Heating unit

Abstract

To provide a heating unit that can increase a soaking effect in an area where a resistance heating element is located in a longitudinal direction of a heater.SOLUTION: A heating unit 1 comprises: a heater 10 that has a substrate 11 and a resistance heating element 12 supported on the substrate 11; an endless belt 3 that rotates around the heater 10; a holder 20 that supports the heater 10; and a heat conduction member 30 that is located between a rear side surface 16 of the heater 10 and the holder 20, has a larger thermal conductivity than that of the substrate 11, and is longer than the resistance heating element 12 in a longitudinal direction of the heater 10. A contact area 90 of the rear side surface 16 of the heater 10 and the heat conduction member 30 includes end areas 91 that are areas located outside the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and including ends 90A, 90B of the contact area 90, the areas without interposition of heat conduction grease 70, and a central area 92 that is located within a range where the resistance heating element 12 is located in the longitudinal direction, the area with interposition of the heat conduction grease 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating unit used in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional heating unit includes an endless belt, a heater that contacts the inner surface of the belt and has a substrate or a resistance heating element formed on the substrate, a support member that supports the heater, and a heat conducting member that is provided between the heater and the support member and that makes the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the heater more uniform (Patent Document 1). In this technology, grease is applied to the entire area of ​​the heat conducting member that contacts the heater, and the heater is then placed on top of that, thereby interposing grease between the heater and the heat conducting member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-139002 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a heating unit, a sheet such as paper passes through the area where the resistance heating element is located in the longitudinal direction of the heater, so it is desirable to improve the heat uniformity effect of the heat conductive member in this area, which makes the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the heater more uniform.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heating unit that can improve the heat uniformity effect in the region where the resistance heating element is located in the longitudinal direction of the heater. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The heating unit for achieving the above-mentioned object comprises a heater having a substrate and a resistance heating element supported by the substrate, an endless belt having an inner surface in contact with the nip surface of the heater and rotating around the heater, a holder for supporting the heater, and a heat conducting member located between the holder and the back side of the heater opposite the nip surface, the heat conducting member having a higher thermal conductivity than the substrate and being longer than the resistance heating element in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The contact area between the back surface of the heater and the heat conducting member includes two end areas that are located outside the resistance heating element in the longitudinal direction and include the ends of the contact area, where no heat conducting grease is present, and a central area that is located in the range where the resistance heating element is located in the longitudinal direction and where heat conducting grease is present.

[0007] This configuration can promote heat transfer between the heater and the heat conducting member in the central region via the thermally conductive grease, thereby improving the heat uniformity effect in the region where the resistance heating element is located in the longitudinal direction of the heater.

[0008] In the heating unit described above, the heat conduction member may be configured to have a first portion located at a position corresponding to the central region in the longitudinal direction, and a second portion located outside the first portion in the longitudinal direction and not in contact with the back surface of the heater.

[0009] This can suppress the transfer of heat from the heater to the heat conducting member from the second portion, and can promote the transfer of heat between the heater and the heat conducting member in the region where the first portion is located.

[0010] In the heating unit described above, the second portion may be configured to face the rear surface of the heater with a gap therebetween.

[0011] This prevents the second portion from coming into contact with the rear surface of the heater.

[0012] In the heating unit described above, the heat conduction member may be configured to have a first portion located at a position corresponding to the central region in the longitudinal direction, and a second portion located outside the first portion in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the back surface of the heater, the second portion having a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction smaller than that of the first portion.

[0013] This can suppress the transfer of heat from the heater to the heat conducting member from the second portion, and can promote the transfer of heat between the heater and the heat conducting member in the region where the first portion is located.

[0014] In the heating unit described above, the second portion may have a hole.

[0015] This makes it possible to easily form the second portion having a small cross-sectional area in the heat conduction member.

[0016] In the heating unit described above, the heat conducting member may have a third portion located outside the second portion in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the rear surface of the heater.

[0017] This allows heat from the end portions of the heater in the longitudinal direction to escape to the third portion of the heat conduction member, thereby preventing the temperature of the end portions of the heater from rising too high.

[0018] In the heating unit described above, the thermally conductive grease may be arranged between the rear surface of the heater and the first portion.

