Wrinkle prevented thermal fixing device and image forming apparatus

Claim 2

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit changes over the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member and the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member between a first state and a second state in which the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member and the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member are lower than those in the first state.

Claim 3

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the changeover unit performs the changeover so that a ratio of the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member in the second state to the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member in the first state is smaller than a ratio of the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member in the second state to the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member in the first state.

Claim 4

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a heating unit that generates heat for heating the fixing member by applied electricity; a detecting unit that detects temperature of the fixing member; and a controller that controls the heating unit on the basis of the temperature of the fixing member detected by the detecting unit, wherein the controller controls, in the first state, the heating unit so that the temperature of the fixing member for fixing onto the fixation medium a medium to be fixed is set to a first temperature, and controls, in the second state, the heating unit so that the temperature of the fixing member for fixing onto the fixation medium the medium to be fixed is set to a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Claim 5

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a driving unit that drives the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and a controller that controls the driving unit to control a conveyance speed of the fixation medium held between the fixing member, the first pressing member and the second pressing member, wherein the controller controls the driving unit so that in the first state, the conveyance speed is set to a first conveyance speed, and controls the driving unit so that in the second state, the conveyance speed is set to a second conveyance speed lower than the first conveyance speed.

Claim 6

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises: a holding member that holds the first pressing member and the second pressing member; a supporting member that swingably supports the holding member at a position upstream in the conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to a holding portion of the holding member for the second pressing member; and a swinging member that swings the holding member using the supporting member as a fulcrum.

Claim 7

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises: a holding member that holds the first pressing member and the second pressing member; a supporting member that swingably supports the holding member at a position upstream in the conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to a holding portion of the holding member for the second pressing member; and a swinging member that swings the holding member using the supporting member as a fulcrum.

Claim 8

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the supporting member supports the holding member swingably at a position upstream in the conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to a holding portion of the holding member for the first pressing member.

Claim 9

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises an operation member configured to be operated by an operator to change over the pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 10

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises an operation member configured to be operated by an operator to change over the pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 11

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein a holding member is provided at each of both ends of the first pressing member and the second pressing member in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the changeover unit comprises an interlocking member for swinging a respective holding members in conjunction with each other by the operation of the operation member.

Claim 12

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 13

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 14

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein a friction coefficient of the fixing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than the friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 15

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the first pressing member comprises a first pressure roller, the second pressing member comprises a second pressure roller, wherein the thermal fixing device further comprises a driving unit that drives the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, and a controller that controls the driving unit, and wherein the controller controls the driving unit so that a peripheral speed of the second pressure roller is higher than a peripheral speed of the first pressure roller.

Claim 16

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the first pressing member comprises a first pressure roller, the second pressing member comprises a second pressure roller, wherein the thermal fixing device further comprises a driving unit that drives the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, and a controller that controls the driving unit, and wherein the controller controls the driving unit so that a peripheral speed of the second pressure roller is higher than a peripheral speed of the first pressure roller.

Claim 17

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and a cleaning member configured to be in contact with the first pressing member and the second pressing member and cleans the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 18

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and a cleaning member configured to be in contact with the first pressing member and the second pressing member and cleans the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 19

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the fixing member has a fixation area configured to be in contact with the fixation medium, and wherein the cleaning member is disposed to face the fixing member and has a length longer than the fixation area in a longitudinal direction.

Claim 20

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and an endless belt stretched between the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 21

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and an endless belt stretched between the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 22

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member, wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 23

A thermal fixing device comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member, wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 24

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein a friction coefficient of the fixing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than the friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 25

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the fixing member comprises a fixing roller, the first pressing member comprises a first pressure roller, and the second pressing member comprises a second pressure roller, and wherein a rotation center of the second pressure roller is disposed at a farther side from the fixing roller with respect to a tangent line of the fixing roller at a most downstream position of a contact portion between the fixing roller and the first pressure roller in the conveyance direction of the fixation medium.

Claim 26

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the first pressing member comprises a first pressure roller, the second pressing member comprises a second pressure roller, wherein the thermal fixing device further comprises a driving unit that drives the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, and a controller that controls the driving unit, and wherein the controller controls the driving unit so that a peripheral speed of the second pressure roller is higher than a peripheral speed of the first pressure roller.

Claim 27

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a cleaning member configured to be in contact with the first pressing member and the second pressing member and cleans the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 28

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the fixing member has a fixation area configured to be in contact with the fixation medium, and wherein the cleaning member is disposed to face the fixing member and has a length longer than the fixation area in a longitudinal direction.

Claim 29

The thermal fixing device as claimed in claim 15 further comprises an endless belt stretched between the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 30

An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding section configured to feed a sheet as a fixation medium; and an image forming section having a thermal fixing device and configured to form an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding section, wherein the thermal fixing device comprises: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member, wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 31

An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding section configured to feed a sheet as a fixation medium; and an image forming section having a thermal fixing device and configured to form an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding section, wherein the thermal fixing device comprises: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member, wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 32

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit changes over the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member and the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member between a first state and a second state in which the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member and the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member are lower than those in the first state.

Claim 33

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit changes over the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member and the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member between a first state and a second state in which the pressing force per unit area of the first pressing member and the pressing force per unit area of the second pressing member are lower than those in the first state.

Claim 34

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises: a holding member that holds the first pressing member and the second pressing member; a supporting member that swingably supports the holding member at a position upstream in the conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to a holding portion of the holding member for the second pressing member; and a swinging member that swings the holding member using the supporting member as a fulcrum.

Claim 35

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises: a holding member that holds the first pressing member and the second pressing member; a supporting member that swingably supports the holding member at a position upstream in the conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to a holding portion of the holding member for the second pressing member; and a swinging member that swings the holding member using the supporting member as a fulcrum.

Claim 36

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises an operation member configured to be operated by an operator to change over the pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 37

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the changeover unit comprises an operation member configured to be operated by an operator to change over the pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 38

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 39

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein a friction coefficient of the second pressing member to the fixation medium is equal to or larger than a friction coefficient of the first pressing member to the fixation medium.

Claim 40

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the first pressing member comprises a first pressure roller, the second pressing member comprises a second pressure roller, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a driving unit that drives the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, and a controller that controls the driving unit, and wherein the controller controls the driving unit so that a peripheral speed of the second pressure roller is higher than a peripheral speed of the first pressure roller.

Claim 41

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; and a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; wherein the first pressing member comprises a first pressure roller, the second pressing member comprises a second pressure roller, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a driving unit that drives the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, and a controller that controls the driving unit, and wherein the controller controls the driving unit so that a peripheral speed of the second pressure roller is higher than a peripheral speed of the first pressure roller.

Claim 42

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and a cleaning member configured to be in contact with the first pressing member and the second pressing member and cleans the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 43

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and a cleaning member configured to be in contact with the first pressing member and the second pressing member and cleans the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 44

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and an endless belt stretched between the first pressing member and the second pressing member.

Claim 45

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member configured to be in contact with a fixation medium; a first pressing member disposed to face the fixing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a second pressing member disposed to face the fixing member at a position downstream in a conveyance direction of the fixation medium with respect to the first pressing member and presses the fixation medium to the fixing member; a changeover unit configured to change over a pressing force per unit area of at least one of the first pressing member and the second pressing member; and an endless belt stretched between the first pressing member and the second pressing member.