HEATER LAMP

Abstract

 V-grooves (181, 182) are formed in the outer peripheries of sealing portions (151, 152) sealed by reducing the pressure in a heater lamp (11), and the heater lamp can be supported at the V-grooves by clampers that can perform both positioning and installation functions. The heater lamp (11) can be reliably installed by a simple structure that supports only the sealing portions (151, 152).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater lamp used for fusing a toner of a copy machine, a printer and the like, and more specifically it simplifies mounting of a heater lamp and realizes saving of the lamp mounting space.

Background Art

[0002] The heater lamp used for fusing in a copy machine of JP-A 2001-210454 (KOKAI)(Patent Reference 1) conventionally uses a sealing portion produced by a pinch sealing method, and the pinch sealing results in weak strength because of a small thickness of a structure. Therefore, there is employed a mounting method in which a ceramic base is mounted on the sealing portion and the ceramic base portion is supported by metallic clampers.

[0003] JP-A 9-320547 (KOKAI) (Patent Reference 2) has proposed a heater lamp using a sealing portion by reduced-pressure sealing instead of the sealing method of the pinch seal of the prior art 1.

[0004] The sealing portion formed by the pinch sealing method of the prior art 1 described above has a small thickness and poor strength in the sealing portion, so that the lamp is supported by fitting a ceramic base to the sealing portion and supporting the base cylindrical portion by clampers. Therefore, there was a disadvantage in view of space saving because of the necessity of the base itself and the base mounting work and also the necessity of a space for the base.

[0005] The prior art 2 describes only the heater lamp production method based on the reduced-pressure sealing and does not indicate the mounting of the lamp. But, it is presumed that the cylindrical part of the ceramic base at each end of the lamp is supported by a stainless steel clamper which has a cylindrical cut out, and had the same disadvantage as the prior art 1.

[0006] A tubular incandescent lamp which has an electrical resistance heating element housed in a radiant transparent bulb of JP-A 5-182644 (KOKAI)(Patent Reference 3) has a metallic foil connected to the electrical resistance heating element and an external lead rod to the metallic foil, the integrated parts fitted into the radiant transparent bulb, and the bulb exterior surface heated to melt by a heating burner to make pressure sealing by the right and left molds. A power supply portion for the lamp was generally used with a lead wire, a metallic terminal and the like electrically connected to the external lead rod by swaging, welding or the like in compliance with a style of a holding portion of a heating device, on which an infrared heater is mounted, such as a copy machine, a heater and the like.

[0007] The prior art 3 is hard to downsize the device because when the sealing method which performs pressure sealing by the molds is used, the sealing portion is poor in strength, it is hard to directly provide and hold the power supply portion on the sealing portion so as to secure the strength of the sealing portion, and a certain reinforcement is required to use as a heating device.

[0008] In addition, according to JP-A 2005-216734 (KOKAI)(Patent Reference 4), three or more rod-shaped heater lamps, which are respectively provided with a bulb having a pinch seal portion at either end, are arranged to extend in parallel to one another, and coupled at both ends with common coupling members. The plural heater lamps are arranged to form a regular polygon by plural virtual straight lines which connect the centers of the adjacent heater lamps and to have flat surfaces of the pinch seal portions of the individual heater lamps in parallel to the mutually different virtual straight lines, and to have a state that straight pipe shape portions other than the pinch seal portion of the bulb are mutually contacted or a state that the outer circumferential surfaces of the straight pipe shape portions of the adjacent heater lamps are close to each other to have a separate distance of 1 mm or less.

[0009] The prior art 4 seals either end of the lamp units by pinch sealing, so that the plural heater lamps are unitized to couple their both ends by the coupling member. But, since the flat portion of the pinch seal portion is equivalent to the diameter of the heater lamp, the coupling member needs a size of the outer circumference for bundling the plural pinch seal portions, and it has a disadvantage in view of downsizing of the lamp unit.

