Abstract: A fixing unit includes a heating rotary belt, a pressing member that abuts with an inner surface of the heating rotary belt, a pressing rotor that forms a fixing nip with the heating rotary belt, a induction coil separated by a predetermined distance from the external surface of the heating rotary belt and generating a magnetic flux to generate heat in the heating rotary belt, a magnetic core portion that forms a magnetic path for the magnetic flux generated by the induction coil, and a regulating portion that regulates the deformation of the heating rotary belt by abutment with the external surface of the heating rotary belt.

Abstract: A slide member for a fixing device includes a fluororesin layer having a slide surface dotted with recesses. The recesses in the slide surface are arranged in an array having parallel hexagons as unit cells.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular belt holder, a rotatable, flexible fuser belt, a heater, a fuser pad, a pressure member, and a reinforcing member. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the belt holder. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt holder to heat the belt holder. The fuser pad is accommodated in the belt holder inside the loop of the fuser belt, and extends in an axial direction of the belt holder. The pressure member is disposed opposite the belt holder with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The reinforcing member is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to reinforce the fuser pad under pressure from the pressure member. The fuser pad includes an elongated base, multiple longitudinally spaced protrusions, a perforated, anti-friction cover, and a fastener.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus for forming a lenticular lens structure when using a light-transmissive recording medium, including: photoreceptor drums; chargers; an exposure unit; developing devices; an intermediate transfer belt unit; and a fixing unit, further includes a resin layer forming device for forming a transparent resin layer on a pressing roller and a controller, and a multiple number of grooves are formed in parallel to each other on the surface of the pressing roller so as to create a lenticular lens structure on the pressing member and, the recording medium is pressed between the fixing roller and the pressing roller so as to form a lenticular lens structure on one surface of the recording medium while an unfixed toner image is fixed to the other surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: A belt-roll fuser system includes a belt-roll fuser module that is movable to engage and disengage to a main frame of the belt-roll fuser system. The belt-roll fuser has an internal pressure member that defines a fusing nip with an external pressure member of the main frame when the belt-roll fuser module is engaged. The belt-roll fuser module is movable by a latch, and when engaged, a nip load path crosses through a point at which the latch attaches to the belt-roll fuser module.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus includes a rubber layer and a resin tube layer on a metal core. The rubber layer includes a solid rubber layer having a thermal conductivity in a thickness direction of 0.16 W/(m·K) or more and 0.40 W/(m·K) or less, and a self-bonded silicone rubber layer that contains a filler of 5 vol % or more and 40 vol % or less, and has a thermal conductivity in an axial direction of 2.5 W/(m·K) or more and a thickness of 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less, the filler having a length of 0.05 mm or more and 1 mm or less and a thermal conductivity in a length direction of 500 W/(m·K) or more, so that a pressure roller to moderate temperature rise in a non-sheet feeding area when a small sized recording material has undergone sheet feeding can be easily manufactured.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular belt holder, a rotatable flexible fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, and a heater. The belt holder extends in an axial direction thereof. The fuser belt is looped around the belt holder extending in the axial direction. The contact member has a central axis thereof extending in the axial direction, accommodated in the belt holder. The pressure member has a central axis thereof extending in the axial direction, disposed opposite the belt holder with the fuser belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member presses against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt holder to heat a circumferential portion of the fuser belt. The belt holder includes a generally semi-cylindrical section to face the heated circumferential portion of the fuser belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of detecting occurrence of an abnormality that a fixing member which is actually in an unpressurized state is detected to be in a pressurized state, and supply of electric power to a heating member is continued. A fixing device includes a fixing belt and a pressure roller. The fixing belt and the pressure roller are pressed against each other such that a nip is formed therebetween, for nipping and conveying a transfer material through the nip while heating and pressing the same. A pressurizing unit selectively switches between a pressurizing state and an unpressurizing state. When the pressurizing unit is in the pressurized state, a heater heats the fixing belt. The heating of the fixing belt is stopped based on a temperature detected by a thermistor after a lapse of a predetermined time period from start of the heating.