[0019] This can further promote the transfer of heat between the heater and the heat conducting member via the heat conducting grease in the region where the first portion is located.

[0020] In the heating unit described above, the end region may be configured to be located outside a range in the longitudinal direction that allows a sheet of the maximum width usable in the heating unit to pass through.

[0021] This can prevent the temperature from rising too much outside the range through which the widest sheet can pass.

[0022] In the heating unit described above, the heat conducting member may be in the form of a sheet.

[0023] This allows the heat capacity of the heat conducting member to be reduced, thereby shortening the start-up time of the heating unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the heat uniformity effect in the region where the resistance heating element is located in the longitudinal direction of the heater. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a heating unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a heating unit according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a view showing the configuration of the surface on which a resistance heating element of a heater is arranged. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a heating unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a heat conduction member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a heating unit according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. 1, the heating unit 1 is used in a fixing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a foil transfer device that transfers foil by heat, etc. The heating unit 1 includes a belt 3, a heater 10, a holder 20, and a heat conductive member 30.

[0027] The belt 3 is an endless belt made of metal, resin, or the like. The belt 3 rotates around the heater 10 while being guided by the holder 20. The belt 3 has an outer peripheral surface 3A and an inner peripheral surface 3B. The outer peripheral surface 3A contacts the sheet to be heated. The inner peripheral surface 3B contacts the nip surface 15 of the heater 10.

[0028] The heater 10 has a substrate 11, a resistance heating element 12 supported by the substrate 11, and a cover 13. The heater 10 also has a nip surface 15 that contacts the inner circumferential surface 3B of the belt 3, and a back surface 16 opposite the nip surface 15.

[0029] The substrate 11 is made of a long, narrow rectangular ceramic plate. The heater 10 is a so-called ceramic heater.

[0030] The resistance heating elements 12 are formed by printing on one surface of the substrate 11. As shown in FIG. 2(b), two resistance heating elements 12 are provided in this embodiment. The two resistance heating elements 12 are each long in the longitudinal direction of the heater 10 (hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the heater 10 will be simply referred to as the "longitudinal direction") and are arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A conductor 19A is connected to one end 12A of each resistance heating element 12, and a terminal 18 for supplying power is provided at each end of the conductor 19A. The other ends 12B of the resistance heating elements 12 are connected to each other by the conductor 19B.

[0031] One end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 are located, in the longitudinal direction, outside the range through which a sheet of maximum width W1 usable in the heating unit 1 can pass. In other words, in the longitudinal direction, the length of the resistance heating element 12 is longer than the maximum width W1.

[0032] There is no particular limitation on the number of resistance heating elements 12. Alternatively, a resistance heating element having a larger heat generation amount at the longitudinal center than at the longitudinal ends and a resistance heating element having a larger heat generation amount at the longitudinal ends than at the longitudinal center may be provided, and the heat generation distribution in the longitudinal direction may be adjusted by individually controlling each resistance heating element.

[0033] 1, the cover 13 covers the resistance heating element 12. The cover 13 is made of, for example, glass.

[0034] The holder 20 is a member that supports the heater 10. The holder 20 has a support portion 21 and a guide portion 22. The support portion 21 has a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the heater 10. The support portion 21 has a support surface 21A that faces the side where the heater 10 is arranged, and an inner surface 21B on the opposite side to the support surface 21A.

[0035] The guide portions 22 are provided on both ends in the short direction of the support portion 21. Each guide portion 22 has a guide surface 22G along the inner circumferential surface 3B of the belt 3. The guide portion 22 has a plurality of guide ribs 22A aligned in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] The heat conduction member 30 is a member that conducts heat in the longitudinal direction of the heater 10 to make the temperature of the heater 10 uniform in the longitudinal direction. The heat conduction member 30 is a sheet-like member that is located between the back surface 16 of the heater 10 and the support portion 21 of the holder 20. When the heating unit 1 sandwiches a sheet, which is an object to be heated, between itself and another pressure member, the heat conduction member 30 is sandwiched between the heater 10 and the support portion 21. The heat conduction member 30 has a heater side surface 30A that contacts the back surface 16 of the heater 10 and an opposite surface 30B opposite to the heater side surface 30A. The opposite surface 30B contacts the support surface 21A of the support portion 21.

