Fixing device and image forming apparatus
US8934825B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2041
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing device includes a rotatable endless belt, a heating source that heats the belt, a pad member having a sliding surface abutting on an inner surface of the belt, and a pressure roller that presses an outer surface of the belt toward the sliding surface and rotates to rotate the belt. The pressure roller works together with the belt to fix an unfixed toner image onto a medium that bears the unfixed toner image by allowing the medium to enter between the roller and the belt. Assuming that the sliding surface is divided into upstream and downstream regions in a moving direction of the belt, the upstream and downstream regions both have recessed curved surfaces in the moving direction. A first curved surface corresponding to the upstream region has an average curvature that is larger than that of a second curved surface corresponding to the downstream region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.