Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form a color toner image using a color toner and a transparent layer using a transparent toner on a sheet of recording media, a sheet conveyance unit to transport the sheet, a 3D display lens forming unit disposed downstream from the image forming unit in a sheet conveyance direction, and a controller. The 3D display lens forming unit includes a shaping member including an uneven portion having predetermined surface unevenness, and a pressure member to press the shaping member against the sheet, forming a shaping nip between the shaping member and the pressure member. The 3D display lens forming unit shapes the transparent layer that is an outermost layer on the sheet into a stereoscopic display lens by transferring the surface unevenness of the uneven portion of the shaping member to the transparent layer formed on the sheet.

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes first and second. image-forming portions and an intermediate transporting portion. A control unit checks fixing units in the image-forming portions and determines whether or not the fixing unit, in the first image-forming portion is a fixing unit for an envelope. If not, the control unit controls a manipulation and display unit to display guidance for urging a user to exchange the first fixing unit. If so, the control unit determines whether or not too fixing unit in the second image-forming portion is a fixing unit for an envelope. If not, the control portion controls a manipulation and display unit to display a guidance for urging a user to exchange the second fixing unit, If both of fixing units in the first and second image-forming portions are fixing units for the envelope, the control unit allows an envelope mode control operation.

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.

Presser, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

A presser presses a rotator and switches between a pressurization state in which the presser presses the rotator and a depressurization state in which the presser releases the pressurization state. The presser includes a pressure portion that presses the rotator in the pressurization state. The presser further includes a retracted portion that retracts from the pressure portion in a retracting direction in which the retracted portion retracts from the rotator. The retracted portion presses the rotator in the depressurization state.

Fixing unit and image forming apparatus

A fixing unit includes a rotary member, a magnetic core, a coil, a converter device, a temperature detection unit, and a controller. A conductive layer of the rotary member is heated by induction heating. The controller causes the converter device to output a cyclic waveform in which a first waveform and a second waveform appear. The first waveform is a waveform in which pulses having a constant cycle are successively output for a first output period and output of the pulses is paused for a first pause period after the first output period. The second waveform is a waveform in which the first waveform is repeatedly output for a second output period and output of the first waveform is paused for a second pause period after the second output period. The cyclic waveform is a waveform in which the second waveform is cyclically repeated as a repetition unit.

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

A fixing device includes an endless belt and a pressure rotator disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the endless belt. The pressure rotator has a first span in an axial direction of the endless belt. A nip formation pad, which is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt, forms a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator. The nip formation pad includes a belt-side thee disposed opposite the endless belt A radiant heater, which is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt, heats the endless belt. A thermal conduction aid, which contacts the belt-side face of the nip formation pad, conducts heat in the axial direction of the endless belt. The thermal conduction aid has a second span within which the first span of the pressure rotator is provided at the fixing nip.

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A fixing device includes a cylindrical rotatable fixing belt, a flat heater, a heater holding part, a pressuring member, and a connector. In the flat heater, an electrode part, a feeder and a heat generating part are formed in the same face state. The heater holding part holds the flat heater so that the heat generating part faces to an inner circumference face of the fixing belt. The pressuring member sandwiches the fixing belt with the flat heater. The connector has a contacting portion coming into contact with the electrode part. The feeder has a portion arranged at a near side from the electrode part in an attaching direction of the connector. The heater holding part includes a protecting portion covering the portion of the feeder arranged at the near side from the electrode part. 1. A fixing device comprising:a cylindrical rotatable fixing belt;a flat heater in which an electrode part, a feeder and a heat generating part are formed in the same face state;a heater holding part holding the flat heater so that the heat generating part faces to an inner circumference face of the fixing belt;a pressuring member sandwiching the fixing belt with the flat heater; anda connector having a contacting portion coming into contact with the electrode part,wherein the feeder has a portion arranged at a near side from the electrode part in an attaching direction of the connector.the heater holding part includes a protecting portion covering the portion of the feeder arranged at the near side from the electrode part.2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , whereinthe protecting portion is integrally formed with the heater holding member.3. The fixing device according to claim 1 , whereinthe protecting portion is a different member from the heater holding member.4. The fixing device according to claim 1 , whereinthe protecting portion has insulation property and high heat conductivity.5. The fixing device according to claim 1 , whereinthe connector has a recessed portion ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING PRESSING DEVICE

An image forming apparatus includes a pressing device, an apparatus body, an opening body, and a vibration insulator. The pressing device housed in the apparatus body is configured to press a pressing body to a pressing target body. The opening body is configured to open and close to the apparatus body. The opening body presses a pressing target portion of the apparatus body, at a first pressing portion to cancel a pressing state of the pressing device by opening of the opening body and at a second pressing portion to enter the pressing state of the pressing device by closing of the opening body. The vibration insulator is provided on at least one of the pressing target portion and the second pressing portion, at a contact portion at which the pressing target portion contacts the second pressing portion when the first pressing portion cancels the pressing state. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a pressing device configured to press a pressing body to a pressing target body;an apparatus body housing the pressing device and having a pressing target portion;an opening body configured to open and close with respect to the apparatus body, a first pressing portion configured to press the pressing target portion of the apparatus body by opening of the opening body to cancel a pressing state of the pressing device; and', 'a second pressing portion configured to press the pressing target portion of the apparatus body by closing of the opening body to enter the pressing state of the pressing device; and, 'the opening body includinga vibration insulator provided on at least one of the pressing target portion and the second pressing portion, at a contact portion to which the pressing target portion is moved to contact the second pressing portion when the first pressing portion cancels the pressing state of the pressing device.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the pressing device includes a projection pressing lever attached to the opening body ...

Adjustable Mounting Plate Assembly

An assembly including a channel track for engagement with the surface of a desk, having a generally flat bottom surface, a hollow interior portion and a slot extending the entire length of the channel track; at least two hubs, having a coupling with a bushing for receiving an office accessory; at least two plate nuts disposed in the hollow interior portion of the channel track, and wherein each hub is secured to a corresponding plate nut by a bolt which extends through the hub, through the slot in the channel track and into engagement with the corresponding plate nut; wherein when the plate nuts and hubs are loosely connected, the plate nuts and hubs are free to slide in the slot in the direction of the length of the channel track and when the plate nuts and hubs are tightly connected, the plate nuts and hubs are retained in their position in the slot without any sliding movement; and either a bolt or clamp member for securing the channel track to the desk. 1. An adjustable mounting plate assembly comprising:a channel means for engagement with a surface of a desk;a plurality of hub means for receiving an office accessory;a plurality of plate nut means for retaining the hub means in connection with the channel means;and means for securing the channel means to the desk.2. The adjustable mounting plate assembly of claim 1 , wherein arms for supporting computer monitors are disposed in a coupling with a bushing provided in the hub means.3. The adjustable mounting plate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the channel means is extruded in one piece.4. The adjustable mounting plate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the channel means is comprised of multiple pieces joined together.5. The adjustable mounting plate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of endcap means for preventing the plate nuts means from sliding out of engagement with the channel means.6. The adjustable mounting plate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the channel means is provided with pads on its bottom ...

Fuser Member Conditioning Systems and Methods

Disclosed is a method of conditioning a fusing member having a top-release layer. The method includes heating the top-release layer to at least the melting temperature of the top-release layer while rotating the fusing member and while no pressure member engages the top-release layer, and cooling the top-release layer to less than the melting temperature of the top-release layer while rotating the fusing member. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring roller pressured to the fixing belt, a heat source heating the fixing belt, a pressing member pressing the fixing belt toward the pressuring roller's side, and a sliding contact sheet interposed between the fixing belt and the pressing member to hold lubricant. The sliding contact sheet includes a sliding contact portion arranged at the center in a sheet conveying direction to come into contact with the fixing belt, a first fixed portion arranged at an upstream side in the conveying direction and wound around the pressing member at the heat source's side, and a second fixed portion arranged at a downstream side in the conveying direction and wound around the pressing member at the heat source's side from the first fixed portion. The sliding contact sheet is configured so that the second fixed portion becomes smaller than the first fixed portion. 1. A fixing device comprising:a fixing belt rotatably arranged;a pressuring roller pressured to the fixing belt to form the fixing nip and rotatably arranged;a heat source heating the fixing belt;a pressing member pressing the fixing belt toward a side of the pressuring roller; anda sliding contact sheet interposed between the fixing belt and the pressing member and holding a lubricant,wherein the sliding contact sheet includes:a sliding contact portion arranged at the center in a sheet conveying direction and coming into contact with the fixing belt;a first fixed portion arranged at an upstream side in the conveying direction and wound around the pressing member at a side of the heat source; anda second fixed portion arranged at a downstream side in the conveying direction and wound around the pressing member at the side of the heat source from the first fixed portion,the sliding contact sheet is configured so that an area of the second fixed portion becomes smaller than an area of the first fixed portion.2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , whereinthe pressing ...

Fixing device

A fixing device includes: a non-contact heating portion that includes at least one non-contact heating unit which heats a toner image on a sheet; and a pressurizing and heating unit that is provided downstream in a sheet transport direction with respect to the non-contact heating portion and that pressurizes and heats the toner image. A time from a first point of time when the toner image reaches a toner melting temperature by heating of the non-contact heating portion to a second point of time when the toner image enters the pressurizing and heating unit is set equal to or more than a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time when a ratio between the weight of the toner in the toner image before the entrance and the sum of the weight of the toner and the weight of the carrier liquid is equal to or more than 70%.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR SWITCHING TRANSMISSION STATE OF DRIVE FORCE

An image forming apparatus includes a conveyer roller exposed to an attachment space and a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting a drive force from a drive source. The drive force transmission mechanism includes a plate driving gear exposed to the attachment space, a transmission gear train transmitting a drive force to the conveyer roller and to the plate driving gear, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a driven gear transmitting the drive force to the transmission gear train, a pendulum gear revolvable between a coupled position in which the pendulum gear is engaged with the driven gear and an uncoupled position in which the pendulum gear is separated from the driven gear, and a transmission switch movable between a first position for holding the pendulum gear in the uncoupled position and a second position for allowing the pendulum gear to revolve between the coupled and uncoupled positions. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a housing provided with a sheet cassette attachment portion defining an attachment space;an image forming unit provided in the housing and configured to form an image on a sheet;a drive source configured to supply a drive force; a lifter plate configured to support the sheet and to displace the sheet in vertical direction;', 'a plate-elevating gear configured to transmit the drive force to the lifter plate; and', 'a pressing portion;, 'a sheet cassette movable between an attached position at which the sheet cassette is attached to the sheet cassette attachment portion and a detached position at which the sheet cassette is detached from the sheet cassette attachment portion, the sheet cassette comprisinga conveyer roller exposed to the attachment space, and configured to receive the drive force from the drive source to impart a conveying force to the sheet; and a plate driving gear exposed to the attachment space, and configured to be coupled to the plate-elevating gear in the state where the sheet ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image holding member, an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holding member, a developing unit that includes a developer containing toner particles containing a release agent having a melting temperature ranging from 60° C. to 100° C. and that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image holding member with the developer to form a toner image, a transferring unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, a fixing unit that includes two members of which the outer surfaces are in contact with each other to form a nipping region and of which at least one member is a belt member and that allows the recording medium having the transferred toner image to pass through the nipping region to fix the toner image to the recording medium, a particle charging unit that is disposed in the vicinity of the nipping region and upstream of the nipping region in the transport direction of the recording medium so as to face the toner-image-formed side of the recording medium and that charges particles, and a particle collecting unit that is disposed near the particle charging unit and that is charged to the opposite polarity to the charged particles. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image holding member;a charging unit that charges a surface of the image holding member;an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holding member;a developing unit that includes a developer containing toner particles containing a release agent having a melting temperature ranging from 60° C. to 100° C. and that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image holding member with the developer to form a toner image;a transferring unit that transfers the toner image to a recording ...

Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus

A fixing apparatus includes a first rotating unit and a second rotating unit. The first rotating unit has a heat generating unit and center and end portions that are configured to rotate around a first rotational axis. The second rotating unit has center and end portions that are configured to rotate around a second rotational axis. The second rotating unit is urged towards the first rotating unit and positioned to form a nip between the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit. At least one of the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit has a shape where a diameter of the center portion is greater than a diameter of the end portion.

FIXING APPARATUS WITH COIL AND MOVABLE MAGNETIC BODY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH COIL AND MOVABLE MAGNETIC BODY

A fixing apparatus includes a fixing belt and an induced current generation section. The fixing belt includes a conductive layer. The induced current generation section faces the fixing belt. The induced current generation section includes a coil and a magnetic body. The coil generates a magnetic flux. The magnetic body faces the fixing belt across the coil. In the magnetic body, a part facing an end in a width direction of the fixing belt is set as a movable magnetic body capable of moving in a width direction. 1. A fixing apparatus , comprising:a fixing belt including a conductive layer; a coil configured to generate a magnetic flux, and', 'a magnetic body facing the fixing belt across the coil,, 'an induced current generation section facing the fixing belt, comprising'}a magnetic body moving controller configured to control movement of a movable magnetic body, anda temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an end portion in a width direction of the fixing belt,wherein a part of the magnetic body facing the end portion in the width direction of the fixing belt is set as the movable magnetic body, which is capable of moving in the width direction, andwherein the magnetic body moving controller is configured to move the movable magnetic body responsive to detected temperature information from the temperature sensor.2. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe magnetic body is divided into a plurality of unit magnetic bodies arranged in the width direction, andthe plurality of unit magnetic bodies contains a plurality of movable magnetic bodies.3. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe movable magnetic body includes a plurality of movable magnetic bodies provided at ends in the width direction of the magnetic body, andpressing members configured to press the movable magnetic bodies positioned at the ends in the width direction of the magnetic body to move the movable magnetic bodies inward in the width direction are ...

TRANSFER BELT AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS

A transfer belt transfers a toner image carried on a first main surface to a recording medium. When the transfer belt is pressed by using a lower block provided with a hole and an upper block with pressurization force increased at a prescribed rate and thereafter kept constant, E [-] and t0 are curve-fitted to a function E=α×exp(−t0/τ) defined by a time constant τ [s] with respect to an amount of displacement of the transfer belt and a constant α [-], where E [-] is calculated as (a−b)/b, a [μm] represents a maximum value of an amount of displacement of a measurement region, b [μm] represents an amount of displacement of the measurement region after converged, and t0 [s] represents a time period from start of pressurization until the maximum pressurization force, and time constant τ satisfies a condition of 0.015≦τ≦0.1. 1. A transfer belt comprising an elastic layer , the transfer belt serving to transfer a toner image carried on a first main surface which is one of a pair of exposed main surfaces including the first main surface and a second main surface located opposite to each other to a recording medium ,{'b': 0', '0', '0, 'when a pressurized region which is a part of the transfer belt is pressurized with pressurization force reaching 200 [kPa] at a predetermined rate of pressurization [kPa/ms] and thereafter being maintained constant at 200 [kPa] by using a lower block having a projecting curved surface having a width of 20 [mm] and a radius of curvature of 20 [mm] as an upper surface and provided with a hole having a diameter of 1.25 [mm] in a top portion of the projecting curved surface and an upper block having a recessed curved surface having a width of 20 [mm] and a radius of curvature of 20.3 [mm] as a lower surface, placing the transfer belt on the upper surface of the lower block such that the first main surface faces the upper surface of the lower block, and sandwiching the part of the transfer belt between the projecting curved surface and the ...

Fuser with an Endless Belt, Image Forming Apparatus with an Endless Belt, and Conveyer with an Endless Belt

A fuser has a heater, a heat roller, an endless belt, a pressure pad, and a slidable sheet. The pressure pad forms a nipping portion to nip the endless belt between the pressure pad and the heat roller. The slidable sheet is interposed between an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and the pressure pad in the nipping portion. The slidable sheet includes a plurality of dents and a plurality of projections on a surface contacting the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The plurality of dents are arranged in a first part of the surface of the slidable sheet. The first part is located in a range corresponding to the nipping portion. The plurality of projections are arranged in a second part of the surface of the slidable sheet. The second part is located in a range corresponding to a portion different from the nipping portion.

Image heating apparatus

A fixing apparatus that fixes an image onto a recording material includes: a belt, a nip plate contacting an inner surface of the belt, a roller configured to form a nip portion with the nip plate, a supporting member supporting the nip plate, the supporting member having a cross section in a shape of U, and supporting, with two legs, a surface of the nip plate opposite to a surface contacting the belt, and a guide member disposed on an upstream side of the nip plate and including a guide portion, wherein the recording material on which the image is formed is heated while being conveyed through the nip portion, and the image is fixed onto the recording material, and the guide member is supported by a first surface and a second surface of an upstream side leg among the two legs of the supporting member.

Fixing device

A fixing device, including: a cylindrical belt; a heater including a base plate and a heating element provided on the base plate; a holder supporting the heater; and a heat-conductive member disposed between the heater and the holder and having a higher heat conductivity than the base plate, wherein the heat-conductive member includes: a contact portion opposed to a region of the base plate between a one-side end and an other-side end of the heating element in the first direction; a first non-contact portion opposed to a region of the base plate in which the one-side end is located, the first side portion being not in contact with the heater, and a second non-contact portion opposed to a region of the base plate in which the other-side end is located, the second side portion being not in contact with the contact portion.

BELT OFFSET CORRECTION DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A pair of pressure members are disposed at both ends of a pressure roller and rotatably support the pressure roller to press the pressure roller against a fixing roller including an elastic layer via a fixing belt. One of the pressure members that includes a fulcrum engaging section engaged with a rotation fulcrum at one end and is locked to a biasing member at a side opposite to the fulcrum engaging section is moved by a moving member in a direction intersecting a pressing direction of the pressure roller in a state where deformation of the elastic layer is regulated. Thus, a force acting on a fixing nip formed by the deformation of the elastic layer of the fixing roller is stabilized. As a result, the traveling performance of the fixing belt is stabilized, whereby the offset control can be performed with high accuracy. 1. A belt offset correction device comprising;an endless belt;a pressure roller that presses an outer side of the endless belt;an opposing member that is disposed inside the endless belt and sandwiches the endless belt with the pressure roller;a pair of pressure members that are disposed at both ends of the pressure roller to rotatably support the pressure roller and press the pressure roller against the opposing member; anda moving member that moves one pressure member of the pair of pressure members in a direction intersecting a pressing direction of the pressure roller,wherein each of the pair of pressure members comprises a fulcrum engaging section to be engaged with a rotation fulcrum at one end while being locked to a biasing member at a side opposite to the fulcrum engaging section,wherein at least one of the pressure roller and the opposing member comprises an elastic layer, andwherein the moving member controls an offset of the endless belt by moving the one pressure member in a state where deformation of the elastic layer is regulated.2. The belt offset correction device according to claim 1 ,wherein each of the pair of pressure members ...

HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A heating device includes a rotator, an opposed rotator configured to contact the rotator to form a nip, a heater configured to heat the rotator, and a plurality of pressing devices. The heater includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the heater generates a larger amount of heat than the first portion of the heater. The pressing devices are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the heater and each configured to press at least one of the rotator and the opposed rotator and cause the rotator and the opposed rotator to press each other. The pressing devices include a first pressing device corresponding to the first portion of the heater and a second pressing device corresponding to the second portion of the heater, and the first pressing device generates a smaller pressing force than the second pressing device. 1. A heating device comprising:a rotator;an opposed rotator configured to contact the rotator to form a nip;a heater configured to heat the rotator,the heater including a first portion and a second portion that generates a larger amount of heat than the first portion of the heater; anda plurality of pressing devices arranged in a longitudinal direction of the heater and each configured to press at least one of the rotator and the opposed rotator and cause the rotator and the opposed rotator to press each other, a first pressing device corresponding to the first portion of the heater; and', 'a second pressing device corresponding to the second portion of the heater,', 'the first pressing device being configured to generate a smaller pressing force than the second pressing device., 'the pressing devices including2. The heating device according to claim 1 ,wherein the first pressing device is configured to generate a smaller nip pressure on a first part of the nip corresponding to the first portion of the heater than a second part of the nip corresponding to the second portion of the heater.3. The heating device according to claim 1 , ...

SLIDING MEMBER, SLIDING MEMBER FOR FIXING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SLIDING MEMBER

A sliding member comprises: siloxane having a reactive substituent; and a holding member having a group which can react with the substituent and bonds to the substituent to hold the siloxane. 1. A sliding member comprising:siloxane having a reactive substituent; anda holding member having a group which can react with the substituent and bonds to the substituent to hold the siloxane.2. The sliding member according to claim 1 , wherein the holding member includes a heat-resistant fiber which has either one or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group.3. The sliding member according to claim 2 , wherein the heat-resistant fiber is aramid fiber.4. The sliding member according to claim 1 , wherein the holding member is a nonwoven fabric composed of aramid fiber.5. The sliding member according to claim 1 , wherein the reactive substituent is one or more types selected from a free amino group claim 1 , a free epoxy group claim 1 , and a free carbonyl group.6. A sliding member recited in and used for a fixing device claim 1 , the fixing device includinga roller and an endless belt rotating together in contact with each other, anda pressing member disposed at an inner circumferential side of the endless belt, and pressing an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt toward the roller and thus cooperating with the roller to sandwich the endless belt,the sliding member being disposed between the endless belt and the pressing member or as a portion of the pressing member.7. A fixing device comprising:a roller and an endless belt rotating together in contact with each other;a pressing member disposed at an inner circumferential side of the endless belt, and pressing an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt toward the roller and thus cooperating with the roller to sandwich the endless belt; and{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'a sliding member recited in and disposed between the endless belt and the pressing member or as a portion ...

FUSER ARCHITECTURE FOR ENABLING INTERCHANGEABILITY IN AN IMAGING DEVICE

An imaging device having a fuser and print engine architecture that enables complete interchangeability between fuser types with a common print engine. The imaging device has a frame configured to separately receive a first fuser assembly of a first fuser type and a second fuser assembly of a second fuser type different from the first fuser type. The first fuser assembly includes a first fuser frame having a first datum tab. The second fuser assembly includes a second fuser frame having a second datum tab. The frame of the imaging device has a datum aperture that is sized to receive the first datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the first fuser assembly to be positioned at a first operative position, and the second datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the second fuser assembly to be positioned at a second operative position. 1. An imaging device , comprising:a housing;an access door on the housing having a media guide member attached thereto, the access door manually movable between a closed position and an open position, the access door substantially forming a first side of the image forming device when in the closed position and permitting access to an interior of the housing when in the open position;a frame configured to separately receive a first fuser assembly of a first type having a first fuser frame and a second fuser assembly of a second type having a second fuser frame; anda drive gear for interfacing with one of the first and second fuser assemblies, the first fuser assembly including a first backup roll rotatably mounted to the first fuser frame and a first gear coupled to the first backup roll and positioned to receive a rotational force from the drive gear when the first fuser assembly is installed in the imaging device at a first operative position, and the second fuser assembly including a second backup roll rotatably mounted to the second fuser frame and a second gear coupled to the second backup roll ...