[0037] The heat conduction member 30 has a higher thermal conductivity in a direction parallel to the heater side surface 30A (hereinafter simply referred to as the "planar direction") than in the planar direction of the substrate 11. The material of the heat conduction member 30 is not particularly limited, but metals with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, and copper, can be used. The heat conduction member 30 is preferably an anisotropic heat conduction member whose thermal conductivity in the planar direction is higher than its thermal conductivity in the thickness direction perpendicular to the heater side surface 30A. A graphite sheet, for example, can be used as the anisotropic heat conduction member. The thickness of the heat conduction member 30 is also not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a film thinner than 0.1 mm or a plate thicker than 1 mm.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2(a), one end 38A and the other end 38B of the heat conduction member 30 are located outside one end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the length of the heat conduction member 30 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the resistance heating element 12. Note that the length of the heat conduction member 30 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the substrate 11. That is, the length of the heat conduction member 30 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the heater 10. The length of the holder 20 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the heater 10.

[0039] The contact area 90 between the rear surface 16 of the heater 10 and the heat conducting member 30 includes two end areas 91 and a central area 92 .

[0040] The end region 91 is a region of the contact region 90 that is located outside the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and includes ends 90A, 90B of the contact region 90. More specifically, the end region 91 has a first end region 91A located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second end region 91B located on the other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0041] The first end region 91A is located outside one end 12A of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and includes one end 90A of the contact region 90. More specifically, the first end region 91A is a region that extends inward from one end 90A of the contact region 90 in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined length L1. The second end region 91B is located outside the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and includes the other end 90B of the contact region 90. More specifically, the second end region 91B is a region that extends inward from the other end 90B of the contact region 90 in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined length L1.

[0042] The predetermined length L1 is shorter than the distance in the longitudinal direction from one end 90A of the contact area 90 to one end 12A of the resistance heating element 12. The predetermined length L1 is shorter than the distance in the longitudinal direction from the other end 90B of the contact area 90 to the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12.

[0043] Moreover, the end region 91 is located outside the range in the longitudinal direction through which a sheet having the maximum width W1 usable in the heating unit 1 can pass. In other words, the end region 91 is located in a range in the longitudinal direction through which a sheet does not pass.

[0044] The central region 92 is a region of the contact region 90 that is located between the end regions 91 in the longitudinal direction. The central region 92 is located in a range in which the resistance heating element 12 is located in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the central region 92 is located inside one end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] Furthermore, the central region 92 is located in a position in the longitudinal direction that corresponds to the range through which a sheet of the maximum width W1 can pass. In this embodiment, the central region 92 is located inside the range through which a sheet of the maximum width W1 can pass in the longitudinal direction. That is, in this embodiment, the length of the central region 92 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the maximum width W1.

[0046] The heat conducting member 30 has a first portion 31 , two second portions 32 , and two third portions 33 .

[0047] The first portion 31 is located at a position corresponding to the central region 92 in the longitudinal direction. The first portion 31 is located inside one end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction. The first portion 31 is in contact with the back surface 16 of the heater 10. In this embodiment, the region where the back surface 16 of the heater 10 and the first portion 31 are in contact is the central region 92.

[0048] The second portion 32 is a portion located outside the first portion 31 in the longitudinal direction. The second portion 32 does not contact the back surface 16 of the heater 10. More specifically, the second portion 32 is formed by bending a part of the sheet-like material constituting the thermally conductive member 30 into a substantially U-shape so as to be convex in a direction away from the back surface 16 of the heater 10. The second portion 32 faces the back surface 16 of the heater 10 with a gap therebetween. In this embodiment, the second portion 32 is located at the same position as one end 12A or the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction.

[0049] The third portion 33 is a portion located outside the second portion 32 in the longitudinal direction. The third portion 33 is located outside one end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction. The third portion 33 is also located at a position corresponding to an end region 91 in the longitudinal direction. The third portion 33 is in contact with the back surface 16 of the heater 10. In this embodiment, the region where the back surface 16 of the heater 10 and the third portion 33 contact each other is the end region 91.

