| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20110200368 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a contact member provided inside a fixing member and pressed against a pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing atoner image passes. A sheet heat generator provided in the fixing member includes a flexible heat generation sheet contactable against the fixing member to heat the fixing member. A contact adjuster provided in the fixing member adjusts an area of contact of the heat generation sheet and the fixing member in the axial direction, supports the heat generation sheet at a first position at which the heat generation sheet contacts the fixing member, and bends a portion of the heat generation sheet at a second position to separate the heat generation sheet from the fixing member. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110217056 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same - A fixing device includes a substantially cylindrical metal member, a heater, an endless, flexible fixing member, a rotary pressing member, a stationary member, a first temperature detector, and a second temperature detector. The first temperature detector is disposed upstream from a nip in a rotation direction of the fixing member to detect a surface temperature of the fixing member. The second temperature detector is disposed downstream from the nip in a rotation direction of the pressing member to detect a surface temperature of the pressing member. When a difference between a surface temperature of the fixing member detected by the first temperature detector and a surface temperature of the pressing member detected by the second temperature detector after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first temperature detector detects the surface temperature of the fixing member is greater than a predetermined threshold, the heater stops heating the metal member. | 09-08-2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20110222875 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing unit removably installable in an image forming apparatus includes an endless fixing member; a metal member disposed in proximity to an inner surface of the fixing member; a nip formation member supported by the metal member to slidably contact the fixing member or oppose the fixing member via a slide sheet; a heater to heat the metal member to heat the fixing member; a rotary pressing member to rotate the fixing member, disposed opposite the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member; a rotation detector to detect a rotational state of the fixing member. Heating rotation of the fixing member is continuously performed until a predetermined rotational state of the fixing member is obtained, to spread lubricant substantially uniformly at least between the fixing member and the metal member. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110222888 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A fixing device includes an endless belt-shaped fixing member to rotate in a predetermined direction, formed in a loop, an inner circumferential face of which is coated with a lubricant; a pressing member contacting an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member, to press against the fixing member; a driver to drive and rotate the 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; and a heating member to heat the fixing member, provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member. When the fixing device starts up, the pressing member drives and rotates the fixing member less than 360 degrees to move a warmed range of the fixing member heated by the heating member to the nip. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110222926 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A fixing device includes an image surface side separating member that separates a recording medium from a fixing member; an image surface side conveyance guiding member arranged downstream of the image surface side separating member; a non-image surface side separating member that separates the recording medium from a pressing member; and a non-image surface side conveyance guiding member arranged downstream of the non-image surface side separating member. When the image surface side conveyance guiding member is rotated about its rotation axis so as to be opened or closed, the image surface side separating member is also rotated or slid so as to be opened or closed simultaneously. When the non-image surface side conveyance guiding member is rotated about its rotation axis so as to be opened or closed, the non-image surface side separating member is also rotated or slid so as to be opened or closed simultaneously. | 09-15-2011 |
| 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 |
| 20110229178 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing unit includes a fixing member to fuse a toner image on a recording medium on the recording medium; a pressure member to press against the fixing member to define a first nip between the fixing member and the pressure member through which the recording medium is transported; a shifting unit to move the pressure member relative to the fixing member to increase or decrease a pressure of the first nip; a curling correction unit disposed downstream from the first nip in a transport direction of the recording medium that imparts a second curling direction to the recording medium; and a variable setting unit operatively connected to the curling correction unit to variably set an amount of the second curling direction to the recording medium by the curling correction unit depending on the first nip pressure increased or decreased by the shifting unit. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229181 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a pressing member provided outside a loop formed by a fixing member to press the fixing member against a nip formation member provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member. A heat generator support is provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member to support a heat generator that generates heat to be transmitted to the fixing member. A temperature detector is provided downstream from the heat generator and upstream from the nip formation member in a direction of rotation of the fixing member to detect a temperature of the fixing member. A controller is connected to the temperature detector and the heat generator to control heat generation of the heat generator based on the temperature of the fixing member detected by the temperature detector. | 09-22-2011 |
| 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 |
