therebetween. The high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member comes into contact with the fixing belt over the full width thereof and diffuses heat generated by the heat generating element, in the traveling direction of the fixing belt. | 10-22-2009 |
20090263171 | PLANAR HEAT GENERATING ELEMENT, FIXING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A planar heat generating element includes an insulating layer and a resistance heat generator formed on one surface in a thickness direction of the insulating layer, for generating heat under a passage of electric current therethrough, the resistance heat generator constituting a plane of certain configuration as a whole and forming a heat generating pattern. The resistance heat generator includes a plurality of linear portions formed on one surface of the insulating layer that extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the insulating layer, the linear portions being arranged side by side substantially in parallel to each other; and a low-volume resistivity portion formed on the one surface so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the insulating layer, and connecting the adjacent linear portions at their extending direction-wise ends to form a single line composed of the adjacent linear portions and the low-volume resistivity portion. | 10-22-2009 |
20090269108 | FUSER ASSEMBLIES, XEROGRAPHIC APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF FUSING TONER ON COPY SHEETS - Fuser assemblies for fusing toner on copy sheets, xerographic apparatuses, and methods of fusing toner on copy sheets in xerographic apparatuses are disclosed. An embodiment of the fuser assemblies includes a continuous fuser belt including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; at least a first roll and a second roll which support the fuser belt, at least one of the first roll and second roll being adapted to heat the fuser belt; a heater including an outer heating surface facing the inner surface of the fuser belt; and a mechanism operatively connected to the heater for moving the heater to bring the heating surface into contact with the inner surface of the fuser belt. The heater is operable to supply heat from the heating surface to the inner surface to increase the temperature of the outer surface of the fuser belt adjacent the inner surface heated by the heating surface. | 10-29-2009 |
20090279929 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED THEREWITH - A fixing device includes: a fixing member that touches an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet; a pressing member that causes the sheet to come in pressure contact with the fixing member; a pressing belt that is interposed between the fixing member and pressing member to rotate; a lubricant coating member that coats lubricant on an inner surface of the pressing belt; a pair of first blade members each that touches, through a counter method, an inner surface of both edge portions of the pressing belt in a width direction perpendicular to a rotating direction of the pressing belt, to scrape the lubricant; and a first lubricant guide member arranged from a tip of the first blade members to an inner side, receives the scraped lubricant, and guides the lubricant to the inner side to return to the inner surface of the pressing belt. | 11-12-2009 |
20090285610 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt that is rotatable, a heating device that heats the endless fixing belt, a fixing roller that internally touches the endless fixing belt and a pressure member that abuts against the fixing roller through the endless fixing belt under a given pressure. The endless fixing belt and the pressure member form a fixing nip portion through which a recording medium passes to fix an unfixed toner image on the recording medium. The fixing roller includes a roller body made of metal, and an elastic layer bonded to an outer peripheral surface of the roller body, the elastic layer is formed of a foam having open cells, and both ends of the elastic layer are tapered. | 11-19-2009 |
20090290915 | HEATING ROTATING BODY, HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A heating rotating body includes: a rotating body that generates heat due to electromagnetic induction in a magnetic field and whose magnetic permeability starts to decrease continuously from a magnetic permeability change start temperature that is in a temperature region that is greater than or equal to a set temperature and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature, and an eddy current cutting-off structure that is formed on the rotating body and cuts-off a portion of eddy current generated by the electromagnetic induction. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290916 | HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A heating device includes: a magnetic field generating unit generating a magnetic field; a heat-generating member generating heat due to electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and having a heat-generating layer of a thickness that is thinner than a skin depth; a temperature-sensitive member including a temperature-sensitive magnetic member whose magnetic permeability starts to decrease continuously from a magnetic permeability change start temperature that is in a temperature region that is greater than or equal to a set temperature and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature; and an approaching/separating mechanism maintaining the temperature-sensitive member in a state of being separated from the heat-generating member until before a temperature of the temperature-sensitive member reaches the set temperature, and causing the temperature-sensitive member to contact the heat-generating member at and after the time when the temperature-sensitive member reaches the set temperature. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290917 | HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A heating device includes: a magnetic field generating unit that generates a magnetic field; a heat-generating member that is disposed so as to face the magnetic field generating unit, and generates heat due to electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and having a heat-generating layer of a thickness that is thinner than a skin depth; and a temperature-sensitive member that is disposed so as to face a side of the heat-generating member opposite a side at which the magnetic field generating unit is located, a magnetic permeability of the temperature-sensitive member starting to decrease continuously from a magnetic permeability change start temperature that is in a temperature region that is greater than or equal to a set temperature and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature. A convex portion, that projects-out toward the heat-generating member from a surface that faces the heat-generating member, is provided at the temperature-sensitive member. | 11-26-2009 |
20090297235 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has heating and fixing rollers that define a fixing belt rotating path with a straight line region that runs along and faces at least an upstream part of a rotating direction of a toner image carrying belt. The upstream part of the rotating portion is upstream from a transfer position to a second roller in terms of the rotating direction of the toner image carrying belt. This arrangement reduces trapping of heat inside the main body of the apparatus, and improves the cooling efficiency of the main body of the apparatus. In addition, the toner image carrying belt and the fixer are in close proximity to each other, thereby raising the freedom of arrangement of the other constituent members, and making it possible to reduce the size of the main body of the apparatus. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297236 | HEAT FIXING APPARATUS - The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297237 | INDUCTION HEATING FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING INDUCTION HEATING FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device comprises a heated member formed into a hollow, cylindrical shape, said heated member including a nonmagnetic portion having a particular length along an axial direction of said heated member, a magnetic flux generator for generating magnetic flux exerted on said heated member, a first magnetic core disposed face to face with said magnetic flux generator with said heated member positioned between said first magnetic core and said magnetic flux generator to form a magnetic circuit which is routed to come out of said magnetic flux generator, pass through said heated member and return to said magnetic flux generator, and a shifting mechanism for varying the length of an area of said heated member along the axial direction thereof where the nonmagnetic portion of said heated member and said first magnetic core face each other. | 12-03-2009 |
20090304421 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - A ceramic heater in contact with an inner surface of an endless belt includes a substrate made of alumina and a heat generation resistor provided on the substrate. The heat generation resistor is disposed at a surface reverse to a surface facing the inner surface of the endless belt on the substrate. The substrate is one of a plurality of substrates which are divided from a large substrate along breaks formed on the large substrate, and a surface of the ceramic heater, which is on a side where the breaks are formed, is brought into contact with the inner surface of the endless belt. The holder for holding the ceramic heater has a projection for guiding the endless belt in such a manner that the endless belt cannot be brought into contact with the break of the substrate. | 12-10-2009 |
20090304422 | FIXING BELT, FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In a fixing unit which drivingly rotates an endless fixing belt having a lubricant applied to an inside surface thereof and which presses the fixing belt against a recording medium formed with a toner image thereon thereby fixing the toner image to the recording medium, the inside surface of the fixing belt is formed with a plurality of grooves extended along a circumferential direction of the fixing belt or extended from a widthwise center of the fixing belt toward the opposite ends thereof as inclined in a moving direction of the fixing belt. | 12-10-2009 |
20090311016 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet includes a flexible endless belt that rotates in a predetermined direction, an inner circumferential surface of which includes a fluorine-containing surface layer, a rotary member that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the belt, a fixed member fixed inside the belt to press against the rotary member via the belt, forming a nip portion therebetween, a lubricant applied between the belt and the fixed member, and a heat source to heat at least one of the belt and the rotary member. A surface of the fixed member that slidingly contacts the inner circumferential surface of the belt includes a fluorine-containing surface layer. One of the fluorine-containing surface layers is porous, and at least one of the fluorine-containing surface layers has a surface energy greater than a surface tension of the lubricant. | 12-17-2009 |
20090317153 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, a fixing unit and a belt assembly thereof are disclosed. The image forming apparatus, the fixing unit and the belt assembly includes a frame, a belt rotatably disposed at an outer periphery of the frame, and a lateral slip prevention member which presses at least a portion of the belt to cause the belt to move in a direction of mitigating undesirable lateral movement of the belt. | 12-24-2009 |
20090317154 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - Fixing belt is brought into pressure-contact with the surface of fixing roller such that fixing belt rotates according to rotation of fixing roller, thereby forming, between fixing belt and fixing roller, fixing nip portion through which recording sheets pass. A pressing area of an opposing surface of pressing member contacting the surface of fixing roller via fixing belt is smaller in each end portion of the opposing surface in the axis direction of fixing roller than in a central portion of the opposing surface in the axis direction of fixing roller. This makes speed of conveying recording sheets faster in each edge portion in the width direction perpendicular to a recording sheet conveyance direction than in a central portion in the width direction. Thus, creases of recording sheets can be prevented while a recording sheet passes through fixing nip portion between fixing roller and fixing belt mutually brought into pressure-contact. | 12-24-2009 |
20090317155 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - Disclosed is a fixing device that easily suppresses an excessive temperature increase in a guide plate without extending a warm-up period, the device comprising: guide plate | 12-24-2009 |
20100028062 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The present invention relates to an image heating apparatus in which a nip portion is formed by a heating unit, which includes a flexible sleeve and a heater, and a pressure roller. The position of the heating unit is appropriately maintained by pressing the heating unit against the pressure roller using a pressure member so that the heating unit can contact two or more portions of a downstream side rim of a groove arranged on a frame that holds the heating unit, even when the pressure roller is rotated. | 02-04-2010 |
20100054827 | FUSER WITH END CAPS HAVING PROTUBERANCES FOR REDUCING BELT SKEW - A fuser has a heater housing extending through an endless belt with end caps on the housing adjacent to opposite lateral sides of the belt. The end caps have inner flanges spaced radially outward from a center portion and radially inward from the opposite marginal side edge portions of the belt so as to define clearance therebetween. Protuberances on the inner flanges of the end caps project toward opposite marginal edge portions of the belt and are circumferentially spaced apart to reduce belt skew relative to the end caps by either decreasing the surface area of contact of the inner flanges with the opposite marginal side edge portions of the belt to reduced surface areas of contact of protuberances therewith or decreasing the radial height of the clearance between the inner flanges and opposite side edge portions of the belt to the reduced radial height between the latter and the protuberances. | 03-04-2010 |
20100080634 | FIXING DEVICE AND FIXING METHOD, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing device capable of preventing occurrence of a hot-offset phenomenon even with use of a low-temperature fixable toner. In the fixing device, the first, second heater lamp heats the first, second fixing belt to a predetermined temperature which is higher than or equal to the melting point of the crystalline polyester contained in the toner constituting a toner image borne on a recording paper sheet, whereupon the toner image is fused into place. Then, first and second cooling portions respectively cool the first and second fixing belts down to a predetermined temperature which is higher than or equal to the melting point of the release agent contained in the toner constituting the toner image but lower than the melting point of the crystalline polyester. | 04-01-2010 |
20100086335 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a coil for generating magnetic flux; a belt member, including an electroconductive layer for generating heat by the magnetic flux generated from the coil, for heating an image on a recording material by the heat generated by the electroconductive layer; a first pressing member contactable to an inner surface of the belt member; a second pressing member for pressing the belt member against the first pressing member to nip and convey the recording material; a coil unit, including the coil, provided oppositely to an outer surface of the belt member; a moving mechanism capable of moving the coil unit between a first position in which the image on the recording material is to be heated and a second position in which the coil unit is moved away from the belt member; and a pressure changing mechanism for changing a pressure between the first pressing member and the second pressing member. The pressure changing mechanism reduces the pressure between the first pressing member and the second pressing member in interrelation with an operation for moving the coil unit away from the belt member by the moving mechanism. | 04-08-2010 |
20100098468 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - Disclosed are a fusing device and an image forming apparatus employing the fusing device. The fusing device includes a belt having a closed loop configuration, a first roller rotatably disposed inside the loop defined by belt. The first roller includes heat absorbent layer. The fusing device further includes a second roller rotatably disposed outside the loop of the belt, the first and second rollers each make pressing contact with the portion of the belt that passes between them to form the fusing nip. The heat absorbent layer of the first roller provides heat for the fusing nip. | 04-22-2010 |
20100098469 | FUSING UNIT, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed are fusing unit, an image forming apparatus employing the fusing unit and a method of controlling the same. The fusing unit disclosed herein includes a heating belt having a non-conductive outer surface and a pressing roller that allows a print medium to be in a pressing contact with the outer surface of the heating belt. A negative voltage or a positive voltage is selectively applied to the pressing roller based on the presence of a print medium between the pressing roller and the heating belt. | 04-22-2010 |
20100111579 | FUSERS, PRINTING APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF FUSING TONER ON MEDIA - Fusers, printing apparatuses and methods of fusing toner on media are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the fusers includes a pressure roll; a fuser belt; a nip formed by the fuser belt contacting the pressure roll, the nip including an inlet end where the medium enters the nip, an outlet end where the medium exits the nip, and a nip width defined between the inlet end and the outlet end; a mechanism for moving the pressure roll toward or away from the fuser belt to adjust the nip width; and a stripping member for stripping the medium from the fuser belt after the medium exits from the outlet end of the nip. | 05-06-2010 |
20100119268 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus an aspect of the present invention includes, a heating object which generates the heat by a magnetic flux produced from a coil which generates a predetermined magnetic flux by electromagnetic induction in accordance with a frequency of an input current, and a pressurization mechanism which can provide a predetermined pressure to the heating object, and a coil of the heating object is formed of a litz wire obtained by twisting the number of conductors having a small cross section which are not affected by the skin effect caused due to the frequency of the input current, the number of which allows passage of a quantity of current to be inputted. | 05-13-2010 |
20100124447 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FUSER APPARATUS - According to an embodiment of the invention, a heat uniforming member, which has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a hollow member and in which thermal deformation generated by thermal expansion remains, is set in the inside of the hollow member having a center axis, support members are set to both ends of the hollow member to enable supporting of ends of the heat uniforming member, and an endless body having a uniform thermal distribution is formed by heating the hollow member, the heat uniforming member and the support member at a specified temperature for a specific time and causing the heat uniforming member to adhere closely to an inner wall of the hollow member. | 05-20-2010 |
20100129122 | EXTERNALLY HEATED FUSER DEVICE WITH EXTENDED NIP WIDTH - A fuser device for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus. The fuser device includes an externally heated fuser roller having a thick elastomeric cover. An external heater assembly is positioned in operative association with the fuser roller. The external heater assembly has a low mass, fast-acting heating element to transfer heat rapidly to and from the external surface of the elastomeric cover of the fuser roller. A pressure film belt assembly is also in operative association with the fuser roller, spaced from the external heater assembly. The pressure film belt assembly has a pressure applicator which maximizes thermal contact and mechanical energy to define an optimum nip pressure profile providing an extended fusing nip with the fuser roller, thereby yielding quick starting, with superior energy efficiency and exceptional temperature control for the fuser device that provides proper image quality for photos, text, and graphics for high quality reproductions with consistent gloss (luster). | 05-27-2010 |
20100150622 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A fixing device includes a heating roller that is internally provided with a heat source member and is rotated by a drive unit; an endless fixing belt that is entrained around the heating roller and heated thereby, and is provided with a surface layer that contacts a recording medium, and the yield stress of a material forming the surface layer is varied according to the temperature of the material; a pressure member that is provided facing the heating roller and presses the recording medium, on which a toner image has been formed, against the fixing belt; a travel direction alteration member that contacts the fixing belt and changes the direction of travel of the fixing belt by bending the fixing belt; and a drive control section that operates the drive unit and rotates the heating roller after the heating roller has been heated such that the endless fixing belt is heated by the heating roller to a predetermined temperature where the yield stress of a material forming the surface layer of the fixing belt is larger than the stress acting on the surface layer when the travel direction of the fixing belt is altered by the travel direction alteration member. | 06-17-2010 |
20100150623 | FIXING BELT, FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing belt wherein the surface roughness of the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt is designed with consideration given not only to the height of the protruding section and the depth of the recessed section but also to the expansion of the protruding section and recessed section in the lateral direction so that the contact resistance, hence, the sliding resistance can be reduced, and stable holding of the lubricant can be ensured. A fixing belt used in an image forming apparatus to fix a toner image on a recording material; wherein a wavy pattern which has a height of 3 to 5 μm at a pitch of 4 to 5 mm is formed on an inner peripheral surface, and a roughened structure which has a height of 3 to 4 μm at a pitch 0.1 mm is formed. | 06-17-2010 |
20100150624 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE FIXING DEVICE - First belt | 06-17-2010 |
20100150625 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING APPARATUS - According to an embodiment of the invention, a fixing apparatus includes, a first endless body configured to be heated by a heating mechanism and maintain temperature reached by the heating, a second endless body configured to fix a visualizing agent supported by a sheet medium on the sheet medium in cooperation with the first endless body, a heat equalizing member configured to be located in a predetermined position on an inner side of the first endless body and apply, to the first endless body, tension for supplying heat, and a heat accumulating member configured to have a large heat capacity compared with a heat capacity of the heat equalizing member and to be located in a predetermined position on the inner side of the first endless body and apply, to the first endless body, tension for supplying heat. | 06-17-2010 |
20100158587 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - Disclosed are a fusing device with improved temperature increase and fusing performance characteristics and an image forming apparatus having the same. The fusing device can include a heater to generate heat, a fusing belt arranged around the heater, a rotating member, a press member and a heat shield unit. The rotating member may be configured to come into contact with an outer periphery of the fusing belt. The press member may be configured to be press a portion of the fusing belt toward the rotating member to define a fusing nip between the fusing belt and the rotating member. The heat shield unit configured to surround the press member to reduce the amount of heat delivered to the press member. | 06-24-2010 |
20100172677 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus for heat-fixing a toner image formed on a sheet, includes a roller; an endless belt contacted to the roller; a pressing member contacted to an inner surface of the endless belt and cooperating with the roller to nip the endless belt, wherein the sheet on which the unfixed toner image is formed is heated while being nipped and fed by a nip between the roller and the endless belt, wherein such a surface of the pressing member as is opposed to the inner surface of the endless belt is curved substantially in the same direction as a curved surface of the roller, wherein the nip includes a first nip region in which the belt is not pressed by the pressing member and the endless belt is contacted to the roller by an elastic force of the endless belt which is in a slack state, and a second nip region in which the endless belt is contacted to the roller by pressing of the pressing member, wherein the nip starts with the first nip region with respect to a feeding direction of the sheet, wherein the second nip region is continuous with the first nip region. | 07-08-2010 |
20100183347 | Belt Fuser for an Imaging Forming Device - A fuser has a protuberance extruding lengthwise from the surface of a heater opposite the interior surface of an endless belt and is positioned in transverse relationship to the interior surface of the endless belt. A pressure roller defines a nip with the endless belt wherein the nip has an entrance side and an exit side and wherein the position of the protuberance adjacent to the nip creates pressure upon the endless belt. The print media sheet is driven through the nip in reaction to the pressure applied by the pressure roller to the belt. The position of the protuberance and the pressure created upon the endless belt directs the lubricant from the endless belt surface to the nip. | 07-22-2010 |
20100189477 | Belt driving device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - A belt driving device including a rotatable seamless belt wound around rotatable driven rollers and one or multiple rollers, and a driven roller unit including the rotatable driven rollers. The driven roller unit includes a detection roller rotatably driven, a surface of which contacts an inner surface of the belt to slide in a direction of a rotary shaft thereof when shifting occurs on the belt in a width direction thereof; a correction roller rotatably driven, a rotary shaft of which is rotatably supported to displace around any single point on the rotary shaft thereof while a surface thereof contacts the inner surface of the belt; and a conversion unit to convert displacement of the detection roller in the direction of the rotary shaft of the detection roller into angular displacement of the correction roller in a direction of rotation of the correction roller. | 07-29-2010 |
20100196065 | ENDLESS BELT, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The endless belt is provided with: a metal layer that includes at least one layer, that is cylindrically formed, and that has not more than 10 degrees as a half width of a diffraction peak in X-ray diffraction; and a release layer that is stacked on the metal layer. | 08-05-2010 |
20100196066 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The fixing device is provided with: a fixing member that includes a metal layer; a pressure member that forms a pressure portion between the pressure member and the fixing member, and that is driven to rotate; an electromagnetic induction heating member that causes the metal layer of the fixing member to generate heat; and a heater that is disposed so as to face the electromagnetic induction heating member through the fixing member and so as to be in contact with an inner side of the fixing member, and that is caused to generate heat by a magnetic field. A heat transfer lubricant is provided between the fixing member and the heater disposed on the inner side of the fixing member. | 08-05-2010 |
20100202809 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - In a fixing device, a fixed member is provided inside a loop formed by a belt member, and is pressed against a rotary member via the belt member to form a nip portion between the rotary member and the belt member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. In the fixed member, a low-friction sheet member is wrapped around a body in a sliding direction of the belt member in which the belt member slides over the fixed member in such a manner that the low-friction sheet member covers a surface of the body opposing the nip portion. At least one plate spring presses the low-friction sheet member against the body to apply a predetermined tension to the low-friction sheet member. | 08-12-2010 |
20100202810 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image bearing apparatus includes an image heating belt configured and positioned to heat a toner image on a sheet in a nip; an opposing roller, disposed opposed to the image heating belt, configured to form the nip between the image heating belt and itself; a pad, disposed so as to sandwich the image heating belt between the opposing roller and itself, configured to press the image heating belt toward the opposing roller in the nip; a pressure device configured and positioned to press at least one of the pad and the opposing roller so that the image heating belt is pressed between the pad and the opposing roller in the nip; a pressure changing device configured and positioned to change a pressure in the nip by the pressing device. The pad has a thickness, at its longitudinal central portion, larger than that at its longitudinal end portions. The pad has two curved surfaces, each of the two curved surfaces being curved toward the opposing roller so that the longitudinal central portion of the pad is closer to the opposing roller than the longitudinal end portions of the pad. | 08-12-2010 |
20100209151 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device has a heating roller and a pressure belt. Surface hardness of the pressure belt is higher than surface hardness of the heating roller. An overall length of the pressure belt is longer than an overall length of a rubber layer of the heating roller. Both ends of the pressure belt are positioned outside both ends of the rubber layer of the heating roller. Thereby, the heating roller is improved in service life, so that the fixing device as a whole is improved in service life. | 08-19-2010 |
20100215414 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATING DEVICE - The fixing device includes: a fixing member that includes a conductive layer capable of heating by electromagnetic induction; a magnetic field generating member that generates an alternate-current magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer of the fixing member; plural magnetic path forming members that form a magnetic path of the alternate-current magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating member; a support member that supports the magnetic field generating member; an elastic support member that is arranged between the magnetic field generating member and the plural magnetic path forming members so as to be in contact with the plural magnetic path forming members; and a pressing member that presses the plural magnetic path forming members toward the magnetic field generating member. | 08-26-2010 |
20100215415 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The fixing device includes: a fixing member having a conductive layer, and fixing toner onto a recording medium by heat generation of the conductive layer through electromagnetic induction; a magnetic field generating member generating an alternate-current magnetic field crossing the conductive layer; a magnetic path forming member arranged so as to face the magnetic field generating member through the fixing member, forming a magnetic path of the alternate-current magnetic field within a temperature range not greater than a permeability change start temperature where permeability starts to decrease, and causing the alternate-current magnetic field to go through the magnetic path forming member within a temperature range exceeding the permeability change start temperature; and a heat radiation member in contact with the magnetic path forming member to radiate heat generated in the magnetic path forming member toward a direction opposite to the fixing member with reference to the magnetic path forming member. | 08-26-2010 |
20100226700 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a first driving system connected to a fixing roller and a separation roller and a second driving system connected to a pressing roller pressed against the fixing roller and the separation roller via a fixing belt. In the first driving system, a first transmission transmits a first driving force generated by a first motor to the fixing roller and the separation roller, and includes a first one-way clutch via which the first driving force is transmitted to the fixing roller. In the second driving system, a second transmission transmits a second driving force generated by a second motor to the pressing roller. When a circumferential velocity of the pressing roller is greater than a circumferential velocity of the fixing roller, the first one-way clutch idles to rotate the fixing roller in accordance with rotation of the pressing roller. | 09-09-2010 |
20100239336 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt member and a rotating body that are arranged to come in pressure contact with each other, the endless belt member and the rotating body having a source of heat generation; a pressing member that is arranged within the endless belt member and comes in pressure contact with the endless belt member to the rotating body; and a lubricant reservoir that is provided in the pressing member and reserves a semisolid or solid state lubricant, wherein a width in a central portion of the lubricant reservoir is wider than that in both ends of the lubricant reservoir, and widths along a length direction of the lubricant reservoir narrows from the central portion toward the both ends. | 09-23-2010 |
20100239337 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A belt-fixing device includes a first seamless belt, a second seamless belt disposed in contact with the first belt to form a nip, a heating member, a first roller disposed inside the first belt, a second roller disposed inside the first endless belt upstream from the first roller in a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed, a third roller disposed inside the second belt, facing the first roller, to cause the first belt and the second belt to press against each other at the nip, and a fourth roller disposed inside the second belt, facing the second roller to cause the first belt and the second belt to press against each other at the nip. The second roller rotates at a peripheral velocity different from that of the first roller and the fourth roller rotates at a peripheral velocity different from that of the third roller. | 09-23-2010 |
20100247182 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND ADJUSTMENT METHOD OF FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a fixing member that is driven to rotate; a pressurizing member that is rotated in accordance with rotation of the fixing member while pressing the fixing member, and that forms a pressing portion through which a recording medium passes, the pressing portion being formed between the pressurizing member and the fixing member; and a surface shape adjusting member that has a surface including plural spherical projections and that rotates with the surface being in contact with the fixing member. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247183 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The fixing device includes: a fixing member including a conductive layer and fixing toner onto a recording medium with the conductive layer self-heated by electromagnetic induction; a drive unit rotationally driving the fixing member; a magnetic field generating member generating an alternate-current magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer; a magnetic path forming member being in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member, forming a magnetic path of the alternate-current magnetic field, and transmitting heat to the fixing member by being self-heated by electromagnetic induction; an induction member that is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the magnetic path forming member, that induces magnetic field lines and that diffuses heat; and an elastic member having force in a direction to press the magnetic path forming member and the induction member against the inner peripheral surface of the fixing member. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247184 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The fixing device includes: a fixing member including a conductive layer and fixing toner on a recording medium by electromagnetic induction; a magnetic-field generating member generating an alternate-current magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer; a magnetic-path forming member that includes a circular arc facing the magnetic-field generating member, that forms a magnetic path of the alternate-current magnetic field, within a range up to a permeability change start temperature, and that allows the alternate-current magnetic field to go through the magnetic-path forming member within a range exceeding the permeability change start temperature; and a support member supporting the magnetic-path forming member. The circular arc shaped portion has an upstream edge in a moving direction of the fixing member and a position of the upstream edge is concaved toward a center of the magnetic path forming member from each of ends of the magnetic path forming member in a longitudinal direction. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247185 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The fixing device includes: a fixing member including a conductive layer, and fixing toner on a recording medium by heat generation of the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction; a magnetic field generating member generating an alternate-current magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer; and a magnetic path forming member that has an outer circumferential surface arranged to be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, that forms a magnetic path of the alternate-current magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating member, and that includes: a magnetic layer having a changing range within a temperature range of about 20 degrees C., the changing range allowing a magnetic property of the magnetic layer to change between ferromagnetic and a paramagnetic properties in accordance with temperature; and an outer circumferential layer made of any one of or both chromium nitride as CrN and chromium nitride as Cr | 09-30-2010 |
20100247186 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device comprises a heating roll; an endless belt; and a pressurizing member that forms a pressure contact portion for pushing the endless belt against an outer peripheral surface part of the heating roll from an inner peripheral surface side of the pressurizing member so that a recording medium holding an unfixed image passes between the pressure contact portion and the heating roll, wherein the pressurizing member includes: a hard pressurizing member and a soft pressurizing member the hard pressurizing member, and the soft pressurizing member are disposed in a state in which a clearance is present between the hard pressurizing member and the soft pressurizing member in a specific region part so that at least a specific recording medium passes in a fixing region of the pressure contact portion in the rotating axis direction of the heating roll. | 09-30-2010 |
20100254736 | APPARATUSES USEFUL FOR PRINTING AND METHODS OF TREATING MARKING MATERIAL ON MEDIA - Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of treating marking material on media are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful for printing includes a continuous belt including an inner surface and an outer surface, a first roll including a first outer surface forming a nip with the outer surface of the belt, and a radiant energy source disposed internal to the belt. The radiant energy source is adapted to emit radiant energy onto the inner surface of the belt at the nip. | 10-07-2010 |
20100254737 | BELT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt device includes a belt member and a pressurizing member. The belt member is rotated with rotation of a rotation member, and the pressurizing member includes a pressing portion pressing an inner circumferential surface of the belt member. The pressing portion includes a surface layer having a solid lubricating agent and a fine particle. | 10-07-2010 |
20100260524 | FUSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fusing apparatus for fusing a toner image onto a recording medium using heat and pressure includes a fusing roller; an endless pressing belt disposed opposite the fusing roller; and a pressing member for pressing the endless pressing belt onto the fusing roller. A recording medium with a transferred toner image is passed through a fusing nip between the fusing roller and the pressing belt. The fusing roller includes positive and negative crown portions along the axial direction. The pressing member includes convex and concave surface portions along the longitudinal direction. When the pressing member is pressed onto the fusing roller, the positive and negative crown portions of the fusing roller are engaged with the concave and convex surface portions, respectively, of the pressing member. The pressing member exerts a greater pressing force on the fusing roller at a central portion than at an end portion. | 10-14-2010 |
20100260525 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Plural main cores and plural sub-cores are arranged spaced apart from each other along a direction orthogonal to a rotating direction of a heat belt. The plural main cores are opposed to a first area where a sheet having first width in the heat belt passes. The plural sub-cores are opposed to second areas that are areas excluding the first area in an area where the sheet having second width larger than the first width in the heat belt passes. The plural sub-cores have thickness in the direction orthogonal to the rotating direction of the heat belt smaller than the thickness of the plural main cores. | 10-14-2010 |
20100278569 | APPARATUSES USEFUL FOR PRINTING AND METHODS OF TREATING MARKING MATERIAL ON MEDIA - Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of treating marking material on media are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses includes a first member including a first outer surface; and a roll including a second outer surface forming a nip with the first outer surface. The second outer surface includes an inner portion having first and second axially-spaced edges, a roughened first high-friction surface axially outward from the first edge and a roughened second high-friction surface axially outward from the second edge. The first and second high-friction surfaces extend circumferentially around the roll and have a higher roughness than the inner portion. The inner portion and the first and second high-friction surfaces contact the first outer surface at the nip, and the first and second high-friction surfaces lie outside of a media path through the nip. | 11-04-2010 |
20100284714 | REDUCTION OF CONTAMINATION ON IMAGE MEMBERS BY UV OZONE TREATMENT - Exemplary embodiments provide a method and a system that can include a combined UV radiation and ozone treatment for reducing contamination built-up on surfaces of image members within a printing system. | 11-11-2010 |
20100284715 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing unit includes a heating roll, an endless belt and a pressing body having a hard pressing member and a soft pressing member. The hard pressing member is placed on a downstream of a passage direction of a record medium in a press contact part and forms higher hardness than an elastic layer of the heating roll. The soft pressing member is placed on an upstream of the passage direction from the hard pressing member, and forms lower hardness than the elastic layer. The press contact part is formed in a state in which a first press contact portion of the hard pressing member is longer than a second press contact portion of the soft pressing member. The hard pressing member has an end part opposed to the heating roll on the upstream. The end part has a face approaching the heating roll from the upstream to the downstream. | 11-11-2010 |
20100290822 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a hollow, generally cylindrical open-sided stationary heat roll, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a rotatable pressure member, and a roll shape retainer. The heat roll is configured to heat an outer circumference thereof, and defines an elongated longitudinal side opening in one side thereof. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat roll to transfer heat radially outward from the roll circumference. The fuser pad is held substantially stationary along the roll opening outward from the roll hollow and inward from the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The roll shape retainer is disposed on the roll opening to retain the generally cylindrical shape of the heat roll. | 11-18-2010 |
20100296849 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device for fixing an unfixed image on a recording sheet passing through a fixing nip formed by pressing a pressing member against an inside surface of a pressure belt via a low friction sheet, so that an outside surface of the pressure belt presses against a fixing member, wherein the pressing member includes a first pressing part whose front-side portion is an elastic pressing part, and a second pressing part whose front face presses against a rear face of the first pressing part, the second pressing part has a side wall near an upstream portion of the first pressing part that is upstream from the front-side portion with respect to a rotation direction of the pressure belt, and an upstream end of the low friction sheet, upstream from the other end with respect to the rotation direction, is sandwiched between the side wall and the upstream portion. | 11-25-2010 |
20100303524 | Belt Fuser for an Electrophotographic Printer - A fuser and method of use for an electrophotographic imaging device that includes a lamp heater assembly; an endless fusing belt having a flexible tubular configuration and being positioned about the lamp heater assembly and spaced outwardly therefrom; a transparent or translucent pressure tube having an elongated tubular body and a pair of opposite ends, the body being substantially transparent to passage of radiant heat therethrough; a pressure tube support assembly having a frame and a pair of bearings mounted on the frame spaced apart from one another and supporting the pressure tube at the opposite ends of the tubular body thereof such that the tubular body of the pressure tube is positioned around the lamp heater assembly and inside the fusing belt and enables radiant heat generated by the lamp heater to pass through the transparent or translucent pressure tube and heat the fusing belt | 12-02-2010 |
20100303525 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device of belt fixing type is provided. A heat generating member that is a heat generating source for heating a fixing belt has a heat generating layer composed of a resistance heat generating element that generates heat due to being energized. The resistance heat generating element includes a paper passing region heating section and a detecting section provided on an end portion in an axial direction of the heat generating member and electrically connected in parallel with the paper passing region heating section. Furthermore, in a vicinity of the detecting section, an overheat preventing element that suppresses energization to the resistance heat generating element when temperature of the detecting section reaches a predetermined value, is provided. | 12-02-2010 |
20100303526 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - Fixing device for fixing image onto recording sheet by applying heat and pressure thereto while it passes through fixing nip, including: pressure belt movable in revolving motion; fixing roller; and pressure member for pressing inner surface of the belt toward the roller. The fixing nip is formed between the roller and belt while elastically deformable surface of the roller is contacted with the belt by pressure applied by pressure member to the belt. The pressure member includes: elastic member for applying pressures so that greater pressure is applied to center of the roller than to ends, the center and ends being along axis direction of the roller; and hard member that is disposed parallel to the elastic member on downstream side thereof in revolving direction of the belt and applies pressures to the roller so that greater pressure is applied to end0s than to center. | 12-02-2010 |
20100303527 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device is provided. In a fixing device, a heating member that heats a fixing belt includes a heat generating member that has a heat generating layer that generates heat due to being energized, and a heat radiating member. In the heat radiating member, a heat receiving piece of a first heat radiating section and a heat receiving piece of a second heat radiating section are combined with each other to form a heat receiving section, and a heat transfer piece of the first heat radiating section and a heat transfer piece of the second heat radiating section are combined with each other to form a heat transfer section. Heat pipes that are meandering capillary tube heat pipes are formed inside the first heat radiating section and the second heat radiating section. | 12-02-2010 |
20100310289 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - In a fixing device, a first roller and a first fixing member are provided inside a loop formed by a first belt. A pressing member is pressed against the first roller and the first fixing member via the first belt. The first roller includes at least two enlarged radius portions of enlarged radius arranged axially along the first roller, at least one reduced radius portion of reduced radius sandwiched between the adjacent two enlarged radius portions in an axial direction of the first roller, and a concave portion formed by the reduced radius portion and the adjacent two enlarged radius portions sandwiching the reduced radius portion. The first fixing member is interdigitated with the first roller with play between the first fixing member and the first roller. | 12-09-2010 |
20100316421 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a fixing member that fixes a toner image on a recording medium; a fixing pressure member that forms, between the fixing member and the fixing pressure member, a fixing pressure portion for the recording medium holding an unfixed toner image to pass through, by being brought into pressure contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member; a drive unit that rotates the fixing pressure member by rotating the fixing member; and a lubricant adjusting member that comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of a belt member, at least either the fixing member or the fixing pressure member being the belt member. The lubricant adjusting member is separated from the inner circumferential surface of the belt member, at least while the recording medium and the belt member are in contact with each other and while rotation of the belt member is stopped. | 12-16-2010 |
20100322682 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An electromagnetic induction heating device includes a heat generation body, a heating rotary body, a magnetic filed generating unit and a magnetic path forming member. The heat generation body generates heat through electromagnetic induction. The heating rotary body receives the heat and rotates. The magnetic field generating unit is opposed to the heating rotary body and generates a magnetic field for causing the heat generation body to produce heat through the electromagnetic induction. The magnetic path forming member is opposed to the magnetic filed generating unit across the heating rotary body. The magnetic path forming member includes controlling portions and a continuous portion. The controlling portions control a magnitude of eddy current which is generated through the electromagnetic induction. The continuous portion allows heat transfer along a direction of an axis of the heating rotary body. The continuous portion is opposed to an aperture portion or an end portion of the magnetic field generating unit. | 12-23-2010 |
20100322683 | SHEET TRANSPORT APPARATUS AND FIXING APPARATUS - A sheet transport technique of clamping and transporting a sheet by a roller and a belt abutted against the roller, the technique capable of suppressing shift of the belt in the rotation axis direction of the roller without hindering downsizing of the apparatus is provided. A sheet transport apparatus is made up of a roller | 12-23-2010 |
20100329753 | APPARATUSES USEFUL FOR PRINTING AND METHODS OF TREATING MARKING MATERIAL ON MEDIA - Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of treating marking material on media are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful for printing includes a roll including a first outer surface; a continuous belt including an inner surface and a second outer surface forming a nip by contact with the first outer surface, the belt being driven to rotate by rotation of the roll; a heater disposed inside of the belt and comprising a first heating surface contacting the inner surface of the belt at the nip; and a heating fin in thermal contact with the heater, the heating fin including a second heating surface extending circumferentially in contact with a pre-nip portion of the inner surface of the belt. Thermal energy is conducted from the heater to the heating fin. The second heating surface pre-heats the pre-nip portion of the belt before the pre-nip portion is rotated to the nip, and the first heating surface of the heater heats the pre-heated, pre-nip portion at the nip. | 12-30-2010 |
