Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating member that heats a developer image on a recording medium; a controlling member that controls a surface temperature of the heating member by coming into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the heating member; a measuring member that measures, on a downstream of the controlling member and on an upstream of a pressing member in a rotation direction of the heating member, the surface temperature; and a supporting unit that causes the controlling member to come into contact with and be separated from the outer circumferential surface by rotating a supporting member around a rotation fulcrum. A distance between the rotation fulcrum and a contact position at which the controlling member comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface is longer than that between the rotation fulcrum and a measurement position at which the measuring member measures the surface temperature.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a first sensor configured to measure a first temperature indicating a surface temperature of an endless belt for fixing a developing agent adhering to a sheet; a second sensor configured to measure a second temperature indicating a surface temperature of an end part of the endless belt; an atmosphere temperature measurement sensor configured to measure an atmosphere temperature indicating a temperature around the image forming apparatus; a threshold value temperature determination section configured to determine, based on the atmosphere temperature and the first temperature, an abutting condition as a condition under which a heat conduction member for executing temperature equalization of the surface temperature of the endless belt abuts against the endless belt; and a heat conduction member control section configured to enable the heat conduction member to abut against the endless belt if the second temperature meets the abutting condition.

Abstract: A lubricating device for a belt-shaped member includes a pair of belt holding members. Each of the belt holding members has a corresponding one of outer peripheral surfaces, is disposed at a corresponding one of end portions of the belt-shaped member in an axial direction of the belt-shaped member, and holds the belt-shaped member. The lubricating device has first grooves and second grooves. Each of the first groove extends in a peripheral direction in the outer peripheral surface of a corresponding one of the belt holding members and holds a liquid lubricant. Each of the second grooves extends in the peripheral direction, is provided at a position in the outer peripheral surface of a corresponding one of the belt holding members further to an outside than the first groove in the axial direction, and holds the liquid lubricant.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an image-forming unit, a fixing device including a heating rotator and a pressure member forming a nip portion together with the heating rotator, and a bias-applying unit applying bias to the heating rotator. Image forming modes each having a time interval between a preceding recording material and a succeeding recording material which is different from each other can be performed. A control unit executes a first control while the recording materials are being conveyed at the nip portion, and a second control while the recording materials are not being conveyed at the nip portion due to the time interval. A switching time in the image forming mode in which the time interval is a first time interval is determined to be longer than in the image forming mode in which the time interval is a second time interval shorter than the first time interval.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a first heater including a first glass tube, a first heating body, and a first lead portion; a second heater including a second glass tube, a second heating body, and a second lead portion; a frame including first and second fixing surfaces; and a first terminal member including a first connection portion and a first fixed portion; and a second terminal member including a second connection portion and a second fixed portion. The first and second heaters are elongated in an elongated direction and arrayed in a first array direction. The first and second lead portions are fixed to the first and second connection portions, respectively. The first and second fixed portions are fixed to the first and second fixing surfaces, respectively, and arrayed in a second array direction. The first array direction is inclined relative to the second array direction when viewed in the elongated direction.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a first heater for heating a first roller, a second heater for heating a second roller, a first sensor for detecting a temperature of a region of an endless belt supported by the first roller, a second sensor for detecting a temperature of a region of the endless belt supported by the second roller, and a controller for controlling energization to the first heater and to the second heater. The controller executes a first mode in which the energization to the first heater is controlled using an output of the first sensor and the energization to the second heater is controlled using an output of the second sensor, and a second mode in which the energization to the first heater and the second heater is controlled using the output of the first sensor without using the output of the second sensor.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member configured to form a nip for heating a toner image on a sheet, a rotatable rubbing member configured to rub an outer surface of the first rotatable member, a motor configured to move the rotatable rubbing member from a position in which the rotatable rubbing member is spaced from the first rotatable member toward a position in which the rotatable rubbing member contacts the first rotatable member, when a rubbing process is executed by the rotatable rubbing member, and a controller configured to control a temperature of the first rotatable member, depending on a number of times the rubbing process is executed by the rotatable rubbing member, when the rubbing process is executed.

Abstract: A cylindrical shaft of a roller has facing surfaces which form a depression-protrusion-shaped portion of a joint of the cylindrical shaft and which face or make contact with each other and moreover which extend in a direction non-parallel to an axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and the facing surfaces are inclined at a predetermined engagement angle with respect to a circumferential direction. A generating line of a circumferential surface of a coating layer that coats an outer circumference of the cylindrical shaft and a generating line of a circumferential surface of a photosensitive drum cross each other at a crossing angle smaller than the engagement angle.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator unit. The fixing rotator unit includes a fixing rotator formed into a loop; a holder to hold an end in a longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator; a pressure rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to press against the fixing rotator; a pressure pad disposed inside the loop to receive pressure from the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator to form an area of contact between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator; a stay to support the pressure pad against the pressure from the pressure rotator; and a positioner to secure the holder and to position the stay with one end of the stay projecting outwards from the positioner. The positioner has a limited moving distance in a thrust direction. The limited moving distance is shorter than a length of a part of the holder entering the loop.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical rotatable heating member; a nip-forming member having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface and contacting an inner surface of the rotatable heating member at the first surface; a supporting member having a supporting surface, contacting the second surface, for supporting the nip-forming member; and a pressing member for forming a nip in cooperation with the nip-forming member though the rotatable heating member. A recording material on which an image is formed is heated at the nip while being feed through the nip, and the image is fixed on the recording material. The supporting surface of the supporting member supports the second surface of the nip-forming member so that the nip-forming member is swingable relative to the supporting member about an axis substantially parallel with a rotational axis of the cylindrical rotatable heating member.

Abstract: A fixing portion is provided with a fixing roller, a heating roller having a heat source, a fixing belt stretched between the fixing roller and the heating roller, and a pressurizing roller that is brought into pressure contact with the fixing roller across the fixing belt and forms a nip portion into which a sheet of paper is conveyed between the fixing belt and the pressurizing roller. The fixing portion is further provided with a pad that has a contact surface portion in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt, and a biasing member that biases the pad in a direction in which the contact surface portion is brought into pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The pad is configured so as to pivot about the rotating shaft of the heating roller.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a heating rotating member, a nip portion forming member, and a pressure member which, together with a first surface of the nip portion forming member, sandwiches the heating rotating member to form a nip portion. A plurality of grooves is provided on the first surface of the nip portion forming member, so that a size of an area in which the first surface of the nip portion forming member is in contact with the heating rotating member in an upstream area of the nip portion is less than a size of the area in a downstream area of the nip portion with respect to a center of the nip portion in a rotation direction of the heating rotating member. In addition, each groove of the plurality of grooves extends in a direction crossing the rotation direction of the heating rotating member.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a plurality of feeding units each configured to feed a sheet, a conveyance unit configured to convey the sheet to this recording unit, a first detection unit provided on an upstream side of the recording unit in a direction in which the sheet is conveyed and configured to detect whether there is the sheet, a driving control unit configured to control driving of a motor for conveying a roll sheet fed from a roll sheet feeding unit, and a determination unit configured to determine the feeding unit that feeds the sheet to the recording unit. If the first detection unit detects that there is the sheet, the driving control unit drives the motor in a direction for rewinding the roll sheet, and the determination unit executes the determination processing for the feeding unit based on an output value associated with the driving of the motor.

Abstract: A fixing device includes first to third support portions, first and second members, first and second biasing members, and a switching portion. The first support portion presses an endless belt against a rotating body. The second member is supported in the endless belt so as to be separable from the first support portion. The first biasing member biases the second member to a rotating body side. The second support portion supports the first support portion. The third support portion supports the second support portion, rotates the first support portion in a direction of approaching the rotating body by pressing the first support portion to the rotating body side at a first position, and is separated from the first support portion at a second position. The second biasing member biases the second support portion to the rotating body side. The switching portion switches between first and second states.