Image forming device modifying nip pressure of nip formed in fixing device before motor is halted

In an image forming device, a first fixing member has a roller. A second fixing member has a belt to form a nip together with the first fixing member. A pressure modifying mechanism modifies a nip pressure at the nip to selected one of a first nip pressure and a second nip pressure smaller than the first nip pressure. A controller drives the first motor to drive the roller and fixes the developer image on a sheet in a state that the nip pressure is the first nip pressure. The controller modifies the nip pressure from the first nip pressure to the second nip pressure while driving the first motor in a case where a final sheet among one or more sheets fixed according to a print job has passed the nip, and halts the first motor after the nip pressure is modified to the second nip pressure.

Fixing device

In a fixing device, a first fixing member and a second fixing member are configured to form a nip in combination, and an arm biased by a first spring with a first biasing force provides a nip pressure. A cam rotatably arranged to cause the arm to move against the first biasing force has a first cam surface used to change the nip pressure from a first pressure to a second pressure smaller than the first pressure, and a second cam surface of which an angle of action is greater than that of the first cam surface to change the nip pressure from the second pressure to a third pressure smaller than the second pressure. A maximum pressure angle at the second cam surface is smaller than a maximum pressure angle at the first cam surface.

FIXATION MEMBER

An object of the invention is to provide a fixation member which has an unfixed toner fixation function and ensures high releasability, low chargeability, and high friction. The fixation member has an elastic layer, and a release layer on the external surface of the elastic layer, wherein the release layer is formed of a fluororesin tube having low chargeability and a percent dielectric relaxation of 15% or higher. 1. A fixation member having an elastic layer , and a release layer on the external surface of the elastic layer , wherein the release layer is formed of a fluororesin tube having low chargeability and a percent dielectric relaxation of 15% or higher.2. A fixation member according to claim 1 , wherein the release layer has an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of 0.02 μm to 0.07 μm.3. A fixation member according to claim 1 , wherein the release layer has a friction coefficient of 0.5 or higher.4. A fixation member according to claim 2 , wherein the release layer has a friction coefficient of 0.5 or higher. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-254154 filed on Dec. 27, 2016 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.The present invention relates to an image-fixing member (hereinafter referred to as a “fixation member”) which is employed in a fixation unit of an image-forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic printer or copying machine.Generally, an image-fixation unit of an image-forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic printer or copying machine employs a fixation belt formed of an electrocast layer (nickel (Ni), Ni/copper (Cu)/Ni, PI (polyimide resin), SUS (stainless steel), etc.), an elastic layer, a release layer (fluororesin tube), etc.; a fixation roller or a pressure roller formed of a core body (e.g., a metallic core), an elastic layer, a release layer, etc.; or the like.In a typical fixation apparatus, a fixation belt (a fixation member in the form of a belt) rotates with a pressure roller in rotation and is ...

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME

A fixing device includes a fixing belt stretched taut around a plurality of supports, a pressure rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, a belt polishing mechanism to polish the fixing belt. The belt polishing mechanism includes a polishing roller to separably contact the fixing belt and slide over the surface of the fixing belt when the polishing roller is pressed against the fixing belt, a contact and separation driver to press and separate the polishing roller to and from the fixing belt, an opposed member disposed opposite the polishing roller via the fixing belt and configured to form a polishing nip with the fixing belt, and a polishing roller rotation mechanism to rotate the polishing roller. The polishing roller rotation mechanism includes a first rotator disposed coaxially with the polishing roller and a second rotator disposed coaxially with the opposed member. 1. A fixing device comprising:a rotatable fixing belt stretched taut around a plurality of supports;a pressure rotator configured to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator;a belt polishing mechanism configured to polish a surface of the fixing belt, a polishing roller configured to separably contact the fixing belt and slide over the surface of the fixing belt when the polishing roller is pressed against the fixing belt;', 'a contact and separation driver configured to press and separate the polishing roller to and from the fixing belt;', 'an opposed member disposed opposite the polishing roller via the fixing belt and configured to form a polishing nip with the fixing belt; and', 'a polishing roller rotation mechanism configured to rotate the polishing roller,', 'the polishing roller rotation mechanism including a first rotator disposed coaxially with the polishing roller and a second rotator disposed coaxially with the opposed member., 'the belt polishing mechanism including2. The fixing device according to claim 1 ,wherein a ...

FIXING APPARATUS

A fixing apparatus includes an endless belt, a heating member configured to heat the belt, a detection unit configured to detect temperature of the heating member, a signal line connected to the detection unit, a holding member configured to hold the temperature detecting member, and an urging member configured to urge the temperature detecting member toward the heating member. The holding member includes a through hole for leading out the signal line and a contact portion being in contact with the signal line at a position located, in a width direction of the belt, between the through hole and the temperature detecting member and located, in an urging direction of the urging member, at a same position with a connecting portion between the signal line and the temperature detecting member or at a position closer to the heating member than the connecting portion. 1. A fixing apparatus comprising:an endless belt;a heating member configured to heat the belt;a temperature detecting member comprising a detection unit being in contact with the heating member and configured to detect temperature of the heating member, and a signal line connected to the detection unit;a holding member provided on a side opposite to the heating member across the temperature detecting member and configured to hold the temperature detecting member; andan urging member provided between the holding member and the temperature detecting member and configured to urge the temperature detecting member toward the heating member,wherein the holding member comprises a through hole for leading out the signal line and a contact portion being in contact with the signal line at a position located, in a width direction of the belt, between the through hole and the temperature detecting member and located, in an urging direction of the urging member, at a same position with a connecting portion between the signal line and the temperature detecting member or at a position closer to the heating member than the ...

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that is endless and rotates in a rotation direction and a pressure rotator that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A flange is disposed opposite each lateral end of the fixing rotator in an axial direction of the fixing rotator and contacts an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The flange includes a first portion disposed farthest from the nip and a second portion disposed in proximity to the nip. The flange is inclined to define a distance from the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator to the flange in a separation direction in which the flange separates from the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The distance increases from the first portion to the second portion.

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A fixing device includes a roller member that rotates and a belt member including an endless belt that moves circularly while being in contact with the roller member, a pressing member that is disposed in a space enclosed by the endless belt and that presses the endless belt against the roller member on both a downstream side and an upstream side relative to a direction of rotation of the roller member, and a rotation hindering member that is disposed in the space enclosed by the endless belt and that hinders the pressing member from rotating as a result of receiving a reaction force. The roller member and the endless belt nip a sheet that has been transported while holding a toner image on the sheet and cause the sheet to pass between the roller member and the endless belt, so that the toner image is fixed onto the sheet. 1. A fixing device comprising:a roller member that rotates; anda belt member that includesan endless belt that moves circularly while being in contact with the roller member,a pressing member that is disposed in a space enclosed by the endless belt and that presses the endless belt against the roller member on both a downstream side and an upstream side relative to a direction of rotation of the roller member, anda rotation hindering member that is disposed in the space enclosed by the endless belt and that hinders the pressing member from rotating as a result of receiving a reaction force,wherein the roller member and the endless belt nip a sheet that has been transported while holding a toner image on the sheet and cause the sheet to pass between the roller member and the endless belt, so that the toner image on the sheet is fixed onto the sheet.2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , a first pressing member that presses the endless belt against the roller member on the downstream side relative to the direction of rotation of the roller member and', 'a second pressing member that presses the endless belt against the roller member on the ...

Belt-type transport device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

A belt-type transport device includes a belt, a pressure unit, a nip forming unit, a belt stretching roller, an inclination controller, a contact unit, and a support unit. The belt is an endless belt, has an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, and is to be rotated. The pressure unit is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the belt. The nip forming unit presses the belt against the pressure unit so as to form a nip through which a recording medium is to be transported. The belt stretching roller is disposed inside the belt and stretches the belt. The inclination controller controls inclination of the belt stretching roller. The contact unit is provided along a width direction of the belt and is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the belt. The support unit supports the contact unit such that the contact unit is able to follow inclination of the belt which is changed due to the inclination of the belt stretching roller.

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A fixing device includes a heating body, a pressuring body, a heating source, a guiding part, a temperature sensing part and a charging part. The heating source supplies the heating body heat used for heating the medium. The guiding part guides the medium to a nip between the heating body and the pressuring body, at an upstream side from the nip in a conveying direction of the medium. The temperature sensing part senses a temperature of the heating body. The charging part electrically discharges to electrically charge the heating body with the same polarity as toner, at an opposite side to the guiding part across the temperature sensing part. The charging part includes a discharging electrode electrically discharging toward the heating body facing to the discharging electrode and an enclosure wall supporting the discharging electrode, enclosing the discharging electrode and producing an electric field in cooperation with the discharging electrode. 1. A fixing device comprising:a heating body formed in a tube-like shape and, while rotating, heating a medium conveyed after a toner image is formed on the medium;a pressuring body formed in a tube-like shape and, while rotating, forming a nip in cooperation with the heating body and pressuring the medium by sandwiching the medium in cooperation with the heating body at the nip;a heating source supplying the heating body heat used when the heating body heats the medium;a guiding part positioned at an upstream side in a conveying direction of the medium with respect to the nip and guiding the medium being conveyed to the nip;a temperature sensing part positioned to face to the heating body and sensing a temperature of the heating body; anda charging part positioned at an opposite side to the guiding part across the temperature sensing part, being configured as a corotron type charging part electrically discharging to electrically charge the heating body with the same polarity as polarity of toner, and including: a ...

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

A fixing device includes a pressure applying unit that is provided facing a heating unit. The pressure applying unit includes an endless belt-shaped member that rotates by being driven by rotation of the heating unit, and a retainer that retains the endless belt-shaped member in a movable manner. The retainer has an upstream adjuster that is located at an upstream side of the endless belt-shaped member in a rotational direction thereof and that has a curved shape with a center, in a longitudinal direction of the retainer, which is a most bulging area from which the upstream adjuster decreases in height toward opposite ends of the upstream adjuster.

Fuser Including Endless Belt and Sliding Sheet

A fuser includes a rotatable member, a belt, a pressure member, and a sliding member. The pressure member sandwiches the belt together with the rotatable member to form a nip portion. The sliding member is sandwiched between an inner peripheral surface of the belt and the pressure member. The sliding member includes a front surface, which faces the inner peripheral surface of the belt. The front surface includes a plurality of first dimples and a plurality of second dimples. The first dimples are arranged in a zone corresponding to a first part of the nip portion. The second dimples are arranged in a zone corresponding to a second part of the nip portion, to which a pressure smaller than a pressure appled in the first part is applied. Each of the first dimples is of a shape that can release lubricant more easily than each of the second dimples. 1. A fuser comprising:a rotatable member; an inner peripheral surface, and', 'an outer peripheral surface facing the rotatable member;, 'a belt comprisinga heater configured to heat the rotatable member;a pressure member configured to, with the rotatable member, sandwich the belt to form a nip portion; anda sliding member, a portion of the sliding member configured to be sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the belt and the a surface of the pressure member at a position corresponding to the nip portion, the sliding member comprising a front surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the belt and a back surface facing the pressure member,wherein the front surface comprises a plurality of first dimples arranged in a first zone of the sliding member and a plurality of second dimples arranged in a second zone of the sliding member outside the first zone, the first zone corresponding to a first part of the nip portion, to which a first pressure is to be applied, and the second zone corresponding to a second part of the nip portion, to which a second pressure smaller than the first pressure is to be applied, ...

