Abstract: A fixing device comprising: an endless fixing belt having a multilayer structure including a non-magnetic conductive layer and a first magnetic conductive layer, the non-magnetic conductive layer having a thickness smaller than a skin depth of a material thereof, the first magnetic conductive layer having a thickness smaller than a skin depth of a material thereof and being located farther from an outside surface of the fixing belt than the non-magnetic conductive layer; and a supporting member disposed inside the endless fixing belt and including a second magnetic conductive layer having a thickness larger than a skin depth of a material thereof. The first magnetic conductive layer and the second magnetic conductive layer have a higher specific resistance than the non-magnetic conductive layer, and the first magnetic conductive layer has been manufactured by plastic forming or plating.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image onto a recording sheet by causing the sheet to pass through a fixing nip. The fixing device includes: heat belt formed in an endless shape and provided with a resistance heat layer; first pressure member provided inside a running path of the heat belt; and second pressure member pressing the first pressure member from over the running path to form the fixing nip. At least one of the first and second pressure members is rotating body. The heat belt has a pressure-receiving area and two non-pressure areas. The pressure-receiving area receives pressures from both the first and second pressure members. The non-pressure areas have been arranged at outside of the pressure-receiving area in an axis direction of the rotating body. Two ring-like electrodes have been formed on circumferential surfaces of the non-pressure areas and are used to supply power to the resistance heat layer.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has: a heat-generating endless belt having, on a circumferential surface thereof, a sheet passing area through which the recording sheet passes; a first pressure member disposed inside a running path of the endless belt; and a second pressure member disposed to press the endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip. The endless belt includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers that receive electric current. The electrode layers flank the sheet passing area. The resistive heat layer is in contact with the electrode layers at a different one of end faces opposing each other in a width direction of the resistive heat layer.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has a heat-generating endless belt that includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers each disposed along a different one of widthwise edges of the heat-generating endless belt. The resistive heat layer has (i) reduced thickness portions each along a widthwise edge thereof and (ii) a middle portion between the reduced thickness portions. Each reduced thickness portion is thinner than the middle portion and connected to the middle portion with a wall surface upright in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the heat-generating endless belt to define a stair shape. Each electrode layer is disposed on the resistive heat layer to be in contact with a corresponding one of the wall surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image onto the recording sheet, the fixing device comprising: a fixing belt; and a meander regulation member provided adjacent to an edge of the fixing belt in a width direction thereof, and operable to prevent meandering of the fixing belt, wherein the fixing belt includes: a resistive heat layer that is tubular and generates heat when an electric current is applied thereto; and first and second electrodes that are provided circumferentially on an outer circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer, and that receive and apply the electric current to the resistive heat layer, and the first electrode is provided closer to the meander regulation member than to the second electrode, and is at a distance from the edge of the fixing belt in the width direction thereof.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a heating rotary member having a heating layer generating heat upon current application; a pressurizing rotary member brought into pressure-contact with an outer circumferential surface of the heating rotary member to form fixing nip, through which a sheet on which unfixed toner image is formed passes for heat fixing; circular electrodes that are circumferentially formed at two respective positions sandwiching a sheet passing region therebetween, on the outer circumferential surface, and feed electrical power to the heating layer, the electrodes are each metallic and formed of at least two electrode layers including a first electrode layer layered directly on the heating layer and a second electrode layer as an outermost layer, linear expansion coefficient difference between the first layer and the heating layer is smaller than that between the second layer and the heating layer, and the second layer is more oxidation-resistant than the first layer.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device that uses an induction heating method and is capable of shortening a warm-up time period by accelerating the speed of increase in the temperature of a fixing belt. The fixing device forms a fixing nip by having a pressurizing roller pressurize a fixing roller, which is positioned inside a rotation path of a fixing belt having a hollow cylindrical shape, from outside the rotation path via the fixing belt. Given that Db is an inner diameter of the fixing belt, Dr is an outer diameter of the fixing roller, and a rate X is a value obtained by dividing the inner diameter Db of the fixing belt by the outer diameter Dr of the fixing roller, the fixing belt and the fixing roller that satisfy a relationship 0<X?1.18 are used.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording sheet, the fixing device comprising: a fixing belt including, on an inner circumference side thereof, a resistance heating layer, extending over entire circumference of the fixing belt, operable to emit heat upon flowing of an electric current therethrough; a pressing member operable to press an outer circumference of the fixing belt to form a fixing nip therebetween so that, while the recording sheet passes through the fixing nip, the toner image is fixed onto the recording sheet; and a pair of power supply members arranged inside the fixing belt along the circumferential direction with a predetermined distance therebetween, the power supply members being in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the resistance heating layer in an electrically conductive state along a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction.

Abstract: An induction heating unit enabling to attaching coil on coil attaching surface of bobbin with a high degree of accuracy, and a fixing device capable of maintaining the distance between the coil and the member to be heated at a high degree of accuracy, ensuring uniformity of temperature distribution of the member to be heated, rising temperature at a high speed, and enhancing quality of fixation. In an induction heating unit 30 including a magnetizing coil 39 attached on a coil bobbin 38 which is disposed outside of annular body 19 to be heated, the unit including: a layer of elastic adhesive 44a provided on the outer surface of the coil bobbin 38; a magnetizing coil 39 provided on the layer of elastic adhesive 44a, the magnetizing coil 39 being wound beforehand following an attaching surface; and a layer of elastic adhesive 44b provided on the magnetizing coil 39.

