JPH1079285A - Heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent generation of a conducting failure between a heater contact and a terminal by locking the connector to a heater in a heating device comprising a heater having a heater contact and a heating resistor subject to current supply and a terminal abutting with a heater contact, and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal. SOLUTION: Connectors 19, 19 having a housing 21 and a terminal (spring contact) 20 provided therein are engaged and inserted until an interior wall parts of mouse parts 19a, 19a are abutted with and received by a side face and an end face of an end part of each heater 14 and is locked to a heater 14. As a result, even if a heater contact 18 is moved during heating and cooling of the heater 14, sliding between the heater contact 18 and the terminal 20 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plate-like heating element (heater) having a resistor which generates heat when energized, and a heater connector arranged at a longitudinal end of the heater and electrically connected to the heater. And a support member for supporting the heater, and a heating device that conveys the material to be heated while pressing the heater via another member or directly, and heats the material with the heat of the heater.

[0002] This apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer,
An image heating and fixing device in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, that is, a transfer paper (transfer material sheet, transfer material sheet) using a toner made of a heat-fusible resin by an appropriate image forming process means such as electrophotography, electrostatic recording, and magnetic recording. The present invention can be used as an image heat fixing device for performing a heat fixing process on a toner image formed on an electrofax sheet, an electrostatic recording sheet, a printing paper, etc.) as a permanent fixed image.

Further, for example, the present invention can be used for an apparatus for improving the surface properties (such as polishing) of a transfer paper carrying an image by heating the same, and for an apparatus for performing a temporary deposition process.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art For convenience, a film heating type heating device will be described as an example. The heating device includes a heating element (hereinafter referred to as a heater), a support member for supporting the heater,
It has a heat-resistant fixing film conveyed in contact with the heater, and a pressing member that presses the heater through the fixing film to form a nip portion, and introduces a material to be heated into the nip portion. And the heat of the heater is applied to the material to be heated. The image forming apparatus is provided as, for example, an image heat fixing device that heats and fixes an unfixed image formed and carried on a transfer sheet as a material to be heated on a transfer sheet surface in an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a side view and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an apparatus having such a configuration. FIG. 19 shows an example of a heater used in the apparatus.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an endless belt-like heat-resistant thin film (fixing film), 14 denotes a heater in which a heater contact 18 and a resistor 17 are held on a ceramic heater substrate 16, and 13 denotes the heater 14. A fixing film guide for guiding the rotation of the film 8 by externally fitting the film 8 together. Reference numeral 9 denotes a pressure roller, which is supported by the device housing side plate 7a via bearings 10 and 10.

The heater 14 is held on the lower surface of the fixing film guide 13 with the surface on which the resistor 17 and the electrode 18 are provided facing downward, and a longitudinal end 13 a of the fixing film guide 13 is provided.
A pressure spring 12 provided between the device housing upper part 7b and
The fixing nip N is formed in a pressure contact state with a predetermined contact pressure with the pressing roller 9 via the fixing film 8 by the pressing force F of 12.

The pressure roller 9 receives driving from the outside and rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown by an arrow r (FIG. 18) to convey the transfer paper and the fixing film 8 in a tension-free state by frictional force. The deviation of the fixing film 8 generated during the traveling (transport) is kept within an appropriate range by regulating the end of the film in the longitudinal direction by the flange 15.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a power supply connector, which has a housing 21 held by the fixing film guide 13 and a terminal 20 in contact with the heater contact 18 of the heater 14 to be electrically connected. The terminal 20 has a configuration in which a leaf spring made of phosphor bronze or titanium copper is plated with Ni or Ag.

[0010]

Conventionally, in this type of heating apparatus, there is a difference in heat capacity and coefficient of thermal expansion between a heater 14 for rapidly heating and a film guide 13 such as a heat-resistant resin. If the heater 14 is completely fixed, the heater 14 may be damaged by internal stress (thermal stress). Therefore, the heater 1 is provided with an appropriate play so as to release the stress due to the thermal expansion.
4 was fitted and held in the film guide 13.

Therefore, the heater 14 thermally expands during printing of the main body (at the time of image formation), and contracts at the end of printing, so that the heater contacts 18 provided on the heater substrate 16 move with respect to the film guide 13. I had to move.

