Abstract: A heater includes electrodes and heating element pieces. The electrodes energize the heating element pieces with electricity. The heating element pieces are connected to the electrodes and arranged through a gap portion in the heater in a main scanning direction. A ratio of a second surface area of the gap portion to a first surface area of the heating element pieces is 0<(second surface area of the gap portion)/(first surface area of the heating element pieces)?0.5.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing belt, a pressing member, a heating source, a temperature detecting element, a recording medium detection unit, and a control unit. The heating source is arranged to be opposed to the pressing member via the fixing belt so as to be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt and heats the fixing belt at a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressing member. The temperature detecting element detects a temperature of the heating source. The recording medium detection unit is arranged, on a conveyance path, on an upstream side of the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of a recording medium and detects presence/absence of the recording medium being conveyed. Based on the presence/absence of the recording medium detected by the recording medium detection unit, the control unit controls timing for energizing the heating source.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first fixing member, a second fixing member, a pressing member, and a heating device. The first fixing member is in an ungrounded state and comes into contact with a toner image on a sheet. The second fixing member is arranged opposite the first fixing member. The pressing member presses the first fixing member against the second fixing member so as to form, at the contact portion between the first fixing member and the second fixing member, a nip portion through which the sheet passes. The heating device heats the first fixing member.

Abstract: A duration measuring section measures a plurality of times. A temperature measuring section measures a temperature of a heater at each of the times. A temperature information outputting section outputs heater temperature information. A temperature tendency computing section outputs temperature tendency information of the heater. A drive controller outputs linear velocity information for controlling the linear velocity of a pressure roller. A pressure roller drive section drives the pressure roller.

Abstract: A fixing belt heats and fixes a toner image. A pressure roller rotates the fixing belt while in contact with the fixing belt. A heater heats the fixing belt. A lubricating oil forms an oil film between the heater and an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt. A pressure roller driver rotates the pressure roller so that the lubricating oil causes the fixing belt to be out of contact with the heater.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing section, a detection section, and a controller. The detection section detects a passing range of a recording medium in terms of a direction intersecting with a conveyance direction of the recording medium. A heating section of the fixing section includes a first heater and a second heater. The first heater has a longitudinal direction extending in an axis direction. The second heater has a longitudinal direction extending in terms of the axis direction from each of opposite ends of the first heater in terms of the axis direction. When a result of detection by the detection section indicates that the passing range of the recording medium does not overlap with a specific range of the second heater, the controller restricts heat generation by the second heater.

Abstract: A fixing belt heats and fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A plurality of heating element pieces is arranged on an opposing surface of a heater in a main scanning direction. The opposing surface faces the sheet. A heat capacity of the fixing belt and a clearance, in the main scanning direction, of a gap portion between the heating element pieces adjacent to each other have a relationship expressed as follows: (the heat capacity (J/K) of the fixing belt)?(24×(the clearance (mm))?9).

Abstract: A heater includes electrodes and heating element pieces. The electrodes energize the heating element pieces with electricity. The heating element pieces are connected to the electrodes and arranged through a gap portion in the heater in a main scanning direction. A ratio of a second surface area of the gap portion to a first surface area of the heating element pieces is 0<(second surface area of the gap portion)/(first surface area of the heating element pieces)?0.5.

Abstract: A temperature detection section is disposed opposite to a heater so as to be out of contact with the heater, and detects a temperature of the heating element. A spacer is disposed so that the heater and the temperature detection section are out of contact with each other. The spacer includes a separator that separates the temperature detection section from the heater and that has a gap through which the heat is transferred from the heater to the temperature detection section and that melts upon the temperature of the heating element increasing to a specific temperature or higher. The separator after melting fills the gap.

Abstract: A fixing belt heats and fixes a toner image. A pressure roller rotates the fixing belt while in contact with the fixing belt. A heater heats the fixing belt. A lubricating oil forms an oil film between the heater and an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt. A pressure roller driver rotates the pressure roller so that the lubricating oil causes the fixing belt to be out of contact with the heater.

Abstract: A heater includes a fixing device including a heater substrate, electrodes, a heating element, and a heat conducting member. The heating element is disposed on a facing surface of the heater substrate that is to face a sheet, and includes a plurality of heating element pieces arranged in a line in a main scanning direction of the sheet with a gap therebetween. The heat conducting member stores heat generated from the heating element and radiates the heat toward the sheet passing over the gap.

Abstract: A duration measuring section measures a plurality of times. A temperature measuring section measures a temperature of a heater at each of the times. A temperature information outputting section outputs heater temperature information. A temperature tendency computing section outputs temperature tendency information of the heater. A drive controller outputs linear velocity information for controlling the linear velocity of a pressure roller. A pressure roller drive section drives the pressure roller.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure roller, a reserving portion, and a heater. The pressure roller is provided in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The reserving portion is provided inside the fixing belt and configured to reserve a lubricant. The heater is provided between the reserving portion and the fixing belt in such a way as to be pressed against the fixing belt, wherein a moving path is formed in the heater such that the lubricant moves from the reserving portion toward the pressure roller in the moving path.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure roller, a reserving portion, and a heater. The pressure roller is provided in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The reserving portion is provided inside the fixing belt and configured to reserve a lubricant. The heater is provided between the reserving portion and the fixing belt in such a way as to be pressed against the fixing belt, wherein a moving path is formed in the heater such that the lubricant moves from the reserving portion toward the pressure roller in the moving path.