Pressure member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

A fixing device includes a rotatably-supported first fixing member and a second fixing member pressed against the first member. The second member includes a belt-shaped component, a support component, and a pressing component. The belt-shaped component extends in a width direction of a medium passing through a contact region between the belt-shaped component and the first member. The support component is disposed opposite the first member with the belt-shaped component interposed therebetween. The pressing component has a base end supported by the support component and a free end extending toward the contact region and presses the belt-shaped component against the first member. The pressing component has biasing portions arranged apart in the width direction and elastically deformable in correspondence with the medium thickness. The biasing portions are connected in the width direction by the free end. The free end is disposed at an upstream side in a medium transport direction.

IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS

An image heating apparatus a first rotatable member; a second rotatable member cooperative with the first rotatable member to form a heating nip; a first supporting plate supporting the second rotatable member; a second supporting plate rotatably supporting the second rotatable member; a heater unit including the second rotatable member, a heater configured to the heat the second rotatable member, a connector mounted to the heater by movement relative to the heater in a first direction, a stopper portion configured to stop the relative movement of the connector relative to the heater in the first direction, a blocking portion fixed on the first supporting plate. The blocking portion permits mounting of the heater unit with the connector being in the first position relative to the heater. The blocking portion prevents mounting of the heater unit with the connector being in the second position. 1. An image heating apparatus comprising:a first rotatable member;a second rotatable member cooperative with said first rotatable member to form a nip configured to heat a toner image on a recording material;a first supporting plate provided with a first groove portion rotatably supporting said second rotatable member at a first end portion side with respect to a longitudinal direction of said second rotatable member;a second supporting plate provided with a second groove portion rotatably supporting said second rotatable member at a second end portion side with respect to the longitudinal direction, the second end portion side is opposite to the first end side portion;a heater unit including said second rotatable member, a heater configured to the heat said second rotatable member, a connector mounted to said heater by movement relative to said heater in a first direction, a stopper portion configured to stop the relative movement of said connector relative to said heater in the first direction, heater unit is mounted on said first supporting plate and said second supporting ...

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

A fixing device includes a first rotator and a second rotator disposed opposite the first rotator. A heater heats one of the first rotator and the second rotator. A cleaner is disposed opposite the second rotator. A temperature detector is disposed opposite the second rotator at an opposed position being within an increased conveyance span where a first sheet is conveyed and being outboard from a decreased conveyance span in an axial direction of the second rotator where a second sheet smaller than the first sheet is conveyed. The temperature detector detects a temperature of the second rotator. A mover moves the cleaner between a contact position where the cleaner contacts the surface of the second rotator and a separation position where the cleaner separates from the surface of the second rotator based on the temperature of the second rotator, that is detected by the temperature detector.

Fixing Device

A fixing device includes a first pressure structure, a second pressure structure, a fixing member, a first arm, a second arm, and an elastic member. The fixing member is disposed between the first and second pressure structures. The first arm is pivotable about a first shaft and includes a first pressing portion and a first connection portion. The second arm is pivotable about a second shaft and includes a second pressing portion and a second connection portion. The elastic member biases the first and second pressing portions toward each other. A first leverage ratio of a distance between the first shaft and the first connection portion to a distance between the first shaft and the first pressing portion is different from a second leverage ratio of a distance between the second shaft and the second connection portion to a distance between the second shaft and the second pressing portion. 1. A fixing device comprising:a first pressure structure;a second pressure structure;a fixing member disposed between the first pressure structure and the second pressure structure;a heater configured to heat the fixing member; a first pressing portion configured to press the first pressure structure toward the fixing member; and', 'a first connection portion disposed opposite to the first shaft across the first pressing portion;, 'a first arm pivotable about a first shaft and including a second pressing portion configured to press the second pressure structure toward the fixing member; and', 'a second connection portion disposed opposite to the second shaft across the second pressing portion; and, 'a second arm pivotable about a second shaft and includingan elastic member connected to the first connection portion and the second connection portion and configured to bias the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion toward each other,wherein a first leverage ratio of a distance between the first shaft and the first connection portion to a distance between the first shaft ...

Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and fixing method

A fixing device includes a pair of fixing members disposed to face each other in a fixing area, a movable member movably supporting at least one of the fixing members between first and second positions, a driving device including a contact member and a drive source to move the movable member between the first and second positions, and a controller that controls the driving device, and if a temperature of the one of the fixing members is equal to or higher than a preset temperature when the driving device moves the movable member from the second position to the first position, changes the control to make driving force constantly exceed a rotational load of the driving device in accordance with advancement of a time of increase in the rotational load as compared with when the temperature of the one of the fixing members is lower than the preset temperature.

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME

A fixing device includes a rotator, an endless belt, and a nip formation pad. The endless belt contacts the rotator and rotates in a direction of rotation. The nip formation pad contacts an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the rotator that presses the endless belt against the nip formation pad. The nip formation pad includes a slide layer, a base layer, and a lubricant holding layer. The slide layer contacts the endless belt. The base layer is disposed away from the endless belt. The lubricant holding layer is interposed between the slide layer and the base layer to hold a lubricant inside the lubricant holding layer and supply the lubricant to the slide layer. The slide layer has a porous structure including a plurality of through holes in a thickness direction of the slide layer. 1. A fixing device comprising:a rotator rotatable in a direction of rotation;an endless belt to contact the rotator and rotate in a direction of rotation; anda nip formation pad to contact an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the rotator, the rotator pressing the endless belt against the nip formation pad, a slide layer to contact the endless belt;', 'a base layer disposed away from the endless belt; and', 'a lubricant holding layer interposed between the slide layer and the base layer to hold a lubricant inside the lubricant holding layer and supply the lubricant to the slide layer,', 'the slide layer having a porous structure including a plurality of through holes in a thickness direction of the slide layer., 'the nip formation pad including2. The fixing device according to claim 1 ,wherein the slide layer has an abrasion resistance.3. The fixing device according to claim 1 ,wherein the slide layer, the base layer, and the lubricant holding layer of the nip formation pad are integrally molded.4. The fixing device according to claim 1 ,wherein the slide ...

Fixing device and image forming apparataus

An image forming apparatus includes a forming part that forms an image on a ribbon-like medium that is being transported; and a fixing part disposed downstream of the forming part in a medium transport direction, the fixing part including multiple fixing members, which are arranged in the transport direction and fix the image to the medium by applying heat and pressure to the medium. An upstream-downstream tension difference, in the medium transport direction, of the fixing member located on the most upstream side in the transport direction is greater than those of the other fixing members in the medium transport direction.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a charging unit, an electrostatic charge image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit including a fixing belt, a pressurizing rotator that forms a nip by pressurizing an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt, a sliding member that slides on an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt in the nip, and a pressing member that presses the fixing belt in the direction of the pressurizing rotator, wherein a toner to be used includes a binder resin containing an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin and has specific physical properties described in the specification, and paraffin wax having a melting temperature of 60° C. to 80° C., and an absolute value of a difference between the melting temperature of the crystalline resin and the melting temperature of the paraffin wax is 10° C. or less. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image holding member;a charging unit configured to charge a surface of the image holding member;an electrostatic charge image forming unit configured to form an electrostatic charge image on a charged surface of the image holding member;a developing unit that includes an electrostatic charge image developer containing an electrostatic charge image developing toner, and the developing unit being configured to develop the electrostatic charge image on the surface of the image holding member to form a toner image;a transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image to a recording medium; anda fixing unit configured to fix the toner image onto the recording medium,wherein the fixing unit includes:a fixing belt;a pressurizing rotator configured to form a nip by pressurizing an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt;a sliding member configured to slide on an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt in the nip in a contact manner, anda pressing member configured to press the fixing belt in the direction of the pressurizing rotator, andwherein ...

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

When a roller faces a concave portion of an eccentric cam, a pressure roller is brought into press contact with a fixing roller at the spring pressure of a lower compression spring via a lever and an arm member. When the roller faces a maximum radius part, the pressure roller moves in a direction separating from the fixing roller via the lever and the arm member against the spring pressure of the lower compression spring.

Release sheet, fixing unit and manufacturing method of release sheet

A release sheet includes a support member including a positioning portion formed on a part, in a first direction along a longitudinal direction of the fixing belt, of the support member and configured to position the support member to a holding portion, that holds the fixing belt, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a release member fixed with the support member and including a front end portion that faces a surface of the fixing belt through a gap. One member among the support member and the release member includes an opening which is oblong in the second direction more than the first direction in order to adjust a distance between the front end portion and the positioning portion in the second direction.

Fuser Including Endless Belt and Lateral Guide Contacting Lateral End of Endless Belt

There is provided a fuser including: a cylindrical member; an endless belt; a pressing member; a pressing roller; and a lateral guide contacting a lateral end of the endless belt. A part of an outer circumferential surface of the pressing roller is located on a downstream of the second nip area in a first direction. A guide surface of the lateral guide has: a first guide surface located on an opposite side to the pressing roller with respect to a virtual plane including the center of a first nip area and the center of rotation of the cylindrical member, and a second guide surface located on a side of the pressing roller with respect to the virtual plane, located on the downstream side of the rotation axis of the pressing roller in the first direction, and arranged on a same plane as the first guide surface. 1. A fuser comprising:a cylindrical member;an endless belt including an outer circumferential surface contacting the cylindrical member;a pressing member contacting an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and sandwiching the endless belt together with the cylindrical member so as to form a first nip area;a pressing roller contacting the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and sandwiching the endless belt together with the cylindrical member so as to form a second nip area; and wherein a part of an outer circumferential surface of the pressing roller is located on a downstream of the second nip area in a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to a rotation axis of the pressing roller and directing from a center of the first nip area toward a center of rotation of the cylindrical member, and', the first guide surface being located such that the pressing member is located between the pressing roller and the first guide surface in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being perpendicular to the rotational axis and the first direction and', 'the second guide surface being located such that the pressing ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an image former which forms an image on a recording medium; a pressure member; a fixing member which is pressed against the pressure member to form a nip portion and comes into contact with the unfixed image formed on the recording medium conveyed at the nip portion; and a hardware processor which causes one member, either the pressure member or the fixing member, to function as a driving member which conveys the recording medium in a normal mode and causes the other member of the pressure member and the fixing member to perform an assist operation for reducing torque of the driving member compared to the normal mode to increase gloss of the image in a high-gloss mode. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image former which forms an image on a recording medium;a pressure member;a fixing member which is pressed against said pressure member to form a nip portion and comes into contact with said unfixed image formed on said recording medium conveyed at said nip portion; anda hardware processor which causes one member, either said pressure member or said fixing member, to function as a driving member which conveys said recording medium in a normal mode and causes the other member of said pressure member and said fixing member to perform an assist operation for reducing torque of said driving member compared to said normal mode to increase gloss of said image in a high-gloss mode.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein said hardware processor causes the other member to perform either said assist operation or a brake operation for increasing torque of said driving member compared to said normal mode to increase gloss of said image in said high-gloss mode.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 ,wherein said hardware processor switches the other member between said assist operation and said brake operation according to a predetermined condition.4. The image forming ...