[Patent Reference 1] JP-A 2001-210454 (KOKAI)

[Patent Reference 2] JP-A 9-320547 (KOKAI)

[Patent Reference 3] JP-A 5-182644 (KOKAI)

[Patent Reference 4] JP-A 2005-216734 (KOKAI)

Disclosure of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides downsizing in a case of mounting single or plural heater lamps by applying a sealing portion which is based on reduced-pressure sealing to the heater lamps. The invention also contributes to downsizing of a heating device and an image forming device using the heating device by using the heater lamps which can be made compact.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] 

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a configuration view illustrating a first embodiment of a heater lamp of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a configuration view illustrating the essential part of Fig. 1 in an enlarged state.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a top view illustrating a first embodiment of a lamp mounting device of the present invention.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a configuration view illustrating a part of Fig. 3 in an enlarged state.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 3.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a configuration view illustrating a part of Fig. 5 in an enlarged partially cutaway state.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an essential part of Fig. 3.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a front view illustrating a state of Fig. 6 as viewed from the left side.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a top view illustrating a second embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a configuration view illustrating a part of Fig. 9 in an enlarged state.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a side view of Fig. 9.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a configuration view illustrating a part of Fig. 11 in an enlarged partially cutaway state.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an essential part of Fig. 9 in an enlarged state.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a front view illustrating Fig. 12 as viewed from the left side.

[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a front view illustrating a second embodiment of the heater lamp of the present invention.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a side view of Fig. 15.

[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of Fig. 15.

[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state of a main part of Fig. 15 before mounting.

[Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a state that the main part of Fig. 15 shown in Fig. 18 has been attached.

[Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a side view illustrating a third embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention.

[Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a side view of Fig. 20 as viewed from the left side.

[Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a schematic view of a state that power is fed to the heater lamp of Fig. 15.

[Fig. 23] Fig. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic structure of a third embodiment of the heater lamps of the present invention.

[Fig. 24] Fig. 24 is a side view showing the arranged state of Fig. 23 as viewed from a longitudinal direction.

[Fig. 25] Fig. 25 is a side view of a state that a coupling member is attached to Fig. 24.

[Fig. 26] Fig. 26 is an a-a' sectional view of Fig. 25 in a state that a shrunken portion is attached to one coupling member.

[Fig. 27] Fig. 27 is a front view of a state that Fig. 1 is assembled.

[Fig. 28] Fig. 28 is a side view of Fig. 27.

[Fig. 29] Fig. 29 is an explanatory view illustrating a heat generation pattern of a heater lamp.

[Fig. 30] Fig. 30 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic structure of a fourth embodiment of the heater lamps of the present invention.

[Fig. 31] Fig. 31 is a side view illustrating an arranged state of Fig. 30 as viewed from a longitudinal direction.

[Fig. 32] Fig. 32 is a side view of a state that a coupling member is attached to Fig. 30.

[Fig. 33] Fig. 33 is a side sectional view taken along line b-b' of Fig. 32.

[Fig. 34] Fig. 34 is an explanatory view illustrating a production method of a heater lamp which enables formation of a chipless reduced-pressure seal.

[Fig. 35] Fig. 35(a) is a c-c' sectional view of Fig. 34(e), and Fig. 35(b) is a d-d' sectional view of Fig. 34(e).

[Fig. 36] Fig. 36 is a perspective view of Fig. 34(e) showing a partially cutaway state.

[Fig. 37] Fig. 37(a) is an e-e' sectional view of Fig. 36, and Fig. 37(b) is an f-f' sectional view of Fig. 36.

[Fig. 38] Fig. 38 is a configuration view illustrating a state that a metallic foil is curved to surround an internal lead and a lead-in wire.

[Fig. 39] Fig. 39 is a g-g' sectional view of Fig. 38.

[Fig. 40] Fig. 40 is a configuration view illustrating a state that a metallic foil is connected by lap winding of an internal lead and a lead-in wire.

[Fig. 41] Fig. 41 is a side view of a mounted state of the lamp unit of Fig. 28 for illustration of a fourth embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention.

[Fig. 42] Fig. 42 is a front view of Fig. 41.

[Fig. 43] Fig. 43 is an enlarged view of an essential part of Fig. 42.

[Fig. 44] Fig. 44 is a perspective view of an essential part of Fig. 41.

[Fig. 45] Fig. 45 is a side view of Fig. 41 as viewed from the left side.