20110008082 | Belt-type fixing device and image forming apparatus capable of maintaining prescribed tension of belt - A fixing device includes a fixing roller that fixes a non-fixed toner image onto a sheet, a separation roller arranged downstream of the fixing roller to separate the sheet, and an endless fixing belt wound around the fixing roller and the separation roller. A pressing roller presses against the fixing roller via the fixing belt and cooperatively fixes the non-fixed toner image with the fixing roller. A guiding member is secured to the fixing device and has a guiding hole. The guiding member guides the separation roller when the separation roller approaches or withdraws from the fixing roller along the guiding hole. A belt tensioner creates a prescribed tension on the fixing belt by applying tension use biasing force to the separation roller in an opposite direction to the fixing roller. A driving force transmitting device directly transmits rotational driving force to the separation roller via an engaging section of the separation roller. The guiding hole has an arc shape coaxially formed with the driving force transmitting device. | 01-13-2011 |
20110008083 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member; a belt member contactable to the rotatable member; a pressing member for pressing the belt member against the rotatable member to form a nip in which a recording material is nipped and conveyed; and a sheet member for covering a pressing surface of the pressing member at which the pressing member presses the belt member. The sheet member is mounted on the pressing member so as to have a first area in which an end portion thereof is located outside an end portion of the belt member with respect to a widthwise direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording material and which includes a portion opposing the pressing surface, and so as to have a second area in which the end portion thereof is located inside the end portion of the belt member with respect to the widthwise direction. | 01-13-2011 |
20110008084 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt; a rotatable member, contactable to an outer surface of the endless belt, for forming a nip in which a recording material is nipped and conveyed; a stretching member for stretching the endless belt; an urging member, contacting an inner surface of the endless belt, for urging the stretching member by movement of the endless belt so as to include a contact portion at which the urging member contacts the stretching member; a lubricant application member for applying a lubricant onto the inner surface of the endless belt; and a collecting member, contacting the stretching member at a position downstream of an area in which the stretching member contacts the endless belt and upstream of the contact portion with respect to a rotational direction of the stretching member, for collecting the lubricant from the stretching member. The collecting member includes a guiding portion for guiding the lubricant, collected from the stretching member, onto the inner surface of the endless belt. | 01-13-2011 |
20110008085 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member; a belt member, contactable to the rotatable member, for forming a nip in which an image on a recording material is heated; a pressing member, disposed inside the belt member, for pressing the belt member against the rotatable member; a lubricant application member for applying a lubricant onto an inner surface of the belt member; a contact-and-separation device for moving the belt member toward and away from the rotatable member; and a switching mechanism for switching a contact pressure of the lubricant application member on the belt member, when the belt member is separated from the rotatable member, so as to be smaller than that when the belt member contacts the rotatable member. | 01-13-2011 |
20110026987 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a hollow, open-sided stationary heat roller, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a rotatable pressure member, a reinforcing member, and a sealing mechanism. The heat roller defines an elongated longitudinal side opening that opens into a hollow interior thereof. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat roller to transfer heat radially outward from the roller circumference. The fuser pad is held substantially stationary along the roller opening outward from the roller interior and inward from the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The reinforcing member is disposed within the roller interior to thrust against the fuser pad through the roller opening. The sealing mechanism is disposed on the roller opening to prevent foreign matter from entering the roller interior through the roller opening. | 02-03-2011 |
20110026988 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - In a fixing device, a stationary member is provided inside a belt member and pressed against a rotary pressing member via the belt member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the belt member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. An expandable heating member is provided inside the belt member to face an inner circumferential surface of the belt member to heat the belt member. A regulator contacts a downstream portion of the heating member provided downstream from a center of the nip in a direction of rotation of the belt member to expand the downstream portion of the heating member. | 02-03-2011 |
20110026989 | BELT DRIVING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING BELT DRIVING APPARATUS - A belt driving apparatus includes a first rotatable belt member; a first supporting member rotatably supporting the first belt member; a first steering roller, rotatably supporting the first belt member, for adjusting a position, with respect to a widthwise direction perpendicular to a rotational direction, of the first belt member, wherein one end of the first steering roller is fixed, and the other end thereof is movable; control means for controlling movement of the other end of the first steering roller; a second rotatable belt member contacted to the first belt member; a second supporting member rotatably supporting the second belt member; a second steering roller, rotatably supporting the second belt member, for adjusting a position, with respect to the widthwise direction, of the second belt member, wherein an end of the second steering roller remote from the one end of the first steering roller is fixed, and an end thereof adjacent the other end the second steering roller is movable; and control means for controlling movement of the end of the second steering roller adjacent the other end the second steering roller. | 02-03-2011 |
20110044737 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing apparatus having: a heating section and a pressing section that forms a fixing-nip portion by being in pressure contact with the heating section, wherein at least one of the heating section and the pressing section having: an endless fixing belt that is trained about a plurality of rollers, a pressure applying member that causes the fixing belt to be in pressure contact with a side of the fixing-nip portion from an inner circumferential surface thereof, and a lubricant supplying member that supplies lubricant to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt; and a supplying amount change section that changes a supplying amount of the lubricant by the lubricant supplying member based on an amount used coming from a part replacement of at least one of the fixing belt, the pressure applying member and the lubricant supplying member. | 02-24-2011 |
20110052279 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device of this invention includes: a fixing belt; a heating member for heating the fixing belt; a retaining member having (i) a convex surface which is curved and is in contact with an inner surface of the fixing belt and (ii) a flat surface which is opposite to the convex surface; and a ceramic heater provided on the flat surface of the retaining member. Therefore, the fixing device of this invention is excellent in safety and is capable of reducing a warm-up time. | 03-03-2011 |
20110052280 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable image heating member including an electroconductive layer; a pressing member, press-contacting the image heating member, for forming a nip in which an image on a recording material is to be heated; an urging member, provided inside the image heating member, for urging the image heating member toward the pressing member; and an excitation coil for induction-heating the electroconductive layer. When a length of the image heating member with respect to a rotational axis direction of the image heating member is Lb, a length of the pressing member with respect to the rotational axis direction is Lr, an outside distance of bent portions of the excitation coil at both end portions of the excitation coil with respect to the rotational axis direction is LcoilA, and an inside distance of the bent portions with respect to the rotational axis direction is LcoilB, the lengths Lb and Lr and the distance LcoilA and LcoilB satisfy the following relationship: | 03-03-2011 |
20110052281 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH THE SAME - A fixing unit for fixing a toner image onto a sheet passing between a first element and a second element pressed against the first element includes a looped coil surface formed with a coil so that the coil surface generates a magnetic field for induction-heating the first element, the coil surface including an inner edge defining an opening region; an upright wall disposed inside the opening region, an opening being formed in the upright wall; a center core disposed along the opening region, the center core including a conductive shaft and a magnetic tube configured to at least partially cover the conductive shaft; and a nonconductive cap inserted into the opening, the nonconductive cap partially covering the conductive shaft to electrically insulate the coil from the conductive shaft. | 03-03-2011 |
20110052282 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - In a fixing device, a nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by a fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. A pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The heat conduction member faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member to guide the fixing member sliding over the heat conduction member and to transmit heat to the fixing member. The heat conduction member includes a plurality of convex portions provided on an outer circumferential surface of the heat conduction member and contacting the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member. | 03-03-2011 |
20110058862 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes an endless, flexible fixing member, a metal member, a heater, a pressing member, a temperature detector, and a supporting member. The fixing member is rotatably provided in the fixing device to heat a toner image thereon. The metal member is fixedly mounted in the fixing device so as to be opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, to maintain the fixing member in a substantially circularly loop shape. The heater is disposed near the metal member to heat the metal member. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member. The temperature detector is disposed in contact with the metal member, to detect a temperature of the metal member. The supporting member is disposed between the heater and the temperature detector to support the temperature detector. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058863 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes an endless, flexible fixing member, a heat conductive member, a heater, a pressing member, a nip formation member, and a radiation member. The endless, flexible fixing member is formed into a loop. The heat conductive member is disposed within the loop formed by the fixing member to conduct heat to the fixing member. The heater is disposed near the heat conductive member to heat the heat conductive member. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member. The recording medium is conveyed through the fixing nip. The radiation member is detachably pressable against an outer circumference of the fixing member to contact the fixing member with the heat conductive member to cool the fixing member and the heat conductive member. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058864 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet includes a first rotary member that rotates in a predetermined direction and a second rotary member that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the first rotary member. A stationary member is fixed inside the first rotary member to press the first and second rotary members together to form a nip portion between the rotary members. A reinforcement member is fixedly provided inside the first rotary member and pressed against the stationary member. The fixing device includes heat source to heat the first rotary member and a reflector to reflect heater light emitted from the heat source toward the first rotary member. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058865 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus employing the fixing device - A fixing device includes an endless flexible fixing member, a supporting member having a pipe shape disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing member to support the fixing member, a pressing member disposed opposite the supporting member via the fixing member, and a nip formation member disposed opposite the pressing member via the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member. The fixing member contacts an outer circumferential face of the supporting member at a side opposite a side at which the fixing member contacts the nip formation member at the fixing nip. The fixing member has slack portions formed upstream and downstream from the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The slack portions extend toward the pressing member over the fixing nip without contacting either the supporting member or the pressing member. | 03-10-2011 |
20110064491 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a belt member provided to be circularly movable having a width; a first fixing member disposed inside the belt member; a second fixing member disposed in press contact with the first fixing member across the belt member, and forms a passing portion with the belt member, through which a recording medium passes; and a pressing member disposed along a width direction of the belt member and downstream of the passing portion in a moving direction of the belt member, in which the pressing member has a surface and brings the surface in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt member to press the belt member against the second fixing member. The surface is curved toward the second fixing member along with a move from an end portion to a center portion in a longitudinal direction of the pressing member. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064492 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a belt member provided to be circularly movable; a first fixing member disposed inside the belt member; a second fixing member that is disposed to be in press contact with the first fixing member across the belt member, and forms a press contact portion between the belt member and the second fixing member; a pressing member that presses the belt member against the second fixing member, the pressing member having a pressing surface that presses an inner peripheral surface of the belt member on a downstream side of the press contact portion in a moving direction of the belt member; and a suppressing unit that suppresses looseness in a portion of the belt member in the width direction thereof, the portion being located on the downstream side of the press contact portion and an upstream side of the pressing surface in the moving direction of the belt member. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064493 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A belt-fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet includes an endless belt, a first roller disposed inside the endless belt, a second roller disposed in contact with the first roller via the endless belt, forming a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium passes, and a ring shape edge for controlling movement of the belt in an axial direction, provided on an inner surface of the endless belt. The ring shape edge is positioned between the first roller and the second roller. | 03-17-2011 |
20110070003 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing member that travels in a prescribed direction and applies heat and melts a toner image, a pressure applying member that pressure contacts the fixing member and forms a nip for conveying a recording medium, and a resistance heat element secured inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, which applies heat to the fixing member. The resistance heat element is arranged not to pressure contact the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member. | 03-24-2011 |
20110076071 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a nip formation member, a pressing member, and a low-friction sheet. The nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. The pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The low-friction sheet, over which the fixing member slides, covers the nip formation member. The nip formation member includes a first sandwiching member covered by the low-friction sheet, and a second sandwiching member sandwiching the low-friction sheet together with the first sandwiching member. | 03-31-2011 |
20110076072 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In one embodiment, in a fixing apparatus that is provided with a plurality of rollers including a fixing roller, and an endless fixing belt that is wound around the plurality of rollers, a regulation belt for regulating movement of the fixing belt in the axial direction is wound around at least one of both sides in the axial direction of at least one roller (for example, two rollers) among the plurality of rollers. | 03-31-2011 |
20110081174 | ENDLESS METALLIC BELT, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC ENDLESS BELT, FIXING ASSEMBLY, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic endless metallic belt is provided that has been kept from coming to crack and from further cracking on as a result of its repeated bend and rubbing with a member coming into touch therewith, and has been improved in durability. Each edge face of the metallic belt is so shaped as to have a ridge between an outer-surface edge and an inner-surface edge of the metallic belt. Thus, it follows that the metallic belt comes into touch with the part that may cause a small internal stress by bending, at the part rubbing with the member coming into touch with the belt. | 04-07-2011 |
20110085831 | Fuser for an Image-Forming Apparatus and Method of Using Same - An image-forming device includes a belt-based fuser for fixing an image to a media substrate. The fuser includes a belt disposed about a heating element to facilitate the media handling and to transfer the heat of the heater to the passing media. A lubricant layer lubricates the movement of the belt about the heating element. The lubricant layer includes fluorinated oil having a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085832 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a stationary at least partially tubular thermal member, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, and a rotatable pressure member. The thermal member has a tubular portion thereof extending in an axial direction and defining a closed axial cross-section. A circumference of the thermal member is subjected to heating. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the thermal member. An inner circumference of the fuser belt at least partially faces the thermal member. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends opposite the thermal member in the axial direction with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The fuser pad is pressed against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The thermal member is spaced apart from the fuser pad. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085833 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a fixing device including: a heating section; a pressure contact section to form a nip section with the heating device and to pressure a sheet so that the sheet contacts with the heating section; and a pressurizing section to add a pressurizing force to the sheet through the pressure contact section and to make the nip section be formed between the heating section and the pressure contact section; wherein the pressurizing section adds the higher pressurizing force to an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the nip section than the pressurizing force added to a central portion of the nip section in a sheet conveying direction, and adds the higher pressurizing force to the downstream portion than the pressurizing force added to the upstream portion. | 04-14-2011 |
20110091250 | FIXING APPARATUS OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes an auxiliary pressure member to press a belt to a heat roller side. A belt mechanism to integrally support the belt and the auxiliary pressure member is rotated so that the belt is spaced from the heat roller except for a necessary time. The temperature gradient characteristic of the surface temperature of the heat roller is compared with a reference temperature gradient characteristic, and a correction value of power supplied to a coil is estimated. The correction value is added to the supply power obtained from the detection result of a sensor, and control power for controlling an inverter drive circuit is obtained. | 04-21-2011 |
20110097122 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member in contact with the fixing member, and a pressure application-release device. The pressure application-release device has a pressing cam to pressurize a first pressing arm, a second pressing arm to pressurize the pressing member, a compression spring to connect the first pressing arm with the second pressing arm, and a motor to turn the pressing cam. The pressure application-release device switches a state of the pressing member between a pressure application state to contact the pressing member against the fixing member and a pressure release state to separate the pressing member from the fixing member. | 04-28-2011 |
20110103853 | Flat Heater for Electrophotographic Belt Fusing Systems, and Methods of Making Same - An image-forming device includes a belt based fuser for fixing an image to a media substrate. The fuser includes a heater having a base component with at least one heating element disposed thereon. The heater further includes a covering layer covering the at least one heating element providing a substantially even surface to abut a belt. Unevenness, which may be present on the substantially even surface, has a height, defined by a base and a peak, of less than about 10 μm. A process for producing the heater is also disclosed. The process includes disposing one or more heating elements on a base component of the heater, covering the heating elements of the fuser heater with a covering layer and providing a substantially even outer surface to abut a fuser belt. | 05-05-2011 |
20110116848 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt, a fuser pad, a pressure member, a tubular belt holder, and a reinforcing member. The endless belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction. The fuser pad extends in the axial direction inside the loop of endless belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction with the belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The belt holder extends in the axial direction inside the loop of endless belt to retain the belt in shape along an outer circumference thereof. The belt holder accommodates the fuser pad in a longitudinal side slot defined on one side thereof. The reinforcing member is disposed inside the tubular belt holder to reinforce the belt holder around the side slot. | 05-19-2011 |
20110129267 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a belt including a heat generating layer for generating heat by energization and including a power receiving portion which has electroconductivity and is electrically connected to the heat generating layer; a stationary back-up member, provided inside the belt, for sliding on an inner peripheral surface of the belt; a pressing member for pressing the belt against the back-up member to form a nip in which a recording material is to be nip-conveyed between the belt and itself; and an electroconductive portion, provided on the back-up member, for supplying electric power to the power receiving portion by being electrically connected to the power receiving portion. | 06-02-2011 |
20110135353 | Lubricant Retention Features on Heater Body of a Fuser - A fuser assembly including a heater assembly that includes a heater body, the heater body includes a substrate that extends across the fuser nip. A plurality of retention features are defined on a protective layer covering the surface of the substrate. The protective layer includes a first layer and a second layer, the second layer including a plurality of passages extending from an outer surface of the second layer to the first layer and dimensioned and positioned to allow a lubricant to pass through the second layer between the retention features and the outer surface of the second layer. | 06-09-2011 |
20110135354 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is an image forming apparatus having a fixing device for fixing an image at a nip portion formed of two rotary members which rotate while facing each other, wherein occurrence of uneven print gloss is prevented. The image forming apparatus having a fixing device for fixing an image at a nip portion formed of two rotary members which rotate while facing each other, wherein one of the two rotary members is a belt which rotates while being stretched around of a plurality of rollers, a roller arranged at the exit of the nip portion out of the plurality of rollers has a crown shape, and a slack absorbing member for absorbing a slack of both ends of the belt caused by the crown-shaped roller is in contact with the belt. | 06-09-2011 |
20110135355 | HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating device includes: a heating member heating a recording medium by being heated through electromagnetic induction; a pressure member configured to come into contact with and separate from the heating member, and forming a nip portion between the pressure member and the heating member by pressing and coming into contact with the heating member; a first elastic member arranged inside the heating member, and elastically deformed at the nip portion by the pressure member; and any one of a second elastic member and a support member. The second elastic member is arranged between the first elastic member and the heating member while being fixed thereto, and has a larger elastic deformation ratio at the nip portion than the first elastic member. The support member supports the heating member and the first elastic member so as to form a gap therebetween, and rotates them with a rotational drive force. | 06-09-2011 |
20110135356 | HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating device includes: a heating member including a heat generation layer that generates heat by electromagnetic induction, and heating a recording medium by electromagnetic induction heating of the heat generation layer; and a pressure member configured to be movable in a direction approaching or away from the heating member, and forming a nip portion with the heating member therebetween, through which the recording medium passes, the pressure member being configured to include: a nip forming portion that forms the nip portion with the heating member therebetween in a state where the pressure member is set at a position in contact with the heating member while pressing; and a driving force transmission portion that is in contact with the heating member in a state where the nip forming portion is set at a position separated from the heating member and transmits a rotational driving force to the heating member. | 06-09-2011 |
20110135357 | HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating device includes: a heating member heating a recording medium; a pressure member forming a heating pressure portion with the heating member, through which the recording medium passes; a tensioning member facing the pressure member across the heating member, and providing a tension to the heating member; a peeling member placed downstream of the heating pressure portion and adjacent to the tensioning member, and peeling off the recording medium from the heating member; and an inside heating unit heating the heating member and controlling meandering of the heating member, the inside heating unit including: a secured center shaft; an outer circumferential portion rotating about the center shaft; a heater placed inside the outer circumferential portion to heat thereof from inside; and a heat reflecting member secured to the center shaft and placed at each end portion of the outer circumferential portion, and that reflects heat from the heater. | 06-09-2011 |
20110135358 | FIXING DEVICE COMPRISING AUXILIARY HEAT GENERATING MEMBER AND MAINTAINING GAP RELATIVE TO SEPARATOR - A fixing device includes a fixing belt comprising a first metal heat generating layer; a pressure section facing an outer periphery of the fixing belt; an induction current generating coil situated near a peripheral surface of the fixing belt; a nip forming member situated inside the fixing belt and applying pressure to the fixing belt toward the pressure section; and an auxiliary heat generating member situated inside the fixing belt, comprising a second metal heat generating layer, extending to a position facing the induction current generating coil, and comprising a projecting portion contacting the fixing belt. | 06-09-2011 |
20110150545 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND HEATING BELT FOR USE IN THE IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - A cylindrical heat generating belt for use in an image heating apparatus includes a heat generating layer, in which an electroconductive filler is dispersed in a resin material, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power; and a surface parting layer. The heat generating layer has a sheet resistance, with respect to a generatrix direction of the heat generating belt, which is larger than that with respect to a circumferential direction of the heat generating belt. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150546 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a belt unit including a belt; a coil unit, provided opposed to an outer surface of the belt, including a coil for generating a magnetic flux for heating the belt; a pressing member for forming a nip, in which a recording material is to be heated, between itself and the belt; a positioning portion, provided on the coil unit, for positioning the coil unit with respect to the belt unit; a portion to be positioned, provided on the belt unit, for being engaged with the positioning portion; and an elastic member for urging the coil unit toward the belt unit. | 06-23-2011 |
20110158714 | Fuser Assembly Including a Single Biasing Member - A fuser assembly includes a translatable heater member and a rotatable backup member mounted against the translatable heater member. The translatable heater member includes a heater housing extending through end frames disposed at the ends of the fuser assembly. A biasing member is positioned adjacent and parallel to the translatable heater member. A support structure is positioned at each end of the biasing member for supporting the biasing member. The support structure includes bell crank members that are engaged with the ends of the biasing member. The biasing member applies force on the heater housing through the bell crank members to bias the translatable heater member against the rotatable backup member. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158715 | Fixing Device - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes a tubular flexible fusing member, a nip plate, a heater, a reflection plate, and a backup member. The tubular flexible fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and an axis defining an axial direction. The nip plate is disposed in the internal space, and the inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip plate. A heater is disposed in the internal space and confronts the nip plate in a confronting direction. The heater includes a glass tube, a heat source provided in the glass tube, and a gas sealed in the glass tube. The glass tube includes a glass tube body and a tip portion protruding radially outwardly from the glass tube body for sealing the gas in the glass tube body. The tip portion protrudes in a predetermined direction to define a cross-sectional length of the glass tube in the confronting direction greater than a cross-sectional length of the glass tube in a perpendicular direction extending perpendicular to the confronting direction and the axial direction, and the cross-section includes the tip portion. The reflection plate is configured to reflect a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip plate. A backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip plate for nipping the fusing member between the backup member and the nip plate. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158716 | Fixing Device - In a fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, a nip plate is disposed on an inner surface of a tubular flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable in such a manner that permits the fusing member to slide along the nip plate, and configured to be heated by a heating element disposed inside the fusing member. The fusing member is nipped between the nip plate and a backup member to form a nip portion between the fusing member and the backup member. The nip plate is bent to form a recessed portion which opens on the inner surface of the fusing member and holds a lubricant. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158717 | Fixing Device - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet fed in a sheet feeding direction includes a tubular flexible fusing member, a nip plate, a heater, a reflection plate, and a backup member. The tubular flexible fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and an axis defining an axial direction. The nip plate is disposed in the internal space, and the inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip plate. A heater is disposed in the internal space and confronts the nip plate in a confronting direction. The heater includes a glass tube, a heat source provided in the glass tube, and a gas sealed in the glass tube. The glass tube includes a glass tube body and a tip portion protruding radially outwardly from the glass tube body for sealing the gas in the glass tube body. The tip portion protrudes in a predetermined direction to define a cross-sectional length of the glass tube in the confronting direction smaller than a cross-sectional length of the glass tube in a perpendicular direction extending perpendicular to the confronting direction and the axial direction, and the cross-section includes the tip portion. The reflection plate is configured to reflect a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip plate. A backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip plate for nipping the fusing member between the backup member and the nip plate. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158718 | Fixing Device - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, includes: a flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable; a heating element; a nip member disposed in such a manner as to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member; a reflecting plate configured to reflect radiant heat from the heating element in a direction toward the nip member; a backup member configured to nip the flexible fusing member with the nip member to thereby form a nip portion for the recording sheet between the flexible fusing member and the backup member; and a stay configured to support both end portions of the nip member. The reflecting plate has at least one flange portion, and the flange portion is held and supported between the nip member and the stay. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158719 | Fixing Device Provided with Temperature Sensor - There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a heater, a nip member, a reflection plate, a backup member, a stay and a temperature sensor. The flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate a radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection plate is configured to reflect the radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member, the reflection plate having an outer profile. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The stay covers the reflection plate and supports the nip member, the stay having a profile in conformance with the outer profile of the reflection plate, and the stay being formed with one of a through-hole and a notch. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and extends through the one of the through-hole and the notch. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158720 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device to improve an amount of heat to a recording medium, and an image forming apparatus having the same, includes a heating unit having a heat source and a press roller arranged to come into contact with and to press an outer circumferential surface of the heating unit so as to define a fusing nip. The press roller includes an elastic layer and at least one heating element contained in the elastic layer to allow generation of heat from the interior of the elastic layer. The heating element may include heating particles dispersed in the elastic layer, or may be a sheet type heating element inserted in the elastic layer. | 06-30-2011 |
20110164906 | Fixing Device - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet fed in a sheet feeding direction includes: a tubular flexible member; a nip member; a heater; a reflection member; a backup member; and a temperature sensor. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and has one surface and opposite surface. The inner peripheral surface is in contact with the one surface. The heater is disposed in the internal space and confronts the nip member in a confronting direction. The reflection member is configured to reflect a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and is configured to detect a temperature of the nip member. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of the reflection member and in confrontation with the opposite surface. | 07-07-2011 |
20110170917 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A fixing device includes a tubular, stationary metal pipe, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, and a lubricant. The metal pipe is subjected to heating. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal pipe to transfer heat radially outward from the heated metal pipe. The rotatable pressure member extends opposite the metal pipe with the fuser belt interposed between the metal pipe and the pressure member. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt to press against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The lubricant is of a given particle size and deposited between the metal pipe and the fuser belt. The surface of the metal pipe has a rough section which exhibits a surface roughness equal to or greater than the particle size of the lubricant. | 07-14-2011 |
20110170918 | FIXING APPARATUS OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heat roller of a fixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention has a slidable metal belt on an outer side of an elastic roller. At the room temperature, the outer diameter of the elastic roller is smaller than the inner diameter of the metal belt. On the other hand, when the elastic roller is thermally expanded, the metal belt and the elastic roller fit onto each other in a state in which the metal belt fastens the elastic roller. | 07-14-2011 |
20110182635 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE RATE OF MOVEMENT OF A FUSING BELT IN A PRINTING APPARATUS - An apparatus ( | 07-28-2011 |
20110182636 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE CHANGE OF DIRECTION OF A FUSING BELT IN A PRINTING APPARATUS - An apparatus ( | 07-28-2011 |
20110188906 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing member that fixes a toner image on a recording medium; a pressure member that forms a fixing pressure portion between the pressure member and the fixing member by making pressure contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member, the fixing pressure portion being passed through by the recording medium holding an unfixed toner image; a heat supplier that supplies heat to the fixing member; and a thermal diffusion member that diffuses heat on a surface of the fixing member by contact with the fixing member. | 08-04-2011 |
20110188907 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt-shaped fixing member, a rotary pressing member disposed opposite the fixing member, a stationary member, a friction reducer, and a activation device. The endless belt-shaped fixing member formed in a loop moves in a predetermined direction and fixes a toner image on a recording medium by heating and fusing the toner image. The stationary member is provided inside the loop and pressed against the rotary pressing member through the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes. The friction reducer disposed between the fixing member and the stationary member reduces friction generated therebetween. The activation device provided inside the loop of the fixing member moves the friction reducer to change a portion of the friction reducer that comes between the fixing member and the stationary member. | 08-04-2011 |
20110194881 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAME - Provided is a fixing device that uses an induction heating method and is capable of shortening a warm-up time period by accelerating the speed of increase in the temperature of a fixing belt. The fixing device forms a fixing nip by having a pressurizing roller pressurize a fixing roller, which is positioned inside a rotation path of a fixing belt having a hollow cylindrical shape, from outside the rotation path via the fixing belt. Given that Db is an inner diameter of the fixing belt, Dr is an outer diameter of the fixing roller, and a rate X is a value obtained by dividing the inner diameter Db of the fixing belt by the outer diameter Dr of the fixing roller, the fixing belt and the fixing roller that satisfy a relationship 008-11-2011 | |
20110200369 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a heating member provided inside the fixing member to heat the fixing member, a nip formation member provided inside the fixing member and supported by the heating member, and a pressing member pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The nip formation member includes a convex portion provided at a center of the nip formation member in an axial direction of the fixing member and protruding toward the heating member. The heating member has a tapered shape corresponding to the convex portion of the nip formation member, in which the heating member is tapered from lateral ends toward a center of the heating member in the axial direction of the fixing member. | 08-18-2011 |
20110200370 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a substantially cylindrical metal member, a heater positioned to heat the metal member, an endless, flexible fixing member disposed rotatably around the metal member and heated by the metal member to heat and fix a toner image, a rotary pressing member disposed opposite the metal member and pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip therebetween, and a stationary member disposed at an inner circumferential surface side of the fixing member and pressed by the pressing member via the fixing member to form the nip. At least when the fixing member is relatively moved toward the metal member during assembly of the fixing member with the metal member, the metal member includes at least one protruding portion protruding axially outward from an axial end of the metal member to guide the fixing member axially toward the metal member. | 08-18-2011 |
20110206426 | BELT PRESSURIZING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt pressurizing device includes: an endless belt that is circularly driven; a pressing member that presses the endless belt against a facing member with the endless belt interposed between the pressing member and the facing member; and a lubricant supplying member that supplies lubricant to reduce sliding resistance of the endless belt pressed by the pressing member, so as not to be in contact with the endless belt. | 08-25-2011 |
20110206427 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A fixing device includes an endless fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, a heater, a heater support, and a belt tensioner. The endless fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof. The contact member extends in the axial direction inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction with the belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member is pressed against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to heat the fuser belt. The heater support is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to hold the heater in position. The belt tensioner is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to tighten the fuser belt. | 08-25-2011 |
20110211879 | APPARATUSES USEFUL IN PRINTING ONTO MEDIA AND METHODS OF MITIGATING MEDIA EDGE WEAR EFFECTS ON FIXING BELTS IN PRINTING - Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of mitigating media edge wear effects on fixing belts in printing are provided. An exemplary apparatus useful for printing onto media includes a first roll including a first surface; a second roll including a second surface; a fixing member including a third surface; a fixing belt supported on the first surface and second surface, the fixing belt including a surface forming a nip with the fixing member; a registration distribution system for translating the first roll, second roll, fixing member and fixing belt, as a unit, transversely with respect to a media travel path of media received at the nip; and a belt steering mechanism connected to the second roll for translating the fixing belt across the first surface of the first roll at the nip, transversely to the media travel path, while the registration distribution system translates the first roll, second roll, fixing member and fixing belt transversely to the media travel path. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211880 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device has a regulating mechanism for maintaining a contact portion of a pressing member in a state in which the contact portion does not contact with a fixing roll through a fixing belt from a second area to a first area or a state in which a pressure is reduced so that the contact portion contacts with the fixing roll when switching from a state in which the contact portion is placed in the second area to a state in which the contact portion is placed in the first area is carried out by a switching mechanism, and making a transition for the contact portion of the pressing member into a contact state at a predetermined pressure when the first area is reached. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211881 | Fixing Device - There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a nip member, a backup member and a restricting member. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and an outer peripheral surface opposite to the inner peripheral surface, the tubular flexible member defining an axis extending in an axial direction. The nip member is disposed within the internal space. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The restricting member is configured to restrict the tubular flexible member from moving in the axial direction, the restricting member having a base section, an inner guide protruding inward from the base section in the axial direction for guiding the inner peripheral surface and an outer guide protruding inward from the base section in the axial direction for guiding the outer peripheral surface, the inner guide having a portion whose protruding end is positioned inward of a protruding end of the outer guide in the axial direction. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211882 | Fixing Device - There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a nip member, a backup member and a restricting member. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and an outer peripheral surface opposite to the inner peripheral surface, the tubular flexible member defining an axis extending in an axial direction. The nip member is disposed within the internal space. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The restricting member is configured to restrict the tubular flexible member from moving in the axial direction, the restricting member having a base section, an inner guide protruding inward from the base section in the axial direction for guiding the inner peripheral surface and an outer guide protruding inward from the base section in the axial direction for guiding the outer peripheral surface, the inner guide having a portion whose protruding end is positioned inward of a protruding end of the outer guide in the axial direction. | 09-01-2011 |
20110217093 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing member formed into a loop inside which a nip formation member, a core holder, a heater support, and a laminated heater are provided, and a pressing member provided outside the loop formed by the fixing member. The pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member. The heater support is between the laminated heater and the nip formation member to support the laminated heater. The core holder is between the nip formation member and the heater support to support the nip formation member and the heater support. | 09-08-2011 |
20110217094 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a frame, a tubular heat pipe, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a pressure member, and a deformation relief mechanism. The heat pipe extends in an axial direction. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat pipe. The fuser pad extends in the axial direction inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends opposite the heat pipe in the axial direction. The fuser pad is pressed against the pressure member through the fuser belt in a load direction perpendicular to the axial direction to form a fixing nip. The heat pipe and the fuser pad establish stationary contact with each other at their respective axial ends upon formation of the fixing nip. The deformation relief mechanism is provided to at least one of the heat pipe and the fuser pad to relieve deformation of the fuser pad. | 09-08-2011 |
20110217095 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt-shaped fixing member; a pressing member; a contact member provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member and pressed against the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member, a laminated heater facing an inner circumferential face of the fixing member to heat the fixing member, connected to an external power source, and including a heat generation sheet that includes a heat-resistant resin in which conductive particles to receive electricity from the external power source and generate heat are unevenly dispersed throughout the heat-resistant resin to have a dispersal gradient of increasing particle dispersion density from an inner face toward an outer face of the heat generation sheet; and a heater support to support the laminated heater along the inner circumferential face of the fixing member. | 09-08-2011 |
20110217096 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes a fixing belt comprising a first metal heat generating layer, a pressurizing unit which faces an outer circumference of the fixing belt, an induced current generating coil located within a hollow part of the fixing belt, a nip forming member which pressurizes the fixing belt to the pressurizing unit, and an auxiliary heat generating member located in a periphery of the fixing belt and comprising a second metal heat generating layer. | 09-08-2011 |
20110217097 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a rotating fixing body fixes a toner image on a recording medium by heating, the rotating fixing body having a cylindrical metal core formed of a magnetic shunt alloy and having a thickness less than a magnetic-field permeation depth at a temperature higher than or equal to a Curie temperature of the metal core, a coil provided along an outer surface of the rotating fixing body so as to generate magnetic flux that subjects the rotating fixing body to induction heating, and an electrically conductive arch-shaped saddle ring member disposed at a position opposing the coil with the metal core being disposed therebetween and in an orientation such that magnetic flux leakage associated with loss of ferromagnetism of the metal core penetrates the ring member. | 09-08-2011 |