Abstract: In a method for fusing a recording material on a medium, a fusing element is radiated close to and upstream from a fuse nip. Thus, the heat that is provided has very little time to penetrate the fusing element and thus remains at a surface of the fusing element. Therefore, the fusing element does not need to be heated thoroughly, which would require a substantial amount of time. Consequently, in the method, heat may be provided on demand and an energy efficient fuse method is thus provided.

Abstract: A heating member includes: a resistive heating layer which generates heat when supplied with electrical energy; a release layer as an outermost layer of the heating member and including a polymer; an intermediate layer disposed between the resistive heating layer and the release layer. The resistive heating layer includes a base polymer, and an electroconductive filler dispersed in the base polymer. The intermediate layer includes a polymer material being a same type as the base polymer of the resistive heating layer or the polymer of the release layer.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a roller, a first unit configured to heat the roller, the first unit including a first tubular film, a heating portion forming member to form a heating portion with the roller, and a first guide member dotted with first protruding portions contacting the inner surface of the first tubular film, and a second unit configured to form a nip portion with the roller, the second unit including a second tubular film, a nip portion forming member to form the nip portion with the roller, and a second guide member dotted with second protruding portions contacting the inner surface of the second tubular film, wherein there is a non-overlapping area between the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions in a generatrix direction of the roller.

Abstract: A fuser includes: a rotational member configured to rotate; a press member configured to press the rotational member; an induction-current generator configured to generate induction current in the rotational member; and a separator configured to separate a leading end of a recording medium that passes through a nip from the rotational member, when a distal end is in a separating position, and move to an open position.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a heating roller, a fixing roller, a fixing belt that is wound around the heating roller and the fixing roller and circulates between the heating roller and the fixing roller, a pressing roller to press the fixing roller through the fixing belt, a first heater that is included in the heating roller and mainly heats a center part of the heating roller, a second heater that is included in the heating roller and mainly heats a peripheral part of the heating roller, and a temperature control unit to control a temperature of the heating roller by an on/off control of the first heater and the second heater, and the temperature control unit performs the on/off control in which when one of the first heater and the second heater is turned on, the other is turned off.

Abstract: A fixing device including a rotatable fixing member to fix a toner image on a recording medium, a pressing member to press against the fixing member to form a nip portion therebetween, through which the recording medium passes, and a nip pressure applying mechanism that movably supports the pressing member. The nip pressure applying mechanism presses the pressing member against the fixing member at a predetermined nip pressure during a fixing operation, and draws the pressing member away from the fixing member for a predetermined distance before the fixing operation. The predetermined distance is set depending on a condition for the fixing operation.

Abstract: A fixing device and an image forming apparatus using this, in which even if permanent warping is produced on a roller member that forms a fixing nip portion, no collision sound is produced due to the collision of gears, the fixing device including: two roller members that form a nip portion in which a recording medium is pressed by pressure means and transported; and a drive gear that engages with a shaft portion of one of the two roller members and transmits driving force to that roller member. A key is formed in the drive gear and a key groove having a gap opened therein is formed in the shaft portion, and when a rotation velocity of the roller member increases, transmission of driving force from the drive gear to the shaft portion is suspended and the drive gear slides on the shaft portion.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller. The fixing roller and the pressure roller each have an elastic layer formed between a core bar and a release layer, which release layer serves as a surface of the fixing roller and the pressure roller. The pressure roller has a lower Asker-C hardness than that of the fixing roller, and has a greater micro rubber hardness than that of the fixing roller. This prevents the surface of the pressure roller from deteriorating in a short period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that control pressure roll flare in a print apparatus. The apparatus can include a fuser having a fuser surface. The apparatus can include at least one heat source configured to heat the fuser surface. The apparatus can include a pressure roll having a pressure roll surface, the pressure roll having a rotational axis, the pressure roll having an inside paper path portion towards the middle of the pressure roll along the rotational axis and having an outside paper path portion near at least one end of the pressure roll along the rotational axis, the pressure roll coupled to the fuser at a fuser nip, where the fuser nip is configured to fuse marking material on a media sheet.