Abstract: A fixing device comprising: an endless fixing belt having a multilayer structure including a non-magnetic conductive layer and a first magnetic conductive layer, the non-magnetic conductive layer having a thickness smaller than a skin depth of a material thereof, the first magnetic conductive layer having a thickness smaller than a skin depth of a material thereof and being located farther from an outside surface of the fixing belt than the non-magnetic conductive layer; and a supporting member disposed inside the endless fixing belt and including a second magnetic conductive layer having a thickness smaller than a skin depth of a material thereof. The first magnetic conductive layer and the second magnetic conductive layer have a higher specific resistance than the non-magnetic conductive layer, and the first magnetic conductive layer has been manufactured by plastic forming or plating.

Abstract: A heat generating sleeve (19) having a high ability to control an amount of heat generation of itself and sufficient strength comprises a heat controlling layer (30) consisting of annealed permalloy, and a main heating layer (31) consisting of unannealed metal plated on a surface of the heat controlling layer (30).

Abstract: A heat generating roller which generates a heat when magnetic flux is applied from outside, which has high ability to control an amount of heat generation of itself and which has sufficient strength, including a main heating layer made of a material having a low electric resistivity, a heat controlling layer made of magnetic metal including at least nickel, a heat insulation layer having a low heat conductivity, and a stiff metal core, in order as above from outside, wherein the heat controlling layer is annealed, and the heat controlling layer and the heat insulation layer are bonded to each other.

Abstract: A fixing device thermally fixes an unfixed image on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has: a heat-generating endless belt; a first pressure member inside a running path of the endless belt; a second pressure member pressing the endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip, and a pair of power feeders. The endless belt includes: a circumferential resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a first electrode and a second electrode flanking a sheet passing area of the circumferential surface of the endless belt. Each electrode is composed of a pair of electrode layers, one on the inner and another on the outer circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer. Each power feeder is in contact with both the electrode layers of a different electrode.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing an unfixed image formed on a sheet by passing the sheet through a fixing nip, the fixing device comprising: a pair of ring-shaped electrodes each disposed along a different one of edges of endless belt and flanking a sheet-passing region on an external circumferential surface of the belt; and a pair of power feeders each being in contact with a different one of the ring-shaped electrodes at a contact area and feeding power to a resistive heat layer included in the belt, at least one of the power feeders being located at a position upstream from the fixing nip in a rotation direction of the belt and allowing a portion of the belt between the fixing nip and the contact area to be in close contact with the first roller while the belt is being rotated.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has: a heat-generating endless belt having, on a circumferential surface thereof, a sheet passing area through which the recording sheet passes; a first pressure member disposed inside a running path of the endless belt; and a second pressure member disposed to press the endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip. The endless belt includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers that receive electric current. The electrode layers flank the sheet passing area. The resistive heat layer is in contact with the electrode layers at a different one of end faces opposing each other in a width direction of the resistive heat layer.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has a heat-generating endless belt that includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers each disposed along a different one of widthwise edges of the heat-generating endless belt. The resistive heat layer has (i) reduced thickness portions each along a widthwise edge thereof and (ii) a middle portion between the reduced thickness portions. Each reduced thickness portion is thinner than the middle portion and connected to the middle portion with a wall surface upright in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the heat-generating endless belt to define a stair shape. Each electrode layer is disposed on the resistive heat layer to be in contact with a corresponding one of the wall surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image onto the recording sheet, the fixing device comprising: a fixing belt; and a meander regulation member provided adjacent to an edge of the fixing belt in a width direction thereof, and operable to prevent meandering of the fixing belt, wherein the fixing belt includes: a resistive heat layer that is tubular and generates heat when an electric current is applied thereto; and first and second electrodes that are provided circumferentially on an outer circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer, and that receive and apply the electric current to the resistive heat layer, and the first electrode is provided closer to the meander regulation member than to the second electrode, and is at a distance from the edge of the fixing belt in the width direction thereof.

Abstract: A fixing device thermally fixes an unfixed image on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has: a heat-generating endless belt; a first pressure member inside a running path of the endless belt; a second pressure member pressing the endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip, and a pair of power feeders. The endless belt includes: a circumferential resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a first electrode and a second electrode flanking a sheet passing area of the circumferential surface of the endless belt. Each electrode is composed of a pair of electrode layers, one on the inner and another on the outer circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer. Each power feeder is in contact with both the electrode layers of a different electrode.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image onto a recording sheet by causing the sheet to pass through a fixing nip. The fixing device includes: heat belt formed in an endless shape and provided with a resistance heat layer; first pressure member provided inside a running path of the heat belt; and second pressure member pressing the first pressure member from over the running path to form the fixing nip. At least one of the first and second pressure members is rotating body. The heat belt has a pressure-receiving area and two non-pressure areas. The pressure-receiving area receives pressures from both the first and second pressure members. The non-pressure areas have been arranged at outside of the pressure-receiving area in an axis direction of the rotating body. Two ring-like electrodes have been formed on circumferential surfaces of the non-pressure areas and are used to supply power to the resistance heat layer.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording sheet, the fixing device comprising: a fixing belt including, on an inner circumference side thereof, a resistance heating layer, extending over entire circumference of the fixing belt, operable to emit heat upon flowing of an electric current therethrough; a pressing member operable to press an outer circumference of the fixing belt to form a fixing nip therebetween so that, while the recording sheet passes through the fixing nip, the toner image is fixed onto the recording sheet; and a pair of power supply members arranged inside the fixing belt along the circumferential direction with a predetermined distance therebetween, the power supply members being in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the resistance heating layer in an electrically conductive state along a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction.