Abstract: There are provided a heating roller that performs electromagnetic induction heating; a first exciting coil that heats the heating roller; a first degaussing coil that decreases magnetic fields of the first exciting coil; and a first axial direction core that guides magnetic fluxes, to thus make up a magnetic circuit between the first axial direction core and the heating roller. The first exciting coil has parallel portions extending in parallel with the axial direction of the heating roller and two turn portions provided at both ends of the parallel portions. The first degaussing coil has parallel portions extending in parallel with the axial direction of the heating roller and two turn portions provided at both ends of the parallel portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing device having a self-temperature control function, and reducing a heat capacity of a heat generation member for saving energy and achieving good warm-up property. The fixing device includes a fixed plate inside a closed rotation path of a belt, contacting an inner circumferential surface of the belt, substantially opposed to an excitation coil with the belt therebetween, keeping the belt on the rotation path. The fixed plate includes: a magnetic shunt alloy layer made of a magnetic shunt alloy; a conductive heat generation layer being disposed toward a main surface of the magnetic shunt alloy layer facing the belt, being made of a conductor other than the alloy, and being thinner than the alloy layer; and a low resistance conductive layer being disposed toward another main surface, having a lower electric resistance value than the heat generation layer, and being thicker than the heat generation layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a fixing unit. The fixing unit includes a heating member; a coil arranged along an outer surface of the heating member for generating a magnetic field for induction heating the heating member; a core arranged to face the heating member with the coil located therebetween in order to form a magnetic path around the coil and made of a magnetic material; a shielding member arranged near the magnetic path generated by the coil, including a closed frame portion and made of a nonmagnetic metal; and a magnetic shielding portion for displacing the shielding member between a retracted position for permitting a magnetic flux to pass along a frame surface virtually formed inside the closed frame portion and a shielding position for shielding magnetism by the penetration of a magnetic flux inside the frame surface.

Abstract: An electrically isolated temperature sensor for use with a printer, copier, or all-in-one fuser. The fuser includes an AC driven heater to which a thermistor is mounted for sensing the temperature of the fuser heater. A resistance of the thermistor controls the period of a periodic signal generated by an astable multivibrator. An optical isolator isolates the printer fuser from down line processing circuits, and transfers the periodic signal to such processing circuits. The printer fuser employs a separate floating ground that is not connected to other DC circuits of the printer. With this arrangement, any AC power that is inadvertently coupled from the heater to the DC circuits of the fuser is isolated thereto. The AC power is isolated to the fuser and cannot be propagated through the fuser to other down line circuits of the printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of inductively heating a fuser member in an electrophotographic device are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a heating component with a susceptor layer comprising carbon nanotubes (CNTs). An excitation unit with an electrical coil can be positioned a proximate distance from the heating component Current through the electrical coil can inductively heat the susceptor layer and the heating component. The heat from the susceptor layer and the heating component can be used to fuse toner onto an image-receiving substrate. The CNTs can reduce electronic hardware costs in the electrophotographic device in relation to the costs associated with conventional materials.

Abstract: In an external heating type induction heating device in which a magnetic field producing means is arranged in the outer circumferential portion of a heating roller 1, two heat generating layers, namely a conductive shaft 1a and a surface heat generating layer 1c, are provided in the heating roller 1, and the surface heat generating layer 1c is formed having a thickness through which passes a portion of an alternating magnetic field, and the conductive shaft 1a at a center of the heating roller 1 is heated by a portion of the alternating magnetic field produced by the magnetic field producing means passing through the surface heat generating layer 1c to link to the conductive shaft 1a present at the center of the roller, thereby preventing a drop in a surface temperature of the heating roller 1.

Abstract: A fusing system includes: a fusing unit which comprises a fusing belt which rotates around outer surfaces of at least two rollers which are distanced from each other, and a pressing roller which presses a printing medium together with the fusing belts and fuses an image which is transferred to the printing medium; a heat source which receives power to generate heat, and is mounted inside at least one of the two rollers; a driving source which drives at least one of the two rollers; a sensing unit which senses a surface temperature of the fusing belt; and a control unit which controls the heat source and the driving source so that the fusing belt can be driven when the temperature of the fusing unit increases if a printing order is applied.

Abstract: An image heating device has a magnetic flux generator, a heat generating element for generating heat by a magnetic flux from the magnetic flux generator; a magnetic flux confining member, the magnetic flux confining member including a magnetic flux confining portion for confining the magnetic flux directed toward a predetermined region of the heat generating element at a predetermined magnetic flux confining position and a connecting portion connecting with the magnetic flux confining portion in a longitudinal direction of the heat generating element to hold the magnetic flux confining portion; and a moving unit for moving the magnetic flux confining member to a magnetic flux confining position or to a retracted position where the magnetic flux confining member is retracted from the magnetic flux confining position, wherein the connecting portion has a regulating member for preventing movement to the magnetic flux confining position.

Abstract: There are provided a first excitation coil that is wound so as to have an axis in the same direction as that of a shaft of a heating roller and that is connected to a first power source, and a second excitation coil that is wound so as to have an axis in a direction substantially orthogonal to the shaft of the heating roller and that is connected to a second power source. The second excitation coil has parallel portions that extend in parallel to an axial direction of the first excitation coil and two folded sections provided at respective ends of the parallel portions. The two folded sections are provided along a circumference of the first excitation coil in such a way that circular arcs of the respective folded sections become opposite in direction to each other. Thus, the maximum available power is increased. When rapid warm-up is required, heating is caused by a coil connected to the auxiliary power source, to thus shorten a warm-up time.

Abstract: A method and a device produce a fleece of metallic fibers in a layer in which the metallic fibers are welded to one another to form the fleece. A welding process is repeatedly carried out with regard to a portion or section of the fleece. Such metallic fiber fleeces are used, in particular, for exhaust gas treatment units in the automobile industry.

Abstract: A fixing unit (14) of an image forming apparatus (1) includes a heating member (48) having a first area where a sheet does not come into contact with the heating member (48) and a second area where the sheet comes into contact with the heating member (48). The fixing unit (14) further includes a coil (52) forming a magnetic field, cores (54,56) forming a magnetic path near the coil (52), a nonmagnetic magnetism adjusting member (90) arranged on the magnetic path and having a closed frame, and a switcher (58,60) capable of switching the magnetism adjusting member (90) between a first state where the magnetism adjusting member (90) generates an induction current resulting from the magnetic field to shield the magnetism in the first area, and a second state where the magnetism adjusting member (90) generates no induction current and the magnetism is not shielded in the first area.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an excitation coil, a heat-generating layer, a magnetic shunt layer, and a degaussing member. The excitation coil generates a magnetic flux. The heat-generating layer generates heat using the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil. The magnetic shunt layer transmits heat generated by the heat-generating layer. The degaussing member sandwiches the magnetic shunt layer together with the excitation coil, and selectively performs degaussing by generating a repelling magnetic flux for canceling the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil so as to activate a self-temperature-control function. The degaussing member selectively refrains from degaussing so as to deactivate the self-temperature-control function.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a magnetic flux generator, a rotating heat generation member, a magnetic flux adjuster, and a driver. The magnetic flux generator generates a magnetic flux. The rotating heat generation member rotates and applies heat to a recording medium bearing an image, and includes a heat-generating layer to generate heat using the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. The magnetic flux adjuster is provided outside the rotating heat generation member, and decreases the magnetic flux applied to the heat-generating layer at least in a desired area in an axial direction of the rotating heat generation member. The driver changes the desired area by driving the magnetic flux adjuster in a direction of rotation of the rotating heat generation member.

Abstract: A system includes a roll formed from a conductive material, where the roll is configured to rotate about an axis and has a direction of rotation. The system also includes multiple induction heating workcoils each configured to induce one or more magnetic fluxes within the roll to generate one or more electrical currents within the roll. Each induction heating workcoil can be oriented so that a mean magnetic flux induced by the workcoil is oblique to the roll's direction of rotation. Each of the induction heating workcoils could represent an unbalanced induction heating workcoil, or each of the induction heating workcoils could include a core having a shape that is not substantially dependent on the roll's diameter.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a fixing rotor (22) that is driven to rotate and fixes an image by heating a recording paper while conveying the paper pressurized against the rotor, an excitation coil (24) that is provided extending in an axial direction along the fixing rotor (22) and causes induction heating by applying an alternating magnetic field to the fixing rotor (22), and a demagnetizing coil (25) that is provided superposed on an end of the excitation coil (24) and is able to partially diminish a magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil (24), by making the shape of the portion that belongs to the demagnetizing coil (25) and overlaps the excitation coil (24) has an asymmetrical shape have no axis of symmetry in the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed, a trouble due to overheating and defective fixing due to a shortage in the generation of heat can be reduced even when a plurality of kinds of recording papers of slightly different sizes are used.

Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the energy of the flux leaked from the vicinities of the edges of a fixing roller having a part to be heated, which is made of magnetic material that has Curie point, the energy of the leaked flux is stored to be utilized as need arises, or is utilized to heat the vicinity of the center of the fixing roller.

Abstract: An image heating member includes a first region having a Curie temperature higher than a preset temperature, and a second region having a Curie temperature lower than the Curie temperature of the first region. A width of the first region in a conveying direction of a recording material is equal to or larger than a width of the recording material of a maximum size to be fed. The second region is provided outside the first region.

Abstract: An electric power supply part supplies electric power to a heat-generating member and a power requiring part. A control part controls electric power supplied to the heat-generating member and the power requiring part. A first mode is to supply electric power to the heat-generating member from only a main electric power supply device and to the power requiring part from both the main electric power supply device and an auxiliary electric power requiring part. A second mode is to supply electric power to the heat-generating member and the power requiring part from only the main electric power supply device and causing electric power supplied to the heat-generating member to be smaller than a rated electric power of the heat-generating member. The electric power supplied to the heat-generating member in the first mode is caused to be larger than the electric power supplied to the heat-generating member in the second mode.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a coil for generating a magnetic flux; an endless belt having an electroconductive layer for generating heat by the magnetic flux of the coil wherein a recording material carrying image is heated by heat of the belt; a magnetic flux detecting means disposed opposed to the coil with the belt interposed therebetween and capable of detecting the magnetic flux from the coil, the magnetic flux detecting means including a detection portion capable of detecting such a part of the magnetic flux of the magnetic flux generated by the coil as is from a region corresponding to not less than one half of a heat generating region of the belt with respect to a widthwise direction of the recording material; and prohibition means for prohibiting electric power supply to the coil when an amount of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic flux detecting means reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An ink jet imaging system comprises a heated imaging drum that rotates in at least one direction, a print head for ejecting ink onto the heated imaging drum as it rotates past the print head to form an image, a media sheet transport for synchronizing movement of a media sheet with rotation of the heated imaging drum, a transfixing roller that forms a transfixing nip with the heated imaging drum to transfix the image on the rotating heated image drum onto the media sheet synchronized by the media sheet transport, and a media director located between the media sheet transport and the heated imaging drum to direct the media sheet into close proximity with the heated imaging drum at a position sufficiently prior to the transfixing nip that the heated imaging drum heats the media sheet before the media sheet enters the transfixing nip.

Abstract: An induction heating system used on web manufacturing processes has one or more workcoils each with an associated power module. The power modules are cooled using water. In one embodiment the power modules and the workcoils are in physical contact with a full width water cooled support beam. In another embodiment the key heat generating elements of the power modules are mounted against a thermally conductive power module frame which is then mounted against the thermally conductive wall of an un-perforated water header.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus an aspect of the present invention includes, a heating object which generates the heat by a magnetic flux produced from a coil which generates a predetermined magnetic flux by electromagnetic induction in accordance with a frequency of an input current, and a pressurization mechanism which can provide a predetermined pressure to the heating object, and a coil of the heating object is formed of a litz wire obtained by twisting the number of conductors having a small cross section which are not affected by the skin effect caused due to the frequency of the input current, the number of which allows passage of a quantity of current to be inputted.

Abstract: Fixing device includes a first cylindrical rotating member having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface; a second rotating member which is brought into contact with the first rotating member; magnetic field generation units for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic field generation units being provided at a predetermined distance from the inner or outer peripheral surface of the first rotating member; and a heat generation member that generates heat by a magnetic field, the heat generation member being provided so as to be opposed to the magnetic field generation units across the first rotating member and to be in contact with the first rotating member, having a thickness larger than a skin depth, and containing a magnetic metal material.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein relate to sensor devices and processes of producing them. Some embodiments include a sensor device with a substrate with a sensing element mounted above the substrate, with a heating element, mounted substantially coplanar to the sensing element; and with a heat spreading element, the heat spreading element thermally coupling the sensing element and the heating element.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus has a heater that includes a magnetic shunt alloy whose Curie temperature is set higher than a fixing temperature; an induction heater that generates an alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic shunt alloy and performs electromagnetic-induction heating on the heater; and a body controller that controls the induction heater so as to adjust the fixing temperature in each fixing job. The body controller controls the induction heater so as to perform electromagnetic-induction heating on the heater, during a period between fixing jobs. The body controller thereby reduces a temperature difference generated on the heater between portions corresponding to paper feeding and non-paper feeding areas in a previously executed fixing job.

