Image heating device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an image heating apparatus including: a heater including a heat generating element and electrodes respectively electrically connected to the heat generating element and arranged along an orthogonal direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording material; and a connector for supplying power to the electrodes, wherein the connector includes a contact portion in contact with one of the electrodes, a first support portion supporting the first contact portion, and a second support portion supporting the second contact portion, the first and second support portions are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the orthogonal direction, the first contact portion extends in a direction toward the second support portion, the second contact portion extends in a direction toward the first support portion, and the first and second contact portions are in contact with one of the electrodes at different positions.

Description

[0001] This divisional application is based on a Chinese patent application No. 201911169413.1 with a filing date of November 26, 2019, having the title of “Image heating apparatus”. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system or an electrostatic recording system, such as a printer or a copier. The present invention also relates to an image heating apparatus, such as a gloss applicator that improves the glossiness of a toner image by reheating the toner image fixed on a fixing portion or a recording material included in the image forming apparatus. The present invention also relates to a connector used in the image forming apparatus and the image heating apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In an image forming apparatus including a fixing device, when small-size paper sheets are continuously fed, a phenomenon called end portion temperature rise occurs, in which the temperature in a region of the heater through which the paper sheet does not pass in a longitudinal direction of the heater becomes high. When the end portion temperature rise occurs, parts such as a roller and a heater can be damaged. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-194713 discloses a heater (hereinafter referred to as a split heater) in which heat generating elements provided on a substrate of the heater are divided into a plurality of blocks in the longitudinal direction of the heater. In the split heater, electric power supplied from an electrode on the substrate is supplied to the plurality of heat generating elements arranged on the substrate in the longitudinal direction via a conductor on the substrate, so that the heat generating elements on the substrate generate heat. The divided heat generating elements can be independently controlled each, and the heat generation distribution of the entire heater can be adjusted according to the paper size, so that the end portion temperature rise can be suppressed. At this time, the supply of electric power to the electrode is performed from a commercial AC power source via an electric contact member. A method is used, which provides an elastically deformable portion obtained by processing a metal plate such as copper on the electric contact member, and presses the elastically deformable portion against the electrode to provide contact. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-151755 discloses a configuration in which, in order to secure the reliability of an electric contact portion between the commercial AC power source and the heater electrode, two elastically deformable portions are provided for one electrode to provide two contact portions. Providing a plurality of contact pieces for one electrode makes it possible to provide an electrode configuration that is more robust against disturbances such as vibration and minute foreign matter such as dust. SUMMARY

[0004] Copiers and printers need to reduce the time from when the user sends a print signal to when the recording material is ejected (First Print Output Time, FPOT), thereby reducing user waiting time. To meet this requirement, the fusing unit needs to shorten the time from receiving the print signal to when the temperature of the fusing film rises to a predetermined temperature. Therefore, as a device for reducing temperature rise time, shortening the width of the heater in the recording material transport direction to reduce the heater's heat capacity is effective. However, in the segmented heater disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-194713, when the heater width is shortened, the electrode width is also shortened accordingly. When the electrode width is shortened, it is difficult to ensure sufficient space for arranging multiple contacts for a single electrode.

[0005] For example, such as Figure 13 The electrical contact portion 800 shown is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-151755. The electrical contact portion 800 includes elastically deformable portions 801A and 801B, and contact portions 802A and 802B. Contact portions 802A and 802B are elastically pressed against the electrode by the elastic deformation portions 801A and 801B, respectively. Here, the minimum distance between contact portions 802A and 802B is determined by the processing limits of the metal plate and cannot be made infinitely small. Therefore, for a heater with a short width in which multiple contacts are provided for one electrode, the shape of the electrical contact portion needs to be designed.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a technology that can improve the reliability of electrical contacts while shortening the FPOT (Front-to-Off) period.

[0007] In addition, when the connector is mounted on the fixing device, it is necessary to determine the relative positional relationship between the connector and the heater. Since the connector cannot be directly engaged with the heater, a configuration is adopted in which the connector is engaged with a holder member for holding the heater so that the electrodes of the connector and the heater come into contact with each other. When this configuration is adopted, the following problem arises. When power is supplied to the heater, there is a time lag in heat conduction from the heater to the holder member. Specifically, when power is supplied to the heater, the heater thermally expands in the longitudinal direction, and then the holder member starts to expand. In addition, the heater and the holder member generally have different linear expansion coefficients, and the relative positions of the heater and the holder member differ accordingly when the temperature saturates. Therefore, the heater and the holder member relatively shift during a change in the temperature of the heater or the holder member. Since the connector is engaged with the holder member, the connector shifts with respect to the heater. Therefore, the electrodes of the heater and the contact portions of the connector repeatedly slide each time a printing operation is performed. In recent years, printers and copiers have been required to have longer service lives. In printers and copiers with long service lives, their electrodes and electrical contacts can be worn, thereby destabilizing the electrical contact. In addition, a cable is connected to the connector, and the connector can shift due to a change in the posture of the cable during assembly or a change in the position of the cable during operation, thereby wearing the electrodes and the connector.

[0008] Another object of the present application is to suppress the sliding between the electrodes of the heater and the contact portions of the connector.

[0009] To achieve the object, an image heating apparatus according to the present application includes:

[0010] a heater including a plurality of heat generating elements and a plurality of electrodes respectively electrically connected to the plurality of heat generating elements and arranged along an orthogonal direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording material; and

[0011] a plurality of connectors for supplying electric power to each of the plurality of electrodes,

[0012] wherein the plurality of connectors includes a plurality of contact portions in contact with one of the plurality of electrodes, a first support portion supporting a first contact portion of the plurality of contact portions, and a second support portion supporting a second contact portion of the plurality of contact portions,

[0013] the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the orthogonal direction,

[0014] the first contact portion extends in a direction toward the second support portion,

[0015] The second contact portion extends in a direction toward the first support portion, and

[0016] The first contact portion and the second contact portion contact one of the plurality of electrodes at different positions.

[0017] To achieve the object, an image heating apparatus according to the present application includes:

[0018] a heater including an elongated substrate, a plurality of heat generating elements provided on the substrate, and electrodes provided on the substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of heat generating elements, respectively;

[0019] a connector connected to the electrodes; and

[0020] a holding member holding the heater,

[0021] wherein the heater generates heat using electric power supplied via the connector, and an image formed on a recording material is heated using the heat of the heater, and

[0022] The connector includes a contact portion that contacts the electrodes to be electrically connected to the electrodes, a fixing portion for fixing the connector to the holding member, and an elastically deformable elastic portion provided between the contact portion and the fixing portion and connected to the contact portion and the fixing portion.

[0023] According to the present application, it is possible to improve the reliability of electrical contact while shortening the FPOT. In addition, according to the present application, it is possible to suppress the sliding between the electrodes of the heater and the contact portion of the connector.

[0024] Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing nip portion according to the first embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C are cross-sectional and plan views of a heater according to the first embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an electrical contact portion according to the first embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the heater and the electrical contact portion according to the first embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the heater and the electrical contact portion according to the first embodiment;

[0031] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the fixing nip portion according to the second embodiment;

[0032] Figure 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C are a sectional view and a plan view of the heater according to the second embodiment;

[0033] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the electrical contact portion according to the second embodiment;

[0034] Figure 10 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the heater and the electrical contact portion according to the second embodiment;

[0035] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the heater and the electrical contact portion according to the second embodiment;

[0036] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the heater and the electrical contact portion according to the modification of the second embodiment;

[0037] Figure 13 is an explanatory view of a conventional electrical contact portion;

[0038] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the electrical contact portion according to the third embodiment;

[0039] Figure 15A and Figure 15B are a perspective view and an enlarged view of the electrical contact portion according to the third embodiment;

[0040] Figure 16 is a partial sectional view of the electrical contact portion according to the third embodiment;

[0041] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the electrical contact portion according to the fourth embodiment; and

[0042] Figure 18A and Figure 18B are a perspective view and an enlarged view of the elastic portion of the electrical contact portion according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] First Embodiment

[0044] Overview of an image forming apparatus

[0045] First, an image forming apparatus to which the present application can be applied will be described. Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the overall configuration of a printer (image forming apparatus) 1 according to a first embodiment. A cassette 2 is housed in a lower section of the printer 1 so as to be drawable. A manual feed portion 3 is provided on the right side of the printer 1. Recording material P is stacked and housed in each of the cassette 2 and the manual feed portion 3, and the recording material P is separated one by one and fed to a registration roller 4. The printer 1 includes an image forming portion 5 in which image stations 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively, are arranged in horizontal rows. The image forming portion 5 forms a toner image on the recording material P. In the image forming portion 5, photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K as image bearing members are arranged, and charging devices 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K that uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 6 are arranged. Hereinafter, when collectively referring to the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, they are referred to as the photosensitive drums 6. Also in the image forming portion 5, a scanner unit 8 that emits a laser beam based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drums 6 and developing devices 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K that cause toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image are arranged. Further, in the image forming portion 5, primary transfer portions 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K that transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drums 6 to a transfer belt 10 are arranged. Hereinafter, when collectively referring to the primary transfer portions 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K, they are referred to as the primary transfer portion 11.

[0046] The toner image on the transfer belt 10 that has been transferred thereto by the primary transfer portion 11 is transferred onto the recording material P by a secondary transfer portion 12. When passing through a fixing device 100, the transferred image is fixed to the recording material P by pressure heat generated by a heating unit 101 and a pressure roller 102 that is in pressure contact with the heating unit 101. Thereafter, the conveyance path is switched by a double-sided flapper 13, and is conveyed to either a discharge roller pair 14 or a divert roller pair 15. The recording material P conveyed to the side of the divert roller pair 15 is reversely conveyed by the divert roller pair 15. The recording material P passes through the registration roller 4, the secondary transfer portion 12, and the fixing device 100 again, and is then conveyed to the side of the discharge roller pair 14, so that double-sided printing is performed on the recording material P. Finally, after the recording material P passes through the discharge roller pair 14, the recording material P is discharged to a stacking portion 16. It should be noted that although a full-color laser beam printer provided with a plurality of photosensitive drums 6 has been described as the image forming apparatus, the present application can also be applied to a fixing device mounted on a monochrome copier or printer having a single photosensitive drum 6.

[0047] Fixing device

[0048] Next, the present application will be described with reference toFigure 2 A fixing device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The fixing device (image heating device) 100 is a fixing portion (image heating portion) that heats and fixes a toner image on a recording material P to the recording material P. The fixing device 100 includes a heating unit 101 and a pressure roller 102. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device 100 including the heating unit 101 and the pressure roller 102. The heating unit 101 includes a tubular film 103, a heater 200 that is in contact with an inner surface of the film 103 at a sliding layer 207, a holding member 105 that holds the heater 200, and a metal support member 104. The holding member 105 is formed of a heat-resistant resin such as a liquid crystal polymer. The support member 104 is used to reinforce the holding member 105. The heater 200 has heat generating elements 202A, 202B on a surface (hereinafter referred to as a back surface) opposite to a surface on which the sliding layer 207 of the substrate 201 is located, to transmit heat to the film 103 via the substrate 201 and the sliding layer 207. The heater 200 is arranged in the fixing device 100 so that a longitudinal direction of the heater 200 extends in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording material P. Note that the longitudinal direction of the heater 200 is the same as a width direction of the recording material P. The pressure roller 102 includes a metal core portion and a rubber layer made of silicone rubber or the like. The holding member 105 is urged toward the pressure roller 102 side via the support member 104 by a pressing means (not shown). In other words, the heating unit 101 is urged toward the pressure roller 102 side so that a fixing nip is formed by the heating unit 101 and the pressure roller 102. The pressure roller 102 is rotationally driven in a rotation direction R1 by a driving means (not shown), and as the pressure roller 102 rotates, the film 103 is rotationally driven in a rotation direction R2. The heating unit 101 includes an electrical contact portion (power connector) 300. The electrical contact portion 300 is held by a contact holding portion 105A of the holding member 105. The heater 200 generates heat using electric power supplied via the electrical contact portion 300, and a toner image formed on the recording material P is heated using the heat of the heater 200. Details of the electrical contact portion 300 will be described later.

[0049] Heater

[0050] Reference will be made to Figures 3A-3C A heater 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 3Ais a cross-sectional view of the heater 200 in the short side direction (the conveyance direction of the recording material P). The heater 200 includes an elongated substrate 201 made of ceramic, and heating elements 202A and 202B are provided in an energization layer 210 on the substrate 201. In the energization layer 210, a first conductor 203 and a second conductor 204 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. The first conductor 203 includes first conductors 203A and 203B that branch from the first conductor 203. The first conductors 203A and 203B are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively, in the conveyance direction of the recording material P. The second conductor 204 is provided between the heating elements 202A and 202B. In the short side direction of the heater 200, the first conductors 203A and 203B are arranged so that the heating elements 202A and 202B and the second conductor 204 are interposed between the first conductors 203A and 203B. In Figure 3A In the arrangement example of the first conductor 203A, the heating element 202A, the second conductor 204, the heating element 202B, and the first conductor 203B, these are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material P. Further, an insulating protective layer 206 that covers the heating elements 202A and 202B, the first conductors 203A and 203B, and the second conductor 204 is provided on the back surface of the heater 200. On the sliding surface side on which the heater 200 slides on the film 103, a sliding layer 207 is provided by coating using glass or polyimide having good sliding properties.

[0051] Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a plan view of the heater 200. In Figure 3C , the protective layer 206 can be seen through. The heater 200 includes a plurality of heating blocks (heating blocks) 202. The plurality of heating blocks 202 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. The heater 200 of the present embodiment includes three heating blocks 202-1 to 202-3. The three heating blocks 202-1 to 202-3 are independently controllable from each other. The heating block 202-1 (first heating block) includes heating elements 202A-1 and 202B-1 that are formed symmetrically in the short side direction of the heater 200. Similarly, the heating block 202-2 (second heating block) includes heating elements 202A-2 and 202B-2, and the heating block 202-3 (third heating block) includes heating elements 202A-3 and 202B-3. In the present embodiment, the heating blocks 202-1 to 202-3 are sometimes collectively referred to as the heating blocks 202. Further, at least one of the heating blocks 202-1 to 202-3 is sometimes referred to as the heating block 202.

[0052] The first conductor 203 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. The first conductor 203 includes a first conductor 203A connected to the heat generating elements 202A-1, 202A-2, and 202A-3, and a first conductor 203B connected to the heat generating elements 202B-1, 202B-2, and 202B-3. The second conductor 204 includes second conductors 204-1, 204-2, and 204-3 connected to the heat generating blocks 202-1, 202-2, and 202-3, respectively. The second conductors 204-1, 204-2, and 204-3 are spaced apart from each other. In other words, the second conductor 204 is divided into the second conductors 204-1, 204-2, and 204-3.

[0053] The electrodes 205C1, 205C2, 205-1, 205-2, and 205-3 are exposed from a plurality of openings 208 provided in the protective layer 206. A portion of each of the first conductor 203 and the second conductors 204-1, 204-2, 204-3 is exposed from the corresponding opening 208 of the protective layer 206, so that the electrodes 205C1, 205C2, 205-1, 205-2, and 205-3 are formed in the heater 200. The electrodes 205C1 and 205C2 are portions of the first conductor 203. The electrodes 205-1, 205-2, and 205-3 are portions of the second conductors 204-1, 204-2, and 204-3, respectively. The electrode 205-1 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 202-1. Similarly, the electrode 205-2 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 202-2, and the electrode 205-3 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 202-3. The electrodes 205-1, 205-2, and 205-3 are electrically connected to the heat generating blocks 202-1, 202-2, and 202-3, respectively. The electrodes 205C1 and 205C2 are common electrodes for supplying electric power to the heat generating blocks 202-1 to 202-3 via the first conductors 203A and 203B. The electrodes 205C1 and 205C2 are electrically connected to the heat generating blocks 202-1 to 202-3. In the present embodiment, the electrodes 205-1 to 205-3 are sometimes collectively referred to as the electrode 205. Furthermore, at least one of the electrodes 205-1 to 205-3 is sometimes referred to as the electrode 205. The electrode 205 is electrically connected to the heat generating blocks 202. The plurality of electrodes 205 are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording material P.

[0054] The spaced-apart arrangement of electrodes 205-1 to 205-3 allows for independent control of the power supplied to at least one of the heating blocks 202-1 to 202-3 and the power supplied to the other heating blocks 202. The independently set ratio of power supply to the heating blocks 202-1 to 202-3 allows for a heat distribution suitable for the size of the recording material P, suppressing temperature rise (end-portion temperature rise) in areas where the recording material P has not passed through. The heater 200 can selectively supply power to any heating block 202, providing not only control over the heat generated in each heating block based on the size of the recording material P, but also control over the heat generated in each heating block based on image information (e.g., so that only the area corresponding to the image on the recording material P is heated).

[0055] Electrical contacts - power supply structure -

[0056] Reference Figure 4 Description used to Figures 3A-3C The electrode 205 of the heater 200 shown is supplied with electrical contact 300. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the electrical contact portion 300 according to this embodiment. The electrical contact portion 300 is a pressable portion processed by bending a metal plate, and includes a base portion (support portion) 310 and contact portions (terminal portions) 311A ​​and 311B. Contact portion 311A ​​is an example of a first contact portion. Contact portion 311B is an example of a second contact portion. The base portion 310 includes a first base portion 304A and a second base portion 304B that are not directly connected to each other. The first base portion 304A supports the contact portion 311A, and the second base portion 304B supports the contact portion 311B. The first base portion (first support portion) 304A and the second base portion (second support portion) 304B have a plate shape. The contact portion 311A ​​includes an arm portion 301A and a contact base 303A. The arm portion 301A extends from the first base portion 304A, and the contact base 303A is provided at the end of the arm portion 301A. Electrical contact portion 302A is formed at the central portion of contact base 303A. Contact portion 311B includes arm portion 301B and contact base 303B. Arm portion 301B extends from second base portion 304B, and contact base 303B is disposed at the end of arm portion 301B. Electrical contact portion 302B is formed at the central portion of contact base 303B. Electrical contact portions 302A and 302B are portions that contact electrode 205.

