Abstract: A cylindrical heating element comprising a cylindrical member, and a metallic pattern provided on at least one of outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical member, which is capable of generating heat by being electrified. A fixing device which passes a recording medium on which an unfixed toner image is held through a nip formed by a rotating member for heating and a rotating member for pressurizing which is pressed against the rotating member for heating to fix the toner image on the recording medium with heating under pressure, the rotating member for heating comprising the cylindrical heating element.

Abstract: A temperature equalizing roller includes a metal pipe, a heat pipe that is located inside the metal pipe and has a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the metal pipe, and a joining layer. The joining layer lies between an outer peripheral surface of the heat pipe and an inner peripheral surface of the metal pipe, joins the outer peripheral surface of the heat pipe and the inner peripheral surface of the metal pipe, and has a higher thermal conductivity than a thermal conductivity of air.

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 elastic layer is provided on a surface of one of a metal core and a substrate. A fixing member and a pressure member press into each other and collectively create a nip therebetween. A toner image is conveyed and fixed when passing through the nip. A thickness of the elastic layer is different in at least two widthwise regions by the same amount from the other region. A pair of edges of a prescribed size of the transfer sheet pass through these two widthwise regions, respectively.

Abstract: A heat generating roller (19) which generates a heat when magnetic flux is applied from outside, which has high ability to control an amount of heat generation of itself and which has sufficient strength, comprising a main heating layer (31) made of a material having a low electric resistivity, a heat controlling layer (30) made of magnetic metal consisting at least nickel, a heat insulation layer (36) having a low heat conductivity, and a stiff metal core (35), in order as above from outside, wherein the heat controlling layer (30) is annealed, and the heat controlling layer (30) and the heat insulation layer (36) are bonded to each other.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first member. The first member extends along a first longitudinal axis, and has an external surface whose thickness varies along the first longitudinal axis to define at least one first convex portion and at least one first concave portion. A thickness of the first convex portion is larger than a thickness of the first concave portion. A heating source is disposed in the first member. The heating temperature of an inner circumference side of the first convex portion is higher than the heating temperature of the inner circumference side of the first concave portion.

Abstract: In a fixing unit in which at least one of a heating roller and a pressing roller is provided as a fixing roller and is replaceably supported along the axial direction of the fixing roller, a sliding member is formed integrally to the inside of the fixing roller, so that the sliding member slides on the outer circumference of a roller guiding shaft upon replacing the fixing roller.

Abstract: A fixing belt includes a cylindrical base composed of a metal and a polyimide resin layer formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical base, in which the polyimide resin layer has an imidization rate of 70% to 93%, and comprises a polyimide resin containing a specific constitutional unit.

Abstract: A fusing device includes; a heating member having a resistive heating layer constituting an outermost portion of the heating member, a nip forming member facing the heating member to form a fusing nip therewith, and a plurality of current supplying electrodes which contact an outer circumference of the resistive heating layer to supply electrical current to the resistive heating layer.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a fuser core in an imaging device. The system includes a fuser core having a body and two opposing ends, and a pair of hubs. The opposing ends of the fuser core are configured with ratchet type geometric profiles that mate with ratchet type geometric profiles configured on the corresponding hubs. The system also includes two elastomeric collars each of which is at least partially disposed between the end of the fuser core and the corresponding mating hub.

Abstract: An image heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material, comprising a base layer; a heat generation layer, provided on the base layer, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power; an electrode layer, provided outside of the heat generation layer with respect to a widthwise direction and having an electric resistance which is smaller than that of the heat generation layer, for supplying the electric power to heat generation layer; an elastic layer provided on the electrode layer and having a length longer than that of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction; and a parting layer provided on the elastic layer and having a length which is substantially equal to the length of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction;

Abstract: A heat generating sleeve (19) having a high ability to control an amount of heat generation of itself and sufficient strength comprises a heat controlling layer (30) consisting of annealed permalloy, and a main heating layer (31) consisting of unannealed metal plated on a surface of the heat controlling layer (30).