Abstract: A system includes a roll formed from a conductive material, where the roll is configured to rotate about an axis. The system also includes an induction heating workcoil configured to generate currents within the roll. The induction heating workcoil is unbalanced and is oriented so that minimal currents flow in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roll. The induction heating workcoil could include one or more substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cores and at least one coil each wound around at least one of the one or more cores. Also, the roll may further include a shaft and bearings, and the induction heating workcoil can be positioned so that the currents do not flow substantially through the bearings.

Abstract: A system includes a roll formed from a conductive material, where the roll is configured to rotate about an axis. The system also includes at least one induction heating workcoil configured to generate multiple magnetic fluxes within the roll. Each induction heating workcoil includes at least two separately wound coils. The multiple magnetic fluxes when spatially summed have a substantially null magnetic flux vector. An induction heating workcoil could represent a balanced induction heating workcoil that is configured to individually generate multiple magnetic fluxes that when spatially summed have the substantially null magnetic flux vector. Multiple induction heating workcoils could also represent unbalanced induction heating workcoils configured to collectively generate multiple magnetic fluxes that when spatially summed have the substantially null magnetic flux vector.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus in an image forming apparatus that heats a fusing unit by applying an induced current is provided. The flicker characteristics of the fusing apparatus are improved by gradually increasing the amount of induced current applied to the fusing unit for a predetermined amount of time so that the amount of induced current applied to the fusing unit is prevented from severely varying. The fusing apparatus comprises a fusing unit which is resistance-heated or induction-heated by applying an induced current and fuses toner onto paper using the heat. The fusing apparatus further comprises a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generation unit which generates a PWM signal in response to the ON signal so that the amount of induced current input to the fusing unit gradually increases to a reference current.

Abstract: A heating apparatus which can increase the temperature of a heating element to a target temperature in a short time and ensures temperature uniformity of the heating element. In the heating apparatus, when the specific resistance of a material of a heat generating layer (212) of a heating roller (210) is ? (??cm), the average thickness of the heat generating layer (212) is 5? (?m) or more but not more than 15? (?m) and the thickness error is 1.2? (?m) or less. For instance, in the case of forming the heat generating layer (212) by using cupper having a specific resistance of 1.7 (??cm), the average thickness of the heat generating layer (212) is 8-25 (?m) and the thickness error is 2 (?m) or less. Thus, the heating roller (210) having a short heat increasing time and excellent temperature uniformity is provided.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus is constituted by a coil unit, an image heating member, and a heat transfer member for transferring heat from the coil unit to the image heating member. The heat transfer member is disposed between an inner surface of the image heating member and the coil unit.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heat applying system having an exciting coil that creates a magnetic flux for generating induction heat in a heat generation layer provided in a fixing roller. Plural demagnetizing coils are stacked in plural layers partially overlying the exciting coil to cancel the magnetic flux at one end of the fixing roller. The plural demagnetizing coils partially overlap each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition, in particular a pulverulent master batch, comprising at least one nanoclay composed of a swellable inorganic layered material which has been modified by at least one siloxane component and by at least one non-anionic organic compound which has at least one aliphatic or cyclic radical having from 6 to 32 carbon atoms. The pulverulent master batch can result in a homogeneous mixture with a polymer powder and can be used as such. Also, a polymer master batch can be produced by compounding of the pulverulent master batch with a carrier polymer. The pulverulent master batch or the polymer master batch can be used as filler or in filler systems in various polymer compositions.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a plug is connected to an end of a litz wire of an electromagnetic induction coil. In a state where the plug is protruded, the electromagnetic induction coil, an insulating plate, a magnetic core and a coil holder are integrally sealed with a coil mold. A center coil unit, a first and a second side coil units are arranged to be opposite to a heat roller, the plug is inserted in a socket of a power source code or a connection code, and the electromagnetic induction coil can be connected to a power source.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, one side of first and second side coils formed by winding a Litz wire plural times are formed by bending the Litz wire and the other sides thereof are formed by simply winding the Litz wire without bending the same. The bent one ends of the first and second side coils are arranged to be adjacent to a center coil and the other ends simply wound without being bent are arranged to be opposed to both ends of a heat roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit for fixing a toner image on a recording sheet. In the fixing unit, a magnetic flux generator generates magnetic flux to induce heat in a fixing roller. The recording sheet having the toner image is inserted between the fixing roller and a pressure roller pressingly contacting the fixing roller. The fixing roller applies heat to the recording sheet. The pressure roller applies pressure to the recording sheet. The heat and pressure fix the toner image on the recording sheet. The magnetic flux generator is disposed to face outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the fixing roller. The magnetic flux generator is formed in a U-like or loop-like shape, and the fixing roller is placed in a gap or a loop of the magnetic flux generator. The magnetic flux generator may include a single wire.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a sheet by applying heat, and including an exciting coil and a heat-generating rotary member. The exciting coil generates a magnetic flux. The heat-generating rotary member performs self-temperature control using a repulsive magnetic flux, and includes a degaussing member, a heat-generating layer, a magnetic shunt alloy layer, and a magnetic flux adjuster. The degaussing member generates the repulsive magnetic flux using the magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil. The heat-generating layer generates heat using the magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil. The magnetic shunt alloy layer is disposed between the exciting coil and the degaussing member, and receives heat generated by the heat-generating layer. The magnetic flux adjuster adjusts an amount of the repulsive magnetic flux generated by the degaussing member.