| 20110274453 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a metal thermal conductor provided inside a loop formed by a fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body; a heater provided inside the metal thermal conductor to heat the metal thermal conductor; a pad support provided inside the metal thermal conductor; and a reflector provided between the heater and the pad support to reflect heat emitted by the heater thereto toward an inner circumferential surface of the metal thermal conductor. The reflector includes a center reflection portion provided at a center of the reflector in a longitudinal direction thereof and a plurality of end reflection portions provided at respective lateral ends of the reflector. A plurality of reflector moving assemblies is connected to the plurality of end reflection portions of the reflector, respectively, to tilt the plurality of end reflection portions toward the center reflection portion. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20120114345 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing belt; a pressing rotary body disposed outside a loop formed by the fixing belt; a nip formation pad disposed inside the loop formed by the fixing belt and pressed against the pressing rotary body via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the pressing rotary body and the fixing belt through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. The nip formation pad includes a protrusion disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of the recording medium and protruding toward the pressing rotary body without contacting the pressing rotary body. The fixing device further includes a pressing rotary body mover to contact and move the pressing rotary body bidirectionally in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to move the fixing nip toward and away from the protrusion. | 05-10-2012 |
| 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 |
| 20120148303 | BELT ASSEMBLY, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a frame, a tubular belt holder, a rotatable, flexible fuser belt, a heater, a fuser pad, a pressure member, and a mounting attachment. The tubular belt holder extends in an axial direction thereof. The fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration 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, and extends in the axial direction. The pressure member is disposed opposite the belt holder with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The mounting attachment is provided to a longitudinal end of the tubular belt holder to allow retention and detachable attachment of the belt holder end to the frame. | 06-14-2012 |
| 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 |
| 20120177388 | Fixing Device And Image Forming Apparatus Employing Same - A fixing device comprises a rotatable endless flexible belt, a drive roller opposed to the rotatable endless flexible belt to contact and drive an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable endless flexible belt, and a nip formation device receiving pressure from the drive roller via the rotatable endless flexible belt to form a nip thereon to sandwich and convey a recording sheet. A heat source is provided to generate heat and heat the nip. Each of the end roller portions of the drive roller has a higher friction coefficient surface than a central roller portion of the drive roller sandwiching the recording sheet. These end roller portions are composed of separate bodies from the central roller portion and detachably attachable from and to the central roller portion. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177393 | Fixing Device And Method, And Image Forming Apparatus Incorporating Same - A fixing device includes a heater to generate heat based on soft-start control. The heater is supplied with power using different power-turn-on-duty control patterns in accordance with power requirements and an operation mode of the fixing device. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 20120224878 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND HEATER CONTROL METHOD - A fixing device includes a fuser member, a heater, a thermometer, and a power supply controller. The fuser member is subjected to heating. The heater is adjacent to the fuser member to heat the fuser member. The thermometer is adjacent to the fuser member to detect an operational temperature of the fuser member. The power supply controller controls power supply to the heater by adjusting a duty cycle. The controller includes a duty cycle calculator, a driver circuit, and a duty cycle modifier. The duty cycle calculator is operatively connected to the thermometer to calculate a primary value of the duty cycle based on the operational temperature. The driver circuit is operatively connected to the duty cycle calculator to supply power to the heater according to the duty cycle. The duty cycle modifier is connected between the duty cycle calculator and the driver circuit to modify the duty cycle. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120237273 | FIXING DEVICE WITH RESISTANCE HEATING ELEMENT CAPABLE OF ACCURATELY GENERATING HEAT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH FIXING DEVICE - In a fixing device, a heating element is extended along a fixing member at a location other than a nip on an inner circumferential surface side of the fixing member to generate heat. The fixing member contacts the heating element either indirectly via a gap of a prescribed size or directly contacts the heating element by with a prescribed pressure when the fixing member is rotating, and continuously separates from the heating element by a prescribed distance greater than the size of the gap when the fixing member stops rotating. | 09-20-2012 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | |
| 20130170877 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND SEPARATING MEMBER - In an embodiment, provided is a fixing device that includes: a fixing belt rotatable and endless; a belt holding member holding the fixing belt at each end part in an axial direction; a heat source heating the fixing belt; a nip forming member provided inside the fixing belt; an opposing rotator forming a nip portion between the opposing rotator and the fixing belt via the fixing belt; and a separating member that extends near the nip portion and separates a recording medium from a surface of the fixing belt. A leading end of the separating member is provided with a receding portion and an approaching portion that is at a different position from a position of the receding portion different in the axial direction. The approaching portion is provided nearer to the nip portion than the receding portion is provided. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 20130188991 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device comprises a rotatable fixing member to heat a side of a recording medium bearing an unfixed image; a heat source to heat the rotatable fixing member; a rotatable pressing member disposed opposite the fixing member to press against an outer side of the fixing member; a housing to accommodate the fixing member and the pressing member; a conveyance path defined internally within the fixing device to convey a recording medium therethrough and between the fixing member and the pressing member, and a shutter actuator to move the shutter to open and close the conveyance path. The housing holds the shutter and the shutter actuator. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130189005 | SEPARATOR AND SEPARATION DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A separator includes a front edge disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of an endless belt. The front edge contacts and separates a recording medium from the endless belt. A separation plate mounts the front edge. A contact plate projects from the separation plate in an axial direction of the endless belt and contacts a belt holder that supports the endless belt. A bracket projects from the separation plate in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the contact plate projects from the separation plate. The bracket includes a notch that engages the belt holder. The contact plate contacting the belt holder and the notch of the bracket engaging the belt holder produce an interval between the front edge of the separator and the outer circumferential surface of the endless belt. | 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 |