Abstract: Disclosed are a heating member having a resistive heating layer and a fusing device using the heating member. The heating member includes the resistive heating layer on an outer circumferential surface of a load support member. Electricity is supplied to an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface of the resistive heating layer in a direction perpendicular to the resistive heating layer.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing member that travels in a prescribed direction and applies heat and melts a toner image, a pressure applying member that pressure contacts the fixing member and forms a nip for conveying a recording medium, and a resistance heat element secured inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, which applies heat to the fixing member. The resistance heat element is arranged not to pressure contact the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member.

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 thermal fixing roll or belt-forming silicone rubber composition having a high thermal conductivity, a low compression set, and an improved heat resistance which is well adapted for use as a coating material in a fixing roll or fixing belt is provided. Also provided are a fixing roll and a fixing belt formed by using such composition. The thermal fixing roll or belt-forming silicone rubber composition comprises 100 parts by weight of a heat-curable silicone rubber composition and 50 to 800 parts by weight of silicon carbide having an iron content of up to 0.2% by weight at the surface and an average particle size of 1 to 50 ?m.

Abstract: A member for an image forming apparatus is provided, the member including a surface layer, at least an outer surface of the surface layer containing a fluorinated polyimide resin that has an ether group in a main chain of the fluorinated polyimide resin.

Abstract: The invention provides an image fixing device containing a tubular formed first rotating body rotatable in a circumferential direction, a second rotating body that is arranged so that an outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the first rotating body, a heating unit that heats the first rotating body; and a heating auxiliary member that is arranged to be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first rotating body, at least a surface of the heating auxiliary member that is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first rotating body being made of a porous metal.

Abstract: A pressure member is used for fixing in electrophotography and includes at least a substrate, an elastic layer provided on the substrate, and a surface layer includes carbon and a fluororesin having a structure represented by Formula (1): wherein R represents CF3, C2F5, or C3F7, and x represents a numeral from 0.045 to 0.12.

Abstract: An image fixing device for use in an image forming apparatus. The fixing device includes a fixing member which fixes a toner image on a recording medium at a nip area, a pressurizing member which pressures the recording medium toward the fixing member at the nip area, a carbon lamp which emits infrared rays, and a reflecting member which reflects the infrared rays to the nip area.

Abstract: A fixing member is included on a fixing rotational body having a heat source built therein. The fixing rotational body is configured to fix unfixed toner onto a recording medium as the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner passes through a nip portion formed between the fixing rotational body and a pressurizing unit that comes into pressure contact with the fixing rotational body via the recording medium. The fixing member is made of silicon rubber including carbon fiber, wherein vacant spaces are formed in the silicon rubber.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing apparatus including: a heat roller that includes: a heat source that generates heat to be supplied on a toner image formed on a recording medium; a cylindrical core; a rubber layer that is formed on the cylindrical core and includes a thermal-conductivity-enhanced rubber, the rubber layer having a thickness of Tg that satisfies 200 ?m?Tg?600 ?m and having a rubber hardness defined by JIS-A hardness of Hg that satisfies 40 degrees?Hg?80 degrees; and a fluororesin layer that is formed on the rubber layer, the fluororesin layer having a thickness of Tj that satisfies 80 ?m?Tj?300 ?m and 2 Tj?Tg?10 Tj; and a pressure roller that presses the recording medium against the heat roller.

Abstract: A heating device has a magnetic field generating unit generating a magnetic field, a heat generating layer, and a heating/rotating unit. The heat generating layer is disposed so as to oppose the magnetic field generating unit, and is at least electromagnetically induced by the magnetic field to generate heat. The heating/rotating unit includes a supporting layer which supports the heat generating layer, and has n (n?2) metal layers.

