Fixing device having a fuser pad of varying thickness and image forming apparatus incorporating same
US9116494B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing device includes a rotatable, flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, and a pressure member. The rotatable, flexible fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration. The fuser pad extends in an axial, longitudinal direction thereof inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction opposite the fuser pad with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The pressure member presses against the fuser pad through the fuser belt in a load direction to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed in a conveyance direction. The fuser pad includes an upstream section, a midstream section, and a downstream section having differing thicknesses is a load direction arranged in series from upstream to downstream in the conveyance direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.