IP Library Granted Patent US 8,731,451
Granted Patent B2
US 8,731,451 · App. 13/452,391 · Granted May 20, 2014

Fixing device and image forming apparatus with fixing belt refreshing roller

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 8,731,451
App. No.
13/452,391
Granted
May 20, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fixing device includes a heater that transports a recording medium while rotating in a first direction and fixes an image formed on the recording medium to the recording medium by heating the image, a reducing member that rotates in a second direction different from the first direction, the reducing member and the heater contacting each other and rotating at different speeds, and the reducing member scratching an outer peripheral surface of the heater, and a moving device that moves the heater with respect to the reducing member in a direction of a rotational axis of the reducing member.

Claims (23)

1. A fixing device comprising:

a heater that transports a recording medium while rotating in a first direction and fixes an image formed on the recording medium to the recording medium by heating the image;

a reducing member that rotates in a second direction different from the first direction, the reducing member and the heater contacting each other and rotating at different speeds, and the reducing member scratching an outer peripheral surface of the heater; and

a moving device that moves the heater with respect to the reducing member in a direction of a rotational axis of the reducing member,

wherein an outer surface of the reducing member moves in a same direction as the outer peripheral surface of the heater.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein a scratch formed on the outer peripheral surface of the heater by the reducing member has a length ranging from about 200 μm to about 300 μm in a peripheral direction of the heater.

3. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium; and

the fixing device according to claim 1 that fixes the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device, to the recording medium.

4. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium; and

the fixing device according to claim 2 that fixes the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device, to the recording medium.

5. A fixing device comprising:

a fixing member that includes a roller and a belt and fixes an image on a recording medium to the recording medium by heating the image, the belt being wound around the roller and rotating in a first direction; and

a scratch roller that rotates in a second direction different from the first direction while contacting the belt and forms a scratch on an outer peripheral surface of the belt,

wherein the scratch roller and the belt rotate at different speeds, and the scratch roller moves in a direction that intersects a peripheral direction of the belt rotation.

6. The fixing device according to claim 5 , wherein the scratch has a length ranging from about 200 μm to about 300 μm in the peripheral direction of the belt.

7. The fixing device according to claim 5 , wherein a rotating speed of the scratch roller is greater than a rotating speed of the belt.

8. The fixing device according to claim 5 , wherein an abrasive layer is formed on a surface of the scratch roller.

9. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium; and

the fixing device according to claim 5 .

10. The fixing device according to claim 5 , wherein the scratch roller moves in a direction that intersects a peripheral direction of the belt at an angle.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 12, 2021
From: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
To: FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP.
Reel/Frame 058287/0056 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2012
From: HAYASHI, YOSHIHIRO; MIYATA, TOSHIYUKI; YANO, KEITA
To: FUJI XEROX CO.
Reel/Frame 028092/0049 →