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 heating member includes a weight supporter having an outer circumference, and a resistive heating disposed on the outer circumference of the weight supporter. The resistive heating layer includes a conductive filler dispersed in a base material. A pair of electrodes extends along a length direction of a rotational axis of the weight supporter and is arranged along a circumference of the weight supporter for supplying electric power to the resistive heating layer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to release fluids or agents that are useful in release coating in toner-based technologies. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to the addition of metal chelating agents to release fluids to prevent byproduct reactions from the fusing process that would otherwise decrease fuser member life and image quality.

Abstract: A fusing roller which is heated by a heat source, includes: a core member; a first primer which is formed on a circumference of the core member; an elastic layer which is formed on a circumference of the first primer, and adhered on the circumference of the core member by the first primer; and a basic coating layer which is disposed between the core member and the first primer, and chemically combined with the first primer.

Abstract: A tubular body includes: a substrate including concave portions on a surface thereof; a surface layer formed on the surface of the concave portion-including side of the substrate; and a particle positioned at an interface between the substrate and the surface layer in each of the concave portions.

Abstract: The fixing device includes: a fixing member including a conductive layer and fixing toner on a recording medium by electromagnetic induction; a magnetic-field generating member generating an alternate-current magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer; a magnetic-path forming member that includes a circular arc facing the magnetic-field generating member, that forms a magnetic path of the alternate-current magnetic field, within a range up to a permeability change start temperature, and that allows the alternate-current magnetic field to go through the magnetic-path forming member within a range exceeding the permeability change start temperature; and a support member supporting the magnetic-path forming member. The circular arc shaped portion has an upstream edge in a moving direction of the fixing member and a position of the upstream edge is concaved toward a center of the magnetic path forming member from each of ends of the magnetic path forming member in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A heating rotator that is used for heating a developer on a recording medium has a cylindrical body that is made of a metal and both end portions of the cylindrical body is rotatably supported. The cylindrical body has a thick-walled portion at both end portions that is thicker than a center portion in an axial direction of the cylindrical body, and a cross-sectional shape of the heating rotator changes from the end portions toward the center portion in a pressure area of an outer peripheral surface to which pressure is applied by a pressure rotator.

Abstract: A developing member is provided which is capable of forming a high-quality image by simultaneously solving the problem of fogging in a high temperature and high humidity environment and the problem of ghosts in a low temperature and low humidity environment. The developing member includes a mandrel and a resin layer formed on the periphery of the mandrel, and has an outermost surface layer containing a non-reactive silicone compound. The non-reactive silicone compound satisfies the following requirements: (A) a copolymer of silicone and polyoxyethylene; (B) a specific gravity (25° C.) d of 0.99?d?1.03; and (C) a solubility in water (25° C.) of less than 0.1% by mass.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device to fix a toner image on a recording medium by applying heat. Such a fixing device includes at least a magnetic flux generator, a heat generating roller, a magnetic shunt layer, and a protective layer. The magnetic flux generator is configured to generate magnetic flux. The heat generating roller including a heat generating layer is configured to generate heat by the magnetic flux. The magnetic shunt layer may be formed independently of the heat generating layer. The protective layer is provided on an inner surface of the magnetic shunt layer and configured to cover a crack formed in the magnetic shunt layer during fabrication of the magnetic shunt layer. An image is fixed onto the recording medium by the heat from the heat generating roller. Alternatively, the magnetic shunt layer may be integrally provided with the heat generating layer.

Abstract: A fuser member includes a substrate and an outer layer including a polymeric material and an aerogel component that is at least one of dispersed in or bonded to the polymeric material.

