Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fusing device. The fusing device includes a first heating source including a first heater and a first conductor connected to the first heater, a second heating source including a second heater and a second conductor connected to the second heater, a fusing member heated by at least one of the first heating source and the second heating source. The fusing device includes a pressing member disposed to face the fusing member to press a printing medium toward the fusing member, where the first heating source includes a first non-heater portion in which the first heater or the first conductor is sealed so that a part of the first heating source does not generate heat.

Abstract: The fixing apparatus includes a heating rotary member that heats the toner image on a recording medium, a pressure member that comes in contact with the heating rotary member, wherein the recording medium provided with the toner image is conveyed at a nip portion, a cover that covers part of an outer surface of the heating rotary member to form a space with the heating rotary member and extends in a longitudinal direction of the heating rotary member, the cover including a partition including a surface perpendicular to a longitudinal direction on a cover end portion in the longitudinal direction and partitioning the space and outside of the space, and a flange provided on an end portion on a same side as the partition in the longitudinal direction and including an extending portion extending in a direction approaching the cover.

Abstract: A fuser heater within a printing device includes a substrate with conductive traces and a resistive trace having a first end and a second end. The resistive trace is connected to the conductive traces at each of the first end and the second end and forms an electrical connection between the conductive traces and the resistive trace. A first strip is printed on the substrate using a first metal ink. A second strip is printed on the substrate using a second metal ink. The second strip is in contact with the first strip. The first metal ink is different from the second metal ink. The first strip and the second strip form a thermocouple. The thermocouple is operatively attached to the conductive traces. A controller operatively attached to the thermocouple controls the temperature of the fuser heater.

Abstract: A fan noise suppression circuit may be coupled between a power source and a power input to at least one fan. The fan noise suppression circuit may include an adjustable current source coupled to the power source. The adjustable current source may provide a voltage output and a current output based on a power output of the power source. The fan noise suppression circuit may include a feedback controller coupled to an output of the adjustable current source. The feedback controller may be configured to compare the voltage output to a reference voltage and provide an error value to the adjustable current source, wherein the adjustable current source may adjust the current output based on the error value.

Abstract: An image heating device includes, a moving member configured to move while contacting a recording material at one surface of the moving member, a backup member configured to contact the other surface of the moving member, a holding member configured to hold the backup member, a nip portion forming member contacting the one surface of the moving member, and configured to form a nip portion in corporation with the backup member via the moving member, and a high thermal conductive member held between the holding member and the backup member, wherein the recording material on which an image has been formed is heated by heat received from the moving member while being nipped and conveyed at the nip portion, and wherein the holding member includes a recessed portion configured not to apply pressure to the high thermal conductive member.

Abstract: The heater to be used for an image heating apparatus includes a substrate, and first and second heat generation lines that are provided on the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and are each divided into a plurality of heat generation blocks that can be mutually independently controlled, in the longitudinal direction, wherein in the plurality of heat generation blocks in the second heat generation line, a heat generation block is provided that overlaps one heat generation block in the first heat generation line in the longitudinal direction, and has a different heat generation distribution in the longitudinal direction, and can be independently controlled. Accordingly, the heater can form a heat generation distribution that is suitable for various paper sizes.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, an option device, and a power supply line. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus controller, an image forming unit, and an apparatus power supply. The apparatus power supply is configured to generate a control voltage that is supplied to the apparatus controller and an apparatus drive voltage that is supplied to the image forming unit. The option device includes a drive load, an option power supply, an option controller, and a detector. The option controller is configured to control the option power supply and receive the control voltage supplied from the apparatus power supply, via the power supply line. The detector is configured to transmit a detection signal to the option controller, the detection signal from among a plurality of different detection signals corresponding to operation statuses of the option power supply.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: a unit part that can be pulled out of a main unit; a cover part that is configured to, when being close, cover the unit part; a lock part that, when the cover part is being open, is movable to a first position where it is possible to pull the unit part out of the main unit and is movable to a second position where it is impossible to pull the unit part out of the main unit; a detection unit configured to, when being supplied with power, detect an internal state of the unit part; and a first power supply unit configured to shut off power supply to the detection unit when the lock part is moved to the first position, and supply power to the detection unit when the lock part is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt, a planar heater, a thermal fuse element, and an elastic member. The belt fixes a toner image to a recording medium. The heater heats the endless belt. The thermal fuse element has ends, has a length equal to or larger than an image forming width of the toner image formed on the recording medium, and is in contact with the heater. The elastic member supports at least one of the ends of the thermal fuse element.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (300) includes a housing (301), conveyance roller pairs (313 to 317), and a pressure releasing mechanism. The housing (301) is openably/closably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus. The conveyance roller pairs (313 to 317) pinch an original document sheet with pressure and feed the original document sheet. The pressure releasing mechanism detaches one rollers (313b to 317b) of the conveyance roller pairs (313 to 317) from the other rollers (313a to 317a) in conjunction with an operation of opening the housing 301 against the main body.

