Abstract: A connector member connectable to a heating unit inside a heating roller of a fixing device includes a cover having a recess into which an end of a substrate of the heating unit in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the heating roller can be inserted, and an energizing terminal stored in the cover and including a contact portion on one side of the recess and to be in contact with a contact point on the substrate, and a connecting portion to which a conducting wire for receiving electric power is connected and located on the other side of the recess.

Abstract: A heating device includes a cylindrical body with a hollow interior and a heater inside the hollow interior. A first surface of the heater faces the inner surface of the cylindrical body. A heat transfer member is on a second surface of the heater. A grease is between the heater and the heat transfer member. A support member is provided including a first portion fixed to the second surface of the heater and a second portion contacting a surface of the heat transfer member. The support member includes a third portion between the first and second portions. The third portion does not contact the second surface of the heater between the first and second portions and provides a space for grease from between the heater and the heat transfer member to accumulate.

Abstract: A fixing unit or device that can be used in an image forming apparatus includes a first heater element that is formed of a material that increases in electrical resistance with increases in temperature. A controller of the fixing unit is configured to vary a duty ratio of electric power applied to the first heater element during a start-up operation in which the temperature of the first heater element is raised to a target operating temperature. By varying the duty ratio during the start-up operation, changes in the resistance of the first heater element with the heating can be compensated. For example, the duty ratio can be increased during the course of the start-up to achieve the target operating temperature faster.

Abstract: A heating device includes a cylindrical body with a hollow interior and a heater inside the hollow interior. A first surface of the heater faces the inner surface of the cylindrical body. A heat transfer member is on a second surface of the heater. A grease is between the heater and the heat transfer member. A support member is provided including a first portion fixed to the second surface of the heater and a second portion contacting a surface of the heat transfer member. The support member includes a third portion between the first and second portions. The third portion does not contact the second surface of the heater between the first and second portions and provides a space for grease from between the heater and the heat transfer member to accumulate.

Abstract: A heating unit includes a cylinder which rotates about an axis parallel to a first direction. A heater has a first surface abutting on an inner surface of the cylinder at a nip position. A support member is on a second surface of the heater and also contacts the cylinder. A first heating element is in the heater at a first position along the first direction. A second heating element in the heater is at a second position spaced from the first position. A first temperature sensor is above the first position. A locking portion of the heater is at a third position along the first direction. The locking portion engages the support member and restricts movement of the heater in the first direction. The first position is near a first outer edge of the cylinder. The second position is closer to a central portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A fixing unit or device that can be used in an image forming apparatus includes a first heater element that is formed of a material that increases in electrical resistance with increases in temperature. A controller of the fixing unit is configured to vary a duty ratio of electric power applied to the first heater element during a start-up operation in which the temperature of the first heater element is raised to a target operating temperature. By varying the duty ratio during the start-up operation, changes in the resistance of the first heater element with the heating can be compensated. For example, the duty ratio can be increased during the course of the start-up to achieve the target operating temperature faster.

Abstract: A heating unit includes a rotating cylinder rotating about an axis parallel to a first direction. A first and second temperature sensor are provided contacting the inner surface of the rotating cylinder. A heater has a length in the first direction and a width in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the second direction aligned with a rotational direction of the rotating cylinder. A support member holds the heater in a fixed position relative to the rotating cylinder. The heating unit may include, in some examples, a stay supporting the support member and the temperature sensors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a belt, and a heater configured to heat the belt and including a substrate and a heating layer that is formed on the substrate, and a controller configured to shut off the heater if no current flows through the belt.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes a cylindrical fixing body, a heater unit, and a heat transfer member. The heater unit is in an interior region surrounded by the cylindrical fixing body and includes a heating element group. The heater unit extends lengthwise in a first direction parallel to an axial direction of the cylindrical fixing. The heat transfer member has a contact surface that contacts heater unit and an opposite surface on a side opposite the heater unit. The outer edges of the opposite surface in the first direction are at positions along the first direction that are beyond the outer edges of the contact surface in the first direction.

