Fixing unit and image forming apparatus having the same
US8073375B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/2032
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing unit where an operating force for releasing a nip can be reduced with a small-sized configuration. The fixing unit has a heating roller including a heating element, a pressure belt, pressure arms, pressure springs, and nip load releasing units. The pressure belt is supported in an intermediate position between the pressure arms 3. One end portions of the pressure arms are brought into contact with the pressure springs respectively. The other end portions of the pressure arms are brought into contact with the nip load releasing units respectively. When a load applied to the pressure belt is released by the nip load releasing units, the other end portions of the pressure arms move away from the heating roller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.