Heating device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a heating device, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus, which can inhibit the heat conductive material from separating from between the heat pipe and the planar heating member due to the friction reducing material mixing into the heat conductive material, compared with the case where the surface tension of the friction reducing material coated on the inner circumferential surface of the belt heated by the planar heating member is equal to that of the heat conductive material. The heating device comprises: a planar heating member which heats a heated body by heating in a length direction; a heat pipe which is arranged to contact the planar heating member on the side opposite to the heated body in the length direction; a friction reducing material which is coated on the region where the planar heating member contacts the heated body to reduce the friction resistance between the planar heating member and the heated body; and a heat conductive material which is interposed between the planar heating member and the heat pipe, and the surface tension of which is different from that of the friction reducing material by 3 (mN / m) or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heating device, a fixing device, and an image forming device. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, technologies involving heating devices and fixing devices, such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, have been proposed.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a high thermal conductivity member with a thermal conductivity of 100 kcal / mhr℃ or more is provided on the opposite side of the contact surface of the heating element that abuts against the fixing film.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, the heating element is printed on a substrate made of plate-shaped heat pipes through an insulating layer, and then the outermost surface is coated with an insulating layer.

[0005] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0006] [Patent Literature]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-289555

[0008] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-142834 Summary of the Invention

[0009] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a heating device, a fixing device, and an image forming device that, compared to the case where the surface tension of the thermally conductive material between the heat pipe and the planar heating element is equal to that of the friction-reducing material coated on the inner circumferential surface of the strip heated by the planar heating element, can suppress the thermally conductive material from separating from the heat pipe and the planar heating element due to the friction-reducing material mixing into the thermally conductive material.

[0011] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0012] The invention described in technical solution 1 is a heating device, comprising:

[0013] A planar heating element heats the object being heated by heating in a planar manner along its length.

[0014] A heat pipe is configured to contact the surface of the planar heating element opposite to that of the heated body in a region extending along the length direction.

[0015] A friction-reducing material is applied to the area where the planar heating element contacts the heated body to reduce the frictional resistance between the planar heating element and the heated body; and

[0016] A thermally conductive material is placed between the planar heating element and the heat pipe, and the surface tension of the material differs from that of the friction-reducing material by more than 3 (mN / m).

[0017] The invention described in technical solution 2 is a heating device according to technical solution 1, wherein the planar heating element has multiple heating parts with different heating areas along the length direction.

[0018] The invention described in technical solution 3 is a heating device according to technical solution 2, wherein the thermally conductive material is disposed corresponding to the longest heating part of the planar heating element along the length direction.

[0019] The invention described in technical solution 4 is a heating device according to technical solution 1, wherein the thermally conductive material is located between the planar heating element and the heat pipe by its own retaining force.

[0020] The invention described in technical solution 5 is a heating device according to technical solution 4, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises any one of silicone grease, fluorinated grease, ceramic adhesive, silicone rubber and fluororubber.

[0021] The invention described in technical solution 6 is a heating device according to technical solution 5, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises silicone grease and the friction-reducing material comprises fluorinated grease.

[0022] The invention described in technical solution 7 is a heating device according to technical solution 1, wherein the heat pipe has a thermal conductivity of 10. 4 (W / m·K) or above.

[0023] The invention described in technical solution 8 is a heating device according to technical solution 7, wherein the heat pipe is disposed at least at both ends of the planar heating element along a direction intersecting the length direction.

[0024] The invention described in technical solution 9 is a fixing device, comprising: a fixing component, which fixes an image onto a recording medium by heating it with a heating component, and

[0025] The fixing device uses a heating device as the heating component according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 8.

[0026] The invention described in technical solution 10 is an image forming apparatus, comprising:

[0027] Image forming components form a toner image on a recording medium; and

[0028] The fixing unit fixes the toner image formed on the recording medium, and

[0029] The image forming apparatus uses the fixing device described in technical solution 9 as the fixing component.

[0030] [The effects of the invention]

[0031] According to the invention described in technical solution 1, compared with the case where the surface tension of the thermally conductive material between the heat pipe and the surface heating element and the friction-reducing material coated on the inner circumferential surface of the strip heated by the surface heating element are equal, it is possible to suppress the thermally conductive material from separating from the heat pipe and the surface heating element due to the friction-reducing material mixing into the thermally conductive material.

[0032] According to the invention described in technical solution 2, compared with the case where the planar heating element does not have multiple heating parts with different heating areas along the length direction, the temperature rise of the end of the planar heating element along the length direction can be suppressed.

[0033] According to the invention described in technical solution 3, compared with the case where the thermally conductive material is not interposed with the longest heating part of the planar heating element along the length direction, the temperature rise of the end of the planar heating element along the length direction can be reliably suppressed.

[0034] According to the invention described in technical solution 4, compared with the case where the thermally conductive material is located between the planar heating element and the heat pipe without its own holding force, it becomes easier to have a thermally conductive material as a medium.

[0035] According to the invention described in technical solution 5, the selection of thermally conductive materials becomes easier compared to cases where the thermally conductive material does not contain any of the following: silicone grease, fluorinated grease, ceramic adhesive, silicone rubber, and fluororubber.

[0036] According to the invention described in technical solution 6, compared with the case where the thermally conductive material includes materials other than silicone grease and the friction-reducing material includes materials other than fluorinated grease, a good friction-reducing effect can be achieved by fluorinated grease, and the silicone grease can be prevented from separating from the heat pipe and the planar heating component.

[0037] According to the invention described in technical solution 7, the thermal conductivity of the heat pipe is less than 10. 4 Compared to the case of (W / m·K), it can reliably suppress the temperature difference generated along the length direction of the planar heating element.

[0038] According to the invention described in technical solution 8, compared with the case where the heat pipe is only disposed at one end of the planar heating element along the direction intersecting the length direction, the generation of temperature difference along the length direction of the planar heating element can be suppressed.

[0039] According to the invention described in technical solution 9, compared with the case where the heating device described in any one of technical solutions 1 to 8 is not used as the heating component of the fixing device, the separation of the thermally conductive material from the heat pipe and the planar heating component caused by the mixing of friction-reducing material into the thermally conductive material can be suppressed.

[0040] According to the invention described in technical solution 10, compared with the case where the fixing device described in technical solution 9 is not used as the fixing component, the thermally conductive material can be prevented from separating from the heat pipe and the planar heating component due to the mixing of friction-reducing material into the thermally conductive material. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of an image forming apparatus that applies an embodiment of the present invention to a fixing apparatus.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram showing the fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the structure of the heating zone.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a planar structural diagram showing the heating element of a ceramic heater.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram showing the main parts of the fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 6 It is a graph representing the heating temperature of the ceramic heater.

[0047] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram showing the paper feeding state of the fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 8 This is a graph illustrating the function of the fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a graph illustrating the function of the fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the structure of a heat pipe.

[0051] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram showing the mounting section of the heat pipe.

[0052] Figure 12 It is a graph showing the relationship between the thermal conductivity of the grease and the temperature of the non-paper feed section.

[0053] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1: Image forming apparatus

[0055] 1a: Main body of the image forming apparatus

[0056] 40: Fixing device

[0057] 42: Heating belt

[0058] 43: Pressure roller

[0059] 45: Ceramic heater

[0060] 452: Heating section

[0061] 456: The back of the ceramic heater

[0062] 61, 62: Heat pipes

[0063] 70: Thermally conductive materials Detailed Implementation

[0064] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 that uses the heating device and fixing device of this embodiment.

[0066] <Overall Structure of the Image Forming Apparatus>

[0067] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured, for example, as a color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes the following devices: a plurality of imaging devices 10 that form toner images developed from toner constituting developer 4; an intermediate transfer device 20 that holds the toner images formed by each imaging device 10 and finally transfers the toner images to a secondary transfer position, where they are transferred a second time onto recording paper 5, an example of a recording medium; a paper feeding device 50 that receives and feeds the required recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 20; and a fixing device 40, an example of a fixing member, that fixes the toner images on the recording paper 5 that have undergone secondary transfer by the intermediate transfer device 20. The plurality of imaging devices 10 and the intermediate transfer device 20 constitute the image forming section 2 that forms images on the recording paper 5. Furthermore, 1a in the figure represents the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, which is formed by a support structure member, an outer packaging cover, etc. In addition, the two-dotted line in the figure represents the main transport path for transporting the recording paper 5 within the main body 1a of the device.

[0068] The imaging device 10 includes four imaging devices 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, which are dedicated to forming four-color toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged in a row at an angle within the internal space of the device body 1a.

[0069] The four imaging devices 10 include color imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C) for yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) and a black (K) imaging device 10K. The black imaging device 10K is located at the downstream end of the intermediate transfer device 20 along the moving direction B of the intermediate transfer belt 21. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, as image forming modes, a panchromatic mode in which the color imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C) and the black (K) imaging device 10K are operated to form a panchromatic image; and a black-and-white mode in which only the black (K) imaging device 10K is operated to form a black-and-white (monochrome) image.

[0070] like Figure 1 As shown, each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) includes a rotating photoreceptor drum 11 as an example of an image holder, and the following devices as examples of toner image forming components are mainly arranged around the photoreceptor drum 11. The main devices include the following: a charging device 12, which charges the circumferential surface (image holding surface) of the photosensitive drum 11 capable of forming an image to the desired potential; an exposure device 13, which irradiates the charged circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with light based on image information (signals) to form an electrostatic latent image (for each color) with a potential difference; a developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K), which develops the electrostatic latent image using toner 4 of the corresponding color (Y, M, C, K) to form a toner image; a primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K), which is an example of a primary transfer component, and transfers the toner images to an intermediate transfer device 20; and a drum cleaning device 16 (Y, M, C, K), which removes and cleans the toner and other deposits remaining on the image holding surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the primary transfer.

[0071] The photoreceptor drum 11 has an image holding surface formed on the circumferential surface of a grounded cylindrical or cylindrical substrate. The image holding surface has a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) containing a photosensitive material. The photoreceptor drum 11 is supported in a manner that allows it to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A by a drive device (not shown).

[0072] The charging device 12 includes a contact-type charging roller configured to contact the photoreceptor drum 11. The charging device 12 is supplied with a charging voltage. When reverse development is performed in the developing apparatus 14, a voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner supplied from the developing apparatus 14 is supplied. Alternatively, a non-contact type charging device, such as a scorotron configured in a non-contact state on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11, can also be used as the charging device 12.

[0073] The exposure apparatus 13 includes an LED printhead that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are multiple light-emitting elements arranged along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 11, to illuminate the photoreceptor drum 11 with light corresponding to the image information, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. Alternatively, the exposure apparatus 13 may also be a device that deflects and scans laser light corresponding to the image information along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 11.

[0074] The developing apparatus 14 (Y, M, C, K) is configured with the following components: a developing roller 141, which holds the developer 4 and transports it to the developing area opposite the photosensitive drum 11 inside a frame 140 with an opening and a receiving chamber for the developer 4; stirring and conveying members 142 and 143, which are two screw augers that transport the developer 4 through the developing roller 141 while stirring it; and a layer thickness limiting member 144, which limits the amount (layer thickness) of developer held in the developing roller 141. For the developing apparatus 14, a developing voltage (not shown) is supplied between the developing roller 141 and the photosensitive drum 11. Furthermore, the developing roller 141 and the stirring and conveying members 142 and 143 are rotated in the desired direction by power from a drive device (not shown). Furthermore, as the four-color developer 4 (Y, M, C, K), a two-component developer containing non-magnetic pigments and a magnetic carrier is used.

[0075] The primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) is a contact-type transfer device including a primary transfer roller that contacts and rotates around the photosensitive drum 11 via an intermediate transfer belt 21 and is supplied with a primary transfer voltage. The primary transfer voltage is a DC voltage, exhibiting a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner, supplied by a power supply device not shown.

[0076] The drum cleaning device 16 includes the following components: a container-shaped main body 160 with a partial opening; a cleaning plate 161 configured to contact the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after a single transfer with a predetermined pressure to remove and clean residual toner and other deposits; and a feeder 162 such as an auger to collect and deliver the toner and other deposits removed by the cleaning plate 161 to a collection system (not shown). The cleaning plate 161 is a plate-shaped component (e.g., a blade) containing a material such as rubber.

[0077] like Figure 1 As shown, the intermediate transfer device 20 is positioned above each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer device 20 mainly includes: an intermediate transfer belt 21, which rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B while passing between the photosensitive drum 11 and the primary transfer device 15 (primary transfer roller), i.e., at the primary transfer position; multiple support rollers 22-27, which hold the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the desired state from their inner surfaces and support it rotatably; a secondary transfer device 30, as an example of a secondary transfer component, is positioned on the outer peripheral surface (image holding surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the support roller 25, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the recording paper 5 for secondary transfer; and a cleaning device 28, which removes and cleans the toner, paper dust, and other adhering substances remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after passing through the secondary transfer device 30.

[0078] As the intermediate transfer belt 21, for example, an annular belt made of a material in which a resistance modifier such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as polyimide resin or polyamide resin is used. In addition, the belt support roller 22 is configured as a drive roller that also serves as an opposing roller of the belt cleaning device 28 and is driven to rotate by a drive device (not shown). The belt support roller 23 is configured as a surface forming roller that forms the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. The belt support roller 24 is configured as a tension applying roller that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 21. The belt support roller 25 is configured as an opposing roller facing the secondary transfer device 30. The belt support rollers 26 and 27 are configured as driven rollers that support the travel position of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0079] like Figure 1 As shown, the secondary transfer device 30 is a contact-type transfer device including a secondary transfer roller 31. The secondary transfer roller 31 contacts and rotates on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21, which is supported by the support roller 25 of the intermediate transfer device 20, at the secondary transfer position, and is supplied with a secondary transfer voltage. Furthermore, a DC voltage with polarity opposite to or the same as the polarity of the toner is supplied as the secondary transfer voltage to the secondary transfer roller 31 or the support roller 25 of the intermediate transfer device 20 from a power supply device not shown.

[0080] The fixing device 40 is constructed by arranging the following components inside a frame 41, which has an inlet and an outlet for the recording paper 5: a heating belt 42 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow and is heated by a heating element to maintain its surface temperature at a predetermined temperature; and a pressure roller 43 that rotates passively in contact with the heating belt 42 at a predetermined pressure, approximately along the axial direction of the heating belt 42. In the fixing device 40, the contact portion where the heating belt 42 contacts the pressure roller 43 becomes the fixing processing portion for performing the required fixing process (heating and pressurization). Furthermore, the fixing device 40 will be described in detail below.

[0081] The paper feeding device 50 is positioned below the imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K). The paper feeding device 50 mainly includes: a single (or multiple) paper receiving body 51 for holding recording paper 5 of a desired size, type, etc.; and a feeding device 52 for feeding recording paper 5 one sheet at a time from the paper receiving body 51. The paper receiving body 51 is, for example, mounted in a manner that allows it to be pulled out from the front side (the side facing the user during operation) of the device body 1a.

[0082] The recording paper 5 can be, for example, thin paper such as ordinary paper or tracing paper used in photocopiers and printers for electronic photography, or overhead projector (OHP) sheets. To further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper 5 is also as smooth as possible. For example, it is also preferable to use coated paper, which is obtained by coating the surface of ordinary paper with resin, or thick paper with a relatively high basis weight, such as art paper for printing.

[0083] A paper feeding path 56 is provided between the paper feeding device 50 and the secondary transfer device 30. The paper feeding path 56 includes multiple or single paper transport roller pairs 53 and 54, and a transport guide 55, which transport the recording paper 5 from the paper feeding device 50 to the secondary transfer position. The paper transport roller pairs 54 positioned near the secondary transfer position in the paper feeding path 56 are configured, for example, as rollers (resist rolls) to adjust the transport time of the recording paper 5. Furthermore, a paper transport path 57 is provided between the secondary transfer device 30 and the fixing device 40. The paper transport path 57 is used to transport the secondary-transfer recorded paper 5 from the secondary transfer device 30 to the fixing device 40. Furthermore, in the portion near the paper discharge port formed in the device body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, a discharge path 59 including a paper discharge roller pair 59a is provided, which is used to discharge the fixed recording paper 5 sent from the fixing device 40 by the exit roller 36 to the paper discharge section 58 at the upper part of the device body 1a.

[0084] Figure 1 The symbol 200 indicates a control device that performs unified control over the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control device 200 includes: a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), or a bus or communication interface connecting these CPUs or ROMs (not shown). Additionally, symbol 201 indicates a communication unit for communicating between the image forming apparatus 1 and external devices, and 202 indicates an image processing unit that processes image information input via the communication unit 201.

[0085] <Operation of the image forming apparatus>

[0086] The basic image forming operations performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below.

