Patent ID: 8600276
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A heat conduction unit comprising: a flexible endless belt; a heat conductor disposed in proximity to an inner circumferential face of the endless belt and having a cross-section substantially identical to a cross-section of the endless belt; a heat source that heats the heat conductor to heat the endless belt; a pressing roller disposed opposite the heat conductor to rotate the endless belt in accordance with rotation of the pressing roller; a nip formation member disposed opposite the pressing roller and within a loop formed by the endless belt, to form a nip between the endless belt and the pressing roller; and a pushing member disposed within the loop formed by the endless belt to support the nip formation member, wherein the heat conductor has at least two different cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to a long direction of the heat conductor at different positions in the long direction of the heat conductor.