Abstract: An excessive heating protection circuit to be connected to a first temperature sensor being configured to output less voltage with a rise in temperature and a second temperature sensor being configured to output more voltage with a rise in temperature. The excessive heating protection circuit includes: a multiplexer having a plurality of channels capable of receiving reference voltages predetermined for the first and second temperature sensors, the multiplexer being configured to output one of the reference voltages by selecting one of the channels with reference to input selection signals; a first comparator being configured to compare the output voltage of the first temperature sensor to the output reference voltage of the multiplexer and to output a comparison result; and a second comparator being configured to compare the output voltage of the second temperature sensor to the output reference voltage of the multiplexer and to output a comparison result.

Abstract: A fixing device for improving heat efficiency and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device includes a heating roller, a pressing roller, a pressing portion, a halogen lamp, a reflection plate, a first reflection member including a first reflection unit configured to reflect light irradiated from a first halogen lamp to the heating rotator, and a second reflection member including a second reflection unit configured to reflect light irradiated from a second halogen lamp to the heating rotator, wherein a center portion of the first reflection unit has a higher reflectivity than opposite end portions of the first reflection unit, and opposite end portions of the second reflection unit have a higher reflectivity than a center portion of the second reflection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device. The fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing member, a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing member, a pressing member in contact with the nip forming member via the fixing member, and a heating source configured to heat the fixing member. When an abnormality occurs in at least one of the fixing device and other devices included in the image forming apparatus, a rotation of the fixing member is stopped prior to stopping a rotation driving of a discharging unit and, after stopping, the fixing member is controlled to rotate.

Abstract: A fuser unit includes: an endless belt, which has an end portion having an end surface in a first direction; a nip member, which extends in the first direction and is arranged inside the endless belt; a belt guide, which is arranged to be in contact with the end surface of the endless belt and includes: a restraining part, which is configured to restrain the endless belt from moving in the first direction; and an inner surface guide, which extends from the restraining part into an inside of the endless belt and guides the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt; and an urging member, which is configured to urge the belt guide in a urging direction so that the inner surface guide is urged toward the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a primary heater, a secondary heater, and a tertiary heater to heat a primary heating span, a secondary heating span, and a tertiary heating span of a fixing rotator, respectively. A primary temperature detector and a secondary temperature detector detect a temperature of the fixing rotator. A tertiary temperature detector detects a temperature of a pressure rotator. A controller selectively performs a primary control mode to de-energize the tertiary heater and a secondary control mode to connect the secondary heater and the tertiary heater in series to energize the primary heater, the secondary heater, and the tertiary heater. The controller energizes the secondary heater and the tertiary heater in the secondary control mode based on the temperature of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator detected by the secondary temperature detector and the tertiary temperature detector, respectively.

Abstract: A heater includes: a substrate; and a plurality of electrode portions including first electrode portions electrically connectable with the first terminal and second electrode portions electrically connectable with the second terminal. The first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are arranged alternately with predetermined gaps in a longitudinal direction of the substrate. The heater also includes a plurality of heat generating portions provided between adjacent ones of the electrode portions so as to electrically connect between adjacent electrode portions. The heat generating portions are capable of generating heat by the electric power supply between adjacent electrode portions. With respect to a widthwise direction of the substrate, the distance between ends of the adjacent electrode portions is larger than the width of the plurality of heat generating portions.

