Patent ID: 8150304
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device comprising: a fixing belt for fixing an unfixed toner image onto a recording medium; a planar heating member for heating the fixing belt; and a pressure member for pressing the fixing belt to assist a fixation; wherein the planar heating member includes a ceramic heat generating element having a positive temperature coefficient characteristic, and a high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member; the fixing belt is formed in an endless shape and is supported around, at least, the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member, thereby to be heated; the ceramic heat generating element is brought into contact with the fixing belt over a full width thereof with the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member interposed therebetween; and the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member is brought into contact with the fixing belt over the full width thereof and has such a shape that its thickness decreases in a heat diffusion direction, and diffuses heat generated by the ceramic heat generating element, in a traveling direction of the fixing belt, wherein the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member is configured of a self-excited oscillation heat pipe.