[0057] The contact portion 311A supported by the first base portion 304A extends in a direction toward the second base portion 304B. The contact portion 311B supported by the second base portion 304B extends in a direction toward the first base portion 304A. The arm portions 301A and 301B are bent and elastically deformable. The arm portions 301A and 301B are examples of elastically deformable portions. When the electrical contact 300 is pressed against the heater 200, the arm portions 301A and 301B elastically deform. The contact base 303A is pressed against the electrode 205 by the elastic force of the arm portion 301A generated when the arm portion 301A elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 302A is pressed against the electrode 205 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 302A and the electrode 205. The electrical contact portion 302A is an example of a first electrical contact portion. Further, the contact base 303A of the contact portion 311B is pressed against the electrode 205 by the elastic force of the arm portion 301B generated when the arm portion 301B elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 302B is pressed against the electrode 205 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 302B and the electrode 205. The electrical contact portion 302B is an example of a second electrical contact portion. The electrical contact portions 302A and 302B have R shapes formed by drawing the contact bases 303A and 303B, respectively. The electrical contact 300 is designed so that the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B make point contact with the electrode 205 at the apexes of the R shapes. The electrical contact portions 302A and 302B are pressed against the electrode 205 with a predetermined load so that the point contact portions are slightly flattened, thereby having a good contact resistance.

[0058] The magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 301A is different from the magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 301B. In other words, the magnitude of the load when the electrical contact portion 302A is pressed against the electrode 205 is different from the magnitude of the load when the electrical contact portion 302B is pressed against the electrode 205. This is to prevent the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B from vibrating at the same frequency during vibration due to a driving force or vibration when the recording material P passes through the fixing nip. This minimizes the possibility that the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B are separated from the electrode 205 while resonance occurs so that the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B vibrate with a large amplitude. However, the magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 301A and the magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 301B can be equal. In the electrical contact 300, the electric wire 306 is plugged at the plug portion 305 so that the electrical contact 300 is electrically connected to the power source via the electric wire 306.

[0059] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the heater 200 and the electrical contact 300 when viewed from the back surface side of the heater 200. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrical contact 300 is disposed so as to be in contact with the electrode 205 of the heater 200.Figure 5 As shown, the contact portions 311A and 311B contact one of the plurality of electrodes 205 provided in the heater 200. Further, the contact portions 311A and 311B contact one of the plurality of electrodes 205 provided in the heater 200 at different positions. The electrical contact 300 is arranged such that the arm portions 301A and 301B extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. Since the arm portions 301A and 301B have an arm shape, it is necessary to arrange the arm portions 301A and 301B in a region having a certain size. For example, when the electrical contact 300 is arranged such that the arm portions 301A and 301B extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heater 200, the electrical contact 300 and the electric wire 306 interfere with the film 103. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrical contact 300 is arranged such that the arm portions 301A and 301B extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. This arrangement avoids interference of the electrical contact 300 and the electric wire 306 with the film 103. Figure 5 The arrangement of the electrical contact 300 shown avoids interference of the electrical contact 300 and the electric wire 306 with the film 103.

[0060] The first base portion 304A and the second base portion 304B are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. The contact portions 311A and 311B extend in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200, and the contact portion 311A and the contact portion 311B are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. That is, the contact portion 311A is arranged opposite the contact portion 311B in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. The contact base 303A having the electrical contact portion 302A and the contact base 303B having the electrical contact portion 302B are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. This arrangement allows the contact bases 303A and 303B to be close to each other in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. As shown in FIG. 7, the contact base 303A having the electrical contact portion 302A and the contact base 303B having the electrical contact portion 302B are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. In this embodiment, the contact bases 303A and 303B overlap when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. Figure 5 As shown, the contact base 303A having the electrical contact portion 302A and the contact base 303B having the electrical contact portion 302B are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. In this embodiment, the contact bases 303A and 303B overlap when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the heater 200.

[0061] Figure 6 An arrangement of three electrical contacts 300 for the electrodes 205-1 to 205-3 arranged side by side at three positions in the heater 200 is shown. As shown in FIG. 8, three electrical contacts 300 for supplying electric power to the electrodes 205-1 to 205-3, respectively, are arranged on the heater 200. The supply of electric power from the electric wire 306 to the electrodes 205-1 to 205-3 via the three electrical contacts 300 individually makes it possible to cause only a desired heat-generating block 202 to be heated independently. Note that the electrical contacts 300 are arranged such that the arm portions 301A and 301B extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. Figure 6 As shown, the contact base 303A having the electrical contact portion 302A and the contact base 303B having the electrical contact portion 302B are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. In this embodiment, the contact bases 303A and 303B overlap when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the heater 200. Figure 2The contact holding portions 105A of the illustrated holding member 105 are held. When three electrical contacts 300 are used as in the present embodiment, three contact holding portions 105A are arranged at positions corresponding to the electrodes 205-1 to 205-3, respectively, and the three electrical contacts 300 are held by the three contact holding portions 105A, respectively.

[0062] As Figure 5 illustrated, the widths of the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B in the short side direction of the heater 200 are each smaller than the width E1 of the electrode 205 when the electrical contact 300 is arranged on the heater 200. Further, as Figure 5 illustrated, the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200 when the electrical contact 300 is arranged on the heater 200. Therefore, even in the case where the width E1 of the electrode 205 in the short side direction of the heater 200 is short, the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B do not protrude from one electrode 205, and each of the electrical contact portions 302A and 302B can be in contact with one electrode 205. This makes it possible to provide a highly reliable contact configuration to prevent, for example, interference by vibration and dust. In addition, setting the width E1 of the electrode 205 in the short side direction of the heater 200 to be short makes it possible to set the width H1 of the heater 200 to be short. Therefore, the heater 200 is able to have a low heat capacity, thereby shortening the FPOT. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the reliability of electrical contact in the fixing device 100 and the electrical contact 300 while shortening the FPOT.

[0063] Second Embodiment

[0064] A fixing device according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same parts / pieces as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In the heater 200 of the first embodiment, the number of divided heat generating elements is three, whereas in the heater 400 of the present embodiment, the number of divided heat generating elements is increased to five (blocks). Details of the present embodiment will be described.

[0065] Fixing Device

[0066] Figure 7is a cross-sectional view of a fixing nip formed by the heating unit 101 and the pressure roller 102. The heating unit 101 includes a tubular film 103, a heater 400 in contact with an inner surface of the film 103 at a sliding layer 407, a holding member 105 that holds the heater 400, and a metal support member 104. The heater 400 includes heat generating elements 402A and 402B on a surface opposite to the film 103 (hereinafter referred to as a back surface) across a substrate 401 to transmit heat to the film 103 via the substrate 401 and the sliding layer 407. The heater 400 is arranged in the fixing device 100 so that a longitudinal direction of the heater 400 extends in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the recording material P. Note that the longitudinal direction of the heater 400 is the same as a width direction of the recording material P. The heating unit 101 includes an electrical contact portion (power connector) 500. The electrical contact portion 500 is held by a contact holding portion 105A of the holding member 105. Details of the electrical contact portion 500 will be described later.

[0067] Heater

[0068] A heater 400 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8A-8C Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of the heater 400 in the short side direction (the transport direction of the recording material P). The heater 400 is heated by the heat generating elements 402A and 402B provided on a current passing layer 410 on the substrate 401 made of ceramic. In the current passing layer 410, a first conductor 403 and a second conductor 404 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. The first conductor 403 includes first conductors 403A and 403B branched from the first conductor 403. The first conductors 403A and 403B are respectively provided on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording material P. The second conductor 404 is provided between the heat generating elements 402A and 402B. In the short side direction of the heater 400, the first conductors 403A and 403B are arranged so that the heat generating elements 402A and 402B and the second conductor 404 are interposed between the first conductors 403A and 403B. In Figure 8A In the arrangement example of, the first conductor 403A, the heat generating element 402A, the second conductor 404, the heat generating element 402B, and the first conductor 403B are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording material P. Further, an insulating protective layer 406 that covers the heat generating elements 402A and 402B, the first conductors 403A and 403B, and the second conductor 404 is provided on the back surface of the heater 400. On the sliding surface side of the heater 400 that slides on the film 103, the sliding layer 407 is provided by coating using glass or polyimide having good sliding properties. The heater 400 further includes a heat generating block 402 having the heat generating elements 402A and 402B.

[0069] ​Figure 8B and Figure 8C is a plan view of the heater 400. In Figure 8C the protective layer 406 can be seen in perspective. The heater 400 includes a plurality of heat blocks 402. The plurality of heat blocks 402 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. The heater 400 of the present embodiment includes five heat blocks 402-1 to 402-5. The five heat blocks 402-1 to 402-5 are independently controllable from each other. The heat block 402-1 (first heat block) includes heat generating elements 402A-1 and 402B-1 formed symmetrically in the short side direction of the heater 400. Similarly, the heat block 402-2 (second heat block) includes heat generating elements 402A-2 and 402B-2, and the heat block 402-3 (third heat block) includes heat generating elements 402A-3 and 402B-3. Further, the heat block 402-4 (fourth heat block) includes heat generating elements 402A-4 and 402B-4, and the heat block 402-5 (fifth heat block) includes heat generating elements 402A-5 and 402B-5. In the present embodiment, the heat blocks 402-1 to 402-5 are sometimes collectively referred to as heat blocks 402. Further, at least one of the heat blocks 402-1 to 402-5 is sometimes referred to as a heat block 402.

[0070] The first conductor 403 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. The first conductor 403 includes first conductors 403A connected to the heat generating elements 402A-1 to 402A-5, and first conductors 403B connected to the heat generating elements 402B-1 to 402B-5. The second conductor 404 includes second conductors 404-1 to 404-5 connected to the heat blocks 402-1 to 402-5, respectively. The second conductors 404-1 to 404-5 are spaced apart from each other. In other words, the second conductor 404 is divided into the second conductors 404-1 to 404-5.