[Fig. 46] Fig. 46 is a front view showing an essential part in a magnified state for illustration of a fifth embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention.

[Fig. 47] Fig. 47 is a side view of Fig. 46.

[Fig. 48] Fig. 48 is an enlarged view of an essential part of Fig. 21 corresponding to Fig. 18 in a state that the coupling member is attached to Fig. 43.

[Fig. 49] Fig. 49 is an enlarged view of an essential part of Fig. 48 as viewed from the left side.

[Fig. 50] Fig. 50 is a schematic configuration view illustrating an embodiment of a toner fusing device of the present invention.

[Fig. 51] Fig. 51 is an explanatory view illustrating an embodiment of an image forming device of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[0012] The best mode of carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the accompanying drawings, like reference symbols refer to like or corresponding component parts.

[0013] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate the first embodiment of a heater lamp of the present invention, Fig. 1 is a configuration view, and Fig. 2 is a configuration view illustrating an enlarged state of the essential part of Fig. 1.

[0014] In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, 11 denotes a heater lamp which is a type of tubular incandescent lamp. The heater lamp 11 is often used for example as a heater for fusing and has a bulb 12 of quartz glass or the like having radiant transparency. A tungsten filament 13 which is an example of an electric resistance wire formed of a refractory metal is housed concentrically as a heat source in the bulb 12. The filament 13 is held in a concentric state with respect to the bulb 12 by an anchor 14 which is arranged in plural in the axial direction within the bulb 12. A required amount of halogen gas is included together with inert gas such as argon within the bulb 12. Sealing portions 151, 152 are formed by sealing in the axial direction of the bulb 12 by reduced-pressure sealing. Rectangular metallic foils 161, 162 formed of, for example, conductive molybdenum (Mo) having a similar expansion coefficient as the bulb 12 are buried in the sealing portions 151, 152, respectively.

[0015] The reduced-pressure sealing seals temporarily the lamp at portions other than the sealing portion and airtightly seals the molybdenum foil with the lamp interior including the sealing portion under reduced pressure. This sealing method improves the strength of the sealing portion because the quartz glass thickness is not deviated as in a case of the sealing method based on pinch sealing.

[0016] One end of the metallic foil 161 is connected to an internal lead 131 of the filament 13, and one end of the metallic foil 162 is connected to an internal lead 132 of the filament 13. The other end of the metallic foil 161 is connected to a lead-in wire 171 for supplying electric power, and the other end of the metallic foil 162 is connected to a lead-in wire 172 for supplying electric power.

[0017] V-grooves 181, 182 for mounting the heater lamp 11 are formed on the outer circumferences of the sealing portions 151, 152 respectively. The V-grooves 181, 182 are formed at the time of forming the sealing portions 151, 152.

[0018] The V-grooves 181, 182 are formed at the both end sealing portions 151, 152 but one of them may be sufficient.

[0019] In this embodiment, since the V-grooves 181, 182 for mounting are previously formed to be integral with the sealing portions 151, 152 of the heater lamp 11, it becomes easy to mount the heater lamp 11.

[0020] Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 illustrate the first embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a top view, Fig. 4 is a top view showing a part of Fig. 3 in an enlarged state, Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 3, Fig. 6 is a top view showing a part of Fig. 5 in an enlarged state, Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the essential part of Fig. 3, and Fig. 8 is a front view of Fig. 3 as viewed from the left side.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 6, this embodiment attaches clampers 31, 32 having elasticity formed of, for example, stainless steel to the V-grooves 181, 182, which are formed at the sealing portions 151, 152 of the heater lamp 11, to attach to mounting portions 34, 35 formed on a chassis 33 (see Fig. 5).

[0022] As shown in Fig. 7, the clampers 31, 32 each are comprised of an engaging portion 71 for engagement with the V-grooves 181, 182 which are formed at the sealing portions 151, 152 and fitting portions 721, 722 to be fitted to the mounting portions 34, 35. The fitting portions 721, 722 are biased in directions F1, F2 with the V-grooves 181, 182 of the sealing portions 151, 152 engaged with the engaging portions 71 of the clampers 31, 32, so that the engaging portion 71 is biased in the directions F3, F4 to securely support the V-grooves 181, 182. As shown in Fig. 4, the state that the fitting portions 721, 722 are biased in the directions of arrows is held by the mounting portions 34, 35 to support the clampers 31, 32.

