Patent ID: 9244411
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A fixing device comprising: a rotatable endless belt looped into a generally cylindrical configuration; a stationary heater being inside the loop of the belt to radiate heat to the belt; a stationary pad being inside the loop of the belt; a rotatable pressure member disposed parallel to the stationary pad with the belt interposed between the pressure member and the stationary pad, the pressure member pressing against the stationary pad via the belt to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium passes, the belt having an inboard portion thereof adapted to contact the recording medium during passage through the fixing nip, and an outboard portion thereof adapted to remain away from the recording medium during passage through the fixing nip; and a heat conductive member interposed between the belt and the heater and facing less than an entire portion of the outboard portion of the belt to transfer heat radiated from the heater by conduction therethrough to the belt, wherein at least one of the belt and the heat conductive member is displaceable relative to each other in a radial direction of the belt to change a rate of heat transfer from the heat conductive member to the belt, and wherein the heat conductive member contacts the belt before activation of the fixing device, remains in contact with the belt during startup of the fixing device, and separates from the belt after startup of the fixing device.