[0050] In the heating unit 1, the thermally conductive grease 70 is present in a central region 92 of the contact region 90. The thermally conductive grease 70 is not present in an end region 91 of the contact region 90. Specifically, the thermally conductive grease 70 is present between the rear surface 16 of the heater 10 and the first portion 31. The thermally conductive grease 70 is not present between the rear surface 16 of the heater 10 and the third portion 33.

[0051] In the heating unit 1, thermally conductive grease 70 is applied to the first portion 31 of the thermally conductive member 30, and the heater 10 is placed on top of it, so that the thermally conductive grease 70 is interposed between the back surface 16 of the heater 10 and the first portion 31 of the thermally conductive member 30. The thermally conductive grease 70 is not applied to the third portion 33.

[0052] The thermally conductive grease 70 may be present in the entire central region 92, or may be present in only a portion of the central region 92. As shown in FIG. 2(a), a portion of the thermally conductive grease 70 may protrude from between the heater 10 and the first portion 31 and enter the gap between the heater 10 and the second portion 32. The thermally conductive grease 70 may be present only between the heater 10 and the first portion 31.

[0053] According to the first embodiment described above, the thermally conductive grease 70 is disposed in the central region 92 of the contact region 90, and this allows the transfer of heat between the heater 10 and the thermally conductive member 30 to be promoted in the central region 92 via the thermally conductive grease 70. This enhances the heat uniformity effect of the thermally conductive member 30, which makes the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction more uniform in the region where the resistance heating element 12 is located in the longitudinal direction.

[0054] In particular, by interposing the thermally conductive grease 70 between the heater 10 and the first portion 31, the transfer of heat between the heater 10 and the thermally conductive member 30 can be further promoted in the area where the first portion 31 is located via the thermally conductive grease 70.

[0055] Furthermore, since the heat conduction member 30 has the second portion 32 that does not contact the heater 10 outside the first portion 31 located at a position corresponding to the central region 92 in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat from the heater 10 from the second portion 32 to the heat conduction member 30. This makes it possible to promote the transfer of heat between the heater 10 and the heat conduction member 30 in the region where the first portion 31 is located.

[0056] Furthermore, since the second portion 32 faces the rear surface 16 of the heater 10 with a gap therebetween, the second portion 32 can be prevented from contacting the rear surface 16 of the heater 10. Furthermore, since there is a gap between the heater 10 and the second portion 32, the thermally conductive grease 70 that protrudes from between the heater 10 and the first portion 31 can be retained in the gap between the heater 10 and the second portion 32. This makes it possible to prevent the thermally conductive grease 70 from getting between the heater 10 and the third portion 33 while the heating unit 1 is in use.

[0057] Furthermore, since the heat conduction member 30 has the third portion 33 located outside the second portion 32 in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the heater 10, the heat from the end portion of the heater 10 in the longitudinal direction can be dissipated to the third portion 33 of the heat conduction member 30. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the end portions of the heater 10 and the belt 3 from rising too high.

[0058] In particular, by positioning the end region 91 (third portion 33) outside the range in the longitudinal direction through which a sheet of maximum width W1 can pass, heat from the portions of the heater 10 and the belt 3 outside the range through which a sheet of maximum width W1 can pass can be dissipated to the heat conduction member 30, and an excessive rise in temperature in these portions can be prevented. In other words, an excessive rise in temperature in the portions of the heater 10 and the belt 3 located in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the range through which a sheet does not pass can be prevented.

[0059] Furthermore, since the heat conducting member 30 is sheet-shaped, it is possible to reduce the heat capacity of the heat conducting member 30. This allows the heater 10 to quickly increase the temperature of the portion of the belt 3 that is in contact with the heater 10, thereby shortening the start-up time of the heating unit 1.

[0060] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that, below, differences from the previously described embodiment will be described in detail, and explanations of similarities with the previously described embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, for example, by assigning the same reference numerals to similar components.

[0061] 3 and 4, the heat conduction member 30 has a first portion 31, two second portions 32, and two third portions 33. As shown in Fig. 4, the heat conduction member 30 is in the form of a flat sheet without bending, and the length in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat conduction member 30 is approximately constant throughout the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the longitudinal length of the first portion 31 is longer than the longitudinal length of the second portion 32.

