US 12,271,134 B2
Image forming apparatus configured to control output of heater depending on nipping pressure at nipping region
Yasutada Kato, Nagoya (JP); and Yuichi Ikeno, Maibara (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Jun. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/337,640.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-104693 (JP), filed on Jun. 29, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0004334 A1, Jan. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2064 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2039 (2013.01); G03G 15/2053 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2038 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a heater comprising:
a substrate; and
one or more heating elements;
an endless belt circularly movable around the heater;
a rotary body configured to nip, in cooperation with the heater, the belt therebetween to form a nipping region;
a nipping pressure changing mechanism configured to change a nipping pressure at the nipping region between:
a first nipping pressure; and
a second nipping pressure that is higher than the first nipping pressure; and
a controller configured to perform a control process to control output of the heater, the control process comprising:
determining whether the nipping pressure is the first nipping pressure or the second nipping pressure; and
controlling, when determining that the nipping pressure is the first nipping pressure, the output of the heater within a range that does not exceed a first output upper limit that is an upper limit for the output of the heater when the nipping pressure is the first nipping pressure, the first output upper limit being smaller than a second output upper limit that is an upper limit for the output of the heater when the nipping pressure is the second nipping pressure.