Abstract: In one embodiment, a heating device includes a tubular body and a heater within an interior region formed by the tubular body. A first temperature detector is disposed within the interior region. A first wire is connected to the first temperature detector on a first side of the first temperature detector facing a first direction parallel to the axial length of the tubular body. A second temperature detector is disposed within the interior region on a second side of the first temperature detector opposite the first side. The second temperature detector is spaced from the first temperature detector in a second direction opposite of the first direction. A second wire is connected to the second temperature detector on a side of the second temperature detector facing the second direction. The first wire and the second wire extend with each other to an outer end of the tubular body.

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 support member has upstream ribs on the upstream member and downstream ribs on the downstream member, each rib having a curved shape facing the inner surface of the rotating cylinder and being spaced from each other in the first 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.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heating device includes a fixing belt configured to be rotated and a pressure roller configured to abut against the fixing belt and be driven to cause the fixing belt to rotate. A heater is configured to heat the fixing belt. A motor is configured to drive the pressure roller to rotate. A current sensor is configured to measure a driving current of the motor. A controller is configured to stop the heater based on the measured driving current.

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: In accordance with an embodiment, a fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on a medium to the medium comprises a heating rotating member that is rotatably supported; a heater configured to heat the heating rotating member; a pressing member arranged at the inside of the heating rotating member and configured to abut against an inner peripheral surface of the heating rotating member; a pressing rotating member configured to be pressed against the pressing member across the heating rotating member to form a nip through which the medium passes; a support member configured to movably support the pressing member in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the pressing rotating member; and a lubricant supply member arranged between the support member and the pressing member and impregnated with a lubricant.

Abstract: A heating device includes a cylindrical film configured to be rotated about an axis, a heater including a substrate that extends along a longitudinal direction parallel to the axis, and a heater element on the substrate and facing an inner surface of the cylindrical film. A heat conductor extends along the longitudinal direction and has first and second surfaces. A first portion of the heat conductor contacts the substrate and a second portion of the heat conductor has a groove in the first surface. A temperature sensing element is disposed at a position on the second surface at a position opposite the groove.

Abstract: A heating device includes a rotatable film, a heater including a substrate that extends along a first direction, and a heater element on the substrate and facing the film, a heat conductor having first and second surfaces and including a first portion contacting 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 substrate, and a temperature sensing element on the second surface at a position corresponding to the second portion. A thickness of the first portion from the first surface to the second surface is greater than a thickness of the second portion from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heater, a fixing device, and a controller. The heater includes a heat generator that generates heat when the heater is turned on. The fixing device may fix a developer image on a surface of an image forming medium using the heat from the heat generator. The controller detects a voltage of a power supply for supplying electric power to the heater, and determines an occurrence of an abnormality in the heater if a voltage drop amount at the time the heater is turned on as compared to a case in which the heater is turned off is smaller than a first threshold value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater and a fixing belt. The fixing belt is electrically connected between a first power source and a ground terminal. A controller is configured to control the heater to heat the fixing belt. The controller is further configured to determine whether a current is flowing through the fixing belt and, upon determining that a current is not flowing through the fixing belt, control the heater not to heat the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fixing device according to an embodiment includes a fixing belt, a pressurizing roller, a supporting member and a heating member. The fixing belt is supported to be capable of circularly moving and is formed endless. The pressurizing roller comes into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt and forms a nip for holding a sheet. The supporting member is disposed on an inner side of the fixing belt and extends in an axial direction of the fixing belt. The heating member is disposed on the inner side of the fixing belt and supported by the supporting member and extends in the axial direction of the fixing belt. If the pressurizing roller does not pressurize the fixing belt, end portions of a second principal plane opposite to a first principal plane on the pressurizing roller side of the heating member are separated from the supporting member.

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 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 support member has upstream ribs on the upstream member and downstream ribs on the downstream member, each rib having a curved shape facing the inner surface of the rotating cylinder and being spaced from each other in the first direction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater and a fixing belt. The fixing belt is electrically connected between a first power source and a ground terminal. A controller is configured to control the heater to heat the fixing belt. The controller is further configured to determine whether a current is flowing through the fixing belt and, upon determining that a current is not flowing through the fixing belt, control the heater not to heat the fixing belt.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a heater, a fixing device, and a controller. The heater includes a heat generator that generates heat when the heater is turned on. The fixing device may fix a developer image on a surface of an image forming medium using the heat from the heat generator. The controller detects a voltage of a power supply for supplying electric power to the heater, and determines an occurrence of an abnormality in the heater if a voltage drop amount at the time the heater is turned on as compared to a case in which the heater is turned off is smaller than a first threshold value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater and a fixing belt. The fixing belt is electrically connected between a first power source and a ground terminal. A controller is configured to control the heater to heat the fixing belt. The controller is further configured to determine whether a current is flowing through the fixing belt and, upon determining that a current is not flowing through the fixing belt, control the heater not to heat the fixing belt.

Abstract: A heating device includes a cylindrical film configured to be rotated about an axis, a heater including a substrate that extends along a longitudinal direction parallel to the axis, and a heater element on the substrate and facing an inner surface of the cylindrical film. A heat conductor extends along the longitudinal direction and has first and second surfaces. A first portion of the heat conductor contacts the substrate and a second portion of the heat conductor has a groove in the first surface. A temperature sensing element is disposed at a position on the second surface at a position opposite the groove.

Abstract: A fixing device according to an embodiment includes a fixing belt, a pressurizing roller, a supporting member and a heating member. The fixing belt is supported to be capable of circularly moving and is formed endless. The pressurizing roller comes into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt and forms a nip for holding a sheet. The supporting member is disposed on an inner side of the fixing belt and extends in an axial direction of the fixing belt. The heating member is disposed on the inner side of the fixing belt and supported by the supporting member and extends in the axial direction of the fixing belt. If the pressurizing roller does not pressurize the fixing belt, end portions of a second principal plane opposite to a first principal plane on the pressurizing roller side of the heating member are separated from the supporting member.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on a medium to the medium comprises a heating rotating member that is rotatably supported; a heater configured to heat the heating rotating member; a pressing member arranged at the inside of the heating rotating member and configured to abut against an inner peripheral surface of the heating rotating member; a pressing rotating member configured to be pressed against the pressing member across the heating rotating member to form a nip through which the medium passes; a support member configured to movably support the pressing member in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the pressing rotating member; and a lubricant supply member arranged between the support member and the pressing member and impregnated with a lubricant.

Abstract: A fixing device according to an embodiment includes a fixing belt, a pressurizing roller, a supporting member and a heating member. The fixing belt is supported to be capable of circularly moving and is formed endless. The pressurizing roller comes into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt and forms a nip for holding a sheet. The supporting member is disposed on an inner side of the fixing belt and extends in an axial direction of the fixing belt. The heating member is disposed on the inner side of the fixing belt and supported by the supporting member and extends in the axial direction of the fixing belt. If the pressurizing roller does not pressurize the fixing belt, end portions of a second principal plane opposite to a first principal plane on the pressurizing roller side of the heating member are separated from the supporting member.