[0062] The second portion 32 has a rectangular hole 32H that penetrates the second portion 32. The hole 32H is adjacent to the outer edge of the first portion 31 and the inner edge of the third portion 33 in the longitudinal direction. Portions of the second portion 32 on both sides of the hole 32H in the short direction of the heat conduction member 30 are in contact with the back surface 16 of the heater 10.

[0063] A cross-sectional area S32 of the second portion 32 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is smaller than a cross-sectional area S31 of the first portion 31 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In other words, the contact area between the second portion 32 and the rear surface 16 of the heater 10 per unit length in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the contact area between the first portion 31 and the rear surface 16 of the heater 10 per unit length in the longitudinal direction.

[0064] In addition, if the first part 31 has a through hole or notch (not shown) for arranging a temperature detection element such as a thermistor or thermostat, the cross section of the first part 31 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shall be a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at a position in the longitudinal direction where no such through hole or notch is provided.

[0065] 3, of the contact region 90, a central region 92 is located inside one end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the central region 92 includes the region where the back side surface 16 of the heater 10 contacts the first portion 31 and a part of the region where the back side surface 16 of the heater 10 contacts the second portion 32 (the part inside the ends 12A, 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction). In this embodiment, the length of the central region 92 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the maximum width W1.

[0066] Furthermore, in the contact region 90, an end region 91 is located outside one end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the length of the end region 91 from the ends 90A, 90B of the contact region 90 is a predetermined length L1. In this embodiment, too, the end region 91 is the region where the rear side surface 16 of the heater 10 and the third portion 33 contact each other.

[0067] The thermally conductive grease 70 is present in a central region 92 of the contact region 90. The thermally conductive grease 70 is not present in an end region 91 of the contact region 90. Specifically, the thermally conductive grease 70 is present between the rear surface 16 of the heater 10 and the portions of the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 that are inside the ends 12A, 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction. The thermally conductive grease 70 is not present between the third portion 33 and the rear surface 16 of the heater 10.

[0068] The thermally conductive grease 70 may be interposed only between the first portion 31 and the heater 10. The thermally conductive grease 70 may not be interposed between the portion of the second portion 32 that is outside the ends 12A, 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and the back side surface 16 of the heater 10 (see FIG. 3), or may be interposed therebetween.

[0069] According to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0070] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the second portion 32 is in contact with the heater 10, but because the contact area is small, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat inside the heater 10 from the second portion 32 to the heat conduction member 30. This makes it possible to promote the transfer of heat between the heater 10 and the heat conduction member 30 in the region where the first portion 31, which has a large contact area, is located.

[0071] Furthermore, by configuring second portion 32 to have hole 32H, second portion 32 having a small cross-sectional area can be easily formed in heat conduction member 30.

[0072] In the second embodiment, one hole 32H is formed in each second portion 32, but this is not limiting and multiple holes 32H may be formed. The shape of the hole 32H is not limited to a rectangle and may be, for example, a circle. The hole 32H may not be a through hole, but may be a non-through hole (recess) that opens toward the heater 10. Instead of the hole 32H, the second portion 32 may have a notch (recess) cut out from one end in the short direction.

[0073] Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be practiced by appropriately modifying it as exemplified below.

[0074] For example, in the first embodiment, the heat conduction member 30 is formed by bending a portion of a sheet-like member, and in the second embodiment, the heat conduction member 30 is a flat sheet-like member having a hole 32H penetrating through a portion of the flat sheet-like member, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the heat conduction member 30 may be a flat sheet-like member without the hole 32H.

[0075] In the modification shown in FIG. 5, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the contact area 90 between the rear side surface 16 of the heater 10 and the heat conducting member 30 includes two end areas 91 and a central area 92.

[0076] The end region 91 is located outside the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and includes the ends 90A, 90B of the contact region 90. Specifically, the first end region 91A is located outside one end 12A of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and includes one end 90A of the contact region 90. More specifically, the first end region 91A is a region that extends inward from one end 90A of the contact region 90 in the longitudinal direction, with a predetermined length L2. The second end region 91B is located outside the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction and includes the other end 90B of the contact region 90. More specifically, the second end region 91B is a region that extends inward from the other end 90B of the contact region 90 in the longitudinal direction, with a predetermined length L2.

