US 12,346,045 B2
Heater and image forming apparatus
Kousuke Ueno, Ehime-ken (JP); Masahiko Tamai, Ehime-ken (JP); Shinjiro Aono, Ehime-ken (JP); Akio Tsubouchi, Ehime-ken (JP); Satoko Kato, Ehime-ken (JP); Masahiro Doi, Ehime-ken (JP); Tsuyoshi Ohashi, Ehime-ken (JP); and Makoto Sakai, Ehime-ken (JP)
Assigned to Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, Yokosuka (JP)
Filed by Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, Yokosuka (JP)
Filed on Feb. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/172,910.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-100977 (JP), filed on Jun. 23, 2022; application No. 2022-109563 (JP), filed on Jul. 7, 2022; and application No. 2022-118636 (JP), filed on Jul. 26, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0418197 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2057 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2017 (2013.01); G03G 15/2053 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2003 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2035 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A heater comprising:
a base portion which contains metal, extends in a first direction, and has a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface;
an insulating layer which is provided on the first surface side of the base portion;
a heating element which is provided on the insulating layer and extends in the first direction;
a protection portion which covers the heating element;
a reinforced portion which has a plate shape;
a first peripheral edge of the base portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction extends in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; and
a second peripheral edge of the base portion opposite the first peripheral edge of the base portion in the second direction extends in the third direction,
wherein a shape of the reinforced portion when viewed from the first direction being a U shape, a first end of the reinforced portion being connected to the first peripheral edge of the base portion in the second direction, and a second end of the reinforced portion being connected to the second peripheral edge of the base portion in the second direction.