[0071] The electrodes 405C1, 405C2, and 405-1 to 405-5 are exposed from a plurality of openings 408 provided in the protective layer 406. A portion of each of the first conductor 403 and the second conductors 404-1 to 404-5 is exposed from the corresponding opening 408 of the protective layer 406, so that the electrodes 405C1, 405C2, and 405-1 to 405-5 are formed in the heater 400. The electrodes 405C1 and 405C2 are portions of the first conductor 403. The electrodes 405-1 to 405-5 are portions of the second conductors 404-1 to 404-5, respectively. The electrode 405-1 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 402-1. Similarly, the electrode 405-2 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 402-2, and the electrode 405-3 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 402-3. The electrode 405-4 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 402-4, and the electrode 405-5 is an electrode for supplying electric power to the heat generating block 402-5. The electrodes 405-1, 405-2, 405-3, 405-4, and 405-5 are electrically connected to the heat generating blocks 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, and 402-5, respectively. The electrodes 405C1 and 405C2 are common electrodes for supplying electric power to the heat generating blocks 402-1 to 402-5 via the first conductors 403A and 403B. The electrodes 405C1 and 405C2 are electrically connected to the heat generating blocks 402-1 to 402-5. In the present embodiment, the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5 are sometimes collectively referred to as the electrodes 405. Further, at least one of the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5 is sometimes referred to as the electrode 405. The electrode 405 is electrically connected to the heat generating blocks 402. The plurality of electrodes 405 are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording material P.

[0072] The arrangement in which the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5 are spaced apart from each other makes it possible to independently control the electric power supplied to at least one of the heat generating blocks 402-1 to 402-5 and the electric power supplied to the other heat generating blocks 402. The ratio at which the electric power supply to the heat generating blocks 402-1 to 402-5 is independently set makes it possible to provide a heat generation distribution that is appropriate for the size of the recording material P, so that it is possible to suppress the end portion temperature rise in the sheet non-passing region in which the recording material P does not pass. In addition, it is possible to supply electric power only to the heat generating blocks 402-2 to 402-4. Therefore, compared with the heater 200 of the first embodiment, it is possible to more finely control the region that is heated using the heater 400 of the present embodiment, thereby increasing the size type of the recording material P to which the suppression of the end portion temperature rise in the sheet non-passing region is applicable.

[0073] Electrical contact portion-power supply configuration

[0074] Reference will be made to Figure 9described for supplying power to a heater Figures 8A-8C electrical contact 500 for supplying power to the electrodes 405 of the heater 400 shown. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the electrical contact 500 according to the present embodiment. The electrical contact 500 is a pressed part processed by bending a metal plate, and includes a base portion (support portion) 510 and contact portions (terminal portions) 511A and 511B. The contact portion 511A is an example of a first contact portion. The contact portion 511B is an example of a second contact portion. The base portion 510 includes a first base portion 504A and a second base portion 504B that are not directly connected to each other. The first base portion 504A supports the contact portion 511A, and the second base portion 504B supports the contact portion 511B. The first base portion 504A and the second base portion 504B can be formed in a plate shape. The first base portion 504A is an example of a first support portion. The second base portion 504B is an example of a second support portion. The contact portion 511A includes an arm portion 501A and a contact base 503A. The arm portion 501A extends from the first base portion 504A, and the contact base 503A is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 501A. An electrical contact portion 502A (first electrical contact portion) is formed at a central portion of the contact base 503A. The contact portion 511B includes an arm portion 501B and a contact base 503B. The arm portion 501B extends from the second base portion 504B, and the contact base 503B is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 501B. An electrical contact portion 502B (second electrical contact portion) is formed at a central portion of the contact base 503B. The electrical contact portions 502A and 502B are portions that come into contact with the electrodes 405.

[0075] The contact portion 511A supported by the first base portion 504A extends in a direction toward the second base portion 504B. The contact portion 511B supported by the second base portion 504B extends in a direction toward the first base portion 504A. When the electrical contact 500 is pressed against the heater 400, the arms 501A and 501B elastically deform. The contact base 503A of the contact portion 511A is pressed against the electrode 405 by the elastic force of the arm portion 501A generated when the arm portion 501A elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 502A is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 502A and the electrode 405. Further, the contact base 503B of the contact portion 511B is pressed against the electrode 405 by the elastic force of the arm portion 501B generated when the arm portion 501B elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 502B is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 502B and the electrode 405. The electrical contact portions 502A and 502B have an R shape formed by drawing the contact bases 503A and 503B, respectively. The electrical contact 500 is designed so that the electrical contact portions 502A and 502B make point contact with the electrode 405 at the apex of the R shape. The electrical contact portions 502A and 502B are pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load so that the point contact portions are slightly flattened, thereby having a good contact resistance.

[0076] The magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 501A is different from the magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 501B. In other words, the magnitude of the load when the electrical contact portion 502A is pressed against the electrode 405 is different from the magnitude of the load when the electrical contact portion 502B is pressed against the electrode 405. This is to prevent the electrical contact portions 502A and 502B from vibrating at the same frequency during vibration due to a driving force or vibration caused when the recording material P passes through the fixing nip. This minimizes the possibility that the electrical contact portions 502A and 502B are separated from the electrode 405 while resonating so that the electrical contact portions 502A and 502B vibrate with a large amplitude. However, the magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 501A and the magnitude of the elastic force of the arm portion 501B can be equal. In the electrical contact 500, the electric wire 506 is plugged at the plug portion 505 so that the electrical contact 500 is electrically connected to a power source via the electric wire 506.

[0077] Figure 10 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the heater 400 and the electrical contact 500 when viewed from the back surface side of the heater 400. As Figure 10As shown, the contact portions 511A and 511B are in contact with one of the plurality of electrodes 405 provided in the heater 400. Further, the contact portions 511A and 511B are in contact with one of the plurality of electrodes 405 provided in the heater 400 at different positions. The electrical contact 500 is arranged such that the arm portions 501A and 501B extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. Since the arm portions 501A and 501B have an arm shape, it is necessary to arrange the arm portions 501A and 501B in a region having a certain size. For example, when the electrical contact 500 is arranged such that the arm portions 501A and 501B extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heater 400, the electrical contact 500 and the electric wire 506 interfere with the film 103. In contrast, as shown in the arrangement of the electrical contact 500, the electrical contact 500 and the electric wire 506 do not interfere with the film 103. Figure 10 The arrangement of the electrical contact 500 shown avoids interference of the electrical contact 500 and the electric wire 506 with the film 103.

[0078] The first base portion 504A and the second base portion 504B are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. The contact portions 511A and 511B extend in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400, and the contact portion 511A and the contact portion 511B are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the heater 400. The arm portion 501A includes a recessed portion 507A provided between the contact base 503A and the first base portion 504A, and recessed in the short side direction of the heater 400 and away from the contact base 503B. Similarly, the arm portion 501B includes a recessed portion 507B provided between the contact base 503B and the second base portion 504B, and recessed in the short side direction of the heater 400 and away from the contact base 503A. That is, the arm portion 501A includes the recessed portion 507A, and the arm portion 501B includes the recessed portion 507B. The recessed portion 507A is an example of a first recessed portion. The recessed portion 507B is an example of a second recessed portion. The recessed portion 507A and the contact base 503B are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the heater 400. The recessed portion 507B and the contact base 503A are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the heater 400. When viewed from the short side direction of the heater 400, the position of the recessed portion 507A overlaps the position of the contact base 503B, and the position of the recessed portion 507B overlaps the position of the contact base 503A. The contact base 503A is not in contact with the arm portion 501B, the contact base 503B, and the recessed portion 507B. The contact base 503B is not in contact with the arm portion 501A, the contact base 503A, and the recessed portion 507A. This positional relationship in which the recessed portions 507A and 507B are recessed in the short side direction of the heater 400 can arrange the contact base 503B closer to the contact portion 511A side, and arrange the contact base 503A closer to the contact portion 511B side. Thus, it is possible to bring the contact base 503A and the contact base 503B close to each other in the short side direction of the heater 400, while the arm portion 501A and the contact base 503B are not in contact with each other and the arm portion 501B and the contact base 503A are not in contact with each other. Furthermore, when viewed from the short side direction of the heater 400, the position of the arm portion 501A overlaps the position of the contact base 503B, and the position of the arm portion 501B overlaps the position of the contact base 503A. This makes it possible to shorten the size of the electrical contact 500 in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400.

[0079] The arm portion 501A can be bent in the short side direction of the heater 400 and away from the contact base 503B. The arm portion 501B can be bent in the short side direction of the heater 400 and away from the contact base 503A. The bent portion of the arm portion 501A (first bent portion) and the contact base 503A can be arranged side by side in the short side direction of the heater 400. The bent portion of the arm portion 501B (second bent portion) and the contact base 503B can be arranged side by side in the short side direction of the heater 400. Thus, when viewed from the short side direction of the heater 400, the position of the bent portion of the arm portion 501A overlaps the position of the contact base 503B, and the position of the bent portion of the arm portion 501B overlaps the position of the contact base 503A. Thus, it is possible to bring the contact base 503A and the contact base 503B close to each other in the short side direction of the heater 400 while the arm portion 501A and the contact base 503B are not in contact with each other and the arm portion 501B and the contact base 503A are not in contact with each other.

