IP Library Granted Patent US 8,290,417
Granted Patent B2
US 8,290,417 · App. 12/752,243 · Granted Oct 16, 2012

Belt device and image forming apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,290,417
App. No.
12/752,243
Granted
Oct 16, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A belt device includes a belt member and a pressurizing member. The belt member is rotated with rotation of a rotation member, and the pressurizing member includes a pressing portion pressing an inner circumferential surface of the belt member. The pressing portion includes a surface layer having a solid lubricating agent and a fine particle.

Claims (25)

1. A belt device comprising:

a belt member which rotates with rotation of a rotation member; and

a pressurizing member including a pressing portion which presses an inner circumferential surface of the belt member,

wherein the pressing portion is provided with a coating layer formed of a solid lubricating agent intermixed with fine particles.

2. The belt device according claim 1 , wherein the solid lubricating agent includes any of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, fluorine resin, and boron nitride.

3. The belt device according claim 1 , wherein the fine particles are made of any of silicone, polymer, heat-resistance resin, and metal.

4. The belt device according claim 1 , wherein each of the fine particles has an outside diameter of 5 μm to 40 μm.

5. The belt device according claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion has a surface roughness Rz of 5 μm to 40 μm.

6. The belt device according claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion includes undulation formed on a surface thereof.

7. The belt device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion includes the surface layer formed thereon and is in a shape having undulation on a surface thereof, and wherein the undulation and the surface layer has a relationship of D>d, where “D” represents a depth of the undulation, and “d” represents a thickness of the coating layer.

8. The belt device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressurizing member includes a support member and the pressure portion supported by the support member.

9. The belt device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion includes an elastic member and the coating layer formed on a surface of the elastic member.

10. The belt device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressurizing member allows the inner circumferential surface of the belt member to be pressed using an urging member.

11. The belt device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation member is a fixing member contacting an outer circumferential surface of the belt member.

12. The belt device according to claim 11 , wherein the fixing member includes a surface heated by a heating member.

13. The belt device according to claim 11 , wherein the pressurizing member presses the belt member towards the fixing member.

14. The belt device according to claim 1 , wherein the fine particles are always present both within and on an exterior surface of the coating layer, such that a surface roughness of the pressing portion is maintained.

15. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a medium tray;

a medium conveyance mechanism;

an image forming unit; and

a belt device including:

a belt member which rotates with rotation of a rotation member; and

a pressurizing member including a pressing portion which presses an inner circumferential surface of the belt member,

wherein the pressing portion is provided with a coating layer formed of a solid lubricating agent intermixed with fine particles.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: OKI DATA CORPORATION
To: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 059365/0145 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2010
From: SAKAI, MASATO
To: OKI DATA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024172/0803 →