Abstract: In a drive detection device for a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a non-paper passing area of a heat roller is formed by a surface where a metal conductive layer is exposed and a surface where a silicon rubber layer is exposed. The drive detection device has an infrared temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the non-paper passing area. When a detection result of the infrared temperature sensor is fluctuated a fixed amount or more in a predetermined time, the drive detection device determines that the heat roller is rotating. Otherwise, the drive detection device determines that the heat roller is not rotating.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to shorten a warm-up time required to fuse a visible image to a printing medium is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an indirect heating member to indirectly transfer radiant heat to the visible image formed on the printing medium passing through the fusing nip, and a direct heating member to directly transfer resistance heat to the visible image formed on the printing medium passing through the fusing nip. Accordingly, since the radiant heat generated from the indirect heating member heats the direct heating member, a heating rate of the direct heating member increases, and the warm-up time required to reach a predetermined fusing temperature to fuse the visible image is shortened.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus that senses temperature of a heater and controls the temperature accurately includes a pair of fixing rollers, a heater housed inside at least one of the pair of fixing rollers, and a sensor integrally formed with the heater to detect temperatures of the heater from a plurality of sensing positions. The sensor includes an array of sensing units connected in parallel to the plurality of sensing positions, and generates one sensing signal. An image forming apparatus includes the image forming apparatus. An image fixing temperature control method includes generating average temperature information of a heater; and controlling the driving of the heater based on the temperature information.

Abstract: An edge wear reducing pressure roller is provided and comprises (a) a roll member having a cylindrical elastomeric outer layer including a longitudinal axis and a length having a first position for supporting a first edge of a copy sheet and a second position for supporting a second edge of the copy sheet; and (b) a cylindrical core located within the cylindrical outer layer also having the longitudinal axis, and a length for supporting the cylindrical elastomeric outer layer. The cylindrical core includes a first segment having a first diameter, and a second segment having a second diameter less than the first diameter for creating variation in elastomeric layer thickness. The second segment advantageously is located directly underneath the first position for supporting the first edge of the copy sheet, and the second position is advantageously located underneath the second position for supporting the second edge of the copy sheet.

Abstract: A fixing unit includes a heating member which includes a core member, and a heating layer. The heating layer is disposed on an outer circumference of the core member. The heating layer includes an elastic material, and carbon nanotube doped with metal and distributed in the elastic material as a conductive filler of the heating layer. A press member faces the heating member to form a fixing nip. The fixing unit applies heat and pressure to toner on a medium passing through the fixing nip, to fix the toner on the medium.

Abstract: A fixing device having at least a cylindrical base material, an elastic layer disposed on the base material, and a surface layer disposed on the elastic layer is provided. The cylindrical base material has a variation in thickness within about ±10% when the cylindrical base material is in an endless belt shape having flexibility, or within a variation in outer diameter within about ±0.5% when the cylindrical base material is in a circular cylinder tube shape having rigidity. The elastic layer has a variation in thickness within about ±5%. The surface layer has a variation, along the circumferential direction of the base material, in thickness of the surface within about ±5% and with a surface elongation percentage which increases from a center portion toward both end portions in the widthwise direction of the base material. A fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the fixing device are also provided.

Abstract: A heating device includes a magnetic field generating unit, and a heat generating body having a heat generating layer generating heat due to electromagnetic induction, and a temperature-sensitive layer. The heat generating layer is disposed opposing the magnetic field generating unit. The temperature-sensitive layer has a Curie temperature greater than or equal to a set temperature of the heat generating layer and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature of the heat generating layer, and is disposed at a side of heat generating layer opposite a side where the magnetic field generating unit is disposed such that heat from the heat generating layer is conducted. At temperatures lower than the Curie temperature, the temperature-sensitive layer causes the magnetic field to penetrate in from the heat generating layer, and at temperatures greater than or equal to the Curie temperature, causes magnetic flux of the magnetic field to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The endless belt is provided with: a metal layer that includes at least one layer, that is cylindrically formed, and that has not more than 10 degrees as a half width of a diffraction peak in X-ray diffraction; and a release layer that is stacked on the metal layer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic fixing member is provided, which is excellent in toner releasability and hard to change in rubber elasticity of a silicone rubber elastic layer. The fixing member is laminated with a substrate, a cured silicone rubber layer, a cured silicone rubber adhesive layer and a fluorine resin layer, wherein when infrared light absorption strength ratios (1020 cm?1/1260 cm?1) at 1020 cm?1 and 1260 cm?1 determined by sampling the portions of 5 ?m and 20 ?m from the outer surface of the cured silicone rubber layer are taken as ?(5) and ?(20), respectively, a relationship of ?(5) and ?(20) satisfies 1.03??(5)/?(20)?1.30 and ?(20) is 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less.