Abstract: A fixing device includes first and second members, a frame supporting the second member, and two pressure mechanisms provided on either end of the first member. The mechanism includes a lever having one end supported by the frame in a rotatable manner in a pressure direction, and a helical compression spring disposed between a first spring support provided on the other end of the lever and a second spring support on the frame. At least one of the first and second spring supports includes a first area and a second area closer to the spring in the axial direction than the first area, the first area is in contact with an area of the spring close to a winding end of the spring, and the second area is in contact with an area of the spring farther away from the winding end in a winding direction than the first area.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a sheet conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a fixing unit and a controller. The sheet conveyance unit conveys continuous paper. The image forming unit forms an image on the continuous paper. The fixing unit fixes the image formed on the continuous paper. The controller controls an image forming operation performed by the sheet conveyance unit, the image forming unit and the fixing unit. In a case where a waste paper reduction mode is selected, the controller controls the sheet conveyance unit to stop conveying the continuous paper so that a bottom end of a last image on the continuous paper be at a second stop position on an upper-stream side of a first stop position after the bottom end of the last image passes the fixing unit when ending the image forming operation.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt rotatably located around a rotation axis, a pressure member rotatably located, and a pressing member. The pressure member is brought into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The pressing member includes a pressing surface that presses the fixing belt toward a side of the pressure member. The pressing surface includes a plane surface portion extending along a conveyance direction of a recording medium, and a curved surface portion located at a downstream side of the plane surface portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The curved surface portion is curved along an outer peripheral surface of the pressure member. The curved surface portion has a curvature radius larger than a curvature radius of the outer peripheral surface of the pressure member before a deformation in association with a formation of the fixing nip.

Abstract: A preheating device includes a heating member that is capable of heating a continuous medium, and a movement unit that moves at least one of the continuous medium and the heating member in a direction in which the continuous medium and the heating member move relatively closer to each other or in a direction in which the continuous medium and the heating member move relatively away from each other. The movement unit moves at least one of the continuous medium and the heating member in the direction in which the continuous medium and the heating member move relatively closer to each other if predetermined heating conditions are satisfied, and the movement unit moves at least one of the continuous medium and the heating member in the direction in which the continuous medium and the heating member move relatively away from each other if the heating conditions are not satisfied.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a slider that slides over the fixing rotator. A cam presses the slider against the fixing rotator. The cam includes a cam rear disposed opposite a rear end of the fixing rotator in an axial direction thereof and a cam front disposed opposite a front end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof. A controller rotates the cam to a first slide position where the cam rear presses the slider against the fixing rotator, a second slide position where the cam rear and the cam front press the slider against the fixing rotator, a third slide position where the cam front presses the slider against the fixing rotator, and an isolation position where the cam rear and the cam front do not press the slider against the fixing rotator.

Abstract: A fixing unit includes a rotating member and a heat insulating member. The rotating member is heated by a heat source and is configured to rotate around a shaft. The heat insulating member is attached at an end of the rotating member. The rotating member includes three or more engage holes perforated at intervals in a circumferential direction thereof. The heat insulating member includes three or more engaging projections fitting into the respective engage holes.

Abstract: A belt type fixing apparatus comprises: a fixing roller; a fixing belt which is installed to be opposite to the fixing roller; a nip forming member which is installed inside the fixing belt and supports the fixing belt so that the fixing belt can contact the fixing roller to form a fixing nip; a pair of sliding members which are installed to support both ends of the fixing belt and are rotated by the fixing belt; a pair of flange members which rotatably support the pair of sliding members; and a heat source which is installed inside the fixing belt and generates heat, wherein the rotation center of the pair of sliding members is located upstream in the transportation direction of printed matter compared to the rotation center of the fixing roller.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular film; a heater including a first surface being in contact with the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat-generating resistor; a heat-conductive member being in contact with a second surface of the heater opposite to the first surface, the heat-conductive member having a higher thermal conductivity than the substrate; and a supporting member supporting the heater with the heat-conductive member interposed therebetween. The heat-conductive member includes first and second parts at upstream and downstream ends, respectively, in a conveyance direction, and a third part between the first and second parts. The first to third parts are each held between the supporting member and the heater. A non-contact area between the heat-conductive member and the supporting member is provided between the first part and the second part in the conveyance direction. The heat-conductive member is shorter than the heater in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus which fixes a toner image on a recording material, includes a tubular film; a heater disposed in contact with the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor formed on the substrate; a contact member disposed in contact with a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater in contact with the film, a coefficient of linear expansion of the contact member being larger than that of the substrate; and a support member configured to support the heater, the support member sandwiching the contact member with the heater, wherein a lubricant is applied in at least a longitudinal end portion of a contact region between the heater and the contact member.

