Abstract: A fusing device includes a preheating unit to preheat a developed image on a recording medium, and a heating unit to fuse the preheated developed image onto the recording medium by heating the image without pressing. The preheating unit includes a preheating plate heated by the heating unit and having an airtight interior space, and a phase transition fluid filled in the interior space. The heat generated by the heating unit is stored in the preheating plate using the phase transition fluid, and the temperature of the preheating plate uniform is kept uniform using a non-condensable gas filled in the airtight space of the preheating plate to condense and expand depending on a pressure of the phase transition fluid, and a heat sink arranged corresponding to a charge section of the non-condensable gas to absorb the heat of the preheating plate when the non-condensable gas is contracted.

Abstract: The heating apparatus of a surface-heating type, includes a rotary member, an opposing member that forms a nip with respect to the rotary member, and a heating member for heating a portion of a rotary member surface other than the nip, in which temperature used for heating the rotary member by the heating member is controlled, and a heating material inserted in the nip to be nipped and conveyed therein is heated using heat of the rotary member. Accordingly, after insertion of the heating material in the nip starts, control temperature of the heating member is increased before the rotary member rotates by one revolution, thereby preventing an uneven heating phenomenon of the heating material in the first revolution and the second revolution or later, and preventing uneven gloss due to the uneven heating phenomenon in the fixing apparatus.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an image heating apparatus for heating an image on a recording material by a heat from a heat generating element for producing heat by a magnetic flux generated by magnetic flux generating means, the apparatus including a magnetic flux confining member for confining a magnetic flux directing toward a predetermined region of the heat generating element from the magnetic flux generating means, and a first drive transmission member, provided at one end of the magnetic flux confining member, for transmitting rotational drive to the magnetic flux confining member and a second drive transmission member, provided at the other end of the magnetic flux confining member, for transmitting rotational drive to the magnetic flux confining member, the method comprising an adjusting step of adjusting such that first and second drive transmission members are supported by the magnetic flux confining member with a predetermined rotational position relation, using marks provided on the first and second

Abstract: A fusing device (23) has heat reflectors (238) and (239) positioned in consideration of the fact that convective heat loss from respective outer surfaces of the heat reflectors (238) and (239) depends on orientation of the outer surfaces. More specifically, each of the heat reflectors (238) and (239) are positioned so as to have a convective heat transfer coefficient ? of up to 0.9. The convective heat transfer coefficient ? is given by the following expression: ?=(Su+0.77Sh+0.54Sd)/(Su+Sh+Sd), were Su is a projected area of an outer surface of each of the heat reflectors on an upper horizontal plane, Sh is a projected area of the same on a vertical plane, and Sd is a projected area of the same on a lower horizontal plane.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium, and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The fixing device includes a fixing roller heated by a heating source, and a pressing unit disposed opposite the fixing roller to bias a recording medium towards the fixing roller so that the recording medium contacts the fixing roller. The pressing unit has a movable support member, a pressing member mounted at the support member to face the fixing roller, a pressing belt rotatably disposed around the support member and the pressing member and biased by the pressing member to form a nip with the fixing roller, a driving roller for rotating the pressing belt, and a resilience applying member for biasing at least one of the support member and the driving roller toward the fixing roller. Accordingly, the pressing unit basically expands the width of the fixing nip to improve the image fixing capability.

Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix a toner image onto a recording medium includes a coil for generating a magnetic flux and a heat generation member for generating heat by the magnetic flux; the heat generation member includes a hollow cylinder shape, the coil has a loop-shaped coil disposed in a loop shape to sandwich inner and outer circumference planes of the heat generation member of the hollow cylinder shape, the loop-shaped coil is divided into an inside coil portion, which is positioned in the inner circumference plane side of the heat generation member, and an outside coil portion which is positioned in the outer circumference plane side of the heat generation member, and a terminal portion for connecting both of the coil portions is provided between the inside coil portion and the outside coil portion.

Abstract: In a coil unit according to this invention in which an electromagnetic induction coil and a magnetic core are sealed by a coil mold, an insulating board that secures insulation between the electromagnetic induction coil and the magnetic core and that can adjust the distance between them is provided between the electromagnetic induction coil and the magnetic core.

