Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024176268-A1
Application number	US-202318510632-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 15, 2023
Priority date	Nov 24, 2022
Publication date	May 30, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a heat source, and a reflecting member. The pressing member presses and contacts an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member. The heat source is disposed inside a loop of the fixing member. The reflecting member includes a reflecting portion, a pressure receiving portion, and an extending portion. The reflecting portion reflects heat toward an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member. The pressure receiving portion receives a pressing force of the pressing member via the fixing member. The extending portion extends from an area upstream to an area downstream from the nip portion in a direction of rotation of the fixing member and facing the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member. The reflecting member is in non-contact with one or more of members disposed inside the loop of the fixing member, at least when the fixing member rotates.

First claim

1 . A fixing device comprising:
a fixing member that is rotatable; a pressing member to press and contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip portion; a heat source disposed inside a loop of the fixing member; and a reflecting member includes:
a reflecting portion to reflect heat, which is radiated from the heat source to at least a portion of the fixing member, toward an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member;
a pressure receiving portion to receive a pressing force of the pressing member via the fixing member; and
an extending portion extending at least from an area upstream from the nip portion to an area downstream from the nip portion in a direction of rotation of the fixing member and facing the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member,
the reflecting member to be in non-contact with one or more of members disposed inside the loop of the fixing member, at least when the fixing member rotates.

2 . The fixing device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the extending portion is continuous and integrated with the pressure receiving portion.

3 . The fixing device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the one or more of the members disposed inside the loop of the fixing member is a stay that receives pressure from the pressing member.

4 . The fixing device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the reflecting member is in non-contact with the fixing member at least when the fixing member rotates.

5 . The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sliding member having a higher slidability against the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member than a slidability of the pressure receiving portion against the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member,
wherein the pressure receiving portion abuts the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member via the sliding member.

6 . The fixing device according to claim 5 , further comprising a nip forming member disposed inside the loop of the fixing member to form the nip portion,
wherein the nip forming member includes a resin pad, wherein the extending portion is sandwiched between the sliding member and the resin pad.

7 . The fixing device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the fixing device has a gap between the fixing member and the reflecting member in a state where the reflecting member is heated by the heat source and a maximum deformation amount is generated in the reflecting member.

8 . The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a liquid or semi-solid volatile substance stored in the fixing device.

9 . The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a supporting member rotatably supporting the fixing member,
wherein the reflecting member is in non-contact with the supporting member at least when the fixing member rotates.

10 . An image forming device comprising the fixing device according to claim 1 .

Assignees

• Yoshinaga Hiroshi
• Yamaguchi Yoshiki
• Seto Takashi
• Matsuda Ryohei
• SUGIYAMA Ryohhei

Inventors

• Yoshinaga Hiroshi
• Yamaguchi Yoshiki
• Seto Takashi
• Matsuda Ryohei
• SUGIYAMA Ryohhei

Classifications

• G03G15/2064

  combined with pressure · CPC title

• G03G15/2053 Primary

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

• G03G2215/2029

  the belt further entrained around one or more stationary belt support members, the latter not being a cooling device · CPC title