20110222929 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a nip forming member disposed inside a fixing member and pressed against a pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A heat generator disposed inside the fixing member heats the fixing member outside the nip portion and has variable heat distribution over a width of the fixing member. A first temperature detector disposed inside the fixing member contacts an end portion of the heat generator in the width direction of the fixing member, opposite a surface facing the fixing member, to detect a temperature of the heat generator. A second temperature detector disposed inside the fixing member contacts a center of an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member in the width direction, to detect the temperature of the fixing member. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222930 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME, AND METHOD OF HEATING FIXING MEMBER - A fixing device includes a support member fixedly provided inside a loop formed by a fixing member to support a nip formation member provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member. A biasing member is provided between the support member and a heater support that supports a laminated heater that generates heat to be transmitted to the fixing member. The heater support thermally expands in a first direction due to heat generated by the laminated heater. The biasing member applies bias to the heater support in a second direction opposite the first direction and in which the heater support presses the laminated heater against an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222931 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a tubular, stationary metal pipe, a heater, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, and a tubular pipe cover. The heater is disposed adjacent to the metal pipe to heat a circumference thereof. The metal pipe has multiple through-holes provided at least at a circumferential perforated section thereof. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal pipe to transfer heat radially outward from the heated circumference of the metal pipe. The rotatable pressure member extends opposite the metal pipe with the fuser belt interposed between the metal pipe and the pressure member. The fuser pad, accommodated within the metal pipe, held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt, presses against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The tubular pipe cover is fitted around the metal pipe. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222932 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a heating rotary member having a heating layer generating heat upon current application; a pressurizing rotary member brought into pressure-contact with an outer circumferential surface of the heating rotary member to form fixing nip, through which a sheet on which unfixed toner image is formed passes for heat fixing; circular electrodes that are circumferentially formed at two respective positions sandwiching a sheet passing region therebetween, on the outer circumferential surface, and feed electrical power to the heating layer, the electrodes are each metallic and formed of at least two electrode layers including a first electrode layer layered directly on the heating layer and a second electrode layer as an outermost layer, linear expansion coefficient difference between the first layer and the heating layer is smaller than that between the second layer and the heating layer, and the second layer is more oxidation-resistant than the first layer. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222933 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a first roller; a second roller that forms a nip between the second roller and the first roller and pressurizes a sheet passing through the nip against the first roller; a third roller that is disposed in parallel with the first and second rollers; a fixing belt that is stretched over the first and third rollers; a heater that uniformly heats the fixing belt in a direction of a width of the fixing belt; and a heat-uniformizing member that is a shaft-shaped heat-uniformizing member embedded in the third roller. An effective length in a longitudinal axial direction of the heat-uniformizing member is set to be the same or greater than a width of a predetermined maximum sheet so as to uniformly distribute heat of the fixing belt which is in contact with the third roller in the longitudinal axial direction. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222934 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotary heating member; a heat source disposed near the rotary heating member to heat the rotary heating member; a stationary member disposed in sliding contact with a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the rotary heating member; a flexible fixing belt looped around the rotary heating member and the stationary member; and a rotary pressure member disposed in pressure contact with the stationary member via the fixing belt to form a nip between the fixing belt and the rotary pressure member. The rotary heating member, the stationary member, the fixing belt, and the rotary pressure member are arranged in a direction in which pressure is applied to form the nip. A pressing force acting between the rotary heating member and the rotary pressure member via the fixing belt and the stationary member creates pressure at the nip. | 09-15-2011 |
20110229225 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A fixing device includes an endless belt-shaped fixing member formed into a loop and rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation, a pressing member contacting an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member, a heater support assembly provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member, and a laminated heater supported by the heater support assembly and provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member. The laminated heater includes an elastic sheet contacting an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member with pressure generated by elasticity of bending of the elastic sheet to heat the fixing member. | 09-22-2011 |
20110229226 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing member formed into a loop and rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation. A heating assembly faces a first region on an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member to heat the fixing member. The heating assembly is thermally deformed to contact and move the fixing member. A first fixing member support and a second fixing member support face a second region on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member other than the first region. The first fixing member support and the second fixing member support contact and support the rotating fixing member moved by the thermally deformed heating assembly. | 09-22-2011 |
20110229227 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a tubular belt holder, a rotatable flexible fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, and a heater. The belt holder extends in an axial direction thereof. The fuser belt is looped around the belt holder extending in the axial direction. The contact member has a central axis thereof extending in the axial direction, accommodated in the belt holder. The pressure member has a central axis thereof extending in the axial direction, disposed opposite the belt holder with the fuser belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member presses against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt holder to heat a circumferential portion of the fuser belt. The belt holder includes a generally semi-cylindrical section to face the heated circumferential portion of the fuser belt. | 09-22-2011 |
20110229228 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a tubular belt holder, a rotatable flexible fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, and a heater. The tubular belt holder extends in an axial direction thereof. The fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration around the belt holder. The tubular belt holder retains the fuser belt in shape as the belt rotates in a circumferential direction. The contact member extends in the axial direction. The pressure member extends in the axial direction. The pressure member presses against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed to heat a predetermined circumferential portion of the fuser belt. The belt holder includes a first circumferential section and a second circumferential section. The first circumferential section faces the heated portion. The second circumferential section faces upstream from the heated portion in the circumferential direction. | 09-22-2011 |
20110236085 | CONVEYING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A conveying device includes: a rotating roll; a conveying belt that rotates, nipping a conveyed member between the conveying belt and the rotating roll; and a pressing member that is disposed at the inner periphery of the conveying belt and pressing the conveying belt towards the rotating roll. The pressing member includes an opposing face formed with a pressure point where the pressing force of the conveying belt towards the rotating roll is greatest, and an inclined face that is formed at the belt rotation direction upstream side relative to the pressure point. The inclined face inclines at an angle relative to a parallel line such that the inclined face separates away from the rotating roll, and the parallel line being parallel to a tangent to the rotating roll outer peripheral surface and passing through the pressure point. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236086 | CONVEYING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A conveying device includes: a rotating body that rotates; a belt that contacts the rotating body and rotates; a restricting member that is disposed at each of the two rotation axis direction side edges of the belt, positions the side edges of the belt, and restricts movement of the belt in the rotation axis direction; a lubrication agent that is supplied to the inner peripheral face of the belt; and a slide bearing that is disposed so as to overlap in the rotation axis direction with the restricting member when viewed along a rotating body radial direction, the slide bearing being open to the belt side and rotatably supporting the rotating body. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236087 | CONVEYING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A conveying device including: a rotating body that rotates; a conveying belt that rotates while nipping a conveyed member between the conveying belt and the rotating body, thereby conveying the conveyed member; a pressing member that is disposed at an inner periphery of the conveying belt along a conveying belt rotation axis direction and presses the conveying belt towards the rotating body; a pair of support members that are respectively disposed at each of two rotation axis direction edge sides of the conveying belt and that support the pressing member; and a contact member that is disposed at the inner periphery of the conveying belt along the conveying belt rotation axis direction, makes sliding contact with the rotating conveying belt, and is supported so as to be independently displaceable relative to the pressing member. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236088 | Fixing Device Having Nip Plate with Surface Including High Absorption Region - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a tubular flexible fusing member; a heater; a nip member; and a backup member. The tubular flexible fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and radiates radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and receives the radiant heat from the heater. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The backup member provides a nip region in cooperation with the fusing member upon nipping the fusing member between the backup member and the nip member. The nip member has a surface confronting the heater. The surface includes a first heat absorption region having a first heat absorption ratio of a predetermined value and a second heat absorption region having a second heat absorption ratio higher than the first heat absorption ratio. The second heat absorption region is positioned at a region of the surface overlapping with the nip region. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236089 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - Disclosed is a fixing device including: a fixing belt provided across a fuser roller and a heating member in a tensioned state, which fixing belt is rotated; and a tension roller applying a load on the fixing belt from an inner circumferential side of the fixing belt, which tension roller is determined in position on the fixing belt so that a length of the fixing belt upstream of the fixing nip area in a fixing belt rotating direction, from the tension roller to the fixing member, is longer than that downstream of the fixing nip area in the fixing belt rotating direction, from the fixing member to the tension roller. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236090 | FIXING DEVICE AND FLEXIBLE SLEEVE USED IN THE FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device for fixing on a recording material a toner image formed on the recording material includes a flexible sleeve including a resinous base layer, a parting layer and an adhesive layer for bonding the base layer and the parting layer; a heater contacted to an inner surface of the sleeve; a pressing member for forming a nip, in which the recording material on which the toner image has been formed is nipped and conveyed, between itself and the sleeve to which the heater is contacted; a voltage applying member for applying a voltage, of a polarity identical to a polarity of toner; and a grounding member, contactable to the recording material in a nipped state in the nip, for grounding the recording material. In a thickness direction of the layers, an electric resistance of the adhesive layer is larger than that of the parting layer and the electric resistance of the parting layer is larger than that of the base layer. The voltage applying member applies the voltage to the sleeve in contact with the base layer. | 09-29-2011 |
20110262193 | FIXATION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A fixation device including: a conveyance member configured to convey media; a heater configured to heat the conveyance member; a pressure member being in contact with the conveyance member; a first sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the first sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member; and a second sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the second sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member. | 10-27-2011 |
20110262194 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FUSER APPARATUS - According to an embodiment of the invention, a heat uniforming member, which has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a hollow member and in which thermal deformation generated by thermal expansion remains, is set in the inside of the hollow member having a center axis, support members are set to both ends of the hollow member to enable supporting of ends of the heat uniforming member, and an endless body having a uniform thermal distribution is formed by heating the hollow member, the heat uniforming member and the support member at a specified temperature for a specific time and causing the heat uniforming member to adhere closely to an inner wall of the hollow member. | 10-27-2011 |
20110274473 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing member; a metal member; and a pressing member. “A” is equal to or less than “Bmax” and greater than “Bave” (“Bmax”≧“A”>“Bave”), where “A” represents an amount of a clearance at the time of normal temperature between the fixing member and the metal member, “Bmax” represents a maximum amount of deformation generated in the metal member when heating is started by the heating member from a normal temperature state, and “Bave” represents an amount of stable deformation generated in the metal member when the temperature of the entire metal member becomes even. | 11-10-2011 |
20110286775 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND HEAT GENERATION BELT - The present invention provides a fixing device for fixing an unfixed image onto a recording sheet by applying heat and pressure to the unfixed image while the recording sheet having the unfixed image formed thereon is passing through a fixing nip, the fixing nip being formed by pressing a pressurizing roller against a heat generation belt, wherein the heat generation belt rotates around a rotational axis and includes a resistive heat layer extending in a rotational axis direction thereof, the resistive heat layer configured to generate heat when electricity is supplied thereto and having a plurality of holes provided therein, and the holes are distributed unevenly in the resistive heat layer such that electrical resistivity of the resistive heat layer varies in the rotational axis direction. | 11-24-2011 |
20110293338 | Induction heating type fusing device and image forming apparatus employing the same - An induction heating type fusing device and an image forming apparatus including the fusing device. The fusing device includes a magnetic flux generator and a compressing roller outside a fusing belt, first and second fusing rollers and a nip guide inside the fusing belt. The compressing roller compresses against the first and second fusing rollers and the nip guide to form nips, while the fusing belt is disposed between the compressing roller and the first and second fusing rollers and the nip guide. | 12-01-2011 |
20110293339 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A novel fixing device including a fixing member to fix a toner image on a sheet by application of heat and pressure and a pressing member to press the sheet against the fixing member. The pressing member is rotatable. A height difference is circumferentially provided to the pressing member, and is tapered from an end portion toward a portion contacting an edge of a small-size sheet. The pressing member has a greater hardness than the fixing member. | 12-01-2011 |
20110293340 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image onto a recording sheet by causing the sheet to pass through a fixing nip. The fixing device includes: heat belt formed in an endless shape and provided with a resistance heat layer; first pressure member provided inside a running path of the heat belt; and second pressure member pressing the first pressure member from over the running path to form the fixing nip. At least one of the first and second pressure members is rotating body. The heat belt has a pressure-receiving area and two non-pressure areas. The pressure-receiving area receives pressures from both the first and second pressure members. The non-pressure areas have been arranged at outside of the pressure-receiving area in an axis direction of the rotating body. Two ring-like electrodes have been formed on circumferential surfaces of the non-pressure areas and are used to supply power to the resistance heat layer. | 12-01-2011 |
20110299899 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body inside which a heat generator is disposed and an exciting coil unit disposed opposite the heat generator via the fixing rotary body. A first moving mechanism is connected to one of the heat generator and the exciting coil unit to move the one of the heat generator and the exciting coil unit between a first position where the exciting coil unit is disposed away from the heat generator and a second position where the exciting coil unit is disposed closer to the heat generator. The exciting coil unit heats a first heat generation layer of the fixing rotary body at the first position, and heats both the first heat generation layer of the fixing rotary body and a second heat generation layer of the heat generator at the second position. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299900 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device thermally fixes an unfixed image on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has: a heat-generating endless belt; a first pressure member inside a running path of the endless belt; a second pressure member pressing the endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip, and a pair of power feeders. The endless belt includes: a circumferential resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a first electrode and a second electrode flanking a sheet passing area of the circumferential surface of the endless belt. Each electrode is composed of a pair of electrode layers, one on the inner and another on the outer circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer. Each power feeder is in contact with both the electrode layers of a different electrode. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299901 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has: a heat-generating endless belt having, on a circumferential surface thereof, a sheet passing area through which the recording sheet passes; a first pressure member disposed inside a running path of the endless belt; and a second pressure member disposed to press the endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip. The endless belt includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers that receive electric current. The electrode layers flank the sheet passing area. The resistive heat layer is in contact with the electrode layers at a different one of end faces opposing each other in a width direction of the resistive heat layer. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299902 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has a heat-generating endless belt that includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers each disposed along a different one of widthwise edges of the heat-generating endless belt. The resistive heat layer has (i) reduced thickness portions each along a widthwise edge thereof and (ii) a middle portion between the reduced thickness portions. Each reduced thickness portion is thinner than the middle portion and connected to the middle portion with a wall surface upright in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the heat-generating endless belt to define a stair shape. Each electrode layer is disposed on the resistive heat layer to be in contact with a corresponding one of the wall surfaces. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299903 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image onto the recording sheet, the fixing device comprising: a fixing belt; and a meander regulation member provided adjacent to an edge of the fixing belt in a width direction thereof, and operable to prevent meandering of the fixing belt, wherein the fixing belt includes: a resistive heat layer that is tubular and generates heat when an electric current is applied thereto; and first and second electrodes that are provided circumferentially on an outer circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer, and that receive and apply the electric current to the resistive heat layer, and the first electrode is provided closer to the meander regulation member than to the second electrode, and is at a distance from the edge of the fixing belt in the width direction thereof. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299904 | FUSING DEVICE, PRING DEVICE AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING BELT - A fusing device includes a belt, a first stretching member contacting an inner circumference of the belt and stretching the belt tightly, a heating member having a heating element on the surface, a second stretching member having a heating member facing part that faces the heating member and a curved surface part that faces the belt, and stretching the belt tightly with the first stretching member. | 12-08-2011 |
20110311284 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressing rotary body pressed against the fixing rotary body to rotate in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the fixing rotary body and form a nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A heat generator is disposed opposite the fixing rotary body at a section other than the nip to heat the fixing rotary body. A moving assembly is disposed opposite the heat generator to generate a magnetic force to move the heat generator with respect to the fixing rotary body so as to change one of a pressure and a distance between the heat generator and the fixing rotary body. | 12-22-2011 |
20110318073 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing roller, an endless fixing belt, a pressing unit having first and second pressing members that press a surface of the fixing belt against the fixing roller, a fixed support member that supports the fixing roller rotatably, a movable support member that supports the first pressing member in a fixed state and supports the second pressing member such as to be movable closer to and away from the fixing roller, a first pressure spring that presses the movable support member closer to the fixing roller, a second pressure spring that presses the second pressing member closer to the fixing roller, and a switch mechanism that switches between a first state in which the first and second pressing members are pressed against the fixing roller and a second state in which only the second pressing member is pressed against the fixing roller. | 12-29-2011 |
20110318074 | Fixing Device Having Temperature Detection Element - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet fed in a sheet feeding direction including: a tubular flexible fusing member; a heater; a nip member; a backup member; and a temperature detection element. The tubular flexible fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and configured to radiate radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and configured to receive the radiant heat from the heater. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the fusing member upon nipping the fusing member between the backup member and the nip member. The backup member confronts the nip member in a confronting direction. The temperature detection element is disposed in a superposed region of the nip member superposed with the nip region in the confronting direction and configured to detect a temperature of the superposed region. | 12-29-2011 |
20110318075 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH BUILT-IN FIXING UNIT - A fixing unit is provided with a heating mechanism configured to define an arcuate heating zone, a heating roller including a circumferential surface extending along the heating zone, a belt wound on the heating roller along the circumferential surface, a tensioner configured to apply tension to the belt; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the tensioner in a biasing direction along an extending direction of the belt between the heating roller and the tensioner. | 12-29-2011 |
20110318076 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH BUILT-IN FIXING UNIT - A fixing unit for fixing a toner image formed on a sheet is provided with a belt unit including a belt configured to press the sheet, a reference roller configured to nip the sheet in cooperation with the belt, and a supporting element configured to support the belt unit and the reference roller. The belt unit includes first and second rollers on which the belt is wound. The supporting element includes a supporting plate configured to support the first, second and reference rollers. | 12-29-2011 |
20120027478 | Endless belt assembly, fixing device, and image forming apparatus employing same - An endless belt assembly includes one or more rollers, an endless belt, and a belt tracking mechanism. The one or more rollers are disposed parallel to each other, each being rotatable around a rotational axis thereof. The endless belt is looped for rotation around the rollers. The belt tracking mechanism is disposed on at least one side of the endless belt assembly to prevent lateral displacement of the endless belt during rotation. The belt tracking mechanism includes an annular recess, an annular flange, and a circumferential rib. The annular recess is perimetrically formed on a longitudinal end face of the roller. The annular flange is disposed in the annular recess to rotate freely with respect to the roller. The circumferential rib extends along a side edge of an interior circumferential surface of the endless belt to contact the annular flange upon lateral movement of the belt. | 02-02-2012 |
20120057909 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION HEATING FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing apparatus includes: a magnetic flux generating source which generates a magnetic flux; an endless belt which inductively generates heat by the magnetic flux while rotating in a prescribed direction; a rotating body which rotates in a prescribed direction and, together with the belt, forms a nip section through which a recording medium carrying a toner image passes; a core which is made of a magnetic material, and directs the magnetic flux to the belt; a heat value adjustment member for adjusting an amount of heat generated in the belt; and a gripping piece which is a non-rotating member, is disposed in a position corresponding to the nip section, and contacts an inner surface of the belt to rotatably grip the belt against the rotating body. The belt is wrapped between the heat value adjustment member and the gripping piece. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057910 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING UNIT - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a developer image on a recording medium using a developer, and a fixing unit that fixes the developer image to the recording medium. The fixing unit includes a heating member that heats the recording medium on which the developer image is formed, a plurality of pressure members that press the recording medium against the heating member, and a fixing belt stretched around the plurality of pressure members and nipped between the heating member and the plurality of pressure members so as to form a plurality of nip portions. Each of the plurality of pressure members has a shape in which a center portion protrudes more outward than both end portions. | 03-08-2012 |
20120063824 | RELEASE-AGENT-RESISTANT FIXING BELTS, FIXING DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING FIXING BELTS - Fixing belts, fixing devices and methods of making fixing belts are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the fixing belts includes an inner layer comprising a first surface forming an inner surface of the fixing belt and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the inner layer comprising a first polymer; an intermediate layer overlying the second surface of the inner layer, the intermediate layer including a third surface, a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face, the intermediate layer comprising silicone rubber; and an outer layer including a fourth surface forming an outer surface of the fixing belt, the outer layer overlying the third surface, the first end face, the second end face and portions of the second surface disposed outward from the first end face and second end face, the outer layer comprising a second polymer. The outer layer seals and protects the intermediate layer from exposure to a liquid release agent applied to the fourth surface. | 03-15-2012 |
20120070207 | Fuser for an Electrophotographic Imaging Device - A fuser for an electrophotographic imaging device according to one embodiment includes a stationary pressure member having an elongated body with an outer surface. The pressure member is substantially transparent and/or substantially translucent and permits the passage of radiant heat therethrough. An endless fusing belt having a flexible tubular configuration is rotatably positioned about the pressure member. The pressure member is positioned around a heating lamp for transmitting radiant heat through the pressure member to an inner surface of the fusing belt. A backup roll opposes the fusing belt. The pressure member is configured to apply pressure contact to the fusing belt against the backup roll to form a fuser nip between the backup roll and a segment of the fusing belt. | 03-22-2012 |
20120076556 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a circularly moving member, the outer peripheral surface of which circularly moves; a belt-shaped member that has a substantially belt shape and that circularly moves while an outer peripheral surface of the belt-shaped member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the circularly moving member; a pressing member that presses the belt-shaped member onto the circularly moving member while being in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt-shaped member; and a lubricant dispersion member that includes a solid material and a lubricant dispersed in the solid material in the form of particles, wherein the lubricant dispersion member is worn by being rubbed on the inner peripheral surface of the belt-shaped member, and the lubricant is exposed on a surface of the solid material by wear, the surface contacting the inner peripheral surface of the belt-shaped member. | 03-29-2012 |
20120093546 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a belt-like member provided so as to circularly move, a forming member disposed so as to come into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the belt-like member and forms a pressing portion, where a recording material is pressed, between the belt-like member and the forming member, a contact member that comes into contact with the belt-like member, a heating member positioned on a side more distant from the belt-like member as compared to the contact member, and heats the contact member, a receiving member positioned on a side more distant from the belt-like member as compared to the heating member, and receives heat from the heating member, and a heat transfer portion provided so as to be connected to the receiving member and the contact member, and transfers heat to the contact member from the receiving member. | 04-19-2012 |
20120093547 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing member that is rotatably provided and heats an image formed on a recording material to fix the image to the recording material, a contact member that moves the recording material by being rotationally driven while coming into contact with the fixing member, and is provided to be separated from the fixing member, and a rotating member that is mounted on the contact member, is disposed to come into contact with the fixing member while the contact member is separated from the fixing member, rotates while interlocking with the contact member, transmits a rotational driving force from the contact member to the fixing member, and rotates with respect to the contact member when the fixing member is rotated by an external force and a rotational driving force is transmitted to the rotating member from the fixing member. | 04-19-2012 |
20120093548 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt with an endless shape to be heated with a heating member; a pressing roller disposed outside the fixing belt; a fixing side roller disposed inside the fixing belt and pressed against the pressing roller with the fixing belt in between; and a nip forming member disposed inside the fixing belt and pressed against the pressing roller with the fixing belt in between. Further, the fixing side roller is arranged to form a strain portion having a strain amount in the pressing roller so that the strain amount is greater than a strain amount of a strain portion formed in the pressing roller with the nip forming member. | 04-19-2012 |
20120093549 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing belt in an endless form; a fixing roller; a separating roller for separating, from the fixing belt, a paper sheet onto which a developer is fixed and fused; a heating roller for heating the fixing belt; a pressurizing roller for forming a fixing nip portion between the fixing belt and the pressurizing roller; a first lever to which the fixing roller and the separating roller are fixed, the first lever pivoting around a first supporting point used as the center point; a second lever to which the fixing roller and the heating roller are fixed, the second lever pivoting around a second supporting point used as the center point; a first spring for biasing the first lever; and a second spring for biasing the second lever. | 04-19-2012 |
20120093550 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes a belt heating a toner image on recording material, a member slidable on the belt inner surface, a pressor pressing the belt against the member to form a recording material nip, and a projection and recess provided on a nip forming surface of the member. When pressure applied when a toner temperature of the toner image reaches a softening temperature T1 (° C.) is P1 (kgf/cm | 04-19-2012 |
20120099909 | FIXING DEVICE INCLUDING MOVABLE FRAME BODY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device includes an induction coil, a heating rotary belt including a heat generating layer thinner than a magnetic-field penetration depth, a pressure receiving member, a pressing rotator, a magnetic core section, and a movable guiding section. The movable guiding section is a substantially cylindrical frame body being in contact with the inner surface of the heating rotary belt, includes one or more blocking sections, and is rotatable so as to be able to be positioned in a first blocking position and a first non-blocking position. | 04-26-2012 |
20120099910 | HEAT FIXING APPARATUS - The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. | 04-26-2012 |
20120107029 | Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same - An image forming apparatus including a fusing belt, a pressure roller disposed to face the fusing belt so as to press a recording medium onto the fusing belt, a nip forming member to support an inner surface of the fusing belt so as to form a fusing nip along with the pressure roller, and a heat source disposed inside the fusing belt to simultaneously apply radiant heat to the fusing belt and the nip forming member. The nip forming member includes a hill portion, which is located to one side thereof farther downstream in a movement direction of the recording medium and protrudes toward the hill portion. The hill portion causes the recording medium, which has curled in a given direction, to be bent in an opposite direction immediately prior to exiting from between the nip forming member and the pressure roller, thereby reducing curling of the recording medium. | 05-03-2012 |
20120121302 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus includes photoreceptor drums, a charger, an exposure unit, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer belt and a fixing unit for fixing a toner image to a recording medium. The fixing unit includes a fixing part and a pressing part. The fixing part has a fixing roller, a heating member and a fixing belt. The pressing part has a pressing roller. The heating member is arranged close to, and so as to cover, the outer peripheral side of the fixing roller, and formed with an opening. Both edges of the opening extending along the axial direction of the fixing roller, are positioned closer to the pressing part side than the center axis of the fixing roller is. | 05-17-2012 |
20120121303 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member in a form of an endless belt; a pressing member pressing the fixing member; a contacting member in contact with the pressing member; a holding member holding the contacting member in a pressing direction of the pressing member; a heating unit heating the fixing member; and shape maintaining units maintaining a shape of the fixing member. Further, the heating unit is disposed on an upstream side of a horizontal line passing through the center of the pressing member and the holding member is disposed on a downstream side of a horizontal line passing through the arc axis of the shape maintaining units. | 05-17-2012 |
20120121304 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotatable, flexible fuser belt, a heater, a fuser pad, and a pressure member. The fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration. The heater is disposed adjacent to the fuser belt to heat the fuser belt. The fuser pad is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt, and has an outer peripheral surface thereof formed in a generally concave configuration. The pressure member is disposed opposite the fuser pad with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The pressure member presses in a load direction against the outer peripheral surface of the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The fuser pad includes, along the outer peripheral surface thereof, a protruding portion and an inwardly curved portion adjoining the protruding portion to face an outer circumferential surface of the pressure member. | 05-17-2012 |
20120121305 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a tubular belt holder, a rotatable, flexible fuser belt, a heater, a fuser pad, and a pressure member. The belt holder extends in an axial direction. The fuser belt is looped around the belt holder to rotate in a circumferential direction of the belt holder. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt holder to heat the belt holder. The fuser pad is accommodated in the belt holder inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is disposed opposite the belt holder with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The pressure member presses in a load direction against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The belt holder includes, along a circumferential dimension thereof, an upstream, first circumferential portion, a downstream, second circumferential portion, and a midstream, third circumferential portion. | 05-17-2012 |
20120121306 | HEATER, IMAGE HEATING DEVICE WITH THE HEATER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THEREIN - The heater is capable of improving heat generation uniformity in a sheet feeding area while suppressing the temperature rise of a non-sheet feeding portion. Each of heat generation lines includes a plurality of heat blocks in which a plurality of heat generating resistors are electrically connected in parallel between two conductive members. The heat generation lines are arranged in a lateral direction of the substrate, and the heat blocks are arranged so that the end of the heat block in the heat generation line of a first row does not overlap with the end of the heat block in the heat generation line of a second row in a longitudinal direction of a heater. | 05-17-2012 |
20120134724 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - In an image forming apparatus for forming a lenticular lens structure when using a light-transmissive recording medium, including: photoreceptor drums; chargers; an exposure unit; developing devices; an intermediate transfer belt unit; and a fixing unit, further includes a resin layer forming device for forming a transparent resin layer on a pressing roller and a controller, and a multiple number of grooves are formed in parallel to each other on the surface of the pressing roller so as to create a lenticular lens structure on the pressing member and, the recording medium is pressed between the fixing roller and the pressing roller so as to form a lenticular lens structure on one surface of the recording medium while an unfixed toner image is fixed to the other surface of the recording medium. | 05-31-2012 |
20120141174 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material; an endless belt member; a pressure member that applies pressure to the belt member; a pressing member that presses the belt member from an inner side of the belt member towards the pressure member; and an adjusting section that adjusts a position of an end portion of a nip part at a downstream side in a movement direction of the recording material and a position of a curved portion of the belt member by moving or deforming the pressing member, the nip part being formed by the belt member and the pressure member, the curved portion of the belt member being formed by an end portion of the pressing member at a downstream side in the movement direction of the recording material. | 06-07-2012 |
20120148318 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes an excitation coil; an image heating member for generating heat using a magnetic flux from the excitation coil to heat an image on a recording material; a magnetic core; image heating member; a core supporting member; magnetic core; a back-up member; a pressing member forming a nip between the back-up member and itself with the image heating member therebetween; a stay member; an apparatus side plate; a first positioning portion for determining a position of the stay member relative to one of the apparatus side plates; a second positioning portion, provided at a central portion of the stay member, for determining a position of the core supporting member relative to the stay member. | 06-14-2012 |
20120148319 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A fixing device forms a fixing nip by pressing a first roller, which is inside a rotation path of a rotating belt, with a second roller via the belt, and thermally fixes an unfixed image formed on a sheet S by passing the sheet S through the fixing nip while heating the belt by electromagnetic induction. The fixing device includes an excitation coil positioned outside said path, and a fixed plate that (i) is inside the path, substantially facing the excitation coil via the belt, (ii) contacts an inner surface of the belt, and (iii) keeps the belt on the path. A base member of the belt is a conductive heat generation layer containing no magnetic shunt alloy. The fixed plate includes a conductive layer and a magnetic shunt alloy layer that is closer to the belt than the conductive layer. | 06-14-2012 |
20120155932 | HEATING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, HEATING MEMBER AND MOUNTING METHOD - A heating device includes: a heating member that heats a recording medium; a pressure unit that applies pressure to the heating member; and a rotation unit that is mounted to the heating member and is rotated upon receiving an external force, wherein the heating member is rotated along with a rotation of the rotation unit by a frictional force between the heating member and the rotation unit generated due to deformation of at least one of the rotation unit and the heating member. | 06-21-2012 |
20120155933 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an induction heater disposed opposite a heating rotary body and including a first side core disposed at one end of the induction heater, a second side core disposed at another end of the induction heater in a direction of rotation of the heating rotary body, and a plurality of arch cores arranged in an axial direction of the heating rotary body. Each arch core includes a first vault edge face disposed at one end of the arch core in the direction of rotation of the heating rotary body and contacting a planar face of the first side core and a second vault edge face disposed at another end of the arch core in the direction of rotation of the heating rotary body and contacting a planar face of the second side core. | 06-21-2012 |
20120155934 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a coil generating magnetic flux, a rotatable heater generating heat by the flux generated from the coil, for heating an image on a recording material, magnetic cores provided outside the heater and arranged in a rotational axis direction of the heater, a first mover moving at least a part of the cores from a first position to a second position spaced form the coils, an adjuster, movable between the cores and the heater, for reducing the flux directed from the cores toward the heater, and a second mover moving, when a first core in a non sheet passing area of the recording material is moved to the second position by the first mover and a second core adjacent to the first core in the non sheet passing area is disposed at the first position to heat the image, the adjuster to a position corresponding to the second core. | 06-21-2012 |
20120155935 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device, including a fixing member; a pressure member; a nip forming member; a reinforcing member; a heating member; and a flange member including a cylinder inserted in an inner circumference at an edge of the fixing member in an axial direction thereof and a flange fixed on a frame of the fixing device, wherein the cylinder of the flange member includes a notch storing the nip forming member at a part on the circumference, has an arc-shaped outer circumferential cross-section at an area corresponding to an area where the fixing member is heated by the heating member, having a predetermined radius equivalent to a radius of the fixing member, and the arc has a center located at an upstream side in a recording medium feeding direction relative to a center line of the nip forming member in the recording medium feeding direction. | 06-21-2012 |
20120155936 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a tubular belt holder, a rotatable, flexible fuser belt, a heater, a fuser pad, a pressure member, and a reinforcing member. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the belt holder. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt holder to heat the belt holder. The fuser pad is accommodated in the belt holder inside the loop of the fuser belt, and extends in an axial direction of the belt holder. The pressure member is disposed opposite the belt holder with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The reinforcing member is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to reinforce the fuser pad under pressure from the pressure member. The fuser pad includes an elongated base, multiple longitudinally spaced protrusions, a perforated, anti-friction cover, and a fastener. | 06-21-2012 |
20120163883 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a tubular member having an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space, and an axis defining an axial direction, the tubular member being configured to move around the axis; a heater disposed in an internal space to radiate heat; a nip member that contacts the inner peripheral surface to transmit the heat to the tubular member; a backup member that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface to form a nip region between the backup member and the tubular member, the backup member applying a load to the nip member; and a stay disposed in the internal space to support the nip member against the load. The nip member includes: a first member that contacts the inner peripheral surface; and a second member disposed between the first member and the stay to transmit the load to the stay. | 06-28-2012 |
20120163884 | Fixing Device Having Flexible Fusing Member - A fixing device includes a tubular flexible fusing member, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, and a restricting member. The fusing member is rotatable about an rotational axis defining an axial direction and has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space for receiving radiant heat from the heater. The nip member is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface. The backup member nips the fusing member in cooperation with the nip member. The restricting member restricts displacement of the fusing member in the axial direction and is tiltable about a fulcrum portion. | 06-28-2012 |
20120163885 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a flexible tubular member, a nip member, a backup member, and a leaf spring member. The flexible tubular member is circularly movable in a moving direction and has an inner peripheral surface. The nip member is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the tubular member. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member upon nipping the tubular member between the backup member and the nip member. The leaf spring member is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member and is configured to urge the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member outward in a radial direction of the tubular member. | 06-28-2012 |
20120163886 | Fixing Device Having Flexible Fusing Member - A fixing device includes a tubular flexible metallic fusing member, a heater, a nip member, and a backup member. The fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space for receiving radiant heat from the heater and has a contact surface in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface. At least the contact surface is provided with a protection layer having a hardness higher than that of the inner peripheral surface. The backup member nips the fusing member in cooperation with the nip member. | 06-28-2012 |
20120177419 | FUSER FOR PREVENTING EXCESSIVE INCREASED TEMPERATURE IN PAPER NON-PASSING REGION - A fuser includes an endless heat generating part including a conductive layer, an induced current generating part to heat the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction, and a magnetic shunt metal member that is located at a side opposite to the induced current generating part across the heat generating part, forms a first gap between the magnetic shunt metal member and the heat generating part in a first paper passing region of the heat generating part, and forms a second gap, which is different from the first gap in size, between the magnetic shunt metal member and the heat generating part in a second paper passing region different from the first paper passing region. | 07-12-2012 |
20120177420 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a thermal conductor disposed inside a flexible endless fixing belt formed into a loop and configured to conduct heat from a heater to the fixing belt. The thermal conductor includes a center heating portion heated by the heater and disposed at a center of the thermal conductor in a longitudinal direction thereof orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium conveyed to the fixing belt and lateral end non-heating portions disposed at lateral ends of the thermal conductor in the longitudinal direction thereof and contiguous to the center heating portion. The center heating portion having a first diameter conducts heat from the heater to the fixing belt. The lateral end non-heating portions having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the center heating portion minimize conduction of heat from the heater to the fixing belt. | 07-12-2012 |
20120177421 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing unit includes a heating rotary belt, a pressing member that abuts with an inner surface of the heating rotary belt, a pressing rotor that forms a fixing nip with the heating rotary belt, a induction coil separated by a predetermined distance from the external surface of the heating rotary belt and generating a magnetic flux to generate heat in the heating rotary belt, a magnetic core portion that forms a magnetic path for the magnetic flux generated by the induction coil, and a regulating portion that regulates the deformation of the heating rotary belt by abutment with the external surface of the heating rotary belt. | 07-12-2012 |
20120177422 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a heat pipe, a fuser belt, a heater, a fuser pad, a pressure member, and a coupling mechanism. The heat pipe is formed of a sheet of metal bent into a generally cylindrical configuration with a pair of opposed longitudinal edges thereof spaced apart from each other to define a longitudinal slot therebetween. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat pipe. The heater is disposed within the heat pipe to heat the heat pipe to conduct heat to the fuser belt. The fuser pad is accommodated in the longitudinal slot of the heat pipe inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is disposed parallel to the heat pipe with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The coupling mechanism includes a pair of first coupling portion and a pair of second coupling portions. | 07-12-2012 |
20120177423 | Fixing Device And Image Forming Apparatus - According to an embodiments, a fixing device includes: an endless fixing member; a heating unit that is provided inside an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member; and a nip forming unit that comes into press-contact with a rotationally driven pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween to form a nip. The nip forming unit has a shape in which a center of a contact surface protrudes toward the pressing member compared to both ends. The nip forming unit has a protruding amount at a center toward the pressing member compared to both ends of the nip forming unit in no-load state is set to be less than a bent amount of the nip forming unit when the nip forming unit comes into press-contact with the pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween. | 07-12-2012 |
