Fixing device and image forming apparatus with a mechanism to extend a life of a fixing belt
US8639171B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2025
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has a heat-generating endless belt that includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers each disposed along a different one of widthwise edges of the heat-generating endless belt. The resistive heat layer has (i) reduced thickness portions each along a widthwise edge thereof and (ii) a middle portion between the reduced thickness portions. Each reduced thickness portion is thinner than the middle portion and connected to the middle portion with a wall surface upright in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the heat-generating endless belt to define a stair shape. Each electrode layer is disposed on the resistive heat layer to be in contact with a corresponding one of the wall surfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.