Abstract: In a fixing device, a first fixing member and a second fixing member nip a recording medium so as to fix a toner image on the recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium. A pressure application lever presses the second fixing member toward the first fixing member. A pressure release lever supported by the pressure application lever supports a lock member. An elastic member pulls the lock member in a lock direction. The pressure release lever moves the lock member between a pressure application position, at which the lock member causes the pressure application lever to press the second fixing member toward the first fixing member so as to apply tension to the second fixing member, and a pressure release position, at which the second fixing member separates from the first fixing member so as to release tension applied to the second fixing member.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a fixed member is fixedly provided inside a loop formed by a belt, and is pressed against a pressing rotary member via the belt to form a nip portion between the pressing rotary member and the belt to nip a recording medium bearing a toner image. A heating member is fixedly, provided inside the loop formed by the belt to heat the belt. The heating member includes an opening opposing the pressing rotary member. A seal member covers the opening in the heating member to prevent a foreign substance from entering the heating member through the opening in the heating member. A reinforcement member is fixedly provided inside the heating member and pressed against the fixed member via the seal member to reinforce the fixed member.

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 for use in an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the fixing device includes a flexible fixing member, a pressure member, an abutting member, and an interior member. The flexible fixing member is formed in an endless shape and is configured to heat and melt a toner image. The pressure member is disposed so as to be in contact with the fixing member with pressure. The abutting member is fixedly disposed on an inner surface of the fixing member so as to form a nip portion by abutting the pressure member via the fixing member. The interior member is fixedly disposed so as to face the inner surface of the fixing member except the nip portion, and is configured to heat the fixing member. The abutting member and the interior member are provided independent of each other.

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 and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device. The fixing device includes a heat source, an endless, flexible fixing member to fix a toner image by heating and melting the toner image onto a recording medium, a pressure member to press against the fixing member, a stationary facing member to face an inner surface of the fixing member and heat the fixing member while contacting the pressure member via the fixing member at a nip portion formed between the fixing member and the pressure member, and a reinforcement member to reinforce the facing member at the nip portion by contacting an inner surface of the facing member in a fixed manner.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a belt moves in a predetermined direction to heat and melt a toner image on a recording medium. A pressing rotary member is pressed against the belt to form a nip portion to nip and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image. A heating member is fixedly provided inside a loop formed by the belt and faces an inner circumferential surface of the belt. The heating member is heated by a heater to heat the belt. The heating member includes a primary heating portion directly heated by the heater, and a secondary heating portion heated by heat conducted from the primary heating portion. The primary heating portion and the secondary heating portion are provided in a circumferential direction of the heating member. The secondary heating portion has a heat capacity smaller than a heat capacity of the primary heating portion.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing member; a metal member; and a pressing member. “A” is equal to or less than “Bmax” and greater than “Bave” (“Bmax”?“A”>“Bave”), where “A” represents an amount of a clearance at the time of normal temperature between the fixing member and the metal member, “Bmax” represents a maximum amount of deformation generated in the metal member when heating is started by the heating member from a normal temperature state, and “Bave” represents an amount of stable deformation generated in the metal member when the temperature of the entire metal member becomes even.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a metal thermal conductor provided inside a loop formed by a fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body; a heater provided inside the metal thermal conductor to heat the metal thermal conductor; a pad support provided inside the metal thermal conductor; and a reflector provided between the heater and the pad support to reflect heat emitted by the heater thereto toward an inner circumferential surface of the metal thermal conductor. The reflector includes a center reflection portion provided at a center of the reflector in a longitudinal direction thereof and a plurality of end reflection portions provided at respective lateral ends of the reflector. A plurality of reflector moving assemblies is connected to the plurality of end reflection portions of the reflector, respectively, to tilt the plurality of end reflection portions toward the center reflection portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism for forming an image on a recording medium with a developer according to image data and a fixing mechanism for fixing the developer forming the image on the recording medium. The fixing mechanism includes a pressing member, a fixing member, a tension roller, and a cleaner. The fixing member and the pressing member respectively apply heat and pressure to the recording medium conveyed through a nip formed between the pressing member and the fixing member. The tension roller contacts one of the pressing member and the fixing member that contacts the developer forming the image on the recording sheet to apply tension to the one of the pressing member and the fixing member. The cleaner contacts the tension roller and removes contaminants including the developer adhered to the tension roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, temperature detector, and a support member. The fixing device is removably installable in the image forming apparatus and includes a rotary fixing member to fuse a toner image on a recording medium, a fixing frame to support the fixing member, and an outer fixing cover provided to cover the fixing member and the fixing frame and having an opening from which a portion of a surface of the fixing member is exposed to the outside. The temperature detector is disposed opposing the fixing member to detect a temperature of the surface of the fixing member without contacting the fixing member when the fixing member is installed in the image forming apparatus. The support member supports the temperature detector to introduce the temperature detector into the inside of the fixing cover through the opening upon installation of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device and image-forming apparatus, which provide required glossiness and paper adaptability, and, in addition, feature good operability and excellent durability while achieving optimal pressure-applying