[0077] The predetermined length L2 is approximately the same as the distance in the longitudinal direction from one end 90A of the contact area 90 to one end 12A of the resistance heating element 12. The predetermined length L2 is approximately the same as the distance in the longitudinal direction from the other end 90B of the contact area 90 to the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12.

[0078] The central region 92 is located in the range in the longitudinal direction where the resistance heating element 12 is located. More specifically, the central region 92 is located inside one end 12A and the other end 12B of the resistance heating element 12 in the longitudinal direction. The thermally conductive grease 70 is present in the central region 92 of the contact region 90. The thermally conductive grease 70 is not present in the end regions 91 of the contact region 90.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the heat conduction member 30 is made of a single sheet-like member, but this is not limiting. For example, the heat conduction member may be made of a combination of multiple sheet-like members. In this case, the multiple sheet-like members may be different from one another in terms of material, thermal conductivity, shape, etc., or may be the same as one another.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the heat conducting member 30 is in a sheet shape (including a film shape and a plate shape), but is not limited to this. For example, the heat conducting member may be in a shape that is thicker than a plate shape.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the substrate 11 of the heater 10 is made of a long, narrow rectangular ceramic plate, but this is not limiting as long as the material has a lower thermal conductivity than the heat-conducting member. For example, the heater substrate may be made of a long, narrow rectangular metal plate such as stainless steel.

[0082] Furthermore, the elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 heating unit 3 Belt 3B Inner surface 10 Heater 11 Circuit Board 12 Resistive heating element 15 Nip surface 16 Back side 20 Holder 30 Thermal Conduction Materials 70 Thermal grease 90 contact area 90A one end 90B other end 91 End area 92 Central area

Claims

1. a heater having a substrate and a resistive heating element supported by the substrate; an endless belt having an inner circumferential surface in contact with the nip surface of the heater and rotating around the heater; A holder for supporting the heater; a heat conducting member located between the holder and a rear surface of the heater opposite to the nip surface, the heat conducting member having a higher thermal conductivity than the substrate and being longer than the resistance heating element in a longitudinal direction of the heater; The contact area between the back side surface of the heater and the heat conductive member is two end regions that are located outside the resistive heating element in the longitudinal direction and include ends of the contact region, the end regions being free of thermal conductive grease; a central region located in a range in which the resistance heating element is located in the longitudinal direction, the central region being interposed with the thermally conductive grease; Including, The heat conductive member is a first portion located at a position corresponding to the central region in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the back side surface of the heater; a second portion located outside the first portion in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the back side surface of the heater, the second portion having a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction smaller than that of the first portion; A heating unit comprising:

2. The heating unit of claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a hole.

3. 3. The heating unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member has a third portion located outside the second portion in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the back side surface of the heater.

4. a heater having a substrate and a resistive heating element supported by the substrate; an endless belt having an inner circumferential surface in contact with the nip surface of the heater and rotating around the heater; A holder for supporting the heater; a heat conducting member located between the holder and a rear surface of the heater opposite to the nip surface, the heat conducting member having a higher thermal conductivity than the substrate and being longer than the resistance heating element in a longitudinal direction of the heater; The contact area between the back side surface of the heater and the heat conductive member is two end regions that are located outside the resistive heating element in the longitudinal direction and include ends of the contact region, the end regions being free of thermal conductive grease; a central region located in a range in which the resistance heating element is located in the longitudinal direction, the central region being interposed with the thermally conductive grease; Including, The heat conductive member is a first portion located at a position corresponding to the central region in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the back side surface of the heater; a second portion located outside the first portion in the longitudinal direction and not in contact with the back side surface of the heater; a third portion located outside the second portion in the longitudinal direction and in contact with the back side surface of the heater; A heating unit comprising:

5. The heating unit according to claim 4 , wherein the second portion faces the rear side surface of the heater with a gap therebetween.

6. The heating unit according to claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive grease is interposed between the rear surface of the heater and the first portion.

7. 7. The heating unit according to claim 1, wherein the end region is located outside a range in the longitudinal direction through which a sheet of a maximum width usable in the heating unit can pass.

8. 8. The heating unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member is in a sheet shape.

Images