# US 7,613,410 B2 · Image formation apparatus and heat roller adjustment support method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,613,410 B2 - Document ID: US7613410B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/943,157 - Filed: 2007-11-20 - Published: 2008-05-22 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-11-22 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yohei Doi; Hiroshi Nakayama; Tetsuo Kitamura; Masanori Takai; Kazuhiko Kikuchi; Toyoyasu Kusaka; Satoshi Kinouchi; Yoshinori Tsueda; Osamu Takagi; Toshihiro Sone - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7613410B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/2053: {Structural details of heat elements, e.g. structure of roller or belt, eddy current, induction heating} - G03G 2215/20: Details of the fixing device or porcess - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image formation apparatus is provided for supporting adjustment of the distance between a heat roller and a heating unit for heating the heat roller, thereby supporting adjustment of supplied power to the heating unit. The image formation apparatus includes a heat roller for clamping paper with a toner image formed thereon with a pressurization roller; a heating unit being placed facing the heat roller for heating the heat roller; a power supply unit for supplying power to the heating unit; an acquisition unit for acquiring a power value based on the power supplied from the power supply unit; a comparison unit for making a comparison between the power value acquired by the acquisition unit and a predetermined power value; and a display unit for displaying information concerning adjustment of a distance from the heat roller to the heating unit based on the comparison result of the comparison unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image formation apparatus comprising: a heat roller containing an electric conductor, for clamping paper with a toner image formed thereon with a pressurization roller; a heating unit being placed facing the heat roller for heating the heat roller; a power supply unit for supplying power to the heating unit; an acquisition unit for acquiring a power value based on the power supplied from the power supply unit; a comparison unit for making a comparison between the power value acquired by the acquisition unit and a predetermined power value; and a display unit for displaying information concerning adjustment of a distance from the heat roller to the heating unit based on the comparison result of the comparison unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display unit further displays the power value acquired by the acquisition unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display unit further displays the difference between the power value acquired by the acquisition unit and the predetermined power value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adjustment unit capable of adjusting the distance from the heat roller to the heating unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the adjustment unit comprises: an adjustment screw being subjected to turning movement relative to a predetermined axis for varying in the direction of the predetermined axis; a support unit for supporting the adjustment screw; and a transmission unit having both end parts in contact with an end part of the adjustment screw supported by the support unit and the heating unit for transmitting a force so that the position of the heating unit relative to the heat roller varies based on variation of the position of the adjustment screw. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the display unit displays the number of turns of the adjustment screw relative to the predetermined axis as the information concerning the adjustment of the distance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the transmission unit has a supporting point at a position where the linear distance with the end part in contact with the adjustment screw is longer than the linear distance with the end part in contact with the heating unit. ### Claim 8 An image formation apparatus comprising: heating means being placed facing a heat roller containing an electric conductor, for clamping paper with a toner image formed thereon with a pressurization roller, the heating means for heating the heat roller; power supply means for supplying power to the heating means; acquisition means for acquiring a power value based on the power supplied from the power supply means; comparison means for making a comparison between the power value acquired by the acquisition means and a predetermined power value; and display means for displaying information concerning adjustment of a distance from the heat roller to the heating means based on the comparison result of the comparison means. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the display means further displays the power value acquired by the acquisition means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the display means further displays the difference between the power value acquired by the acquisition means and the predetermined power value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further comprising adjustment means capable of adjusting the distance from the heat roller to the heating means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the adjustment means comprises: varying means being subjected to turning movement relative to a predetermined axis for varying in the direction of the predetermined axis; support means for supporting the varying means; and transmission means having both end parts in contact with an end part of the varying means supported by the support means and the heating means for transmitting a force so that the position of the heating means relative to the heat roller varies based on variation of the position of the varying means. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the display means displays the number of turns of the varying means relative to the predetermined axis as information concerning adjustment of the distance. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the transmission means has a supporting point at a position where the linear distance with the end part in contact with the varying means is longer than the linear distance with the end part in contact with the heating means. ### Claim 15 A heat roller adjustment support method of supplying power to a heating unit being placed facing a heat roller containing an electric conductor, for clamping paper with a toner image formed thereon with a pressurization roller, the heating unit for heating the heat roller; acquiring a power value based on the supplied power; making a comparison between the acquired power value and a predetermined power value; and displaying information concerning adjustment of a distance from the heat roller to the heating unit based on the comparison result. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The heat roller adjustment support method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the acquired power value is further displayed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The heat roller adjustment support method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the difference between the acquired power value and the predetermined power value is further displayed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The heat roller adjustment support method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the distance from the heat roller to the heating unit can further be adjusted. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The heat roller adjustment support method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the distance from the heat roller to the heating unit is adjusted by using an adjustment unit comprising an adjustment screw being subjected to turning movement relative to a predetermined axis for varying in the direction of the predetermined axis, a support unit for supporting the adjustment screw, and a transmission unit having both end parts in contact with an end part of the adjustment screw supported by the support unit and the heating unit for transmitting a force so that the position of the heating unit relative to the heat roller varies based on variation of the position of the adjustment screw. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The heat roller adjustment support method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the information concerning the adjustment of the distance is the number of turns of the adjustment screw relative to the predetermined axis.