Abstract: A method of heating a print zone disposed between a print-head and a media support device of a printing system includes supplying a first amount of power to a heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a first temperature range to the print zone of the printing system. The method also includes determining whether a temperature of the printhead is within a warning temperature range and, if so, supplying a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power to the heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a second temperature range to the print zone. Otherwise, the first amount of power is continued to be supplied to the heating assembly.

Abstract: Fluctuation frequency (F) of an ambient light (S) is identified by: A) specifying first frequency (F1) and second frequency (F2), higher than said first frequency; B) measuring an optical power of the ambient light with a signal receiver (2) over a measuring time interval (Ti) during a total measuring time (T), which is shorter than or equal to a first cycle duration (P1) belonging to the first frequency; C) detecting the optical power of the ambient light in a time series over the total measuring time; D) determining at least one detection feature for identifying the fluctuation frequency by evaluating the time series; and E) identifying the fluctuation frequency of the ambient light as the first frequency or as the second frequency using the at least one detection feature.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material while conveying and heating, at a nip portion, the recoding material on which the toner image has been formed, the fixing apparatus including a rotary member including a conductive layer, a helical coil provided inside the rotary member, a helical axis of the helical coil extending in a generatrix direction of the rotary member, a magnetic core provided inside the helical coil, the magnetic core having a shape that does not form a loop outside the conductive layer, and a back-up member forming a nip portion together with the rotary member. In the generatrix direction, when winding pitches of the helical coil in a middle area, in end-portion areas, and in intermediate areas that are areas between the middle area and the end-portion areas are X, Y, and Z, respectively, then Y<X<Z is satisfied.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a pressing member, a shape restricting member and an elastic body. The fixing belt is configured to be rotatable. The pressuring member is configured to be rotatable and to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The pressing member is configured to press the fixing belt to a side of the pressuring member. The shape restricting member is configured to restrict a shape of the fixing belt and having an arc-shaped insertion part to be inserted into an end part of the fixing belt. The elastic body is attached to an end part in a circumferential direction of the insertion part.

Abstract: A heater including a substrate, a first heat generating line provided on the substrate and in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, the first heat generating line being divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of heat generating blocks being controllable independently, and a second heat generating line provided on the substrate and in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, the second heat generating line being divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of heat generating blocks being controllable independently. In the heater, divided positions of the first heat generating line and divided positions of the second heat generating line are different.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a heater disposed inside the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator with radiant heat. A pressure rotator presses against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A reflector is disposed opposite the heater to reflect the radiant heat radiated from the heater to the fixing rotator. The reflector includes a first parallel plane, a second parallel plane, and a third tilt plane. The second parallel plane is parallel to the first parallel plane and stepped with respect to the first parallel plane. The second parallel plane is disposed closer to the fixing nip and the heater than the first parallel plane. The third tilt plane bridges the first parallel plane and the second parallel plane and is disposed opposite the heater.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotational member configured to convey and heat a sheet-shaped recording medium, the rotational member including a first heating member and a second heating member provided in parallel to a rotational axis of the rotational member in an interior thereof, the first heating member including a first heat generation part, the second heating member including a second heat generation part and an auxiliary heat generation part adjacent to the second heat generation part, a common temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the first heating member and a temperature of the second heating member, and a control part configured to control a ratio of a rate of lighting of the first heating member and a rate of lighting of the second heating member based on the temperature of the first heating member and the temperature of the second heating member.

