Abstract: A fixing device and an image forming apparatus to pass a paper through a nip portion between a fixing roller and a pressure roller and fix a toner image on the paper. The image forming apparatus includes a first spring and a second spring to press the pressure roller against the fixing roller and an operation lever to change a pressing state of the springs. The operation lever has two positions of: a first position in which pressing of the pressure roller by the first spring is made active and pressing by the second spring is made inactive; and a second position in which the pressing by the second spring is made active and the pressing by the first spring is made inactive. A contact pressure of the pressure roller against the fixing roller is differentiated in the first position and in the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a door, an elastic member to generate a pressing force of a nip portion of the fixing unit, and a switching member to change a pressing state of the elastic member. The switching member is placed in any one of first, second, and third positions. In the first position, the pressing force is defined as a first level. The second position has a second level different from the first level. The pressing force of the third position is equal to or lower than the smaller one of the first and second levels. While the door is closed from open state, an interference member of the door does not interfere with the switching member in the first or second position but interferes with the switching member in the third position to move the switching member to the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a door, an elastic member to generate a pressing force of a nip portion of the fixing unit, and a switching member to change a pressing state of the elastic member. The switching member is placed in any one of first, second, and third positions. In the first position, the pressing force is defined as a first level. The second position has a second level different from the first level. The pressing force of the third position is equal to or lower than the smaller one of the first and second levels. While the door is closed from open state, an interference member of the door does not interfere with the switching member in the first or second position but interferes with the switching member in the third position to move the switching member to the first position.

Abstract: A fixing device and an image forming apparatus to pass a paper through a nip portion between a fixing roller and a pressure roller and fix a toner image on the paper. The image forming apparatus includes a first spring and a second spring to press the pressure roller against the fixing roller and an operation lever to change a pressing state of the springs. The operation lever has two positions of: a first position in which pressing of the pressure roller by the first spring is made active and pressing by the second spring is made inactive; and a second position in which the pressing by the second spring is made active and the pressing by the first spring is made inactive. A contact pressure of the pressure roller against the fixing roller is differentiated in the first position and in the second position.

Abstract: A fixing device having: a heating unit; a first rotating member and rotating in a first rotational direction; a second rotating member contacting the first rotating member and thereby forming a nip through which a printing medium passes, wherein the second rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; a reflective member provided around the first rotating member and having a reflection surface provided so as to face the first rotating member; and an inhibitory member inhibiting air in a space between the reflective member and the first rotating member from flowing out through a first gap between a downstream end of the reflective member in the first rotational direction and a closest portion of the first rotating member to the downstream end of the reflective member, wherein the inhibitory member overlaps with a part of the first gap.

Abstract: A fixing device having: a first rotating member rotating in a first rotational direction; a second rotating member contacting the first rotating member and thereby forming a nip through which a printing medium passes, wherein the second rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; a heating unit heating the first rotating member in a heating section not overlapping with the nip when viewed in a plan view in the predetermined direction; and a first reflective member facing at least a part of a portion of the first rotating member that is located on a downstream side in the first rotational direction relative to the heating section but on an upstream side in the first rotational direction relative to the nip, the first reflective member having a reflection surface on the side facing the first rotating member.

Abstract: An exhaust fan, an exhaust duct through which a discharged gas flows and a filter which is provided in the exhaust duct are included. A curved portion is provided in the exhaust duct, and the filter is provided on a downstream side in a direction of flow of the gas with respect to the curved portion. On an inside wall of the curved portion of the exhaust duct on an outer side in a radial direction, a first flow control member that uniformizes the amount of the gas flowing through the filter is provided so as to be perpendicular to the shaft of the curved portion, and a space is formed between the first flow control member and an inside wall of the curved portion on an inner side in the radial direction.

Abstract: A fixing device having: a first rotating member rotating in a first rotational direction; a second rotating member contacting the first rotating member and thereby forming a nip through which a printing medium passes, wherein the second rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; a heating unit heating the first rotating member in a heating section not overlapping with the nip when viewed in a plan view in the predetermined direction; and a first reflective member facing at least a part of a portion of the first rotating member that is located on a downstream side in the first rotational direction relative to the heating section but on an upstream side in the first rotational direction relative to the nip, the first reflective member having a reflection surface on the side facing the first rotating member.

Abstract: A fixing device having: a heating unit; a first rotating member and rotating in a first rotational direction; a second rotating member contacting the first rotating member and thereby forming a nip through which a printing medium passes, wherein the second rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; a reflective member provided around the first rotating member and having a reflection surface provided so as to face the first rotating member; and an inhibitory member inhibiting air in a space between the reflective member and the first rotating member from flowing out through a first gap between a downstream end of the reflective member in the first rotational direction and a closest portion of the first rotating member to the downstream end of the reflective member, wherein the inhibitory member overlaps with a part of the first gap.