[0080] Figure 11 An arrangement of five electrical contacts 500 for the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5 arranged side by side at five positions in the heater 400 is shown. As Figure 11 shown, five electrical contacts 500 for supplying electric power to the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5, respectively, are arranged on the heater 400. Supplying electric power to the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5 individually from the electric wire 506 via the five electrical contacts 500 makes it possible to heat only the desired heat generating blocks 402 independently. In comparison with the first embodiment, the heater 400 of the present embodiment has a larger number of divided heat generating elements, and thus the electrodes 405 are densely arranged in the heater 400. As described above, the electrical contacts 500 have a short dimension in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400, and even if one electrical contact 500 is arranged for each of the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5, the electrical contacts 500 can be arranged without interfering with each other. Note that the electrical contacts 500 are held by the contact holding portions 105A of the holding members 105 shown. When five electrical contacts 500 are used as in the present embodiment, five contact holding portions 105A are arranged at positions corresponding to the electrodes 405-1 to 405-5, respectively, and the five electrical contacts 500 are held by the five contact holding portions 105A, respectively. Figure 7

[0081] As Figure 10 ​As shown, when the electric contact portion 500 is arranged on the heater 400, the widths of the electric contact portions 502A and 502B in the short side direction of the heater 400 are each smaller than the width E2 of the electrode 405. Further, the contact portions 502A and 502B are arranged such that, when viewed from the short side direction of the heater 400, the position of the recessed portion 507A overlaps the position of the contact base 503B, and the position of the recessed portion 507B overlaps the position of the contact base 503A. Therefore, even in the case where the width E2 of the electrode 405 in the short side direction of the heater 400 is short, the electric contact portions 502A and 502B do not protrude from one electrode 405, and each of the electric contact portions 502A and 502B can be in contact with one electrode 405. This makes it possible to provide a highly reliable contact configuration to prevent interference of, for example, vibration and fine dust. In addition, setting the width E2 of the electrode 405 in the short side direction of the heater 400 to be short makes it possible to set the width H2 of the heater 400 to be short. Therefore, the heater 400 is able to have a low heat capacity, thereby shortening the FPOT. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the reliability of the electric contact in the fixing device 100 and the electric contact portion 500 while shortening the FPOT. Further, according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to reduce the size of the electric contact portion 500 in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400, it is possible to increase the number of blocks into which the heater 400 is divided, and thus, it is possible to suppress the end portion temperature rise in the sheet non-passing region for a larger size type of the recording material P.

[0082] Variation of the second embodiment

[0083] As Figure 12 shown, the electric contact portion 500 can include contact portions 511C and 511D, and contact portions 511A and 511B. The contact portion 511C is an example of a third contact portion. The contact portion 511D is an example of a fourth contact portion. Figure 12 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the heater 400 and the electric contact portion 500 when viewed from the back surface side of the heater 400. As Figure 12As shown, the contact portions 511A to 511D are in contact with one of the plurality of electrodes 405 provided in the heater 400. Further, the contact portions 511A to 511D are in contact with one of the plurality of electrodes 405 provided in the heater 400 at different positions. The first base portion 504A supports the contact portions 511A and 511C, and the second base portion 504B supports the contact portions 511B and 511D. The contact portion 511C includes an arm portion 501C and a contact base 503C. The arm portion 501C extends from the first base portion 504A, and the contact base 503C is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 501C. An electrical contact portion 502C is formed at a central portion of the contact base 503C. The contact portion 511D includes an arm portion 501D and a contact base 503D. The arm portion 501D extends from the second base portion 504B, and the contact base 503D is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 501D. An electrical contact portion 502D is formed at a central portion of the contact base 503D. The electrical contact portions 502C and 502D are portions that are in contact with the electrode 405. However, portions of the contact base 503C other than the central portion can be in contact with the electrode 405, and portions of the contact base 503D other than the central portion can be in contact with the electrode 405.

[0084] The contact portion 511C supported by the first base portion 504A extends in a direction toward the second base portion 504B. The contact portion 511D supported by the second base portion 504B extends in a direction toward the first base portion 504A. The contact portion 511A and the contact portion 511D are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. The contact portion 511B and the contact portion 511C are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. The arm portions 501C and 501D are curved and elastically deformable. The arm portions 501C and 501D are examples of elastically deformable portions. When the electrical contact 500 is pressed against the heater 400, the arm portions 501C and 501D elastically deform. The contact base 503C of the contact portion 511C is pressed against the electrode 405 by the elastic force of the arm portion 501C generated when the arm portion 501C elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 502C is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 502C and the electrode 405. The electrical contact portion 502C is an example of a third electrical contact portion. Further, the contact base 503D of the contact portion 511D is pressed against the electrode 405 by the elastic force of the arm portion 501D generated when the arm portion 501D elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 502D is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 502D and the electrode 405. The electrical contact portion 502D is an example of a fourth electrical contact portion. The electrical contact portions 502C and 502D have R shapes formed by drawing the contact bases 503C and 503D, respectively. Thus, the electrical contact portions 502C and 502D can make point contact with the electrode 405 at the apexes of the R shapes, and the electrical contact portions 502C and 502D are pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load so that the point contact portions are slightly flattened, thereby having a good contact resistance.

[0085] The magnitudes of the elastic forces of the arm portions 501A to 501D are different from each other. Thus, the magnitudes of the loads when the electrical contact portions 502A to 502D are pressed against the electrode 405 are different from each other. This minimizes the possibility that the electrical contact portions 502A to 502D are separated from the electrode 405 while resonance occurs so that the electrical contact portions 502A to 502D vibrate with a large amplitude. However, the magnitudes of the elastic forces of the arm portions 501A to 501D can be equal.

[0086] The recessed portion 507A and the contact base 503C are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the heater 400. The recessed portion 507B and the contact base 503D are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the heater 400. When viewed from the short side direction of the heater 400, the position of the recessed portion 507A overlaps the position of the contact base 503C, and the position of the recessed portion 507B overlaps the position of the contact base 503D. The contact base 503C is not in contact with the arm portion 501A, the contact base 503A, and the recessed portion 507A. The contact base 503D is not in contact with the arm portion 501B, the contact base 503B, and the recessed portion 507B. This positional relationship in which the recessed portions 507A and 507B are recessed in the short side direction of the heater 400 can arrange the contact base 503C closer to the contact portion 511A side and arrange the contact base 503D closer to the contact portion 511B side. In the short side direction of the heater 400, it is possible to bring the contact base 503B and the contact base 503C close to each other while the arm portion 501A and the contact base 503C are not in contact with each other. Further, in the short side direction of the heater 400, it is possible to bring the contact base 503A and the contact base 503D close to each other while the arm portion 501B and the contact base 503D are not in contact with each other. As described above, the arm portion 501A can be bent in the short side direction of the heater 400 and away from the contact base 503B. The arm portion 501B can be bent in the short side direction of the heater 400 and away from the contact base 503A. According to the variation of the present embodiment, when the width E2 of the electrode 405 in the short side direction of the heater 400 is set to be shorter and the width H2 of the heater 400 is set to be shorter, it is possible to increase the number of the electrical contacts for one electrode 405.

[0087] Third Embodiment

[0088] Next, a third embodiment of the present application will be described. The same parts / pieces as in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0089] Electrical contact portion - power supply configuration

[0090] A configuration for supplying power to the electrode 405 will be described with reference to Figure 14 and Fig. 15. Figures 8A-8C The electrical contact portion 600 shown in Fig. 15 is connected to the electrode 405 of the heater 400 shown in Fig. 14. Figure 14is a perspective view of an electrical contact 600 according to the present embodiment. The electrical contact 600 is a pressed portion processed by bending a metal plate, and includes a base portion (support portion) 610 and contact portions (terminal portions) 611A and 611B. The base portion 610 includes a first base portion 604A and a second base portion 604B that are not directly connected to each other. The first base portion 604A supports the contact portion 611A, and the second base portion 604B supports the contact portion 611B. The first base portion 604A and the second base portion 604B have a plate shape. The contact portion 611A includes an arm portion 601A and a contact base 603A. The arm portion 601A extends from the first base portion 604A, and the contact base 603A is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 601A. An electrical contact portion 602A is formed at a central portion of the contact base 603A. The contact portion 611B includes an arm portion 601B and a contact base 603B. The arm portion 601B extends from the second base portion 604B, and the contact base 603B is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 601B. An electrical contact portion 602B is formed at a central portion of the contact base 603B. The electrical contact portions 602A and 602B are portions that come into contact with the electrode 405.

[0091] The contact portion 611A supported by the first base portion 604A extends in a direction toward the second base portion 604B. The contact portion 611B supported by the second base portion 604B extends in a direction toward the first base portion 604A. When the electrical contact 600 is pressed against the heater 400, the arm portion 601A and the arm portion 601B elastically deform. The contact base 603A is pressed against the electrode 405 by an elastic force of the arm 601A generated when the arm portion 601A elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 602A is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 602A and the electrode 405. Further, the contact base 603B of the contact portion 611B is pressed against the electrode 405 by an elastic force of the arm portion 601B generated when the arm portion 601B elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 602B is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 602B and the electrode 405. Thus, the contact portions 611A and 611B are in contact with the electrode 405 in a state where a pressing force is applied to the electrode 405 by the contact portions 611A and 611B to electrically connect to the electrode 405.