Abstract: A fixing device fixes a toner image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium. The fixing device includes a fixing roller, a pressure roller, and a first heater. The pressure roller is disposed opposite to the fixing roller to form a fixing nip therebetween. The first heater performs non-contact heating on the toner image that has passed through the fixing nip and that has been fixed to the recording medium to melt the toner image. The first heater is disposed adjacent to a conveyance path through which the recording medium that has passed through the fixing nip is conveyed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including initiating reading line current and line voltage for a plurality of consecutive AC cycles; from the AC cycle readings, identifying heater on cycles in which power is applied to the fuser heater and heater off cycles in which power is not applied to the fuser heater; calculating heater power from the identified heater on cycles and the heater off cycles, the heater power being the power of the fuser heater during a predetermined heater on cycle of the consecutive AC cycles; calculating a fuser heater voltage of the fuser heater during the predetermined heater on cycle based on the voltage readings; calculating a resistance of the fuser heater based on the calculated heater power and the calculated fuser heater voltage; and controlling the fuser assembly based upon the calculated resistance of the fuser heater.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heater includes an elongated substrate; a conductor that is provided on the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate; and a plurality of resistance heating elements which are respectively disposed on the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, are electrically connected to each other in series by the conductor, and of which each resistance temperature coefficient becomes smaller as the resistance heating elements approach end regions in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus includes a specific transport device that transports an object to be coated, and a specific applying unit, a specific heating device, and a specific control device, wherein the applying unit is disposed to oppose a surface to be coated of the transported object to be coated, applies a charged thermosetting powder coating material onto a surface to be coated of the object to be coated, and includes an applying section and a supplying section, the heating device heats a powder particle layer of the powder coating material so as to be thermally cured, and the control device controls a speed ratio between a transport speed of the object to be coated and a rotation speed of an applying member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which has a controller and an image forming unit, and which has multiple startup modes including a first startup mode and a second startup mode as startup modes for the controller. The startup time period for the second startup mode is shorter than that for the first startup mode.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible, tubular fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad presses against the opposed rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A fixing heater is disposed opposite at least a conveyance span of the fixing rotator in an axial direction thereof where the recording medium is conveyed to heat the fixing rotator. A lateral end heater is mounted on the nip formation pad and disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator at a lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof to heat the fixing rotator. A supplementary thermal conductor contacts the fixing rotator and the lateral end heater.

Abstract: An adhesive composition for temporarily attaching a substrate to a support plate which supports the substrate, and includes a thermoplastic resin and a release agent.

Abstract: An improved fuser includes a heater which provides uniformity at the surface of a fuser roll that contacts an imaged sheet. The heater is configured to include a common tap at the center of a single heating trace. This allows for the benefits of a single trace configuration well while simultaneously providing a dedicated common line that does not have to be switched around.