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

Abstract: A heating assembly for a printing device includes a heating device configured to be energized or deenergized. A switching device includes a bimetallic element efficiently thermally coupled to the heating device and configured to deenergize the heating device in a defined period of time in the event of an over temperature condition.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus and an image formation apparatus are disclosed. The fixing apparatus includes two or more heaters with temperature detecting function that generate heat with electric current and detect temperature; a heating unit that includes the heater with the temperature detecting function; a film, a surface of which slides on the heating unit; a thermal fixing unit that is heated by the heating unit through the film for fusing a toner image that is yet-to-be fixed on a recording paper at a predetermined fixing temperature; a pressurization roller for pressing the recording paper to the thermal fixing unit; and a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the heater to be a predetermined temperature based on the temperature of the heater detected by the heater with the temperature detecting function.

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

Abstract: A fuser member suited to use in a fusing apparatus of an electrostatographic image rendering device includes a substrate and an outer layer over the substrate. The outer layer includes a matrix material and filler particles dispersed in the matrix material. At least some of the filler particles are formed from diamond, which may provide improved wear of the fuser member and may also provide the layer with improved thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method for forming an image contains steps of: transferring a toner having a volume average particle diameter of 5 ?m or less to a recording medium as a toner image having a monochromatic maximum toner mass per area of 0.35 mg/cm2 or less; and fixing the toner image at a surface temperature of a fixing roll which is 130° C. or less. The toner preferably has 0.02 log(Pa)/° C. or less of a gradient of a storage, elasticity per temperature in a temperature range of from Tm+20° C. to Tm+50° C. Here, Tm represents a melting temperature of a crystalline resin contained in the crystalline toner.

Abstract: A thermal fixing device for fixing toner images onto recording sheets includes a heat member, a pressing member, a temperature sensor, a clock, and a control unit. The control unit performs a toner fixing control and a high-temperature heat-up control. During the toner fixing control, the control unit controls the heat member to heat up to a fixing temperature required to melt toner on a recording sheet disposed between the heat member and the pressing member. During the high-temperature heat-up control, the control unit controls the heat member to heat up to a high-temperature fixing temperature that is higher than the fixing temperature. The control unit sets length of the high-temperature heat-up control in accordance with length of the start-up time measured by the clock.

Abstract: An induction heating fixing device includes: a heating member for heating a recording medium while rotating along a paper passing direction, and an induction heating unit for heating the heating member, wherein: the heating unit has a plurality of induction coils arranged by being divided in an axial direction of the heating member, the plurality of induction coils comprises an internal induction coil arranged inside the heating member and an external induction coil arranged outside the heating member, and the internal induction coil and the external induction coil are arranged so as to overlap each other in the axial direction of the heating member.

Abstract: A heating assembly for a printing device includes a heating device configured to be energized or deenergized. A switching device includes a bimetallic element efficiently thermally coupled to the heating device and configured to deenergize the heating device in a defined period of time in the event of an over temperature condition.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of marking engines for applying images to print media. An output destination is configured for receiving imaged print media from the plurality of marking engines. A print media transport system conveys print media between the marking engines and the output destination. A control system determines whether the marking engines are printing images of consistent or acceptable gloss and, where the marking engines are determined not to be consistent or providing acceptable gloss, adjusts at least one of the plurality of marking engines to reduce a variation in gloss between images applied by the marking engines.

Abstract: A resistive heater adapted for heating a fuser belt is provided. The heater comprises a substrate, a first resistive trace formed over the substrate, and a second resistive trace formed so as to at least partially overlap the first resistive trace.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a magnetic flux generator that generates a magnetic flux. A heater is disposed in the magnetic flux and generates heat by electromagnetic induction to heat a toner image on a medium. A cylindrical selector selects a dimension of the heater in accordance with the width of the medium that extends in a traversing direction perpendicular to the advance direction of the medium. The heater may include at least two heater elements having different lengths that extend in directions substantially perpendicular to the advance direction. The selector selects one of the heater elements in accordance with the width of the medium. The heater may be trapezoidal and mounted on a circumferential surface of the selector, having a width that monotonically increasing in a circumferential direction of the selector. The cylinder rotates to a position where the heater just covers a toner image on the medium.

Abstract: An induction heat fixing device has coil portions with electric wires wound around the outer surface of a cylindrical main bobbin, grooves and flanges formed at both ends of the main bobbin. Further, plural ribs are formed in the main bobbin. The main bobbin is put into a holder with these ribs brought in contact with the holder.

Abstract: In a fixing mechanism which heats a fixation member by generating heat in an endless member by using an induction current obtained from a current flowing through an induction coil, the present invention is characterized in that the induction coil is divided into a plurality of coils in a direction vertical to a moving direction of the fixation member and a coil to which power is supplied is switched according to needs.

