Patent ID: 6385410
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image onto a transfer material, comprising:a hollow cylindrical heating roller that has a thickness less than 2.0 mm, and that is made of at least one of aluminum and iron; a heat source positioned inside said heating roller; a pressing roller that comprises silicone rubber having a surface hardness ranging from 35Â° to 75Â° (Asker C hardness), and that is in pressure contact with said heating roller to form a nip between said heating roller and said pressing roller, wherein a nip pressure at said nip is in a range of 0.2-2.0 kgf/cm2; and a controller that controls a conveyance velocity of said transfer material, so that said transfer material passes through said nip within a nip passing time ranging from 20 msec to 40 msec; wherein, in a longitudinal direction of said heating roller, a region through which a transfer material of a predetermined size, except a transfer material having a maximum width, passes is defined as a second region, while another region through which said transfer material having said maximum width passes is defined as a first region outside said second region; wherein said heat source comprises a first heating section to mainly heat said first region, and a second heating section to mainly heat said second region; and wherein a heat distribution ratio of said first heating section is set so that a heat quantity at said second region is in a range of 15%-70% of a heat quantity at said first region.