[0092] The electrical contact portions 602A and 602B have an R shape formed by drawing the contact bases 603A and 603B, respectively. The electrical contact 600 is designed to make point contact with the electrode 405 at the apex of the R shape. The electrical contact portions 602A and 602B are pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, so that the point contact portions are slightly flattened, thereby having a good contact resistance. In addition, the electrical contact 600 includes a base portion 610, a fixing portion 609, an elastic portion 608 connected to the base portion 610 and the fixing portion 609, and a plug portion 605 provided on the fixing portion 609. The elastic portion 608 is connected to the contact portions 611A and 611B via the base portion 610. The elastic portion 608 is provided between the contact portions 611A and the fixing portion 609. The electric wire 606 is plugged at the plug portion 605, so that the electrical contact 600 is electrically connected to the power source via the electric wire 606. The fixing portion 609 includes a flat plate portion 612 and a positioning portion 607 provided on the flat plate portion 612. As will be described later, the electrical contact 600 is fixed to the holding member 105 by the fixing portion 609, in which the positioning boss 105B provided on the holding member 105 is inserted into the positioning portion 607.

[0093] Next, the elastic portion 608 of the electrical contact 600 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. Figure 15A is a perspective view of the electrical contact 600, and Figure 15Bis an enlarged view of the elastic portion 608. The X axis of the coordinate system shown in Fig. 15 is an axis parallel to the direction of conveyance of the recording material P, the Y axis is an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 400, and the Z axis is an axis perpendicular to the upper face of the electrode 405. The upper face of the electrode 405 is a face parallel to the direction of conveyance of the recording material P, and is also a contact face in the electrode 405 that contacts the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B. The elastic portion 608 is a leaf spring and has a U-shaped bent portion. One end of the U-shaped bent portion is connected to the base portion 610, and the other end of the U-shaped bent portion is connected to the fixed portion 609. The U-shaped bent portion can be displaced in the X direction (e.g., the direction of conveyance of the recording material P), the Y direction (e.g., a direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance of the recording material P and parallel to the upper face of the electrode 405), and the Z direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the upper face of the electrode 405). The U-shaped bent portion includes displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2. The displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 have a sheet shape and extend in a plane substantially parallel to the XZ plane. The face having the largest area among the faces of the displacement portion 608-1 is substantially parallel to the XZ plane. The lines of the connection points 608A and 608B in the displacement portion 608-1 and the lines of the connection points 608C and 608D in the displacement portion 608-2 extend in the X direction. As described above, the U-shaped bent portion of the elastic portion 608 includes the displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 that extend in the X direction. The displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 can be displaced in accordance with changes in the relative position between the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405.

[0094] When the heater 400 and the fixed portion 609 are moved in a direction that causes the relative positions of the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405 to move away from each other in the Y direction, the displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 are displaced in the Y direction and away from the base portion 610. When the heater 400 and the fixed portion 609 are moved in a direction that causes the relative positions of the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405 to move closer to each other in the Y direction, the displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 are displaced in the Y direction and toward the base portion 610.

[0095] When the heater 400 and the fixed portion 609 are moved in a direction that causes the relative positions of the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405 to move away from each other in the Z direction, the displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 are displaced in the Z direction and away from the heater 400. When the heater 400 and the fixed portion 609 are moved in a direction that causes the relative positions of the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405 to move closer to each other in the Z direction, the displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 are displaced in the Z direction and toward the heater 400.

[0096] Both ends of the displacement portion 608-1 are directed in the X direction, one end of the displacement portion 608-1 is connected to the base portion 610, and the other end of the displacement portion 608-1 is connected to the displacement portion 608-2. The displacement portion 608-1 can be displaced in the Y direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 608-1 is most displaced is the Y direction. In other words, the displacement portion 608-1 is more easily displaced in the Y direction than in the Z direction. Both ends of the displacement portion 608-2 are directed in the X direction, one end of the displacement portion 608-2 is connected to the displacement portion 608-1, and the other end of the displacement portion 608-2 is connected to the fixed portion 609. The displacement portion 608-2 can be displaced in the Y direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 608-2 is most displaced is the Y direction. In other words, the displacement portion 608-2 is more easily displaced in the Y direction than in the Z direction.

[0097] Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electrical contact 600 along the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. Figure 16 A holding configuration of the electrical contact 600 electrically connected to one of the five electrodes 405 is shown. Figure 16 The X axis, Y axis, and Z axis in are the same as the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis in FIG. 15. The contact portions 611A, the elastic portion 608, and the fixed portion 609 are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording material P (the short side direction of the heater 400) and parallel to the upper face of the electrode 405. The electrical contact 600 is held by the holding member 105 by fitting the positioning portion 607 provided on the flat plate portion 612 to the positioning boss 105B of the holding member 105. In order to prevent the positioning portion 607 from slipping out of the positioning boss 105B, the push nut 106 is attached to the positioning boss 105B. Fixing the position of the positioning portion 607 prevents a force in the Y direction applied to the electrical contact 600 via the electric wire 606 during assembly from affecting a change in the position of the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B.

[0098] The first base portion 604A and the second base portion 604B are in contact with the contact holding portion 105A of the holding member 105. When the first base portion 604A and the second base portion 604B are not in contact with the contact holding portion 105A, the first base portion 604A and the second base portion 604B are moved away from the heater 400 by the pressing force applied to the electrode 405 by the arm portions 601A and 601B. Bringing the first base portion 604A and the second base portion 604B into contact with the contact holding portion 105A suppresses movement of the first base portion 604A and the second base portion 604B in a direction away from the heater 400. Note that the heater 400 and the holding member 105 are in close contact with each other by a pressing device (not shown).

[0099] elastic portion

[0100] Reference will be made Figure 16 The displacement of the elastic portion 608 when power is supplied to the heater 400 will be described. When the heater 400 generates heat, the heater 400 expands in the Y direction, and the position of the electrode 405 instantaneously changes in the Y direction accordingly. On the other hand, at the start of heat transfer to the holding member 105, the holding member 105 does not immediately expand, and thus the position of the positioning boss 105B hardly changes. Therefore, the electrode 405 is displaced in the Y direction with respect to the positioning boss 105B due to thermal expansion of the heater 400. In addition, the electrical contact portion 600 is held by the holding member 105 by causing the positioning portion 607 to cooperate with the positioning boss 105B, and the elastic portion 608 is elastically deformable. Even when the positional relationship between the positioning boss 105B and the electrode 405 relatively changes, the elastic portion 608 elastically deforms in the Y direction so that the positions of the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B follow the displacement of the electrode 405. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the relative change in the positional relationship between the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B and the electrode 405. In other words, the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B and the electrode 405 simultaneously move in the Y direction, and thus it is possible to suppress mutual slippage. The operation is the same when the heater 400 contracts or when the control temperature of the heater 400 changes.

[0101] Next, the displacement of the posture change of the elastic portion 608 with respect to the electric wire 606 will be described. When the electric wire 606 is routed to the power source, the electrical contact portion 600 can be displaced in the X direction along with the electric wire 606. In this case, the elastic portion 608 elastically deforms in the X direction so that the positions of the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B follow the displacement of the electric wire 606. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the relative change in the positional relationship between the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B and the electric wire 606. In other words, the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B and the electric wire 606 simultaneously move in the X direction, and thus it is possible to suppress mutual slippage. Figure 16The electric wire 606 is arranged on the heater 400 in a state in which the direction of the arrow W1 or W2 in the drawing is inclined about a fulcrum provided near the positioning portion 607. In addition, the posture of the electric wire 606 can change during the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when the electric wire 606 is inclined in the direction of the arrow W1, the fixing portion 609 is correspondingly inclined in the direction of the arrow W1. When the fixing portion 609 is inclined in the direction of the arrow W1, the bending amount of the arm portions 601A and 601B can change. When the bending amount of the arm portions 601A and 601B changes, the electric contact portions 602A and 602B are displaced in the Y direction. Therefore, when the bending amount of the arm portions 601 changes, the positional relationship between the electrode 405 and the electric contact portions 602A and 602B relatively changes, so that abrasion occurs between the electrode 405 and the electric contact portions 602. In the present embodiment, the elastic portion 608 can be displaced not only in the Y direction but also in the Z direction, and when the elastic portion 608 is contracted in the Z direction, the elastic portion 608 can absorb the inclination of the fixing portion 609 in the direction of the arrow W1. The elastic portion 608 that absorbs the change in the posture of the electric wire 606 in the direction of the arrow W1 causes the bending amount of the arm portions 601A and 601B to be free from change, so that it is possible to suppress the sliding between the electrode 405 and the electric contact portions 602A and 602B. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the sliding between the electrode 405 of the heater 400 and the contact portions 611A and 611B of the electric contact 600.

[0102] As described above, the relative position between the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405 changes due to thermal expansion of the heater 400 or a change in the posture of the electric wire 606. Here, a movement of the elastic portion 608 according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405 will be described. The elastic portion 608 includes a first plate portion 681 including a displacement portion 608-1 extending in the X direction and a second plate portion 682 including a displacement portion 608-2 extending in the X direction. The displacement portion 608-1 is an example of a first portion. The displacement portion 608-2 is an example of a second portion. A first end portion of the first plate portion 681 is connected to the contact portions 611A and 611B via the base portion 610. A first end portion of the second plate portion 682 is connected to the fixed portion 609. Second end portions of the first plate portion 681 and the second plate portion 682 are connected to each other. The displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 are arranged in parallel along the Z direction when viewed in the X direction. Further, the displacement portions 608-1 and 608-2 are arranged in parallel along the Z direction when viewed in the Y direction. The displacement portion 608-1 moves toward at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405. The displacement portion 608-2 moves toward at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 609 and the electrode 405.

