The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 20, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1997
Atsushi Ide, Nara, JP;
Kazumi Irie, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Yoritaka Tsubaki, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Masao Yamamoto, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Hideo Matsuda, Nara, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
Since the paper entry guide is disposed below and in close proximity to a fixing belt, the leading edge of recording paper can become wavy or curled when operated in a high temperature, high humidity environment or when printing on the reverse side of the paper in double-sided print mode, and this has lead to the problem that the leading edge of the recording paper after transfer is not properly inserted in the narrow spacing between the paper entry guide and the fixing belt, resulting in a recording paper jam. A fixing device comprises a fixing belt stretched around a heating roller with a heat source contained therein and a fixing roller, a pressing roller for pressing the fixing roller from below via the fixing belt, and a paper entry guide disposed below and in close proximity to the fixing belt and upstream of a nipping portion composed of the fixing belt and the pressing roller. The paper entry guide is pivotably supported on a fulcrum. A solenoid is provided at the upstream side of the paper entry guide, and a return spring is disposed above the paper entry guide. The solenoid, when in the ON state, pulls a plunger to its lowermost position against the spring force of the return spring, and thereby rotates the paper entry guide in the clockwise direction about the fulcrum to maintain spacing with respect to the fixing belt.