IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0061819
(2005-02-18)
|
등록번호 |
US-7333762
(2008-02-19)
|
우선권정보 |
JP-2004-049245(2004-02-25); JP-2005-005864(2005-01-13) |
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Oishi,Noboru
- Yoshida,Tatsuho
- Sakai,Masato
- Tsunoda,Shigeru
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
10 인용 특허 :
8 |
초록
▼
A fixing apparatus transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium. A heat roller extends in a direction of its rotational axis and generates heat. An endless belt is loosely entrained on a belt guide. A pressurizing mecha
A fixing apparatus transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium. A heat roller extends in a direction of its rotational axis and generates heat. An endless belt is loosely entrained on a belt guide. A pressurizing mechanism engages the endless belt from inside and urges the endless belt against the first rotating body. When the rotating body rotates, the endless belt and the second rotating body are driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between the first rotating body and the endless belt.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis and generates heat;
What is claimed is: 1. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body, said pressure roller being rotatable in pressure contact with said endless belt such that said endless belt is sandwiched between said rotating body and said pressure roller; and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body, said pressure pad including a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body from inside of said endless belt, the pressure surface being in an area between said pressure roller and a belt guide, the belt guide cooperating with said pressure roller and said pressure pad in holding said endless belt without tension, said belt guide including a first outer surface on a side of said belt guide substantially opposite a second outer surface of said rotating body, wherein said pressure roller and said pressure pad press said endless belt against the second surface and the first outer surface guides said endless belt to run along the first outer surface, wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt. 2. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure pad extends in the second direction and the pressure surface has a recess therein extending in the second direction. 3. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure surface has a radius of curvature. 4. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a gap-defining member which defines a gap between the pressure roller and the pressure pad. 5. The fixing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the gap-defining member is a bearing that abuts the pressure pad to prevent the pressure pad from contacting the pressure roller. 6. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure surface has resiliency. 7. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure surface has longitudinal end portions tapered such that the pressure surface is away from said endless belt nearer longitudinal ends of the pressure surface. 8. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure roller and the pressure pad are received in said belt guide. 9. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure pad is disposed upstream of the pressure roller with respect to the second direction. 10. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure pad is formed a plate-like member bent into a substantially L-shape. 11. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotating body has a cylindrical surface and the pressure pad has a curved pressure surface concentric to the cylindrical surface of said rotating body and urges said endless belt. 12. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said belt guide accommodates the pressure pad and an urging member that urges the pressure pad against said rotating body. 13. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure pad has a pressure surface that extends in the first direction and wherein an urging member urges the pressure pad in such a way that a longitudinal middle portion of the pressure surface extends toward said rotating body more than longitudinal ends of the pressure surface. 14. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure roller has a large diameter at its longitudinal middle and a small diameter at its longitudinal ends such that the diameter of the pressure roller is larger nearer the longitudinally middle of the pressure roller. 15. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wear resistant member disposed between the pressure pad and said endless belt, the wear resistant member having wear resistance. 16. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotating body has a first dimension in the first direction, and the pressure roller has a second dimension in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating body and wherein the first dimension and the second dimension are greater than a width of said endless belt. 17. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said belt guide receives an oil-supplying member therein, the oil-supplying member being exposed on a surface of said belt guide in contact with said endless belt. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure pad and said pressure roller are adjacent to each other in an area in which said pressure pad and said pressure roller are in contact with said endless belt. 19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure surface projects substantially toward said pressure roller. 20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said belt guide includes a grove in which said pressure roller and said pressure pad are received, said belt guide maintaining said belt substantially in the shape of a hollow cylinder. 21. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure roller presses said endless belt against said rotating body, said pressure roller being in contact with said endless belt in an area between said pressure pad and said belt guide. 22. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of said rotating body and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a belt guide on which said endless belt is loosely entrained; and a pressurizing mechanism that engages said endless belt from inside and urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressurizing mechanism including a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and urges said endless belt against said rotating body while rotating and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and has a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressure pad extending in the second direction and the pressure surface having a recess therein extending in the second direction, wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt. 23. The fixing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the pressure surface has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface in pressure contact with said endless belt; wherein the first surface is on an upstream side with respect to the second direction, the second surface is on a downstream side with respect to the second direction, and a third surface is between the first surface and the second surface; wherein the third surface is pressed against said endless belt under a lower pressure force than the first surface and the second surface. 24. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of said rotating body and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a belt guide on which said endless belt is loosely entrained; a pressurizing mechanism that engages said endless belt from inside and urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressurizing mechanism including a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and urges said endless belt against said rotating body while rotating and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and has a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body; and a gap-defining member which defines a gap between the pressure roller and the pressure pad, wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt. 25. The fixing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the gap-defining member is a bearing that abuts the pressure pad to prevent the pressure pad from contacting the pressure roller. 26. The fixing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the gap-defining member is a spacer disposed between the pressure roller and the pressure pad, the spacer being made of polytetrafluoro-ethylene. 27. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of said rotating body and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a belt guide on which said endless belt is loosely entrained; and a pressurizing mechanism that engages said endless belt from inside and urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressurizing mechanism including a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and urges said endless belt against said rotating body while rotating and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and has a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressure surface having longitudinal end portions tapered such that the pressure surface is away from said endless belt nearer longitudinal ends of the pressure surface, wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt. 28. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of said rotating body and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a belt guide on which said endless belt is loosely entrained; and a pressurizing mechanism that engages said endless belt from inside and urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressurizing mechanism including a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and urges said endless belt against said rotating body while rotating and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and has a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressure pad having a pressure surface that extends in the first direction, the belt guide accommodating the pressure pad and an urging member that urges the pressure pad against said rotating body; wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt; and wherein the urging member urges the pressure pad at longitudinal end portions and longitudinal middle portions of the pressure pad, applying a larger urging force at the longitudinal middle portion than at the longitudinal end portions. 29. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of said rotating body and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a belt guide on which said endless belt is loosely entrained; and a pressurizing mechanism that engages said endless belt from inside and urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressurizing mechanism including a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and urges said endless belt against said rotating body while rotating and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and has a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressure pad having a pressure surface that extends in the first direction, wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt, and wherein the urging member urges the pressure pad in such a way that the pressure surface extends toward said rotating body nearer the longitudinal middle portion. 30. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of said rotating body and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a belt guide on which said endless belt is loosely entrained; and a pressurizing mechanism that engages said endless belt from inside and urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressurizing mechanism including a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and urges said endless belt against said rotating body while rotating and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and has a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressure roller having a large diameter at its longitudinal middle and a small diameter at its longitudinal ends such that the diameter of the pressure roller is larger nearer the longitudinally middle of the pressure roller, wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt. 31. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of said rotating body and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a belt guide on which said endless belt is loosely entrained; and a pressurizing mechanism that engages said endless belt from inside and urges said endless belt against said rotating body, the pressurizing mechanism including a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and urges said endless belt against said rotating body while rotating and a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body and has a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body, wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt, and wherein said rotating body has a first dimension in the first direction, and the pressure roller has a second dimension in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating body, wherein both the first dimension and the second dimension are greater than a width of said endless belt. 32. A fixing apparatus that transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a rotating body that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis and generates heat; an endless belt that runs in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a pressure roller that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body, said pressure roller being rotatable in contact with said endless belt such that said endless belt is sandwiched between said rotating body and said pressure roller; a pressure pad that extends substantially parallel to said rotating body, said pressure pad including a pressure surface that urges said endless belt against said rotating body from inside of said endless belt; and a belt guide that houses said pressure roller and said pressure pad such that said pressure roller and said pressure pad are substantially adjacent in an area in which said pressure roller and said pressure pad are in contact with said endless belt, said belt guide being of a generally cylindrical shape on which said endless belt is loosely entrained such that said endless belt is maintained substantially in the shape of a hollow cylinder; wherein when said rotating body rotates, said endless belt is driven in rotation such that the recording medium is pulled in between said rotating body and said endless belt. 33. The fixing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the pressure surface has a radius of curvature. 34. The fixing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the pressure surface has resiliency. 35. The fixing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the pressure surface has a surface roughness expressed in terms of ten-point height of irregularities greater than 5 μm. 36. The fixing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the pressure surface is made of a resilient base material to which a solid lubricant is added. 37. The fixing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the resilient base material is a silicone rubber material. 38. The fixing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein one of epoxy denatured silicone and amino silane is added to the resilient base material. 39. The fixing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the solid lubricant is one of graphite, tetrafluoroethylene, powder of tetrafluoroethylene, and molybdenum disulfide. 40. The fixing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the pressure pad is disposed upstream of the pressure roller with respect to the second direction. 41. The fixing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the pressure pad is formed a plate-like member bent into a substantially L-shape. 42. The fixing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said rotating body has a cylindrical surface and the pressure pad has a curved pressure surface concentric to the cylindrical surface of said rotating body and urges said endless belt. 43. The fixing apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a wear resistant member disposed between the pressure pad and said endless belt, the wear resistant member having wear resistance. 44. The fixing apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising a resilient member disposed between the pressure pad and the wear resistant member. 45. The fixing apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the resilient member is made of silicone resin. 46. The fixing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the wear resistant member contains a glass fiber material. 47. The fixing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the wear resistant member further includes fluoroplastic. 48. The fixing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said belt guide receives an oil-supplying member therein, the oil-supplying member being exposed on a surface of said belt guide in contact with said endless belt.
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