Abstract: There are provided a fixing device having excellent fixation properties when a toner image is fixed onto a member to be subjected to fixation, and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device. A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a fixing roller and a heating roller between which the fixing belt is wound under tension, and a pressure roller which is in pressure-contact with the fixing roller through the fixing belt. An elastic layer as a surface layer of the fixing roller has, when being brought into pressure-contact with the pressure roller through the fixing belt, a pressing rate of 40% or more, and an Asker C hardness of 20 degrees or more and less than 30 degrees.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a frame, a pressure arm pivotably supported on the frame, and a nip release lever supported on the pressure arm. The pressure arm can release pressure contact between a heating roller and a pressure roller. The nip release lever can move between a pressing position and a release position so as to move the pressure roller between a position at which the pressure roller applies pressure to the heating roller and a position at which the pressure roller applies no pressure. The nip release lever can be halted in the release position.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing, fixing devices and methods of stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful in printing includes a first member including a first surface; at least one heating element for heating the first surface of the first member; a second member including a second surface forming a nip with the first surface, the nip including an inlet end at which a substrate enters the nip and an outlet end at which the substrate exits from the nip; and an air knife disposed downstream from the outlet end of the nip and extending along an axial direction of the first member, the air knife including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and a plurality of axially-spaced nozzles disposed between the first end and second end; and at least one gas inlet through which gas is supplied to the air knife.

Abstract: A fixed image gloss control system outputs a warm pressure-fixed image having a low gloss level. The image is alterable to change the low gloss level to a high gloss level or an intermediate gloss level. The fixing system includes a pressure roll and a fixing roll that together form a fixing nip. The pressure roll has a polyurethane contact surface. A polishing mechanism may polish the fused image to achieve a desired gloss level.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of fixing marking materials onto media are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus useful in printing includes a first roll including a first shaft and a first surface; a second roll including an axially-extending inner portion including a second shaft; an axially-extending outer portion over the inner portion; at least a first annular gap and a second annular gap extending axially between the inner portion and the outer portion, the first annular gap being axially spaced from the second annular gap; and a second surface forming a nip with the first surface. The inner portion and the outer portion of the second roll bend in opposite directions when the first roll and the second roll are loaded by applying a first force to the first shaft in a first direction and applying a second force to the second shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a rotating member supporting section supporting a first rotating member rotatably and movable in direction in which the first rotating member approaches and leaves a second rotating member; a compression spring pushing the rotating member supporting section in the direction of approaching the second rotating member; and a pressing member pressing the compression spring to the rotating member supporting section.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing belt including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section configured to electromagnetically induction-heat the conductive layer, a pressurizing section opposed to the outer circumference of the fixing belt, and a nip forming section including a first supporting roller present in the inner circumference of the fixing belt and shorter than the width of the pressurizing section and a second supporting roller present downstream of the first supporting roller in a rotating direction of the fixing belt and shorter than the width of the pressurizing section, the nip forming section being configured to form a nip between the fixing belt and the pressurizing section.

Abstract: A pressure roller forms a nip for contacting a heating member to pinch and convey a heat recording material. The roller includes a core metal and an elastic layer containing filler. The elastic layer containing the filler includes thermal conductive filler with a length of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 1 mm with a thermal conductivity ?f in the longitudinal direction in a range of ?f?500 W/(m·k), being dispersed in not less than 5 vol % and not more than 40 vol %. The elastic layer containing the filler has a thermal conductivity ?y in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a recording material conveyance direction, of ?y?2.5 W/(m·k) and an ASKER-C hardness of the filler is not more than 60 degrees. A solid rubber elastic layer with a thermal conductivity ? in a thickness direction of not less than 0.16 W/(m·k) and not more than 0.40 W/(m·k) is included.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus 12 in one embodiment of the present invention includes a fixing roller 31, a pressure roller 32, a pressing apparatus 100 for pressing the pressure roller 32 toward the fixing roller 31, a pressure cancellation apparatus 200 that cancels pressure applied by the pressing apparatus 100 to the pressure roller 32 against the fixing roller 31, an external heating apparatus 300 that presses the fixing roller 31 from the outside on an opposite side to the pressure roller 32, and a regulation member 400 that regulates the amount of pressure the external heating apparatus 300 applies to the fixing roller 31.

Abstract: A paper feeder assembly for an image forming apparatus is configured to sandwich a sheet of paper between a roller and an opposing pressing member and feed the sheet of paper by the roller being rotated. The paper feeder assembly includes a pressure variable member for varying pressurized contact force between the roller and the pressing member. In conjunction with ON/OFF action of a power supply switch provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus, the pressure variable member ensures pressurized contact force enough to fix an image when the power supply switch is turned on, whereas the pressure variable member operates to separate the roller and the pressing member from each other when the power supply switch is turned off.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a developed image of developer onto a recording sheet by heating and fusing the developer includes a heating roller, a pressure roller and a driving force input element. The heating roller is configured to be heated by a heat source, such as a halogen heater. The pressure roller is disposed adjacent to the heating roller, such that a recording sheet is fed and conveyed between the pressure roller and the heating roller. The driving force input element is fixed to the pressure roller for causing the pressure roller to rotate. A diameter Dp of the pressure roller and a nip width N between the heating roller and the pressure roller in circumferential directions thereof have a relationship represented by the following expression: 0.24<N/Dp<0.6.

Abstract: An image forming method for fixing a toner image on a recording medium by passing the recording medium through a fixing nip defined between a first member and a second member under heat and pressure. The toner has a specific loss elastic modulus. The first and second members extend along respective first and second longitudinal axes, and have respective first and second elastic layers whose thickness vary along the respective first and second longitudinal axes to define at least one convex portion curving outward and at least one concave portion curving inward with respect to each of the respective first and second longitudinal axes. The first convex portion engages the second concave portion and the first concave portion engages the second convex portion, to define the fixing nip therebetween.

Abstract: A belt device includes a belt member and a pressurizing member. The belt member is rotated with rotation of a rotation member, and the pressurizing member includes a pressing portion pressing an inner circumferential surface of the belt member. The pressing portion includes a surface layer having a solid lubricating agent and a fine particle.

Abstract: A pressure roller forms a nip for contacting a heating member to pinch and convey a heat recording material. The roller includes a core metal and an elastic layer containing filler. The elastic layer containing the filler includes thermal conductive filler with a length of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 1 mm with a thermal conductivity ?f in the longitudinal direction in a range of ?f?500 W/(m·k), being dispersed in not less than 5 vol % and not more than 40 vol %. The elastic layer containing the filler has a thermal conductivity ?y in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a recording material conveyance direction, of ?y?2.5 W/(m·k) and an ASKER-C hardness of the filler is not more than 60 degrees. A solid rubber elastic layer with a thermal conductivity ? in a thickness direction of not less than 0.16 W/(m·k) and not more than 0.40 W/(m·k) is included.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable belt to be heated, a pressure roller for pressure-contacting the rotatable belt so as to constitute a pressure contact portion in which a recording sheet is nipped and conveyed so that an image on the recording sheet is heated, and a roller provided for pressing an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable belt inward on a downstream in a sheet conveying direction of the pressure contact portion.

Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix a toner image on a moving printing medium includes: a fixing heat generator that generates heat by electromagnetic induction; a fixing medium that rotates and is heated while being carried by the heating medium; and a pressing member that presses a back surface of the printing medium coming into contact with the fixing medium, the fixing heat generator including a center coil and a pair of side coils provided at a center portion and both side portions thereof along a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the printing medium for heating the fixing medium by induction heating, the pressing member including a center heater and a side heater that heat a center portion and both side portions thereof in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the printing medium integrated therein.

