Fixing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9316959-B2
Application number	US-201313958324-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 2, 2013
Priority date	Aug 31, 2010
Publication date	Apr 19, 2016
Grant date	Apr 19, 2016

Abstract

A fixing device includes: a fusing member; a heater; a nip member; a reflection member; a stay; and a backup member. The fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and is circularly movable. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection member reflects a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The reflection member includes a reflection portion and an extending portion. The stay covers the reflection portion and supports the nip member. The extending portion extends outside of the stay. The backup member provides a nip region in cooperation with the nip member upon nipping the tubular flexible fusing member between the backup member and the nip member. The extending portion extends between the nip member and the stay. The extending portion is positioned exclusively downstream of the reflection portion in a sheet feeding direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fixing device comprising:
a tubular flexible fusing member;
a heater extending inside the tubular flexible fusing member;
a nip member contactable with an inner peripheral surface of the tubular flexible fusing member;
a roller rotatable about a rotational axis, the roller and the nip member configured to pinch the tubular flexible fusing member therebetween to define a nip region between the tubular flexible fusing member and the roller, the tubular flexible fusing member being rotatable in a rotational direction at the nip region;
a reflection member extending inside the tubular flexible fusing member; and
a stay extending inside the tubular flexible fusing member, the stay comprising:
a first wall;
a second wall being disposed downstream relative to the first wall in the rotational direction; and
a third wall connecting one end portion of the first wall and one end portion of the second wall,

wherein the reflection member comprises:
a reflection portion recessed toward the third wall of the stay; and
a first extending portion extending upstream in the rotational direction from an upstream end of the reflection portion in the rotational direction, the first extending portion further extending to a position upstream relative to the first wall of the stay in the rotational direction, the first extending portion further extending to a position upstream relative to an upstream edge of the nip member in the rotational direction, and the first extending portion including an upstream end portion in the rotational direction exposed to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular flexible fusing member.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the heater is disposed between the nip member and the third wall of the stay.

3. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reflection member further comprises a second extending portion extending downstream in the rotational direction from a downstream end of the reflection portion in the rotational direction, the second extending portion further extending to a position downstream relative to the second wall of the stay in the rotational direction, the second extending portion further extending to a position downstream relative to a downstream edge of the nip member in the rotational direction.

4. The fixing device according to claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the second extending portion is disposed inside, in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller, a printing region of a sheet that is to pass through the nip region.

5. The fixing device according to claim 3 ,
wherein at least a portion of the second extending portion is disposed inside the nip region in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller.

6. The fixing device according to claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the second extending portion overlaps with a printing region of a sheet that is to pass through the fixing device, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the roller.

7. The fixing device according to claim 3 ,
wherein at least a portion of the second extending portion overlaps with the nip region, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the roller.

8. The fixing device according to claim 3 , wherein a length of the second extending portion in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller is substantially equal to a length of a printing region of a sheet that is to pass through the nip region.

9. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the heater includes a halogen lamp.

10. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the tubular flexible fusing member includes a tubular film.

11. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the stay comprises a U-shape.

12. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first extending portion has a notch.

13. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first extending portion is disposed inside, in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller, a printing region of a sheet that is to pass through the nip region.

14. The fixing device according to claim 1 ,
wherein at least a portion of the first extending portion is disposed inside the nip region in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller.

15. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first extending portion overlaps with a printing region of a sheet that is to pass through the nip region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the roller.

16. The fixing device according to claim 1 ,
wherein at least a portion of the first extending portion overlaps with the nip region, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the roller.

17. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein a length of the first extending portion in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller is substantially equal to a length of a printing region of a sheet that is to pass through the nip region.

18. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first extending portion of the reflection member contacts the nip member.

19. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the heater is disposed between the reflection member and the nip member.

20. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reflection member is configured to reflect radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member.

21. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reflection portion of the reflection member is recessed away from the nip member.

22. A fixing device comprising:
a tube;
a heater extending inside an internal space of the tube;
a nip plate extending inside the internal space of the tube;
a backup member, the backup member and the nip plate configured to pinch the tube therebetween to define a nip region between the tube and the backup member, wherein a sheet is to be fed in a feeding direction at the nip region,
a stay extending inside the internal space of the tube, the stay comprising:
a first wall;
a second wall disposed downstream relative to the first wall in the feeding direction; and
a third wall connecting the first wall and the second wall; and

a reflection plate extending inside the internal space of the tube, the reflection plate comprising:
a central portion recessed toward the third wall of the stay, and
a first extending portion extending upstream in the feeding direction from an upstream end of the central portion in the feeding direction,

wherein the first extending portion of the reflection plate further extends to a position upstream relative to the first wall of the stay in the feeding direction, and
wherein the first extending portion of the reflection plate further extends to a position upstream relative to an upstream edge of the nip plate in the feeding direction.

23. The fixing device according to claim 22 , wherein the reflection plate further comprises a second extending portion extending downstream in the feeding direction from a downstream end of the central portion in the feeding direction, the second extending portion further extending to a position downstream relative to the second wall of the stay in the feeding direction, the second extending portion further extending to a position downstream relative to a downstream edge of the nip plate in the feeding direction.

24. The

Assignees

• Miyauchi Yoshihiro
• Brother Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Miyauchi Yoshihiro

Classifications

• G03G2215/2035

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

• G03G15/2007 Primary

  using radiant heat, e.g. infrared lamps, microwave heaters · CPC title

• G03G15/2064 Primary

  combined with pressure · CPC title