Abstract: A toner for developing latent electrostatic images is in the form of particles prepared by dissolving or dispersing each component of a composition in an organic solvent to form a solution or dispersion, the composition containing at least a resin reactive with a compound having an active hydrogen group, a compound having an active hydrogen group, a coloring agent, a releasing agent, and a graft polymer C of a polyolefin resin A on which a vinyl resin B has been at least partially grafted; dispersing the solution or dispersion in an aqueous medium; reacting the reactive resin with the compound having an active hydrogen group; removing the organic solvent during or after the step of reacting; and washing and drying particles formed by removing the organic solvent.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can suppress overshoot by shifting the OFF timing of the central heater lamp from that of the end heater lamp or the recovering timing of the central heater lamp from that of the end heater lamp, when the heating member at a second temperature dropped from a first temperature (optimum fixing temperature) is returned to the first temperature again.

Abstract: A fixing device in an image forming device that includes a rotating heating roller, a coil provided on the outside of the heating roller, a heating mechanism using the coil to heat the heating roller through electromagnetic induction, and a pressure roller that contacts the heating roller with pressure and, together with the heating roller, pinches and conveys a recording paper in order to fix developer that has been transferred onto the recording paper, wherein a magnetic layer is formed over the pressure roller to increase the amount of magnetic flux passing through the surface of the heating roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides an external heating member abutment controller which can instantaneously adjust the quantity of heat provided by external heating members to the surface of a fixing member, to provide a fixing apparatus which can drastically increase productivity for cardboards and which can provide high-quality color images free from variations in gloss (gloss nonuniformity). Thus, a fixing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first and second fixing rotating members that use nip portions to thermally fix a toner image on a recording material and a first and second heating members that abut against the first fixing rotating member to heat an outer surface of the first fixing rotating member. The fixing apparatus is characterized in that when a fixing operation is started, the first heating member and the second heating member are sequentially abutted against the first fixing rotating member.

Abstract: In a device for fixing toner images on a recording medium in a printer or copier, fixing takes place with aid of a heat radiation source comprising ignition elements arranged in a heating module. Since the ignition elements are small, radiation areas of differing geometric extension can be created by their arrangement in the heating module.

Abstract: A fixing station and a method for fixing toner images on a carrier material. The fixing station has an arrangement for moving a carrier material in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction, a heat radiation source, which heats the carrier material to fix a toner thereon, and a covering device which is arranged between the carrier material and the heat radiation source and is movable parallel to the direction of the carrier material between an opened and closed position, so that while in the closed position, it blocks radiation from reaching the carrier device and in an opened position allows the radiation to heat the carrier material. The method includes delaying the opening and closing of the covering device so that a previously fixed area of the carrier material is not subjected to additional radiation from the heat radiation source.

Abstract: A heat roller is configured to have a heat insulating member 4 and a metal member formed on the heat insulating member. Coils 21, 22 and 23 are provided outside the heating roller 2 to induction-heat the heating roller 2.

Abstract: A heating device for heating a recording sheet. The heating device has a first heater located within a heating roller. The first heater has a heat distribution effective to form a low temperature region in an axially central portion of the heating roller and a high temperature region in each of axially opposite end portions of the heating roller. There is a second heater located within the heating roller that has a heat distribution effective to form a high temperature region in the axially central portion of the heating roller, a low temperature region in each of the opposite end portions of the heating roller, and a second-level high temperature region in each of axially opposite end portions of the high temperature region, the second-level high temperature region being lower in temperature than the high temperature region.

Abstract: An image heating device is provided with reduced cost, by which a difference in glossiness among printed images on recording media is eliminated, and the wrapping of a belt and the like at a high temperature is prevented. In the image heating device, a controller estimates a temperature of a pressure roller according to at least one of a temperature of a belt detected by a temperature sensor and a variation with time in the detected temperature from completion of the heating after application of an electric power to the magnetization coil by an exciting circuit is stopped and the heating of the belt by the heating roller is stopped, so as to determine a set temperature for the belt in a subsequent image heating period.

Abstract: A plurality of universal fuser heating apparatus embodiments are provided, each of which is capable of receiving any one of a number of input AC line voltages falling within at least two AC line voltage ranges. In each embodiment, the fuser heating apparatus has a first, low effective resistance corresponding to AC line voltages falling within low AC line voltage ranges and a second, high effective resistance corresponding to AC line voltages falling within high AC line voltage ranges.

Abstract: A heat roller is configured to have a heat insulating member 4 and a metal member formed on the heat insulating member. Coils 21, 22 and 23 are provided outside the heating roller 2 to induction-heat the heating roller 2.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing power in an imaging device. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to operating multiple heating elements in a temporally-shifted manner to create an effective drive frequency that exceeds an actual drive frequency at which the heating elements are actually driven.

