US 11,796,941 B2
Fixing device
Kousei Miyashita, Sunto Shizuoka (JP)
Assigned to TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Mar. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/700,132.
Prior Publication US 2023/0297014 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2053 (2013.01) 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device configured to fix toner to a sheet, the device comprising:
a tubular body configured to be in contact with the sheet moving in a first direction, the tubular body being rotatable about an axis extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
a heater comprising a heat generator, a first surface, and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, the first surface being in contact with an inner surface of the tubular body; and
a heat conduction section in contact with the second surface of the heater and configured to transfer heat generated from the heat generator, wherein
the heat conduction section comprises:
a first heat transfer section in contact with the second surface of the heater; and
a second heat transfer section in contact with a surface opposite to the heater with respect to the first heat transfer section, the second heat transfer section having lower thermal conductivity and a larger heat capacity per unit length in the second direction compared to the first heat transfer section,
the second heat transfer section defining a recess on a surface of the second heat transfer section that is opposed to the first heat transfer section in a region where the sheet passes.