[0023] According to this embodiment, a size of a fusing heat roller can be decreased substantially by directly supporting the reduced-pressure sealing portion by the clampers, and substantial downsizing of the fusing roller can be realized as a result.

[0024] The V-grooves 181, 182 which are formed at the sealing portions 151, 152 are not required to be provided at both portions, and it is sufficient if the clamper can be engaged with the V-groove which is formed on at least one of the sealing portions.

[0025] In such a case, the sealing portion at which the V-groove is not formed may have, for example, the clamper at a desired position of the sealing portion. Similar to the case of forming the V-grooves 181, 182 at both of the sealing portions, securely positioned mounting can be realized by a simple working process. Since the sealing portion at which the V-groove is not formed does not generate a stress against the clamper by thermal expansion, the bulb can be prevented from being broken.

[0026] The engaging portion 71 of the clampers 31, 32 attaches the heater lamp 11 by biasing in the directions F3, F4 by biasing the fitting portions 721, 722 in the directions F1, F2, but it may be configured to engage with the V-groove by previously decreasing the engaging portion 71 in size and expanding in the directions opposite to F3, F4 of Fig. 7.

[0027] The V-grooves were formed in the embodiment of the lamp mounting device described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6, but since the engaging portion 71 of the clamper is biased in the directions F3, F4 to mount the clamper in a state biased in the directions F1, F2 to the mounting portion, the V-grooves are not essential when the biasing force is utilized.

[0028] In such a case, the securely positioned mounting can be realized by a simple working process and a stress is not generated against the clamper by thermal expansion, so that the bulb can be prevented from being broken.

[0029] Fig. 9 to Fig. 14 illustrate a second embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention, Fig. 9 is a top view, Fig. 10 is a top view showing a part of Fig. 9 in an enlarged state, Fig. 11 is a side view of Fig. 9, Fig. 12 is a top view showing a part of Fig. 11 in an enlarged state, Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of Fig. 9, and Fig. 14 is a front view of Fig. 9 as viewed from the left side.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 9 to Fig. 14, this embodiment eliminates the V-grooves 181, 182 formed in the above-described embodiment, and attaches to the mounting portions 34, 35 formed on the chassis 33 or the like by means of clampers 91, 92 having elasticity formed of, for example, stainless steel.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 13, the clampers 91, 92 are comprised of an engaging portion 93 for engagement of either end of the bulb 12 in the longitudinal direction and fitting portions 941, 942 which are attached to the mounting portions 34, 35. The engaging portion 93 of the clampers 91, 92 are in a state biased to, for example, the sealing portions 151, 152 and boundaries 121, 122 of the bulb 12 in directions F1, Fr (see Fig. 11), and the fitting portions 941, 942 are biased in the directions F1, F2, so that the engaging portion 93 is biased in the directions F3, F4 to securely support the heater lamp 11. As show in Fig. 10, the clampers 31, 32 are attached by biasing the fitting portions 941, 942 in directions of arrows and by holding the clampers 31, 32 by the mounting portions 34, 35.

[0032] Thus, the heater lamp 11 can be attached in a securely positioned state by a simple structure and working process. The clampers 31, 32 can be formed inside of the end of each of the sealing portions 151, 152 of the heater lamp 11 and contributes to further space saving.

[0033] The number of the heater lamp 11 attached to the clampers 91, 92 is not limited to one, and the shape of the clampers 91, 92 may be changed to hold two or more heater lamps.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the side where the V-groove is not formed may have a metal fitting welded to a lead-in wire to attach the metal fitting to the mounting portion. The clamper is not limited to the mounting of the sealing portion of one heater lamp, but it is also possible to mount two or more clampers by changing the shape.

[0035] Fig. 15 to Fig. 17 illustrate a second embodiment of the heater lamp of the present invention, Fig. 15 is a front view, Fig. 16 is a side view, and Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the essential part of Fig. 15.

[0036] In this embodiment, conductive caps 191, 192 formed of such as stainless steel are attached to the sealing portions 151, 152, and the cap 191 and a lead-in wire 171 as well as the cap 192 and the lead-in wire 172 are electrically connected respectively.

