US 12,092,976 B2
Fixing device and image forming apparatus with temperature sensor and controller
Hiroshi Ota, Ota Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/159,596.
Prior Publication US 2024/0248425 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01); H05B 3/00 (2006.01); H05B 47/00 (2020.01); H05B 47/28 (2020.01)
CPC G03G 15/205 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2042 (2013.01); G03G 15/55 (2013.01); H05B 3/0066 (2013.01); H05B 47/28 (2020.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fixing device, comprising:
a fixing member having a surface that contacts a sheet;
a temperature sensor unit configured to measure a temperature of the surface of the fixing member;
a heater unit configured to heat the fixing member when turned ON; and
a controller configured to output a notification indicating an abnormality in the temperature measurement by the temperature sensor unit if an ON time of the heater unit during an operation period for controlling the fixing member to be at a target temperature, as measured by the temperature sensor unit, is longer than a predetermined threshold time, wherein
the heater unit includes a first heat source positioned to heat a first region of the fixing member and a second heat source positioned to heat a second region of the fixing member, and
the controller is configured to output a notification of an abnormality of the temperature measurement by the temperature sensor unit if a time difference between ON time of the first heat source and ON time of the second heat source during a predetermined length of time in the operation period is greater than a threshold value.