Patent · US Expired

Electrophotographic printer and fixing unit controlling apparatus therfor

US6014531A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
3References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 24, 1998
Grant dateJan 11, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 24, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/2039
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fixing unit has a heat roller with a heater element built therein, a pressure roller disposed to oppose the heat roller and holds and advances a print medium therebetween in sandwiched relation. A thermistor is in contact with the heat roller and detects the temperature of the heat roller. Another thermistor detects the temperature of the pressure roller. A control circuit controls energization of the heater element so as to maintain the temperature of the heat roller to a target temperature. The heater element is energized to maintain a constant value of Tc given by an equation Tc=Th+k.multidot.Tp where Th is a surface temperature of the heat roller, Tp is a surface temperature of the pressure roller, and k is a coefficient having the range of 0<k<1.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.