[0037] The caps 191, 192 are cylindrical and have bottoms 201, 202 (see Fig. 17, Fig. 18), and through holes 211, 212 where the lead-in wires 171, 172 can be passed through are formed in the bottoms 201, 202. Numerals 221, 222 denote L-shaped metal fittings which are positioned at the through holes 211, 212 and have engagement holes 231, 232 formed in one side where the lead-in wires 171, 172 are passed through. The metal fittings 221, 222 are fixed to the outsides of the bottoms 201, 202 of the caps 191, 192 by, for example, welding.

[0038] To describe a method of fitting the caps 191, 192 to the sealing portions 151, 152 with reference to Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, fitting of the cap 191 to the sealing portion 151 is described below. The cap 192 is fitted to the sealing portion 152 in the same manner, so that its description is omitted.

[0039] Specifically, the metal fitting 221 which has the engagement hole 231 previously aligned with the through hole 211 is fixed to the outside of the bottom 201 of the cap 191 by welding. The sealing portion 151 is inserted from the open side of the cap 191 to which the metal fitting 221 is attached. Through the process, the lead-in wire 171 is passed through the through hole 211 and the engagement hole 231 to insert the sealing portion 151 to reach the bottom 201 of the cap 191. The inserted lead-in wire 171 is fixed to one side of the metal fitting 221 by, for example, welding.

[0040] The heater lamp 11 configured as described above can be made to emit light by feeding power to the caps 191, 192.

[0041] In this embodiment, since the conductive caps are fitted to the sealing portions which are firmly sealed by the reduced-pressure sealing method, the strength can be further enhanced by the caps. And, since the cap and the power supply portion are formed of the same member, it contributes to the realization of downsizing.

[0042] Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 illustrate a third embodiment of a lamp mounting device of the present invention, Fig. 20 is a side view, and Fig. 21 is a side view of Fig. 20 as viewed from the left side.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, this embodiment supports electrically and mechanically the caps 191, 192, which are fitted to the sealing portions 151, 152 of the above-described heater lamp 11 and electrically connected to the lead-in wires 171, 172, by means of clampers 2011, 2012 having elasticity formed of, for example, stainless steel and attaches to mounting portions 2014, 2015 which are formed on a chassis 2013 formed of, for example, a synthetic resin (see Fig. 21). The clampers 2011, 2012 are engaged with the caps 191, 192 to support the heater lamp 11. The clampers 2011, 2012 are connected to one end of the lead wire whose other end is connected to the power source.

[0044] For description of the clampers 2011, 2012, the clamper 2011 is described because the clampers 2011, 2012 have the same structure with reference to Fig. 21 showing an enlarged state of the heater lamp 11 viewed in a longitudinal direction from the side that the clamper 2011 is attached.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 21, the clamper 2011 is comprised of an engaging portion 2016 which is elastic and in a state of biasing in directions indicated by arrows F4, F5, fitting portions 2019, 2020 which are fitted to engaging portions 2017, 2018 of the mounting portion 2014, and legs 2021, 2022 which are biased in directions F6, F7 to always repel from each other.

[0046] Attachment of the heater lamp 11 to the clampers 2011, 2012 is described below. First, the clampers 2011, 2012 are attached to the chassis 2013 by fitting to the mounting portions 2014, 65 against the biasing force of the legs indicated by arrows F6, F7.

[0047] Then, the caps 191, 192 of the heater lamp 11 are contacted to the engaging portion 2016 of the clampers 2011, 2012 to open in directions opposite to those indicated by the arrows F4, F5 against the biasing force of the engaging portion 2016 biased in the directions indicated by the arrows F4, F5 and held by the engaging portion 2016.

[0048] Thus, the heater lamp 11 can be attached electrically and mechanically to the clampers 2011, 2012 which are previously mounted on the chassis 2013. After the clampers 2011, 2012 are attached to the caps 191, 192, the clampers 2011, 2012 may be attached to the chassis 2013.

[0049] Fig. 22 is a schematic view showing a state that power is fed to the heater lamp 11. When power is fed from the power source via the clampers 2011, 2012, it is fed to the heater lamp 11 via the caps 191, 192 to turn on it.