[0087] Here, firstly, the operation in full-color mode, which uses the four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) to form a full-color image composed of a combination of four-color (Y, M, C, K) toner images, will be described.

[0088] In the image forming apparatus 1, if the communication unit 201 receives image information and an instruction for full-color image forming (printing) from a personal computer or image reading device not shown in the figure, the control unit 200 activates the four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K), the intermediate transfer device 20, the secondary transfer device 30, the fixing device 40, etc.

[0089] Furthermore, in each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K), such as Figure 1 As shown, firstly, each photoreceptor drum 11 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A, and each charging device 12 charges the surface of each photoreceptor drum 11 to the desired polarity (negative polarity in this embodiment) and potential. Next, the exposure device 13 irradiates the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 with light emitted based on the image signal, and forms electrostatic latent images of various color components composed of the desired potential difference on the surface. The images are obtained by the image processing unit 202 converting the information of the image input to the image forming apparatus 1 into various color components (Y, M, C, K).

[0090] Next, each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) supplies toner of the corresponding color (Y, M, C, K) with the desired polarity (negative polarity) from the developing roller 141 to the electrostatic latent image of each color component formed on the photosensitive drum 11, and develops the toner by electrostatic adhesion. Through this development, the electrostatic latent image of each color component formed on each photosensitive drum 11 is developed as a four-color (Y, M, C, K) toner image developed by the toner of its corresponding color.

[0091] Next, if the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 11 of each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) are transported to the primary transfer position, the primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) transfers the toner images of each color to the intermediate transfer belt 21 of the intermediate transfer device 20 in a state such that the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B in sequence.

[0092] Furthermore, in each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) after completing one transfer, the drum cleaning device 16 cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by scraping away the adhering material. As a result, each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) is ready to perform the next imaging operation.

[0093] Next, in the intermediate transfer device 20, the toner image that has undergone one transfer via the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is held and transported to the secondary transfer position. Meanwhile, in the paper feeding device 50, the required recording paper 5 is fed to the paper feeding path 56 in conjunction with the imaging operation. In the paper feeding path 56, the paper feed roller pair 54, acting as resistance rollers, feeds the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position in conjunction with the transfer time.

[0094] At the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer device 30 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5. In addition, in the intermediate transfer device 20 after the secondary transfer is completed, the belt cleaning device 28 removes and cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer.

[0095] Next, the recording paper 5, with the toner image transferred twice, is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 21 and conveyed to the fixing device 40 via the paper transport path 57. In the fixing device 40, the recording paper 5 after the second transfer is guided through the contact area between the rotating heating belt 42 and the pressure roller 43, thereby performing the necessary fixing process (heating and pressing) to fix the unfixed toner image onto the recording paper 5. Finally, the recording paper 5 after fixing is discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 59a to, for example, the paper discharge section 58 provided at the upper part of the device body 1a.

[0096] Through the above actions, a recording paper 5 is output, which forms a full-color image composed of four combined toner images.

[0097] <Structure of the fixing device>

[0098] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram showing the fixing device of this embodiment.

[0099] The fixing device 40 employs a so-called free-belt clamping method. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the fixing device 40 generally includes: a heating unit 44 having a heating belt 42 as an example of a first rotating body, the heating belt 42 comprising a rotating annular belt; and a pressure roller 43 as an example of a second rotating body, pressed against the heating unit 44. A fixing clamping portion N is formed between the heating belt 42 and the pressure roller 43, the fixing clamping portion N being the area through which recording paper 5, as an example of a heated object, passes, the heated object holding an unfixed toner image T, as an example of an unfixed image. Furthermore, the recording paper 5 is fed with reference to the center along a direction intersecting the transport direction (so-called center registration).

[0100] like Figure 2 As shown, the heating unit 44 includes the following components: a heating belt 42; a ceramic heater 45, an example of a planar heating element, disposed inside the heating belt 42 to heat the heating belt 42; a support member 46, an example of a support member, also disposed inside the heating belt 42, supporting the ceramic heater 45 so that it is pressed against the surface of the pressure roller 43 via the heating belt 42; a retaining member 47, an example of a retaining member, also disposed inside the heating belt 42, holding the support member 46 so that it is pressed against the pressure roller 43; and a felt member 48, an example of a lubricant retaining member, disposed inside the heating belt 42, retaining a lubricant, an example of a friction-reducing material, applied to the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt 42 to reduce frictional resistance. The ceramic heater 45 and the support member 46 constitute an example of a heating device.

[0101] Furthermore, as described below, the ceramic heater 45, as an example of a planar heating element, does not need to have its heating element itself be planar. Even if the heating element is formed in a straight line, as long as the lower end surface (heating surface) of the ceramic heater 45 that heats the heating band 42 is planar, it is sufficient. In addition, the lower end surface (heating surface) of the ceramic heater 45 does not need to be flat; it can also be curved.

[0102] The heating band 42 comprises a flexible material and is configured as a thin-walled cylindrical annular band in its free shape before installation. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the heating band 42 includes a substrate layer 421, an elastomer layer 422 covering the surface of the substrate layer 421, and a release layer 423 covering the surface of the elastomer layer 422. The heating band 42 does not necessarily have to include all of the substrate layer 421, elastomer layer 422, and release layer 423; it may include only the substrate layer 421, or include both the substrate layer 421 and the release layer 423. The substrate layer 421 is formed of a heat-resistant synthetic resin such as polyimide, polyamide, or polyimide amide, or a thin-walled metal such as stainless steel, nickel, or copper. The elastomer layer 422 contains an elastomer such as heat-resistant silicone rubber or fluororubber. The release layer 423 is formed of perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or the like. The heating band 42 can be set to have a thickness of approximately 50 μm to 200 μm.

