Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
US10168653B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing device includes a fixing sleeve, a pair of holders, a heater, a nip formation pad, a pressing member, a pressing mechanism, and a controller. The nip formation pad has a regular crown-shaped surface abutted against an inner surface of the fixing sleeve. The pressing member forms a nip with the nip formation pad in a state of abutting against the fixing sleeve. The controller controls the pressing mechanism in a first mode in which the pressing mechanism presses the pressing member toward the nip formation pad with a first pressing force to equalize a width of the nip and a second mode in which the pressing mechanism presses the pressing member with a second pressing force greater than the first pressing force so that the width of the nip is smaller at both ends than at a center of the nip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.