On the other hand, a connector 19 for supplying electric power to the heater 14 is attached by fixing the housing 21 to the fixing film guide 13.

As a result, the connector 20 fixed to the housing 21 and the heater contact 18 slide, and the terminal 20 and the heater contact 18 are worn.

Generally, the heater contact 18 due to the thermal expansion is provided.
As the speed of the machine increases and the size of the machine increases, the moving speed and the moving amount increase, and this phenomenon becomes conspicuous.

In particular, when the plating on the surface of the terminal of the contact surface 20a wears due to this phenomenon and the leaf spring material protrudes,
The copper component of the leaf spring material is oxidized in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment in the fixing device 7 and becomes a resistor, which may cause poor conduction between the heater 14 and the connector 19.

Therefore, in the present invention, even when the heater substrate fluctuates (expands, contracts, etc.) due to heating / cooling of the heater, the sliding between the heater contact and the terminal is prevented, and the occurrence of poor conduction between the heater contact and the terminal occurs. The purpose is to prevent.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a heating apparatus characterized by the following constitution.

(1) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving current supply, and a resistor which generates heat when energized, a support member for holding the heater, and a contact member which is electrically connected to the heater contact. And a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein the connector is locked to the heater.

(2) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor which generates heat when energized, a support member for holding the heater, and a heat-resistant member which is moved and driven in contact with the heater. A conductive thin film, a connector having a terminal abutting on the heater contact and being electrically connected thereto, and a housing holding the terminal, and transporting the material to be heated in close contact with the heater with the film interposed therebetween. In a heating apparatus configured to apply heat of a heater to the material to be heated, the connector is locked to the heater.

(3) The heating apparatus according to (1) or (2), further comprising a heater in which the heater contact and the resistor are held on a plate-shaped heater substrate. A heating device wherein a housing is locked to the heater substrate.

(4) The heating apparatus according to (1) or (2), further comprising a heater in which the heater contact and the resistor are held on a plate-shaped heater substrate. A heating device wherein a terminal is locked to the heater substrate.

(5) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor which generates heat by energization on a plate-like heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a contact member for contacting the heater contact. And a connector having a housing that holds the terminal electrically connected thereto, wherein the heater contact is provided on a longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate.

(6) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor that receives a current supply, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-like heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a state in contact with the heater A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven by a heater, a connector having a terminal that is in contact with the heater contact and is electrically connected thereto, and a housing that holds the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is sandwiched by the film. It is transported while being in close contact with the heater,
A heating device configured to apply heat of a heater to the material to be heated, wherein the heater contact is provided on a longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate.

(7) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving a current supply, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-shaped heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a contact member for contacting the heater contact. And a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, the housing being constantly pressed against the longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate while the terminal is moved. A heating device characterized in that it can move in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

(8) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor that receives supply of electric current, and a resistor that generates heat when energized, on a plate-like heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a state in contact with the heater. A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven by a heater, a connector having a terminal that is in contact with the heater contact and is electrically connected thereto, and a housing that holds the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is sandwiched by the film. It is transported while being in close contact with the heater,
In a heating apparatus configured to apply heat of a heater to the material to be heated, the housing can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the substrate accompanying the movement of the end surface while constantly pressing the housing against the longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate. A heating device, comprising:

(9) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor that receives supply of electric current, and a resistor that generates heat when energized, on a plate-like heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a contact member that contacts the heater contact. And a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, the terminal being constantly pressed against a longitudinal end face of the heater substrate, and the terminal being moved as the end face moves. Wherein the heating device is held movably in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

(10) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor which generates heat by energization on a plate-shaped heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a state in contact with the heater A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven by a heater, a connector having a terminal that is in contact with the heater contact and is electrically connected thereto, and a housing that holds the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is sandwiched by the film. In a heating device configured to convey while being in close contact with a heater and to apply heat of the heater to the material to be heated, the terminal is constantly pressed against a longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate, and as the end surface moves. A heating device which is held so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

(11) A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving a current supply, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-like heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a contact member that contacts the heater contact. And a connector having a housing that holds the terminal and a terminal that is electrically connected to the support member. The heating device, wherein the heater contact is disposed at an end of the heating device.