FUSING ROLLER WITH VARIABLE HEATING

A fuser unit for a hot fuse printer system includes a heating roller having a heating element which does not extend the entire length of the roller. The roller may include at least two heating elements, one of which heats a first heating zone and the other which heats a second heating zone. 1. A fuser unit for a hot fuse printer system , the fuser unit comprising a heating roller or belt having a heating element which does not extend the entire length of the roller or width of the belt.2. The fuser unit of wherein the roller or belt comprises at least two heating elements claim 1 , one of which heats at least a first heating zone and the other which heats at least a second heating zone.3. The fuser unit of wherein are three or more heating elements which correspond to three or more heating zones.4. The fuser unit of wherein the heating zones overlap but are not contiguous.5. The fuser unit of wherein each of the heating zones are centred on the roller but have different lengths.6. The fuser unit of wherein each of the heating zones are right or left justified but have different lengths.7. The fuser unit of further comprising a temperature sensor positioned just outside each heating zone.8. The fuser unit of further comprising a heating element switch controller operatively connected to each heating element claim 2 , configured to switch on or off each heating element.9. The fuser unit of further comprising a heating element switch controller operatively connected to each temperature sensor claim 7 , configured to switch on or off each heating element in response to the temperature of the roller in each heating zone.10. A method of hot fuse printing on media narrower than the length of a heating roller or width of a belt claim 7 , comprising the step of installing a heating roller having a heating element substantially the same length as the width of the print media.11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the heating roller or belt comprises a plurality of heating ...

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A fixing device () includes a fixing member (), a pressing member (), a rotation detector (), and an auxiliary driving part (). The fixing member (), with rotating around an axis, heats a toner image on a medium (S). The pressing member (), with rotating around an axis, forms a pressing area (N) with the fixing member () and presses toner on the medium (S) passing through the pressing area (N). The rotation detector (), when the medium (S) stops while being sandwiched between the fixing member () and the pressing member (), detects rotation of the fixing member () or the pressing member () generated in a process of extracting the medium (S) toward an upstream side or a downstream side in a passing direction. The auxiliary driving part (), while the medium (S) is being extracted, determines a rotating direction of the fixing member () or the pressing member () based on a detection result by the rotation detector (), and rotates the fixing member () or the pressing member () in the rotating direction. 1. A fixing device comprising:a fixing member, with rotating around an axis thereof, heating a toner image on a medium;a pressing member, with rotating around an axis thereof, forming a pressing area with the fixing member and pressing toner on the medium passing through the pressing area;a rotation detector, when the medium stops while being sandwiched between the fixing member and the pressing member, detecting rotation of the fixing member or the pressing member generated in a process of extracting the medium toward an upstream side or a downstream side in a passing direction;an auxiliary driving part, while the medium is being extracted, determining a rotating direction of the fixing member or the pressing member based on a detection result by the rotation detector, and rotating the fixing member or the pressing member in the rotating direction;a pressure adjusting part pressurizing the pressing area by moving one of the fixing member and the pressing member in a ...

FIXING DEVICE

A fixing device includes a heat generating member extending in a longitudinal direction and having a first region and a second region, an endless belt, an opposing member opposing the endless belt, a heat conductive member extending in the longitudinal direction within the first region in which a surface of the heat conductive member contacts the heat generating member, a positioning portion extending from an end portion of the surface, an electric power shut-off member provided at a position corresponding to the second region, and a supporting member provided with an opening at a position corresponding to the second region and configured to support the heat generating member through the heat conductive member. The opening is configured to permit insertion of the positioning portion to prevent movement of the heat conductive member. 1. A fixing device comprising:an elongated heat generating member extending in a longitudinal direction and having a first region and a second region different in the longitudinal direction;an endless belt rotatable in contact with said heat generating member;an opposing member opposing said endless belt and configured to form a nip in cooperation with said endless belt so that a recording material on which a toner image is carried is nipped and fed in the nip;a heat conductive member extending in the longitudinal direction within the first region in which a surface of said heat conductive member contacts said heat generating member;a positioning portion extending from an end portion of the surface of said heat conductive member with respect to the longitudinal direction, in a direction in which said positioning portion is spaced from said heat generating member;an electric power shut-off member provided at a position corresponding to the second region of said heat generating member and configured to shut off electric power supplied to said heat generating member; anda supporting member provided with an opening at a position ...

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A fixing device includes an endless belt, a pressure rotator that contacts the endless belt, a nip formation pad in the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator, a heater in the endless belt to heat the endless belt, a stay to support the nip formation pad, a contact-separation mechanism that presses the nip formation pad against the pressure rotator in a releasable manner, a holder movable between a nip formation position and a release position to support the stay, and an adjustment mechanism. The holder is provided with a slot to support the heater, and the adjustment mechanism makes a distance between the heater and the nip formation pad when the holder is at the nip formation position larger than a distance between the heater and the nip formation pad when the holder is at the release position. 1. A fixing device for an image forming apparatus , comprising:an endless belt;a pressure rotator that contacts the endless belt;a nip formation pad enclosed in a loop formed by the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator when the pressure rotator contacts the endless belt;a heater enclosed in the loop formed by the endless belt, to heat the endless belt;a stay to support the nip formation pad;a contact-separation mechanism that presses the nip formation pad against the pressure rotator in a releasable manner;a holder disposed on an outer side in a width direction of the endless belt and movable between a nip formation position and a release position to limit movement of the endless belt in the width direction and support the stay, the holder provided with a slot to support the heater relatively movable with respect to the holder; andan adjustment mechanism to make a distance between the heater and the nip formation pad when the holder is at the nip formation position larger than a distance between the heater and the nip formation pad when the holder is at the release position.2. The ...

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A fixing device includes: a fixing belt with no ends configured to stretch rotatably; a heating unit configured to heat the fixing belt; a fixing member disposed outside the fixing belt and configured to be in contact with the fixing belt by pressurizing; a pressing member disposed inside the fixing belt and configured to press the fixing member with the fixing belt involved; and a lubricant supply unit configured to supply a lubricant to the inner periphery of the fixing belt so as to supply the lubricant between the pressing member and the fixing belt, wherein the lubricant supply unit is disposed inside the fixing belt, configured to hold the lubricant, and includes a holding unit provided with a lubricant ejection port having a longitudinal shape and extending along a width direction of the fixing belt. 1. A fixing device comprising:a fixing belt with no ends configured to stretch rotatably;a heating unit configured to heat the fixing belt;a fixing member disposed outside the fixing belt and configured to be in contact with the fixing belt by pressurizing;a pressing member disposed inside the fixing belt and configured to press the fixing member with the fixing belt involved; anda lubricant supply unit configured to supply a lubricant to the inner periphery of the fixing belt so as to supply the lubricant between the pressing member and the fixing belt, whereinthe lubricant supply unit is disposed inside the fixing belt, configured to hold the lubricant, and includes a holding unit provided with a lubricant ejection port having a longitudinal shape and extending along a width direction of the fixing belt.2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , whereinthe holding unit is provided to the fixing belt without being in contact with the fixing belt.3. The fixing device according to claim 1 , whereinin the width direction of the fixing belt, an amount of the lubricant to be ejected from a central part of the lubricant ejection port is larger than an amount of the ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL PROGRAM

Provided is an image forming apparatus and a control program. A fixer includes a first roller which includes an elastic layer having a predetermined thickness in a surface, a second roller which includes an elastic layer having a thickness smaller than that of the first roller in a surface, a fixing belt which is laid across the first roller and forms a fixing nip portion between the second roller and the fixing belt, and first and second drive motors that drive the first and second rollers, respectively. A hardware processor controls a drive current of the first drive motor so that an electromotive current generated in the second drive motor has a predetermined value in a case where the first roller is rotatively driven by the first drive motor and the second roller is caused to rotate as a follower of the first roller and the fixing belt. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image former that forms a toner image on a paper sheet;a fixer that includes a first roller that includes an elastic layer having a predetermined thickness in a surface, a second roller that includes an elastic layer having a thickness smaller than that of the first roller in a surface, a fixing belt that is laid across the first roller and forms a fixing nip portion between the second roller and the fixing belt by being brought into contact with the second roller under pressure, a first drive motor that drives the first roller, and a second drive motor that drives the second roller, the fixer fixing a toner image on the paper sheet; anda hardware processor that:controls a drive current of the first drive motor so that an electromotive current generated in the second drive motor has a predetermined value in a case where the first roller is rotatively driven by the first drive motor and the second roller is caused to rotate as a follower of the first roller and the fixing belt.2. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image former that forms a toner image on a paper sheet;a fixer that ...

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an image fixing unit to pass a sheet carrying an unfixed toner image on a first side. The image fixing unit includes: a first fixing section adjacent to the first side of the sheet; a first heating section to heat the first fixing section; a second fixing section adjacent to a second side opposite to the first side of the sheet; and a second heating section to heat the second fixing section. The image forming apparatus further includes: sheet feeding trays holding sheets; a storage unit storing fixing temperatures of the fixing sections preset for each type of the sheets in the sheet feeding trays; and a controller to select standby temperatures from the fixing temperatures, based on temperature profiles of the fixing sections, and to instruct the heating sections to respectively maintain the fixing sections at the selected standby temperatures during a standby mode.

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME

A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a hollow pressure rotator, a heater, a holder, and a bearing. The pressure rotator is configured to contact the fixing rotator. The heater is disposed inside the pressure rotator. The holder is configured to hold the pressure rotator and the heater. The bearing is configured to rotatably support the pressure rotator. The holder includes a curved face contact portion having a curved face conforming to an outer circumferential surface of the bearing to contact the bearing. The bearing includes a flange. The flange is configured to divide the bearing into an inboard area and an outboard area in an axial direction of the pressure rotator. The inboard area and the outboard area are asymmetrical. 1. A fixing device comprising:a fixing rotator;a hollow pressure rotator configured to contact the fixing rotator;a heater disposed inside the pressure rotator;a holder configured to hold the pressure rotator and the heater; anda bearing configured to rotatably support the pressure rotator,the holder including a curved face contact portion having a curved face conforming to an outer circumferential surface of the bearing to contact the bearing,the bearing including a flange,the flange being configured to divide the bearing into an inboard area and an outboard area in an axial direction of the pressure rotator,the inboard area and the outboard area being asymmetrical.2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , an outboard area contact portion configured to contact the outboard area defined by the flange of the bearing; and', 'an inboard area contact portion configured to contact the inboard area defined by the flange of the bearing,, 'wherein the holder includeswherein the outboard area contact portion is configured to contact the outer circumferential surface of the bearing along the axial direction of the pressure rotator, andwherein the inboard area contact portion is configured to contact a surface of the bearing perpendicular to the ...

HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A heating device includes a sleeve-shaped flexible fixing rotator, a heater to contact an inner surface of the fixing rotator, a pressure rotator pressed against the heater via the fixing rotator to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, a thermometer to detect a temperature of the heater, and a pressing force switching mechanism to switch a pressing force between the heater and the pressure rotator. The pressing force switching mechanism switches the pressing force between the heater and the pressure rotator in at least two stages, a standard force when the temperature of the heater detected by the thermometer increases and reaches a predetermined temperature and before the medium to be heated passes through the nip, and a reduced force smaller than the standard force when the temperature of the heater detected by the thermometer is lower than the predetermined temperature. 1. A heating device comprising:a sleeve-shaped flexible fixing rotator;a heater configured to contact an inner surface of the fixing rotator;a pressure rotator pressed against the heater via the fixing rotator to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, through which a medium to be heated by the heater is conveyed;a thermometer configured to detect a temperature of the heater; and a standard force when the temperature of the heater detected by the thermometer increases and reaches a predetermined temperature and before the medium to be heated passes through the nip, and', 'a reduced force smaller than the standard force when the temperature of the heater detected by the thermometer is lower than the predetermined temperature., 'a pressing force switching mechanism configured to switch a pressing force between the heater and the pressure rotator in at least two stages2. The heating device according to claim 1 ,wherein the heater includes a heat generation pattern including a resistance heat generator, and a part of the heat generation pattern ...

전자사진 장치의 정착불량 방지 장치 및 방법

본 발명은 전자사진 장치의 정착불량을 방지하기 위하여 전자사진 장치가 저온저습한 환경일때 워밍업 시간을 길게 하여 발열롤러를 정착가능한 온도까지 가열시키는데 그 목적이 있다. 이를 위한 본 발명은 감광드럼에 형성된 정전잠상에 토너를 분사하고, 토너에 의해 현상된 가시상을 전사롤러에서 인쇄용지에 전사하고, 인쇄용지에 전사된 가시상을 정착기에서 열과 압력으로 정착시키는 전자사진 장치의 정착불량 방지방법에 있어서 : 전자사진 장치에 전원이 투입되면, 전사롤러의 주위 온도와 습도에 따른 전사롤러 자체의 저항값을 측정하여 전압을 측정하고, 전사롤러의 측정된 전압과 기 설정된 기준전압을 비교하며, 전사롤러의 주위환경이 저온저습한 상태가 아니면, 기 설정된 제1워밍업 시간동안 정착기를 발열시키고, 전사롤러의 주위환경이 저온저습한 상태이면, 기 설정된 제2워밍업 시간동안 정착기를 발열시키며, 정착기를 소정시간동안 발열시킨 후 인쇄명령이 접수되면, 감광드럼과 전사롤러를 제어하여 인쇄용지에 전사화상을 융착시켜 인쇄하는 것을 특징으로 한다. 이상에서와 같이, 본 발명에 따른 전자사진 장치의 정착불량 방지방법에 의하면, 저온저습한 환경에서 장시간 방치되었던 복사기 또는 레이저 프린터등과 같은 전자사진 장치에 전원을 공급하여 워밍업을 시작하는 경우, 또는 저온저습한 환경에서 소정시간 이상 방치되었다가 대기모드에서 재작동할때, 정착기의 발열램프를 발열시키는 워밍업시간을 저온저습한 상태가 아닐때보다 좀더 길게하여 화상의 정착불량을 방지할 수 있는 이점이 있다.

Fuser and imaging device

Belt conveying device and image heating device

画像形成装置

【課題】残留したシートを除去する場合の作業性を向上する。【解決手段】加熱部材と加圧部材とを有する本体部と、本体部に設けられ、係合位置と載置位置との間を揺動可能な外装カバーと、を備えた画像形成装置であって、定着部と外装カバーの間に設けられ、本体部に設けられ、案内位置と退避位置との間を揺動可能な搬送ガイドと、搬送ガイドに設けられ、本体部に対して解除可能に係合して搬送ガイドを案内位置に保持する解除レバーと、搬送ガイドの解除レバーより鉛直方向下側に設けられ、加熱部材に対して加圧部材を、第一の押圧力より小さい第二の押圧力で押圧する押圧位置に移動させる操作レバーと、搬送ガイドの解除レバーと操作レバーの間に設けられ、外装カバー側に向けて垂直方向に突出した第一の突出部と、第一の突出部の操作レバー側に設けられ、操作レバー側に突出した第二の突出部であって、垂直方向において第一の突出部の外装カバー側の端部より搬送ガイド側の位置に設けられた第二の突出部と、を備えた。【選択図】 図７

Fusing device and image forming apparatus and method using the same

무단벨트 방식의 정착 유니트 및 이를 채용한 화상형성장치가 개시되어 있다. An endless belt type fixing unit and an image forming apparatus employing the same. 이 개시된 정착 유니트는, 화상형성장치의 인쇄경로 상에 마련되어 인쇄매체에 전사된 화상을 정착시키는 것으로, 가열롤러와; 가열롤러에 대향되게 배치되는 것으로, 급송되는 인쇄매체를 가열롤러와 함께 가압하는 가압롤러와; 가열롤러에 대향되게 배치되는 것으로, 급송되는 인쇄매체를 분리하는 분리롤러와; 가압롤러와 분리롤러에 감기며, 가열롤러에 접촉되는 정착 닙을 형성하는 정착가압벨트와; 가압롤러를 가열롤러 방향으로 제1선을 따라 가압하는 제1가압부재와; 분리롤러를 가열롤러 방향으로 가압하는 제2가압부재를 포함하는 것을 특징으로 한다. The disclosed fixing unit fixes an image transferred onto a printing medium, which is provided on a printing path of the image forming apparatus, and includes a heating roller; A pressing roller disposed opposite to the heating roller and pressurizing the fed printing medium with the heating roller; A separating roller arranged to face the heating roller and separating the fed print medium; A fixing pressure belt wound around the pressure roller and the separation roller and forming a fixing nip contacting the heating roller; A first pressing member for pressing the pressure roller along the first line in the direction of the heating roller; And a second pressing member for pressing the separation roller toward the heating roller. 여기서, 제1선은 상기 가압롤러의 중심을 지나며 제2선에 대하여 상기 분리롤러 쪽으로 소정 각 θ 1 을 이루는 선이고, 상기 제2선은 상기 가열롤러의 중심과 상기 가압롤러의 중심을 연결한 선이다. Here, the first line is a line passing through the center of the pressure roller and forming a predetermined angle? 1 toward the separation roller with respect to the second line, and the second line is a line connecting the center of the heating roller and the center of the pressure roller It is a line.

Image heating apparatus

화상 가열 장치는 닙에서 기록 매체 상의 화상을 가열하는 가열 회전 부재와; 상기 가열 회전 부재와 협동하여 상기 닙을 형성하는 벨트와; 폭 방향으로 상기 벨트를 선회시키는 선회 수단과; 상기 가열 회전 부재의 회전 속도를 제어하는 제어 수단을 포함하고; 상기 벨트는, 벨트가 상기 가열 회전 부재와 접촉한 상태로 화상 가열 동작이 가능한 접촉 위치와, 벨트가 상기 가열 회전 부재로부터 후퇴되는 후퇴 위치 사이에서 이동 가능하고; 상기 제어 수단은, 상기 선회 수단이 상기 벨트를 선회시키는 동안, 상기 벨트가 상기 가열 회전 부재와 접촉하게 될 때 상기 가열 회전 부재를 비교적 저속으로 회전시키고, 가열 동작이 시작되기 전에 상기 가열 회전 부재의 회전 속도를 증가시킨다. The image heating apparatus includes a heating rotating member for heating an image on the recording medium in the nip; A belt cooperating with said heating rotating member to form said nip; Turning means for turning the belt in the width direction; Control means for controlling the rotational speed of the heating rotating member; The belt is movable between a contact position where an image heating operation is possible with the belt in contact with the heating rotating member, and a retracted position where the belt is retracted from the heating rotating member; The control means rotates the heating rotation member at a relatively low speed when the belt comes into contact with the heating rotation member while the turning means pivots the belt, and before the heating operation is started, Increase the rotation speed 화상 가열 장치, 가열 회전 부재, 닙, 벨트, 선회 수단, 제어 수단 Image heating apparatus, heating rotating member, nip, belt, turning means, control means

Image forming apparatus

Heating device and fixing device

A CPU detects a temperature of a central part of a heating roller. If the detected temperature does not exceed 180° C., the CPU drives a central coil or a side-end coil for 0.4 second in accordance with a temperature difference between the central part of the heating roller and a side-end part of the heating roller. Then, the CPU drives the side-end coil or central coil for 0.2 second. Thereafter, the CPU detects the temperature of the central part and repeats the driving control until the detected temperature reaches 180° C.

Heater temperature control method of image forming apparatus

1. 청구범위에 기재된 발명이 속한 기술분야 1. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 전자사진 현상방식을 채용한 화상형성장치에서 기록매체상의 현상제를 정착시키기 위한 히터의 온도를 제어하는 방법에 관한 것이다. A method of controlling the temperature of a heater for fixing a developer on a recording medium in an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic developing method. 2. 발명이 해결하려고 하는 기술적 과제 2. The technical problem to be solved by the invention 연속 프린트시에 기록매체로 인한 히터의 온도 저하를 보상하여 정착성을 향상시킬 수 있는 히터온도 제어방법을 제공한다. Provided is a heater temperature control method that can improve the fixing property by compensating for the temperature drop of the heater caused by the recording medium during continuous printing. 3. 발명의 해결방법의 요지 3. Summary of Solution to Invention 연속 프린트시 히터에 대한 제어기준이 되는 프린트 제어온도를 규정된 프린트온도보다 높게 상승시키고, 히터의 온도를 상승된 프린트 제어온도에 수렴하도록 제어하여, 히터의 온도가 기록매체로 인해 저하되는 것을 보상한다. Compensates that the temperature of the heater decreases due to the recording medium by increasing the print control temperature, which is a control standard for the heater, at a continuous printing higher than the prescribed print temperature and converging the heater temperature to the elevated print control temperature. do. 4. 발명의 중요한 용도 4. Important uses of the invention 전자사진 현상방식을 채용한 복사기, 프린터, 팩시밀리 등과 같은 화상형성장치에 이용한다. It is used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc. employing an electrophotographic developing method.

Directly Heating Roller For Fixing a Toner Image And Manufacturing Method thereof

본 발명은 토너 화상 정착을 위한 직접 가열 롤러 및 그 제조 방법에 관한 것으로서, 본 발명의 장치는 도전성의 원통형 롤러 몸체와, 상기 롤러 몸체에 상기 도전성 몸체의 탄성한계온도 이하인 제 1 온도로 소성되어 형성되는 절연층과, 상기 절연층 위에 상기 제 1 온도 보다 낮은 제 2 온도로 소성되어 형성되는 발열층과, 상기 발열층 위에 형성된 보호층과, 상기 발열층 양단에 형성된 전극을 포함한다. The present invention relates to a direct heating roller for fixing a toner image and a method of manufacturing the same. The apparatus includes a conductive cylindrical roller body, a roller body having a first temperature lower than an elastic limit temperature of the conductive body, A heating layer formed on the insulating layer by being fired at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, a protective layer formed on the heating layer, and an electrode formed on both ends of the heating layer. 따라서, 본 발명에서는 롤러 표면에 발열층을 후막형태로 균일하게 형성함으로써 양산성 및 온도 균일성이 향상되고, 단시간 내에 동작온도로 상승되므로 초기 구동시 필요한 워밍-업 시간을 줄일 수 있어서 토너정착장치의 전력소모를 줄일 수 있다. Therefore, in the present invention, since the heat generating layer is uniformly formed on the surface of the roller in the form of a thick film, the mass productivity and the temperature uniformity are improved and the operation temperature is raised within a short time, Can be reduced.