20120183337 | FUSER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a heating roller, an endless belt, and a pressing roller. The heating roller rotates and comes into contact with a toner surface side of a sheet to heat the sheet. The endless belt has hardness lower than the hardness of the heating roller. The pressing roller is an only rotating body provided in a space formed by the endless belt and having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the endless belt. The pressing roller has hardness lower than the hardness of the heating roller and presses the heating roller via a part of the endless belt. | 07-19-2012 |
20120201580 | METALLIC NANOPARTICLE REINFORCED POLYIMIDE FOR FUSER BELT WITH HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY - A fuser belt for an electrostatographic device and methods for making the fuser belt can include the use of a polyimide and a plurality of copper nanoparticles. The use of copper nanoparticles can result in a fuser belt having a lower heat capacity and a higher thermal conductivity than conventional fuser belts. | 08-09-2012 |
20120201581 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS HAVING THE HEATER INSTALLED THEREIN - The image heating apparatus includes first and second lines having a first and second heat generation blocks, the first and second lines being disposed at different positions in a transverse direction, wherein the first and second lines are arranged so that a whole of first heat generation block in the first line and a whole of second heat generation block in the second line overlap with each other in the longitudinal direction, and a whole of second heat generation block in the first line and a whole of first heat generation block in the second line overlap with each other in the longitudinal direction. By the virtue of the present invention, it achieves to be capable of suppressing a temperature rise in a non-sheet feeding area in a case of printing a sheet smaller in size than a maximum size supported by the image heating apparatus. | 08-09-2012 |
20120201582 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - The image heating apparatus includes a heater that achieves even heat-generation distribution and suppression of a non-sheet feeding portion temperature increase when an image is printed on a sheet whose size is smaller than a maximum size for the apparatus, and an endless belt, wherein plural heat-generation resistive members having positive temperature coefficients are connected in parallel are provided between first and second conductive members provided along a longitudinal direction of a substrate; plural heat-generation blocks including the plural heat-generation resistive members connected in parallel, are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction; and in the plural heat-generation resistive members included in one of the heat-generation blocks, a heat-generation resistive member arranged at an end portion in the longitudinal direction has a resistivity value higher than that of a heat generation resistive member arranged at a center in the longitudinal direction, or an interval between heat generation resistive members is larger in the end portion. | 08-09-2012 |
20120213562 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Provided are a fixing device and an image forming apparatus provided with the same, which prevent the winding of a small paper having a light weight on a fixing belt, and also prevents paper blockage and paper curling. A detachment angle, which is defined by a tangent line of a fixing roller and a paper conveying direction at a paper exit point of a fixing nip portion where the fixing roller and a pressing roller pressure-contact with each other, is kept at 23 degrees or more, and a sheet of paper passes through the fixing nip portion, and a setting temperature of the pressing roller is increased step by step in accordance with the number of the sheet of paper by a heater lamp provided in an inside of the pressing roller. | 08-23-2012 |
20120224895 | FIXING DEVICE, HEATING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing member that has a conductive layer capable of being heated by electromagnetic induction and fixes an image to the recording material; a magnetic-field generator that generates an alternating magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer of the fixing member; a heating member that is at least partly separated from the fixing member and is heated; and a deformable member that is deformed when receiving heat and moves the heating member toward the fixing member. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224896 | Fixing Device And Image Forming Apparatus Incorporating Same - A fixing device includes a fixing belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation; a pressing belt to frictionally contact the fixing belt and rotatable in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the fixing belt; a stationary fixing pad disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing belt; a stationary pressing pad disposed inside a loop formed by the pressing belt; and a fixing belt heater disposed inside the loop formed by the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt. The fixing pad presses against the pressing pad to form a fixing nip therebetween with the fixing belt and the pressing belt interposed between the fixing pad and the pressing pad. A recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image is conveyed through the fixing nip in a state in which the unfixed toner image contacts the fixing belt. | 09-06-2012 |
20120230742 | Image Heating Apparatus, Film Used for the Apparatus, and Manufacturing Method of Flexible Resin Material for the Film - An image heating apparatus, for heating, in a nip, a recording material for carrying a toner image while conveying the recording material, includes a flexible cylindrical film; a nip-forming member contacting an inner surface of the film; and a pressing member for forming the nip between itself and the film. The inner surface of the film is provided with a roughened surface portion in a region in which the nip-forming member slides on the inner surface of the film. The roughened surface portion has a skewness Rsk satisfying: Rsk<0. | 09-13-2012 |
20120237275 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO CONTROL MEDIA WRINKLING THROUGH ROLL FLARING - According to aspects of the embodiments, an electrophotographic system utilizing a belt roll fuser mechanism which inhibits or minimizes wrinkling or slipping of printed media through the fuser is disclosed. In this device, the belt is driven at the ideal velocity at all locations across the width of the roll with minimal differential shear stress between the internal pressure roll and the inside of the belt in the nip and around the wrap. The ideal velocity is achieved by straining the circumference belt while its mounted on a roll support structure by flaring the other rolls equally and flaring the internal pressure roll to match the strained circumference of the belt. A small flaring of the rolls in the belt module would reduce sliding of the belt and make the transition between the wraps or the stripper shoe less stressful. | 09-20-2012 |
20120243920 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heat source, a roller being heated by the heat source, an endless belt that contacts the roller and rotates along with a rotation of the roller, a guiding portion that includes a first resin member being disposed inside the endless belt and guiding a rotation of the endless belt, a pressing portion that includes a second resin member being disposed inside the endless belt and pressing the endless belt on the roller, and a plate member that includes an elongated metal member of which the longitudinal direction is arranged to be parallel to a rotation axis of the roller, a first end and a second end of the elongated metal member in the transverse direction being unified with the first resin member and the second resin member, respectively, wherein the elongated metal member has a part facing the inner surface of the endless belt. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243921 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heat source, a roller heated by the heat source; an endless belt rotating with the roller; a plate member arranged inside the endless belt; a pressing member attached to one end of the plate member in a lateral direction of the plate member such that a longitudinal direction of the pressing member runs along the longitudinal direction of the plate member, and pressing the endless belt against the roller; and a guide portion including a long member, and attached to the other end of the plate member in a lateral direction of the plate member such that a longitudinal direction of the long member runs along the longitudinal direction of the plate member, and each of the plural ribs fixed to only one of the pressing member and the long member and extending toward another one of the pressing portion and the long member. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243922 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member that fixes a toner image on a recording material, and a rotatable pressure applying member that is pressed against an outer peripheral surface of the fixing member and forms a press-fixing part therebetween through which the recording material having an unfixed toner image is transported. At least one of the fixing member and the pressure applying member includes a core portion provided at a center of rotation, a compressible elastic layer provided over an outer periphery of the core portion, and a shape retaining layer provided over an outer periphery of the elastic layer and retaining a shape of the at least one of the fixing member and the pressure applying member. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243923 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes: a toner image forming unit; a transfer unit transferring a toner image onto a recording medium; and a fixing unit. The fixing unit includes: a fixing member fixing toner onto a recording medium with a conductive layer heated by electromagnetic induction; a pressure member coming into pressure contact with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing member, forming a fixing pressure portion between the pressure member and the fixing member; a magnetic field generating member generating an alternate-current magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer; and a heat storage member contacting the fixing member and facing the magnetic field generating member with the fixing member interposed therebetween, the heat storage member generating heat to supply heat to the fixing member. The image forming apparatus further includes first and second power supplies respectively supplying power to the magnetic field generating member and the heat storage member. | 09-27-2012 |
20120251205 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND ENDLESS FIXING BELT - A fixing device includes a magnetic-field-producing member producing an alternating-current magnetic field, a fixing belt that is heated by electromagnetic induction caused by the alternating-current magnetic field and fixes toner on a recording material, and a pressure applying member pressed against the fixing belt and forming a press-fixing part therebetween through which the recording material having an unfixed image is transported. The fixing belt includes a metal body that is a stack of at least three layers including a base layer and a protective layer both made of metal, and a conductive layer provided between the base layer and the protective layer and to be heated by electromagnetic induction. In a section of the fixing belt taken in a thickness direction, the metal body has its neutral axis on a side of the protective layer with respect to a thickness center line thereof and in the protective layer. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251206 | PRESSURE-APPLYING MEMBER, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable heating member including a heat source and a pressure-applying member pressed against the heating member. The pressure-applying member includes a band-shaped member that extends in a width direction of a medium that passes through a fixing area, a support member opposed to the heating member with the band-shaped member disposed therebetween, and a pressing member including a base-end portion supported by the support member and a free-end portion that extends toward the fixing area. The pressing member has urging portions arranged with intervals therebetween in the width direction. The urging portions are elastically deformable in accordance with a thickness of the medium when the medium passes through the fixing area. The free-end portion urges the band-shaped member toward the heating member so that the band-shaped member is pressed against the heating member. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251207 | Fuser Unit - A fuser unit includes: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generator, which is arranged at the inside of the cylindrical member; a plate-shaped nip member, which is arranged to slidingly contact an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and receives radiation heat from the heat generator; a backup member, which is configured to configure a nip part between the cylindrical member and the backup member with the cylindrical member, by nipping between the backup member and the nip member; a temperature detection unit, which is arranged to face an opposite surface that is opposite to the surface of the nip member slidingly contacting the cylindrical member at the inside of the cylindrical member and detects a temperature of the nip member, and an urging member that urges the temperature detection unit toward the nip member. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251208 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing belt looped over a heating rotary body and a stationary pad and an anti-slip member contacting an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt in a lateral end span in an axial direction of the heating rotary body to press the fixing belt against the heating rotary body to prevent slippage of the heating rotary body and the fixing belt. The lateral end span is at each lateral end of the heating rotary body and outboard from a center span in the axial direction of the heating rotary body. | 10-04-2012 |
20120263509 | FUSER TO PREVENT FLUTTERING OF FIXING BELT - A fuser includes a fixing belt that is endless and includes a heat generating layer and circulates, an end restraining member that supports an end of the fixing belt, a heat generating source that is disposed around the fixing belt and heats the heat generating layer, an opposite part that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt, a pressure part that is disposed inside the fixing belt and located at a position opposite to the opposite part, and presses the fixing belt to the opposite part side to form a nip between the fixing belt and the opposite part, and a rotation part that contacts an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt at a position opposite to the heat generating source. | 10-18-2012 |
20120263510 | FUSER OF INDUCTION HEATING TYPE - A fuser includes: a heat generating section including a heat generating layer and configured to rotationally travel; an induction-current generating section provided around the exterior of the heat generating section and including an exciting coil and an external ferrite core that covers the outer circumference of the exciting coil; an opposing section set in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the heat generating section; and an internal ferrite core arranged inside of the heat generating section in a position opposed to the exciting coil, a first center angle connecting both edges of the internal ferrite core and a rotation center of the heat generating section being larger than a second center angle connecting both edges of the external ferrite core and the rotation center of the heat generating section. | 10-18-2012 |
20120275830 | FIXING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH LUBRICANT AGENT RETAINING PORTION - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet fed in a sheet feeding direction includes: a tubular member; a heater; a nip member; and a backup member. The nip member made of a metal plate includes: a base portion; a connecting portion; and a flange portion. The base portion is plate-shaped. A nip region for nipping the tubular member between the backup member and the nip member is defined exclusively by the base portion and the backup member. The connecting portion extends from the base portion in a direction away from the backup member. The flange portion extends from the connecting portion in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. The connecting portion and the flange portion define a retaining portion at a position confronting an inner peripheral surface of the tubular member for retaining a lubricant agent therein. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275831 | Fixing Device Having Guide for Guiding Movement of Fusing Belt - A fixing device includes: a tubular member; a heater; a nip member including a base portion, a connecting portion, and a flange portion; a backup member; and a guide member. The tubular member is circularly movable in a circularly-moving direction. The guide member has a part positioned upstream of the nip member in the circularly-moving direction and configured to guide the tubular member. The part has an end portion containing a most downstream end at which the tubular member is directed to a position between the nip member and the backup member. The nip member and the guide member define an imaginary plane containing a line connecting the first curved portion provided by a boundary region between the connecting portion and the base portion, and the most downstream end. The first imaginary plane is positioned opposite to the heater relative to a first end of the flange portion. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275832 | FIXING DEVICE HAVING STABLY POSITIONED NIP PLATE - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member defining an axis extending in an axial direction; a heater; a nip plate configured to be in sliding contact with the tubular member and having an engaging portion; a backup member configured to nip the flexible tubular member in cooperation with the nip plate; and a stay configured to support the nip plate and having an end portion in the axial direction. The stay includes: a support portion configured to support the nip plate; a plurality of hook portions provided at the end portion to support the nip plate; and a protruding portion protruding toward the backup member and configured to engage the engaging portion such that the nip plate is restricted from moving in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the backup member confronts the nip plate. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275833 | Fixing Device Provided with Heater Having Sealed Portion with Improved Orientation - A fixing device includes: a tubular member; a heater; a nip member; a stay; and a backup member. The heater including: a glass tube; and a heat source. The nip member confronts the heater in a confronting direction. The glass tube has an axis defining an axial direction. The glass tube includes a glass tube body having end portions in the axial direction and sealed portions formed integrally with the end portions. Each sealed portion is formed in a plate shape and protrudes radially outwardly from the glass tube body when viewing in the axial direction. Each sealed portion is oriented in a first direction and defines a cross-sectional distance between one end portion and another end portion of the sealed portion in the confronting direction greater than a cross-sectional length of the glass tube in a second direction perpendicular to the confronting direction and the axial direction. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275834 | FIXING DEVICE HAVING PIPE HEATER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device comprises a flexible endless belt rotated in a prescribed direction to heat and fuse a toner image, a rotating member disposed on an outer circumferential surface side of the flexible endless belt that presses against and rotates the flexible endless belt, and a fixed member fixedly mounted on the fixing device at both lateral ends and disposed on an inner circumferential surface side of the flexible endless belt to press against the rotating member via the flexible endless belt. A heater is fixedly disposed facing an inner circumferential surface of the flexible endless belt to heat the flexible endless belt. The heater includes an opening opposed to the rotating member that accommodates the fixed member. A reinforcing member is fixedly disposed on an inner circumferential surface side of the heater to contact and reinforce the fixed member. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275835 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An invented fixing device for rendering stable the pressure of a pressure pad and for reducing disorder in images conveys a paper on which toner images are formed and fixes the toner image on the paper in application of heat and pressure. The fixing device includes an endless fixing belt heated and rotationally driven, and a tensioning member tensioning the fixing belt. In the fixing belt, arranged are a fixing roller, a pressure pad pressing the fixing belt from the inner periphery surface to the outer periphery surface, and a guide member guiding the fixing belt in a rotation direction in contact with the inner periphery surface of the fixing belt. Nipping portions are formed outside the fixing belt by contacting the fixing roller with the pressure pad via the fixing belt. | 11-01-2012 |
20120282002 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable fixing member; an air-blowing unit for blowing air onto an end portion of the rotatable fixing member with respect to a generating line direction of the rotatable fixing member, wherein the air-blowing unit includes a fan, a duct for guiding the air generated by drive of the fan, and a shutter, provided at an outlet of the duct, for switching an outlet width of the duct with respect to the generating line direction; and a partition, provided in the duct, for partitioning an air passing region inside the duct into a plurality of regions with respect to the generating line direction, wherein the partition extends to a neighborhood of the shutter with respect to an air-blowing direction. | 11-08-2012 |
20120288308 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a flexible fuser belt, a stationary, tubular belt holder, a heater, a stationary fuser pad, and a rotatable pressure member. The flexible fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration for rotation in a circumferential, rotational direction thereof. The tubular belt holder is inside the loop of the fuser belt to retain the belt in shape during rotation. The heater is inside the belt holder to emit infrared radiation for heating the belt. The fuser pad is inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is opposite the fuser pad with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The pressure member presses against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The belt holder has an infrared-transmissive portion at least where the belt holder faces the heater. | 11-15-2012 |
20120294659 | HEATING COMPOSITE, AND HEATING APPARATUS AND FUSING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A heating composite, including a polymer matrix; and a carbon nanotube structure including a plurality of carbon nanotubes continuously connected to each other and integrated with the polymer matrix. | 11-22-2012 |
20120294660 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable image heater including: an electroconductive layer; a pressor, press-contacting the heater, for forming a nip in which an image on a recording material is to be heated; an urging member, provided inside the heater, for urging the heater toward the pressor; and an excitation coil for induction-heating the electroconductive layer. When the length of the heater with respect to a rotational axis direction thereof is Lb, the length of the pressor with respect to the rotational axis direction is Lr, the outside distance of bent portions of the coil at both end portions thereof with respect to the rotational axis direction is LcoilA, and the inside distance of the bent portions with respect to the rotational axis direction is LcoilB, the lengths Lb and Lr and the distance LcoilA and LcoilB satisfy the following relationship: | 11-22-2012 |
20120301194 | HEATING FIXING BELT, FIXING DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR FORMING HEATING FIXING BELT - Disclosed are a heating fixing belt and a fixing device by which good long-term durability is achieved, and a process for forming the heating fixing belt. | 11-29-2012 |
20120301195 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device and an image forming apparatus include, in a fixing nip region, a paper-passage region allowing paper to pass through and a non-paper-passage region located at opposite ends of the paper-passage region and not allowing paper to pass through. The non-paper-passage region is provided with a fixing belt movement restricting member arranged at a prescribed distance away from the fixing belt. Even when the fixing belt comes into abutment with the fixing belt movement restricting member, a prescribed gap is formed between the fixing belt and a surface of the holding member that is opposed to the fixing belt, in the paper-passage region. | 11-29-2012 |
20120308275 | Fixing Device Having Members to Restrict End Faces of Tubular Member - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface, the tubular member defining an axis extending in an axial direction and having widthwise end portions in the axial direction; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface; a backup member confronting the nip member to nip the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay supporting the nip member; a pair of inner guides being in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface to guide the same; and a pair of restricting members restricting the widthwise end portions of the tubular member from moving in the axial direction, at least one of the pair of restricting members being formed separately from the inner guides and being assembled to the stay in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308276 | Fixing Device Having Cover Less Subject to Deformation - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space; a heater disposed at the internal space; a nip member disposed at the internal space and configured to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tubular member; a backup member nipping the flexible tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay disposed at the internal space to support the nip member; and a cover disposed at the internal space and covering the stay, one of the stay and the cover being provided with a hook portion, and remaining one of the stay and the cover being provided with an engaged portion engaged with the hook portion. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308277 | Fixing Device Capable of Suppressing Contact Between Tubular Member and Electric Components - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface and circularly moving in a moving direction while the developing agent image is thermally fixed; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the tubular member; a backup member nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay covering the heater and supporting the nip member; an electric component positioned opposite to the heater with respect to the stay; and a frame supporting the electric component. The frame includes: an isolating portion interposed between the tubular member and the electric component for isolating the electric component from the tubular member; and a guide portion guiding the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member while the flexible tubular member is moving in the moving direction. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308278 | FUSER FOR EQUALIZING TEMPERATURE OF HEAT GENERATING SECTION - According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing belt including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section to electromagnetically induction-heat the conductive layer, an opposed section to form a nip in cooperation with the fixing belt, an auxiliary heat generating section electromagnetically induction-heated by the induction-current generating section, and a moving section to move the auxiliary heat generating section with respect to the fixing belt. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308279 | IMAGE FIXING APPRATUS - Image fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image through a nip, the apparatus including a cylindrical film; a nip forming member contacting an inner surface of the film; a pressing rotatable member forming the nip in cooperation with the nip forming member with the film interposed therebetween; and a regulating member for regulating movement of the film in a direction of a generatrix of the film, wherein the regulating member has an opposing surface opposing an edge of an end portion of the film with respect to the direction of the generatrix, and the opposing surface has a regulation region for regulating the edge of the film when the film is driven and moves in the generatrix direction, wherein the regulation region is narrower in a downstream side of a center portion of the nip than in an upstream side thereof with respect to a sheet feeding direction. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308280 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND HEATER USED IN THE APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: an endless belt; a heater, contacted to a surface of the endless belt, provided so that a longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to a generating line direction of the endless belt; and a pressing member for forming a nip together with the endless belt. The heater includes: an elongated substrate; a first heat generating line, provided on the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, including first heat generating resistors having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series; and a second heat generating line, provided on the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, electrically connected to the first heat generating line in parallel. The second heat generating line includes a plurality of second heat generating resistors having the negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series. | 12-06-2012 |
20120321360 | FIXING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH PRESSURE BELT - A fixing device includes a fixing roller including a heat generating part, an endless belt facing the fixing roller, a first supporter which supports the belt to cause the belt to face the fixing roller at a first position, a second supporter which supports the belt at a downstream side in the rotation direction of the belt to cause the belt to face the fixing roller at a second position, and a pressure applying member having a center position, configured to urge the belt toward the fixing roller to form a nip between the fixing roller and the belt, wherein a first distance between the center position and the first position is longer than a second distance between the center position and the second position. | 12-20-2012 |
20120328340 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing member that includes a conductive layer and fixes toner on a recording material with heat generated in the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction; a magnetic-field-producing member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied to the magnetic-field-producing member, the alternating-current magnetic field intersecting the conductive layer; a first support member that faces the magnetic-field-producing member and has a first projection which projects toward the magnetic-field-producing member, the first support member supporting the magnetic-field-producing member at the first projection; and a second support member that faces the first support member with the magnetic-field-producing member interposed therebetween, the second support member supporting the magnetic-field-producing member by pressing the magnetic-field-producing member against the first support member. | 12-27-2012 |
20120328341 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus for heating a recording material, on which a toner image is carried, while conveying the recording material in a nip includes: a fixing roller including a core metal, a heat insulating layer formed on a surface of the core metal, and a high heat transfer layer which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating layer and has a higher thermal conductivity than the heat insulating layer; a heating member for heating the fixing roller from an outside; and a back-up member for forming the nip together with the fixing roller. When the fixing roller and the back-up member opposing the fixing roller are supplied with the same heat quantity, a temperature rise rate in a neighborhood of the surface of the back-up member supplied with the heat quantity is higher than that of the fixing roller. | 12-27-2012 |
20130004218 | FUSER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - Certain embodiments provide a fuser including a cylindrical fixing belt, a heating unit configured to heat the fixing belt, a pressurized section, a first nip forming section, a second nip forming section, and a moving mechanism. The pressurized section is arranged in contact with the fixing belt. The first nip forming section is fixed in a position where the first nip forming section presses the fixing belt against the pressurized section. The second nip forming section is configured to be movable between a position where the second nip forming section can press the fixing belt against the pressurized section and a position where the second nip forming section is separated from the fixing belt. The moving mechanism moves the second nip forming section. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004219 | FUSER USING ENDLESS BELT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a heat roller, an endless belt, a first press roller and a second press roller. The heat roller rotates and contacts a toner surface side of a sheet, and heats the sheet. The endless belt contacts a part of an outer peripheral surface of the heat roller. The first press roller contacts a part of an inner peripheral surface of the endless belt, and is provided at an insertion part of the sheet in a nip portion where the heat roller contacts the endless belt. The second press roller contacts a part of the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt, is provided at an exit part of the sheet in the nip portion, and has a lower rotational resistance than the first press roller. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004220 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fuser member, a stripper member, an endless rotary belt, a heater, a pressure member, and a belt cooler. The stripper member is disposed parallel to the fuser member. The endless rotary belt is looped for rotation around the fuser member and the stripper member in a longitudinal, conveyance direction of the belt. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt to heat the belt. The pressure member is disposed opposite the fuser member via the belt. The fuser member and the pressure member press against each other via the belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The recording medium after passage through the nip remains in contact with the belt as the belt moves from the fuser member toward the stripper member, and separates from the belt as the belt passes around the stripper member. | 01-03-2013 |
20130017003 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAMEAANM MUKAI; TakashiAACI OsakaAACO JPAAGP MUKAI; Takashi Osaka JP - A fixing device includes: a fixing belt that heats a recording medium with a toner image transferred thereon to fix the toner image to the recording medium; a heater unit for heating the fixing belt; and a tension roller that suspends the fixing belt in a rotatable manner. This fixing device is constructed such that the heater unit is extended in the direction of the belt width that is perpendicular to the rotational direction of the fixing belt and includes a planar heat generator that generates heat by supplying electricity, a heat transfer member arranged in contact with both the planar heat generator and the fixing belt and a reinforcing member for fixing the heat transfer member while the heat transfer member is joined to the reinforcing member. | 01-17-2013 |
20130034374 | SLIDING MEMBER FOR FIXING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sliding member for a fixing device includes a base body and a sliding sheet that is disposed on the surface of the base body and is made of cross-linked polytetrafluoroethylene provided with through holes passing therethrough in a thickness direction. | 02-07-2013 |
20130039683 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device configured to heat a recording material bearing a toner image at a nip portion while conveying the recording material includes a tubular film, a nip portion forming member contacting an inner surface of the film, a pressure member forming the nip portion together with the nip portion forming member via the film, and a regulating member configured to regulate a movement of the film by contacting an end surface of the film. The regulating member includes, in a vicinity of the nip portion, a regulating surface inclined such that a distance from an imaginary plane including the end surface is gradually decreased as the regulating surface extends away from the nip portion to a circumferential direction of the film, and that the distance therefrom is gradually increased as the regulating surface extends in a radial direction of the film. | 02-14-2013 |
20130045032 | BELT DEVICE WITH MECHANISM CAPABLE OF MINIMIZING INCREASE OF ROTATION TORQUE OF ENDLESS BELT AND FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A belt device includes a flange assembly including a tube inserted into a loop formed by an endless belt at each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof and a slip ring slidably contacting a groove mounted on the tube. An inner diameter ID | 02-21-2013 |
20130058689 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A pair of meander regulating rollers are disposed on the paper input side at both the longitudinal ends of a fixing roller. If a fixing belt moves off to one side end from the correct position, the meander regulating roller arranged on the one side end presses the fixing belt so as to produce a force of moving the belt to the other side end, whereby the fixing belt is stabilized in a state where the belt is held by the meander regulating roller on the one side end. On the other hand, if the fixing belt moves off to the opposite side end due to uneven temperature distribution, imbalance nip load or the like in the axial direction, it is possible to restrain the meandering in a similar manner by means of the meander regulating roller on the other side end. | 03-07-2013 |
20130058690 | ROTATIONAL HEATING MEMBER, AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS HAVING ROTATIONAL HEATING MEMBER - An image heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material, comprising a base layer; a heat generation layer, provided on the base layer, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power; an electrode layer, provided outside of the heat generation layer with respect to a widthwise direction and having an electric resistance which is smaller than that of the heat generation layer, for supplying the electric power to heat generation layer; an elastic layer provided on the electrode layer and having a length longer than that of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction; and a parting layer provided on the elastic layer and having a length which is substantially equal to the length of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction; | 03-07-2013 |
20130064585 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heating rotating body that heats a developer image formed on a recording medium, a pressurizing rotating body that pressurizes the recording medium by nipping the recording medium between the pressurizing rotating body and the heating rotating body, a pair of support plates that rotatably support both ends of one of the pressurizing rotating body and the heating rotating body, and a release member including an attachment portion attached to the support plates to hold the support plates from both sides in a thickness direction, and an operating portion. When an external force in a predetermined direction acts on the operating portion, the release member releases pressing of the one of the pressurizing rotating body and the heating rotating body against the other by moving the support plates in a direction away from the other. | 03-14-2013 |
20130064586 | FIXING DEVICE WITH MECHANISM CAPABLE OF HEATING BELT EFFECTIVELY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt and an opposed rotary body contacting an outer circumferential surface of the belt. A nip formation pad contacting a first part of an inner circumferential surface of the belt presses against the opposed rotary body via the belt to form a fixing nip between the belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heat conductor disposed opposite a second part of the inner circumferential surface of the belt not contacted by the nip formation pad is interposed between a heater and the belt to conduct heat from the heater to the belt. A reflector disposed inside the loop formed by the belt reflects light from the heater toward the heat conductor. The reflector and the heat conductor surround the heater. | 03-14-2013 |
20130064587 | IMAGE FUSING APPARATUS USING CARBON NANO-TUBE HEATER - An image fusing apparatus includes a heating belt including a resistance heating layer, an insulating layer formed on an inner surface of the resistance heating layer, and a release layer formed on an outer surface of the resistance heating layer; a heating supporting roller disposed (positioned) inside the heating belt and rotating with the heating belt; a pressing roller disposed (positioned) parallel to the heating supporting roller and in contact with the outer surface of the heating belt to form a nip; and an electricity supplying member to supply electricity to the resistance heating layer of the heating belt. A thickness of paper non-contact areas of opposite side end portions of the resistance heating layer of the heating belt is the same as or thicker than the thickness of a paper contact area of a middle portion of the resistance heating layer thereof. | 03-14-2013 |
20130071152 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heating rotating body driven by a motor, a pressing member, a biasing unit, a switching unit that receives rotational power of the motor in order to either separate the pressing member and the heating rotating body or to allow the biasing unit to press the pressing member and the heating rotating body together, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational power of the motor to the switching unit over a first path or a second path, the first path having a larger reduction ratio, and a power transmission targeting unit that switches the target of transmission of rotational power of the motor between the heating rotating body and the switching unit depending on the rotational direction of the motor and that includes a path selection unit that selects the first path during separation and the second path during pressing by the switching unit. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071153 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heating rotating body driven by a motor, a pressing member, a biasing unit, a switching unit that receives rotational power of the motor in order to either separate the pressing member and the heating rotating body or to allow the biasing unit to press the pressing member and the heating rotating body together, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational power of the motor to the switching unit over a first path or a second path, the first path having a larger reduction ratio, and a transmission control unit that establishes and cuts off transmission of rotational power of the motor to the switching unit by the power transmission mechanism and that includes a path selection unit that selects the first path during separation and the second path during pressing by the switching unit. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071154 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a pressing rotating body, a heating rotating belt, an induction coil, a magnetic core portion, and a belt guide member. The belt guide member is disposed on the inner side of the heating rotating belt and includes a coil side section that is disposed toward the induction coil relative to a rotational axis of the heating rotating belt and includes a temperature-rise corresponding portion and a non temperature-rise corresponding portion, and a nip side section that is disposed toward the pressing rotating body relative to the rotational axis and includes a paper-passing corresponding portion and a heat transfer portion disposed on the outer side of the paper-passing corresponding portion and having thermal conductivity higher than the thermal conductivity of the paper-passing corresponding portion. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071155 | Fixing Device - A fixing device includes: a first fixing member and a second fixing member forming a nip portion for heat-fixing a recording sheet; an urging mechanism including an urging member and urging the first fixing member toward the second fixing member by an urging force of the urging member; a first frame for supporting the second fixing member; a second frame arranged at an opposite side to the second fixing member with the first fixing member being interposed therebetween; and a switching member, which applies a pressing force resisting the urging force to the first fixing member for switching a width of the nip portion, and which includes a cam to which the urging force is applied and a shaft for supporting the cam. The first frame and the second frame are connected to each other by the shaft. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071156 | Fixing Device - A fixing device configured to heat-fix a developer image on a recording sheet, the fixing device includes: a flexible cylindrical member; a nip member configured to slidingly contact an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member; a heating member that is arranged at an inside of the cylindrical member and is configured to heat the nip member; a stay configured to support the nip member with surrounding the heating member; a backup member configured to interpose the cylindrical member between the nip member and the backup member; a cover member that is arranged at the inside of the cylindrical member and is configured to cover the stay from an opposite side to the heating member; and a first support member configured to support the cover member and form a gap between the stay and the cover member. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071157 | Fixing Device - A fixing device includes, a belt, and a plate. The belt has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The plate is made of metal and has a sliding surface that is configured to slide on the first surface of the belt in a predetermined direction. The sliding surface of the plate has roll marks that extend along the predetermined direction. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071158 | Fixing Device - A fixing device which may include a flexible cylindrical member which has an inner peripheral surface and is configured to rotate about an axis, a heater arranged inside the cylindrical member and extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical member, and a nip member. The nip member may include a contact surface configured to contact the flexible cylindrical member, and has a predetermined length in the sheet conveying direction. Further, the nip member may have an axial length which includes a predetermined range, wherein the predetermined range along the axial length represents a maximum width of a recording sheet upon which the developer image is fixed. The fixing device may also include a guide member. The guide member and the nip member may be at least partially separated along the predetermined range of the nip member within the length of the contact surface in the sheet conveying direction. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071159 | Fixing Device - A fixing device may include first and second fixing members arranged to form a nip portion, an urging member that provides an urging force to urge the first fixing member toward the second fixing member, a change member configured to change a width of the nip portion from a first nip width to a second nip width by applying a pressing force to the first fixing member against the urging force of the urging member and change the width of the nip portion from the second nip width to the first nip width by releasing the pressing force, and a restriction portion configured to restrict movement of the first fixing member and restrict a maximum value of the first nip width of the nip portion while the pressing force against the urging force is released. | 03-21-2013 |
20130078017 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image onto a recording material by heating the recording material bearing the toner image at a nip portion while conveying the recording material includes a tubular film, a nip portion forming member in contact with an inner surface of the film, a pressure member that forms the nip portion with the nip portion forming member via the film, and a regulation member for regulating a movement of the film that includes a first regulation surface facing an inner face of the film to regulate the movement of the film in a radial direction of film and an second regulation surface facing an end surface of the film to regulate the movement of film in a generatrix direction of the film. The second regulation surface includes a concave and curved surface area. | 03-28-2013 |
20130078018 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING DEVICE HEATING UNIT - A fixing device includes an endless belt that supplies heat to a medium, a heat diffusion member that stretches the endless belt, a heating body that heats the heat diffusion member, an overtemperature protector that is positioned to face the heating body; and a pressure application support member that is positioned between the heating body and the overtemperature protector. | 03-28-2013 |
20130084111 | Fixing Device - There is provided a fixing device configured to thermally fix a developer image onto a sheet, the fixing device including: a flexible tubular member; a nip member; a backup member; a first member: a second member: a biasing member; and a transmission member. The biasing member presses the nip member toward the backup member side through the first member and the second member by biasing both end portions of the first member in a width direction of the sheet toward the backup member. The transmission member is provided between the first member and the second member, the transmitting member transmitting a biasing force, which is applied from the biasing member to the first member, to a center portion of the second member in the width direction of the sheet. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084112 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A fixing device that fixes an unfixed image on a sheet by heat and pressure, including an endless belt, a magnetic flux generator provided outside the running path of the belt and generating magnetic flux to cause an induction heating layer in the belt to heat, a heat-control plate provided inside the running path and including a magnetic shunt alloy layer that loses magnetism upon exceeding a predetermined temperature, and a support member supporting the heat-control plate. The heat-control plate includes a first region facing the magnetic flux generator with the belt therebetween and second regions extending continuously in a circumferential direction of the belt from opposite edges of the first region. Inside the running path, the support member, is in contact with the heat-control plate at the second regions and not at the first region so as to support the heat-control plate at the second regions. | 04-04-2013 |
20130121736 | IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - An image heating device includes an endless belt including a base layer and an elastic layer formed around the base layer, a contact member contacting an inner surface of the endless belt, a pressure rotating member forming a nip portion configured to convey a recording material while nipping the recording material along with the contact member via the endless belt, wherein an image formed on the recording material is heated at the nip portion using heat from the endless belt, and wherein one end of the endless belt is coated with the elastic layer and the other end of the endless belt is not coated with the elastic layer, and a belt lateral shifting direction regulating mechanism configured to regulate a direction in which the endless belt shifts when the endless belt is rotated, toward the end coated with the elastic layer. | 05-16-2013 |
20130121737 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt; a heater, provided in an interior of the endless belt, for heating the endless belt; a back-up member contacted to an inner surface of the endless belt; a pressing member for forming a nip for nipping and feeding a recording material together with the back-up member through the endless belt; and a protecting member, provided surrounding the heater in the interior of the endless belt and rotatable around the heater, the protecting member includes a shield portion for blocking between the endless belt and the heater and an opening, arranged in a circumferential direction of the protecting member. | 05-16-2013 |
20130136511 | FUSER UNIT - A fuser unit includes: a cylindrical member; a heat generation member; a nip plate; a backup member that forms a nip portion; a temperature detection member that detects a temperature of the nip plate, wherein the nip plate has: a plate-shaped part that forms the nip portion; a lubricant restraint part that is formed on at least a part of a downstream side end of the plate-shaped part in a predetermined direction and that extends toward an inner side in a diametrical direction of the cylindrical member, and a detected part that extends from an end of the lubricant restraint part toward the predetermined direction, and wherein the detected part is formed to be shorter than the plate-shaped part in an axial direction of the cylindrical member, and both ends of the detected part in the axial direction are adjacent to a space. | 05-30-2013 |