(12) A heater having on a plate-shaped heater substrate a heater contact which is a conductor supplied with a current and a resistor which generates heat when energized, a support member for holding the heater, and a state in contact with the heater A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven by a heater, a connector having a terminal that is in contact with the heater contact and is electrically connected thereto, and a housing that holds the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is sandwiched by the film. In a heating device configured to convey while being in close contact with a heater and apply heat of the heater to the material to be heated, one end in the longitudinal direction of the heater substrate is fixed to the support member, and the end on the fixed side is fixed. A heating device, wherein the heater contact is arranged in a section.

(13) The heater board is fitted into a fitting recess provided along the longitudinal direction of the support member, and one end face in the longitudinal direction of the heater board is abutted against the longitudinal end face of the recess. The heating device according to (11) or (12), which is fixed.

(14) The heating device according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein the heater contacts are arranged in a concentrated manner at an end on the fixed side of the heater substrate.

(15) The heater and the support member are fixed by bonding.
The heating device according to any one of 4).

(16) The heat-resistant thin film has an endless shape, is externally fitted to the heater supporting member including the heater, and is driven to rotate by being guided by the heater and the supporting member on the inner peripheral surface. Features (2),
(6) The heating device according to (8), (10) or (12).

<Operation> By locking the connector to the heater, in particular, by locking the housing of the connector to the heater board, or by locking the terminal of the connector to the heater board, the heater may be thermally expanded or the like. When the contact moves, the connector moves together with the heater contact, so that sliding between the heater contact and the terminal does not occur, and the occurrence of poor conduction is prevented.

[0035] By providing the heater contact on the longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate, even when the heater contact moves due to thermal expansion of the heater, the moving direction is perpendicular to the contact surface between the heater contact and the terminal. As a result, sliding between the heater contact and the terminal does not occur, and occurrence of conduction failure is prevented.

[0036] While always pressing the housing against the longitudinal end face of the heater substrate, by enabling the movement in the substrate longitudinal direction accompanying the movement of the end face, even when the heater contact is moved due to thermal expansion of the heater, Since the housing moves following the movement of the end face of the substrate while maintaining the positional relationship between the heater contact and the terminal, sliding between the heater contact and the terminal does not occur, and the occurrence of poor conduction is prevented. .

[0037] The terminal is always in pressure contact with the longitudinal end face of the heater substrate, and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the substrate with the movement of the end face. Follows the movement of the end face of the substrate, and the positional relationship between the heater contact and the terminal is maintained, so that the heater contact and the terminal do not slide, and the occurrence of poor conduction is prevented.

[0038] By fixing one end in the longitudinal direction of the heater substrate to the support member and disposing the heater contact at the end on the fixed side, the end of the heater substrate moves due to thermal expansion of the heater (heater substrate). Is caused only on one side, and the end on the side where the heater contact is provided is not moved, so that sliding between the heater contact and the terminal does not occur, and occurrence of poor conduction is prevented.

[0039]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 (1) Example of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a main sectional side view showing an example of a laser beam printer to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a drum) rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed. The drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by the primary charger 2 during the rotation process, and then is scanned and written with target image information by laser scanning exposure L by the laser scanner 3. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 1. The drum 1 on which the latent image is formed is supplied with the toner T by the developing device 4, and the latent image is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper P loaded and stored in the paper feed cassette S is separated and fed one by one by driving the paper feed roller 11a, and the transfer paper P is transferred to the registration roller pair 11b.
Between the drum 1 and the transfer roller 5, ie, the transfer portion m
At the predetermined timing, the toner image on the drum 1 surface side is sequentially transferred onto the transfer paper P in the transfer section m. Transfer paper P from the drum 1
The transfer to the surface is performed by the transfer roller 5 charging the toner image on the back side of the transfer paper P with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the charged electrode of the toner image.

Next, the transfer paper P is neutralized by a neutralization needle 6 to which a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the transfer roller 5 is applied, separated from the drum 1 and conveyed to a fixing device 7. In the fixing device 7, the transfer paper P
The unfixed toner T on the surface is heated and melted, and is fixed on the surface of the transfer paper P as a permanent fixed image.

