A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface and circularly moving in a moving direction while the developing agent image is thermally fixed; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the tubular member; a backup member nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay covering the heater and supporting the nip member; an electric component positioned opposite to the heater with respect to the stay; and a frame supporting the electric component. The frame includes: an isolating portion interposed between the tubular member and the electric component for isolating the electric component from the tubular member; and a guide portion guiding the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member while the flexible tubular member is moving in the moving direction.

Claims

20 · 2 independent · depth 3

20 granted claims

›1.independentA fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet comprising:na flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface defi…+15

›2.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide portion is formed at the isolating portion.d2

›3.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the isolating portion is interposed between the electric component and the tubular member such that t…d2

›4.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nip member has a downstream end in the moving direction; andnwherein the guide portion comprises …d2

›5.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide portion comprises a second guide disposed at a position opposite to the nip member with res…d2+1

›7.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nip member has an upstream end in the moving direction; andnwherein the guide portion comprises a…d2

›8.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to cover the stay and comprises:na first frame supporting the electric compon…d2

›9.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric component further comprises a temperature sensor.d2

›10.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric component further comprises a temperature sensor, wherein the cable is connected to the …d2

›11.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame has at least a pair of ribs to define a passage of the cable on the frame, the cable being …d2+2

›14.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is fixed to the stay.d2

›15.↳ 1The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible tubular member defines an axis extending in an axial direction; andnwherein the frame ex…d2+1

›17.independentA fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet comprising:na flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface defi…+3

Classifications

4 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section G — Physics

G03G15/20

USPC · US Patent Classification

399/329399/90399/320

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Pendency

2.9 y

1,076 days filing → grant

Office actions

non-final + final

Responses

no RCE

Examiner

Tyler Hardman

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Citations: 70 back · 0 forward

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Priority chain

1 priority documents

›Priority documents — 1

Type	Document	Date
related publication	US 20120308277 A1	6 Dec 2012

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