force for a variety of requirements. The fixing device has a pressure-applying lever; a pressure-releasing lever; a locking member, the one end of which is rotationally attached to the pressure-releasing lever; and an elastic member which pulls the locking member in a locking direction. The configuration is such that the rotation of the pressure-releasing lever displaces the location of the locking member, thereby enabling switching between a pressure-applying position, in which a fixing member presses against another fixing member, and a pressure-releasing position, in which the one fixing member moves away from the other fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a nip forming member disposed inside a fixing member and pressed against a pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A heat generator disposed inside the fixing member heats the fixing member outside the nip portion and has variable heat distribution over a width of the fixing member. A first temperature detector disposed inside the fixing member contacts an end portion of the heat generator in the width direction of the fixing member, opposite a surface facing the fixing member, to detect a temperature of the heat generator. A second temperature detector disposed inside the fixing member contacts a center of an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member in the width direction, to detect the temperature of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing unit removably installable in an image forming apparatus includes an endless fixing member; a metal member disposed in proximity to an inner surface of the fixing member; a nip formation member supported by the metal member to slidably contact the fixing member or oppose the fixing member via a slide sheet; a heater to heat the metal member to heat the fixing member; a rotary pressing member to rotate the fixing member, disposed opposite the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member; a rotation detector to detect a rotational state of the fixing member. Heating rotation of the fixing member is continuously performed until a predetermined rotational state of the fixing member is obtained, to spread lubricant substantially uniformly at least between the fixing member and the metal member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular, stationary metal pipe, a heater, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, and a tubular pipe cover. The heater is disposed adjacent to the metal pipe to heat a circumference thereof. The metal pipe has multiple through-holes provided at least at a circumferential perforated section thereof. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal pipe to transfer heat radially outward from the heated circumference of the metal pipe. The rotatable pressure member extends opposite the metal pipe with the fuser belt interposed between the metal pipe and the pressure member. The fuser pad, accommodated within the metal pipe, held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt, presses against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The tubular pipe cover is fitted around the metal pipe.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a substantially cylindrical metal member, a heater, an endless, flexible fixing member, a rotary pressing member, a stationary member, a first temperature detector, and a second temperature detector. The first temperature detector is disposed upstream from a nip in a rotation direction of the fixing member to detect a surface temperature of the fixing member. The second temperature detector is disposed downstream from the nip in a rotation direction of the pressing member to detect a surface temperature of the pressing member. When a difference between a surface temperature of the fixing member detected by the first temperature detector and a surface temperature of the pressing member detected by the second temperature detector after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first temperature detector detects the surface temperature of the fixing member is greater than a predetermined threshold, the heater stops heating the metal member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heat conductive member; a flexible fixing belt looped around the heat conductive member, an inner circumference of the flexible fixing belt slidably contacting a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the heat conductive member; a rotary pressing member disposed opposing the heat conductive member; heat sources disposed in a circumferential direction of the fixing belt at a predetermined interval to heat the heat conductive member; and temperature detectors provided to detect a surface temperature of the fixing belt at a detection position at which heating intensity of a corresponding one of the heat sources is not affected by any other one. In operation, the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt contacts the heat conductive member at a position at which each temperature detector contacts the fixing belt as the detection position or a position proximal to the detection position of each temperature detector.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt-shaped fixing member; a pressing member; a contact member provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member and pressed against the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member, a laminated heater facing an inner circumferential face of the fixing member to heat the fixing member, connected to an external power source, and including a heat generation sheet that includes a heat-resistant resin in which conductive particles to receive electricity from the external power source and generate heat are unevenly dispersed throughout the heat-resistant resin to have a dispersal gradient of increasing particle dispersion density from an inner face toward an outer face of the heat generation sheet; and a heater support to support the laminated heater along the inner circumferential face of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible, endless belt-shaped fixing member that rotates in a predetermined direction of rotation, a substantially cylindrical metal heat conductor provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member and facing an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, a pressing member that presses the fixing member against the metal heat conductor to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes, and a separator that presses the fixing member against the metal heat conductor, provided downstream from the nip in the direction of rotation of the fixing member and contacting the recording medium discharged from the nip to separate the recording medium from the fixing member and guide the recording medium out of the fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device for forming a toner image on a recording medium and a fixing device for fixing the toner image formed on the recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium. In the fixing device, an endless belt, having flexibility, moves to apply heat to the recording medium. A metal thermal conductor, having a pipe shape and provided inside a loop formed by the endless belt, guides the moving endless belt. A heat source heats the metal thermal conductor. A pressing member presses the metal thermal conductor via the endless belt to form a nip between the endless belt and the pressing member. At the nip, the endless belt and the pressing member nip the recording medium bearing the toner image to apply heat and pressure to the recording medium.