[0050] Depending on the shapes of the clampers 2011, 2012 devised, the caps 191, 192 of the heater lamp 11 can be fitted by an operation of press fitting from the open sides of the clampers 2011, 2012 previously fixed to the chassis 2013.

[0051] According to the embodiment, the reduced-pressure sealing portion of the conductive cap is directly supported by the conductive clamper to which electric power is supplied, so that the strength of the reduced-pressure sealing portions having high strength can be further enhanced by the caps, and since the caps and the power supply portion are formed of the same member, a wiring process and the like become simple, enabling to contribute to space saving.

[0052] In a case where the heater lamp is used for fusing, it is necessary to arrange a heat distribution at a proper position with respect to the heat roller in order to maintain a uniform temperature distribution of the heat roller. In this embodiment, the sealing portions of a halogen heater can realize positioning by the clampers to obtain a desired heat distribution.

[0053] As to the number of the heater lamps 11 attached to the clampers 2011, 2012, in addition to the attachment of the sealing portion of a single heater lamp, two or more heater lamps can also be attached by changing the shape.

[0054] In this embodiment, the conductive caps are provided to the both end sealing portions, but it may be configured to provide one of the sealing portions with the conductive cap which is electrically connected to the lead-in wire. The other end not provided with the conductive cap may be provided with a ceramic cap, from which a lead wire having its one end connected to the lead-in wire may be extended. When the cap is ceramic, the clamper may be formed of metal or a synthetic resin.

[0055] Fig. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic structure of a third embodiment of the heater lamps of the present invention, and Fig. 24 is a side view showing an arranged state of the heater lamps of Fig. 23 as viewed in a longitudinal direction.

[0056] In Fig. 23, a lamp unit 100 is configured with rod-shape heater lamps 11a, 11b having an outer diameter of about 6 to 15 mm arranged to extend in parallel to each other, and both ends of the heater lamps 11a, 11b coupled and held by common coupling members 2311, 2312 which are formed of a heat-resistant insulating material.

[0057] The heater lamps 11a, 11b have bulbs 12a, 12b which have a substantially straight tube shape as a whole with the shrunken sealing portions 151, 152 which seal by reduced-pressure sealing formed at either end. The bulb 12a has therein a filament 13a provided to extend in the tube axis direction of the bulb 12a, and an inert gas and halogen gas are encapsulated in a required encapsulated amount. The bulb 12b has therein filaments 13b, 13c provided in a series-connected state to extend in the tube axis direction of the bulb 12b and inert gas and halogen gas encapsulated in a required encapsulated amount.

[0058] Both ends of the filament 13a are connected to lead-in wires 171, 172 which are extended to protrude from the end surfaces of the sealing portions 151, 152 via metallic foils 161, 162 formed of, for example, molybdenum which are buried in the sealing portions 151, 152 by airtight sealing.

[0059] Both ends of the series-connected filaments 13b, 13c are connected to the lead-in wires 171, 172 which are extended to protrude from the end surfaces of the sealing portions 151, 152 via the metallic foils 161, 162 formed of, for example, molybdenum which are buried in the sealing portions 151, 152 by airtight sealing.

[0060] The coupling member 2311 is formed to have bearing holes 2313, 2314 having a large diameter in which the sealing portions 151, 151 of the heater lamps 11a, 11b are inserted and bearing holes 2315, 2316 having a small diameter in which the lead-in wires 171, 171 are inserted. The coupling member 2312 is formed to have bearing holes 2317, 2318 having a large diameter in which the sealing portions 152, 152 are inserted and bearing holes 2319, 2320 having a small diameter in which the lead-in wire 172, 172 are inserted. And, the coupling members 2311, 2312 are formed integral with support portions 2321, 2322.

[0061] Thus, the sealing portions 151, 151 of the heater lamps 11a 11b are fixed by inserting into the coupling member 2311, and the sealing portions 152, 152 of the heater lamp 11a, 11b are fixed by inserting into the coupling member 2312 to configure the lamp unit 100.