20130136512 | FUSER UNIT - A fuser unit, which heat-fixes a developer image on a recording sheet, the fuser unit comprising: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generation member; a nip member; a stay; a first frame; a second frame, and a wiring, wherein the first frame is provided with a pair of openings through which both axial end sides of the stay are exposed, wherein the second frame is configured to cover a central portion of the wiring, which is positioned at an inward side more than the pair of openings in the axial direction, wherein both axial sides of the second frame are provided with pressing protrusions that directly press the stay through the openings, and wherein both axial sides of the second frame are provided with third frames that cover a part of the wiring arranged at both axial end sides of the first frame. | 05-30-2013 |
20130136513 | Fuser Unit - A fuser unit, which heat-fixes a developer image transferred on a recording sheet while moving the recording sheet in a predetermined direction, the fuser unit comprising: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generation member that is arranged at an inside of the cylindrical member and generates radiation heat; a nip member that slidingly contacts an inner periphery of the cylindrical member; a reflection plate that contacts the nip member, is configured to cover the heat generation member and reflects the radiation heat toward the nip member, and a backup member that forms a nip region by nipping the cylindrical member between the nip member and the backup member, wherein the nip member and the reflection plate intermittently contact each other in an axial direction of the cylindrical member within an image forming width. | 05-30-2013 |
20130136514 | FUSER UNIT - A fuser unit, which heat-fixes a developer image transferred on a recording sheet, the fuser unit includes: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generation member that is arranged at an inside of the cylindrical member and generates radiation heat; a nip member that slidingly contacts an inner periphery of the cylindrical member; a first reflection member that extends along the heat generation member to corresponds with at least a range of a heat generation part of the heat generation member; a second reflection member that is arranged, at an outside of the heat generation member, to at least one of end sides of the first reflection member in the longitudinal direction, and a backup member that forms a nip region by nipping the cylindrical member between the nip member and the backup member, wherein the second reflection member is separated from the first reflection member. | 05-30-2013 |
20130136515 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a sheet includes an endless belt; a roller contactable with the endless belt to form a nip for nipping and feeding the sheet; a heater provided inside the endless belt; a guiding member, provided inside the endless belt, for guiding rotation of the endless belt; a reinforcing member, provided between the endless belt and the heater in a radial direction of the heater, for reinforcing the guiding member, the reinforcing member being provided with an opening to permit radiant light from the heater to reach the endless belt; a protecting member, provided between the heater and the reinforcing member in the radial direction so as to oppose the endless belt through the opening, thus preventing contact between the endless belt and the heater. | 05-30-2013 |
20130142552 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes; an endless belt; a plate-like heater slidable on an inner surface of the belt; a driving roller, opposed to the heater through the belt, for rotating the belt and for forming a nip for heating an image on a sheet; an energy supply member including an electrical contact for supplying electrical energy to the heater; a flange provided with a guide for guiding rotation of the belt and a stopper for limiting movement of the belt in an axial direction; and a pressure applying member for applying pressure between the flange and the driving roller. The flange includes a fixing portion for fixing the energy supply member with a predetermined play in a pressing direction of the pressure applying member so that the flange is disengageable in the axial direction relative to the belt integrally with the energy supply member. | 06-06-2013 |
20130164054 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heater that transports a recording medium while rotating in a first direction and fixes an image formed on the recording medium to the recording medium by heating the image, a reducing member that rotates in a second direction different from the first direction, the reducing member and the heater contacting each other and rotating at different speeds, and the reducing member scratching an outer peripheral surface of the heater, and a moving device that moves the heater with respect to the reducing member in a direction of a rotational axis of the reducing member. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164055 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a magnetic-field generating unit that generates a magnetic field; a substantially cylindrical fixing rotational body that faces the magnetic-field generating unit, generates heat by electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and melts and fixes a developer image to a recording medium; a temperature-sensitive contact part that contacts an inner side of the fixing rotational body, and faces the magnetic-field generating unit, its permeability decreasing if its temperature becomes a permeability-change start temperature or higher; and a temperature-sensitive non-contact part arranged at the inner side of the fixing rotational body to face the magnetic-field generating unit in a range different from the contact part, and spaced from the fixing rotational body. An angle defined by the contact part and the center of the fixing rotational body is 60° or larger. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164056 | Fixing Device And Image Forming Apparatus Including The Fixing Device - A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium includes a rotatable endless fixing rotary member, a heating source which heats the fixing rotary member, an opposite rotary member in contact with the fixing rotary member, a nip forming member provided inside the fixing rotary member and in contact with the opposite rotary member via the fixing rotary member to form a nip portion to which the recording medium is fed, holding members rotatably holding end portions of the fixing rotary member, and protecting members provided between the holding members and end surfaces of the fixing rotary member to protect the end portions. Each of the protecting members has an opposite surface facing the corresponding end surface of the fixing rotary member, and including an inner diameter-side end edge having an inclined surface inclined in an inner diameter direction and away from the fixing rotary member. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164057 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The image heating apparatus includes an endless belt, a heater placed in contact with an inner surface of the endless belt, a holder made of resin, adapted to hold the heater, and provided with a supporting space to be fitted with the heater, where a through hole is formed in a bottom area of the supporting space; and a back-up member adapted to form a nip together with the heater to pinch and convey a recording material through the endless belt, wherein in the bottom area, hollow portions recessed from the bottom area are provided at opposite ends in a short direction of the holder, being located at locations in a longitudinal direction of the holder different from a location in which the through hole is formed. Consequently, even if the heater heats up abnormally, heater cracks can be prevented. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164058 | FIXING DEVICE AND ENDLESS BELT ASSEMBLY - A fixing device includes an endless flexible belt, a stationary pad, a rotary pressure member, and a reinforcing member. The endless flexible belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof for rotation in a rotational, circumferential direction thereof. The stationary pad is stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to the belt. The rotary pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a nip therebetween. The reinforcing member is stationarily disposed in contact with the stationary pad inside the loop of the belt for reinforcing the stationary pad. The stationary pad includes two or more contact portions spaced apart from each other in the conveyance direction, each generally extending in the axial direction of the looped belt and protruding toward the reinforcing member to contact the reinforcing member. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164059 | Fixing Device And Image Forming Device - According to an embodiments, provided is a fixing device that includes: an endless fixing belt, heats and melts a toner image, and has flexibility; a stationary member that is set stationary on an inner peripheral surface side of the fixing belt and comes into contact under pressure to form a nip portion; and a reinforcement member that is set stationary on the inner peripheral surface side of the fixing belt and comes into abutment with the stationary member. If it is assumed that a length of the nip portion in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium is designated as A; and a length between an upstream-side abutment portion and a downstream-side abutment portion at which the stationary member and the reinforcement member come into abutment with each other is designated as B, following relation is established: A | 06-27-2013 |
20130170878 | BELT UNIT, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt unit includes an endless belt member, a first roller provided on an inner circumferential surface side of the belt member, and a stretching member provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the belt member. The stretching member is configured to stretch the belt member. A circumferential length of the belt member at a center portion in a widthwise direction of the belt member is shorter than a circumferential length of the belt member at an end portion in the widthwise direction of the belt member. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170879 | FIXING DEVICE WITH SUPPORT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a support supporting a nip formation assembly that presses against an opposed rotary body via an endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body. The support includes a base contacting the nip formation assembly. An upstream projection projects from the base in a pressurization direction of the opposed rotary body at a position on the base corresponding to or upstream from an upstream edge of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. A downstream projection projects from the base in the pressurization direction of the opposed rotary body at a position on the base corresponding to or downstream from a downstream edge of the fixing nip in the recording medium conveyance direction. The downstream projection is spaced apart from the upstream projection in the recording medium conveyance direction. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170880 | FIXING DEVICE WITH ENDLESS BELT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - The fixing device includes a nip formation assembly partially pressing against an opposed rotary body via an endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body. The nip formation assembly includes a base pad defining the fixing nip and including a pressure portion, an extension portion, and a curved portion. The pressure portion presses against the opposed rotary body via the endless belt. The extension portion is contiguous to and disposed upstream from the pressure portion in a recording medium conveyance direction. The extension portion does not press against the opposed rotary body via the endless belt. The curved portion is disposed upstream from the extension portion in the recording medium conveyance direction and smoothly blends into the extension portion. The curved portion does not press against the opposed rotary body. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170881 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device is provided with an endless fixing belt; a heating roller for heating the fixing belt; a fixing roller that has a shaft and extends the fixing belt between the fixing roller and the heating roller; a pressure roller for pressurizing the fixing roller via the fixing belt; and a deviation preventing member that is provided on the shaft of the fixing roller and suppresses moving of the fixing roller in a shaft direction. The fixing roller has an end portion with high hardness and an end portion with low hardness along the shaft direction of the fixing roller. The end portion with high hardness is in contact with the deviation preventing member. | 07-04-2013 |
20130177340 | FIXING DEVICE CAPABLE OF ENHANCING DURABILITY OF ENDLESS BELT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. An opposed rotary body is pressed against the nip formation assembly via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A belt holder contacts and supports each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. The belt holder is isolated from the opposed rotary body with a first interval interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the endless belt. | 07-11-2013 |
20130183070 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium includes an endless fixing rotary member which is formed into a loop and comes into contact with the image on the recording medium, an opposed rotary member which is in contact with the fixing rotary member, a nip forming member provided inside the loop of the fixing rotary member to be in contact with the opposed rotary member via the fixing rotary member to form a nip portion to which the recording medium is fed in a feeding direction, a support member which supports the nip forming member, and a heating source which heats the fixing rotary member. The nip forming member includes a downstream portion extending downstream in the feeding direction from a center of the nip portion and an upstream portion extending upstream in the feeding direction from the center and longer than the downstream portion. | 07-18-2013 |
20130183071 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device that fixes an image on a recording medium includes a rotatable endless belt, deployed in a loop supported by rollers, a nip forming member provided inside the loop formed by the belt, a support member that supports the nip forming member, a counter rotation body disposed outside the loop formed by the belt and configured to form a nip with the belt by being in contact with the nip forming member through the belt, and a heat source configured to heat the belt directly by a radiant heat except at the nip. The support member includes a base portion that contacts the nip forming member and two arms extending from the base portion in a direction away from the nip forming member to partially surround a part of heat generating portion of the heat source. | 07-18-2013 |
20130183072 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium. | 07-18-2013 |
20130189006 | SELF-STRIPPING BELT-ROLL FUSER APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS - A belt-roll fuser system includes a belt-roll fuser apparatus wherein a belt is entrained about at least a first internal pressure roll and a second internal pressure roll. The first internal pressure roll and the second internal pressure roll are configured to force a belt against an external pressure roll at a fusing nip, the belt conforming to the external pressure roll across substantially a length of the fusing nip. A passive belt support may interpose internal pressure rolls for ensuring a consistent fusing pressure across the length of the nip. A pressure belt may interpose the fuser belt and the internal pressure rolls. | 07-25-2013 |
20130189007 | SLIDING MEMBER FOR FIXING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sliding member for a fixing device includes at least a fluororesin layer that has a sliding surface, the sliding surface including a first region that is dotted with a plurality of first recesses, and a second region that is dotted with a plurality of second recesses having a diameter larger than the first recesses. | 07-25-2013 |
20130189008 | FIXING DEVICE AND ENDLESS BELT ASSEMBLY - A fixing device includes an endless flexible belt, a stationary pad, a rotary pressure member, and a lubrication mechanism. The endless flexible belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof for rotation in a rotational, circumferential direction thereof. The stationary pad is stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to the belt. The rotary pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed in a conveyance direction. The lubrication mechanism supplies lubricant between the stationary pad and the belt, and includes a first sheet of lubricant-impregnated material and a second sheet of lubricant-impregnated material. | 07-25-2013 |
20130195522 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing belt; a heat portion; a pressure roller; a push member that pushes the fixing belt against the pressure roller; and a push pad that is disposed on a surface of the push member that opposes the fixing belt. A slide surface of the push pad has a flat portion substantially parallel to a convey direction of the recording medium and an arc-shaped portion that bends toward the pressure roller in a more downstream side than the flat portion in the recording medium convey direction, the arc-shaped portion includes a radius R | 08-01-2013 |
20130195523 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes an endless flexible belt, an elongated stationary pad, a rotary pressure member, and a low-friction sheet. The endless flexible belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof for rotation in a rotational, circumferential direction thereof. The elongated stationary pad is stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to the belt. The rotary pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed in a conveyance direction. The low-friction sheet of lubricant-impregnated material covers the stationary pad to supply a lubricant between the stationary pad and the belt across the nip. The low-friction sheet has one or more flow channels defined therein. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195524 | FIXING DEVICE AND ENDLESS BELT ASSEMBLY - A fixing device includes an endless flexible belt, an elongated stationary pad, a rotary pressure member, a low-friction sheet of lubricant-impregnated material, a first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer. The endless flexible belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof for rotation in a rotational, circumferential direction thereof. The elongated stationary pad is stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to the belt. The rotary pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a nip therebetween. The low-friction sheet of lubricant-impregnated material covers the stationary pad to supply lubricant between the stationary pad and the belt across the nip. The first adhesive layer is disposed between the low-friction sheet and the stationary pad. The second adhesive layer is disposed between the low-friction sheet and the stationary pad. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195525 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a rotatable endless fixing belt; a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing belt; a facing rotating body that abuts the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip portion with the fixing belt; a heat source that directly heats up the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip portion; and a supporting member that supports the nip forming member. The fixing device conveys a recording medium carrying an unfixed image to the nip portion to fix the unfixed image to the recording medium, and the supporting member includes a rising portion extending in an abutting direction of the facing rotating body against the fixing belt and having a tip close to an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt, and is set to have a section modulus of 200 mm | 08-01-2013 |
20130195526 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including: image bearing member; latent image forming unit; developing unit; transfer unit; fixing unit, wherein toner in the developing unit contains amorphous polymer, crystalline resin and releasing agent, when the toner is measured for G′ at 40° C. to 210° C. with rheometer at 1 Hz and 1 deg, G′(100) is ≦20,000 and G′(150) is ≧500 Pa, and straight line drawn by connecting points of the G′(100) and G′(110) on curve of the G′ has gradient of ≦0.035, the gradient being “a” expressed by: a=|log | 08-01-2013 |
20130195527 | Fixing Device - A fixing device including: a flexible cylindrical member; a heater that is disposed inside the cylindrical member; a nip plate configured to be in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and is configured to be heated by the heater; and a roller configured to pinch the cylindrical member between the roller and the nip plate, wherein, at least during fixing, the nip plate has a curved shape where a central portion thereof in an axial direction of the cylindrical member is more spaced from the roller than both end portions thereof in the axial direction, and wherein the roller is a concave roller where a diameter of a central portion thereof in the axial direction is smaller than diameters of both end portions thereof respectively. | 08-01-2013 |
20130202333 | FIXING BELT AND FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing belt includes: a base layer formed of a nickel alloy; and a surface layer provided on said base layer, said surface layer having a thickness and being formed of a first polyimide resin material. The surface layer includes a filler dispersed therein and having an average particle size not less than the thickness. The filler is formed of a second polyimide resin material. | 08-08-2013 |
20130202334 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus comprising: a rotatable heating member for heating a toner image on a sheet at a nip; an endless belt for forming the nip between itself and the rotatable heating member; and a pressing pad for pressing the endless belt toward the rotatable heating member, wherein the pressing pad includes: a base portion provided extended at least from an entrance portion of the nip to an exit portion of the nip; and an elastic layer provided on the base portion, wherein the elastic layer has a thickness which is thinner in a first region adjacent the entrance portion of the nip than in a second region adjacent the exit portion of the nip. | 08-08-2013 |
20130202335 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a hollow, open-sided stationary heat roller, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a rotatable pressure member, a reinforcing member, and a sealing mechanism. The heat roller defines an elongated longitudinal side opening that opens into a hollow interior thereof. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat roller to transfer heat radially outward from the roller circumference. The fuser pad is held substantially stationary along the roller opening outward from the roller interior and inward from the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The reinforcing member is disposed within the roller interior to thrust against the fuser pad through the roller opening. The sealing mechanism is disposed on the roller opening to prevent foreign matter from entering the roller interior through the roller opening. | 08-08-2013 |
20130209146 | FIXING DEVICE CAPABLE OF MINIMIZING DAMAGE OF ENDLESS BELT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt and a belt holder contacting and rotatably supporting each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. A first protection ring and a second protection ring are interposed between the endless belt and the belt holder in the axial direction of the endless belt and rotatable in accordance with rotation of the endless belt to protect each lateral end of the endless belt as the endless belt is skewed in the axial direction thereof and brought into contact with the first protection ring. A friction coefficient between the first protection ring and the second protection ring is smaller than a friction coefficient between the first protection ring and the endless belt. | 08-15-2013 |
20130209147 | FIXING DEVICE CAPABLE OF MINIMIZING DAMAGE OF ENDLESS ROTARY BODY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes at least one heater disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless rotary body to heat the endless rotary body and a shield interposed between the endless rotary body and the at least one heater to shield the endless rotary body from heat radiated from the at least one heater. A first size recording medium passes over a first passage region of the endless rotary body and a second size recording medium passes over a second passage region of the endless rotary body. The shield includes a notch disposed opposite a lateral end of the second passage region of the endless rotary body in an axial direction thereof. The lateral end of the second passage region overlaps a non-passage region of the endless rotary body in the axial direction thereof where the first size recording medium does not pass. | 08-15-2013 |
20130216282 | SLIDING MEMBER FOR FIXING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sliding member for a fixing device includes at least a fluororesin layer that has a sliding surface, the sliding surface having a plurality of recesses that are dotted over the sliding surface, the sliding member satisfying conditions (1) and (2) below: (1) the dotted recesses exhibit an array pattern including a grid array, the grid array having a plurality of basic arrays that are contiguous, the basic arrays each including a basic grid and a central point of the basic grid, the basic grid being defined by four grid points and having one side parallel to a sliding direction, at least one of the central points of the basic arrays in the grid array being displaced from the grid array; and (2) at least one of the recesses is placed over an entire width of the sliding surface, when the sliding surface is viewed along the sliding direction. | 08-22-2013 |
20130216283 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND BELT DRIVING UNIT - A fixing device includes a first roller rotatable about a first axis of rotation, a second roller rotatable about a second axis of rotation, a fixing belt rotatably wound between the first roller and the second roller, and auxiliary rings. At least one of the rollers of the first roller and the second roller includes a rotation maintaining part configured to hold the fixing belt rotatably and a restricting flange protruding from an outer peripheral surface of each of opposite end parts in a direction of an axis of rotation of the rotation maintaining part. The auxiliary rings are located outside the opposite end parts in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotation maintaining part, have an outer diameter larger than the restricting flange, and are rotatable independently of the restricting flange. | 08-22-2013 |
20130223903 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable endless belt, an opposing member forming a nip together with an outer surface of the belt, and a non-rotatable pressure applying member that contacts an inner surface of the belt and is pressed toward the opposing member. A recording paper carrying an image is nipped and conveyed through the nip to be heated and pressed. The pressure applying member has a metal slide contact portion against which the inner surface of the belt slides. Rz, the ten-point average roughness, of the slide contact portion in a belt movement direction is 0.29 μm or smaller and smaller than that in a direction perpendicular to the belt movement direction. Rz of the inner surface of the belt in the belt movement direction is 1.3 μm or larger and larger than that in a direction perpendicular to the belt movement direction. | 08-29-2013 |
20130236222 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a plurality of belt support members including a first roller, an endless belt, a heating structure, a first support that has two bearings and an urging part and supports the first roller via the urging part and the two bearings, a second support that supports at least one another belt support member excluding the first roller, the second support rotatably supporting the first roller, an angle changing mechanism that changes an angle of the first support with respect to the second support to correct eccentricity in a width direction of the endless belt, and a second roller that rotates while being pressed against an outer surface of the endless belt, the second roller sandwiching a medium carrying an unfixed toner image between the second roller and the endless belt, the second roller fixing the toner image to the medium in cooperation with the endless belt. | 09-12-2013 |
20130236223 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heat assembly including an endless belt, a heat source, an attachment member having an attachment surface and first and second side surfaces, and a slide sheet having first and second end portions that are respectively fixed to a first fixing portion at the first side surface and a second fixing portion at the second side surface, the slide sheet having a larger length from the first end portion to the second end portion than a length of a path of the attachment member extending from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion through the first side surface, the attachment surface, and the second side surface; and a pressure roller that presses the outer surface of the endless belt to the attachment surface. | 09-12-2013 |
20130236224 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heat assembly including an endless belt, a heat source, an attachment member having an attachment surface and first and second side surfaces, and a slide sheet having first and second end portions that are respectively fixed to a first fixing portion at the first side surface and a second fixing portion at the second side surface, the slide sheet having a larger length from the first end portion to the second end portion than a length of a path of the attachment member extending from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion through the first side surface, the attachment surface, and the second side surface; and a pressure roller that presses the outer surface of the endless belt to the attachment surface. | 09-12-2013 |
20130236225 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt and a pressing body pressed against the endless belt to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator contacts and separates the recording medium discharged from the fixing nip from the endless belt. The separator includes a center plate disposed opposite a center of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof to contact the recording medium and a lateral end plate disposed opposite each lateral end of the endless belt in the axial direction thereof and including a contact portion projecting beyond the center plate toward the endless belt and contacting the endless belt to produce a given interval between the center plate and the endless belt. | 09-12-2013 |
20130243501 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt, a fixing rotating body that contacts with and separates from the belt and fixes an image formed on a recording medium nipped between the fixing rotating body and the belt while rotating in contact with the belt, a support member provided so that the belt slides on the support member during circulation, the support member supporting a load provided when the fixing rotating body is in contact with the belt so as to form a nip portion where the recording medium is nipped between the belt and the fixing rotating body, a guide member that guides the recording medium to separate the recording medium from the belt after the recording medium passes through the nip portion, and a moving unit that moves the guide member away from the belt along with separation of the fixing rotating body from the belt. | 09-19-2013 |
20130251419 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt, a fixing rotating body that fixes, in cooperation with the belt, a toner image formed on a recording medium nipped between the fixing rotating body and the belt while rotating in contact with the belt, a support member that supports a load with which the fixing rotating body nips the recording medium with the belt so as to form a nip portion to nip the recording medium between the belt and the fixing rotating body, a driving unit that circulates the belt in a state in which the fixing rotating body is separate from the belt, and a wind-on rotating body on which the belt is wound at a position adjacent to the support member on an upstream side in a direction of transport of the recording medium to the nip portion. | 09-26-2013 |
20130251420 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing member that is rotatable and heated by a heater; an endless belt member that is rotatable while being in contact with the fixing member; and a pressing member that is disposed inside of the belt member. The pressing member presses the fixing member with the belt member therebetween so as to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the belt member, the fixing nip allowing a recording medium to pass therethrough to fix a toner image onto the recording medium. In an output region of the fixing nip from which the recording medium is output from the fixing nip, a curvature of a cross-sectional shape of an end portion of the belt member in a width direction is larger than a curvature of a cross-sectional shape of a middle portion of the belt member in the width direction. | 09-26-2013 |
20130251421 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes: a cylinder member that rotates in a circumferential direction thereof; a circulating member that circularly moves in a circumferential direction thereof and is pressed against the cylinder member; a heat source that heats a recording medium holding an unfixed toner image and nipped between the cylinder member and the circulating member; and a pressing member provided inside the circulating member, and including a nip forming portion that presses the circulating member against the cylinder member to form a nip region therebetween, and a thrusting portion that thrusts, upstream of the nip forming portion in a moving direction of the circulating member, and from inside the circulating member toward the cylinder member, the circulating member before being pressed against the cylinder member such that the thrust is greater in end portions of the circulating member than in a central portion of the circulating member. | 09-26-2013 |
20130251422 | FIXING DEVICE AND GUIDE MECHANISM INCLUDED THEREIN - A fixing device includes a rotatable, endless flexible belt, an elongated stationary pad, a rotatable pressure member, a rotary driver, a releasable biasing mechanism, a first guide member, and a second guide member. The endless flexible belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration. The elongated stationary pad is stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotatable pressure member is disposed parallel to the stationary pad with the belt interposed between the pressure member and the stationary pad. The rotary driver is operatively connected with the pressure member to impart torque to the pressure member. The releasable biasing mechanism is operatively connected with the pressure member to apply a releasable pressure to the pressure member against the belt in a load direction. The first guide member defines a first elongated opening. The second guide member defines a second elongated opening. | 09-26-2013 |
20130259546 | HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating device includes a magnetic-field generating unit that generates an alternating-current magnetic field, an endless belt, and a heat transfer unit that includes a heat storage layer, a thermosensitive layer, and a diffusion layer. The thermosensitive layer extends so as to separate the magnetic-field generating unit and the heat storage layer from each other, and forms a magnetic path that allows a magnetic flux of the alternating-current magnetic field to pass therethrough in a direction in which the thermosensitive layer extends at a temperature below a Curie temperature and a magnetic path that allows the magnetic flux to extend therethrough and reach the heat storage layer at a temperature higher than or equal to the Curie temperature. The diffusion layer has a higher thermal conductivity than thermal conductivities of the thermosensitive layer and the heat storage layer, and diffusing heat of the belt. | 10-03-2013 |
20130259547 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing member is rotatably supported. A first pressing member faces the fixing member. A running member runs while being sandwiched between the fixing member and the first pressing member. A first mechanism urges the first pressing member against the fixing member, defining a first nip between the fixing member and the running member. A second pressing member presses the running member against the fixing member. A second mechanism includes a holding member that holds the second pressing member and an urging member therein, and urges the second pressing member against the fixing member with the running member sandwiched therebetween, defining a second nip, adjacent to the first nip, between the fixing member and the running member. The second pressing member and the holding member abut each other through a plurality of projections formed on at least one of the second pressing member and second pressing mechanism. | 10-03-2013 |
20130266352 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - If the positional relationship between the rubbing roller and the contact angle of the belt-like fixing member is changed by inclination of the steering roller, it is always possible for the rubbing roller to abut on the range where the belt-like fixing member is wrapped. As a result, it is possible to maintain uniform surface roughness for the fixing member surface layer, allowing the recording material to maintain evenness in the gloss. | 10-10-2013 |
20130266353 | FIXING APPARATUS - A relationship X10-10-2013 | |
20130266354 | FIXING PRESSURE MEMBER AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREFOR - The disclosed fixing pressure member has a simple structure, is produced through simplified production processes, causes no problem due to continued use thereof, and exhibits excellent durability. Also disclosed is a method for producing such. The fixing pressure member employed in a fixing unit of a fixing device includes a sliding sheet having a sliding surface which slides with respect to the inner peripheral surface of a belt of the fixing unit, and an elastic member provided inside the sliding sheet. The sliding sheet is formed of a resin fiber woven fabric, a resin fiber knitted fabric, a resin nonwoven fabric, or a resin film. The elastic member and sliding sheet are formed through integral molding such that the elastic member is bonded to at least the inner surface of the sliding sheet opposite the sliding surface. The sliding surface has thereon an embossment formed through an embossing process. | 10-10-2013 |
20130266355 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes: a fixing belt; a pressurizing roller; a supporting member; a heating unit; a nip forming member; and a deform preventing unit. The fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the fixing apparatus prevent a supporting member from deforming due to sliding of a fixing member, improving energy conservation and durability of parts and obtaining a good image. | 10-10-2013 |
20130272757 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable endless belt, a heating source that heats the belt, a pad member having a sliding surface abutting on an inner surface of the belt, and a pressure roller that presses an outer surface of the belt toward the sliding surface and rotates to rotate the belt. The pressure roller works together with the belt to fix an unfixed toner image onto a medium that bears the unfixed toner image by allowing the medium to enter between the roller and the belt. Assuming that the sliding surface is divided into upstream and downstream regions in a moving direction of the belt, the upstream and downstream regions both have recessed curved surfaces in the moving direction. A first curved surface corresponding to the upstream region has an average curvature that is larger than that of a second curved surface corresponding to the downstream region. | 10-17-2013 |
20130272758 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heating member heating a recording medium to fix a developer image thereto; an endless heating belt rotatably wrapped around the heating member and heating the medium; a rotating member around which the belt is wrapped and having a fixed first axial end; a position detecting unit detecting a position of the belt when moved in first and second opposite directions parallel to an axial direction of the rotating member; and a controller controlling a rotational movement angle by which a second axial end of the rotating member is rotationally moved about the first end in an axis-intersecting direction based on information from the position detecting unit when the belt is moved in the first and second directions so that first and second speeds for respectively moving the belt in the first and second directions are made equal to or close to each other. | 10-17-2013 |
20130272759 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An inner heating member is disposed in contact with an inner circumferential surface of a heating belt and an outer heating member is disposed in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the heating belt to heat the heating belt. A restricting member configured to restrict an orbit of the heating belt is disposed between the inner and outer heating members. Then, at least either one of an area of contact between the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt and the inner heating member and an area of contact between the outer circumferential surface of the heating belt and the outer heating member is changed to quickly change a quantity of heat applied to the outer circumferential surface or inner circumferential surface of the heating belt. | 10-17-2013 |
20130272760 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device including an endless belt; a pressing pad located inside the endless belt; a pressing roller pressed toward the pressing pad with the endless belt therebetween to form a fixing nip; an internal guide to position the endless belt; and an external guide, which is contacted with an outer surface of the endless belt at the exit side of the fixing nip to deform the endless belt. The pressing roller drives the endless belt to rotate. | 10-17-2013 |
20130272761 | FIXING APPARATUS - With a fixing apparatus, a shape of a folded portion on the side of a pressure roller of a sliding contact sheet is folded along a shape of the pressure roller, thereby uniformizing a longitudinal pressure distribution and preventing an uneven-gloss image due to pressure reduction. | 10-17-2013 |
20130272762 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The image heating apparatus includes an endless belt, a roller which contacts an outer face of the belt, a nip portion forming unit which contacts an inner face of the belt, and forms a nip portion with the roller, for nipping and conveying a recording material, the nip portion forming unit including a component which is longer than the belt in a generatrix direction of the belt; and a regulation portion provided to oppose an end face of the belt, for regulating a shift movement of the belt to the generatrix direction of the belt, wherein the regulation portion is integrally-molded with the component. Thereby, a damage of the end of the endless belt can be reduced. | 10-17-2013 |
20130279955 | Fixing Device - A fixing device may include an endless fixing belt, a facing member facing an outer surface of the fixing belt, a nip member configured to contact an inner surface of the fixing belt to form a nip portion where the fixing belt and the facing member are in contact with each other, and a heat source device configured to heat the nip portion inside the fixing belt. The nip member includes a heat transfer member which is provided at a position corresponding to a portion of the nip portion when seen from a side view, and a heat insulating member which is a portion of the nip member except for the heat transfer member, and is made of a material having thermal conductivity lower than that of the heat transfer member. | 10-24-2013 |
20130279956 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt for heating an image on a sheet in a nip; a supporting roller for rotatably supporting the endless belt; a displacing mechanism for displacing the supporting roller so as to maintain the endless belt in a predetermined zone in a widthwise direction; an electrical discharging member for electrically discharging the endless belt; and a holding member for holding the electrical discharging member so as to displace together with the supporting roller. | 10-24-2013 |
20130279957 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fusing device includes a regulating member and a switching mechanism. The regulating member has a flat surface and an arc-shaped surface and regulates a nip formed by a belt and a roller. The switching mechanism switches the fusing device between a first mode and a second mode in which an unfused toner image is fused to a recording medium. The flat surface is provided along a direction in which the recording medium enters the nip. The arc-shaped surface is provided downstream of the flat surface in the recording medium entry direction, is contiguous to the flat surface, and is curved toward the roller. In the first mode, the nip is regulated by the flat surface and the arc-shaped surface. In the second mode, the nip is regulated by the flat surface of the flat and arc-shaped surfaces. | 10-24-2013 |
20130287459 | Fixing Device - A fixing device for thermally fixing an image to a sheet includes: a tubular flexible member; a nip member; a heater; a reflection member; a backup member; and a temperature sensor. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and has a surface and an opposite surface. The heater is disposed in the internal space confronting the nip member. The reflection member is configured to reflect radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The backup member may provide a nip region with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and is configured to detect a temperature of the nip member. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of the reflection member and confronting the opposite surface. | 10-31-2013 |
20130308990 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt formed into a loop and rotatable in a given direction of rotation. An opposed rotary body contacts the endless belt to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed in proximity to an irradiation span spanning on an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt in a circumferential direction thereof to emit light that irradiates and heats the irradiation span of the endless belt. A shield is interposed between the heater and the irradiation span of the endless belt in a diametrical direction thereof to shield the irradiation span of the endless belt from heated air surrounding the heater. | 11-21-2013 |
20130315637 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing member that transports a recording medium on which a toner image has been transferred to fix the toner image to the recording medium; an endless belt member that rotates with a front surface of the belt member contacting the fixing member; a guide member that guides the belt member to a contact portion at which the belt member and the fixing member contact each other; plural rotational-direction projections formed on a guide surface of the guide member facing a back surface of the belt member and disposed at intervals in a rotational axis direction of the belt member, the rotational-direction projections extending in a rotational direction of the belt member and projecting toward the back surface; and an intersecting-direction projection formed on the guide surface, the intersecting-direction projection extending along an intersecting direction that intersects the rotational-direction projections and projecting toward the back surface. | 11-28-2013 |
20130322936 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable body; a rotatable endless belt having inner and outer peripheral surfaces; a first presser portion within the inner peripheral surface and pressing the outer peripheral surface onto the rotatable body to form a first nip, through which a recording medium passes, between the endless belt and the rotatable body; and a second presser portion within the inner peripheral surface and pressing the outer peripheral surface onto the rotatable body to form a second nip through which the recording medium passes. The first nip decreases in length in a recording-medium transport direction from a central area toward opposite ends in an axial direction. The second nip increases in length in the transport direction from a central area toward opposite ends in the axial direction, and has an upstream edge, in the transport direction, whose central area protrudes upstream relative to the opposite ends. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322937 | FIXING DEVICE HAVING END-FACE RESTRICTING MEMBERS APPLIED WITH LUBRICANT - A fixing device includes: a flexible tubular member defining an axis extending in an axial direction; a first fixing member; a second fixing member configured to nip the tubular member in cooperation with the first fixing member; and a pair of restricting members disposed to interpose the tubular member therebetween in the axial direction. The tubular member has end faces in the axial direction and a circumference defining a circumferential direction. Each restricting member has a restricting surface abuttable with each end face of the tubular member to restrict the tubular member from moving in the axial direction, each restricting surface having a specific area continuously applied with a lubricant upon completion of assembly of the fixing device, the specific area having an arcuate shape extending in the circumferential direction and having a width at least equal to a thickness of the tubular member in the radial direction. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322938 | Fixing Device Having Base Tube with Rough Surface - A fixing device includes: a flexible tubular member defining an internal space and extending in an axial direction; a first fixing member disposed at the internal space; and a second fixing member configured to nip the flexible tubular member in cooperation with the first fixing member. The flexible tubular member includes a metal base tube having an outer peripheral surface configured of a first area and a second area other than the first area in the axial direction. The first area has a 10-point average roughness of equal to or larger than 3 μm, and the second area has a 10-point average roughness of equal to or smaller than 3 μm. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322939 | Thermal Fixing Device Having Sealing Member - A thermal fixing device includes a tubular member, an internal thermal fixing assembly, and an external thermal fixing member. The internal fixing assembly is positioned in an internal space of the tubular member and includes a frame, a thread member threadingly engaged with the frame, a fixed assembly fixed to the frame by the thread member, and a sealing member covering one of a boundary between an end portion of the thread member and the frame and a boundary between the end portion and the fixed assembly. The external thermal fixing member is positioned outside of the tubular member for nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the internal thermal fixing assembly. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322940 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heating rotatable body; a rotatable endless belt having inner and outer peripheral surfaces; and a presser component having first and second presser portions and a recess. The first presser portion is provided within the inner peripheral surface and presses the outer peripheral surface onto the rotatable body to form a fixation nip, through which a recording medium passes, between the endless belt and the rotatable body. The second presser portion guides the recording medium by pressing the endless belt toward the rotatable body at an upstream side of the fixation nip in a recording-medium transport direction to bring the recording medium into contact with the rotatable body at the upstream side of the fixation nip. The recess is spaced apart from the endless belt and is located upstream of the first presser portion and downstream of the second presser portion in the transport direction. | 12-05-2013 |
20130330111 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotatable, flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, and a pressure member. The rotatable, flexible fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration. The fuser pad extends in an axial, longitudinal direction thereof inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction opposite the fuser pad with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The pressure member presses against the fuser pad through the fuser belt in a load direction to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed in a conveyance direction. The fuser pad includes an upstream section, a midstream section, and a downstream section arranged in series from upstream to downstream in the conveyance direction. | 12-12-2013 |
20130336690 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING NIP GEOMETRY IN A PRINTING SYSTEM - An apparatus, system and method are provided for fusing an image to a substrate at a fusing nip defined by a first pressure member and a pressure belt in a belt-roll fuser. The belt-roll fuser has a fuser belt having a portion that faces a surface of the first pressure member at the fusing nip. The pressure belt has a portion that faces another portion of the fuser belt at the fusing nip. The belt-roll fuser also has a group of elements configured to constrain the pressure belt such that another portion of the pressure belt faces a surface of a backing element at the fusing nip. | 12-19-2013 |
20130336691 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing device | 12-19-2013 |
