Nip forming device and image forming apparatus

    公开(公告)号:US12038705B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-07-16

    申请号:US18060566

    申请日:2022-11-30

    IPC分类号: G03G15/20

    摘要: A nip forming device includes an endless belt that is flexible and rotates and a nip former that is disposed opposite an inner circumferential face of the endless belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the endless belt to form a nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator, through which a conveyed object is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the nip in a conveyance direction of the conveyed object. The separator separates the conveyed object from the endless belt. The separator includes a non-contact portion separated from the endless belt and a contact portion that contacts the endless belt. The contact portion retains a gap having a predetermined size between the non-contact portion and the endless belt.

    FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE SAME

    公开(公告)号:US20230408959A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-12-21

    申请号:US18329201

    申请日:2023-06-05

    IPC分类号: G03G15/20

    CPC分类号: G03G15/2053 G03G15/2028

    摘要: A fixing device includes a first rotator, a second rotator, a heater, a nip formation pad, and a separator. The second rotator contacts an outer circumferential surface of the first rotator to form a nip between the first rotator and the second rotator. The heater includes a resistive heat generator to heat the first rotator. The nip formation pad contacts an inner circumferential surface of the first rotator to form the nip. The separator separates a recording medium passing through the nip from the first rotator. The separator includes a separating surface and a contact. The separating surface is separated from the outer circumferential surface of the first rotator and separates the recording medium from the first rotator. The contact contacts the outer circumferential surface of the first rotator at a position where the first rotator is pinchable between the contact and the nip formation pad.

    Rotator driver, heating device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

    公开(公告)号:US11835897B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-12-05

    申请号:US17950102

    申请日:2022-09-22

    申请人: Yuusuke Furuichi

    发明人: Yuusuke Furuichi

    IPC分类号: G03G15/20 G03G15/00

    摘要: A rotator driver includes an endless rotator having an end face in a longitudinal direction thereof. A slide aid contacts an inner circumferential face of the endless rotator. A lubricant is applied between the slide aid and the inner circumferential face of the endless rotator. An end face contact member contacts the end face of the endless rotator and has an end face opposed face contacting the end face of the endless rotator and an opposite face being opposite to the end face opposed face. A helical gear is mounted on the opposite face of the end face contact member. The helical gear has teeth being oriented to generate a force that moves the end face contact member toward the end face of the endless rotator as the helical gear rotates. The helical gear has an outer diameter being not greater than an outer diameter of the endless rotator.

    Image forming apparatus
    75.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11789388B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-10-17

    申请号:US17571836

    申请日:2022-01-10

    IPC分类号: G03G15/20

    CPC分类号: G03G15/2053

    摘要: An image forming apparatus includes a heating device, a rotator, and a blade. The heating device includes a heater extending in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The heater includes a heat generator and generates a larger heat amount at one end than at a center. The blade includes a rubbing portion extending in the direction. Both ends of the rubbing portion face both ends of the heater. The rotator and the blade are configured such that a friction force between the rotator and one end of the rubbing portion is smaller than a friction force between the rotator and the center of the rubbing portion in the direction.

    NIP FORMING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

    公开(公告)号:US20230288855A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-09-14

    申请号:US18151091

    申请日:2023-01-06

    IPC分类号: G03G15/20 G03G15/00

    摘要: A nip forming device includes an endless film and a pressure rotator that presses against a heater via the endless film. A driver drives and rotates the pressure rotator to cause the pressure rotator to drive and rotate the endless film. A controller controls the driver to drive and rotate the pressure rotator, based on a temperature of the pressure rotator, that is detected by a detector, in a forward direction to convey a conveyed object and to interrupt forward rotation of the pressure rotator. In response to a determination that the temperature of the pressure rotator is higher than a predetermined temperature when a job of the nip forming device is finished, the controller controls the driver to drive and rotate the pressure rotator for a predetermined time in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction and to interrupt backward rotation of the pressure rotator.

    Heater, heating device, and image forming apparatus

    公开(公告)号:US11487231B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-01

    申请号:US17086764

    申请日:2020-11-02

    IPC分类号: G03G15/20 H05B3/03 H05B3/02

    摘要: A heater includes a first heat generator and a second heat generator each of which has a hypothetical center line that divides each of the first heat generator and the second heat generator into a first section and a second section. A first conductor connects a first electrode to the first heat generator and the second heat generator. A second conductor connects a second electrode to the first heat generator and the second heat generator. A first primary connector connects the first conductor to the first section of the first heat generator. A second primary connector connects the first conductor to the second section of the second heat generator. A first secondary connector connects the second conductor to the first heat generator. A second secondary connector connects the second conductor to the second heat generator.

    Image forming apparatus
    78.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11449002B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-09-20

    申请号:US17480154

    申请日:2021-09-21

    IPC分类号: G03G21/20

    摘要: An image forming apparatus includes a heating device including a heater, a developing device, and an airflow generation device. The heater includes a base, a heat generator, an electrode portion, and conductive portions. The conductive portions are disposed on one side and another side in a longitudinal direction in a heat generation region and spaced apart in a lateral direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. A maximum total value among total values of squares of current flowing in the conductive portions at longitudinal positions on the one side is larger than that on said another side. The developing device includes a rotating member and sliding portions. A sliding portion having highest temperature in operation is disposed on one side of the developing device being same as the one side of the heater in the longitudinal direction. The airflow generation device generates an airflow toward the one side of the developing device.

    Heating device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

    公开(公告)号:US11067924B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-07-20

    申请号:US16212817

    申请日:2018-12-07

    IPC分类号: G03G15/20 G03G15/00

    摘要: A heating device includes a base, a plurality of resistance heating elements, a power control circuit, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and control circuitry. The resistance heating elements is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the base and electrically connected in parallel with each other. The power control circuit is configured to supply electrical power to the resistance heating elements. The control circuitry is configured to control an electrical power amount of the power control circuit so that temperatures of the resistance heating elements become equal to a first predetermined temperature based on a result of sensing with a first temperature sensor of the resistance heating elements and cut off the electrical power supplied from the power control circuit to the resistance heating elements in response to sensing of a second predetermined temperature with a second temperature sensor of the resistance heating elements.