Patent ID: 8165485
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing apparatus in which fixing is carried out by heat generated from a heating element while a power is being supplied thereto, and a power supplied to the heating element is controlled so that the heating element has a predetermined temperature during the fixing, said fixing apparatus comprising: a fixing belt that comes into contact with a surface of a recording paper to be carried in a predetermined carrying direction, on which surface an unfixed toner image is borne; a pressure member that is depressed by the fixing belt via the recording paper; and a plurality of support members provided inside the fixing belt so as to support the fixing belt, the fixing belt being provided with the heating element having an NTC characteristic in which an electric resistance value decreases as a temperature increases, the heating element extending (i) in a direction parallel to the recording paper and (ii) in a width direction perpendicular to the carrying direction of the recording paper, and the heating element having a longer length, in the width direction, than a width of the recording paper; wherein, the heating element rotates with the fixing belt, said fixing apparatus, further comprising: electrode sections provided on respective inner surface sides in close proximity to both ends, in the width direction, of the heating element, the electrode sections being connected to the heating element, a current being supplied to the heating element so as to direct from one of the electrode sections toward the other one of the electrode sections provided on the respective inner surface sides in close proximity to the both ends.