Abstract: A heating device includes a plurality of chip resistors, a conductor pattern, and a substrate. The plurality of chip resistors generate heat upon receiving power from a power source. The conductor pattern is arranged so as to serially connect the plurality of chip resistors. The conductor pattern is formed on the substrate. The conductor pattern connecting the chip resistors is wider in a forward path from the power source than in a backward path. The majority of the heat generated by the chip resistor is transmitted from the chip resistor to the conductor pattern, and the transmitted heat is radiated from the conductor pattern. Thus, not only the heat from the surface of the chip resistor but also the heat from the conductor pattern serves as heat source.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus configured to include a rotational member having a conductive layer, a coil having a helical shape, a resonance circuit including a resonance capacitor and configured to be formed together with the rotational member and the coil, a first converter driving the resonance circuit, a second converter used to control power to be supplied to the first converter, a frequency setting unit configured to set a driving frequency of the first converter according to at least one of a size of the recording material and a temperature at a sheet non-passing portion of the rotational member, and a power control unit controlling the second converter according to a temperature at a sheet passing portion of the rotational member to control the power to be supplied to the first converter from the second converter, wherein the conductive layer is caused to generate heat by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: Two or more lasers or other temperature sensitive optical devices can be disposed in an operating environment, for example in a common enclosure exposed to the environment. The environment can have a temperature that fluctuates, for example in connection with random events, weather, seasons, etc. Each laser's temperature can track the temperature of the environment in steps, with each laser following a distinct temperature track. The lasers can alternate outputting light into a wavelength division multiplexing channel. For example, during one timeframe, one laser can provide an optical communication signal having a wavelength complying with a wavelength division multiplexing criterion. During another timeframe, the other laser can provide an optical signal having substantially the same wavelength. Operating a laser at an elevated temperature can shorten laser lifetime.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: an image forming portion that forms an image on a medium; a fixing device removably mounted to an apparatus body to fix the image to the medium, the fixing device including a first rotator that contacts the medium, a second rotator that contacts the first rotator, a movable member movable in first and second directions in which the first and second rotators are moved closer to and away from each other, respectively, an urging member, a first end of which is mounted to the movable member and which urges the movable member in the first direction, and a first support portion that supports a second end of the urging member; a cam member that moves the movable member in the second direction; a shaft member to which the cam member is mounted; and a second support portion that supports the shaft member and the first support portion.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a pressure rotator pressed against a nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. The nip formation pad includes an increased thermal conduction portion having an increased thermal conductivity and a decreased thermal conduction portion having a decreased thermal conductivity and being inboard from the increased thermal conduction portion in the axial direction of the fixing rotator. The increased thermal conduction portion is disposed opposite a non-conveyance span of the fixing rotator where the recording medium is not conveyed and includes an inboard edge inboard from a lateral edge of the recording medium toward a center of the recording medium in the axial direction of the fixing rotator by a predetermined first distance.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device including an endless belt that rotates around an axis, and transmits light, a lens that includes a curved surface having a top portion closest to an inner peripheral surface of the belt formed at one end when viewed in the axial direction, and concentrates light incident on the curved surface on a fixed object, and a light source that allows the light concentrated on the fixed object to be incident on a portion of the belt, which is different from a portion facing the top portion and has an amplitude smaller than an amplitude of the portion facing the top portion.

Abstract: A fixing device in an image forming apparatus includes a rotatable fixing member; a plurality of heat sources to heat each area of the fixing member in a longitudinal direction thereof; a pressure member configured to contact the fixing member and forming a nip in association with the fixing member; a nip forming member disposed inside the fixing member and opposite the pressure member to form a fixing nip; a temperature controller to detect temperature at each area of the fixing member and control the temperature via lighting control performed by the heat sources; and a plurality of temperature sensors to detect temperature of the fixing member or the pressure member in each heating area heated by the plurality of heat sources. When a sheet size set by the image forming apparatus and an actually conveyed sheet size are different, operating speed of the device is adjusted.

Abstract: Quick ignition of gaseous fuel in a heater is accomplished. There is provided a heater including an insulating substrate having a rectangular prism shape; and a heat-generating resistor disposed inside the insulating substrate so as to extend a longitudinal direction thereof, the insulating substrate being warped.

Abstract: A belt device includes an endless belt and a rotary driver contacting an outer circumferential surface of the belt to drive and rotate the belt. An opposed belt support is disposed opposite the rotary driver and in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the belt. A rotary belt support is disposed opposite the rotary driver via the opposed belt support and in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the belt. A belt support holder holds the opposed belt support and the rotary belt support to retain a predetermined interval between the opposed belt support and the rotary belt support. A biasing assembly presses against the belt support holder to move the opposed belt support and the rotary belt support collectively with respect to the rotary driver and bias the opposed belt support against the rotary driver.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit having a heating member, a temperature detector, an acquisition unit, and a controller. When image formation is consecutively performed, and the acquisition unit acquires a first density, which is the density information of the image formed on a k-th recording material, and a second, higher density, which is the density information of the image formed on an l-th recording material, while the image is being fixed on the k-th recording material, the controller controls the power so that the detection temperature becomes a temperature higher than a fixing temperature according to the first density, and lower than a fixing temperature according to the second density. While the image is being fixed on the l-th recording material, the controller controls the power so that the detection temperature becomes the fixing temperature according to the second density.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing unit configured to heat a sheet to fix an image on the sheet, a heating unit configured to heat the fixing unit, and a heat conduction unit disposed adjacent to a heated surface of the fixing unit. The fixing unit includes a first region not in contact with the sheet during heating of the sheet and a second region that is in contact with the heated sheet during heating of the sheet and has a temperature lower than the first region as a result of the contact with the sheet during the heating. The heat conduction unit is configured to transfer heat from the first region to the second region.