Abstract: A fixing device slide member has a surface 40a of a sheet body 40, which surface is made of heat-resistant resin. A specific wear rate on the surface 40a of the sheet body 40 in the ring-on-disc test is 10×10?8 mm3/(N×m) or less on condition that a counterpart material is aluminum, roughness Ra is equal to 0.2 micrometer, PV is equal to 51.2 MPa×m/min, and measuring time is 50 hours. Thus, the surface 40a of the sheet body 40 is enhanced in wear resistance so as to be free from generation of worn powder, which suppresses torque increase in a pressurizing belt caused by the worn powder.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: an induction coil; heating rotator; pressurizing rotator disposed to face the heating rotator; fixing nip; and magnetic core unit. The heating rotator is disposed in a region through which a magnetic flux generated by the induction coil passes and rotates about a first rotational shaft. The magnetic core unit forms a magnetic path circularly encloses the induction coil. The magnetic core unit includes arch core portions and a core supporting member supporting these portions. The arch core portions each have an arch shape facing the heating rotator across the induction coil and are arranged at intervals in a direction of the first rotational shaft. Each arch core portion has first engaging portions formed respectively at both ends thereof and a core main body formed between the first engaging portions. The core supporting member has second engaging portions with which the first engaging portions are engageable.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, an exposure device to irradiate light to the photosensitive body to form the electrostatic latent image, a developing device to adhere a developer to the photosensitive body to form a visible image, a transfer device to transfer the visible image formed on the photosensitive body onto a printing medium, and a fusing unit to fuse the visible image to the printing medium. The fusing unit includes a heating roller to apply heat to the printing medium, a press roller to contact the heating roller to press the printing medium, a press lever to press any one of the heating roller and the press roller to the other, an adjusting lever rotatably coupled to the press lever, and a pressing force adjusting device to operate the adjusting lever to move the press lever.

Abstract: A cylindrical rotating member rotatably supported in a device in state where it is configured to contact a medium and that is heated in state where it is supported in the device, including: an elastically deformable base body that is a metal cylinder extending in a width direction of the medium, the width direction intersecting a transport direction of the medium, the base body being configured such that: when the base body is rotated and a portion of the base body reaches a contact-portion at which the base body contacts the medium, the portion of the base body elastically deforms, applies pressure to the medium, increases the size of a contact-area with the medium and applies heat to the medium; and after the base body is further rotated and the portion of the base body has passed the contact-portion, the base body elastically recovers its original shape is provided.

Abstract: A pressure roller forms a nip for contacting a heating member to pinch and convey a heat recording material. The roller includes a core metal and an elastic layer containing filler. The elastic layer containing the filler includes thermal conductive filler with a length of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 1 mm with a thermal conductivity ?f in the longitudinal direction in a range of ?f?500 W/(m·k), being dispersed in not less than 5 vol % and not more than 40 vol %. The elastic layer containing the filler has a thermal conductivity ?y in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a recording material conveyance direction, of ?y?2.5 W/(m·k) and an ASKER-C hardness of the filler is not more than 60 degrees. A solid rubber elastic layer with a thermal conductivity ? in a thickness direction of not less than 0.16 W/(m·k) and not more than 0.40 W/(m·k) is included.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials, methods, and systems for a fuser member used in electrophotographic devices and processes, wherein the fuser member can include a coating material containing a plurality of nanoceram fibers dispersed in a polymer matrix for providing a desired gloss level of fused toner images.