Abstract: A fixing device, an image forming apparatus having the same include a fixing member having an outer peripheral face with which a sheet to be transported is brought into pressure contact, an exciting coil for induction heating of a heat generating layer of the fixing member, and an RF power supply circuit for applying a voltage of a certain drive frequency to the exciting coil. A degaussing coil is placed in small size sheet non-passing regions corresponding to end sections of the outer peripheral face of the fixing member with respect to the width direction of the sheet. A changeover switch opens or closes the degaussing coil in accordance with the size of the sheet to be transported. A control section is provided for changing and setting a drive frequency of the RF power supply circuit along with opening or closing of the degaussing coil.

Abstract: A fuser includes a magnetic flux generation unit to generate a magnetic flux, a heating member which is heated by electromagnetic induction of the magnetic flux, a fuser member to contact the heating member and heat a toner image so as to fuse the toner image onto a recording medium, a detection unit to directly or indirectly detect a contacting state of the fuser member at an edge in a width direction of the fuser member with the heating member, and a magnetic flux adjusting member to reduce the magnetic flux acting upon an end in the width direction of the heating member in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit.

Abstract: A heat generating roller, fixing equipment and an image forming apparatus in which warm-up time is shortened while preventing excessive temperature rise and good fixing performance is realized by preventing offset. The heat generating roller is formed principally by laying a high permeability conductive layer and a nonmagnetic conductive layer in layer. When a voltage is applied from a power supply to an exciting coil and an alternating current flow, magnetic flux is generated around the exciting coil and a magnetic field is formed. Magnetic coupling of a system including the heat generating roller and the exciting coil is advantageous at a low temperature and heat generation of the heat generating roller is accelerated. When the Curie point is exceeded, skin depth increases and skin resistance decreases, which suppresses generation of Joules heat and reduces heat generation of the heat generating roller.

