Method of increasing the working life of a heating element of a fixing device and associated fixing device

(19)

(11)

EP 0 658 827 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	28.05.1997 Bulletin 1997/22

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	21.06.1995 Bulletin 1995/25

(21)	Application number: 94309240.3

(22)	Date of filing: 12.12.1994

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: G03G 15/20

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB NL

(30)

Priority:

16.12.1993 IT TO930952

(71)	Applicant: OLIVETTI-CANON INDUSTRIALE S.p.A.
	I-10015 Ivrea (TO) (IT)

(72)	Inventors:
	Rosso, Luciano I-10154 Torino (IT) Saraceno, Antonio I-10129 Torino (IT)

(74)	Representative: Robson, Aidan John
	Reddie & Grose 16 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8PL London WC1X 8PL (GB)

(54)	Method of increasing the working life of a heating element of a fixing device and associated fixing device

(57) Heating element (20) for a device for fixing images developed by means of toner (25) on a support (12). The element is characterised by a protective layer (33) of wear-resistant material based on carbon particles deposited on the said heating element by means of growth by the vacuum deposition of carbon ions. The said protective layer also results in a reduced coefficient of friction between the said heating element and the film for conveying the said support across the said fixing unit, thereby increasing the working life of the said heating element.

Search report