[0103] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the ceramic heater 45 includes: a ceramic substrate 451; a plurality of first heating portions 4521 to third heating portions 4523 formed in a straight line along the length direction on the surface of the substrate 451; a first electrode 4531 to a third electrode 4533 for respectively energizing the first heating portions 4521 to the third heating portions 4523; a common electrode 454 for commonly energizing the other end of the first heating portions 4521 to the third heating portions 4523; and a coating layer 455 comprising glass or the like covering at least the surfaces of the first heating portions 4521 to the third heating portions 4523.

[0104] like Figure 4 As shown, the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523 are arranged parallel to each other along the width direction of the substrate 451. The first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523 are configured such that the linewidth and / or thickness of the heating material constituting the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523 are different, thereby ensuring that the heating area along the length direction of each of the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523 is different. Furthermore, the overall length along the length direction of the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523 is set to be equal.

[0105] The first heating element 4521 heats the area extending from the center of the heating region along its length L1, with the heating material having a thinner line width W1 and higher resistance in the central region. The two ends of the first heating element 4521, located outside the length L1, have a thicker line width W2 and lower resistance, and are configured to either not heat up or heat up very little.

[0106] The second heating element 4522, unlike the first heating element 4521, heats a region extending beyond length L1 and to the left and right of the center along the length direction, with the line width W1 of the heating material being thin. The second heating element 4522 sets the line width W2 of the heating material to be thick in the region extending beyond length L1, and is configured to either not heat up or heat up very little.

[0107] The third heating element 4523 differs from the first heating element 4521 and the second heating element 4522 in that it heats the area extending from the center of the heating region along the length direction to the left and right, and across a length L3. The area at the center of the heating region, spanning a length L3, is configured such that the linewidth W1 of the heating material is thinner and the resistance is higher. The areas at both ends of the length L3 are configured such that the linewidth W2 of the heating material is thicker and the resistance is lower, and are thus configured to either not heat up or heat up very little.

[0108] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the fine line width is defined as W1 and the thick line width as W2 for the first heating unit 4521 to the third heating unit 4523. However, the fine line width W1 and the thick line width W2 in the first heating unit 4521 to the third heating unit 4523 do not need to be equal. Of course, each of the first heating unit 4521 to the third heating unit 4523 can be different.

[0109] Figure 6 It is a schematic graph representing the heating temperature of the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523.

[0110] like Figure 6As shown, the first heating element 4521 heats up in such a way that it reaches a preset temperature across a region extending L1 to the left and right of the center of the heating area along the length direction. The second heating element 4522 heats up in such a way that it reaches a preset temperature across a region extending L1 to the left and right of the center of the heating area along the length direction. The third heating element 4523 heats up in such a way that it reaches a preset temperature across a region extending L3 to the left and right of the center of the heating area along the length direction, and across a region shorter than L1.

[0111] like Figure 4 As shown, the first heating element 4521 is used when heating and fixing a recording paper 5 of moderate length, that is, its length along the direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording paper 5 is L1.

[0112] The second heating element 4522 is used simultaneously with the first heating element 4521 when heating and fixing the recording paper 5 with the largest size. That is, the length along the direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording paper 5 is L1+2·L2.

[0113] The third heating element 4523 is used when heating and fixing the recording paper 5, which has the smallest size. That is, its length is L3 in the direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording paper 5.

[0114] like Figure 2 As shown, the retaining member 47 comprises, for example, a sheet of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, or steel. The retaining member 47 is formed in a generally U-shaped cross-section by a vertical plate portion 471, a vertical plate portion 472, and a horizontal plate portion 473. The vertical plate portions 471 and 472 are respectively disposed approximately perpendicular to the surface of the ceramic heater 45 on the upstream and downstream sides of the fixing clamping portion N along the rotation direction of the heating belt 42. The horizontal plate portion 473 is disposed horizontally in a manner that connects the base ends of the vertical plate portions 471 and 472.

[0115] like Figure 5As shown, the heating band 42 uses a temperature sensor 49, which is an example of a temperature detection component, to detect the temperature of the fixing clamp N. The temperature sensor 49 is configured to contact the back surface 456 of the ceramic heater 45, which is opposite to the fixing clamp N. As described above, the ceramic heater 45 includes a first heating portion 4521 to a third heating portion 4523 with different heating areas along its length. Therefore, multiple (e.g., three) of the temperature sensors 49 are arranged along the length of the ceramic heater 45, corresponding to the first heating portions 4521 to the third heating portions 4523. Based on the detection results of the temperature sensor 49, the heating band 42 is energized by a temperature control circuit (not shown) to each of the first heating portions 4521 to the third heating portions 4523 of the ceramic heater 45, thereby heating the fixing clamp N to the desired fixing temperature (e.g., around 200°C) according to the size of the recording paper 5.

[0116] like Figure 2 As shown, the support member 46 comprises, for example, a heat-resistant synthetic resin integrally molded into the desired shape by injection molding or the like. Examples of heat-resistant synthetic resins include: liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), polyamide imide (PAI), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or composites thereof.

[0117] The support member 46 has a support recess 461, which supports the ceramic heater 45 at the fixing clamping part N so that it applies pressure to the pressure roller 43 via the heating belt 42, and is an elongated rectangular shape corresponding to the planar shape of the ceramic heater 45 (see reference). Figure 5 The support member 46 is configured to be longer than the heating band 42 along its entire length.

[0118] like Figure 2As shown, in the support member 46, a first guide portion 462 is provided upstream of the fixing clamping portion N along the rotation direction of the heating band 42. The first guide portion 462 guides the heating band 42 to the fixing clamping portion N and has a curved cross-sectional shape. The lower end face 463 of the support member 46 is formed into a planar shape. In addition, in the support member 46, a curved portion 464 is provided downstream of the fixing clamping portion N along the rotation direction of the heating band 42. The curved portion 464 bends inward more than the curved shape of the heating band 42 so as to achieve a non-contact state with the heating band 42 that has passed through the fixing clamping portion N.

