Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus and method having an improved heating mechanism in fixing device

US6496666B2 · kind B2 · utility

46Cited by
6References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 23, 2001
Grant dateDec 17, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 23, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/2032
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fixing device having an endless fixing belt configured to convey a sheet-like medium on which a toner image is to be fixed, heating and fixing rollers having the fixing belt wound thereon, and a pressing roller disposed opposite to the fixing roller having fixing belt wound thereon to form a nip portion between the fixing belt and pressing roller. The fixing device also including first to third heaters provided in the heating, pressure and fixing rollers respectively, and first to third voltage applying devices configured to apply voltages to the first to third heaters respectively. The nip portion is configured to perform the fixing only by pressure contact between said fixing and pressing rollers via said fixing belt.

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