(2) Fixing Device 7 The fixing device of this embodiment is a so-called tensionless type film heating type / pressing roller driven type heating device. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the fixing device 7, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the fixing device 7, FIG. 4 (a) is a sectional view of a connector mounting portion, and FIG. 4 (b) is a perspective view thereof. is there.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an endless (cylindrical) fixing film, which is a single-layer thin film having heat resistance, toner release property and toughness, or a composite thin film having been subjected to a desired surface treatment or lamination. For example, a heat-treated polyester (PET) or polyimide (PI) single-layer film of about 50 μm, or a composite layer film in which the film surface is further subjected to a release layer treatment with ethylene tetrafluoride (PTFE).

Reference numeral 14 denotes a heater (heating element),
It is a planar ceramic heater. The configuration of the heater 14 will be described in the following section (3).

Reference numeral 13 denotes a fixing film guide which functions as a support member for supporting the heater 14 and guides the rotation of the cylindrical film 8. The fixing film guide 13 has a substantially gutter-shaped cross section (FIG. 1).
It is composed of a horizontally elongated guide member 13c, a horizontally elongated reinforcing member 13d having a U-shaped horizontal section, and the like. The reinforcing member 13
Are provided with extended overhangs 13a, 13a, which are provided to project outward.

Reference numeral 15 designates the overhang portions 13a and 13
The flange member is fitted on the fixing film 8 and regulates the movement of the end of the fixing film 8 that rotates.

Each of these elements is fitted with a heater 14 into the heater fitting groove 13d provided along the length of the lower surface of the film guide 13 with the heater surface side outside. The cylindrical fixing film 8 is loosely fitted to the outside, and the flange members 15 are fitted to the overhanging portions 13a, respectively.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a pressing roller as a pressing member having a cored bar 9a and an elastic layer 9b made of silicone rubber or the like.
The pressure roller 9 has both ends of a core 9a rotatably supported by bearings 10 and 10 so that the side plates 7a. It is arranged between 7a.

On the upper side of the pressure roller 9, the heater assembly is arranged with the heater 14 facing downward.
The pressure roller 9 and the heater 14 are sandwiched between the pressure roller 9 and the heater 14 by the pressure springs 12 contracted between the upper portions 7b of the apparatus housing and the overhanging portions 13a, and a predetermined contact pressure F (for example, A4 width) (A total pressure of 3 to 10 kg, and a total pressure of 5 to 12 kg with an A3 width) are pressed against each other to form a fixing nip (heating nip) N having a predetermined width.

In the pressed state, the pressure roller 9 receives a driving force from the outside via a pressure roller gear 9c fixed to one end of the cored bar 9a, and rotates at a predetermined peripheral speed in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow. R is driven to rotate.

The rotation of the pressure roller 9 causes a rotational force to act on the cylindrical fixing film 8 in the fixing nip portion N due to the frictional force between the pressure roller 9 and the outer surface of the fixing film 8. In the fixing nip portion N, the inner surface thereof slides in close contact with the lower surface, which is the surface of the heater 14, and the outer periphery of the film guide 13 is turned clockwise Q as indicated by an arrow.
Is driven to rotate.

Then, as described in the following section (3), power is supplied to the heater 14, and the heater 14 rises to a predetermined fixing temperature and is adjusted in temperature. The transfer paper (heated material) P to which the unfixed toner has been transferred as described above is introduced between the pressure roller 9 and the fixing film 8 with the toner image carrying surface side of the film 8 side, and is fixed together with the film 8. By nipping and transporting the nip portion N, the heat of the heater 14 is applied to the transfer paper P via the film 8 and the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper P.
The surface is heated and fixed.

In the case of the heating device 7 of this embodiment, since the rotating film 8 is not substantially subjected to tension except for the fixing nip portion N, the film guide 13 of the rotating film 8 is not used. The moving force near the film along the length of the film is small. Therefore, it is sufficient to dispose the flanges 15 and 15 that simply receive the end of the film 8 as the film deviation regulating means, and there is an advantage that the apparatus configuration can be simplified.