Abstract: An induction heating roller, a fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are disclosed as including a heating roller (TR) comprised of a hollow roller base body (BB), composed of electrically insulating material, and a plurality of secondary coil components (ws), composed of closed circuits, respectively, which are formed over the roller base body. The heating roller (TR) internally receives an induction coil unit (IC) including a primary coil (wp) which is coupled with the secondary coils in a core-less transformer coupling relationship. The secondary coil components (ws) of the heating roller (TR) have a secondary resistance value (Ra) which is nearly equal to a secondary reactance (Xa), i.e. in case of Ra/Xa=?, a formula is expressed as 0.1<?<10. Further, the primary coil (wp) of the induction coil unit (IC) is comprised of a plurality of coil components which are connected between a wire pair (WP) in parallel to one another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusing toner to a laser printed page. The apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a laser optic system for tracing an image on the photosensitive drum, a toner supply electrically charged opposite the image traced on the photosensitive drum, and an ultraviolet light source for imparting energy to the toner to fuse the toner to the page. The apparatus facilitates faster print speeds and lower energy consumption than conventional laser printers that require heating elements to fuse the toner to the page.

Abstract: In a device for fixing toner images on a recording medium in a printer or copier, fixing takes place with aid of a heat radiation source comprising ignition elements arranged in a heating module. Since the ignition elements are small, radiation areas of differing geometric extension can be created by their arrangement in the heating module.

Abstract: This invention comprises a fuser belt (1) of polyimide incorporating surface-oxidized boron nitride. The resulting enhanced flexibility provides continuing strength without physical damage during use of the belt in a belt fuser while thermal conductivity is preserved. The extent of flexibility enhancement observed is dependent on the degree of oxidation. Therefore, oxidation temperature and time of oxidation are key variables that are used to control the degree of oxidation and thereby the resulting improvement in the flex fatigue.

Abstract: A multi-function processing apparatus, including: an original detection unit that detects a set original; a read unit that reads an image on the original; an image formation unit that forms an image on a recording medium in toner; a fixing unit that heats the toner image formed on the recording medium; a copy instruction unit that gives a copy operation instruction for causing the read unit to read the image of the set original and causing the image formation unit to form the image on the recording medium; and a fixing control unit that performs a first control processing for starting to raise a temperature of the fixing unit based on detection of the original by the original detection unit.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes an induction coil for generating a magnetic field upon electric power supply thereto; a fixing rotatable member for induction heat generation by the magnetic field generated by the induction coil; temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the fixing rotatable member; determining unit for determining an electric power value to be supplied to the induction coil on the basis of a detected temperature by the temperature detector; and a controller for controlling the electric power supply to the induction coil on the basis of the electric power value determined by the determining unit. The controller substantially continues to supply the electric power while the electric power value determined by the determining unit is higher than a predetermined value, and effects an ON/OFF control of rendering on and off the electric power supply when the electric power value is lower than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A pre-heater for a fusing assembly for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, in which an image-wise pattern of pigmented marking particles is fixed to a receiver member transported along a travel path in operative relation with said fusing assembly. The pre-heater as described includes a housing defining an internal chamber. The housing internal chamber defines an opening adjacent to the receiver member travel path. A heating element is located within the housing internal chamber. An airflow system is provided including a blower, and a distribution plenum in flow communication between the blower and the heating element. An impingement member is positioned in the chamber opening adjacent to said travel path. An impingement plenum is in flow communication between the heating element and the impingement member, and a return conduit is in flow communication between the opening and the blower.

Abstract: In the heat developing apparatus to heat the heat developing sheet A on which the latent image by the exposure is formed, to the developing temperature through the preliminary heating means I, the rotating body pairs are arranged so that the preliminary developing means I has a plurality of rotating body pairs 1a-1d, 2a-2d, which nip the heat developing sheet A and heat to the developing temperature and convey it, and by at least one pair of rotating body pair in the plurality of rotating body pairs, the conveying direction of the heat developing sheet is changed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner for developing a static latent image, wherein a smell of the toner has a cos &thgr; of from 0.990 to 0.998 as to the smell of styrene and a cos &thgr; of from 0.986 to 0.994 as to the smell of n-butyl acrylate in the smell space formed by styrene and n-butyl acrylate, and a toner for developing a static latent image, wherein a smell of the toner has a cos &thgr; of from 0.990 to 0.998 as to the smell of styrene and a cos &thgr; of from 0.991 to 0.999 as to the smell of mercaptocarboxylic acid ester in the smell space formed by styrene and mercaptocarboxylic acid ester.