Abstract: A shield plate that has a plate portion stretching in a width direction of exciting coils is positioned so that end portions of the shield plate oppose the exciting coils. The present invention prevents elongated warm-up time and reduces a dramatic temperature drop when printing on thick paper in a low temperature environment.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus has a fixing member for fixing toner on paper and a pressure member making contact therewith to form in between a nip through which paper is passed. The fixing member has a support member formed of a ferromagnetic material and a heating layer formed adjacent thereto in the form of a thin layer of a non-magnetic, electrically conductive material. When a high-frequency electric current is passed through an exciting coil that is combined with the fixing member, the fixing member produces a high-frequency magnetic field, thereby produces induced eddy currents in the heating layer of the fixing member, thereby produces Joule's heat in the heating layer, and thereby heats the fixing member. A leaking magnetic flux is absorbed by the support member of the ferromagnetic member, and thus has reduced influence on metal parts located around the fixing apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit for fixing a toner image on a recording sheet. The fixing unit includes a fixing belt, a support roller, and a coil. The fixing belt rotates and applies heat on the recording sheet to fix the toner image on the recording sheet. The support roller rotates and supports the fixing belt. The coil has a loop-like or U-like shape and generates a magnetic flux to induce heat in the fixing belt and the support roller. The coil sandwiches the support roller and the fixing belt in a manner that the coil faces an outer circumferential surface of the support roller via the fixing belt and an inner circumferential surface of the support roller. The above configuration of the coil controls a surface temperature of the fixing belt.

Abstract: A heating apparatus that enables an abnormally high temperature detection section that detects, when a heating element heated by means of electromagnetic induction reaches an abnormally high temperature, this abnormally high temperature, to operate speedily and reliably irrespective of the material and temperature characteristic of the heating element in a low-cost and compact configuration. In this apparatus, thermostat 301 is disposed on the same side as exciting coil 231 with respect to heat generating belt 210 and between winding bundles of a conductor wire of exciting coil 231. This allows coil guide 234 to hold both thermostat 301 and exciting coil 231 and allows these wires and terminals to be concentrated on one location, thus making it possible to reduce the number of parts and assembling man-hours and configure the body of the apparatus in a low-cost and compact configuration.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a coil for generating magnetic flux, a rotatable heat generation member for generating heat by the magnetic flux generated by the coil to heat a recording material, and a magnetic flux adjusting member for adjusting a distribution of the magnetic flux from the coil toward the heat generating member. The apparatus further includes a motor, a first drive transmission member, and a second drive transmission member for moving the magnetic flux adjusting member.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a mold (holding member) formed by injection molding to hold a coil so that the coil maintains a predetermined positional relation with respect to a heating roller, and capable of holding a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the heating roller and a thermostat which detects an abnormal temperature of the heating roller in predetermined positions facing the heating roller.

Abstract: In order to prevent non-sheet passing portion temperature rise occurred in a non-sheet passing area of an electromagnetic induction heating member 1, leakage of magnetic flux is reduced by setting a Curie temperature of the heating member 1 to be smaller than an acceptable upper limit temperature and setting a thickness of the heating member so that a thickness tk in a Curie temperature arrival area (P1?P2) is larger than a thickness tn in a Curie temperature non-arrival area P2 which is a conveyance area of a material to be heated having a minimum passing size.

Abstract: An internal heating system for an image transfer drum is disclosed that can include a box having a plurality of sides, an open side facing the drum and a heater element. The box can have small gaps between it and the internal drum surface to maximize thermal efficiency of the internal heating system. The heater element can include first and second support structures that are disposed on a central support structure, the first support structure having an end connector at one side away from the second support structure. The heater system can also include at least two circuits, two channels and a relay switch, with the relay switch operating to switch the circuits into a series or parallel electrical configuration.

Abstract: An excitation coil unit for use in an image heating apparatus includes a coil formed with a conductor without an insulation covering and a heat-resistant insulating material covering the coil. It is thus possible to obtain an image heating apparatus of induction heating type of a low cost.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes magnetic flux generating means; a rotatable heat generation member for generating heat by a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generating means to heat a recording material; a magnetic flux adjusting member, disposed between the magnetic flux generating means and the heat generation member, for adjusting a magnetic flux effective region for the heat generation member, with respect to a longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material; moving means for moving the magnetic flux adjusting member to a predetermined magnetic flux adjusting position to adjust a temperature distribution of the heat generation member with respect to the longitudinal direction; and a drive receiving portion, disposed at opposite end portions of the magnetic flux adjusting member, for receiving a driving force from the moving means.

Abstract: An induction heating device of the invention is made to have a two-layer structure in which at an end of a magnetic core of an induction current generating coil, a litz wire of outside three turns is stacked on a litz wire of inside three turns. The width of a joint portion between plural induction current generating coils is made narrow, and a mutual induction current generated at the joint portion is reduced. Further, the whole length of the litz wire is shortened without changing the length of the magnetic core of the inductor current generating coil.