(3) Configuration of heater 14 and connector 19 for supplying power to the heater 16 is a heater substrate, which is made of Al ₂ O ₃ (alumina),
Electrical insulation, heat resistance, good thermal conductivity of AlN, SiC, etc.
Low heat capacity, for example, thickness 1 mm, width 10 mm, length 24
It is an elongated ceramic substrate of 0 mm. At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the board 16, through holes 14a for locking a connector 19 described later are provided.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a thin-film heating resistor that generates heat when energized, and is formed by screen-printing an electric resistance material such as TaSiO ₂ , Ta ₂ N, RuO ₂ , nichrome on the surface of the substrate 16 along the length of the substrate. Thus, it is formed by applying and firing a linear or narrow band pattern, for example, a width of 1 to 3 mm and a thickness of several tens of μm. Further, it can be formed by vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like.

Reference numerals 18 designate a pair of heater contacts formed on the substrate surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction, which are electrically connected to the heating resistor 17. The heater contact 18 is A
u, Ag, silver palladium, etc. are formed by vapor deposition, sputtering, screen printing or the like, similarly to the heating resistor 17.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a connector for supplying electric power to the heater 14. Each of the connectors 19 has a housing 21 having an opening 19a which is fitted to the heater 14 with one end and the other end of the heater sandwiching the upper and lower sides thereof, and a terminal (spring contact) 20 provided therein. . The terminal 20 is made of a leaf spring made of phosphor bronze, titanium copper or the like, and Ag, N
i, etc. are plated.

Then, the connectors 19 are connected to the side surfaces and the end surfaces of the ends of the heater 14, respectively.
The inner wall portions 9a and 19a are fitted and inserted until the inner wall portions abut and are received, and the through holes 21b and 14 for locking the housing are inserted.
Then, the screw 19 is inserted into the screw hole 21c and screwed, and the upper side and the lower side of the heater 14 are sandwiched by the housing 21, so that the connectors 19
4

In the state where the connector 19 is locked, the terminal 20 is pushed down on the lower surface of the heater 14 and is brought into pressure contact with the heater contact 18 by elasticity, so that the terminal 20 is electrically connected.

As described above, in the conventional fixing device shown in FIG. 11, since the housing 21 of the connector 19 is locked to the fixing film guide 13, the connector 20 slides on the conductive contact surface 20a with the heater contact 18. Move, heater 1
In some cases, the conduction between the connector 4 and the connector 19 was inconvenient.

However, when the housing 21 of the connector 19 is locked to the heater 14 as in this embodiment, the connector 19 is connected to the heater contact 18 due to the thermal expansion of the heater 14.
Move by the same amount as As a result, sliding of the contact surface 20a between the terminal 20 and the heater contact 18 is prevented,
The wear of the plating of the terminal 20 is reduced, and the heater 14 is used.
And the connector 19 can be prevented from being defective, and the life of the fixing device can be extended.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a side view of a fixing device 7 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view thereof. In the present embodiment, the connector 19 is different from the first embodiment.
Is different in that the terminal 20 is locked to the heater substrate 16, and the other configuration is the same.

In this embodiment, the terminal 20 of the connector 19 is a spring member having a substantially C-shaped vertical section, and the heater contact 1
The contact portions 20b, 20b to be brought into contact with 8 are held at the mouth 19a of the housing 21 with the outside facing outward.

Then, the connectors 19 are respectively fitted and inserted until the inner wall of the opening 19a abuts against the side surface of the end of the heater substrate 16 and is received. In this fitted state, the terminal 20 is
The portion between 0b and 20b is pushed and spread by the heater substrate 16 and is elastically engaged with the end of the heater substrate, that is, the contact point 18, to be in an electrically conductive state.

As described above, in this embodiment, the connector 19 is attached to the heater 14 by locking the terminal 20 to the heater substrate 16.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, the connector 19 moves by the same amount as the amount of movement of the heater contact 18 due to the thermal expansion of the heater 14, and the sliding of the terminal 20 and the contact surface 20a of the heater contact 18 is prevented. You. Therefore, this embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in a partial perspective view of the heater 14 shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the heater contact 18a provided on the heater front surface 16a, a heater contact 18b is provided on the heater back surface 16b. By increasing the contact area between the heater 14 and the heater contact 18, the heater 14
Current can be supplied stably to prolong the life of the fixing device.