[0119] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the support member 46 is provided with a vertical plate portion 471 and a vertical plate portion 472 of the retaining member 47 abutting ...

[0120] like Figure 2 As shown, the pressure roller 43 includes: a mandrel 431, which is made of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, or iron (thin-walled high-tensile steel pipe) and is cylindrical or tubular in shape; an elastomer layer 432, which is relatively thickly coated on the outer periphery of the mandrel 431 and contains a heat-resistant elastomer such as silicone rubber or fluororubber; and a release layer 433, which is thinly coated on the surface of the elastomer layer 432 and contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA). Furthermore, if necessary, a heating element (heating source) including a halogen lamp may be arranged inside the pressure roller 43.

[0121] The two ends of the pressure roller 43 along its length (axial direction) are rotatably supported by bearing members on the frame of the fixing device 40 housing (not shown). The pressure roller 43 presses against the heating unit 44 with the required pressure. The pressure roller 43 is driven to rotate at the required speed in the direction of arrow C by a drive gear (not shown), which is mounted on one axial end of the mandrel 431, which also serves as a rotation shaft. Furthermore, the heating belt 42 is pressed against the rotary-driven pressure roller 43 and rotates accordingly.

[0122] The felt component 48 is pre-impregnated with a required amount (e.g., about 3g) of lubricant, which, as an example, is a friction-reducing material, and is supplied in a coated state onto the inner circumferential surface of the heating band 42. As a lubricant, an amino-modified silicone oil or a fluorinated grease (fluorinated oil) with a viscosity of 100cs to 350cs is used. The lubricant is supplied to the inner circumferential surface of the heating band 42 by pre-impregnation of the felt component 48. For example, a fluorinated grease (fluorinated oil) containing perfluoropolyether is used. Here, fluorinated grease is described as an example of a lubricant, but it is synonymous with fluorinated oil.

[0123] like Figure 2As shown, the fixing device 40 configured in this manner transports, heats, and pressurizes the recording paper 5 with the center of the direction intersecting the transport direction as a reference (so-called central registration), thereby fixing the unfixed toner image T onto the recording paper 5. At this time, as... Figure 7 As shown, there is a case where the fixing device 40 continuously fixes a small-sized recording paper 5 with a relatively short length along the length direction of the heating belt 42. In this case, even if the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523 switch heating according to the size of the recording paper 5, there is a situation where the size of the recording paper 5 is inconsistent with the heating area of ​​the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523. In the non-paper feeding areas located at both ends of the heating belt 42 along the length direction, the heat of the heating belt 42 will not be taken away by the recording paper 5, therefore... Figure 8 As shown, the temperature in the non-paper feeding area tends to rise. When the temperature in the non-paper feeding area rises above the required temperature, the synthetic resin support member 46 supporting the ceramic heater 45 suffers thermal damage, so it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the support member 46 below the required temperature.

[0124] Therefore, in existing fixing devices, in order to suppress the temperature rise at the end of the heating element along the length direction, a technique has been proposed that a high thermal conductivity member be provided on the entire surface opposite to the contact surface of the heating element that abuts against the fixing film, so as to suppress the temperature difference of the heating element along the length direction (Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0125] However, in the case where a high thermal conductivity component is provided on the entire surface opposite to the contact surface of the heating element that abuts against the fixing film, as described above, such as Figure 9 As shown in the existing examples, when the fixing operation begins, the heat capacity of the heating element increases by the amount of high thermal conductivity components provided, which creates a new technical problem: the time required to heat the heating element to the required fixing start temperature, i.e., the so-called warm-up time, becomes longer.

[0126] To address the aforementioned technical problem, in order to place a small-diameter heat pipe with low heat capacity on the opposite side of the contact surface between the heating element and the fixing film, and to suppress the generation of point contact areas or separation areas between the heating element and the heat pipe, it is considered to place a thermally conductive material between the heating element and the heat pipe.

[0127] However, according to the research of the present invention, when a thermally conductive material is placed between the heating element and the heat pipe, there is a technical problem that the lubricant coated and supplied to the interior of the heating band is transferred to the space between the heating element and the heat pipe and mixes with the thermally conductive material, reducing the holding force such as the adhesive force of the thermally conductive material itself, and the thermally conductive material may detach from the space between the heating element and the heat pipe.

[0128] Therefore, in the fixing device 40 of the heating device of this embodiment, a thermally conductive material 70 is used, which is located between the ceramic heater 45 and the heat pipe 61 and the heat pipe 62, and has a surface tension and friction reduction material difference of 3 (mN / m) or more.

[0129] That is, such as Figure 2 As shown, the fixing device 40 of this embodiment has two heat pipes 61 and 62 with relatively small outer diameters on the back side of the ceramic heater 45.

[0130] like Figure 10 As shown, heat pipes 61 and 62 include: a pipe body 63, formed from a metal with relatively high thermal conductivity such as stainless steel or aluminum, in an airtight and hollow cylindrical shape with both ends sealed; a working fluid 64, sealed inside the pipe body 63 and containing a liquid such as water; and a wick 65, which serves as an example of a working fluid transport unit, spanning the entire length of the inner circumference of the pipe body 63, and transporting the liquefied working fluid 64 along the length of the body using capillary action. The wick 65 can be, for example, a bundle of copper wire, sintered metal, or a metal mesh. Furthermore, heat pipes 61 and 62 are not limited to a circular cross-section shape; they can also be rectangular, elliptical, triangular, or polygonal in cross-section.

