Connector for heater, and fixing apparatus
An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of the substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and a connector, connected with the heater, for receiving electric power, the connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside the housing and having first spring contact contacted to the first electrode and a second spring contact contacted to the second electrode, wherein the contact terminal is swingable relative to the housing.
1. An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising:
a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of said substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and
a connector, connected with said heater, configured to receive electric power, said connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside said housing and having first spring contact contacting said first electrode and a second spring contact contacting said second electrode,
wherein said contact terminal is swingable relative to said housing.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a holder through which said connector is connected to said heater.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said contact terminal is swingable in a range of 0.3 mm-1.5 mm.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second spring contacts have line symmetrical shapes.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said housing is provided with a regulating portion configured to regulate movement of said contact terminal in a direction in which said connector is mounted to said heater.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an endless belt heatable by said heater, wherein the unfixed image is heated through said endless belt.
7. An electrical connector for electric power supply, said connector comprising:
an electrically insulative housing; and
a contact terminal provided inside said housing and including a first spring contact configured to contact a first electrode provided on one side of a heater substrate and a second spring contact configured to contact a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate,
wherein said contact terminal is swingable relative to said housing.
8. A connector according to claim 7 , wherein said contact terminal is swingable in a range of 0.3 mm-1.5 mm.
9. A connector according to claim 7 , wherein said first and second spring contacts have line symmetrical shapes.
10. A connector according to claim 7 , wherein said housing is provided with a regulating portion configured to regulate movement of said contact terminal in a direction in which said connector is mounted to said heater.
11. An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising:
a heater including a substrate, and a first electrode provided on said substrate;
a connector, connected with said heater, configured to receive electric power, said connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside said housing and having a first spring contact contacting said first electrode; and
a holder holding said heater,
wherein said contact terminal is provided, at a position opposing said first spring contact, with a projection cooperating with said first spring contact to nip said holder, and said contact terminal is swingable with a fulcrum at said projection.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising a holder through which said connector is connected to said heater.
13. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said heater includes a second electrode on a side opposite a side having said first electrode, and
said contact terminal includes a second spring contact contacting said second electrode, and a second projection at a position opposing said second spring contact.
14. An apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising an endless belt heatable by said heater, wherein the unfixed image is heated through said endless belt.
15. An electrical connector for electric power supply, said connector comprising:
electrically insulative housing; and
a contact terminal provided inside said housing and including a first spring contact configured to contact a first electrode provided on heater,
wherein said contact terminal is provided, at a position opposing said first spring contact, with a projection cooperating with said first spring contact to nip a holder for holding the heater, and said contact terminal is swingable with a fulcrum at said projection.
16. A connector according to claim 15 , wherein said heater includes a second electrode on a side opposite a side having said first electrode, and
said contact terminal includes a second spring contact contacted to said second electrode, and a second projection at a position opposing said second spring contact.
17. An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising:
a heater including a substrate, and an electrode provided on said substrate; and
a connector, connected with said heater, configured to receive electric power, said connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside said housing and having a first spring contact contacting said electrode,
wherein a hook-shaped portion is provided by two surfaces perpendicular to each other, between the fulcrum of swing and a contact portion of the first spring contact contacting said electrode.
18. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said connector is provided with a regulating member pressing said first spring contact by contacting said hook-shaped portion in a direction opposite a spring urging direction of said first spring contact, and wherein said regulating member is retractable relative to said hook-shaped portion.
19. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said contact terminal includes a second spring contact provided with said hook-shaped portion, and said spring contacts are disposed opposed to each other.
20. An apparatus according to claim 17 , further comprising an endless belt heatable by said heater, wherein the unfixed image is heated through said endless belt.
21. An electrical connector for electric power supply, said connector comprising:
electrically insulative housing; and
a contact terminal provided inside said housing and including a first spring contact configured to contact an electrode of a heater,
wherein a hook-shaped portion is provided by two surfaces perpendicular to each other, between the fulcrum of swing and a contact portion of the first spring contact contacting said electrode.
22. A connector according to claim 21 , wherein said connector is provided with a regulating member pressing said first spring contact by contacting said hook-shaped portion in a direction opposite a spring urging direction of said first spring contact, and wherein regulating member is retractable relative to said hook-shaped portion.
23. A connector according to claim 22 , wherein said contact terminal includes a second spring contact is provided with said hook-shaped portion, and said spring contacts are disposed opposed to each other.