IP Library Granted Patent US 7,361,863
Granted Patent B2
US 7,361,863 · App. 11/476,705 · Granted Apr 22, 2008

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,361,863
App. No.
11/476,705
Granted
Apr 22, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fixing device includes a fixing member; a pressing member to be pressed against the fixing member; a first heating member for heating the fixing member; a second heating member for heating the fixing member supplementarily; and a third heating member for heating the pressing member. The first heating member has a first rated output; the second heating member has a second rated output; and the third heating member has a third rated output. The first rated output is greater than the second rated output, and the second rated output is equal to or greater than the third rated output. Further, the second heating member and the third heating member are connected in series relative to a voltage applying device or a power source.

Claims (16)

1. A fixing device comprising:

a fixing member;

a pressing member to be pressed against the fixing member;

a first heating member for heating the fixing member, said first heating member having a first rated output;

a second heating member for heating the fixing member, said second heating member having a second rated output smaller than the first rated output; and

a third heating member for heating the pressing member, said third heating member having a third rated output equal to or smaller than the second rated output, said third heating member being connected to the second heating member in series relative to a voltage applying device.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein said fixing member includes a first roller to be heated by the first heating member; a second roller to be heated by the second heating member; and a belt member placed between the first roller and the second roller.

3. The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first temperature detection unit for detecting a first temperature of the fixing member; and a second temperature detection unit for detecting a second temperature of the pressing member so that power to the first heating member is controlled according to the first temperature and power to the second heating member and the third heating member is controlled according to the second temperature.

4. The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a release agent coating member for applying a release agent to the fixing member; and a fourth heating member for heating the fixing member through the release agent coating member, said fourth heating member having a fourth rated output smaller than the third rated output, said fourth heating member being connected to the second heating member and the third heating member in series relative to the voltage applying device.

5. The fixing device according to claim 2 , further comprising a pushing member disposed in the belt member for pushing the belt member against the pressing member; and a fourth heating member for heating the belt member through the pushing member, said fourth heating member having a fourth rated output smaller than the third rated output, said fourth heating member being connected to the second heating member and the third heating member in series relative to the voltage applying device.

6. The fixing device according to claim 2 , further comprising a release agent coating member for applying a release agent to the belt member; a third roller for applying tension to the belt member from an outer circumference thereof; a fourth heating member for heating the belt member through the release agent coating member, said fourth heating member having a fourth rated output smaller than the third rated output; and a fifth heating member for heating the belt member through the third roller, said fifth heating member having a fifth rated output smaller than the fourth rated output, said fifth heating member being connected to the second heating member, the third heating member, and the fourth heating member in series relative to the voltage applying device.

7. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein said fixing member includes a rotational body, said first heating member and said second heating member being disposed in the rotational body and extending along a width of the rotational body so that the first heating member provides a heat distribution smaller than that of the second heating member.

8. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein said fixing member includes a roller, and said pressing member includes a belt, said third heating member disposed in the belt.

9. The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first pushing member for pushing the fixing member through the pressing member; and a second pushing member for pushing the fixing member through the pressing member, said third heating member being disposed in the first pushing member.

10. The fixing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fourth heating member for heating an outer circumference of the fixing member, said fourth heating member having a fourth rated output smaller than the third rated output, said fourth heating member being connected to the second heating member and the third heating member in series relative to the voltage applying device, said fixing member including a roller retaining the first heating member and the second heating member.

11. An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing member according to claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
MERGER Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: OKI DATA CORPORATION
To: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 059365/0145 →