[0131] In this embodiment, heat pipes 61 and 62 are very thin heat pipes with an outer diameter of 2 mm to 3 mm for the pipe body 63. Ideally, heat pipes 61 and 62 should have a thermal conductivity of 10. 4 Heat pipes with a capacity of (W / m·K) or higher. Furthermore, the outer diameter of heat pipes 61 and 62 is not limited to 2mm to 3mm; it can certainly be a larger outer diameter. However, if the outer diameter of heat pipes 61 and 62 is significantly reduced to approximately 2mm to 3mm, then ideally, the heat capacity of heat pipes 61 and 62 themselves will be small.

[0132] like Figure 5 As shown, heat pipes 61 and 62 are arranged between the inner wall surfaces 467 and 468 of the support member 46, which run in a direction intersecting the length direction, and in contact with the back side 456 of the ceramic heater 45, which is located opposite to the pressure roller 43. From the viewpoint of suppressing the temperature rise of the support member 46, it is still ideal for the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62 to be arranged in contact with the support member 46.

[0133] As described above, by distributing heat pipes 61 and 62 at both ends of the ceramic heater 45 along a direction intersecting the length direction, the generation of temperature difference along the length direction of the ceramic heater 45 can be suppressed compared to the case where they are only distributed at one end.

[0134] Furthermore, in the example shown in the figure, the second heat pipe 62 is configured to partially overlap with the third heating section 4523 of the ceramic heater 45. However, as described above, the ceramic heater 45 is configured such that the area with a wide line width does not generate heat or generates very little heat. Therefore, the heat generated from the third heating section 4523 is not directly transferred to the second heat pipe 62, or if it is transferred, very little heat is transferred.

[0135] In this embodiment, such as Figure 11 As shown, heat pipes 61 and 62 are configured to exist in a spaced manner by coating and filling with a thermally conductive material 70 between them and the back of the ceramic heater 45.

[0136] As the thermally conductive material 70, for example, a material comprising any one of silicone grease, fluorinated grease, ceramic adhesive, silicone rubber, and fluororubber may be selected. Silicone grease is a grease with silicone oil as its base oil, exhibiting excellent heat resistance and chemical stability. Fluorinated grease, on the other hand, is a grease with perfluoropolyether oil as its base oil, exhibiting strong heat resistance, water resistance, low chemical changeability, and very high stability. As a silicone grease, for example, a thermally conductive grease (model 777-90) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. is used. The thermal conductivity of this silicone grease is approximately 3.2 (W / m·K), maintaining its grease-like state even at temperatures up to 200°C.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thermally conductive material 70 is a material whose surface tension differs from that of the lubricant by 3 (mN / m) or more. The surface tension of silicone grease is approximately 20 (mN / m) to 21 (mN / m). In contrast, the surface tension of fluorinated grease is 16 (mN / m) or less.

[0138] To elaborate further, as described above, the thermally conductive material 70 uses materials including silicone grease, fluorinated grease, ceramic adhesive, silicone rubber, and fluororubber.

[0139] like Figure 11 As shown, the thermally conductive material 70 spans the entire length of heat pipes 61 and 62 and is located between heat pipes 61 and 62 and the ceramic heater 45. In contrast, in the fixing device 40, as... Figure 2 As shown, a lubricant is applied to the inner surface of the heating band 42, which is heated by the ceramic heater 45, using a felt component 48.

[0140] Over time, a portion of the lubricant applied to the inner surface of the heating band 42 is transferred through the gap between the ceramic heater 45 and the support member 46 to the back surface 456 of the ceramic heater 45, where it comes into contact with the thermally conductive material 70 located between the heat pipe 61, the heat pipe 62 and the ceramic heater 45.

[0141] The lubricant applied to the inner surface of the heating band 42 and the thermally conductive material 70 between the ceramic heater 45 and the support member 46 are essentially different materials (substances) in themselves, but depending on their physical properties (especially surface tension), the lubricant and the thermally conductive material 70 sometimes come into contact and wet each other to the point of penetrating and mixing.

[0142] The thermally conductive material 70 between the ceramic heater 45 and the support member 46 is originally held between the ceramic heater 45 and the support member 46 by its own viscosity, etc.

[0143] However, if the lubricant mixes with the thermally conductive material 70 over time, the thermally conductive material 70 may detach from the heat pipes 61 and 62 and the ceramic heater 45, which may not adequately achieve the effect of suppressing the temperature rise at the length end of the ceramic heater 45 caused by heat conduction along the length direction of the ceramic heater 45 using the heat pipes 61 and 62.

[0144] Therefore, in this embodiment, the thermally conductive material 70 is a material whose surface tension differs from that of a lubricant, which is an example of a friction-reducing material, by 3 (mN / m) or more. Specifically, the thermally conductive material 70 is a silicone grease whose surface tension differs from that of a lubricant containing fluorinated grease (fluorinated oil) by 3 (mN / m) or more.

[0145] If the surface tension of the thermally conductive material 70 differs from that of the lubricant, which is an example of a friction-reducing material, by more than 3 (mN / m), then even when the thermally conductive material 70 is in contact with the lubricant, the difference in their surface tensions can prevent or inhibit the mixing of the thermally conductive material 70 with the lubricant, and the thermally conductive material 70 can maintain a grease-like state.

[0146] <The Action of the Fixing Device>

[0147] In the fixing apparatus of this embodiment, as described below, compared to the case where the surface tension of the thermally conductive material between the heat pipe and the planar heating element and the friction-reducing material coated on the inner circumferential surface of the strip heated by the planar heating element are equal, it is possible to suppress the thermally conductive material from separating from the heat pipe and the planar heating element due to the friction-reducing material mixing into the thermally conductive material.