Abstract: A heating unit includes a cylinder which rotates about an axis parallel to a first direction. A heater has a first surface abutting on an inner surface of the cylinder at a nip position. A support member is on a second surface of the heater and also contacts the cylinder. A first heating element is in the heater at a first position along the first direction. A second heating element in the heater is at a second position spaced from the first position. A first temperature sensor is above the first position. A locking portion of the heater is at a third position along the first direction. The locking portion engages the support member and restricts movement of the heater in the first direction. The first position is near a first outer edge of the cylinder. The second position is closer to a central portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A heating device for heating a medium on which an image can be formed includes a cylindrical belt, a first heating unit, and a second heating unit. The first and second heating units are inside the cylindrical belt and face an inner circumferential surface of the belt. A controller is configured to control the heating units to generate heat. When the medium is to be heated to reach an image fixing temperature at which the image can be fixed to the medium, the controller controls the first and second heating units to both generate heat. After the medium is heated to the image fixing temperature, the controllers control the first heating unit to generate heat, but not the second heating unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a fixing belt, and a heater configured to heat the fixing belt and including a substrate and a heating layer that is formed on the substrate, and a controller configured to, upon detecting an absence of a current flowing through the fixing belt, control the heater to not generate heat.

Abstract: A heating unit includes a rotating cylinder rotating about an axis parallel to a first direction. A heater having a width in a second direction is on the inner surface of the cylinder. A support member holds the heater fixed relative to the cylinder and includes an upstream member adjacent to the heater in the second direction and a downstream member adjacent to the heater in the second direction. The heating unit may include, in some examples, a stay supporting the support member, a guide member on the stay, and a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of an inner surface of the cylinder. In some examples, the support member may comprise a plurality of ribs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet storage receptacles configured to store a sheet. The image forming apparatus also includes a fixing device having a heating belt and a pressure roller configured to heat and fix toner on the sheet conveyed from one of the plurality of sheet storage receptacles. The image forming apparatus also includes a processor and a memory configured to store temperature information associated with each sheet storage receptacle and related to temperature control of the fixing device, acquire type information of a sheet to be printed, in response to a predetermined condition, specify the sheet storage receptacle storing the sheet to be printed, and perform a first heating control that controls a temperature of the fixing device based on the stored temperature information associated with the specified sheet storage receptacle.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a motor that drives a fixing device; and a controller. The motor outputs a signal corresponding to a driving current value of the motor. The controller performs a first operation where a magnitude value of the signal has fallen out of a first range while driving the motor in a first operation mode. The controller performs a second operation where the magnitude value of the signal has fallen out of a second range while driving the motor in a second operation mode.

Abstract: A heating device for heating a medium on which an image can be formed includes a cylindrical belt, a first heating unit, and a second heating unit. The first and second heating units are inside the cylindrical belt and face an inner circumferential surface of the belt. A controller is configured to control the heating units to generate heat. When the medium is to be heated to reach an image fixing temperature at which the image can be fixed to the medium, the controller controls the first and second heating units to both generate heat. After the medium is heated to the image fixing temperature, the controllers control the first heating unit to generate heat, but not the second heating unit.

Abstract: A heating device includes a rotatable film, a heater disposed inside the film and including a substrate that extends along a first direction and having two surfaces opposite to each other, and a heater element on one of the surfaces of the substrate, and a heat conductor including a first portion contacting the other surface of the substrate, and a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and does not contact the other surface of the substrate. A width of the second portion is wider than the heater element in the second direction.

Abstract: A connector member connectable to a heating unit inside a heating roller of a fixing device includes a cover having a recess into which an end of a substrate of the heating unit in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the heating roller can be inserted, and an energizing terminal stored in the cover and including a contact portion on one side of the recess and to be in contact with a contact point on the substrate, and a connecting portion to which a conducting wire for receiving electric power is connected and located on the other side of the recess.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a motor that drives a fixing device; and a controller. The motor outputs a signal corresponding to a driving current value of the motor. The controller performs a first operation where a magnitude value of the signal has fallen out of a first range while driving the motor in a first operation mode. The controller performs a second operation where the magnitude value of the signal has fallen out of a second range while driving the motor in a second operation mode.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming device capable of performing an operation corresponding to a defect occurring in a fixing device at a desired timing. The image forming device includes a conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a fixing device, a motor, and a control unit. The motor drives the fixing device and outputs a signal having a magnitude corresponding to a value of a drive current. The control unit, when conveyance of a print medium is stopped and when the motor is driven in a first operation mode, continues to drive the motor in the first operation mode, and performs a first operation when the magnitude of the signal is out of a first range, and when the conveyance of the print medium is stopped and when the motor is driven in a second operation mode, stops driving the motor in the second operation mode and then drives the motor in the first operation mode, and performs the first operation when the magnitude of the signal is out of the first range.