<Embodiment 3> FIG. 8 is a side view of a fixing device 7 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view thereof, and FIG.
Reference numeral 0 is a partial perspective view of the heater 14 of the fixing device 7 of the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the housing 21 of the connector 19 is fitted and held in the film guide 13.

The heater contact 18 of the heater 14 is provided on the longitudinal end face 16 c of the heater substrate 16. The power supply side end of the terminal 20 abutting on the terminal 20 is fixed to the upper surface of the opening, and the opposite end thereof, that is, the contact portion with the heater contact 18 can be moved substantially in the longitudinal direction of the heater substrate. ing.

Therefore, the terminal 20 and the heater contact 18
Of the heater substrate 16 in the longitudinal direction 16
c, the heater 14 thermally expands and the heater contact 18 moves in the heater longitudinal direction.
No sliding occurs between the contact surface 8a and the contact surface 20a of the terminal 20.
There is an effect similar to that of the first embodiment.

Although a leaf spring is used as the terminal 20 in this embodiment, other elastic bodies such as a coil spring can be used.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 11 is a side view of a fixing device 7 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view thereof.

In this embodiment, the connectors 19
A housing 21 is fitted to the longitudinal end of the heater 14 and the end of the fixing film guide 13, and an abutting spring 23 provided on the overhang 13 a of the film guide 13.
As a result, the housing 21 is constantly pressed and urged from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the housing 21 is attached in a state where the inner wall of the opening 19a of the housing 21 abuts against the longitudinal end face 16c of the heater substrate 16.

Therefore, even if the heater contact 18 moves outward in the longitudinal direction of the substrate due to the thermal expansion of the heater 14,
Even when the housing 21 is pushed by the end face 16c of the heater substrate 16 and moves outward in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the heater substrate 16 cools and contracts, and the heater contact 18 moves inward in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, the housing 21 protrudes. The terminal 20 and the heater contact 18 move together because the contact spring 23 moves inward in the longitudinal direction of the substrate due to the urging force of the contact spring 23, thereby preventing the contact surface 20 a between the terminal 20 and the heater contact 18 from sliding. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the first embodiment
Has the same effect as.

<Embodiment 5> FIG. 13 is a side view of a fixing device 7 according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view thereof.

In this embodiment, the connectors 19
The housing 21 is fitted to the longitudinal end of the heater 14 and the end of the fixing film guide 13, and the housing 21 is fixed to and held by the claw 13 b provided on the projecting portion 13 a of the film guide 13. You.

In this embodiment, the terminal 2 of the connector 19
0, one end 20e is embedded in the housing 21, the opposite end (contact portion) 20b is in contact with the heater contact 18,
The middle part 20d is the longitudinal end face 16c of the heater 14.
It is always in pressure contact due to its elasticity.

Accordingly, when the heater contact 18 moves outward in the longitudinal direction of the substrate due to thermal expansion of the heater 14, the intermediate portion 20b of the terminal 20 is pushed outward by the substrate end face 16c in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the contact portion 20b is The heater contacts 18 are moved outward by the same amount in the longitudinal direction. Also, even when the heater substrate 16 cools and contracts and the heater contact 18 moves inward in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, the intermediate portion 20d follows the movement of the substrate end face 16c, and the contact portion 20b moves inward in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. It moves by the same amount as the amount of movement of the contact 18.

Thus, also in the present embodiment, the sliding of the terminal 20 and the heater contact 18 on the conductive contact surface 20a is prevented, and the same effect as in the first embodiment is obtained.

<Embodiment 6> FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view showing a part of a heating device 7 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the heater 14 is fitted into the heater fitting recess 13f formed on the lower surface of the fixing film guide 13 along the longitudinal direction of the fixing film guide 13 with the heater surface facing outside.

The length Lb of the recess 13d is set to be larger than the length La of the heater 14 by a predetermined amount.

The heater 14 has one end face 16a _{1 in the} longitudinal direction.
Against the longitudinal end face 13g of the recess, and the opposite end face 16
the end face 16a ₁ near the heater back surface 16b of a ₂ in a state of being separated from the recess longitudinal end face 13h (hereinafter referred to as the adhering portions)
24 and the recess upper surface 13g are bonded and fixed.

