Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a flexible endless fixing member that moves in a predetermined direction for heating and melting a toner image, a heating member that is fixed to the fixing member in a position facing at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member for heating the fixing member, and a pressing member that provides a nipping part by pressing into contact with the fixing member for conveying a recording medium. The heating member includes a metal plate subjected to a bending process.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by a fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. A pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The heat conduction member faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member to guide the fixing member sliding over the heat conduction member and to transmit heat to the fixing member. The heat conduction member includes a plurality of convex portions provided on an outer circumferential surface of the heat conduction member and contacting the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless flexible fixing member, a supporting member having a pipe shape disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing member to support the fixing member, a pressing member disposed opposite the supporting member via the fixing member, and a nip formation member disposed opposite the pressing member via the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member. The fixing member contacts an outer circumferential face of the supporting member at a side opposite a side at which the fixing member contacts the nip formation member at the fixing nip. The fixing member has slack portions formed upstream and downstream from the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The slack portions extend toward the pressing member over the fixing nip without contacting either the supporting member or the pressing member.

Abstract: By using a black-image forming device, an abrasive pattern is formed on a sheet conveying belt so that toner is input to a contact section where a cleaning blade is in contact with the sheet conveying belt. After the toner is input to the contact section where the cleaning blade is in contact with the sheet conveying belt and then the sheet conveying belt makes one or more revolutions, a process control is performed in which Y, M, and C toner patterns and B toner pattern are transferred onto the sheet conveying belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless, flexible fixing member, a heat conductive member, a heater, a pressing member, a nip formation member, and a radiation member. The endless, flexible fixing member is formed into a loop. The heat conductive member is disposed within the loop formed by the fixing member to conduct heat to the fixing member. The heater is disposed near the heat conductive member to heat the heat conductive member. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member. A recording medium is conveyed through the fixing nip. The radiation member is detachably pressable against an outer circumference of the fixing member to contact the fixing member with the heat conductive member to cool the fixing member and the heat conductive member.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a pressing member rotates in a predetermined direction of rotation. A flexible endless fixing member rotates in accordance with rotation of the pressing member. A nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member and pressed against the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A first heat generator faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member at a position other than the nip to heat the fixing member. A second heat generator faces the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member at a position other than the nip to heat the fixing member, and is disposed adjacent to the first heat generator along the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a nip formation member, a pressing member, and a low-friction sheet. The nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. The pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The low-friction sheet, over which the fixing member slides, covers the nip formation member. The nip formation member includes a first sandwiching member covered by the low-friction sheet, and a second sandwiching member sandwiching the low-friction sheet together with the first sandwiching member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image carrier, a second image carrier, an intermediate transfer member disposed facing the second image carrier, a conveyance belt to transport a transfer sheet, disposed facing both the first image carrier and the intermediate transfer member, a first transfer member to transfer a first toner image formed on the first image carrier onto the transfer sheet, a second transfer member to transfer a second toner image formed on the second image carrier onto the intermediate transfer member, and a third transfer member disposed downstream from the second image carrier in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member, to transfer the second toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto the transfer sheet transported by the conveyance belt. The first image carrier and the intermediate transfer member inflect the conveyance belt at a first inflection angle and a second inflection angle, respectively.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless, flexible fixing member, a metal member, a heater, a pressing member, a temperature detector, and a supporting member. The fixing member is rotatably provided in the fixing device to heat a toner image thereon. The metal member is fixedly mounted in the fixing device so as to be opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, to maintain the fixing member in a substantially circularly loop shape. The heater is disposed near the metal member to heat the metal member. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member. The temperature detector is disposed in contact with the metal member, to detect a temperature of the metal member. The supporting member is disposed between the heater and the temperature detector to support the temperature detector.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a hollow, stationary metal roller, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, a reinforcing member, and a heating assembly. The metal roller has an outer circumference thereof subjected to heating. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal roller to transfer heat radially outward from the heated metal roller. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt to press against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The reinforcing member is disposed stationary within the roller interior. The heating assembly is disposed stationary within the roller interior to heat the metal roller from inside, and includes a first heater and a second heater. The first and second heaters are arranged in juxtaposition with each other along the inner circumference of the metal roller.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a stationary member is provided inside a belt member and pressed against a rotary pressing member via the belt member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the belt member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. An expandable heating member is provided inside the belt member to face an inner circumferential surface of the belt member to heat the belt member. A regulator contacts a downstream portion of the heating member provided downstream from a center of the nip in a direction of rotation of the belt member to expand the downstream portion of the heating member.

Abstract: A pressure releasing lever is operated to switch the position of a locking member between a pressure exertion position and a pressure release position. In the pressure exertion position a pressure exerting roller exerts pressure against another roller via a pressure exerting lever and in the pressure release position the pressure exerting roller separates from the roller. An elastic member pulls the locking member and a second end of the pressure exerting lever in a locking direction. A core end of the pressure exerting roller is rotatably supported by a shaft bearing. The pressure exerting lever engages with the shaft bearing.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing member that travels in a prescribed direction and applies heat and melts a toner image, a pressure applying member that pressure contacts the fixing member and forms a nip for conveying a recording medium, and a resistance heat element secured inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, which applies heat to the fixing member. The resistance heat element is arranged not to pressure contact the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a fixed member is provided inside a loop formed by a belt member, and is pressed against a rotary member via the belt member to form a nip portion between the rotary member and the belt member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. In the fixed member, a low-friction sheet member is wrapped around a body in a sliding direction of the belt member in which the belt member slides over the fixed member in such a manner that the low-friction sheet member covers a surface of the body opposing the nip portion. At least one plate spring presses the low-friction sheet member against the body to apply a predetermined tension to the low-friction sheet member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a hollow, generally cylindrical open-sided stationary heat roll, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a rotatable pressure member, and a roll shape retainer. The heat roll is configured to heat an outer circumference thereof, and defines an elongated longitudinal side opening in one side thereof. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat roll to transfer heat radially outward from the roll circumference. The fuser pad is held substantially stationary along the roll opening outward from the roll hollow and inward from the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The roll shape retainer is disposed on the roll opening to retain the generally cylindrical shape of the heat roll.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a metal member is provided inside a fixing belt to heat the fixing belt. A first lubricant is applied between the metal member and the fixing belt at a center portion of the fixing belt in an axial direction of the fixing belt that contacts a recording medium bearing a toner image. A second lubricant having a viscosity greater than a viscosity of the first lubricant is applied between the metal member and the fixing belt at lateral edge portions of the fixing belt in the axial direction of the fixing belt that do not contact the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device including a fixing member to melt a toner so as to fix a toner image onto a recording medium, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the fixing member, and a heater to heat the fixing member based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. A driving speed of the fixing member is reduced after printing is completed, and subsequently the fixing member stops driving. The fixing member is controlled to have a desired temperature (Ts) after the fixing member stops driving that is lower than a desired temperature (Tp) during printing.

Abstract: A fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet includes a flexible endless belt that rotates in a predetermined direction, an inner circumferential surface of which includes a fluorine-containing surface layer, a rotary member that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the belt, a fixed member fixed inside the belt to press against the rotary member via the belt, forming a nip portion therebetween, a lubricant applied between the belt and the fixed member, and a heat source to heat at least one of the belt and the rotary member. A surface of the fixed member that slidingly contacts the inner circumferential surface of the belt includes a fluorine-containing surface layer. One of the fluorine-containing surface layers is porous, and at least one of the fluorine-containing surface layers has a surface energy greater than a surface tension of the lubricant.