Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016147185-A1
Application number	US-201615013807-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 2, 2016
Priority date	Jan 13, 2012
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A fixing device comprising:
a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member disposed to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to heat the fixing belt directly at a portion other than the nip, the heat source including a heat generating portion disposed outside a maximum passing area of a recording medium passing through the nip; a belt support member to rotatably support both lateral ends of the fixing belt; and a shield that shields heat or light radiated from the heat source, the shield being fixedly disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generating portion of the heat source and between the belt support member and the heat source at least outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium, the shield being inserted inside the belt support member and fixedly disposed between the belt support member and the heat source at a position opposite the nip via the heat source.

3 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein the shield is provided in and outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.

4 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , further comprising a reflector fixedly supporting the shield to reflect heat or light radiated from the heat source.

5 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein the shield includes a notch notched from an end to a center of the fixing belt in a shaft direction of the fixing belt.

6 . The fixing device according to claim 5 , wherein the notch is provided in the maximum passing area of the recording medium and outside a narrower passing area narrower than the maximum passing area.

7 . The fixing device according to claim 6 , wherein the notch includes a slant slanted relative to the shaft direction of the fixing belt to gradually reduce a direct heated area of the fixing belt directly heated by the heat source toward the center of the fixing belt in the shaft direction of the fixing belt.

8 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein the belt support member is fixed to a side plate.

9 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , further comprising a support that supports the nip forming member and fixedly supports the shield.

10 . The fixing device according to claim 9 , wherein at least a part of the shield is disposed at a position opposite the support via the heat source.

11 . The fixing device according to claim 9 , wherein the support fixedly supports the shield at a position opposite the support via the heat source.

12 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein the shield includes a reflection surface opposed to the heat source, the reflection surface to reflect heat or light radiated from the heat source.

13 . An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 2 .

14 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein the fixing belt includes a base made of metal.

15 . The fixing device according to claim 14 , wherein the base of the fixing belt is made of nickel.

16 . The fixing device according to claim 14 , wherein the base of the fixing belt is made of SUS (steel use stainless).

17 . The fixing device according to claim 2 , wherein the fixing belt includes a base made of resin.

18 . The fixing device according to claim 17 , wherein the base of the fixing belt is made of polyimide.

Assignees

• Hase Takamasa
• Yoshinaga Hiroshi
• Uchitani Takeshi
• Ikebuchi Yutaka
• Seshita Takuya
• Yuasa Shuutaroh

Inventors

• Hase Takamasa
• Yoshinaga Hiroshi
• Uchitani Takeshi
• Ikebuchi Yutaka
• Seshita Takuya
• Yuasa Shuutaroh

Classifications

• G03G2215/2035

  the fixing nip having a stationary belt support member opposing a pressure member · CPC title

• G03G15/2017 Primary

  Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means (G03G15/2053 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G03G15/2053 Primary

  Structural details of heat elements, e.g. structure of roller or belt, eddy current, induction heating · CPC title