Abstract: An elastic roll is used in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus. The elastic roll includes an elastic layer and a covering layer disposed on an outside of the elastic layer. The covering layer is made of a heat-resistant resin or a metal, which has higher rigidity than a material of the elastic layer.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are printing apparatuses, fuser members, and methods of making fuser members. The printing apparatus can include a fuser member, the fuser member including a substrate. The fuser member can also include one or more functional layers disposed over the substrate and a top coat layer including a fluorinated nanocomposite disposed over the one or more functional layers, wherein the fluorinated nanocomposite includes a plurality of fluorinated carbon nanotubes dispersed in one or more fluoropolymers.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along a first longitudinal axis, and has a first elastic layer whose thickness varies along the first longitudinal axis to define at least one first convex portion and at least one first concave portion. The second member extends along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and has a second elastic layer whose thickness varies along the second longitudinal axis to define at least one second convex portion and at least one second concave portion. At least one of the first and second members is heated, and at least one of the first and second members is pressed against the other, with the first convex portion engaging the second concave portion and the first concave portion engaging the second convex portion, to define a fixing nip therebetween.

Abstract: An endless fusing thick belt for an electrographic imaging device having a flexible tubular configuration of predetermined diameter, said endless fusing thick belt comprising; an outside surface toner release layer comprised of a coating and a sleeve; a silicone rubber layer positioned inside said outside surface toner release layer; a rigid material layer positioned inside said silicone rubber layer; and a silicone base layer positioned inside and affixed to the internal surface of said polyimide layer using an adhesive.

Abstract: A fixing device is provided with a heat roller (18) and a pressure roller (19) having a shaft (24) and an elastic layer (25) formed on a periphery thereof and being in pressurized contact with the heat roller (18). A concave region (25b), formed in an approximate arc shape in cross-section, is arranged on an end face (25a) of the elastic layer (25) in a longitudinal direction (X) of the pressure roller (19). Accordingly, even when the pressure roller (19) is in pressurized contact with the heat roller (18), since the concave region (25b) deforms to an approximately plane shape only, and the end face (25a) does not protrude outwards, the occurrence of cracking in the elastic layer (25) of the pressure roller (19) can be avoided.

Abstract: A fixing device having at least a cylindrical base material, an elastic layer disposed on the base material, and a surface layer disposed on the elastic layer is provided. The cylindrical base material has a variation in thickness within about ±10% when the cylindrical base material is in an endless belt shape having flexibility, or within a variation in outer diameter within about ±0.5% when the cylindrical base material is in a circular cylinder tube shape having rigidity. The elastic layer has a variation in thickness within about ±5%. The surface layer has a variation, along the circumferential direction of the base material, in thickness of the surface within about ±5% and with a surface elongation percentage which increases from a center portion toward both end portions in the widthwise direction of the base material. A fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the fixing device are also provided.

Abstract: A heat roller for an electrophotographic device comprised of an internal tube inside an insulating layer wherein a heating element having a resistance member is fixed to the outer surface of the insulating layer by depositing the resistance member onto a polyimide film applied to the insulating layer, depositing the resistance member directly to insulating layer, or embedding the resistance member in the insulating layer. Alternatively, the heating element having a resistance member is fixed to the outer surface of the internal tube by depositing the resistance member onto a polyimide film applied to the internal tube, thereby eliminating the insulating layer. An elastomer layer of predetermined thickness is overmoulded to the outer surface of the insulating layer or the internal tube and an outside surface is applied to the outer surface of the elastomer layer wherein a toner image is fused on paper from the outside surface by heat transferred from the heating element.