Apparatus for forming image on the print media

본 발명은 소정 이미지에 대해 전사된 인쇄 토너를 인쇄 용지에 정착시키기 위한 장치에 관한 것으로, 보다 구체적으로 정착기의 복수의 단자들 중 선택된 인쇄 용지 크기에 상응하는 단자에 변압기로부터 생성된 유도 전류를 입력하여 정착기의 가열 범위를 제어할 수 있는 정착 장치에 관한 것이다. 본 발명에 따른 정착 장치는 소정의 교류 전류를 입력받아 상응하는 제1 유도 전류를 생성하는 전원공급부, 상기 생성된 제1 유도 전류에 의해 발열되고, 상기 생성된 열을 이용하여 상기 토너를 인쇄 용지에 정착하는 정착부 및 상기 인쇄 용지 크기에 따라 상기 정착부에 제공되는 상기 제1 유도 전류를 제어하는 제어부를 포함하는 것을 특징으로 한다. The present invention relates to an apparatus for fixing a printing toner transferred to a predetermined image on a printing paper. More specifically, the induced current generated from the transformer is input to a terminal corresponding to a selected printing paper size among a plurality of terminals of the fixing unit. It relates to a fixing device that can control the heating range of the fixing unit. The fixing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a power supply unit for receiving a predetermined alternating current to generate a corresponding first induced current, and being heated by the generated first induced current, and printing the toner using the generated heat. And a control unit controlling the first induced current provided to the fixing unit according to the fixing unit fixed to the printing paper and the size of the printing paper.

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

定影装置(7)具有定影部件(21)、加压部件(22)、旋转检测部(41)和辅助驱动部(42)。定影部件(21)一边绕轴旋转一边对介质(S)上的调色剂图像进行加热。加压部件(22)一边绕轴旋转一边与定影部件(21)之间形成加压区域(N)，并对通过加压区域(N)的介质(S)上的调色剂进行加压。旋转检测部(41)在介质(S)在被定影部件(21)和加压部件(22)夹持的状态下停止的情况下，对在将介质(S)朝着通过方向的上游侧或下游侧抽出的过程中所产生的定影部件(21)或加压部件(22)的旋转进行检测。辅助驱动部(42)在介质(S)的抽出持续着的情况下，根据旋转检测部(41)的检测结果，判别定影部件(21)或加压部件(22)的旋转方向，并使定影部件(21)或加压部件(22)沿该旋转方向旋转。

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form a color toner image using a color toner and a transparent layer using a transparent toner on a sheet of recording media, a sheet conveyance unit to transport the sheet, a 3D display lens forming unit disposed downstream from the image forming unit in a sheet conveyance direction, and a controller. The 3D display lens forming unit includes a shaping member including an uneven portion having predetermined surface unevenness, and a pressure member to press the shaping member against the sheet, forming a shaping nip between the shaping member and the pressure member. The 3D display lens forming unit shapes the transparent layer that is an outermost layer on the sheet into a stereoscopic display lens by transferring the surface unevenness of the uneven portion of the shaping member to the transparent layer formed on the sheet.

Method and Apparatus for controlling temperature of the fusing system in image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus having it

본 발명은 화상형성장치의 정착기 온도제어 방법 및 장치와 이를 구비하는 화상형성장치에 관한 것으로서, 그 정착기 온도 제어방법은 플리커 개선을 위해 점진적으로 전력공급량을 늘려나가는 소프트 스타트(Soft start)구간, 전력이 최대로 공급되는 풀 턴온(Full turn on) 구간, 플리커 개선을 위해 점진적으로 전력공급량을 줄이는 소프트 엔드(Soft end) 구간으로 구성되고, 전체적으로 화상형성장치의 정착기에 대한 플리커 특성과 하모닉 특성이 소정의 규격을 만족하면서 일정량의 전력이 공급되도록 프로파일화된 전력캡슐을 생성하는 단계; 정착기의 온도를 검출하는 단계; 및 정착기의 기준온도에 대한 상기 검출된 정착기 온도의 온도변화량에 따라 상기 전력캡슐에 상응하는 전력 제어를 수행하여 정착기의 온도를 제어하는 단계를 포함하는 것을 특징으로 한다. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device temperature control method and apparatus for an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus having the fixing device temperature controlling method and device. The fixing device temperature control method includes a soft start period in which a power supply amount is gradually increased for flicker improvement, A full turn on period which is maximally supplied and a soft end period in which the power supply amount is gradually reduced in order to improve the flicker. The flicker characteristic and the harmonic characteristic of the fixing device of the image forming apparatus as a whole are predetermined Generating a profiled power capsule such that a predetermined amount of power is supplied while satisfying a specification of the power capsule; Detecting a temperature of the fixing device; And controlling the temperature of the fixing device by performing power control corresponding to the power capsule according to the detected temperature change amount of the fixing device temperature with respect to the reference temperature of the fixing device. 본 발명에 의하면, 정착기 온도 제어에 있어서 갈수록 강화되는 플리커 특성과 하모닉 특성에 대한 규격을 만족하면서 정착기의 온도를 제어할 수 있다. According to the present invention, the temperature of the fixing device can be controlled while satisfying the specifications for the flicker characteristic and the harmonic characteristic, which are increasingly enhanced in the temperature control of the fixing device.

Multicolor image forming device

Selective item fixing device

本发明揭示了一种选项定影装置U3,该装置可与下列类型的成像装置U1可拆卸地连接,即在该类型成像装置U1中,在光敏部件PR表面上生成的调色剂图像被转印到记录纸上,该调色剂图像由设置在成像装置U1内的定影单元F’定影到记录纸上,并且上面有被定影的调色剂图像的记录纸通过出纸口Ka被输出。该选项定影装置包括:入纸口2a;第一输纸通道SH6,其接收通过入纸口2a输入的记录纸S并输出记录纸S,而无需使记录纸S途经定影单元F;第二输纸通道SH7,其使记录纸S途经定影单元F,然后输出记录纸S;以及定影单元F,用于对途经和沿着第二输纸通道SH7输送的记录纸S上的调色剂图像进行熔融和定影。

Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus

본 발명은 기록 매체 상의 반용융 현상제가 상부 회전체의 표면 또는 정착 장치가 설비된 화상 형성 장치에 부착되는 것을 용이하게 방지하도록 구성된 정착 장치의 제공을 목적으로 한다. An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing apparatus configured to easily prevent the semi-melt developer on a recording medium from being attached to the surface of the upper rotating body or to an image forming apparatus equipped with a fixing apparatus. 이 목적은, 정착 처리된 용지가 용지의 표면과 평행한 평면 상에 있고 정착 롤러 및 가압 롤러의 회전 축방향에 대해 소정각(θ)으로 경사진 평면 상에 있는 회전 축방향을 갖는 핀치 롤러로부터의 이송력을 수용하도록 정착 장치를 구성함으로써 성취된다. The purpose is to obtain from a pinch roller having a rotation axis direction in which the fixed sheet is on a plane parallel to the surface of the paper and on a plane inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the rotation axis direction of the fixing roller and the pressure roller. This is achieved by configuring the fixing device to accommodate the conveying force of the.

Fixing device and image forming device

一种定影装置及装载该定影装置的图像形成装置，其中，所述定影装置具有：热定影辊(1)，其表面覆盖弹性材料(1c)，内置加热源(1a)；加压辊(2)，压靠热定影辊(1)；耐热带(3)，卷绕在加压辊(2)外周，被夹持在所述加压辊(2)和热定影辊(1)间移动；带张紧部件(4)，张紧支撑耐热带(3)，这种定影装置对薄片材料(5)上的未定影调色剂图像(5a)进行定影，而且，带张紧部件(4)配置在相对热定影辊(1)和加压辊(2)的压靠处的耐热带移动方向上游侧、从压靠处切线L的热定影辊(1)侧，将耐热带(3)卷绕在热定影辊外周，形成夹持区。它能够使热辊型定影装置结构简单、小型，并且降低成本，能够缩短预热时间，减小薄片材料所受压力，抑制排出的薄片材料产生卷曲或褶皱等薄片材料的变形。

Power supply control method for heat sources of printing press and power supply control device

인쇄기의 열원들에 대한 전력공급 제어방법 및 그 전력공급제어장치가 개시된다. 전력공급 제어장치는 공급전력에 의해 발열하는 다수의 열원을 갖는 발열부와, 전원공급장치와, 전원공급장치로부터 열원들 각각으로의 전력을 공급 및 차단할 수 있도록 설치된 다수의 스위치소자를 갖는 스위치부와, 열원들 각각에 대응되는 열공급대상체들에 대한 발열온도를 감지하여 그에 대응하는 신호를 출력하는 감열센서들과, 열원들과 짝을 이루는 상기 감열센서들의 출력신호를 판독하여, 상기 열공급대상체들의 발열온도가 각각 설정된 온도범위내에서 유지될 수 있도록 상기 스위치부를 제어하되, 열원들 모두에 동시에 전력이 투입되는 기간이 발생하지 않도록 각 열원들 상호 간의 전력투입 온시기를 조정하는 전력공급 제어부;를 구비한다. 이러한 인쇄기의 열원들에 대한 전력공급 제어방법 및 그 전력공급 제어장치에 의하면, 구비된 열원들의 최대소비전력을 줄일 수 있다. 따라서, 전원공급장치의 전력공급 용량 및 전력공급선의 허용전류량이 줄어든다.

Fixing device

Fixing apparatus and electrophotographic image forming apparatus having ceramic heater having electrically insulating layer with high thermal conductivity

기록 매체 상의 미정착 화상을 가열하기 위한 정착장치용 히터로서, 100 W/mㆍK 이상의 높은 열전도도의 전기절연층을 갖는 정착장치용 히터; 및 이를 채용한 정착 장치 및 전자사진 화상형성장치가 개시된다.

Fusing apparatus and method for liquid toner electrophotography using multiple stations having different prefusing and fusing temperatures

A fusing apparatus for fixing images made from a liquid toner onto a substrate using an electrophotographic process, the apparatus including a prefusing roller, a backup roller positioned to create a first nip area between the prefusing roller and the backup roller, and a fusing roller positioned to create a second nip area between the fusing roller and the backup roller, wherein at least one of the prefusing roller and the backup roller is heated to a temperature that provides a prefusing temperature within the first nip area, and wherein at least one of the fusing roller and the backup roller is heated to a temperature that provides a fusing temperature in the second nip area that is different than the prefusing temperature of the first nip area.

