# US 11,079,703 B2 · Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,079,703 B2 - Document ID: US11079703B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/069,107 - Filed: 2020-10-13 - Published: 2021-04-22 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-18 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Takafumi Suzuki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079703B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/2017: {Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means (G03G15/2053 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/2025: {with special means for lubricating and/or cleaning the fixing unit, e.g. applying offset preventing fluid} - G03G 15/2064: {combined with pressure} - G03G 21/1685: {for the fixing unit} - G03G 2215/2035: the fixing nip having a stationary belt support member opposing a pressure member - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A fixing apparatus includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member configured to form a nip portion with the first rotary member, a frame including a pair of side plates, a pressing member, an urging member configured to urge the pressing member, a second shaft supported by the pair of side plates. Each of the pair of side plates includes an opening portion into which the second shaft enters, and a bearing groove which communicates with the opening portion. The bearing groove includes a receiving portion which receives an urging force which the second shaft receives from the urging member in a state where the second shaft is supported by the pair of side plates. The receiving portion is disposed at a position which is farther apart from the pressing member than the opening portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fixing apparatus comprising: a first rotary member configured to rotate around a first shaft; a second rotary member disposed so as to come into contact with and separate from the first rotary member, and configured to form a nip portion with the first rotary member; a heater configured to heat the nip portion; a frame comprising a pair of side plates; a pressing member supported by the pair of side plates, and configured to press the second rotary member, wherein the pressing member is configured to be movable between a first position, where a distance between center positions of the first rotary member and the second rotary member is a first distance, and a second position, where the distance between the center positions of the first rotary member and the second rotary member is a second distance which is larger than the first distance; an urging member configured to urge the pressing member toward the first position; a second shaft supported by the pair of side plates so as to be attachable to and detachable from the pair of side plates; and a cam rotatably supported by the second shaft, and configured to change a position of the pressing member between the first position and the second position, wherein each of the pair of side plates comprises an opening portion which is disposed at an edge of each of the pair of side plates and into which the second shaft enters, and a bearing groove which communicates with the opening portion, wherein the bearing groove comprises a receiving portion which receives an urging force which the second shaft receives from the urging member via the pressing member and the cam in a state where the second shaft is supported by the pair of side plates, and wherein the receiving portion is disposed at a position which is farther apart from the pressing member than the opening portion in an urging direction of the urging member when viewed in an axial direction of the first shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input gear attached to the second shaft so as to engage with an output gear which is rotated by being provided with a driving force, wherein, in a case where the cam is rotated by the driving force transmitted via the output gear and the input gear, the receiving portion is configured to receive a resultant force of a force which the second shaft receives due to an engagement of the output gear and the input gear and an urging force which the second shaft receives from the urging member via the pressing member and the cam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is disposed at an end of the bearing groove. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fixing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bearing groove comprises a first portion which extends along the urging direction and a second portion which extends in a direction intersecting with the urging direction and communicates with the opening portion, and the bearing groove is formed to extend in an L shape from the edge, and wherein the receiving portion is at a downstream end of the first portion in the urging direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bearing groove comprises a first portion which extends along a first direction intersecting with the urging direction and a second portion which extends in a direction intersecting with the first direction and the urging direction and communicates with the opening portion, and wherein the receiving portion is at a position where the first portion communicates with the second portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detected unit disposed at a first end of the second shaft in the axial direction and configured to change a phase along with a rotation of the cam, and a sensor configured to change an output value along with the phase of the detected unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning portion configured to determine a position of the second shaft which is supported by the receiving portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fixing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a guide portion which is configured to guide a sheet to the nip portion, wherein the frame comprises a plate which is configured to bridge the pair of side plates, and wherein the guide portion comprises a supporting portion which is supported by the plate, a guide surface which extends from the supporting portion toward the nip portion and guides the sheet, and the positioning portion which is disposed on a surface facing the plate in the supporting portion, and the guide portion is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed in the axial direction, the pressing member is a plate-shaped member and supported by the pair of side plates between the urging member and the opening portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cam is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the second shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a fixing unit which is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the frame, and wherein the fixing unit comprises the first rotary member, the second rotary member, and the heater. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first shaft and the second rotary member are supported by the pair of side plates. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An image forming apparatus comprising: a casing; an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet; and the fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing apparatus is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the casing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first rotary member is a press roller, and the second rotary member is a cylindrical film, wherein the heater is provided in an inner space of the film, and wherein the nip portion is formed by the press roller and the heater through the film.