Abstract: An image fixing device includes an elastic roller; a back-up unit forming a fixing nip with the roller therebetween, the back-up unit including a cylindrical film, a film guide, extending inside the film, for guiding the film, and an end portion guiding member including a guiding portion for guiding an inner surface of an end portion of the film. The film guide includes plural ribs contacting the film and arranged in a generatrix direction at positions upstream of the fixing nip with respect to a feeding direction of a sheet. The ribs have free end portions retracted more toward a downstream side with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material than the guiding portion of the end portion guiding member. An inside rib has a free end portion which is retracted more toward the downstream side than free end portions of the opposite end ribs.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium includes an endless fixing rotary member which is formed into a loop and comes into contact with the image on the recording medium, an opposed rotary member which is in contact with the fixing rotary member, a nip forming member provided inside the loop of the fixing rotary member to be in contact with the opposed rotary member via the fixing rotary member to form a nip portion to which the recording medium is fed in a feeding direction, a support member which supports the nip forming member, and a heating source which heats the fixing rotary member. The nip forming member includes a downstream portion extending downstream in the feeding direction from a center of the nip portion and an upstream portion extending upstream in the feeding direction from the center and longer than the downstream portion.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a sheet discharge sensor that detects a recording material, a fixing device that nips the recording material to fix an unfixed toner image onto the recording material, a fixing motor that drives the fixing device, and an engine control unit that controls the fixing motor. The fixing device includes a fixing roller, a pressure unit that forms a first nip portion with the fixing roller to press the fixing roller, and a heating unit that forms a second nip portion with the fixing roller to heat the fixing roller. The first nip portion nips the recording material to fix the toner image onto the recording material. When determining that the recording material is wound around the fixing device using the sheet discharge sensor, the engine control unit continues to drive the fixing motor.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A rotation load applicator is coupled to one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator to apply a rotation load to the one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The rotation load is in a range of from 0.1 Nm to 0.6 Nm.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing unit that fixes a developer on a recording medium, a first heating unit, and at least one second heating unit. The first heating unit is disposed at an upstream side of the fixing unit in a transport direction of the recording medium, and heats the recording medium so that a temperature of the recording medium is set at a first temperature that is equal to or lower than a temperature of the fixing member and is equal to or higher than a thermal deformation temperature at which the recording medium is deformed. The at least one second heating unit comes into contact with the recording medium at a downstream side with respect to the first heating unit and at an upstream side with respect to the fixing unit, and heats the recording medium at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes first and second rotatable members configured to form a nip for heating a toner image on a sheet; a rotatable rubbing member configured to rub an outer surface of the first rotatable member; and a contact-and-separation mechanism configured to move the rotatable rubbing member toward and away from the first rotatable member. When the contact-and-separation mechanism executes a rubbing process, the contact-and-separation mechanism repeatedly executes alternately a first process for contacting the rotatable rubbing member with the first rotatable member and a second process for spacing the rotatable rubbing member from the first rotatable member.