[0148] That is, such as Figure 2 As shown, the fixing device of this embodiment heats the heating band 42 by heating at least one of the first heating part 4521 to the third heating part 4523 of the ceramic heater.

[0149] The heated heating belt 42 and along Figure 2The pressure roller 43, which rotates in the direction of the middle arrow C, rotates together with the fixing roller. The fixing process is performed by heating and pressing the recording paper 5, which holds the unfixed toner image T, at the fixing clamping part N.

[0150] like Figure 5 As shown, the heating temperature of the heating band 42 is detected by a plurality of temperature sensors 49 arranged along the length direction on the back side 456 of the ceramic heater 45, and the energization of at least one of the first heating part 4521 to the third heating part 4523 is controlled by a temperature control device (not shown).

[0151] At this time, in the fixing device 40, as Figure 7 As shown, in cases where a small-sized recording paper 5, relatively short in length along the length direction, is continuously fixed to the heating band 42, even if the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523 switch heating according to the size of the recording paper 5, there may be a situation where the size of the recording paper 5 is inconsistent with the heating area of ​​the first heating element 4521 to the third heating element 4523. In the non-paper feeding areas located at both ends of the heating band 42 along the length direction, the heat of the heating band 42 will not be taken away by the recording paper 5. Therefore, as Figure 8 As shown, there is a tendency for the temperature to rise in the non-paper feeding area.

[0152] In the fixing device 40 of this embodiment, as Figure 5 As shown, the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62 are configured to contact the back surface 456 of the ceramic heater 45 across and along its entire length.

[0153] Furthermore, in the fixing device 40 of this embodiment, such as Figure 11 As shown, a thermally conductive material 70 is present between the ceramic heater 45 and the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62. Therefore, even when there are gaps between the ceramic heater 45 and the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62, the heat from the ceramic heater 45 will be transferred to the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62 via the thermally conductive material 70. Figure 9 As shown, this suppresses the temperature difference generated along the length of the ceramic heater 45.

[0154] Based on experiments conducted by people according to the present invention, it has been determined that, such as Figure 12 As shown, if the thermal conductivity of the thermally conductive material 70 is 1 (W / m·K) or higher, the temperature of the non-paper-feeding section of the ceramic heater 45 can be maintained below the target temperature.

[0155] Furthermore, in the fixing apparatus 40 of this embodiment, the surface tension difference between the thermally conductive material 70 and the lubricant coated on the inner surface of the heating band 42 between the ceramic heater 45 and the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62 is 3 (mN / m) or more. Therefore, even if, over time, the lubricant coated on the inner surface of the heating band 42 reaches the area of ​​the thermally conductive material 70 between the ceramic heater 45 and the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62, and the lubricant comes into contact with the thermally conductive material 70, the difference in surface tension will prevent or suppress the mixing of the two materials.

[0156] As a result, the viscosity of the thermally conductive material 70 decreases due to the suppression of mixing between the lubricant and the thermally conductive material 70, and it separates from the ceramic heater 45 and the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62. Therefore, in the fixing apparatus 40 of this embodiment, the heat conduction effect generated by the thermally conductive material 70 from the ceramic heater 45 to the first heat pipe 61 and the second heat pipe 62 can be maintained for a long time, and thermal damage to the support member 46 caused by the temperature rise at the end of the ceramic heater 45 along the length direction can be suppressed.

[0157] Furthermore, in the described embodiment, the case of using a ceramic heater as a surface heating element has been explained. However, the surface heating element is not limited to a ceramic heater, and any element that heats the fixing clamp N in a surface shape as the name suggests is acceptable.

[0158] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case of using a pressure roller as a pressure component has been described, but a pressure belt may also be used as a pressure component.

[0159] Furthermore, while the present invention has been described as an image forming apparatus in the form of an electronic photograph, it is not limited to such an apparatus. For example, it can also be applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus that fixes an unfixed ink image onto paper by contacting the paper with an image (unfixed ink image) formed by ink forming an undried layer and conveying the paper.

Claims

1. A heating device, comprising: A planar heating element heats the object being heated by heating in a planar manner along its length. A heat pipe is configured to contact the surface of the planar heating element opposite to that of the heated body in a region extending along the length direction. Friction-reducing material is applied to the area where the planar heating element contacts the heated body to reduce the frictional resistance between the planar heating element and the heated body; as well as A thermally conductive material is placed between the planar heating element and the heat pipe, and the surface tension of the material differs from that of the friction-reducing material by more than 3 (mN / m).

2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein, The planar heating element has multiple heating sections with different heating areas along the length direction.

3. The heating device according to claim 2, wherein, The thermally conductive material is disposed corresponding to the longest heating portion of the planar heating element along the length direction.

4. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein, The thermally conductive material is positioned between the planar heating element and the heat pipe by its own retaining force.

5. The heating device according to claim 4, wherein, The thermally conductive material includes any one of silicone grease, fluorinated grease, ceramic adhesive, silicone rubber, and fluororubber.

6. The heating device according to claim 5, wherein, The thermally conductive material comprises silicone grease, and the friction-reducing material comprises fluorinated grease.

7. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein, The heat pipe has a thermal conductivity of 10. 4 (W / m·K) or above.

8. The heating device according to claim 7, wherein, The heat pipe is disposed at least at both ends of the planar heating element along a direction intersecting the length direction.

9. A fixing device, comprising: The fixing unit fixes the image onto the recording medium by heating it with a heating element, and The fixing device uses the heating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 as the heating element.

10. An image forming apparatus, comprising: The image forming component forms a toner image on the recording medium; as well as The fixing unit fixes the toner image formed on the recording medium, and The image forming apparatus uses the fixing device as described in claim 9 as the fixing component.

Images