| 20130195477 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device comprises a rotatable fixing member to apply heat to a recording medium bearing an unfixed image thereon, a heat source to heat the fixing member, and a rotatable pressing member pressing against the fixing member forming a nip therebetween. A driving source rotates and drives the fixing member and the pressing member. An overheat safety device has a relay to open and close a power supply path connected to the heat source. A temperature detector is connected to both the relay and the control unit to detect temperature of the fixing member. The overheat safety device turns off the relay and cuts off power supply to the heat source when the fixing member is overheated. The fixing member is allowed to radiate heat and cool down when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is more than a prescribed level. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130195493 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - According to an embodiment, provided is a fixing device that includes: a rotatable fixing member that heats a recording medium on a side carrying an unfixed image; a rotatable pressing member that is pressed and is contacted with the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member; a heat source heating the fixing member; a relay switch provided in an energizing path for the heat source; a temperature detection sensor detecting a temperature of the fixing member; and a control unit that controls energization of the heat source according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor. The control unit keeps the relay switch in an off state if the temperature of the fixing member is equal to or more than a predetermined temperature when the fixing member has stopped rotation. | 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 |
| 20130202320 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device including a fixing member, an opposing member, a plurality of heat sources, and a voltage detector. The opposing member is disposed opposite the fixing member to contact the fixing member to form a nip portion at which an unfixed image on a recording medium is fixed. The plurality of heat sources heats the fixing member. The voltage detector detects an applied voltage of at least one of the plurality of heat sources. Upon detection of the applied voltage of the heat sources by the voltage detector, a voltage is applied to at least one of the heat sources. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130209115 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device. The fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing member, a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing member, a pressing member in contact with the nip forming member via the fixing member, and a heating source configured to heat the fixing member. When an abnormality occurs in at least one of the fixing device and other devices included in the image forming apparatus, a rotation of the fixing member is stopped prior to stopping a rotation driving of a discharging unit and, after stopping, the fixing member is controlled to rotate. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130209119 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a controller connected to a heater and at least one of a pressing rotary body and an endless rotary body. The controller performs a first fixing operation, a first transition operation, a second fixing operation, and a second transition operation. The first fixing operation fixes a toner image on a first recording medium after the fixing device is powered on. The first transition operation rotates the pressing rotary body and the endless rotary body while controlling the heater to maintain the endless rotary body at a predetermined temperature for a first duration time. The second fixing operation fixes a toner image on a second recording medium. The second transition operation rotates the pressing rotary body and the endless rotary body while controlling the heater to maintain the endless rotary body at the predetermined temperature for a second duration time smaller than the first duration time. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130209121 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes a heat source; a fixing member looped into a generally cylindrical shape to rotate in a circumferential direction thereof and partially heated by the heat source and to heat a surface of a recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image to fix the unfixed toner image thereon in a fixing process; a rotary pressing member disposed facing the fixing member to form a nip therebetween, through which the recording medium is transported in a transport direction; and a rotation driver to rotate one of the fixing member and the pressing member. In a case in which the fixing member is halted for a reason other than the fixing process while power of the fixing device is on, electric power is not supplied to the heat source and the fixing member is rotated by a predetermined amount or more after the fixing member is halted. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130209125 | FIXING DEVICE 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. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130209131 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device capable of shifting to a sleep state includes a heat source; a rotatable fixing member that is partly heated by the heat source to heat an unfixed image carrying surface of a recording medium; a rotatable pressing member that is in pressure contact with the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member; a rotation drive unit that directly or indirectly rotates the fixing member; a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of the fixing member; and a controller configured to prohibit the fixing device from shifting to the sleep state when the temperature of the fixing member in a region facing the heat source is equal to or more than a predetermined temperature T | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130209139 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device capable of incorporating in an image forming apparatus includes a belt unit including a rotatable elastic endless belt having a sleeve shape without a driving shaft and a nip forming member disposed contactable against an inner surface of the endless belt, and a pressing member to form a nip contact portion through which a recording medium passes by pressing against the nip forming member via the endless belt. The endless belt is configured to be removable from the fixing device without contacting the endless belt. | 08-15-2013 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20130251390 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite and heating a heating span of the fixing rotary body. A controller is operatively connected to a power supply that supplies power to the heater and a driver that rotates the fixing rotary body to control the power supply and the driver. The controller performs at least one of a rotation speed control that controls the driver to rotate the fixing rotary body at an increased rotation speed and a power supply control that controls the power supply to supply an increased amount of power to the heater. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20140133879 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In the present invention, upon return from a standby mode or sleep mode, image data is acquired as warming-up time estimate information for estimating the warming-up time to increase the temperature of a fixing belt to a target fixing temperature and, if the acquired image data is the data on a black-and-white image, control is performed to delay the heating start timing of the fixing belt. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140255064 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device to fix an unfixed image carried on a recording medium includes an endless, rotary fixing member; a heat source to heat the fixing member; an opposed member disposed opposite the fixing member and to form a fixing nip in combination with the fixing member; and a biasing member disposed opposite the opposed member with the fixing member interposed therebetween, to press the fixing member from a back side of the fixing member against the opposed member at the fixing nip; grip portions at which the fixing member and the opposed member contact each other in areas through which the recording medium does not pass, among the fixing nip along a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and a cleaning member to clean an outer circumference of at least one of the grip portions of the fixing member and the opposed member. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140270834 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device in an image forming apparatus includes a rotatable fixing member; a plurality of heat sources to heat each area of the fixing member in a longitudinal direction thereof; a pressure member configured to contact the fixing member and forming a nip in association with the fixing member; a nip forming member disposed inside the fixing member and opposite the pressure member to form a fixing nip; a temperature controller to detect temperature at each area of the fixing member and control the temperature via lighting control performed by the heat sources; and a plurality of temperature sensors to detect temperature of the fixing member or the pressure member in each heating area heated by the plurality of heat sources. When a sheet size set by the image forming apparatus and an actually conveyed sheet size are different, operating speed of the device is adjusted. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140270865 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body. A pressing rotary body contacts the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction to separate the recording medium from one of the fixing rotary body and the pressing rotary body. The separator includes a separation plate including an upstream portion disposed opposite the fixing nip and at least one slot disposed downstream from the upstream portion in the recording medium conveyance direction. | 09-18-2014 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20140369703 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device. The fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing member, a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing member, a pressing member in contact with the nip forming member via the fixing member, and a heating source configured to heat the fixing member. When an abnormality occurs in at least one of the fixing device and other devices included in the image forming apparatus, a rotation of the fixing member is stopped prior to stopping a rotation driving of a discharging unit and, after stopping, the fixing member is controlled to rotate. | 12-18-2014 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20150212459 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device including a fixing member, an opposing member, a plurality of heat sources, and a voltage detector. The opposing member is disposed opposite the fixing member to contact the fixing member to form a nip portion at which an unfixed image on a recording medium is fixed. The plurality of heat sources heats the fixing member. The voltage detector detects an applied voltage of at least one of the plurality of heat sources. Upon detection of the applied voltage of the heat sources by the voltage detector, a voltage is applied to at least one of the heat sources. | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150227095 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device capable of shifting to a sleep state includes a heat source; a rotatable fixing member that is partly heated by the heat source to heat an unfixed image carrying surface of a recording medium; a rotatable pressing member that is in pressure contact with the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member; a rotation drive unit that directly or indirectly rotates the fixing member; a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of the fixing member; and a controller configured to prohibit the fixing device from shifting to the sleep state when the temperature of the fixing member in a region facing the heat source is equal to or more than a predetermined temperature T | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150234329 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - According to an embodiment, provided is a fixing device that includes: a rotatable fixing member that heats a recording medium on a side carrying an unfixed image; a rotatable pressing member that is pressed and is contacted with the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member; a heat source heating the fixing member; a relay switch provided in an energizing path for the heat source; a temperature detection sensor detecting a temperature of the fixing member; and a control unit that controls energization of the heat source according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor. The control unit keeps the relay switch in an off state if the temperature of the fixing member is equal to or more than a predetermined temperature when the fixing member has stopped rotation. | 08-20-2015 |
| 20150253707 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotatable, endless first belt and a rotatable, endless second belt contacting an outer circumferential surface of the first belt. A first nip formation pad contacts an inner circumferential surface of the first belt to form a fixing nip between the first belt and the second belt, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A rotatable driver contacts an inner circumferential surface of the second belt to press against the first nip formation pad via the first belt and the second belt to frictionally drive and rotate the first belt and the second belt. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150261149 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member, a heat source, a nip forming member, a pressing member, a recording medium conveyor, a first temperature detector to detect a temperature of a non-sheet-passing area of the fixing member through which a recording medium does not pass, a second temperature detector to detect a temperature of the recording medium, and a controller to adjust a time to drive the recording medium conveyer to control a time interval between successive recording media and a changing time to change the time interval, according to a temperature detected by the second temperature detector in response to a temperature rise in the non-sheet-passing area of the fixing member detected by the first temperature detector. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150268597 | 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. | 09-24-2015 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