Abstract: A fuser heater member for an electrophotographic imaging device, including a heater member. According to an example embodiment, the heater member includes positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material disposed along a width of a fuser nip of the fuser assembly; first and second electrodes disposed along disposed surfaces of the PTC material; an intermediate layer disposed over the second electrode; and at least one resistive trace disposed along the intermediate layer along the width of the fuser nip. The heater member includes a plurality of wire segments coupled to the first and second electrodes and the resistive elements for use in generating heat from at least one of the PTC material and the at least one resistive trace during a fusing operation.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a pressure rotator pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A first heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator with a first interval therebetween to heat the fixing rotator. A reflector reflects light emitted by the first heater to the fixing rotator. The reflector is disposed opposite the first heater with a second interval therebetween that is greater than the first interval.

Abstract: A fusing device comprising a pressure roller, a heating roller, a pressure applying element and a releasing element is provided. The pressure roller is installed in a frame. The heating roller opposite to the pressure roller is installed in a housing. The pressure applying element connects the pressure roller and the housing at a first side and applies a force on the pressure roller and the heating roller. The releasing element releases and locks the pressure roller and the housing at a second side. A printer from which jammed sheet may be easily removed is provided. The printer comprises a frame, a housing, an image forming device, and the fusing device. The first and second sides are parallel to axial direction of the pressure roller and the heating roller. The image forming device forms an image on a medium. The fusing device fuses the image on the medium.

Abstract: A fixing device including a belt having an endless shape, a heater provided on an inner surface side of the belt, and a pressing portion provided so as to contact the belt and form a nip portion. A groove-forming portion is provided so as to contact the belt. The groove-forming portion has a surface and a groove formed on the surface. The groove extends in a direction crossing a rotating direction of the belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a backup member, first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to integrally support the heater and the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless-shaped fixing belt, a heater, a holding member, and a pressure member. The heater has a heat generating portion, and a seal portion that seals each end of the heat generating portion. The heater heats the fixing belt from inside the fixing belt with radiant heat. The holding member is disposed inside the fixing belt and slides against an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. The pressure member is pressed with a predetermined pressure against the holding member with the fixing belt therebetween, and thereby a fixing nip portion is formed between the pressure member and the fixing belt. An end-portion excessive temperature increase prevention member that blocks radiant heat is attached to each end portion of the heater. A first opening portion is formed in such part of the end-portion excessive temperature increase prevention member as faces the seal portion of the heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro cooling element (1) with a mounting surface (2) for a component to be cooled, in particular a semiconductor component, which has within it a micro cooling structure (3) which is connected by connection channels (4) to at least one inflow opening (4a) and at least one outflow opening (4b) by means of which a cooling medium can be supplied to the micro cooling structure (3) or be discharged from the latter, and which is characterized in that it is formed from at least two different powdery and/or liquid, in particular metallic and/or ceramic, materials or material mixtures (10) while maintaining a monolithic structure, wherein regions of different stresses (I, II) of the micro cooling element (1) are built by a powdery and/or liquid, in particular metallic and/or ceramic materials or material mixtures (10) being adapted to the stress respectively. The invention further relates to an apparatus and a process for producing a micro cooling element according to the invention.

Abstract: A fuser assembly, including a fuser roller receiving heat from a heating element and including a metal core, a heat insulation elastic layer disposed around the metal core, and a top release layer disposed over the heat insulation elastic layer. A backup belt assembly, coupled to the fuser roller, includes at least two nip forming rollers contacting an inner surface of an endless belt to form an elongated fusing nip along the fuser roller. A first nip forming roller engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an entrance of the elongated fusing nip and a second nip forming roller engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an exit of the elongated fusing nip, wherein a product of a Young's Modulus of the top release layer and a thickness thereof is between about 2,000 and about 20,000 N/m.