US5465141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fixing apparatus for changing the duty cycle of electric current supply
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-04-08
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Granted: 1995-11-07
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Expires: 2012-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A fixing apparatus having a heating member maintained at a predetermined fixing temperature and an electric supply device for supplying an electric current to the heating member, wherein the electric supply device supplies an electric current at a second duty cycle larger than a first duty cycle after an electric current is supplied at the first duty cycle from the time the supply of the electric current is started to the heating member until a fixing temperature is reached.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoki Asano
- 👤 Yutaka Kikuchi
- 👤 Yasuyoshi Hayakawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2039; G03G15/2042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A fixing apparatus, comprising: a heating member maintained at a predetermined fixing temperature; electric supply means for supplying an electric current to the heating member; and control means for controlling a duty cycle of the electric current, wherein said control means decreases said duty cycle and then increases it after the electric-current supply to said heating member is started but before said heating member has reached at said predetermined fixing temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A fixing apparatus, comprising: a heating member maintained at a predetermined fixing temperature; electric supply means for supplying an electric current to the heating member; and control means for controlling a duty cycle of the electric current, wherein said control means decreases said duty cycle and then increases it after the electric-current supply to said heating member is started but before said heating member has reached at said predetermined fixing temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means switches a preliminary duty cycle to a first duty cycle being smaller than said preliminary duty cycle, and said first duty cycle to a second duty cycle being larger than said first duty cycle but smaller than said preliminary duty cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fixing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said preliminary duty cycle is 100%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means decreases said duty cycle at the time when said heating member reaches a predetermined temperature being lower than said fixing temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means increases said duty cycle when a predetermined length of time of electric current supply at the decreased duty cycle is reached.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means increases said duty cycle at a time when said heating member reaches a predetermined temperature which is lower than said fixing temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the duty cycle in accordance with a ambient temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-06 | 1999-05-08 | 1999-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | 2003-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-06 | 2007-05-08 | 2007-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |