Fixing device, image forming apparatus including the fixing device, and fixing method

A fixing device for fixing an image formed on a recording material, comprising:

• a fixing member disposed on a recording material conveyance path;
• a heating part configured to heat the fixing member to fix the image formed on the recording material by heat, the heating part including a first heating member and a second heating member;
• a main power supply unit connected to an external power source to supply power to the first heating member;
• a storage unit acting as an auxiliary power supply unit configured to be charged by the external power source to supply power to the second heating member;
• a local ambient temperature detecting unit configured to detect local ambient temperature in the vicinity of the fixing member;
• and
• a control unit configured to change a supply of power from the storage unit to the second heating member based on the local ambient temperature.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image forming device configured to form an image on a recording material;
• and
• a fixing device configured to fix the image formed on the recording material, the fixing device comprising:
• a fixing member disposed on a recording material conveyance path;
• a heating part configured to heat the fixing member to fix the image formed on the recording material by heat;
• a storage unit configured to be charged by an external power source to supply power to the heating part;
• a local ambient temperature detecting unit configured to detect a local ambient temperature in the vicinity of the fixing member;
• and
• a control unit configured to change a supply of power from the storage unit to the heating part based on the local ambient temperature.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image forming device configured to form an image on a recording material;
• and
• a fixing device configured to fix the image formed on the recording material, the fixing device comprising:
• a fixing member disposed on a recording material conveyance path;
• a heating part configured to heat the fixing member to fix the image formed on the recording material by heat, the heating part including a first heating member and a second heating member;
• a main power supply unit connected to an external power source to supply power to the first heating member;
• a storage unit acting as an auxiliary power supply unit configured to be charged by the external power source to supply power to the second heating member;
• a local ambient temperature detecting unit configured to detect a local ambient temperature in the vicinity of the fixing member;
• and
• a control unit configured to change a supply of power from the storage unit to the second heating member based on the local ambient temperature.

A method of fixing an image formed on a recording material, comprising:

• charging a storage unit by an external power source;
• detecting a local ambient temperature in the vicinity of a fixing member;
• supplying power to a heating part from the storage unit;
• heating the fixing member by the heating part;
• and
• changing a supply of power from the storage unit to the heating part based on the local ambient temperature.

A method of fixing an image formed on a recording material, comprising:

• charging a storage unit acting as an auxiliary power supply unit by an external power source;
• detecting a local ambient temperature in the vicinity of a fixing member;
• supplying power to a first heating member from a main power supply unit connected to the external power source;
• supplying power to a second heating member from the storage unit;
• heating the fixing member by the first heating member and the second heating member;
• and
• changing a supply of power from the storage unit to the second heating member based on the local ambient temperature.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• means for forming an image on a recording material;
• and
• means for fixing the image formed on the recording material, the means for fixing comprising:
• means for conveying the recording material on which the image is formed;
• first means for heating the means for conveying;
• second means for heating the means for conveying;
• first means for supplying power to the first means for heating;
• second means for supplying power to the second means for heating, the second means for supplying being charged by an external power source;
• means for detecting a local ambient temperature in the vicinity of the means for conveying;
• and
• means for changing a supply of power from the second means for supplying to the second means for heating based on local ambient temperature.