[0103] Note that, as illustrated in the present embodiment, the elastic portion 608 elastically deformable in the Y direction and the Z direction has a shape extending in a plane substantially parallel to the XZ plane, so that it is possible to reduce the size of the electric contact portion 600 in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400. If the length of the electric contact portion 600 in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400 is long, the electric contact portion 600 cannot be densely arranged in the region in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400, and thus, the number of the divided heat generating elements of the heater 400 is limited. Reducing the size of the electric contact portion 600 in the longitudinal direction of the heater 400 makes it possible to increase the number of the divided heat generating elements of the heater 400.

[0104] As described above, the elastic portion 608 elastically deforms in the Y direction, so that it is possible to suppress the sliding between the electrode 405 and the electric contact portions 602A and 602B during the thermal expansion and contraction of the heater 400. In addition, even when the posture of the electric wire 606 changes, the elastic portion 608 elastically deforms in the Z direction, so that it is possible to suppress the sliding between the electrode 405 and the electric contact portions 602A and 602B. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the abrasion due to the sliding between the electrode 405 of the heater 400 and the electric contact portions 602A and 602B of the electric contact portion 600, and thus, it is possible to provide the highly durable and reliable image forming apparatus 1, the fixing device 100, and the electric contact portion 600.

[0105] Fourth Embodiment

[0106] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present application will be described. The same parts / components as in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0107] Figure 17 is a perspective view of an electrical contact (power supply connector) 1000 according to the present embodiment. The electrical contact 1000 is divided into an electrical contact body 700 and an elastic member 900. Figure 17 The electrical contact 1000 in a state where the electrical contact body 700 and the elastic member 900 are not connected to each other is shown. As with the electrical contact 600 of the third embodiment, the electrical contact 1000 is arranged on the heater 400 in a state held by the contact holding portion 105A of the holding member 105.

[0108] The electrical contact body 700 is a pressed portion processed by bending a metal plate, and includes a base portion (support portion) 710 and contact portions (terminal portions) 711A and 711B. The base portion 710 includes a first base portion 704A and a second base portion 704B that are not directly connected to each other. The first base portion 704A supports the contact portion 711A, and the second base portion 704B supports the contact portion 711B. The first base portion 704A and the second base portion 704B have a plate shape. The contact portion 711A includes an arm portion 701A and a contact base 703A. The arm portion 701A extends from the first base portion 704A, and the contact base 703A is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 701A. An electrical contact portion 702A is formed at a central portion of the contact base 703A. The contact portion 711B includes an arm portion 701B and a contact base 703B. The arm portion 701B extends from the second base portion 704B, and the contact base 703B is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 701B. An electrical contact portion 702B is formed at a central portion of the contact base 703B. The electrical contact portions 702A and 702B are portions that come into contact with the electrode 405.

[0109] The contact portion 711A supported by the first base portion 704A extends in a direction toward the second base portion 704B. The contact portion 711B supported by the second base portion 704B extends in a direction toward the first base portion 704A. When the electrical contact body 700 is pressed against the heater 400, the arm portion 701A and the arm portion 701B elastically deform. The contact base 703A is pressed against the electrode 405 by the elastic force of the arm portion 701A generated when the arm portion 701A elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 702A is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 702A and the electrode 405. Further, the contact base 703B of the contact portion 711B is pressed against the electrode 405 by the elastic force of the arm portion 701B generated when the arm portion 701B elastically deforms. Thus, the electrical contact portion 702B is pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load, and an electrical contact is formed between the electrical contact portion 702B and the electrode 405. Thus, the contact portions 711A and 711B are in contact with the electrode 405 to be electrically connected to the electrode 405 in a state where a pressing force is applied to the electrode 405 by the contact portions 711A and 711B. The electrical contact portions 702A and 702B have an R shape formed by drawing the contact bases 703A and 703B, respectively. The electrical contact 1000 is designed to make point contact with the electrode 405 at the apex of the R shape. The electrical contact portions 702A and 702B are pressed against the electrode 405 with a predetermined load so that the point contact portions are slightly flattened, thereby having a good contact resistance.

[0110] The electric contact body 700 further includes a joint portion 705 connected to the base portion 710. The joint portion 705 extends from the first base portion 704A. The joint portion 705 also extends in a direction opposite to a direction in which the arm portion 701A extends. The elastic member 900 includes a fixed portion 909, an elastic portion 908 connected to the fixed portion 909, and a plug portion 905 provided on the fixed portion 909. The elastic portion 908 is elastically deformable. The joint portion 901 is provided at a distal end of the elastic portion 908. The electric contact body 700 and the elastic member 900 are connected to each other by welding the joint portion 705 of the electric contact body 700 and the joint portion 901 of the elastic member 900. Alternatively, the electric contact body 700 and the elastic member 900 can be connected to each other by fastening the joint portion 705 of the electric contact body 700 and the joint portion 901 of the elastic member 900. In a state in which the electric contact body 700 and the elastic member 900 are connected to each other, the elastic portion 908 is provided between the contact portion 711A and the fixed portion 909. In the state in which the electric contact body 700 and the elastic member 900 are connected to each other, the elastic portion 908 is connected to the contact portions 711A and 711B via the base portion 710. The electric wire 906 is plugged at the plug portion 905 so that the electric contact 1000 is electrically connected to the power source via the electric wire 906. The fixed portion 909 includes a flat plate portion 912 and a positioning portion 907 provided on the flat plate portion 912. The electric contact 1000 is fixed to the holding member 105 by the fixed portion 609, in which the positioning boss 105B provided on the holding member 105 is inserted into the positioning portion 907. The electric contact 1000 is held by the holding member 105 by fitting the positioning portion 907 provided on the flat plate portion 912 to the positioning boss 105B of the holding member 105. As in the third embodiment, in order to prevent the positioning portion 907 from slipping out of the positioning boss 105B, the push nut 106 can be attached to the positioning boss 105B.

[0111] Next, the elastic portion 908 of the electric contact 1000 will be described with reference to Figure 18A and Figure 18B Figure 18A is a perspective view of the electric contact 1000 when the electric contact body 700 and the elastic member 900 are connected to each other. Figure 18B is an enlarged view of the elastic portion 908. Figure 18A and Figure 18B ​The X-axis of the illustrated coordinate system is an axis parallel to the transport direction of the recording material P, the Y-axis is an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 400, and the Z-axis is an axis perpendicular to the upper face of the electrode 405. The upper face of the electrode 405 is a face parallel to the transport direction of the recording material P, and is also a contact face of the electrical contact portions 702A and 702B in the electrode 405. When the electrical contact 1000 is arranged on the heater 400, the contact portion 711A, the elastic portion 908, and the fixed portion 909 are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording material P (the short side direction of the heater 400) and parallel to the upper face of the electrode 405. The elastic portion 908 is a leaf spring, and includes a plurality of L-shaped bent portions and a U-shaped bent portion. One end of the L-shaped first bent portion is connected to the base portion 710, and the other end of the L-shaped first bent portion is connected to the U-shaped bent portion. One end of the U-shaped bent portion is connected to the L-shaped first bent portion, and the other end of the U-shaped bent portion is connected to the L-shaped second bent portion. One end of the L-shaped second bent portion is connected to the U-shaped bent portion, and the other end of the L-shaped second bent portion is connected to the fixed portion 909. The L-shaped first bent portion includes displacement portions 908-1 and 908-2. The U-shaped bent portion includes displacement portions 908-3, 908-4, and 908-5. The L-shaped second bent portion includes displacement portions 908-6 and 908-7. The displacement portions 908-1 to 908-7 can be displaced according to changes in the relative position between the fixed portion 909 and the electrode 405.

[0112] The displacement portions 908-1, 908-3, 908-4, 908-5, and 908-7 have a sheet shape and extend in a plane substantially parallel to the YZ plane. For example, the largest area face among the faces of the displacement portion 908-1 is substantially parallel to the YZ plane. The displacement portions 908-2 and 908-6 have a sheet shape and extend in a plane substantially parallel to the XZ plane. For example, the largest area face among the faces of the displacement portion 908-2 is substantially parallel to the XZ plane. The line connecting the points 908A and 908B in the displacement portion 908-1 and the line connecting the points 908E and 908F in the displacement portion 908-3 extend in the Y direction. Further, the line connecting the points 908G and 908H in the displacement portion 908-5 and the line connecting the points 908K and 908L in the displacement portion 908-7 extend in the Y direction. The line connecting the points 908C and 908D in the displacement portion 908-2 and the line connecting the points 908I and 908J in the displacement portion 908-6 extend in the X direction. The line connecting the points 908F and 908G in the displacement portion 908-4 extends in the Z direction. The L-shaped first curved portion of the elastic portion 908 includes the displacement portion 908-1 extending in the Y direction and the displacement portion 908-2 extending in the X direction. The U-shaped curved portion of the elastic portion 908 includes the displacement portions 908-3 and 908-5 extending in the Y direction and the displacement portion 908-4 extending in the X direction. The L-shaped second curved portion of the elastic portion 908 includes the displacement portion 908-6 extending in the X direction and the displacement portion 908-7 extending in the Y direction.