Abstract: In a heating-type toner-fixing unit using a ceramic heater and a cylindrical fixing film, the shape of the fixing face-side surface of a ceramic heater 10 which comes into contact with a fixing film 3 and the shape of the portions of a heater support 12 at least adjacent to the fixing face-side surface are formed into a shape that is almost identical to a naturally deformed shape of the fixing film 3 in a static state or a traveling state where the fixing film is pressed by a pressure roller 4 at a designated nip width. It is also possible that the nip portion and portions adjacent thereto at the entrance side and exit side are formed into a flat shape and portions other than the flat portions are formed into a curved surface shape along the cylindrical shape of the fixing film 3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing apparatus, in which a cylindrical roller comprising a thin metal layer having a small heat capacity is heated by an induction heating and, when the toner image transferred onto a paper sheet is fixed to the paper sheet, it is possible to control accurately the temperature on the surface of the cylindrical roller. Where the toner image formation on the paper sheet having a width smaller than the length of the cylindrical roller and the fixing operation of the toner image are carried out repeatedly, it is possible to prevent the temperature elevation in the edge portion of the roller. In addition, the power consumption can be saved.

Abstract: Heat rolls and fuser belts utilized in the fusing step of the electrophotographic process are disclosed. These belts and rollers eliminate toner offset while still maintaining excellent release characteristics of the printed page from the fuser. The heat rolls comprise a core member having coated thereon a plurality of concentric layers, wherein at least one of said layers (preferably the top layer) does not contain electrically conductive materials and wherein the roll exhibits electrical breakdown at about 250 volts or less. The fuser belts comprise a heat resistant resin substrate (such as a polyimide belt) carrying thereon a plurality of layers coating the outer surface of said belt, wherein at least one of said layers (preferably the top layer) does not contain electrically conductive materials and wherein the belt exhibits electrical breakdown at about 250 volts or less.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heating apparatus of a magnetic induction heating system. This heating apparatus comprises a control mode for a power source (excitation circuit) for supplying power to magnetic field generating means (exciting coil). The control mode includes a first mode for controlling an ON width by fixing the number of ON times per unit time of a switching element of an inverter circuit of a voltage resonance system when power larger than a predetermined value is supplied, and a second mode for controlling the number of ON times per unit time by fixing the ON width of the switching element to a predetermined ON width.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus that has an elongated heater, a film having a surface which moves while in contact with a recording material bearing an image, wherein the image on the recording material is heated by heat emitted from the heater via the film. The heater has a substrate made of metal and the substrate has a convex portion in a longitudinal direction of the heater.

Abstract: A fixing device for an image forming apparatus includes an inverter circuit for induction heating. In the inverter circuit, a main switch Q1 drives one end of a work coil L1 whose other end is connected to a power source. A serial connection of a capacitor Cs and a subswitch Q2 is connected to opposite ends of the coil L1 in parallel such that one end of the capacitor Cs is connected to the power source E. A second capacitor C1 is connected to the subswitch Q2 in parallel. For a capacitance of 0.1 &mgr;F of the capacitor C1, the factor of the coil L1 and that of the capacitor Cs are selected to be between 70 &mgr;H and 100 &mgr;H and between 1.8 &mgr;F and 5 &mgr;F, respectively. The inverter circuit is operable with optimal efficiency in the event of PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control using a fixed frequency.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image onto a recording sheet with heat includes a fixing roller having ribs formed at a sheet passing area in an axial direction thereof so as to protrude from an internal circumferential surface toward a cross-sectional center thereof. The ribs are provided along the axial direction such that a number of ribs per unit length at a center part of the sheet passing area is different from that at other parts of the area. A heating source is provided for heating the fixing roller and a pressing roller opposes and rotates with the fixing roller. The toner image is fixed onto the recording sheet while the sheet is being sandwiched and conveyed between the fixing roller and the heating roller.

Abstract: An image heating device comprises a cylindrical heating roller with a Curie temperature of 210° C., a magnetization coil for magnetizing the heating roller with an alternating magnetic field, which is arranged inside the heating roller, and a nip portion for heating a recording material that carriers a toner image with heat from the heating roller, while the recording material is being conveyed along said nip portion. The ratio between the amount of heat generated in said heat-generating member at Curie temperature or higher to the amount of heat generated at room temperature in said heat-generating member is not more than ½. With this configuration, the heating roller can regulate its own temperature to stabilize at a temperature that is suitable for fixing, and the problems of partial overheating or underheating, unstable heat generation, or damage of the device can be eliminated.