Abstract: A fusing device and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The fusing device includes a position regulating device to regulate a position of a side frame which rotatably supports a fusing belt, thereby fixing a position of a fusing nip defined between the fusing belt, inside of which a heat source is placed, and a pressure roller arranged to face the fusing belt. The fusing device prevents shift of a recording medium delivery path due to deformation of the pressure roller.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a film, a roller forming a nip with the film, for conveying a sheet while nipping the sheet, a member for urging one of the film and the roller toward the other, a heater for heating one of the film and the roller, a cam, rotationally driven by a motor, for moving the urging member in a releasing direction or a restoring direction of an urging force by the urging member, a gear that swings, depending on normal or reverse rotation of the motor, and a stopper to stop the swinging of the gear. By this arrangement, the rapid rotation of gears that are free from engagement, which can cause impact noise during a transitional process between a gear engagement state in a nip-released state by the roller and a gear engagement state during a nipping function by the roller, can be suppressed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that control pressure roll flare in a print apparatus. The apparatus can include a fuser having a fuser surface. The apparatus can include at least one heat source configured to heat the fuser surface. The apparatus can include a pressure roll having a pressure roll surface, the pressure roll having a rotational axis, the pressure roll having an inside paper path portion towards the middle of the pressure roll along the rotational axis and having an outside paper path portion near at least one end of the pressure roll along the rotational axis, the pressure roll coupled to the fuser at a fuser nip, where the fuser nip is configured to fuse marking material on a media sheet.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus of the invention includes a heating roller, a fixing roller, a fixing belt that is wound around the heating roller and the fixing roller and circulates between the heating roller and the fixing roller, a pressing roller to press the fixing roller through the fixing belt, a first heater that is included in the heating roller and mainly heats a center part of the heating roller, a second heater that is included in the heating roller and mainly heats a peripheral part of the heating roller, and a temperature control unit to control a temperature of the heating roller by an on/off control of the first heater and the second heater, and the temperature control unit performs the on/off control in which when one of the first heater and the second heater is turned on, the other is turned off.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus including a heating roller supplying heat onto a printing medium; a first pressure roller forming a first fusing nip by contacting a heating roller; a second pressure roller forming a second fixing nip by contacting the heating roller; a frame on which the heating roller, the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller are installed; and at least one bending reducing roller that reduces the bending of the second pressure roller by supporting a part of the second pressure roller in the lengthwise direction is provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit and a re-heating unit. The fixing unit fixes a toner image on a recording medium by applying heat to the toner image with a first glossiness level. The re-heating unit re-heats the toner image, fixed on the recording medium by the fixing unit, to set a second glossiness level lower than the first glossiness level.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of controlling a temperature of a surface in an apparatus useful for printing are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses includes a first roll including a first outer surface and at least one first heating element for heating the first outer surface; a second roll including a second outer surface; a nip between the first outer surface and the second outer surface; a first temperature sensor for sensing a pre-nip temperature at a pre-nip location; and a first voltage modulator connected to each first heating element and the first temperature sensor. The first voltage modulator receives a temperature signal from the first temperature sensor indicative of the pre-nip temperature and modulates an AC voltage supplied to each first heating element to maintain each first heating element continuously ON at a power level ranging from partial power to full power to control the pre-nip temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a fixing apparatus that causes a recording material to pass through a nip portion formed by a rotating heat roller and a rotating pressure roller being in contact so as to perform a fixing operation is configured including a pressing mechanism that can switch between a pressure applied state in which the pressure roller presses against the heat roller using a bias and a pressure cancelled state in which the pressure is cancelled, a pressure state detection unit, and a control unit that performs a pressure cancelation operation and a pressure application operation.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a heat roller, and plural pressure rollers, which rotationally contact the surface of the heat roller by a compression unit. The plural pressure rollers are provided in such a manner that the compressive forces thereof may be adjusted. With this construction, the fixability of a toner image is improved and crumples, wrinkles, and wrap jam that may be produced when a toner image is fixed are substantially prevented.

Abstract: A fixing device according to an embodiment of the invention is provided with a center coil and a side coil to induction heat a metal roller which supports a belt. An auxiliary pressurizing member which is adjacent to an opposing roller which supports the belt and presses the belt against a heat roller is provided. The distance from the center position of induction heating of a heat roller to an entrance of a nip is equalized to the distance from the center position of induction heating of the metal roller to the entrance of the nip. The distance from the temperature reading position of the heat roller to the center position of induction heating of the heat roller is equalized to the distance from the temperature reading position of the belt to the center position of induction heating of the metal roller.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus that including a sheet heating element for generating heat to fix a toner image being transferred onto a sheet; an endless belt; a rigid member for conducting the heat to the endless belt and being arranged to contact with the sheet heating element and the endless belt respectively; and a pressure member for pressing the sheet heating element against the rigid member, wherein the endless belt is arranged to contact with the sheet, the sheet heating element includes an elongated substrate extending in a widthwise direction of the endless belt, plural resistance heating layers which are formed on a surface of the substrate along a longitudinal direction thereof and arranged parallel to one another, and at least one conduction portion formed in at least one place of an intermediate region between one end and another of each resistance heating layer to connect the different resistance heating layers, and the pressure member presses the sheet heating element against the rigid member at a positio