# US 2021/0240112 A1 · Fixing device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0240112 A1 - Document ID: US20210240112A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/166,464 - Filed: 2021-02-03 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-04 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Kazuna TAGUCHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210240112A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/2017: {Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means (G03G15/2053 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/2053: {Structural details of heat elements, e.g. structure of roller or belt, eddy current, induction heating} - G03G 21/1685: {for the fixing unit} - G03G 15/2039: {with means for controlling the fixing temperature} - G03G 15/2064: {combined with pressure} - G03G 21/20: Humidity or temperature control {also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control} - G03G 2215/00084: the characteristic being the temperature - G03G 2221/1639: for the fixing unit - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A fixing device includes a first fixing member, a second fixing member, a heater, a temperature sensor, a sensor holder, and a first frame. The temperature sensor detects a temperature of the first fixing member or the second fixing member. The sensor holder is configured to hold the temperature sensor and is fixed on the first frame. The first frame is made of metal and includes a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall. The second wall is connected to the first wall via the first bend. The third wall is connected to the second wall via the second bend. The fourth wall is connected to the third wall via the third bend. The first wall and the second wall form an acute angle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fixing device comprising: a first fixing member including a roller; a second fixing member configured to form a nip in combination with the first fixing member; a heater that heats the first fixing member or the second fixing member; a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the first fixing member or the second fixing member; a sensor holder configured to hold the temperature sensor; and a first frame on which the sensor holder is fixed, the first frame being made of metal, wherein the first frame comprises: a first bend, a second bend, and a third bend each of which has a bent shape in a cross section orthogonal to an axial direction of the roller; a first wall; a second wall connected to the first wall via the first bend; a third wall connected to the second wall via the second bend; and a fourth wall connected to the third wall via the third bend, and wherein the first wall and the second wall form an acute angle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the heater heats the first fixing member, and wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the first fixing member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor holder is fixed to the second wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the first frame has an opening formed across the first wall, the first bend, and the second wall, a part of the sensor holder extending through the opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is arranged inside the roller, wherein the second wall is arranged over the roller, wherein the first wall extends downward from the first bend, and wherein a lower end of the first wall is located below an upper end of the roller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fixing device according to claim 5, wherein the lower end of the first wall is located below an axis of the roller. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the second wall is located on a side of the first fixing member which is opposite to a side on which the second fixing member is located, in an opposing direction in which the first fixing member and the second fixing member are opposed to each other, wherein the first wall extends from the first bend so as to approach the second fixing member, and wherein an end of the first wall on the side on which the second fixing member is located is closer to a plane orthogonal to the opposing direction and intersecting the second fixing member than a point of the roller farthest from the plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second frame, wherein the first frame has an end facing outward in the axial direction, and the second frame is fixed to the end of the first frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fixing device according to claim 8, wherein the second wall includes a first protrusion that protrudes in the axial direction, and wherein the second frame has a first engagement hole that engages with the first protrusion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fixing device according to claim 9, wherein the second wall includes a first screw-fastening portion that is fastened onto the second frame by a screw. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fixing device according to claim 10, wherein a distance from the first bend to the first screw-fastening portion is shorter than a distance from the second bend to the first screw-fastening portion, and a distance from the first bend to the first protrusion is shorter than a distance from the second bend to the first protrusion, in a direction from the first bend toward the second bend. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The fixing device according to claim 8, wherein the third wall includes a second protrusion that protrudes in the axial direction, and wherein the second frame has a second engagement hole that engages with the second protrusion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein the fourth wall includes a second screw-fastening portion that is fastened onto the second frame by a screw, the second screw-fastening portion extending so as to approach the second protrusion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second frame configured to support the first fixing member or the second fixing member, the first frame having an end facing outward in the axial direction, and the second frame being fixed to the end of the first frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The fixing device according to claim 14, further comprising: an upstream guide configured to guide a sheet at a location upstream of the nip in a conveyance direction of the sheet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fixing device according to claim 15, wherein the first frame includes a part arranged between the upstream guide and the heater. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The fixing device according to claim 15, wherein the upstream guide is spaced apart from the first frame and fixed to the second frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The fixing device according to claim 15, further comprising a harness for supplying electric power to the heater; wherein the harness is located on a surface of the upstream guide facing away from the first frame. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first frame has a shape of a letter W in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The fixing device according to claim 19, wherein the first wall is arranged upstream of the nip in a conveyance direction of a sheet, wherein the third wall is located downstream of the nip in the conveyance direction, wherein the second wall is parallel to the fourth wall, wherein the second bend and the third bend each form a right angle, and wherein the second bend is bent in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first bend and the third bend are bent. ### Claim 21 A fixing device comprising: a first fixing member including a roller; a second fixing member configured to form a nip in combination with the first fixing member; and a first frame being made of metal, comprising: a first bend, a second bend, and a third bend each of which has a bent shape in a cross section orthogonal to an axial direction of the roller; a first wall; a second wall connected to the first wall via the first bend; a third wall connected to the second wall via the second bend; and a fourth wall connected to the third wall via the third bend. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The fixing device according to claim 21, wherein the first wall and the second wall form an acute angle. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The fixing device according to claim 21, further comprising: a heater configured to heat the first fixing member; and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the first fixing member. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The fixing device according to claim 23, further comprising: a sensor holder configured to hold the temperature sensor, wherein the sensor holder is fixed on the first frame. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The fixing device according to claim 24, wherein the first frame has an opening formed across the first wall, the first bend, and the second wall, a part of the sensor holder extending through the opening.