[0113] The two ends of the displacement portion 908-1 point in the Y direction, one end of the displacement portion 908-1 is connected to the base portion 710, and the other end of the displacement portion 908-1 is connected to the displacement portion 908-2. The displacement portion 908-1 can be displaced in the X direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 908-1 is most displaced is the X direction. In other words, the displacement portion 908-1 is more easily displaced in the X direction than in the Z direction. The two ends of the displacement portion 908-2 point in the X direction, one end of the displacement portion 908-2 is connected to the displacement portion 908-1, and the other end of the displacement portion 908-2 is connected to the displacement portion 908-3. The displacement portion 908-2 can be displaced in the Y direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 908-2 is most displaced is the Y direction. In other words, the displacement portion 908-2 is more easily displaced in the Y direction than in the Z direction. Like the displacement portion 908-1, the displacement portions 908-3, 908-5, and 908-7 can be displaced in the X direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which each of the displacement portions 908-3, 908-5, and 908-7 is most displaced is the X direction. In other words, the displacement portions 908-3, 908-5, and 908-7 are more easily displaced in the X direction than in the Z direction. The two ends of the displacement portion 908-4 point in the Z direction, one end of the displacement portion 908-4 is connected to the displacement portion 908-3, and the other end of the displacement portion 908-4 is connected to the displacement portion 908-5. The displacement portion 908-4 can be displaced in the X direction and the Y direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 908-4 is most displaced is the X direction. In other words, the displacement portion 908-4 is more easily displaced in the X direction than in the Y direction. Like the displacement portion 908-2, the displacement portion 908-6 can be displaced in the Y direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 908-5 is most displaced is the Y direction. In other words, the displacement portion 908-5 is more easily displaced in the Y direction than in the Z direction.

[0114] The displacement portion 908-7 can extend in a plane substantially parallel to the XZ plane, and the displacement portion 908-7 can extend in the Z direction. For example, both ends of the displacement portion 908-7 can point in the Z direction, one end of the displacement portion 908-7 can be connected to the displacement portion 908-6, and the other end of the displacement portion 908-7 can be connected to the fixed portion 909. In this case, the displacement portion 908-7 can be displaced in the X direction and the Y direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 908-7 is most displaced is the Y direction. In other words, the displacement portion 908-7 is more easily displaced in the Y direction than in the X direction. The displacement portion 908-7 can extend in a plane substantially parallel to the XY plane, and the displacement portion 908-7 can extend in the Y direction. For example, both ends of the displacement portion 908-7 can point in the Y direction, one end of the displacement portion 908-7 can be connected to the displacement portion 908-6, and the other end of the displacement portion 908-7 can be connected to the fixed portion 909. In this case, the displacement portion 908-7 can be displaced in the X direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 908-7 is most displaced is the Z direction. In other words, the displacement portion 908-7 is more easily displaced in the Z direction than in the X direction. The displacement portion 908-2 can extend in a plane substantially parallel to the XY plane, and the displacement portion 908-2 can extend in the X direction. For example, both ends of the displacement portion 908-2 can point in the X direction, one end of the displacement portion 908-2 can be connected to the displacement portion 908-1, and the other end of the displacement portion 908-2 can be connected to the displacement portion 908-3. In this case, the displacement portion 908-2 can be displaced in the Y direction and the Z direction, and the direction in which the displacement portion 908-3 is most displaced is the Z direction. In other words, the displacement portion 908-3 is more easily displaced in the Z direction than in the Y direction.

[0115] As described above, the relative position between the fixed portion 909 and the electrode 405 changes due to thermal expansion of the heater 400 or a change in the posture of the electric wire 906. Here, movement of the elastic portion 908 according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 909 and the electrode 405 will be described. The elastic portion 908 includes a first plate portion 981 including a displacement portion 908-2 extending in the X direction and a second plate portion 982 including a displacement portion 908-6 extending in the X direction. The displacement portion 908-2 is an example of a first portion. The displacement portion 908-6 is an example of a second portion. A first end portion of the first plate portion 981 is connected to the contact portions 911A and 911B via the base portion 910. A first end portion of the second plate portion 982 is connected to the fixed portion 909. Second end portions of the first plate portion 981 and the second plate portion 982 are connected to each other. The displacement portions 908-2 and 908-6 are arranged in parallel along the Z direction when viewed in the X direction. The displacement portions 908-2 and 908-6 are arranged in parallel along the Z direction when viewed from the Y direction. The first plate portion 981 includes displacement portions 908-1 and 908-3 extending in the Y direction. The displacement portions 908-1 and 908-3 are examples of a third portion. The second plate portion 982 includes displacement portions 908-5 and 908-7 extending in the Y direction. The displacement portions 908-5 and 908-7 are examples of a fourth portion. The displacement portion 908-2 moves toward at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 909 and the electrode 405. The displacement portion 908-6 moves toward at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 909 and the electrode 405. At least one of the displacement portions 908-1 and 908-3 moves toward at least one of the X direction and the Z direction according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 909 and the electrode 405. At least one of the displacement portions 908-5 and 908-7 moves toward at least one of the X direction and the Z direction according to a change in the relative position between the fixed portion 909 and the electrode 405. The displacement portion 908-2 of the first plate portion 981 can be connected to the contact portions 711A and 711B via the base portion 710 without providing the displacement portions 908-1 in the elastic portion 908. The displacement portion 908-6 of the second plate portion 982 can be connected to the fixed portion 909 without providing the displacement portions 908-7 in the elastic portion 908. Furthermore, end portions of the displacement portion 908-2 and the displacement portion 908-6 can be connected to each other without providing the displacement portions 908-3, 908-4, and 908-5 in the elastic portion 908.

[0116] In comparison with the elastic portion 608 of the third embodiment, the elastic portion 908 includes more portions displaceable in the Z direction, and thus the elastic portion 908 can absorb more displacement of the fixing portion 909 in the Z direction. In addition, since the elastic portion 908 includes the L-shaped first curved portion and the L-shaped second curved portion and the U-shaped curved portion, the length of the elastic portion 908 is longer than the length of the elastic portion 608 of the third embodiment. Thus, in comparison with the elastic portion 608 of the third embodiment, the elastic portion 908 has a larger amount of displacement in the Y direction in the same space. Thus, the elastic portion 908 can absorb thermal expansion of the heater 400 in the Y direction to a greater extent. Thus, the elastic portion 908 can follow thermal expansion of the heater 400 in the Y direction to a greater extent.

[0117] If the electrical contact body 700 and the elastic member 900 are integrated, it is difficult to handle the complex combination of the arm portion (e.g., the elastic portion 908). In contrast, the present embodiment is easy to handle the elastic portion 908 by separately handling the electrical contact body 700 and the elastic member 900. As described above, by dividing the electrical contact body 1000 into the electrical contact body 700 and the elastic member 900, and by including an increased number of displacement portions in the elastic portion 908, the elastic portion 908 can be elastically deformed in the Y direction and the Z direction with a weaker force. Thus, with respect to thermal expansion of the heater 400, it is possible to improve the followability of the electrical contact 1000 to the electrode 405. In addition, it is possible to improve the absorbency of the posture change of the electric wire 906, and thus it is possible to provide a heater power supply configuration and a fixing device with higher durability and reliability.

[0118] In the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the electrode and the contact portion are brought into contact with each other by using the elasticity of the contact portion. In addition, the present application can be applied to a configuration in which the contact portion is joined to the electrode. For example, in the third embodiment, the electrical contact portions 602A and 602B can be joined to the electrode 405 by brazing. For example, in the fourth embodiment, the electrical contact portions 702A and 702B can be joined to the electrode 405 by brazing. In this way, the elastic portion described in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment can be provided in an electrical contact having a configuration in which the contact portions 611A and 611B are joined to the electrode 405 and in an electrical contact having a configuration in which the contact portions 711A and 711B are joined to the electrode 405.

[0119] While the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image heating apparatus comprising: a tubular film; a roller in contact with an outer surface of the tubular film; a heater including an elongated substrate, a heat generating element disposed on the substrate, and an electrode disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the heat generating element; an electrical contact portion in contact with the electrode; and a holding member for holding the heater over a length of the substrate, wherein the heater and the holding member are arranged in an inner space of the tubular film; wherein the tubular film is pinched by the heater and the roller, and a pinch portion through which a recording material is conveyed is formed between the tubular film and the roller; wherein the heater generates heat by power supplied via the electrode, and an image formed on a recording material is heated at the pinch portion by using the heat of the heater, wherein the electrical contact portion is arranged in the inner space of the tubular film; wherein the electrical contact portion includes a positioning portion for positioning the electrical contact portion to the holding member, an electrical contact portion in contact with the electrode of the heater, a base portion in contact with a contact holding portion of the holding member, and an arm portion connecting the electrical contact portion and the base portion, wherein the contact holding portion of the holding member is provided in a portion of the holding member positioned in the inner space of the tubular film; wherein a pressing force of the electrical contact portion against the electrode is generated by the arm portion being bent by the electrical contact portion being pinched between the roller and the contact holding portion of the holding member via the tubular film and the heater.

2. The image heating apparatus according to claim 1, a surface of the contact holding portion in contact with the base portion is a surface facing the heater, and a surface of the positioning portion of the holding member for positioning the electrical contact portion is a surface facing in a direction opposite to the surface facing the heater. wherein 3. The image heating apparatus according to claim 1, the electrical contact portion is a portion linking a portion of the positioning portion and a portion of the base portion. wherein ​

Images