Back to results
US 8,014,711 B2Granted
Fixing unit having enhanced temperature control and image forming apparatus using the same
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorsAkiko Ito, Tadashi Ogawa, Hiroshi Seo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fixing unit includes a rotatable fixing member and a rotatable pressure applying member. The rotatable fixing member has a heat generating layer to generate heat when subject to a magnetic flux. The rotatable pressure applying member contacts the rotatable fixing member and applies pressure to the fixing member. The rotatable fixing member and the rotatable pressure applying member form a nip therebetween, to which a recording medium is passed through to fix an image on the recording medium. The rotatable fixing member includes a magnetism regulating layer deformable when subject to pressure from the rotatable pressure applying member.
Claims33
A fixing unit, comprising:
- a rotatable fixing member having a core metal made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, a heat insulating layer, a magnetism regulating layer, and a heat generating layer from an inner side to an outer side of the rotatable fixing member in such order, the heat generating layer generates heat when subject to a magnetic flux generated by a magnetic flux generator disposed outside of the rotatable fixing member;
- and
- a rotatable pressure applying member configured to contact the rotatable fixing member and to apply pressure to the fixing member, the rotatable fixing member and the rotatable pressure applying member forming a nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is passed through to fix an image on the recording medium,
- wherein the magnetism regulating layer is deformable when subject to pressure from the rotatable pressure applying member, and is made of a magnetic material having a Curie temperature of 100 to 300 degrees Celsius, and
- the heat insulating layer has a thickness of 10 mm or less.
2 more elements
A fixing unit, comprising:
- a rotatable fixing belt having a heat generating layer and a silicone rubber layer from an inner side to an outer side of the rotatable fixing belt in such order, the heat generating layer being heated when subject to a magnetic flux generated by a magnetic flux generator;
- a magnetism regulating member, not fixed on the rotatable fixing belt, opposing the magnetic flux generator via the rotatable fixing belt intervening between the magnetism regulating member and the magnetic flux generator;
- a conductive material member, made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, and opposing the magnetic flux generator via the magnetism regulating member and the rotatable fixing belt, the conductive material member being non-contactable to the magnetism regulating member;
- and
- a rotatable pressure applying member configured to contact the rotatable fixing belt and to apply pressure to the fixing belt, the rotatable fixing belt and the rotatable pressure applying member forming a nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is passed through to fix an image on the recording medium,
- wherein the magnetism regulating member is made of a magnetic material having a Curie temperature of 100 to 300 degrees Celsius.
3 more elements
A fixing unit, comprising:
- a rotatable fixing belt having a heat generating layer, the heat generating layer being heated when subject to a magnetic flux generated by a magnetic flux generator disposed outside of the rotatable fixing belt;
- a roller, disposed inside the rotatable fixing belt and being contacted to the rotatable fixing belt, and opposing the magnetic flux generator, the roller having a conductive material layer and a magnetism regulating layer from an inner side to an outer side of the rotatable fixing belt in such order, and the conductive layer and the magnetism regulating layer being disposed each other with non-contactable manner, the conductive material layer is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy;
- a fixing support roller disposed inside the rotatable fixing belt;
- and
- a rotatable pressure applying member configured to contact the fixing support roller via the rotatable fixing belt, the rotatable fixing belt and the rotatable pressure applying member forming a nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is passed through to fix an image on the recording medium,
- wherein the magnetism regulating member is made of a magnetic material having a Curie temperature of 100 to 300 degrees Celsius.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.