Thermal fixing apparatus
US6671489B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a heating-type toner-fixing unit using a ceramic heater and a cylindrical fixing film, the shape of the fixing face-side surface of a ceramic heater 10 which comes into contact with a fixing film 3 and the shape of the portions of a heater support 12 at least adjacent to the fixing face-side surface are formed into a shape that is almost identical to a naturally deformed shape of the fixing film 3 in a static state or a traveling state where the fixing film is pressed by a pressure roller 4 at a designated nip width. It is also possible that the nip portion and portions adjacent thereto at the entrance side and exit side are formed into a flat shape and portions other than the flat portions are formed into a curved surface shape along the cylindrical shape of the fixing film 3.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.