A resistor 17, a heater contact 18 c connected to the resistor 17 are provided at a position on the heater surface 16 a corresponding to the bonding portion 24, and a conductive path 18 e is provided at the opposite end of the resistor 17. Connected heater contact 18d
And form.

The connector 19 is also attached to the end on the side of the bonding portion, so that the heater contacts 18c and 18d are electrically connected to the terminals 20 and 20, respectively.

By adopting these configurations, even if the heater substrate 16 thermally expands, the heater contact 1
Only the free end not provided with 8c, 18d moves, and the end on the bonding side does not move, that is, the heater contacts 18c, 1
8d does not move, and sliding with the terminal 20 does not occur.
Therefore, also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, occurrence of poor conduction between the heater contacts 18c and 18d and the terminal 20 can be prevented.

<Others> The heater contact is not limited to a contact for supplying power to the resistor, but may be a contact for a temperature adjusting element or the like.

. In the above embodiment, the heating device of the tensionless film heating system is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effects can be obtained by applying the invention to other film heating systems.

(A), (b), and (c) of FIG. 7 each show another example of the configuration of the heating device 7 of the film heating system.

(A) shows that the heat-resistant film 8 in the form of an endless belt is placed between three substantially parallel members of the heater 14, the film drive roller 25, and the tension roller 26 held by the support member 13. The heater 14 and the pressure roller 9 are pressed against each other with the film 8 interposed therebetween to form a heating nip N, and the film 8 is driven to rotate by a driving roller 25.

In the case of (b), an endless belt-like heat-resistant film 8 is stretched between two substantially parallel members of a heater 14 held by a support member 13 and a film drive roller 25. , Heater 1 with film 8 in between
4 and the pressure roller 9 are pressed against each other to form a heating nip N, and the film 8 is driven to rotate by the driving roller 25.

In the case of (c), the heat-resistant film 8 is not an endless film, but a rolled long end film, which is used as the heat-resistant film 8.
7, passes through the lower surface of the heater 14 held by the support member 13, is wound around a winding shaft 28,
The heater 14 and the pressure roller 9 are pressed against each other to form a heating nip N, and the film 8 is wound around the winding shaft 2.
In step 8, the motor is wound up and moved.

[0095] The present invention is not only a film heating type heating device, but also directly presses a heater held by a heater holder and a pressure roller to form a heating nip portion, and introduces and conveys a material to be heated to the heating nip portion. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having a configuration in which heating is performed.

[0096] Needless to say, the pattern configuration and the like of the heater 14 are not limited to those of the embodiment.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the heater contact moves due to thermal expansion of the heater substrate, etc., the sliding between the heater contact and the terminal is prevented,
It is an object of the present invention to prevent the occurrence of poor conduction between the heater contact and the terminal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the heating device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device.

FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are cross-sectional views of a connector portion of the device and a partially cutaway perspective view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view of a heating device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a connector portion of the heating device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a heater end of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view of a heating device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a connector portion of a heating device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater of a heating device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway side view of a heating device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a connector section of a heating device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway side view of a heating device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a connector section of a heating device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a heater assembly part (intermediate part omitted) of the heating device of Embodiment 5;

FIGS. 16 (a), (b), and (c) are schematic views of another example of the configuration of the film heating system.

FIG. 17 is a partially cutaway side view of a conventional heating device.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional heating device.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an example of a heater of a conventional heating device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Fixing Unit 8 Fixing Film 13 Fixing Film Guide 14 Heater 16 Heater Board 18 Heater Contact 19 Connector 20 Terminal 21 Housing