20130343790 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING DEVICE HAVING SAME HEATER - The present invention is directed to providing a heater in which uniformity of a temperature distribution in a widthwise direction of the heater can be improved while inhibiting a temperature rise of a non-sheet-passing part, and an image heating device equipped with the heater. In a first heat-generation line and a second heat-generation line, a plurality of heat-generation resistors including positive resistance-temperature characteristics between two electro-conductive elements provided on a substrate along the lengthwise direction of the substrate are connected in parallel. The first heat-generation line and the second heat-generation line are connected in parallel. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343791 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - In order to suppress excessive temperature rise at a non-sheet-passing region while suppressing the deterioration of fixability in case of heating small size sheets, a heater includes a first heat-generation line and a second heat-generation line, which are independently controllable, wherein the first heat-generation line is configured so that a plurality of heat-generation resistors having positive resistance-temperature characteristics is electrically connected in parallel to each other between a first electro-conductive element and a second electro-conductive element, and the heat-generation resistors are adjusted so that a heat-generation amount per unit length of the first heat-generation line in a lengthwise direction of the heater decreases from a recording material conveyance reference towards a end portion in the lengthwise direction, and an image heating device having the heater. | 12-26-2013 |
20140003847 | FIXING DEVICE | 01-02-2014 |
20140010578 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a stationary member, a metal member, flanges, a first heater, and a second heater. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip therebetween. The metal member is fixedly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member over an area other than the nip. The flanges are disposed at axial edges of the metal member in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the metal member. The first heater is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat an axial middle portion of the metal member. The second heater is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat axial end portions of the metal member. The first heater is disposed farther from the nip than the second heater. | 01-09-2014 |
20140016971 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a pressing rotary body pressed against the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed inside the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body. A reflector, disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body via the heater, reflects light emitted from the heater onto the fixing rotary body. The reflector includes a movable portion movable relative to the heater to direct the light emitted from the heater onto a variable heating span of the fixing rotary body spanning in an axial direction thereof. The variable heating span varies depending on a width of the recording medium in the axial direction of the fixing rotary body. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016972 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotatable, endless belt, a stationary heater, a stationary pad, a rotatable pressure member, and a heat conductive member. The rotatable, endless belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration. The stationary heater is disposed inside the loop of the belt to radiate heat to the belt. The stationary pad is disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotatable pressure member is disposed parallel to the stationary pad with the belt interposed between the pressure member and the stationary pad. The pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium passes. The heat conductive member is interposed between the belt and the heater to transfer heat radiated from the heater by conduction therethrough to the belt. | 01-16-2014 |
20140023413 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The image heating apparatus, for heating a toner image while conveying a recording material bearing the toner image at a nip portion, includes a rotary member in contact with the toner image, an endless belt, and a nip portion forming member that is in contact with the inner surface of the belt and forms the nip portion together with the rotary member via the belt. The nip portion forming member is a metal member having a surface which is in contact with the inner surface of the belt and on which an oxide layer is formed by an alumite treatment. | 01-23-2014 |
20140029994 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable heating member; an coil provided outside the heating member and configured to generate heat by electromagnetic induction in the heating member; a coil holder configured to hold the coil; a plurality of magnetic cores arranged opposed to the heating member along a longitudinal direction of the heating member with the coil interposed therebetween; a core holder configured to hold at least one of magnetic cores which is movable; and a moving mechanism configured to move the core holder between a first position and a second position which is more away from the heating member than the first position, wherein the core holder is provided with a stopper portion configured to stop movement of the core holder from the second position to the first position by abutment to the coil holder. | 01-30-2014 |
20140037348 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND HEATER USED IN THE APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: an endless belt; a heater, contacted to a surface of the endless belt, provided so that a longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to a generating line direction of the endless belt; and a pressing member for forming a nip together with the endless belt. The heater includes: an elongated substrate; a first heat generating line, provided on the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, including first heat-generating resistors having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series; and a second heat generating line, provided on the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, electrically connected to the first heat generating line in parallel. The second heat generating line includes a plurality of second heat-generating resistors having the negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series. | 02-06-2014 |
20140056625 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH SAME - A fixing unit includes an endless belt accommodating a heat source inside a loop formed by the endless belt, a rotary pressing member rotating in contact with the endless belt in a pressure contact section, and a heat transfer member secured to a side plate within the loop of the endless belt to support and heat the endless belt with heat conducted from the heat source. The heat transfer member has an opening opposite the rotary pressing member. A securing member is disposed in the opening of the heat transfer member in pressure contact with the rotary pressing member via the endless belt. The heat transfer member and the securing member collectively include a pair of latching parts to firmly connect the heat transfer member and the securing member with each other when one of the latching parts is fitted to the other one of the latching parts. | 02-27-2014 |
20140056626 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device employing resistance heating system includes: a fixing roller being loosely inserted into an endless fixing belt; a pressure member being in pressure-contact with the fixing belt to form fixing nip; meandering prevention members preventing the fixing belt from meandering; prevention member holders holding the meandering prevention members for rotation independently from the fixing roller. Each meandering prevention member has rotation center inside circle, where, when seen in rotation axis direction of the fixing roller, the circle has center coincident with midpoint between two focal points of ellipse approximating belt rotation path of the fixing belt, and has radius equal to distance from the center of the circle to straight line passing through rotation center of the fixing roller and center of the nip in rotational direction of the fixing roller. | 02-27-2014 |
20140064803 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body that heats and pressurizes, together with a recording medium, toner having particle diameter of 4.5 [μm] or less and a softening point of 100 [° C.] or higher and 125 [° C.] or lower to fix the toner on the recording medium, a heating unit that heats the fixing rotary body, and a pressurizing unit that sandwiches and pressurizes the toner and the recording medium in a contact part formed by the fixing rotary body, wherein the maximum pressure in the contact part is equal to or more than 2.9×10 | 03-06-2014 |
20140064804 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotary fixing member, a heater, a pressing member, a nip formation member, a reinforcement member, a sliding sheet, and a holding member. The nip formation member is disposed at an inner circumferential side of the fixing member and pressed by the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nipping portion. The reinforcement member is stationarily disposed in an internal diameter area of the fixing member to support the nip formation member. The sliding sheet is disposed between the nip formation member and an inner circumferential face of the fixing member. The holding member is disposed at a member differing from the nip formation member to hold the sliding sheet in a state in which the sliding sheet is in close contact with a nipping face of the nip formation member facing the nipping portion. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064805 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes an image heating roller; an excitation coil provided outside of the roller for causing electromagnetic induction heat generation in the roller; a magnetic core, provided opposed to the roller through the excitation coil, for directing a magnetic flux produced by the excitation coil to the roller; a retracting mechanism for retracting the magnetic core from the excitation coil; a coil holder for holding a side of the excitation coil adjacent to the roller; and first and second pressing members for pressing the excitation coil against the holder in each of longitudinally opposite portions which are outside beyond the magnetic core. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064806 | IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - An image heating device includes a rotatable heating member configured to heat a toner image formed on a sheet with a toner containing a wax component, an exciting coil arranged outside the rotatable heating member and configured to generate a magnetic flux for subjecting the rotatable heating member to electromagnetic induction heating, a holder configured to hold the exciting coil, a magnetic flux suppression member configured to suppress a portion of a magnetic flux that acts on the rotatable heating member from the exciting coil, and a movement mechanism configured to move the magnetic flux suppression member in a space between the rotatable heating member and the holder. The holder has a region opposite the magnetic flux suppression member, and the region is coated with fluorine-based resin. | 03-06-2014 |
20140072352 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing member that fixes toner on a recording material; a magnetic-field-producing unit including an exciting member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field, and first magnetic-circuit-producing members that each produce a magnetic circuit of the alternating-current magnetic field and are provided at a predetermined first interval and a second interval, smaller than the first interval, in a scanning direction; a temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the fixing member; and a second magnetic-circuit-producing member having a cut portion in which the temperature measuring device is provided and that produces a magnetic circuit of the alternating-current magnetic field while conducting heat to the fixing member by being induction-heated. The first magnetic-circuit-producing members at the second interval are provided on both sides of a position corresponding to the cut portion in a direction in which the magnetic circuit is produced. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072353 | FUSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A fusing apparatus including a heating unit including a heater having a substantially flat shape; a nip forming unit which faces the heating unit and forms a fusing nip with the heating unit; and a driving unit which moves the heating unit to alternately repeat a forward motion whereby the heating unit moves forward in a moving direction of the recording medium, when the fusing nip is formed, and a returning motion whereby the heating unit moves backward in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the recording medium, when the fusing nip is released. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072354 | FIXING UNIT, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE FIXING UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - A fixing unit includes an endless belt unit accommodating a heat source, a pressure roller to rotate in contact with the fixing belt unit forming a pressure border therebetween, and a heat transfer member heated by the heat source to heat the fixing belt unit. The heat transfer member is secured inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt unit and supports the fixing belt unit. A fixed member is secured inside the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt unit and is pressed against the pressure roller via the fixing belt unit. The heat transfer member has at least one convex portion partially formed in an outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer member in a rotational direction of the fixing belt unit and a longitudinal direction of the heat transfer member to narrow a gap formed between the heat transfer member and the fixing belt unit. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072355 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member; a heating source configured to heat the fixing member; an opposing member configured to come into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip portion; and a shielding member configured to block heat from the heating source. The shielding member is configured to rotate about a position different from the center of the heating source so as to be movable between a shielding position and a retraction position. The shielding position is a position where the shielding member comes close to the heating source to block heat from the heating source to the fixing member. The retraction position being a position where the shielding member is retracted away from the shielding position. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072356 | FUSION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fusion device for fusing a developer image on a medium includes a first belt member that has an endless shape, a first roller and a second roller arranged on an upstream side of the first roller in a medium carrying direction, and a pressure application part arranged on the other side of the medium carrying surface to face the first roller and the second roller. A roller radius (r2) of the second roller is smaller than a roller radius (r1) of the first roller, and the first belt member is configured to carry the medium in the medium carrying direction in a non-stretched state. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072357 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH SAME - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form a toner image on a recording medium and a fixing device. The fixing device includes a fixing belt to fix a toner image onto a recording medium transported to a fixing nip, a pressing member pressed against the fixing belt to form the fixing nip therebetween, a heating roller accommodating a heater to heat the fixing belt. A holder is provided to hold the heater at one end of the heater. An inner diameter of the heating roller and an outer diameter of the holder are substantially the same, and the heating roller and the holder partially overlap with each other in an axial direction of the heating roller. The interior and the exterior of the heating roller are preferably insulated by the heating roller and the holder by a prescribed degree not to change air pressure in the heating roller. | 03-13-2014 |
20140079453 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body. A heat shield is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. An overheating suppressor is interposed between the heater and the heat shield to shield the heat shield from the heater. The heat shield includes an intermediate portion spanning in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and movable between a shield position where the intermediate portion is disposed opposite the heater directly and a retracted position where the intermediate portion is disposed opposite the heater via the overheating suppressor. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079454 | HEAT-GENERATION BELT, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An endless heat-generation belt | 03-20-2014 |
20140079455 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device included in an image forming apparatus includes a fixing rotary body, a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body, an opposed body contacting an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body, a reflector disposed opposite the heater, and a heat shield disposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body and includes a shield portion to shield heat radiated from the heater to the fixing rotary body. Heat reflectance of at least a surface of the shield portion where the heat shield faces the heater is set to a value smaller than heat reflectance on a surface of the reflector opposite and facing the heater. Also, heat absorptance of at least a surface of the shield portion where the heat shield faces the heater is set to a value greater than heat absorptance on a surface of the reflector opposite and facing the heater. | 03-20-2014 |
20140086648 | Fixing Device - A fixing device configured to thermally fix a developing agent image to a recording sheet includes a fixing belt having a tubular shape defining an inner space, a heat generating member and a nip plate which are disposed in the inner space, and a rotating member disposed outside the inner space. The nip plate includes a plate-shaped portion holding the fixing belt against the rotating member, and a bent portion located downstream of the plate-shaped portion in a conveying direction of the recording sheet and bent to define a recess facing away from the rotating member. The bent portion protrudes farther away from the heat generating member than the plate-shaped member. A temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the nip plate is fitted in the recess of the bent portion so as not to be displaced in the conveying direction. | 03-27-2014 |
20140086649 | Fixing Device - A fixing device configured to thermally fix a developing agent image to a recording sheet includes a fixing belt having a tubular shape defining an inner space, a heat generating member, a nip member, and a stay which are disposed in the inner space of the fixing belt, and a rotating member disposed outside the inner space of the fixing belt. The fixing belt is nipped between the nip plate and the rotating member. The stay comprises a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion which are positioned upstream and downstream of the heat generating member, respectively, in a conveying direction of the recording sheet and are configured to receive a force exerted from the rotating member to the nip member. The heat insulator is disposed between the nip member and one of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion of the stay. | 03-27-2014 |
20140086650 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device and An image forming apparatus include: a first pressure roller having an elastic layer in a surface layer section; a fixing belt wound on the elastic layer of the first pressure roller; a second pressure roller that presses the elastic layer of the first pressure roller via the fixing belt, the second pressure roller forming a fixing nip portion between the fixing belt and the second pressure roller; and a guide member that guides the fixing belt in such a manner as to separate the fixing belt from a protruding portion of the elastic layer, the protruding portion being formed on an entrance side of the fixing nip portion in a sheet conveying direction. | 03-27-2014 |
20140093288 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH SAME, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device fixes a toner image on a recording medium transported to a fixing nip by applying pressure and heat to the recording medium. The fixing device includes an endless belt formed into a loop with both ends bonded together, the belt accommodating a heat source inside thereof, a pressing roller rotating in contact with the endless belt forming the fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing roller, and a fixed member provided inside a loop of the endless belt to press the endless belt against a pressing roller. A reinforcing member is bonded to the fixed member inside the loop of the endless belt to reinforce the fixed member. A reflector is provided to reflect light emitted from the heat source toward the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The reflector is held on the reinforcing member by either plastically or elastically deforming by itself. | 04-03-2014 |
20140093289 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has a system velocity of 400 to 1,700 mm/sec and includes a fixing belt including a base layer; a silicon rubber layer; and a fluorine resin layer. A thickness L | 04-03-2014 |
20140093290 | FIXATION APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A fixation apparatus for fixing a developer image to a recording medium includes: a fixation belt; a heater member configured to generate heat by a resistance heating element and heat the fixation belt; and a pressurization member provided at a position opposed to the fixation belt with the heater member interposed in between and configured to press the heater member against the fixation belt while being in contact with the heater member. The pressurization member includes a temperature adjustment part provided near an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pressurization member and designed to control an amount of heat transmitted from the heater member. | 04-03-2014 |
20140099147 | FUSER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fuser device includes a belt part rotating in a tension free state to carry a medium in a medium carrying direction, a first nip forming part arranged inside the belt part, a second nip forming part arranged outside the belt part sandwiching the belt part with the first nip forming part so that a nip area is formed therebetween, and a regulation member regulating a movement of the belt in a width direction of the belt part. The regulation member is configured with a belt regulation part and a slant part. The belt regulation part has a flat shape arranged near one of side edges of the belt part along the nip area with a predetermined gap (W | 04-10-2014 |
20140105656 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt that fixes toner onto a recording medium by heat, a heating member in the form of substantially a sheet that has flexibility and that heats the belt from inside a space enclosed by the belt, and a stationary member including a curved surface that is in contact with the heating member, a fixed area in the curved surface in which the heating member is fixed to the stationary member, and a non-fixed area in the curved surface in which the heating member is not fixed to the stationary member, the stationary member having a coefficient of linear expansion different from that of the heating member. The belt is wound around the stationary member via a layer that includes the heating member, and rigidities of the belt and the heating member are lower than a rigidity of the stationary member. | 04-17-2014 |
20140105657 | BELT DRIVING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt driving device includes an endless belt; support members that extend in a width direction of the endless belt and support the endless belt, the support members including a control member that controls the widthwise position of the endless belt; a support body that supports the support members; and a driving mechanism that drives one end of the control member to cause the control member to pivot about a pivot axis in a direction in which stretching of the endless belt is prevented. A portion of the control member shifted from the midpoint toward an edge of the endless belt is pivotably supported by the support member to serve as the pivot axis, so that the moving distances of two points on the control member aligned with the edges of the endless belt when the control member is driven by the driving mechanism are close to each other. | 04-17-2014 |
20140105658 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: an endless belt for heating a toner image on a recording material in a nip; an exciting coil for heating the belt by electromagnetic induction heating; rotatable driving member for forming the nip between itself and the belt and for rotationally driving the belt; a magnetic flux suppressing member for suppressing magnetic flux when a predetermined recording material having a width narrower than a maximum-width recording material usable in the image heating apparatus is subjected to image heating, wherein the magnetic flux, of magnetic flux directed from the exciting coil toward the belt, is directed toward a part of a region outside, with respect to a widthwise direction of the belt, of a region where the belt is contactable to the predetermined recording material; and a rotatable heat-absorbing member for absorbing heat from the rotatable driving member in contact therewith. | 04-17-2014 |
20140112691 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heat conductor disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt to heat the endless belt. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and presses the endless belt against a pressing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A support is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the heat conductor and contacts an abutment face of the nip formation pad to support the nip formation pad against pressure from the pressing rotary body. A heat insulator is interposed between the heater and the nip formation pad and the support to shield the nip formation pad and the support from the heater. | 04-24-2014 |
20140119787 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a nip formation pad contacting a part of an outer circumferential surface of an interior rotary body sliding thereover and a fixing belt looped over the interior rotary body and the nip formation pad. A pressing rotary body is pressed against the nip formation pad via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the pressing rotary body and the fixing belt. A lubricant applicator is mounted on the nip formation pad to apply a lubricant to the outer circumferential surface of the interior rotary body. The pressing rotary body, the fixing belt, the nip formation pad, and the interior rotary body are aligned in this order in a pressurization direction in which the pressing rotary body exerts pressure to the interior rotary body via the fixing belt and the nip formation pad to form the fixing nip. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119788 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device having a structure which may improve fusing performance is provided. The fusing device includes a heating roller disposed to contact a surface of the recording medium to transfer heat thereto, an endless belt disposed to rotate together with the heating roller, and a pressing member to press an inner surface of the endless belt to allow a fusing nip to be formed between the heating roller and the endless belt. | 05-01-2014 |
20140140742 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a rotating unit, a pressing unit, an urging unit configured to urge a portion of the pressing unit towards the rotating unit to form a first nip between the rotating unit and the urged portion of the pressing unit, and a supporting unit disposed upstream of a conveying direction of a sheet with respect to the urging unit to form a second nip between the rotating unit and a portion of the pressing unit. | 05-22-2014 |
20140153980 | FIXING DEVICE FOR FIXING TONER ON SHEET BY HEATING TONER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING FIXING DEVICE - A secondary coil is attached to an end portion of a heating film. A space is formed inside a core member. A primary coil, which generates a magnetic field that causes the secondary coil to generate a current by electromagnetic induction, is arranged inside the space together with the secondary coil. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153981 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: a rotatable heating member; a belt unit including an endless belt configured to heat the rotatable heating member, and a supporting portion configured to rotatably support an inner surface of the belt; a holding portion configured to rotatably hold the belt unit; a detecting portion configured to detect that the belt is out of a predetermined zone with respect to a widthwise direction of the belt; a tilting portion configured to tilt the belt unit relative to the holding portion in a direction of causing the belt to return into the predetermined zone on the basis of an output of the detecting portion; and a limiting portion configured to limit tilting of the belt unit to an angle exceeding a predetermined angle range wider than an angle range in which the belt unit is capable of being tilted by the tilting portion. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153982 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt and a pressing rotary body pressed against the nip formation pad via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body, through which a recording medium is conveyed. The pressing rotary body has a diameter increasing from a center to each lateral end in an axial direction thereof. The nip formation pad includes a projection disposed downstream from a rotation axis of the pressing rotary body in a recording medium conveyance direction. The projection projects toward the pressing rotary body in an amount increasing from each lateral end to a center in a longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad parallel to the axial direction of the pressing rotary body. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153983 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt and pressing the endless belt against a pressing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body. A recording medium is conveyed through the fixing nip. The endless belt slides over a friction reducer sandwiched between the endless belt and the nip formation pad. The friction reducer includes a body and at least one tab projecting from the body in a direction opposite a recording medium conveyance direction. A friction reducer fastener is attached to the tab of the friction reducer and placed inside the nip formation pad to mount the friction reducer on the nip formation pad. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153984 | Fixing Device for Efficiently Heating of Heating Member - A fixing device includes a pressure member, a heating member, a coil, a first magnetic core, a second magnetic core, a shielding portion, and a switching belt. The second magnetic core is disposed to extend in a width direction in a hollow portion formed by the loop of the coil, and formed in an arc shape with a protruding portion at a side facing the heating member. The shielding portion is formed of a non-magnetic material to shield a path of a magnetic flux generated by the coil between the second magnetic core and the heating member. The switching belt includes a surface where the shielding portion is disposed to face a non-paper passing region in the heating member, suspended to be rotatable between a roller and the protruding portion, and selectively arranged in one of a shielding position and a non-shielding position by rotation of the roller. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153985 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THIS FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes a heating member pressed by a pressing member to form a nip part, an excitation coil generating a magnetic flux induction-heating the heating member, a magnetic core and a magnetism shielding member. The magnetic core is located opposite to the heating member across the excitation coil and provides a magnetic path passing through the excitation coil and heating member. The magnetism shielding member partially shields the magnetic path and includes a rotatable belt member allowing the magnetic flux to pass through, and a magnetism shielding layer arranged on a surface of the belt member. In the magnetism shielding layer, gap parts extending in a width direction of the belt member are arranged along a circumference direction of the belt member. When the magnetism shielding member is located to shield the magnetic path, inner wall faces of the gap part are brought into contact with each other. | 06-05-2014 |
20140161497 | FIXING DEVICE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the same are provided. The fixing device includes a rotatable endless belt passing through a fixing nip that is formed by a nip forming member and a backup member, and a first guide positioned inside the endless belt to guide the endless belt entering the fixing nip, wherein the first guide includes a first bent portion disposed at an upstream side of the fixing nip to support the endless belt and a second bent portion disposed at an upstream side of the first bent portion to support the endless belt, and a height of the second bent portion from the fixing nip is within a range of about 4% to about 10% of a height of the endless belt when being freely transformed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140161498 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The fixing apparatus includes a sleeve, a nip portion forming member that contacts an inner surface of the sleeve, a pressure member, and a regulation member for regulating movement of the sleeve, in which the regulation member includes a first surface and a second surface, in which the first surface on an upstream side of the nip portion in a conveyance direction of the recording material includes a region in which a distance between the inner surface of the sleeve and the first surface in a radial direction of the sleeve increases toward a center portion of the sleeve in the generatrix direction, and in which the end surface of the sleeve contacts the region when the sleeve moves in the generatrix direction. | 06-12-2014 |
20140161499 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a cylindrical film; a roller contacting the film; a nip forming member contacting an inner surface of the film and cooperating with the roller to form a nip for nipping a sheet carrying an image; an opposing member opposing an inner surface of an end portion of the film along generatrix direction the film. A lubricant is provided between the film and the nip forming member. The film is longer than the roller. At least a part of the curved surface portion is provided in a region outside a contact region of the film and the roller. A portion of the curved surface portion outside the contact region is provided with a groove extending in a rotational moving direction of the film, the groove having a wall effective to remove from the film the lubricant. | 06-12-2014 |
20140169846 | HEATER, IMAGE HEATING DEVICE WITH THE HEATER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THEREIN - The heater is capable of improving heat generation uniformity in a sheet feeding area while suppressing the temperature rise of a non-sheet feeding portion. Each of heat generation lines includes a plurality of heat blocks in which a plurality of heat generating resistors are electrically connected in parallel between two conductive members. The heat generation lines are arranged in a lateral direction of the substrate, and the heat blocks are arranged so that the end of the heat block in the heat generation line of a first row does not overlap with the end of the heat block in the heat generation line of a second row in a longitudinal direction of a heater. | 06-19-2014 |
20140169847 | FUSER TO PREVENT FLUTTERING OF FIXING BELT - A fuser includes a fixing belt that is endless and includes a heat generating layer and circulates, an end restraining member that supports an end of the fixing belt, a heat generating source that is disposed around the fixing belt and heats the heat generating layer, an opposite part that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt, a pressure part that is disposed inside the fixing belt and located at a position opposite to the opposite part, and presses the fixing belt to the opposite part side to form a nip between the fixing belt and the opposite part, and a rotation part that contacts an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt at a position opposite to the heat generating source. | 06-19-2014 |
20140178112 | HEATING UNIT, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, FIXING APPARATUS, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE FIXING APPARATUS - The fixing apparatus includes a back-up member which is disposed outside a rotational and flexible endless belt and moves the endless belt, and a heating unit which is located inside the endless belt to face the back-up member and forms a fixing nip, and heats the endless belt at the fixing nip. The heating unit includes a support member having a recess formed in one surface thereof, current-supply electrodes respectively disposed at both ends of a length of the recess, and a heating element which is formed in the recess to contact the current-supply electrodes, the heating element including a base polymer and an electrically-conductive filler distributed in the base polymer to form an electrically-conductive network in a base polymer. | 06-26-2014 |
20140178113 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND OBLIQUE MOTION RESTRAINT MEMBER FOR A FIXING BELT - A fixing device includes a fixing belt configured to rotate about a specified rotation axis, and an oblique motion restraint member provided at an outer side of the fixing belt in a direction of the rotation axis and configured to restrain oblique motion of the fixing belt. The oblique motion restraint member includes a contact portion provided to make contact with an end surface of the fixing belt and a breakage-preventing portion provided radially inward of the contact portion and more outward in the direction of the rotation axis than the contact portion. The contact portion bulges in an arcuate cross-sectional shape toward an inner side in the direction of the rotation axis. | 06-26-2014 |
20140186077 | FIXING DEVICE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing device is provided. The fixing device includes a backup member that is disposed outside an endless belt that is flexible and rotates to rotate the endless belt, a nip forming member that is disposed inside the endless belt and faces the backup member to form a fixing nip, and a heater that includes a heating layer including an electroconductive filler dispersed in a base polymer to form an electroconductive network and that is interposed in a position corresponding to the fixing nip between the nip forming member and the endless belt. | 07-03-2014 |
20140186078 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes a cylindrical film, a planar heater, a heat conduction member, a supporting member, a limiting member for limiting heater end portions with respect to a generatrix direction of the film so as to prevent the end portions from moving in a heater thickness direction relative to the supporting member, and a pressing member. A fixing device state is switchable between a first state in which a press-contact force in the nip is enough to fix the toner image and a second state in which the press-contact force in the nip is smaller than the press-contact force in the first state. A surface where the supporting member opposes the heat conduction member has a shape such that with respect to the generatrix direction, a central portion of the film is projected toward the pressing member than an end portion of the film. | 07-03-2014 |
20140186079 | HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a heating device capable of suppressing a bias force toward a center in a longitudinal direction (center in a rotation axis direction) of a fixing film serving as a rotation member, thereby preventing film overlapping and sheet wrinkles. A sliding friction resistance in the rotation axis direction of a fixing film ( | 07-03-2014 |
20140193182 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - The image heating apparatus includes a heater that achieves even heat-generation distribution and suppression of a non-sheet feeding portion temperature increase when an image is printed on a sheet whose size is smaller than a maximum size for the apparatus, and an endless belt, wherein plural heat-generation resistive members having positive temperature coefficients are connected in parallel are provided between first and second conductive members provided along a longitudinal direction of a substrate; plural heat-generation blocks including the plural heat-generation resistive members connected in parallel, are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction; and in the plural heat-generation resistive members included in one of the heat-generation blocks, a heat-generation resistive member arranged at an end portion in the longitudinal direction has a resistivity value higher than that of a heat generation resistive member arranged at a center in the longitudinal direction, or an interval between heat generation resistive members is larger in the end portion. | 07-10-2014 |
20140199100 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAME - A fusing device with improved fusing performance to obtain superior gloss and gloss uniformity. The fusing device includes at least one heat source to generate heat, a fusing belt disposed near the heat source, a rotation unit contacting an outer circumference of the fusing belt, at least one pressurization unit pressed toward the rotation unit such that a fusing nip is formed between the fusing belt and the rotation unit, a heat conductor contacting an inner surface of the fusing belt to conduct heat to the fusing nip, and an intermediate unit disposed between the pressurization unit and the heat conductor to prevent transmission of heat from the heat conductor to the pressurization unit. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199101 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a back-up member contacting an inner surface of a cylindrical belt; a roller having an elastic layer and contacting an outer surface of the belt, the roller being cooperative with the back-up member to form a fixing nip between the belt and the roller. A sheet carrying a toner image is nipped and fed through the fixing nip, during which the unfixed toner image is heat-fixed thereon by the fixing nip. The back-up member includes a portion contactable with the inner surface and having such a configuration that the belt forms a first curved surface convex toward the roller in an upstream region in the fixing nip with respect to a moving direction of the belt and that the belt forms a second curved surface convex toward the back-up member in a downstream region in the fixing nip with respect to the moving direction. | 07-17-2014 |
20140205332 | SLIDING MEMBER FOR FIXING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a sliding member for a fixing device including in order a first fluororesin layer having a sliding surface dotted with recessed portions, a substrate, and a second fluororesin layer. | 07-24-2014 |
20140205333 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotary fixing member; a pressure roller pressed against the fixing member to form a nip in association with the fixing member; and an induction heater, as a heat source, to heat the fixing member. The induction heater includes an excitation coil to induction-heat the fixing member; a side core disposed along an outer circumference in a longitudinal direction of the excitation coil; and a plurality of arch-shaped cores disposed to cover the excitation coil in the longitudinal direction thereof. The arch-shaped cores include center portions corresponding to an inner side of the excitation coil and bent to the fixing member; and outer end portions extending in the direction leading to the side core without interfering with the excitation coil. | 07-24-2014 |
20140205334 | PRESSING MEMBER, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A pressing member includes a heat resistant material, highly heat conductive needle shaped fillers included in the heat resistant material, and hole portions included in the heat resistant material. The pressing member is provided in a fixing device including a fixing member, a heating member to heat the fixing member, and a pressure roller. The pressing member is arranged to press the fixing member and form a nip portion between the fixing member and the pressure roller through which a recording sheet passes. | 07-24-2014 |
20140212189 | Fixing Device Having Restricting Member to Restrict End Face of Endless Belt - There is provided a fixing device that may include: an endless belt having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and configured to circularly move about a first axis extending in an axial direction; a heater and a nip plate extending through the internal space; a rotary body; a restricting member and a biasing member. The rotary body and the nip member may nip the endless belt therebetween. The restricting member may restrict displacement of the endless belt in the axial direction, the restricting member having a restricting surface configured to oppose an axial end face of the endless belt in the axial direction. The biasing member may bias the restricting member toward the axial end face of the endless belt. | 07-31-2014 |
20140212190 | Fixing Device Having Nip Member Provided with Protruding Portion - A fixing device may include: an endless belt circularly movable about a first axis extending in an axial direction; a nip member and a heater extending in an internal space defined by an inner peripheral surface of the endless belt; and a rotary body disposed to be opposite to the heater with respect to the nip member. The nip member may slidingly contact the inner peripheral surface. The rotary body and the nip member may nip the endless belt therebetween. The nip member may include a main portion extending in the axial direction and having a first axial end portion; and a protruding portion protruding from the first axial end portion toward the heater, the protruding portion having a first surface configured to receive radiant heat from the heater. | 07-31-2014 |
20140219694 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotator having a heat generation layer, an excitation coil to inductively heat the heat generation layer, ferromagnetic cores to direct magnetic flux arising from the excitation coil to the rotator, and a holder to hold the excitation coil and the ferromagnetic cores. In the fixing device, the ferromagnetic cores include multiple cores disposed astride the excitation coil at a turning part on each end of the excitation coil in a longitudinal direction of the excitation coil. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219695 | Fixing Device Including Fixing Belt with Holes - A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt, a heating unit, a supporting member, and a pressure roller. The pressure roller sandwiches the fixing belt to form a fixing nip portion between the pressure roller and the fixing belt. The fixing device is configured to insert a recording medium into the fixing nip portion to fix an unfixed toner image carried on the recording medium. The fixing belt includes a heating layer and a sliding layer. The heating layer is configured to generate heat using the heating unit. The sliding layer is laminated onto an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt and sliding on the supporting member. The plurality of holes are formed in the sliding layer such that the sliding layer has a mesh pattern in plan view. | 08-07-2014 |
20140233994 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member, and an induction heater. The induction heater includes an excitation coil, ferromagnetic cores, and a holder. The ferromagnetic cores include multiple arch cores and multiple side cores. The multiple arch cores are disposed facing an outer surface of a heat generation layer with the excitation coil interposed therebetween. The multiple side cores are disposed outside the excitation coil in a longitudinal direction of the induction heater so as to face both ends of each of the multiple arch cores. The multiple side cores are integrally inserted in the holder. The holder includes a spacer. The spacer contains a resin material used in the holder and provided in a close-facing portion located between at least one of the multiple arch cores and at least one of the multiple side cores to form a gap. | 08-21-2014 |
20140233995 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a heater; a heater holding member for holding the heater; a temperature sensor, provided in contact with the heater through a hole provided in the heater holding member, for detecting a temperature of the heater; a holder for holding the sensor; and an urging member, provided between the sensor and the holder, for urging the sensor toward the heater, wherein the heater holding member includes a positioning portion for determining a position of the holder with respect to an urging direction of the urging member, and wherein the positioning portion is disposed at a position outside of a position of the sensor with respect to a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the heater. | 08-21-2014 |
20140241765 | FIXING DEVICE - Provided is a fixing device including a transparent belt, a press roller that is rotated with being opposed to and contacting with the transparent belt, and transports a recording medium interposed therebetween, a press member-cum-optical system that contacts with the transparent belt from an opposite side to the press roller, forms a press region for pressing a toner image formed on the recording medium in cooperation with the press roller during transport of the recording medium, and collects laser light on the toner image in the press region in a transport direction of the recording medium, and a laser light irradiation unit that irradiates the press member-cum-optical system with laser light. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241766 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH SAME - A fixing device fixes an unfixed image onto a recording medium by heating the recording medium conveyed to a fixing nip. The fixing device includes a rotator, a belt rotatable by contacting the rotator, and a fixing nip-forming member provided inside a loop of the fixing belt to together form the fixing nip with the rotator via the fixing belt. A sliding pad is placed between the fixing nip-forming member and the fixing belt to retain lubricant and render the fixing belt to smoothly slide thereon. The sliding pad includes a first fibrous layer contacting the fixing belt and a second fibrous layer closer to the fixing nip-forming member than the first fibrous layer. The second fibrous layer has less fiber density than the first fibrous layer. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241767 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring rotator, a pressing member, a heat source, a supporting member, and an end cap. The fixing belt is rotatably provided. The pressuring rotator is rotatably provided, and comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressuring rotator. The pressing member presses the fixing belt from inside toward the pressuring rotator. The heat source is disposed outside of the fixing belt, and heats the fixing belt. The supporting member faces the heat source across the fixing belt, and supports the fixing belt from inside. The end cap is mounted to an end part in the direction of a rotation axis of the fixing belt, and is rotatably supported by the supporting member. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241768 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring rotator, a pressing member, a holding member, and an end cap. The fixing belt is rotatably provided. The pressuring rotator is rotatably provided, and comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressuring rotator. The pressing member presses the fixing belt from inside toward the pressuring rotator. The holding member holds the pressing member. The end cap is mounted to an end part in a direction of a rotation axis of the fixing belt, and is movable in a radial direction of the fixing belt with respect to the holding member. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241769 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS, LUBRICANT APPLICATION SYSTEM, LUBRICANT APPLICATION METHOD, AND LUBRICANT CONTAINER-APPLICATOR - An image heating apparatus to which a lubricant application container is dismountably mountable, the image heating apparatus includes an endless belt configured to heat, in a nip, a toner image on a sheet; a rotatable member cooperative with the belt to form the nip; an urging member extending in a widthwise direction of the belt and configured and positioned to urge the belt toward the rotatable member; and a guide portion configured and positioned to guide a sliding movement of the lubricant application container while substantially preventing dismounting of the lubricant application container during the sliding movement, wherein the lubricant application container applies a lubricant to a sliding surface of the urging member relative to the belt along a longitudinal direction, when the belt is dismounted from the image heating apparatus. | 08-28-2014 |
20140248072 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a support member disposed to support a nip formation member on an inner peripheral surface of a fixing belt. The support member includes a parallel portion that supports the nip formation member and extends parallel to a sheet transport direction in a nip portion, and a rise portion that extends from the parallel portion in a direction drawn apart from the nip portion. The rise portion is inclined to the parallel portion such that an inclination direction of the rise portion is substantially parallel to a virtual straight line connecting a center of rotation of the fixing belt and an inlet point of the nip portion or falls within a range of rotational angles of ±15° by which the virtual straight line is rotated around the center of rotation of the fixing belt. | 09-04-2014 |
