US 12,339,612 B2
Image forming apparatus with controller for adjusting power supplied to heating element of fixing device based on cumulative prior use metric
Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Yokohama Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Dec. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/079,491.
Application 18/079,491 is a continuation of application No. 17/339,410, filed on Jun. 4, 2021, granted, now 11,531,297.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-131494 (JP), filed on Aug. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0104948 A1, Apr. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/80 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a fixing device including a heating element configured to heat a sheet for fixing operations;
a memory unit;
a power supply configured to supply electric power to the heating element; and
a controller configured to control the power supply to supply reduced, but nonzero, electric power to the heating element for a fixing operation if a cumulative time value stored in the memory unit is equal to or greater than a reference time value, the cumulative time value being the summed total of time the electric power has been supplied to the heating element during all prior fixing operations of the fixing device.