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahide Tagami 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaaki Nishikawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Taku Goto Inside Canon Inc. 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving current supply, and a resistor that generates heat when energized, a support member holding the heater, and abutting on the heater contact to be electrically connected. A heating device comprising: a terminal; and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein the connector is locked to the heater. 2. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving a current supply, and a resistor that generates heat when energized, a support member for holding the heater, and a heat resistance that is moved and driven in contact with the heater. A thin film film, a connector having a terminal abutting on the heater contact and being electrically connected thereto, and a housing holding the terminal, and transporting the material to be heated while closely contacting the heater with the film interposed therebetween. A heating device configured to apply heat of a heater to the material to be heated, wherein the connector is locked to the heater. 3. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a heater in which the heater contact and the resistor are held on a plate-like heater substrate. A heating device characterized by being locked to a heater substrate. 4. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a heater in which the heater contact and the resistor are held on a plate-shaped heater substrate. A heating device characterized by being locked to a heater substrate. 5. A heater including a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-like heater substrate; a support member for holding the heater; A heating device, comprising: a terminal having an electrically connected terminal; and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein the heater contact is provided on a longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate. 6. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor that receives supply of current, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-shaped heater substrate, a support member that holds the heater, and a heater that is in contact with the heater. A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven; a connector having a terminal in contact with the heater contact and electrically connected thereto; and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is heated with the film interposed therebetween. A heating device configured to transfer the material to be heated while being in close contact with the substrate, and to apply heat of the heater to the material to be heated, wherein the heater contact is provided on a longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate. 7. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor, which generates heat when energized, on a plate-like heater substrate; a support member for holding the heater; A connector having a terminal that is electrically connected and a housing that holds the terminal, wherein the housing is constantly pressed against the longitudinal end face of the heater substrate while the end face moves as the end face moves. A heating device characterized in that it can move in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. 8. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-shaped heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a heater in contact with the heater. A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven; a connector having a terminal in contact with the heater contact and electrically connected thereto; and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is heated with the film interposed therebetween. In a heating device configured to convey while being in close contact with, and apply heat of a heater to the material to be heated, the housing is constantly pressed against a longitudinal end surface of the heater substrate, and the longitudinal direction of the substrate accompanying the movement of the end surface is increased. A heating device characterized in that it can move in a direction. 9. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor, which generates heat when energized, on a plate-like heater substrate; a support member for holding the heater; A terminal having an electrically connected terminal and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein the terminal is constantly pressed against a longitudinal end face of the heater substrate, and as the end face moves, A heating device which is held so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. 10. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-like heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a heater in contact with the heater. A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven; a connector having a terminal in contact with the heater contact and electrically connected thereto; and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is heated with the film interposed therebetween. In a heating apparatus configured to apply heat of a heater to the material to be heated while being brought into close contact with the substrate, the terminal is constantly pressed against a longitudinal end face of the heater substrate, and the substrate is moved as the end face moves. A heating device, which is held so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction. 11. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor that generates heat by energization on a plate-like heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a contact member that contacts the heater contact. A connector having a terminal that is electrically connected and a housing that holds the terminal, wherein one end in the longitudinal direction of the heater substrate is fixed to the support member, and A heating device, wherein the heater contact is arranged at an end. 12. A heater having a heater contact, which is a conductor receiving electric current, and a resistor which generates heat by energization on a plate-shaped heater substrate, a support member for holding the heater, and a heater in contact with the heater. A heat-resistant thin film that is moved and driven; a connector having a terminal in contact with the heater contact and electrically connected thereto; and a connector having a housing for holding the terminal, wherein a material to be heated is heated with the film interposed therebetween. In a heating device configured to convey while being in close contact with, and to apply heat of a heater to the material to be heated, one end in the longitudinal direction of the heater substrate is fixed to the support member, and the end on the fixed side is fixed. A heating device, wherein the heater contact is disposed in the heating device. 13. The heater board is fitted into a fitting recess provided along a longitudinal direction of the support member,
13. The heating device according to claim 11, wherein one end face of the heater substrate in the longitudinal direction is fixed in a state where the end face abuts against the longitudinal end face of the concave portion. 14. The heating device according to claim 11, wherein the heater contacts are arranged in a concentrated manner at an end on the fixed side of the heater substrate. 15. The heating device according to claim 11, wherein the heater and the support member are fixed by bonding. 16. The heat-resistant thin film has an endless shape, is externally fitted to the heater supporting member including the heater, and is driven to rotate by being guided on the inner peripheral surface by the heater and the supporting member. Claims 2, 6,
The heating device according to 8, 10, or 12.