Abstract: An exhaust fan, an exhaust duct through which a discharged gas flows and a filter which is provided in the exhaust duct are included. A curved portion is provided in the exhaust duct, and the filter is provided on a downstream side in a direction of flow of the gas with respect to the curved portion. On an inside wall of the curved portion of the exhaust duct on an outer side in a radial direction, a first flow control member that uniformizes the amount of the gas flowing through the filter is provided so as to be perpendicular to the shaft of the curved portion, and a space is formed between the first flow control member and an inside wall of the curved portion on an inner side in the radial direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an internal combustion engine ignition system, including: a plurality of spark coils each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, each secondary coil being coupled to a common spark plug to apply a high voltage thereto; a plurality of primary current generation module provided correspondingly with the spark coils and configured to asynchronously generate primary currents respectively flowing through the primary coils; one or a plurality of primary current detection module configured to detect each of the primary currents; and a primary current control module configured to adjust an output power supplied to each primary coil in accordance with a change in the primary current to thereby control an increase rate of the primary current.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a developing device having an outlet from which a two-component developer is partially discharged while the two-component developer is conveyed; a hopper to which (i) a first cartridge containing a first developer including carriers and (ii) a second cartridge containing a second developer including toner and not carriers are attachable, and operable, when the first cartridge is attached thereto, to supply the first developer to the developing device, and when the second cartridge is attached thereto, to supply the second developer to the developing device; and a switching part operable, when the first developer is supplied, to switch the developing device to a first state in which the two-component developer is partially discharged from the outlet, and when the second developer is supplied, to switch the developing device to a second state in which the two-component developer is not discharged from the outlet.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an internal combustion engine ignition system, including: a plurality of spark coils each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, each secondary coil being coupled to a common spark plug to apply a high voltage thereto; a plurality of primary current generation module provided correspondingly with the spark coils and configured to asynchronously generate primary currents respectively flowing through the primary coils; one or a plurality of primary current detection module configured to detect each of the primary currents; and a primary current control module configured to adjust an output power supplied to each primary coil in accordance with a change in the primary current to thereby control an increase rate of the primary current.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a developing device having an outlet from which a two-component developer is partially discharged while the two-component developer is conveyed; a hopper to which (i) a first cartridge containing a first developer including carriers and (ii) a second cartridge containing a second developer including toner and not carriers are attachable, and operable, when the first cartridge is attached thereto, to supply the first developer to the developing device, and when the second cartridge is attached thereto, to supply the second developer to the developing device; and a switching part operable, when the first developer is supplied, to switch the developing device to a first state in which the two-component developer is partially discharged from the outlet, and when the second developer is supplied, to switch the developing device to a second state in which the two-component developer is not discharged from the outlet.

Abstract: A resin composition is provided which comprises from 50 to 95% by weight of a modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C) obtained by reacting an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A) with a monovalent epoxy compound (B) having a molecular weight of 500 or less, and from 5 to 50% by weight of a soft resin (F) that has at least one functional group able to react with a hydroxyl group and has a Young's modulus at 23° C., 50% RH of 500 MPa or less, wherein the soft resin (F) is dispersed with an average particle diameter of 0.1 ?m or less in a matrix of the modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C). This resin composition is excellent in barrier properties and also in flex resistance and impact resistance at low temperature.

Abstract: The lighting apparatus according to the present invention is a lighting apparatus which lights by emitting light through solid-state light-emitting devices using an AC power source, the lighting apparatus including an AC to DC conversion unit which converts AC from the power source into DC, and a power source device which includes a rectangular main single-side mounting board, on which a part of the AC to DC conversion unit is mounted, and a rectangular first single-side mounting sub-board, on which a remaining part of the AC to DC conversion unit is mounted, the power source device being shaped like a chopstick box laid out such that the long, rectangular mounting surface of the main single-side mounting board and the rectangular first single-side mounting sub-board face each other along a length-wise direction.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus according to the present invention includes: a voltage supply unit which supplies voltage; and a plurality of solid state light emitting devices which emit light using the voltage supplied by the voltage supply unit. The plurality of solid state light emitting devices are series-connected, the voltage supplied by the voltage supply unit is applied to the plurality of solid state light emitting devices which are series-connected, and the voltage supplied is set to a voltage such that a current flowing through each of the plurality of solid state light emitting devices is equal to or less than 1/N of the maximum rated current, where N is a number equal to or greater than 2.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus according to the present invention includes: a plurality of solid state light emitting devices; a holding unit which holds the plurality of solid state light emitting devices; a casing inside which the holding unit is disposed; a first terminal and a second terminal disposed at a longitudinal end of the casing; a third terminal and a fourth terminal disposed at the other longitudinal end of the casing; a first rectification unit which converts alternating current power, supplied from an external source to the first terminal and the third terminal, into direct current power, and to supply the direct current power to the plurality of solid state light emitting devices; and a second rectification unit which converts alternating current power, supplied from the external source to the second terminal and the fourth terminal, into direct current power, and to supply the direct current power to the plurality of solid state light emitting devices.

Abstract: A resin composition is provided which comprises from 50 to 95% by weight of a modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C) obtained by reacting an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A) with a monovalent epoxy compound (B) having a molecular weight of 500 or less, and from 5 to 50% by weight of a soft resin (F) that has at least one functional group able to react with a hydroxyl group and has a Young's modulus at 23° C., 50% RH of 500 MPa or less, wherein the soft resin (F) is dispersed with an average particle diameter of 0.1 ?m or less in a matrix of the modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C). This resin composition is excellent in barrier properties and also in flex resistance and impact resistance at low temperature.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure comprising a layer of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A), a layer of a carboxylic acid-modified polyolefin (B), a layer of a thermoplastic resin (C) having a solubility parameter of 11 or less, and a layer of a resin composition (E), wherein the resin composition (E) comprises an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A), a carboxylic acid-modified polyolefin (B), a thermoplastic resin (C) and a thermoplastic resin (D) having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a boronic acid group and boron-containing groups capable of being converted into a boronic acid group in the presence of water, and the layer of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A) is laminated with the layer of a thermoplastic resin (C) or the layer of a resin composition (E) through the layer of a carboxylic acid-modified polyolefin (B). This provides a multi-layer structure which allows effective reuse of regrind and which is excellent in impact resistance and gas barrier properties.