Abstract: A cylindrical film used in an image heating device heating a recording material, on which an image has been formed, has a resin layer, this resin layer being made from a resin in which a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin having a higher glass transition temperature than the crystalline resin are blended, wherein a volume ratio of the crystalline resin with respect to the amorphous resin in the resin layer is 70/30 to 99/1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a toner image forming unit; an endless transfer belt; a transfer roller urged from an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt toward the image bearing member via the transfer belt; a feeding surface forming roller, provided downstream of the transfer roller with respect to a traveling direction of the transfer belt, having such a shape that a diameter at each of end portions is smaller than a diameter at a central portion with respect to a rotational axis direction; and a stretching roller, downstream of the feeding surface forming roller with respect to the traveling direction of the transfer belt, having such a shape that a diameter at each of end portions is larger than a diameter at a central portion with respect to the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member configured to form a nip therebetween for heating a toner image on a recording material, a rubbing rotatable member configured to rub a surface of the first rotatable member, and a cleaning brush configured to clean a surface of the rubbing rotatable member. An average interval Sm of pits and projections of the surface of the rubbing rotatable member is 10-20 ?m, and the cleaning brush includes fibers each having a diameter of not less than 5 ?m and not more than the average interval Sm.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a casing, a fixing roller, a pressure roller, a heat source, a sensor, and a duct. The fixing roller is disposed in the casing. The pressure roller forms a fixing nip region in cooperation with the fixing roller. The fixing heat source heats the fixing roller. The sensor detects whether or not a recording medium is present in the fixing nip region. The duct is disposed on the casing. One end part of opposite end parts of the heat source protrudes out of the casing. The duct covers the one end part of the heat source and exhausts heat generated from the one end part of the heat source in a direction away from the sensor.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt, a nip member elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a first surface contactable to an inner peripheral surface of the endless belt and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a backup member configured to nip the endless belt with the nip member and form a nip portion between the backup member and the endless belt, a heater disposed inside the endless belt and elongated in the longitudinal direction, a reflection member disposed between the nip member and the heater and configured to reflect radiation heat from the heater, and a heat sensitive element configured to detect a temperature, the heat sensitive element being disposed between the reflection member and the nip member and facing the second surface of the nip member.

Abstract: An electricity removing unit 50 includes a rotating roller part 51, a brush part 52, a driving part, and a restraint member. The brush part 52 includes a plurality of conductive fiber bristles 52a having base end portions connected to a peripheral surface of the rotating roller part 51. The driving part rotationally drives the rotating roller part 51. The restraint member abuts the brush part 52 from a rotation downstream side, thereby inclining the plurality of conductive fiber bristles 52a to an upstream side from a downstream side of a rotational direction toward a radial outside and thus reforming them. In this way, the restraint member restrains a distance between a front end of each conductive fiber bristle 52a and the peripheral surface of the rotating roller part 51 to a setting distance set in advance.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus configured to heat an image formed on a recording material includes a cylindrical rotatable member including a conductive layer, a magnetic core inserted through the rotatable member, a coil helically wound around an outer side of the magnetic core within the rotatable member, and an inverter configured to supply an alternating current to the coil. A frequency of the alternating current supplied from the inverter is within a range of 20.5 to 100 kHz. The conductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction due to an alternating magnetic field produced from the alternating current supplied to the coil. The coil is wound at an interval of 1 mm or longer.

Abstract: There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a non-woven polymer fiber matrix and a polymer dispersed throughout the non-woven polymer fiber matrix. The polymer fiber matrix has a first surface energy and the polymer has a second surface energy. The difference between the first surface energy and the second surface energy is from about 30 mJ/m2 to about 5 mJ/m2.

Abstract: Devices and methods to enable a fuser heater within a printing device. The heater includes 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. The resistive trace further includes a tap between the first end and the second end, connecting the resistive trace to one of the conductive traces and forming an electrical connection between the one of the conductive traces and the resistive trace. The tap comprises multiple branches extending out of the resistive trace. A gap is formed between each of the branches.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a conveying member, a nip member, an urging member, a changing portion, a first transmission portion, a motor, a second transmission portion, and a switching member. The urging member is configured to urge one of the conveying member and the nip member. The changing portion is configured to change an urging force of the urging member. The opening/closing member is configured to generate a moving force when being moved. The second transmission portion is configured to transmit drive force of the motor to the first transmission portion to generate the moving force. The switching member is configured to switch to one of a transmitting state and a cutoff state. The switching member interrupts the transmission of the drive force from the second transmission portion to the first transmission portion in the cutoff state.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a nip pad, a press roller, a driving portion, and a heat generation source. The fixing belt has an endless shape. The nip pad is located on an inner circumferential side of the fixing belt. The nip pad presses the fixing belt. The press roller presses the fixing belt along with the nip pad. The driving portion moves the press roller toward the nip pad. The heat generation source causes the fixing belt to generate heat. A control section controls an image forming section and the fixing device. The nip pad includes a protrusion. The protrusion protrudes toward an outer circumference of the fixing belt and a downstream side of the nip. The control section changes a movement amount of a protrusion to the press roller.

