System for regulating the sliding force of a fusing belt in an image forming apparatus
US6912371B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2016
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a roller having a central portion and an outer edge portion, a fusing belt positioned over at least a portion of the central portion of the roller, and a belt regulating part, positioned on the outer edge portion of the roller, that impedes the fusing belt from moving onto the outer edge portion of the roller. The belt regulating part includes a first portion having a surface adjacent to the central portion of the roller and an edge of the fusing belt. The first portion is configured to contact the fusing belt if the fusing belt moves toward the outer edge portion of the roller. The belt regulating part also includes a second portion coupled to the first portion, the second portion having an interior surface that contacts with the outer edge portion of the roller during operation of the image forming apparatus to cause the regulating part to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the roller and the fusing belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.