Device and method for fixing toner image and making it glossy

(57)【要約】 【課題】 オフセットの発生の危険性がない動作条件の 範囲を広くすると同時に、未定着トナー画像を基体に定 着することができ、単一装置内で所望の光沢水準を与え ることができる、装置及び方法を提供する。 【解決手段】 未定着トナー画像（42）を担持する基体 （40）は、入口（16）から出口（18）へ連続的に延伸す る接触区域（Z1）を介して送られる。この区域は、エン ドレス表面（12）及び反応表面（14）が向かい合って圧 力接触することにより画定される。入口（16）に隣接す るエンドレス表面（12）は、50 Pa・sより小さくなるま でトナーの粘性率を減少させるのに十分な温度に加熱さ れる。エンドレス表面（12）は、入口（16）と出口（1 8）の中間部でトナーのガラス転移点Ｔgより低い温度に 強制冷却される。

Fusing device and image forming apparatus using the same

화상형성장치의 인쇄경로 상에 마련되어, 기록재에 전사된 화상을 정착시키는 정착유니트 및 이를 채용한 화상형성장치가 개시되어 있다. A fixing unit provided on a printing path of an image forming apparatus and fixing an image transferred to a recording material, and an image forming apparatus employing the same are disclosed. 이 개시된 정착유니트는 열원과; 상기 열원에서 발생된 열에 의해 표면이 가열되는 가열롤러와; 상기 가열롤러에 대향되게 배치되는 것으로, 급송되는 기록재를 상기 가열롤러와 함께 가압하는 복수의 가압롤러와; 상기 복수의 가압롤러 외부에 감기며, 상기 가열롤러에 접촉되는 정착 닙을 형성하는 정착가압벨트와; 상기 복수의 가압롤러를 회전 가능하게 지지하며, 상기 정착가압벨트를 가이드하는 지지부;를 포함하며, 복수의 가압롤러 중 적어도 어느 한 가압롤러의 표면 경도 h P 가 상기 가열롤러의 표면 경도 h H 보다 크거나 같은 값을 가지는 것을 특징으로 한다. The disclosed fixing unit includes a heat source; A heating roller for heating the surface by the heat generated from the heat source; A plurality of pressure rollers disposed to face the heating rollers to press the feeding material together with the heating rollers; A fixing pressing belt wound around the plurality of pressure rollers and forming a fixing nip in contact with the heating rollers; And a support part rotatably supporting the plurality of pressure rollers and guiding the fixing pressing belt, wherein a surface hardness h P of at least one pressure roller of the plurality of pressure rollers is greater than the surface hardness h H of the heating roller. It is characterized by having a value equal to or greater than.

Raised printing using small toner particles

Electrophotographic printing of one or more layers of toner to enable the printing of a wide range of toner mass laydown using electrophotography to produce prints with raised letters. This method encompasses the steps of forming multicolor toner images and fusing the print one or more times to create the raised print having the desired height of raised print.

Image heating apparatus

An image heating apparatus includes a heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material in a heating nip; magnetic flux generating means for generating a magnetic flux for induction heat generation in the heating rotatable member; magnetic flux confining means for confining the magnetic flux directed toward a predetermined region of the heating rotatable member from the magnetic flux generating means; and moving means for repeatedly moving the magnetic flux confining means during a heating operation between the operating position and a retracted position retracted from the operation position, when the recording material which has a predetermined width overlapping with a part of the predetermined region is continuously heated by the apparatus.

Dual mode roll fuser

1517733 Dual mode heat fuser XEROX CORP 29 Oct 1975 [24 Feb 1975] 44607/75 Heading B6C One embodiment, Fig. 2, comprises two internally heatable metal or glass surfaced rollers 30, 40, an externally heatable elastomeric surfaced roller 33 and a conveyer 60 shiftable to feed a toner image bearing copy sheet to a selected one of two fuser nips 34, 46 so that the borne toner image contacts either a hard or a resilient surface respectively of a fuser nip. Nips 34 and 36 are used for fusing toner images borne on plain paper and transparent film respectively. In another embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown), a single hard surfaced roller forms nips with two resilient surfaced rollers. In a further embodiment (not illustrated), two different rollers which are interchangeable in positions are stated to be used for forming the nips.

Belt feeding device and image heating device

一种带供给设备，包括：环形带；支承构件，用于可旋转地支承所述带；以及设定装置，用于在所述带从宽度方向的正常区域偏移时设定所述支承构件的倾斜角为返回角，以将所述带朝向所述正常区域返回，并且用于在所述带位于所述正常区域时设定所述支承构件的倾斜角为平衡角。

Sheet member and image forming apparatus

Heat and pressure fuser utilizing rigid rolls and belts to form an extended contact zone between the belts including preheat and pressure zones

A combination dual hard roll and dual elastomeric belt fuser. A pair of hard, heated fuser rolls having elastomeric belts entrained thereabout are supported such that segments of the belts are sandwiched in a nip area therebetween. The belt segments are sufficiently thick to provide belt conformability resulting in high quality fused images. One of the belts is partially wrapped about one of the rigid rolls to form an extended heating zone and a combination heat and pressure zone through which substrates carrying toner images are moved.

Image heating device using induction heating system

An image heating member includes a first region having a Curie temperature higher than a preset temperature, and a second region having a Curie temperature lower than the Curie temperature of the first region. A width of the first region in a conveying direction of a recording material is equal to or larger than a width of the recording material of a maximum size to be fed. The second region is provided outside the first region.

Conveyance speed difference maintaining heat and pressure fixing system

A fixing apparatus includes a fixing mechanism having a first motor, and a conveyance mechanism arranged downstream of the fixing mechanism having a second motor. A motor control section is provided to control sheet conveyance speeds V 1 and V 2 in the respective fixing and conveyance mechanisms to maintain a difference therebetween within a prescribed range by adjusting a number of rotations of one of the first and second motors.

Fixing apparatus having fixing belts

An image heating apparatus comprising first and second belts (20,21) for forming a nip for heating a toner image (T) on a recording material (4); a first pressing pad (24) for pressing the first belt at the nip; a first roller (23), provided spaced from the first pressing pad with a gap therebetween, for pressing the first belt at the nip; a second pressing pad (27), provided opposed to the first pressing pad, for pressing the second belt at the nip; a second roller (26), provided opposed to the first roller and contacted to the second pressing pad (27), for pressing the second belt at the nip. In order to prevent a pressure dip along the belts between pad and roller, either the second roller has a friction coefficient which is smaller than that of the first roller (2), or else the first roller and second pad are elastic with reference to the rigid second roller and first pad.

Fusing components including heating elements of differing lengths

According to examples, an apparatus may include a fusing component and a heater disposed in the fusing component. The heater may include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a first heating element having a first length attached to the first surface of the substrate, and a second heating element having a second length attached to the second surface of the substrate, the second length differing from the first length.

Fixing device and image forming device

A fixing device (7) includes a fixing member (21), a pressing member (22), a rotation detector (41), and an auxiliary driving part (42) . The fixing member (21), with rotating around an axis, heats a toner image on a medium (S). The pressing member (22), with rotating around an axis, forms a pressing area (N) with the fixing member (21) and presses toner on the medium (S) passing through the pressing area (N). The rotation detector (41), when the medium (S) stops while being sandwiched between the fixing member (21) and the pressing member (22), detects rotation of the fixing member (21) or the pressing member (22) generated in a process of extracting the medium (S) toward an upstream side or a downstream side in a passing direction. The auxiliary driving part (42), while the medium (S) is being extracted, determines a rotating direction of the fixing member (21) or the pressing member (22) based on a detection result by the rotation detector (41), and rotates the fixing member (21) or the pressing member (22) in the rotating direction.

Image forming apparatus with fixing control based on recording material type

An image forming apparatus has an image forming device for forming an image on a recording material; a heating member heating the image formed on the recording material in a nip portion; an endless belt conveying the recording material toward the nip portion formed between itself and the heating member; a contacting and separating device for bringing the heating member and the belt into the contact with each other and for separating the heating member and the belt from each other; and a detection device for detecting the temperature of the belt. If the detected temperature of the belt reaches a predetermined temperature, an image formation job is interrupted, and the heating member and the belt are separated.

Device and method for a printing and/or copying device with reduced thermal stress on the support material

An apparatus and method for performing a second toner image fixing on a toner image on a carrier material includes a second fixing unit in the carrier material transport path. The second fixing unit is in a burn-in unit that is spaced by a cooling distance from the printer or copier and its toner fixing unit. The first fixing unit of the printer or copier fixes the toner image in a first fixing condition and the second fixing unit fixes the toner image in a second fixing condition. For printers or copiers that perform two sided printing and have front and back side fixing units, the burn-in unit also has front and back side fixing units for fixing the toner image in the second fixing condition. A controller may be provided to reduce the heat energy applied to the first fixing unit in the printer or copier to partially fix the toner image so that the second fixing unit further fixes the toner image.

Dual mode roll fuser

DUAL MODE ROLL FUSER ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A contact fuser assembly for use in an electrostatic reproducing apparatus wherein toner images are formed on various types of substrates, for example, plain paper and transparency materials such as cellulose acetate or polyester film. The fuser assembly is characterized by a provision of a plurality of fuser rolls forming a pair of nips through which the substrates pass in order to fuse the toner images thereto. Transport mechanism is provided for conveying the substrates to one or the other of the nips depending upon the particular material of the substrate. The surface of the roll provided for contacting the plain paper com-prises a hard metal surface and the roll for contacting the toner images carried by the cellulose acetate, etc. comprises an elasto-meric surface.

Fixing device for an image forming apparatus

A fixing device of an image forming apparatus includes a heating roller, a pressing roller forming a first fixing nip by contacting the heating roller, and a pressing member disposed at a lower stream of the heating roller and forming a second fixing nip by contacting the heating roller. A fixing belt runs along a caterpillar track, and winds around the pressing roller and the pressing member. The pressing member includes a protrusion part for pressing the paper passed through the second fixing nip by greater pressure at a nip outlet than at the second fixing nip. Accordingly, as the width of the fixing nip is increased, the staying time at the fixing nip increases, thereby improving printing quality according to performance of high-speed printing. Additionally, wrap jams of the paper may be substantially prevented from occurring at the nip outlet.

Image forming apparatus and method using different transfer voltages when recording material is heated in different image forming modes using different numbers of heating device

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for carrying a toner image, a transferer supplied with a voltage to transfer a toner image from the member onto a recording material in a transfer portion, heaters with different heating conditions for heating the image transferred onto the material, a refeeder for refeeding the material to the transfer portion to transfer the image onto the material having the image fixed by the heater, a selector for selecting the glossiness of the image after fixing, a device for determining the heater to heat the image from the heaters in accordance with the glossiness selected by the selector, and a device for changing the voltage for transferring the image onto the refed material in accordance with the heater having heated the image on the material prior to the material being refed by the refeeder.

Fixing device

Disclosed is a fixing device (5) wherein a pressure belt (52) is rotated independently of a heating roller (51) in the paper delivery direction by second driving means (G) including an one-way clutch (F) which allows racing thereof in the paper delivery direction. The pressure belt (52) is rotated at a peripheral speed less than that of the heating roller (51) by the second driving means (G). The fixing device (5) can surely perform fixation without causing defective delivery or crumple regardless of papers or plastic films.

Image forming apparatus for an envelope

An image forming apparatus is described including first and second image-forming portions and an intermediate transporting portion. A control unit checks fixing units in the image-forming portions and determines whether or not the fixing unit in the first image-forming portion is a fixing unit for an envelope. If not, the control unit controls a manipulation and display unit to display guidance for urging a user to exchange the first fixing unit. If so, the control unit determines whether or not the fixing unit in the second image-forming portion is a fixing unit for an envelope. If not, the control portion controls a manipulation and display unit to display a guidance for urging a user to exchange the second fixing unit. If both of fixing units in the first and second image-forming portions are fixing units for the envelope, the control unit allows an envelope mode control operation.

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A PRINT AND / OR COPIER DEVICE WITH REDUCED HEAT CONTEST OF THE SUPPORT MATERIAL

Image heating apparatus

An image heating apparatus comprising first and second belts for forming a nip for heating an image on a recording material; a first pressing pad for pressing the first belt at the nip; a first roller, provided spaced from the first pressing pad with a gap therebetween, for pressing the first belt at the nip; a second pressing pad, provided opposed to the first pressing pad, for pressing the second belt at the nip; a second roller, provided opposed to the first roller and contacted to the second pressing pad, for pressing the second belt at the nip, the second roller having a friction coefficient which is smaller than that of the first roller.