Abstract: An endless belt for heating an image on a sheet includes a resistance layer for generating heat by the supply of electric power; a first ring member provided in a widthwise end side of the endless belt so as to be electrically connected with the resistance layer; a second ring member, one of the first and second ring members being fitted around the other with the resistance layer sandwiched therebetween; and a fixing member configured to fix the first and second ring members to each other so that the first and second ring members are rotated integrally with the resistance layer.

Abstract: In a fixing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a projection portion projected in a direction opposite to a direction biased by the biasing member, from a body part of the biasing member, is provided in a biasing member configured to push a thermosensitive member which receives heat from a heater, toward the heater, so that a crack in the heater at the time of an abnormal temperature rise is prevented.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member and an induction heating section. The fixing member fixes an image onto a sheet. The induction heating section inductively heats the fixing member. The induction heating section includes an annular coil and a cover. The annular coil is elongated in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the sheet. The cover has first, second, and third opening rows. The annular coil includes first and second linear sections. Both the first and second opening rows are located at a side closer to the first linear section than a center line of the annular coil in the longitudinal direction. The second opening row is located closer to the second linear section than the first opening row. The third opening row is located at a side closer to the second linear section than the center line.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that performs image formation on continuous paper having a toner image formed thereon by making the continuous paper pass through a nip section to fix the toner image to the continuous paper, the nip section being formed by heating at least one of a pair of fixing members and pressure-contacting the fixing members with each other, the apparatus including: a conveyance section which conveys the continuous paper; a blowing section which blows air to the heated fixing member; a pressure-contact separation section which switches the pair of fixing members between a pressure-contacted state and a separated state; and a control section which, after the image formation is finished, stops heating of the fixing member, separates the pair of fixing members with the pressure-contact separation section and blows the air to the heated fixing member with the blowing section.

Abstract: When a roller faces a concave portion of an eccentric cam, a pressure roller is brought into press contact with a fixing roller at the spring pressure of a lower compression spring via a lever and an arm member. When the roller faces a maximum radius part, the pressure roller moves in a direction separating from the fixing roller via the lever and the arm member against the spring pressure of the lower compression spring.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes a heat roller, a heat generating body, and a controller. The heat roller heats a conveyed sheet. The heat generating body generates heat with electric power in the heat roller. The controller applies thinning control to electric energy supplied to the heat generating body in processing for heating the heat roller.

Abstract: A belt unit includes: a belt member; a first pressing member provided to press the belt member; a second pressing member provided to press the belt member; and a driving member configured to change tension applied to the belt member by moving the first pressing member in a first direction and moving the second pressing member in a second direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes a cylinder-shaped rotatable fixing belt and a pressurizing rotating member which is arranged so as to face the fixing belt along an axial direction, and transports a recording medium by rotating along with the fixing belt. In addition, arranged in the fixing belt, a pressurizing member which presses the fixing belt from an inner peripheral portion toward the pressurizing rotating member side, and a support member which supports the pressurizing member, and arranged a moisture absorbing layer which absorbs moisture in air and discharges the absorbed moisture according to a temperature rise between the support member and the pressurizing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating element disposed inside a flexible fusing member, a nip member disposed to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member, a reflecting plate for reflecting radiant heat from the heating element toward the nip member, and a backup member for nipping the flexible fusing member with the nip member. The reflecting plate includes a central reflecting portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the heating element at least in a region corresponding to along a heat generating portion of the heating element, and end reflecting portions stationarily provided on both ends of the central reflecting portion. The end reflecting portions are disposed in positions longitudinally outward of the heat generating portion and each has a reflecting surface tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heating element.

Abstract: A metal plate, which reinforces a backup member in contact with an inner surface of a fixing film, has a flat portion pressed against the backup member. The fixing film includes an electrically conductive layer. A current flows through the electrically conductive layer entirely in a circumferential direction of the fixing film, thereby causing the fixing film to generate heat.