Patent ID: 7653322
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing apparatus including: a fixing member; a pressing member; and an external heating section that heats the fixing member by heating an external heating member with a first heating device and bringing the external heating member into contact with a periphery of the fixing member, the fixing member and the pressing member transporting a printing medium in between so that an unfixed image formed on the printing medium is fixed thereon by heating from the fixing member, said fixing apparatus comprising: a first temperature-detecting device for detecting a surface temperature of the external heating member; a second temperature-detecting device for detecting a surface temperature of the fixing member; and a control section for performing first control by which a heating operation of the first heating device is controlled based on a first comparison result, which is a result of comparison between a temperature detected by the first temperature-detecting device and a controlled target temperature of the external heating member, and a second comparison result, which is a result of comparison between a temperature detected by the second temperature-detecting device and a controlled target temperature of the fixing member, wherein the first control controls the heating operation of the first heating device by increasing a temperature of the external heating member, only when the temperature detected by the first temperature-detecting device is lower than the controlled target temperature of the external heating member and when the temperature detected by the second temperature-detecting device is lower than the controlled target temperature of the fixing member, and wherein the first control controls the heating operation of the first heating device by not increasing a temperature of the external heating member, when the temperature detected by the first temperature-detecting device is equal to or greater than the controlled target temperature of the external heating member or when the temperature detected by the second temperature-detecting device is equal to or greater than the controlled target temperature of the fixing member.