20140255065 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: first and second rotatable members configured to form a nip for heating of a toner image on a sheet; a first unit configured to rotatably hold the first rotatable member; a second unit configured to rotatably hold the second rotatable member; and a pressing mechanism configured to press the first unit toward the second unit. The pressing mechanism includes: an abutting member capable of abutting against the first unit; an arm member, including a supporting portion configured to be rotatably supported by the abutting member, capable of abutting against the abutting member; and a spring member which is fixed to the second unit at one end portion thereof and which is mounted, at another and portion thereof, to the arm member at a position closer to a free end of the arm member than the supporting portion of the arm member. | 09-11-2014 |
20140270869 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt member, a secured member disposed to contact the belt member, a heating unit that heats the belt member, and a rotary pressurizing roller including an elastic layer that is elastically deformed when the belt member is pressed against a pressing surface of the secured member to form a fixing part. The pressurizing roller is curved such that a center portion is smaller in outside diameter than end portions along the axial direction. The pressing surface is curved such that a center portion projects toward the pressurizing roller more than end portions along the longitudinal direction. On the pressing surface, an amount of projection of the center portion with respect to the end portions along the longitudinal direction is set to be larger on an output side than on an input side of the fixing part along a moving direction of the belt member. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270870 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: an endless belt member; a secured member disposed to contact the belt member; a support roller that rotatably supports the belt member; a heating unit that heats the belt member; and a rotary pressurizing roller that includes an elastic surface layer that is elastically deformed when the belt member is pressed against the secured member to form a fixing part. The secured member includes a recessed part provided on a surface of the secured member that faces the pressurizing roller and configured to curve the belt member into a recessed shape, projecting parts provided upstream and downstream of the recessed part, respectively, and configured to curve the belt member into a projected shape, and a region provided between at least one of the projecting parts and the recessed part and having a small curvature compared to the corresponding projecting part. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270871 | TRANSPORT DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A transport device includes a belt-shaped member that is rotated so as to transport an object, a first support member that supports the belt-shaped member, an urging member extending in an axial direction of the first support member, and a conversion unit that converts a direction of an urging force of the urging member to a direction toward the belt-shaped member. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270872 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. An opposed body contacts the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A heat shield is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. A driver is connected to the heat shield to drive and move the heat shield between a shield position where the heat shield is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater and a retracted position where the heat shield is retracted from the shield position. A reinforcement is mounted on a long edge of the heat shield. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270873 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating roller and a fixing roller over which the fixing belt is looped, a pressure roller forming a fixing nip with the fixing belt, a pair of side plates, one of the side plates being disposed on each end of a shaft of the fixing roller and each end of a shaft of the heating roller, and heating roller holding members to hold corresponding insulating bushing, and corresponding heating roller bearings, the heating roller holding members being attached to opening parts of the side plates. The heating roller holding members are formed of two separate components such that the heating roller is capable of moving along the opening parts formed in the side plates toward the fixing roller. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270874 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a charger; an irradiator; a development device having an accommodation unit to accommodate toner to obtain a visible image; a transfer device; and a fixing device to fix the visible image transferred onto a recording medium. The fixing device having a fixing rotation member; and a pressure rotation member to form a nipping portion by contacting the fixing rotation member, wherein the surface pressure of the nipping portion is 1.5 kgf/cm | 09-18-2014 |
20140270875 | PRESSURE ADJUSTER, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A pressure adjuster for changing pressure between a plurality of opposed bodies pressed against each other includes a cam rotatable in a given direction of rotation and having a top dead center on an outer circumferential surface thereof that is distanced farthest from a rotation axis of the cam. A driver is connected to the cam to drive and rotate the cam. A cam rest contacts the cam and is connected to one of the plurality of opposed bodies. A cam regulation assembly is connected to the cam to regulate rotation of the cam at least when the top dead center of the cam passes a contact position where the cam contacts the cam rest. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270876 | FIXING MEMBER, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing member to fix toner on a recording medium includes a heat-resistant elastic layer and a release layer. The release layer includes a particle layer. The particle layer includes heat-resistant fine particles arranged in a surface direction on a surface of the heat-resistant elastic layer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140286683 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a belt, a secured member, a support roller, a heating unit, and a pressure roller that is driven to rotate and has an elastic surface layer deformed when pressing the belt against the secured member so as to form a fixing portion. A recording medium that holds an unfixed image passes through the fixing portion. The secured member has a contact portion and an insertion portion having first and second curved surfaces respectively curved toward first and second sides opposite to each other. Conditions t(1/r | 09-25-2014 |
20140286684 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt, a heater disposed opposite the endless belt to heat the endless belt, and a pressing rotary body contacting an outer circumferential surface of the endless belt. A nip formation pad presses against the pressing rotary body via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body, through which a recording medium is conveyed. The nip formation pad includes a nip face disposed opposite the endless belt. The nip face includes a first region having an increased thermal conductivity and a second region having a decreased thermal conductivity and being adjacent to the first region in an axial direction of the endless belt. | 09-25-2014 |
20140286685 | Fixing Device Having Guide for Guiding Movement of Fusing Belt - A fixing device includes: a tubular member; a heater; a nip member including a base portion, a connecting portion, and a flange portion; a backup member; and a guide member. The tubular member is circularly movable in a circularly-moving direction. The guide member has a part positioned upstream of the nip member in the circularly-moving direction and configured to guide the tubular member. The part has an end portion containing a most downstream end at which the tubular member is directed to a position between the nip member and the backup member. The nip member and the guide member define a first imaginary plane containing a line connecting a first curved portion provided by a boundary region between the connecting portion and the base portion, and the most downstream end. The first imaginary plane is positioned opposite to the heater relative to a first end of the flange portion. | 09-25-2014 |
20140294457 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing device including a rotatable rotating member, a tubular member that is movable while coming into contact with the rotating member, a pressure member that is arranged inside the tubular member and nips a recording medium holding an unfixed toner image at a nip portion formed between the rotating member and the tubular member by bringing the tubular member into pressure contact with the rotating member, to apply pressure for fixing the unfixed toner image on the recording medium, and a holding member that holds the pressure member, wherein the pressure member is made of an elastomer, and the end position of one surface of the elastomer that comes into contact with the tubular member is located further toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium than the end position of the other surface of the elastomer held by the holding member. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294458 | FUSING DEVICE AND ELETROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fusing device according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept includes a pressing unit, a heating fusing belt contacts an outer surface of the pressing unit and rotates, a nib forming unit contacts an inner surface of the heating fusing belt and forms a nib at a contact portion between the pressing unit and the heating fusing belt, a first guide unit disposed at both end portions of the heating fusing belt so as to guide the movement of the heating fusing belt, and a second guide unit disposed between the first guide units and having a plurality of ribs which are arranged spaced apart from each other along a rotational direction of the heating fusing belt, so as to guide the movement of a central portion of the heating fusing belt. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294459 | Fixing Device and Image Forming Apparatus - A fixing device includes a heater, a first endless belt, a first back up member, and a second back up member. The first endless belt provides a nip region upon contacting with the heater, and is movable in a first direction. The first back up member provides a first position where the first back up member nips the first endless belt in cooperation with the heater. The first endless belt and the heater provide a first contact pressure at the first position. The second back up member is positioned downstream of the first back up member in the first direction, and provides a second position where the second back up member nips the first endless belt in cooperation with the heater. The first endless belt and the heater provide a second contact pressure at the second position; the first contact pressure is higher than the second contact pressure. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294460 | Fixing Device - The present invention provides a fixing device that includes a heater, a first endless belt, a first roller, and a second roller. The first endless belt confronts the heater at a confronting part and providing a nip region upon contacting the heater. The first endless belt is movable in a first direction at the confronting part, and has an inner peripheral surface. The first roller supports the inner peripheral surface, and nips the first endless belt in cooperation with the heater. The nip region has a part facing the first roller. The second roller is disposed downstream of the nip region in the first direction and supports the inner peripheral surface. The second roller is positioned such that a part of the endless belt mounted over the second roller is out of contact from the heater. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294461 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an exciting coil and a heat generator disposed opposite the exciting coil. The heat generator includes a heat generation layer disposed opposite the exciting coil to generate heat by a magnetic flux from the exciting coil and a temperature sensitive magnetic body disposed opposite the exciting coil via the heat generation layer to obtain and lose magnetism at a temperature defined by a Curie temperature by composition adjustment to selectively create a heating region and a non-heating region of the heat generation layer. A degausser is disposed opposite the heat generator and made of a non-magnetic material having an electrical resistivity smaller than that of the temperature sensitive magnetic body. A holder contacting and supporting the degausser is disposed inboard from a lateral edge of the degausser and outboard from a lateral end of the exciting coil in a longitudinal direction of the degausser. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294462 | Fixing Device Provided with Reinforced Nip Member - A fixing device may include a metal plate, an endless belt, a rotating body, and a stay. The metal plate may have a main part comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion positioned therebetween and having rigidity higher than that of the first end portion and the second end portion. The endless belt may have an inner peripheral surface configured to be in sliding contact with the metal plate. The main part may be aligned with the rotating body in a direction from the metal plate to the rotating body. The stay may be disposed opposite to the nip region with respect to the metal plate. The stay and the main part of the metal plate may be deformable upon application of the load to the stay such that the main part may provide a convex shape protruding toward the rotating body. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294463 | Fixing Device Provided with Rotating Member Having Concave Shape - The present invention provides a fixing device that may include a nip member, a rotating body and an endless belt. The endless belt may be in sliding contact with the nip member. The rotating body may constitute a nip region. The nip region may define a first, second and third imaginary planes. The first imaginary plane may be perpendicular to the sliding direction. The second imaginary plane may be perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating body and may contain a first end portion of the nip region. The third imaginary plane may contain a second end portion of the nip region. The first surface may be a convex shape in a first cross-section along the first imaginary plane, and may be concave shape concaved in a direction opposite to the rotating body in second and third cross-sections along the second and third imaginary planes. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294464 | Fixing Device Provided with Stay Having Rigidity Distribution - A fixing device may include a nip member, an endless belt, a rotating body, and a stay. The endless belt may be in sliding contact with the nip member. The rotating body may nip the endless belt to constitute a nip region. The stay may be disposed opposite to the nip region, and may receive a pressure from the nip member. A pressure direction may be defined as a first direction. The rotating body may define an axial direction as a second direction. The stay may have a first wall. The first wall may include a center portion, a first end portion, a second end portion and a supporting portion. The first end portion may include a first low rigidity portion. The second end portion may include a second low rigidity portion. The supporting portion may provide a convex shape protruding toward the nip member upon receiving the pressure. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294465 | Fixing Device Fixing Transferred Developing Agent Image to Sheet - The present invention provides a fixing device that may include a nip member, an endless belt, a rotating member and a stay. The stay may have a first supporting face. The first supporting face may have a first downstream edge. The first downstream edge may have a first portion, a third portion, and a second portion. The second portion may be positioned between the first portion and the third portion. The second supporting face may have a second downstream edge. The second downstream edge may have a fourth portion, a sixth portion, and a fifth portion. The second portion and the fifth portion may define a first distance. The first portion and the fourth portion may define a second distance. The third portion and the sixth portion may define a third distance. The second distance and the third distance may be longer than the first distance. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294466 | Fixing Device Having Pressing Members for Pressing Endless Belt - A fixing device may include an endless belt configured to circularly move about an axis extending in an axial direction, a first pressing member and a second pressing member. The endless belt may have an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface having a first outer end portion and a second outer end portion in the axial direction, the inner peripheral surface having a first inner end portion and a second inner end portion in the axial direction. The first pressing member may have a first contact portion in contact with the first outer end portion for pressing the first outer end portion toward the inner peripheral surface. The second pressing member may have a second contact portion in contact with the second outer end portion for pressing the second outer end portion toward the inner peripheral surface. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294467 | Fixing Device Provided with Temperature Detection Unit - A fixing device may include: a nip member; an endless belt; a heater; a temperature detection unit; and a biasing member. The endless belt may circularly move such that an inner peripheral surface thereof may move in a sliding direction at a position in sliding contact with the nip member. The temperature detection unit may include: a temperature sensor and a holder. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature of the inner peripheral surface and may include: a base and a sensor element supported at the base. The holder may support the base and may have a guide surface for guiding the inner peripheral surface. The guide surface may be disposed on at least one of first and second sides of the temperature sensor in a first direction extending along an axis of the endless belt. The biasing member may bias the holder toward the inner peripheral surface. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294468 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating source and a fixing roller. The fixing belt has a sheet passing part and a non-sheet passing part. The fixing roller includes an elastic layer including first and second elastic parts. The first elastic part is provided on an inner diameter side of the sheet passing part. The second elastic part is provided on an inner diameter side of the non-sheet passing part. A gap is formed between a part of the elastic layer and the fixing belt in a state where the fixing belt is not heated. The part of the elastic layer is in close contact with the fixing belt in a state where the fixing belt is heated. The first elastic part includes a small-diameter part having a smaller external diameter than a part with a maximum external diameter of the second elastic part. | 10-02-2014 |
20140301760 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing roller, a pressure roller, and a regulation member. The fixing roller includes a roller member and a fixing belt. The roller member includes a shaft which extends in one direction and an elastic layer integrally formed on the shaft. Each regulation member has an annular regulation surface which opposes a side edge of the fixing belt, and is configured to regulate movement of the fixing belt in a rotation axis direction. The regulation surface is inclined relative to a line perpendicular to the rotation axis as viewed on a cross-section parallel to the rotation axis. The regulation surface is inclined from the rotation axis side such that the closer the regulation surface is to an outside, in a radial direction, of the fixing roller, the closer the regulation surface is to a center, in a length direction, of the shaft. | 10-09-2014 |
20140314456 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes an endless heat generating section including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section configured to generate an induction current in the conductive layer, a temperature-sensitive magnetic body present in a position opposed to the induction-current generating section via the heat generating section, and a magnetic plate present in a position opposed to the heat generating section via the temperature-sensitive magnetic body. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314457 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes an endless heat generating section including a conductive layer, a magnetic-flux generating section configured to generate a magnetic flux and generate an induction current in the conduction layer, a first magnetic-flux regulating section having a first magnetic flux concentration force and configured to regulate the magnetic flux of the magnetic flux generating section, a second magnetic-flux regulating section arranged adjacent to the first magnetic-flux regulating section, having a second magnetic flux concentration force larger than the first magnetic flux concentration force, and configured to regulate the magnetic flux of the magnetic-flux generating section, and an auxiliary heat generating section including a magnetic body arranged in a position opposed to the magnetic-flux generating section via the heat generating section, the position being a region extending across the first magnetic-flux regulating section and the second magnetic-flux regulating section. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314458 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion; and a fixing portion. The fixing portion includes a cylindrical film, a nip-forming member and a roller including a shaft portion and an elastic layer. The elastic layer contacts an outer surface of the film except an end region of the film with respect to a generatrix direction. In the end region, the shaft portion and the outer surface of the film oppose each other with a spatial region with respect to a radial direction of the shaft portion. The image forming apparatus includes a spacer occupying at least a part of the spatial region. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314459 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a first rotator, a second rotator pressed against the first rotator, and a heater to heat the first rotator. The heater includes an elongated substrate extending in an axial direction of the first rotator, a heat generator disposed on a surface of the substrate facing the first rotator, at a position downstream in a rotational direction of the first rotator, a plurality of first conduction paths connected to the heat generator and grounded downstream of the heat generator in the rotational direction of the first rotator, and a second conduction path on which the plurality of first conduction paths are grounded. The heat generator has a heat-generating area divided into a plurality of sub-heat-generating areas in the axial direction of the first rotator. The plurality of sub-heat-generating areas are grounded on the second conduction path via the plurality of first conduction paths. | 10-23-2014 |
20140334857 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing belt contacting an inner surface of the fixing belt. A second fixing roller contacts an outer surface of the fixing belt to hold the fixing belt against the first fixing roller to define a fixing nip region. An end restriction member supports ends of the fixing belt to restrict its rotation position. A support member is disposed at a position in the end restriction member to pivotally support the first fixing roller. The position is shifted with respect to a center position of the end restriction member corresponding to a rotation center of the fixing belt. The rotation center of the fixing belt is shifted toward a recording-paper conveyance direction of the fixing nip region with respect to a straight line connecting rotation centers of the first and second fixing rollers in a direction orthogonal to their rotation axes. | 11-13-2014 |
20140341621 | IMAGE FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image fixing device includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a pressing member, a sheet member, and a lubricant. The second rotating body is disposed in contact with an outer surface of the first rotating body. The pressing member is disposed within the second rotating body and presses the second rotating body toward the first rotating body from an inner surface of the second rotating body. The sheet member is disposed between the second rotating body and the pressing member and has a slide layer containing cross-linked polytetrafluoroethylene resin. The lubricant is interposed between the second rotating body and the sheet member and contains amino-modified silicone oil and terminal-modified perfluoropolyether. | 11-20-2014 |
20140341622 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a heating member that heats a toner image on a recording medium and includes a rotatable belt member, a heat source, a pressing member, a sliding sheet, and a pressure-applying member. The pressing member presses the belt member against the pressure-applying member. A surface of the pressing member that opposes the belt member includes a flat portion or a recessed portion having a radius of curvature of approximately 100 mm or more. The sliding sheet is disposed between the belt member and the pressing member and includes a sliding layer containing cross-linked polytetrafluoroethylene, the content of which in resin contained in the layer is approximately 25 mass % or more and approximately 75 mass % or less. The pressure-applying member presses the recording medium against the belt member and rotates to transport the recording medium while nipping it between itself and the belt member. | 11-20-2014 |
20140341623 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation, a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator, and an opposed rotator contacting an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A heat shield interposed between the heater and the fixing rotator shields the fixing rotator from the heater. A support supports the heat shield. The heat shield includes a first section supported by the support and having a decreased thermal conductivity and a second section abutting the first section in an axial direction of the heat shield and having an increased thermal conductivity greater than the decreased thermal conductivity of the first section. | 11-20-2014 |
20140341624 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. A nip formation assembly presses against an opposed body via the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotary body and the opposed body, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A movable heat shield movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater in a variable axial span of the fixing rotary body. A stationary heat shield, interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater, is disposed outboard from a lateral edge of a heat generator of the heater in an axial direction of the fixing rotary body. | 11-20-2014 |
20140341625 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator heated by a heater and a pressing rotator pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heat shield interposed between the heater and the fixing rotator is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotator to shield the fixing rotator from the heater in a variable axial shield span of the fixing rotator. The fixing rotator performs fixing rotation to convey the recording medium through the fixing nip while heating the recording medium and supplemental rotation other than fixing rotation. The heat shield moves to a decreased shield span position where the heat shield shields the fixing rotator from the heater in a decreased axial shield span of the fixing rotator during supplemental rotation thereof. | 11-20-2014 |
20140341626 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator heated by a heater and a pressing rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween. A heating span adjuster, interposed between the heater and the fixing rotator, is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotator. The heating span adjuster moves to a retracted position where the heating span adjuster allows the heater to heat the fixing rotator in an increased axial heating span of the fixing rotator after the heater starts heating the fixing rotator until the fixing rotator and the pressing rotator start conveying the recording medium through the fixing nip. The heating span adjuster at the retracted position is outboard from a circumferential, direct heating span of the fixing rotator where the heater heats the fixing rotator directly. | 11-20-2014 |
20140341627 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly contacting an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. An opposed rotator presses against the nip formation assembly via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A support, disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, supports the nip formation assembly. A heater, disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, heats the fixing rotator. A reflector, disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, reflects heat radiated from the fixing rotator onto the fixing rotator. The reflector spans a circumferential span of the fixing rotator where the fixing rotator is spaced apart from the support with a decreased interval therebetween. | 11-20-2014 |
20140348558 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt member, a fixed member that is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the belt member, a heating member configured to heat the belt member, and a pressing member including at least a pressing roller that includes an elastic surface layer and presses the belt member against the fixed member from an outer circumferential side of the belt member in such a manner as to form a fixing part through which a recording object carrying an unfixed image is made to pass. A center, in a direction of rotation of the pressing roller, of a contact part of the fixed member that is in contact with the pressing roller through the belt member resides at a position that is displaced toward an entrance side of the fixing part with respect to a center of rotation of the pressing roller. | 11-27-2014 |
20140356036 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a first heat generator and a second heat generator that heat a fixing rotator. A support is disposed inside the fixing rotator. A reflector is mounted on the support and interposed between the support and each of the first heat generator and the second heat generator to reflect light radiated from the first heat generator and the second heat generator toward the fixing rotator. The reflector includes a body mounted on the support and a shield portion projecting from the body toward the first heat generator and the second heat generator to shield the fixing rotator from the first heat generator and the second heat generator. The shield portion includes a wing disposed opposite a non-conveyance span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof where a recording medium is not conveyed over the fixing rotator. | 12-04-2014 |
20140356037 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a first heat generator and a second heat generator that heat the fixing rotator, and a support disposed inside the fixing rotator. A reflector, interposed between the support and each of the first heat generator and the second heat generator, reflects light radiated from the first heat generator and the second heat generator toward the fixing rotator. The reflector includes a body mounted on the support and a shield portion projecting from the body toward the first heat generator and the second heat generator to shield the fixing rotator from the first heat generator and the second heat generator. An electric circuit is connected to the first heat generator and the second heat generator. A heat generation restrainer is provided in the electric circuit to restrict heat generation in the electric circuit. | 12-04-2014 |
20140356038 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt or a fixing belt; a pressure member to contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed at an interior side of the fixing belt and contacting the pressure member via the fixing belt; a heat source disposed at an interior side of the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt with radiant heat, a plurality of shielding members disposed between the heat source and the fixing belt and movable between a shielding position where the shielding member shields a non-sheet passing area on the fixing belt from the radiant heat from the heat source and a retracted position; and a controller to move the plurality of shielding members between the shielding position and the retracted position at a predetermined time. | 12-04-2014 |
20140356039 | FIXATION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A fixation device includes a pressing member, a drive roller, an auxiliary roller, and an endless fixation belt rotatably mounted, in a loop shape, on the drive roller and the auxiliary roller. The endless fixation belt is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pressing member, thereby forming a nip between the fixation belt and the pressing member. The drive roller is configured to drive the fixation belt to rotate in the looped shape and thereby cause the auxiliary roller to rotate due to the frictional force from an inner peripheral surface of the rotating fixation belt. A friction coefficient of a contact surface of the auxiliary roller with the fixation belt is smaller than a friction coefficient of a contact surface of the drive roller with the fixation belt. | 12-04-2014 |
20140369725 | Latch Mechanism for a Fuser Assembly Having a Heat Transfer Roll - A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device which transfers heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly to portions having lesser temperatures. The fuser assembly includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith; a heat transfer device in contact with backup roll; a positioning mechanism coupled to the heat transfer device for positioning the heat transfer device in a first position in which the heat transfer device contacts the backup roll, and a second position in which the heat transfer device is spaced apart from the backup roll; and a latch mechanism for latching the heat transfer device in the second position. | 12-18-2014 |
20140369726 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device including a belt having an endless shape, a heater provided on an inner surface side of the belt, and a pressing portion provided so as to contact the belt and form a nip portion. A groove-forming portion is provided so as to contact the belt. The groove-forming portion has a surface and a groove formed on the surface. The groove extends in a direction crossing a rotating direction of the belt. | 12-18-2014 |
20140369727 | FIXATION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A fixation device includes: a heating member; a fixation belt configured to be heated by the heating member and formed like an endless belt; a first fixation member configured to abut on an inner circumferential surface of the fixation belt; a second fixation member located upstream of the first fixation member in a paper conveyance direction and configured to abut on the inner circumferential surface of the fixation belt; a press member located between the first fixation member and the second fixation member and configured to abut on the fixation belt; a pressurization member configured to abut on an outer circumferential surface of the fixation belt, and press at least against the first fixation member and the press member via the fixation belt; a support frame configured to support the first fixation member; and a holding plate configured to support the press member. | 12-18-2014 |
20140369728 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member and an endless belt configured to form a nip portion cooperatively with the rotatable member. A pressing pad is provided in an inside of the endless belt and configured to press the endless belt toward the rotatable member to form the nip portion. The pressing pad includes a first portion extended from an entrance of the nip portion toward and exit of the nip portion in a sheet conveying direction and a second portion disposed at a region in which the sheet is separated from the rotatable member. The first and second portions are pressed toward the rotatable member independently by a pressing mechanism. | 12-18-2014 |
20140376978 | IMAGE FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image fixing apparatus is provided including a pressing roller, a fixing belt rotatably disposed such that an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt contacts the pressing roller, and a rotating bush to support rotation of the fixing belt. The fixing belt includes a load support member arranged in an axial direction, a heating layer formed on an outer circumferential surface of the load support member to generate heat, and an electrode layer provided with an first portion axially contacting the heating layer at an axial end of the load support member, the electrode layer transferring electric energy to the heating layer. An inner end of the rotating bush axially extends to an inner side of the electrode layer such that the electrode layer is supported by the rotating bush. The image fixing apparatus may uniformly form a fixing nip and improve durability of the fixing belt. | 12-25-2014 |
20140376979 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring rotation body, a cap member and an elastic member. The cap member includes a main body part covering an outside of an end part of the fixing belt and a flange part covering an external diameter side of the end part. The elastic member includes a belt insertion part into which the end part is inserted, a cap insertion part into which the flange part is inserted and a contact part coming into contact with an internal side face of the main body part. When the fixing belt is deformed to an internal diameter side, the elastic member is elastically deformed to make the belt insertion part moved to the internal diameter side, and then, a gap is formed in at least a part between the internal side face of the main body part and the contact part. | 12-25-2014 |
20150016853 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a first member that is heated by a heat source and is rotatable; a second member that is rotatable, the second member forming a nip portion capable of sandwiching a recording material between the first member and the second member; and a pressure member that is disposed inside the first member, has a surface coming into contact with an inner surface of the first member, and pressurizes the first member against the second member, in which the pressure member has a surface layer forming the surface of the pressure member coming into contact with the inner surface of the first member, and the surface layer includes a diamond-like carbon film having an sp | 01-15-2015 |
20150023703 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a magnetic field generator; a heating belt that heats toner on a transported sheet holding an unfixed toner image; a pressure roller that rotates while being pushed against an outer surface of the heating belt and that presses the sheet; a temperature-sensitive magnetic member that is disposed at an inner surface of the heating belt so as to oppose the magnetic field generator; a backing member that is disposed at the inner surface of the heating belt so as to oppose the pressure roller; and a supporting member that is disposed at an inner side of the heating belt, supports both end portions of the heating belt in a width direction, supports a back surface of the backing member, and supports the temperature-sensitive magnetic member. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023704 | IMAGE FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on a sheet includes a cylindrical film; a heater having a first surface contacting an inner surface of the film; an opposed member forming a press-contact portion with the film therebetween; a supporting member for supporting a second surface of the heater opposite the first surface; and a heat conduction member contacting the second surface, wherein in a generatrix direction of the film, an end portion of a contact region between the heat conduction member and the second surface is at or inside an end portion of the press-contact portion. In a region from an end portion of the contact region to an outside of an end portion of the press-contact portion with respect to the direction, the supporting member includes a first region not contacting the second surface and a second region contacting the second surface outside the first region. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023705 | FIXING DEVICE CAPABLE OF ENHANCING DURABILITY OF ENDLESS BELT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. An opposed rotary body is pressed against the nip formation assembly via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A belt holder contacts and supports each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. The belt holder is isolated from the opposed rotary body with a first interval interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the endless belt. | 01-22-2015 |
20150030360 | FIXING DEVICE, HEATING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HEATING DEVICE - A fixing device includes a fixing member that fixes a toner image to a recording medium, a pressure member that forms, together with the fixing member, a pressure portion through which the recording medium carrying the toner image yet to be fixed passes, and a heating member including a heating layer that generates heat when energized and an insulating layer that encloses the heating layer so as to electrically insulate the heating layer. The heating member has a curved shape along an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member, in a state in which no external force is applied, and is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing member. | 01-29-2015 |
20150030361 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt, a first roller provided on an inner circumference side of the fixing belt, a second roller provided on the inner circumference side of the fixing belt and located upstream of the first roller in a conveying direction of a recording medium, a heat source provided on the inner circumference side of the fixing belt, a first reflecting portion provided between the heat source and the first roller, and a second reflecting portion provided between the heat source and the second roller. The second reflecting portion is provided apart from the first reflecting portion. | 01-29-2015 |
20150030362 | IMAGE FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image fixing device includes a heat source configured to generate heat, a fixing belt heated by the heat source and disposed to be rotatable, a rotational member disposed to be opposite to the fixing belt and to press a printing medium to the fixing belt, and a supporting member to support an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the rotational member and having a plurality of heat insulation grooves formed in a surface thereof so as to reduce thermal conductivity of the supporting member. By the configuration of the present general inventive concept, it is possible to prevent or minimize a heat loss of the fixing belt and thus to enhance image forming efficiency. | 01-29-2015 |
20150037076 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a pressing unit, a belt unit disposed to be pressed by the pressing unit and including a conductive layer, and a magnetic flux generation unit configured to generate a magnetic flux that causes the conductive layer to generate heat. The conductive layer has ends that are disposed inwardly of regions of the belt unit that contact ends of the pressing unit while the pressing unit rotates. | 02-05-2015 |
20150037077 | IMAGE FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - Disclosed herein are an image fixing device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image fixing device includes a fixing belt which is rotatably disposed, and a pressure roller which is disposed to be opposite to the fixing belt and thus to press an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt, wherein the fixing belt includes a fixing part of which an outer surface has a first friction coefficient, and a meandering movement preventing part which is located at each of both ends of the fixing part in a length direction of the fixing belt, and of which an outer surface has a second friction coefficient greater than the first friction coefficient. By the configuration, a meandering movement of the fixing belt is prevented, and thus it is possible to improve fixing efficiency. | 02-05-2015 |
20150037078 | FIXING DEVICE - The present invention provides a fixing device including a flexible cylindrical rotary member and an inner-surface opposing portion that opposes an inner surface of the rotary member at an end portion of the rotary member in a generatrix direction. The inner-surface opposing portion moves upstream in a recording material conveying direction in accordance with lateral shift of the rotary member in the generatrix direction. This restricts the lateral shift of the rotary member. | 02-05-2015 |
20150043953 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a fixing belt, a pressure roller, a heater, a stay holder, and a scraper. The fixing belt is configured to heat an image on a sheet at a nip portion and has an inner surface with a grease applied thereon. The pressure roller drives and rotates the fixing belt and forms the nip portion between the pressure roller and the fixing belt. The heater and the stay holder press the fixing belt toward the pressure roller from the inner surface of the fixing belt. The scraper scrapes the lubricant transferred to the pressure roller in an area that can come into contact with the fixing belt and that does not come into contact with a maximum width sheet introducible into the fixing apparatus on one end side in a rotational axis direction of the pressure roller. | 02-12-2015 |
20150050056 | BELT DRIVE DEVICE, ANCHORING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - The roller members ( | 02-19-2015 |
20150055993 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater disposed opposite the fixing rotator heats the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator includes a decreased thermal conduction portion having a decreased thermal conductivity to conduct heat in a thickness direction of the nip formation pad perpendicular to an axial direction of the fixing rotator and an increased thermal conduction portion having an increased thermal conductivity to conduct heat in the thickness direction of the nip formation pad. The increased thermal conduction portion is disposed opposite an overheating span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof where the fixing rotator is susceptible to overheating. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055994 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The nip formation pad includes a base, a first thermal conductor sandwiched between the base and the fixing rotator and having a first thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base, and a bulge projecting from the first thermal conductor toward the opposed rotator at a downstream end of the first thermal conductor in a recording medium conveyance direction. | 02-26-2015 |
20150063882 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a nip forming member, a supporting member, a heating source, a heat conducting member, and a reflecting member. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The nip forming member presses the fixing belt toward the pressuring member. The heat conducting member comes into contact with an inner circumference face of the fixing belt and absorbs a radiant heat emitted from the heating source. The reflecting member includes a reflecting part and a regulating part. The reflecting part reflects the radiant heat emitted to the supporting member toward the heat conducting member. The regulating part is unified with the reflecting part and comes into contact with the inner circumference face of the fixing belt to regulate looseness of the fixing belt. | 03-05-2015 |
20150063883 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heating source, a heat conducting member and a reflecting member. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member is arranged outside the fixing belt and comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The heating source is arranged inside the fixing belt to emit radiant heat. The heat conducting member comes into contact with an inner circumference face of the fixing belt and absorbs the radiant heat emitted from the heating source. The reflecting member includes a reflecting part and a nip forming part. The reflecting part reflects the radiant heat emitted from the heating source toward the heat conducting member. The nip forming part is unified with the reflecting part and comes into contact with the inner circumference face of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt to the pressuring member. | 03-05-2015 |
20150063884 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device that fixes an image on a recording medium includes a rotatable endless belt, deployed in a loop supported by rollers, a nip forming member provided inside the loop formed by the belt, a support member that supports the nip forming member, a counter rotation body disposed outside the loop formed by the belt and configured to form a nip with the belt by being in contact with the nip forming member through the belt, and a heat source configured to heat the belt directly by a radiant heat except at the nip. The support member includes a base portion that contacts the nip forming member and two arms extending from the base portion in a direction away from the nip forming member to partially surround a part of heat generating portion of the heat source. | 03-05-2015 |
20150071688 | FIXING DEVICE, BELT DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a first support and a second support to rotatably support a fixing rotator at a first lateral end and a second lateral end of the fixing rotator in an axial direction thereof. A first stopper is mounted on the first support. A second stopper is mounted on the second support. A first skew restraint projects from an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator radially at the first lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof. A second skew restraint projects from the outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator radially at the second lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof. The second skew restraint comes into contact with the second stopper as the fixing rotator moves in the axial direction thereof toward the first support. | 03-12-2015 |
20150071689 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND INDUCTION HEATING DEVICE - A fixing device thermally fixes an unfixed image onto a sheet through heat of a heating body that is heated through electromagnetic induction, the fixing device including an excitation coil generating flux for heating the heating body; one or more core members disposed opposite the heating body with respect to the excitation coil; a thermo-electric conversion element disposed farther from the excitation coil than the core members; and a thermally conductive member connected to the excitation coil and to a heat-absorbing face of the thermo-electric conversion element, transferring heat from the excitation coil to the thermo-electric conversion element. | 03-12-2015 |
20150078793 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure rotating body, a nip member, a supporting member, a heating source, a heat conducting member and a reflecting member. The pressure rotating body is rotatably arranged outside the fixing belt to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The nip member is arranged inside the fixing belt to press the fixing belt toward the pressure rotating body. The supporting member supports the nip member. The heating source is arranged inside the fixing belt to emit radiant heat. The heat conducting member is supported by the supporting member in a cantilevered state to come into contact with an inner circumference face of the fixing belt and to absorb the radiant heat. The reflecting member reflects the radiant heat toward the heat conducting member and at least partially comes into contact with the heat conducting member. | 03-19-2015 |
20150086253 | FIXING DEVICE - The fixing device includes a rotary member for contacting the unfixed toner image, a pressure member for forming the nip portion by contacting the rotary member, and a cover for covering the rotary member with a space between the rotary member and the cover, wherein in a cross section of the fixing device, the cross section being orthogonal to a generatrix direction of the rotary member, wherein a shortest distance (H) between the nip portion and a farthest surface portion of the rotary member farthest away from a surface portion forming the nip portion of the rotary member, a maximum width (W) of the rotary member in the conveyance direction of the recording member, and an area (S) of the space in a range of the maximum width W in the cross section satisfy with a relationship of S/W≧0.7×H. | 03-26-2015 |
20150093163 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus may include a main body having a surface. The main body may accommodate a photosensitive member disposed away from the surface and along a conveying path and a fuser. The fuser may be disposed downstream from the photosensitive member along the conveying path and has a portion disposed further away from the surface than the photosensitive member. The fuser may include an endless belt and a nip plate. The nip plate may include a first surface with lubricant thereon that faces an inner surface of the endless belt, and a second surface that extends from an end of the first surface. The second surface may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the endless belt and includes the furthest downstream portion of the nip plate. | 04-02-2015 |
20150093164 | FIXING APPARATUS - The fixing apparatus includes a first unit configured to be brought into contact with a surface of a fixing roller so as to heat the fixing roller, a second unit configured to form a fixing nip portion together with the fixing roller, a first regulation part configured to regulate decrease in distance between a shaft of the fixing roller and the first unit, and a second regulation part configured to regulate decrease in distance between the shaft of the fixing roller and the second unit. Thus, a heating nip width and a fixing nip width are maintained stably for a long period of time. | 04-02-2015 |
20150093165 | Fixing Device Having Nip Member With Elastic Layer - A fixing device includes: a tubular endless belt, a heater, a nip member, an elastic layer and a backup member. The endless belt has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and is configured to circularly move in a moving direction. The heater is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and spaced away from the heater. The elastic layer is fixed on the nip member and positioned between the nip member and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt. The backup member and the nip member are configured to nip the tubular endless belt therebetween to provide a nip region between the backup member and the nip member. | 04-02-2015 |
20150093166 | Fixing Device - A fixing device includes a heating element extending in a first direction and configured to generate heat, a nip member extending along the heating element in the first direction and configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element, an endless belt extending along the heating element in the first direction, and a backup member extending along the heating element in the first direction. The endless belt is configured to rotate. The endless belt surrounds the heating element and the nip member. The backup member nips the endless belt in cooperation with the nip member. The nip member includes a main portion facing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a particular holding portion holding the heating element. | 04-02-2015 |
20150093167 | Fixing Device Provided with Nip Member Capable of Preventing Outflow of Lubricant - A fixing device includes: an endless fusing belt; a heater; a nip member; and a backup member. The endless fusing belt has a width in a widthwise direction. The nip member is disposed spaced apart from the heater. The nip member has a contact surface. The contact surface has widthwise end portions in the widthwise direction. The backup member is configured to nip the fusing belt in cooperation with the nip member. The fusing belt is configured to move in a moving direction at a position where the fusing belt is nipped between the nip member and the backup member. The contact surface has at least two grooves one formed in corresponding one of the widthwise end portions and another formed in the other of the widthwise end portions and extending at an angle equal to or smaller than 10 degrees with respect to the moving direction. | 04-02-2015 |
20150093168 | Fixing Device Capable of Retaining Lubricant Between Nip Member and Fusing Belt - A fixing device includes: an endless fusing belt; a heater; a nip member; and a backup member. The endless fusing belt is configured to circularly move in a moving direction. The endless fusing belt has widthwise ends in a widthwise direction. The backup member is configured to nip the endless fusing belt in cooperation with the nip member. The nip member includes: a base portion having a contact surface; and protruding portions respectively provided at positions outside the widthwise ends of the endless fusing belt in the widthwise direction and protruding toward the backup member relative to the contact surface. | 04-02-2015 |
20150098735 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing device including a fixing member that fixes toner to a recording material, a pressurizing member that forms a nip portion through which the recording material passes between the fixing member and the pressurizing member, a contacting and separating mechanism that contacts and separates the pressurizing member with and from the fixing member, and a pressure adjusting mechanism that is provided capable of advancing to and retreating from a region that moves along with contacting and separating of the pressurizing member with and from the fixing member by the contacting and separating mechanism while moving along a straight line direction, and adjusts a pressure in the nip portion by contacting the contacting and separating mechanism in the region. | 04-09-2015 |
20150098736 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing device including a heating rotating body that heats a toner image formed on a recording medium, a pressurizing rotating body including an endless belt that is placed in such a manner that an outer circumferential surface thereof faces the heating rotating body, a first pressurizing member that is placed on a side of an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and forms a fixing nip portion between the endless belt and the heating rotating body, and a second pressurizing member that guides the recording medium so that the recording medium comes into contact with the heating rotating body on an upstream side of the fixing nip portion in a transportation direction of the recording medium, and a releasing unit that releases pressure contact of the pressurizing rotating body that is in pressure contact with heating rotating body. | 04-09-2015 |
20150098737 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing device including a fixing member that fixes a toner image onto a recording material, a pressurizing member that forms a pressurizing portion, in cooperation with the fixing member, through which the recording material holding a non-fixed toner image passes, a heating member that includes a heat generating portion having a predetermined pattern shape and being energized to generate heat, and heats the fixing member, a supporting member that supports the heating member along an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, and a thermal diffusion member that faces the supporting member with interposing the heating member, and diffuses heat from the heating member and conducts the heat to the fixing member. | 04-09-2015 |
20150098738 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure rotator pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A heater is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A reflector is disposed opposite the heater to reflect light radiated from the heater onto the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A support mounts the reflector. A heater holder is mounted on the support to hold the heater. | 04-09-2015 |
20150104227 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and an opposed rotator contacting an outer circumferential surface of the endless belt. A nip formation pad, disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt, presses against the opposed rotator via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A belt holder contacts and rotatably supports a lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. A ring is interposed between the belt holder and a lateral edge face of the endless belt. A restraint disposed opposite the ring contacts the ring to restrict movement of the ring in a radial direction of the endless belt within a trajectory of the lateral end of the rotating endless belt. | 04-16-2015 |
20150104228 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure rotating body, a nip member, a heating member, a rotating member and a biasing member. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably around a rotating axis. The pressure rotating body is rotatably arranged at an external diameter side of the fixing belt to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt and to form a fixing nip. The nip member is arranged at an internal diameter side of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt toward a side of the pressure rotating body. The heating member comes into contact with a contacted area in an inner circumference face of the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt. The rotating member sandwiches an end part of the fixing belt with the heating member and is rotated together with the fixing belt. The biasing member presses the heating member to the contacted area. | 04-16-2015 |
20150104229 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a sheet includes an endless belt; a roller contactable with the endless belt to form a nip for nipping and feeding the sheet; a heater provided inside the endless belt; a guiding member, provided inside the endless belt, for guiding rotation of the endless belt; a reinforcing member, provided between the endless belt and the heater in a radial direction of the heater, for reinforcing the guiding member, the reinforcing member being provided with an opening to permit radiant light from the heater to reach the endless belt; a protecting member, provided between the heater and the reinforcing member in the radial direction so as to oppose the endless belt through the opening, thus preventing contact between the endless belt and the heater. | 04-16-2015 |
20150104230 | FIXING DEVICE WITH A TEMPERATURE DETECTOR ADJACENT AN EASILY DEFORMABLE LOCATION AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device for fixing an unfixed image onto a recording medium includes a fixing belt, a nip forming member, an opposing rotary member, a heater, and a temperature detector. The fixing belt is formed into a loop to move endlessly and fix the unfixed image on the recording medium. The nip forming member is disposed inside the loop formed by the fixing belt. The opposing rotary member contacts the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip portion therebetween while rotating. The heater heats the fixing belt at a place other than the nip portion. The temperature detector detects a temperature of the surface of the fixing belt. The temperature detector detects the temperature near a place of the fixing belt that easily deforms as the fixing belt is heated by the heater. | 04-16-2015 |
20150110530 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing device including a fixing belt that is formed in an endless shape, is driven to rotate, and includes an outer circumferential surface pressed to a recording sheet holding a toner image, and a thin plate shaped heating member that contacts with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to generate heat and heats the fixing belt, wherein the heating member is supported to be fixed at one end portion in a circumferential direction of the fixing belt, contacts with the fixing belt along the circumferential direction, is elastically deformed so that a shape of the heating member is restrained by the fixing belt, and is pressed to the circumferential surface of the fixing belt by an elastic repulsive force. | 04-23-2015 |
20150110531 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a pressure rotator pressed against a nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. The nip formation pad includes an increased thermal conduction portion having an increased thermal conductivity and a decreased thermal conduction portion having a decreased thermal conductivity and being inboard from the increased thermal conduction portion in the axial direction of the fixing rotator. The increased thermal conduction portion is disposed opposite a non-conveyance span of the fixing rotator where the recording medium is not conveyed and includes an inboard edge inboard from a lateral edge of the recording medium toward a center of the recording medium in the axial direction of the fixing rotator by a predetermined first distance. | 04-23-2015 |
20150110532 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressuring member, a heat source, a heat conducting member, a reflecting member and a contacting/separating mechanism. The fixing member is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member is arranged at an external diameter side of the fixing member to come into pressure contact with the fixing member so as to form a fixing nip, and arranged rotatably. The heat source is arranged at an internal diameter side of the fixing member to emit radiant heat. The heat conducting member comes into contact with an inner circumference face of the fixing member to absorb the radiant heat emitted from the heat source and to conduct it to the fixing member. The reflecting member reflects the radiant heat emitted from the heat source toward the heat conducting member. The contacting/separating mechanism makes the heat conducting member and reflecting member come into contact with/separate from each other. | 04-23-2015 |
20150110533 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a driving member and a slide contact member. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip and is arranged rotatably. The driving member is arranged so as to sandwich the fixing belt with the pressuring member and rotates the fixing belt. The slide contact member is arranged so as to sandwich the fixing belt with the pressuring member and comes into slide contact with the fixing belt. The fixing belt is engaged around the driving member and slide contact member with a state having looseness at least partially. | 04-23-2015 |
20150125191 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a fixing device including a heating unit that includes a circularly moving heating belt, and a pressurizing roller that presses an external face of the heating belt, the fixing device fixing a toner image on a sheet onto the sheet by nipping the sheet between the heating belt and the pressurizing roller and by heating and pressurizing the sheet transported with the toner image being held. | 05-07-2015 |
20150125192 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes an excitation coil, a rotatable heater, and a support shaft. The excitation coil includes a turning end and an extended portion continuous with the turning end. The heater includes a heat generation layer and a thermosensitive magnetic body composed to switch between magnetized and demagnetized states at a Curie temperature to selectively create localized heating areas in the heat generation layer. The support shaft is made of a nonmagnetic material having a lower electrical resistivity than the thermosensitive magnetic body and supports opposed ends of the heater axially along the heater. The support shaft includes a body portion having a largest outer diameter of the support shaft and an end positioned outside the turning end of the excitation coil, and support portions having a smallest outer diameter of the support shaft and supporting the heater. | 05-07-2015 |
20150125193 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, and a pressure rotator pressed against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A support is disposed opposite the pressure rotator via the nip formation pad to support the nip formation pad against pressure from the pressure rotator. The nip formation pad conducts heat in a thickness direction thereof perpendicular to an axial direction of the fixing rotator and a recording medium conveyance direction. The nip formation pad includes a multi-conductivity layer having a thermal conductivity varying in the axial direction of the fixing rotator and a support side layer contacting the support and having a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the support. | 05-07-2015 |
20150125194 | Fixing Device Having Stably Positioned Nip Plate - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member defining an axis extending in an axial direction; a heater; a nip plate configured to be in sliding contact with the tubular member and having an engaging portion; a backup member configured to nip the flexible tubular member in cooperation with the nip plate; and a stay configured to support the nip plate and having an end portion in the axial direction. The stay includes: a support portion configured to support the nip plate; a plurality of hook portions provided at the end portion to support the nip plate; and a protruding portion protruding toward the backup member and configured to engage the engaging portion such that the nip plate is restricted from moving in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the backup member confronts the nip plate. | 05-07-2015 |
20150132035 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device configured to fix an image on a recording material, includes: a rotary member including an electroconductive layer; a coil which has a spiral shaped portion and is disposed in the inside of the rotary member; and a core disposed in the spiral shaped portion; with magnetic resistance of the core being, with an area from one end to the other end of the maximum passage region of the image on the recording material regarding the generatrix direction, equal to or smaller than 30% of combined magnetic resistance made up of magnetic resistance of the electroconductive layer and magnetic resistance of a region between the electroconductive layer and the core. | 05-14-2015 |
20150132036 | Fixing Device Capable of Suppressing Contact between Tubular Member and Electric Components - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface and circularly moving in a moving direction while the developing agent image is thermally fixed; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the tubular member; a backup member nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay covering the heater and supporting the nip member; an electric component positioned opposite to the heater with respect to the stay; and a frame supporting the electric component. The frame includes: an isolating portion interposed between the tubular member and the electric component for isolating the electric component from the tubular member; and a guide portion guiding the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member while the flexible tubular member is moving in the moving direction. | 05-14-2015 |
20150139705 | BELT DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt device includes a plurality of support members including an opposed support member and a non-opposed support member; a belt rotatably supported by the plurality of support members; a drive roller disposed opposite any one of the plurality of support members with the belt sandwiched in between, a rotary drive force is transmitted to one end in an axial direction thereof; a drive roller retainer to retain an end in the axial direction of the drive roller and maintain a constant between the drive roller and the opposed support member; an opposed support member retainer to allow the opposed support member to advance toward and retreat from the opposed support member and the drive roller; and a bias applier to bias the opposed support member toward the drive roller. | 05-21-2015 |
20150139706 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: a heater; a supporting member for supporting the heater; a high heat-conductive sheet sandwiched between a part of the heater and the supporting member. A recording material on which an image is formed is heated by heat from the heater. The supporting member includes a bearing surface contacting the sheet so as to apply pressure between the heater and the sheet and includes an opposing portion opposing a part of the heater not sandwiching the sheet. In a state in which the pressure is applied between the heater and the sheet, a thickness of the sheet is not less than a height of the stepped portion between the bearing portion and the opposing portion. | 05-21-2015 |
20150139707 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus configured to heat a recording material having a toner image formed thereon and fix the toner image fixing on the recording material comprising: a film; a heater configured to contact the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generation resistor formed on the substrate; a thermal conduction member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the thermal conduction member having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the substrate; and a pressurizing roller configured to form a pressing portion with the heater via the film, wherein the thermal conduction member contacts the heater so as not to overlap with an end region of the heat generation resistor in a longitudinal direction of the heat generation member. | 05-21-2015 |
20150139708 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: a heater including a substrate and a heat generating element; a supporting member; a high heat-conductive member. The recording material on which an image is formed is heated by heat from the heater. The supporting member has a bottom region, where the supporting member supports the heater, including a first region where the supporting member contacts the high heat-conductive member so as to apply pressure between the heater and the high heat-conductive member and including a second region where the supporting member is recessed from the high heat-conductive member relative to the first region. At least a part of the first region overlaps, with respect to a movement direction of the recording material, with a region where the heat generating element is provided. | 05-21-2015 |
20150139709 | IMAGE FIXING APPARATUS - An image fixing apparatus includes a heater for heating and fixing a toner image formed on a recording material; a thermosensitive element for sensing heat from the heater; and a tension spring for urging thermosensitive element toward the heater. | 05-21-2015 |
20150147101 | ROLLER, HEATING MEMBER, AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH ROLLER AND HEATING MEMBER - An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt configured to heat an image on a sheet at a nip potion, a heat generation device configured to cause the belt to generate heat, a nip forming member configured to form the nip portion between the nip forming member and the belt, and a pressing roller configured to press an inner surface of the belt toward the nip forming member, the pressing roller including an elastic porous layer containing a plurality of filler particles, wherein a thermal conductivity of the elastic porous layer in an axial direction of the pressing roller is in a range of 6 times to 900 times a thermal conductivity of the elastic porous layer in a radial direction of the pressing roller. | 05-28-2015 |
20150293481 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source and a nip member. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member is arranged rotatably to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The heat source is arranged at the inside in a radial direction of the fixing belt to radiate a radiant heat. The nip member is arranged so as to sandwich the fixing belt between the nip member and the pressuring member. The heat source, the fixing belt and the nip member are arranged so that the radiant heat radiated from the heat source reaches directly an inner circumference face of the fixing belt and the nip member. | 10-15-2015 |
20150293482 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a pressing member, a heat source and a heat transmitting member. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member is arranged rotatably to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The pressing member presses the fixing belt to a side of the pressuring member. The heat source is arranged at the inside in a radial direction of the fixing belt to radiate a radiant heat. The heat transmitting member comes into contact with an inner circumference face of the fixing belt to absorb the radiant heat radiated from the heat source. A part of the heat transmitting member is sandwiched between the fixing belt and the pressing member. | 10-15-2015 |
20150301487 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - According to the present disclosure, a fixing device includes a heating member, a rotatable pressure roller, and a metal pattern. The heating member includes a heating rotary body configured to be heated by a heating device. The pressure roller is pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the heating rotary body. The metal pattern is disposed facing the heating member so as to extend in a sheet width direction which is equal to an axial direction of the pressure roller, and the metal pattern is formed of a metal wire of which a resistance varies according to variations in temperature of the heating member. | 10-22-2015 |
20150309457 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED THEREWITH - A fixing device is provided with a fixing belt, a fixing roller inserted inside the fixing belt, a pressure roller that is pressed against the fixing belt, a coil that generates magnetic flux for induction heating of the fixing belt, and a belt regulating plate that is disposed at a side of an end surface of the fixing roller in a predetermined direction and regulates movement of the fixing belt in the predetermined direction. The belt regulating plate has a multi-layer structure including a resin plate disposed at a fixing belt side and a nonmagnetic metal plate disposed at a side opposite to the fixing belt side. | 10-29-2015 |
20150309458 | METAL SUBSTRATE, FIXING MEMBER, AND HEAT-FIXING DEVICE - Provided is an endless belt-shaped metal substrate, which can be used for a fixing member. The metal substrate includes an austenitic stainless alloy that contains copper and unavoidable impurities, in which the austenitic stainless alloy has a martensite ratio of less than 20%, and includes an austenitic phase as a matrix and a Cu-rich phase dispersed in the matrix, the Cu-rich phase extending in a direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the metal substrate. | 10-29-2015 |
20150316881 | HEAT FIXING APPARATUS AND GREASE COMPOSITION FOR THE HEAT FIXING APPARATUS - Provided is a heat fixing apparatus, which suppresses the depletion of a lubricant applied to an inside of the heat fixing apparatus and which has long life and high reliability, the heat fixing apparatus including a heating rotary member and a pressurizing rotary member, and containing, as a lubricant in a sliding portion, (A) perfluoropolyether oil having a kinetic viscosity at 40° C. of from 100 to 200 mm | 11-05-2015 |
20150323893 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - According to the present disclosure, a fixing device includes a belt member and a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the belt member. The fixing device further includes two terminal portions. The two terminal portions are electrically connected to a detector configured to detect a resistance value of the belt member, a value of a current that flows when a predetermined voltage is applied to the belt member, or a potential difference that occurs when a predetermined current is made to flow in the belt member. The two terminal portions are also contacted, on a one-to-one basis, by end-portion regions at both ends of an inner circumferential surface of the belt member in a belt-width direction of the belt member. | 11-12-2015 |
20150338803 | FIXING APPARATUS - On a second surface of a contact member opposite to a first surface in contact with an endless film, a plurality of sheets, each having a thermal conductivity in a planar direction higher than in a thickness direction and having a thickness of less than 100 μm, are superposed. | 11-26-2015 |
20150346661 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source and a reflecting member. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably around a rotation axis. The reflecting member reflects the radiant heat radiated from the heat source. The fixing belt has a passing region and a non-passing region. Through the passing region, a recording medium passes. The non-passing region is arranged outside the passing region in a direction of the rotation axis. The reflecting member has a first reflecting part and a second reflecting part. The first reflecting part is arranged at an inner circumferential side of the passing region. The second reflecting part is arranged at an inner circumferential side of the non-passing region. Roughness of a face at the heat source side of the second reflecting part is larger than roughness of a face at the heat source side of the first reflecting part. | 12-03-2015 |
20150346662 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a thermal conductor to conduct heat from a heater to the endless belt. A pressure rotator is pressed against the endless belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. An abutment contacts the endless belt to restrict a trajectory of the endless belt to bring the endless belt into contact with the thermal conductor in a particular circumferential span spanning from a particular position upstream from the fixing nip to the fixing nip in the direction of rotation of the endless belt and to separate the endless belt from the thermal conductor in at least a part of an outboard circumferential span outboard from the particular circumferential span in the direction of rotation of the endless belt. | 12-03-2015 |
20150346663 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a pressing member and a temperature sensor. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member is arranged rotatably and configured to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The pressing member is configured to press the fixing belt to the pressuring member side. The temperature sensor is inserted into the pressing member. The pressing member has a through hole penetrating from a face at the fixing nip side to an insertion part of the temperature sensor. | 12-03-2015 |
20150355585 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a first nip formation pad contacting an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. A first driver sandwiches the fixing belt together with the first nip formation pad to rotate to drive and rotate the fixing belt. An opposed rotator is pressed against the first nip formation pad via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. The opposed rotator is rotated frictionally by the fixing belt at the fixing nip. | 12-10-2015 |
20150355587 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a pressure rotator pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A first heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator with a first interval therebetween to heat the fixing rotator. A reflector reflects light emitted by the first heater to the fixing rotator. The reflector is disposed opposite the first heater with a second interval therebetween that is greater than the first interval. | 12-10-2015 |
20150370203 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH SAME - A fixing device includes a housing, a magnetic flux generation source, a first rotary body, a second rotary body, a first core, a second core, a shaft portion, a magnetic shielding body and an air flow generator. The shaft portion has a hollow cylindrical shape, holds the second core on a peripheral surface and includes an internal space extending in an axial direction inside. The shaft portion serves as a rotary shaft in the rotation of the second core. The air flow generator generates an air flow flowing in the internal space of the shaft portion from one end side toward the other end side in the axial direction. | 12-24-2015 |
20150378290 | FIXING DEVICE CAPABLE OF ENHANCING DURABILITY OF ENDLESS BELT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE SAME - A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. An opposed rotary body is pressed against the nip formation assembly via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A belt holder contacts and supports each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. The belt holder is isolated from the opposed rotary body with a first interval interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the endless belt. | 12-31-2015 |
20160004197 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to an embodiments, a fixing device includes: an endless fixing member; a heating unit that is provided inside an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member; and a nip forming unit that comes into press-contact with a rotationally driven pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween to form a nip. The nip forming unit has a shape in which a center of a contact surface protrudes toward the pressing member compared to both ends. The nip forming unit has a protruding amount at a center toward the pressing member compared to both ends of the nip forming unit in no-load state is set to be less than a bent amount of the nip forming unit when the nip forming unit comes into press-contact with the pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween. | 01-07-2016 |
20160011546 | HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 01-14-2016 |
20160011548 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 01-14-2016 |
20160011549 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 01-14-2016 |
20160011550 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 01-14-2016 |
20160026131 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a cylindrical film; a nip forming member; and a back-up member for forming a nip. The nip forming member includes a projected portion. A projection amount of the projected portion is smaller in an end portion region positioned at an end portion of the projected portion with respect to a generatrix direction of the film than in a central region positioned at a central portion of the projected portion with respect to the generatrix direction, at least a part of the end portion region being inside a feeding region of a maximum-sized recording material usable in the fixing device. With respect to the recording material feeding direction, a width of the part, of the projected portion, inside the nip is broader in the end portion region than in the central region. | 01-28-2016 |
20160026133 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THIS - A fixing device ( | 01-28-2016 |
20160033906 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing member; an opposing member that provides a fixing nip with the fixing member; a heating unit that heats the fixing member; a heating area changing member that moves to change a heating area of the fixing member heated by the heating unit; and a position detection sensor that detects a position of the heating area changing member. The fixing device controls a stop position of the heating area changing member based on detection by the position detection sensor. The single position detection sensor detects the position of the heating area changing member both when the heating area changing member is moving from a preset reference position to an arbitrary position and when the heating area changing member is moving back from an arbitrary position to the reference position. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033908 | IMAGE FIXING DEVICE - An image fixing device includes an elastic roller; a back-up unit forming a fixing nip with the roller therebetween, the back-up unit including a cylindrical film, a film guide, extending inside the film, for guiding the film, and an end portion guiding member including a guiding portion for guiding an inner surface of an end portion of the film. The film guide includes plural ribs contacting the film and arranged in a generatrix direction at positions upstream of the fixing nip with respect to a feeding direction of a sheet. The ribs have free end portions retracted more toward a downstream side with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material than the guiding portion of the end portion guiding member. An inside rib has a free end portion which is retracted more toward the downstream side than free end portions of the opposite end ribs. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033911 | BELT DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt device includes a support and a support roller that support a belt. A driven gear is mounted on one of a plurality of shafts of the support roller. A driving gear meshing with the driven gear at a mesh position transmits a driving force to the support roller through the driven gear to rotate the support roller. An elastic bearing rotatably bearing each of the plurality of shafts of the support roller has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the shaft of the support roller. The bearing includes a slit defining a part of the bearing in a circumferential direction thereof. The slit is disposed upstream from the mesh position in the direction of rotation of the support roller such that the mesh position and the slit define a circumferential angle not smaller than about 20 degrees. | 02-04-2016 |
20160054690 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING MOVING MEMBER TO BLOCK RADIANT HEAT AND MOVING BY A FRICTION FORCE BETWEEN A FIXING BELT AND THE MOVING MEMBER. - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source, a moving member and a biasing member. The moving member is movable between a first position where the moving member blocks the radiant heat from the heat source to the fixing belt and a second position where the moving member does not block the radiant heat from the heat source to the fixing belt. The biasing member biases the moving member to the first position. The moving member moves from the first position to the second position by a friction force between the fixing belt and the moving member against a biasing force of the biasing member when the fixing belt is rotated. The moving member moves from the second position to the first position by the biasing force of the biasing member when a rotation of the fixing belt is stopped. | 02-25-2016 |
20160062286 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a rotatable endless belt type fixing member; a pressurizing member that is opposed to the fixing member and rotates; and a nip forming member that is arranged inside the fixing member, and forms a nip part by contact with the pressurizing member through the fixing member. The nip forming member includes: a heat-uniformizing member having bent portions opposed to each other; a heat-insulating member arranged inside the heat-uniformizing member; a heat-absorbing member arranged on an upper surface of the heat-insulating member; and a sliding sheet that covers a nip side of the heat-uniformizing member, and is held between the bent portions of the heat-uniformizing member and the heat-insulating member. The heat-uniformizing member and the heat-insulating member are fastened to each other by fitting a fitting part formed on the heat-uniformizing member to a fitted part formed on the heat-insulating member. | 03-03-2016 |
20160085189 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A heater includes a substrate, electrode portions, electrical contact portions, heat generating portions, and electroconductive line portions. The electrode portions include first group electrode portions and second group electrode portions. The electroconductive line portions include a main line portion extending from the electrical contact portions in the longitudinal direction, a first branch line portion branching from the main line portion so as to electrically connect with a first electrode portion of the first group electrode portions, and a second branch line portion branching from the main line portion so as to electrically connect with a second electrode portion of the first group electrode portions. The second electrode portion is spaced from the electrical contact portions more than the first electrode portion in the longitudinal direction, and an electric resistance of the first branch line portion is larger than an electric resistance of the second branch line portion. | 03-24-2016 |
20160085190 | Fixing Device - A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a backup member, first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to integrally support the heater and the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member. | 03-24-2016 |
20160091845 | Fixing Device - A fixing device includes a guide member including a guide portion, which is disposed downstream from a nip in a rotational direction of an endless belt and is in contact with an endless belt, and a gap forming portion, which is disposed between the nip and the guide portion in the rotational direction of the endless belt and which forms a gap from the endless belt, wherein the gap forming portion includes an inclined surface that extends from the guide portion toward upstream in the rotational direction and has a predetermined area, on which a lubricant is provided, and wherein a maximum inclination angle between the predetermined area and a plane that is defined to contact a downstream end, in the rotational direction, of the contact portion of the nip member and the guide portion is less than 90 degrees. | 03-31-2016 |
20160091846 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a rotating member including a conductive layer; a helical coil arranged inside the rotating member, a helical axis of the coil extending in a generatrix direction of the rotating member; and a magnetic member provided inside the coil, the magnetic member including a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member arranged in a line extending in the generatrix direction. A toner image is fixed on a recording material by heat which the conductive layer generates by electromagnetic induction. In the generatrix direction, a protruded portion is provided on an end surface of the first magnetic member and a recessed portion is provided in an end surface of the second magnetic member. The protruded portion and the recessed portion are disposed so as to oppose each other and overlap each other in the generatrix direction. | 03-31-2016 |
20160091847 | HEATING ELEMENT, PROCESS OF PRODUCING HEATING ELEMENT, HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An endless-belt shaped heating element made of a heat resisting resin in which stainless-steel fibers subjected to annealing treatment is dispersed is prepared. The heating element is adopted as a heating belt of a fixing device of an image forming apparatus. | 03-31-2016 |
20160098002 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a heating belt having a heat generating layer configured to generate heat by energization, a pressing roller configured to abut on an outer peripheral surface of the heating belt to form a nip portion, a pressing mechanism configured to press the heating belt against the pressing roller, an outer ring electrically connected to the heating belt in an end portion of the heating belt, a power feed member configured to abut on the outer ring to feed power to the outer ring, and an inner ring configured to clamp the end portion of the heating belt between the inner ring and the outer ring. A chamfered portion of the inner ring is chamfered. | 04-07-2016 |
20160109834 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus including a nip forming member that contacts an inner surface of a tubular film and forms a nip together with a roller via the film, the roller having a region where a diameter of the roller gradually increases in a direction from a center to each of ends of the roller with respect to a generatrix direction of the film, wherein the nip forming member has a protruding portion, protruding toward the roller and extending in the generatrix direction, that is provided on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side in the nip in a conveying direction of the recording material, and wherein ends of the protruding portion in the generatrix direction are positioned at a larger distance from a center of the nip in the conveying direction than a central of the protruding portion in the generatrix direction. | 04-21-2016 |
20160116871 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In accordance with one embodiment, a fixing device comprises an induction current generation section, a fixing belt, an auxiliary heating section, a concave portion and lubricant. The induction current generation section generates induction current. The fixing belt is formed into an endless belt having a heating layer which generates heat through the induction current. The auxiliary heating section is contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt to assist in the heating of the heating layer based on the induction current. The concave portion is formed in the auxiliary heating section to face the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The lubricant is injected into the concave portion. | 04-28-2016 |
20160132001 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device according to the present invention includes a fixing belt ( | 05-12-2016 |
20160132003 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device according to the present invention includes a fixing belt ( | 05-12-2016 |
20160132004 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source, a pressing member, a heating stop device and a deformation preventing member. The deformation preventing member is configured to face an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. In a state where the fixing belt is not broken in a circumferential direction, the fixing belt and the deformation preventing member are arranged at an interval, and when the fixing belt is broken in the circumferential direction, the fixing belt is deformed and comes into contact with the deformation preventing member so that the fixing belt is prevented from being deformed to a side far from the heating stop device. | 05-12-2016 |
20160132005 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source, a pressing member, a heating stop device, shape restricting members and biasing members. The fixing belt is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis. The pressing member is provided to be rotatable and to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The heat source heats the fixing belt. The pressing member presses the fixing belt to a side of the pressuring member. The heating stop device faces an outer circumferential face of the fixing belt and to operate at an operating temperature so as to stop the heat source from heating the fixing belt. The shape restricting members are attached to both end parts of the fixing belt and restricts a shape of the fixing belt. | 05-12-2016 |
20160132006 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes a tubular film; a heater including a first surface being in contact with the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat-generating resistor; a heat-conductive member being in contact with a second surface of the heater opposite to the first surface, the heat-conductive member having a higher thermal conductivity than the substrate; and a supporting member supporting the heater with the heat-conductive member interposed therebetween. The heat-conductive member includes first and second parts at upstream and downstream ends, respectively, in a conveyance direction, and a third part between the first and second parts. The first to third parts are each held between the supporting member and the heater. A non-contact area between the heat-conductive member and the supporting member is provided between the first part and the second part in the conveyance direction. The heat-conductive member is shorter than the heater in the conveyance direction. | 05-12-2016 |
20160132007 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device fixing an image on a recording medium includes a fixing belt rotatable around a first rotation axis, a pressuring member, a heat source body and a cover member. The pressuring member forms a nip part pressuring and making the recording medium pass through with the fixing belt. The heat source body is arranged inside the fixing belt and heats the fixing belt by emitting radiant heat. The cover member is arranged between the fixing belt and the heat source body and covers the heat source body. The nip part has a passing area where the recording medium passes through and a non-passing area outside the passing area in an axial direction. The cover member covers a part of the heat source body corresponding to the non-passing area and includes through holes formed so as to adjust surface temperature of the heat source body. | 05-12-2016 |
20160132008 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source, a pressing member and a first heating stop device. The fixing belt is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis. The pressuring member is configured to be rotatable and to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The heat source is arranged at an inner diameter side of the fixing belt, provided at a position displaced from the rotation axis and configured to heat the fixing belt. The pressing member is configured to press the fixing belt to a side of the pressuring member. The first heating stop device is configured to face an outer circumferential face of a closest part to the heat source of the fixing belt and to operate at a first operating temperature so as to stop the heat source from heating the fixing belt. | 05-12-2016 |
20160132009 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus including a flexible belt having a heat generating layer, an outer ring provided on one edge side of the belt and along an outer peripheral surface of the belt, the outer ring being electrically connected to the heat generating layer, an inner ring provided on the one edge side of the belt and along an inner peripheral surface of the belt to face the outer ring through the belt, and a power supply unit that is electrically connected to the outer ring and that feeds power. A difference obtained by subtracting a diameter of the inner ring at a normal temperature from a diameter of the inner ring at a fixing temperature is equivalent to or larger than a difference obtained by subtracting a diameter of the outer ring at the normal temperature from a diameter of the outer ring at the fixing temperature. | 05-12-2016 |
20160147184 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device according to the present invention includes a fixing belt ( | 05-26-2016 |
20160147185 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium. | 05-26-2016 |
20160154350 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160154353 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160154354 | FIXING DEVICE | 06-02-2016 |
20160170338 | FIXING DEVICE | 06-16-2016 |
20160170339 | FIXING APPARATUS FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160170347 | FIXING DEVICE | 06-16-2016 |
20160170349 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160170351 | FIXING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160170352 | BASE FOR FIXING BELT, FIXING BELT, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160179043 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-23-2016 |
20160187822 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing belt formed into a loop rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure roller disposed opposite the fixing belt. The pressure roller includes a shaft fixedly positioned and a deformable elastic layer. A fixing pad is disposed inside the loop formed by the fixing belt and separably pressed against the pressure roller via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure roller, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A biasing member biases the fixing pad and the fixing belt against the pressure roller. A stopper restricts motion of the fixing pad biased by the biasing member. The stopper contacts the fixing pad while the recording medium bearing the toner image is conveyed through the fixing nip. | 06-30-2016 |
20160187823 | NIP FORMATION ASSEMBLY, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A nip formation assembly disposed opposite an opposed rotator via an endless belt includes a nip formation pad to press against the opposed rotator via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A fixing heater is disposed opposite at least a center span of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof where the recording medium is conveyed. The fixing heater heats the endless belt. A lateral end heater is mounted on the nip formation pad and disposed opposite a lateral end span of an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt in the axial direction thereof. The lateral end heater heats the endless belt. | 06-30-2016 |
20160195841 | FIXING DEVICE | 07-07-2016 |
20160202649 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS | 07-14-2016 |
20160252855 | Fixing Device | 09-01-2016 |
20160252856 | FIXING DEVICE | 09-01-2016 |
20160252857 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 09-01-2016 |
20160252859 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING DEVICE | 09-01-2016 |
20160378027 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation pad disposed inside the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator presses against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A heat generator is disposed inside the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A reflector is interposed between the heat generator and the nip formation pad. The reflector includes a reflection face to reflect radiant heat radiated from the heat generator. The reflection face includes a reflection portion disposed opposite the heat generator at various angles. A support is provided separately from the nip formation pad and supports the reflector. | 12-29-2016 |
20160378029 | HEATING UNIT, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating unit includes the following elements. A magnetic-field generating member generates a magnetic field. An endless belt-shaped member has an inner peripheral surface to which a lubricant is applied and an outer peripheral surface, a portion of the outer peripheral surface opposing the magnetic-field generating member. The endless belt-shaped member rotates in a peripheral direction and generates heat by electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field. A temperature-sensitive magnetic plate is in contact with a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt-shaped member which opposes the magnetic-field generating member. A substrate is disposed on a side of the temperature-sensitive magnetic plate which does not face the endless belt-shaped member. An upstream end of the substrate is positioned on a farther downstream side than an upstream end of the temperature-sensitive magnetic plate in a rotating direction of the endless belt-shaped member. | 12-29-2016 |
20160378033 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable endless belt formed into a loop and a heater disposed opposite the endless belt to heat the endless belt. A nip formation pad is disposed inside the loop formed by the endless belt. The nip formation pad includes a metallic thermal equalizer extending in an axial direction of the endless belt. A rotatable pressure rotator presses against the nip formation pad via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. The pressure rotator includes an increased tackiness portion disposed at a lateral end of the pressure rotator in an axial direction of the pressure rotator to transmit a driving force to the endless belt. The increased tackiness portion is disposed opposite the thermal equalizer of the nip formation pad. | 12-29-2016 |
20180024482 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME | 01-25-2018 |
20190146389 | HEATER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 05-16-2019 |