[0062] The lead-in wires 171, 172 each are connected to one ends of unshown lead wires, and electric power is supplied to the other ends to turn on the heater lamps 11a, 11b.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 24, the heater lamps 11a, 11b are provided with chips 241, 242 which are a remaining part of an exhaust gas introduction pipe protruded about 1 to 5 mm from the outer circumferential surfaces of the bulbs 12a, 12b, and to configure the lamp unit 100 as a small type, it is necessary to consider the arranged positions of the chips 241, 242 in the circumferential direction of the bulbs 12a, 12b.

[0064] An arranged position example of the chips 241, 242 is described below. The chips 241, 242 of the heater lamps 11a, 11b are preferably arranged to be close to the other bulb so as to fall within a circumscribed circle Ca of the bulbs 12a, 12b though variable depending on the chip size. Thus, the chips 241, 242 do not interfere with the adjacent heater lamps, the chips 241, 242 can decrease the protruded amount of the bulbs 12a, 12b to the circumscribed circle Ca as much as possible, and it becomes possible to downsize the lamp unit 100. Since the sealing portion is undergone the reduced-pressure sealing, it is not affected by the positions of the chips 241, 242, and the degree of freedom of position change in the circumferential direction can be improved.

[0065] Fig. 25 is a side view showing a state of the coupling member 2312 attached to the heater lamps 11a, 11b viewed from the same direction as in Fig. 24, and Fig. 26 is an a-a' sectional view of Fig. 25 showing a state that the sealing portions 152 of the heater lamps 11a, 11b are attached to the coupling member 2312.

[0066] Since the circumscribed circle Cb of the sealing portions 152 of the heater lamp 11a, 11b can be made smaller than the circumscribed circle Ca of the bulb 12a, 12b, the coupling member 2312 can be made to have a size falling in the circumscribed circle Ca.

[0067] Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 show the lamp unit 100 which is configured by attaching the coupling members 2311, 2312 to the heater lamps 11a, 11b, Fig. 27 shows a front view, and Fig. 28 shows a side view of Fig. 27.

[0068] It is apparent from Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 that the coupling members 2311, 2312 usable have a length smaller than the length of two heater lamps 11a, 11b arranged in parallel and a height smaller than that of a single heater lamp, the coupling members 2311, 2312 can be made compact, and the lamp unit 100 as a whole can be made compact as a result.

[0069] The heater lamps 11a, 11b are determined to have a different heat generation pattern (heat generation area). For example, the heater lamp 11a has the filament 13a at the center of the bulb 12a as shown in Fig. 29(a), and the heater lamp 11b has the filaments 13b, 13c determined to have a heat generation area at both ends of the bulb 12b as shown in Fig. 29(b). For example, the heater lamp 11a is determined to be a fusing heater lamp for an A4-size recording material, and Fig. 29(c), in that the heater lamps 11a, 11b are combined, functions as a fusing heater lamp for an A3-size recording material for example.

[0070] In this embodiment, the heater lamps 11a, 11b can be arranged in a mutually contacted or very closely approached state. A member for coupling the heater lamps 11a, 11b can be made smaller than the circumscribed circle of the heater lamps 11a, 11b and contributes to downsizing of the lamp unit 100. And, since the heater lamps 11a, 11b are sealed by reduced-pressure sealing, the degree of freedom of chip positions in the circumferential direction of the heater lamps 11a, 11b which are arranged in a mutually contacted or very closely approached state is also improved.

[0071] Fig. 30 to Fig. 32 illustrate a fourth embodiment of three heater lamps of the present invention, Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a schematic structure, Fig. 31 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 24, and Fig. 32 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 25.

[0072] In Fig. 30, a third heater lamp 11c has a bulb 12c which has a substantially straight tube shape as a whole with sealing portions 151, 152 which seal by reduced-pressure sealing formed at either end. The bulb 12c has therein a filament 13d having a length which is substantially equivalent to a total length of filaments 13a, 13b, 13c of heater lamps 11a, 11b provided to extend along the tube axis direction of the bulb 12c, and a required inert gas and halogen gas encapsulated in a required encapsulated amount. A chip 243 which is a remaining part of an exhaust gas introduction pipe protruded by about 1 to 5 mm is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the bulb 12c.

[0073] Both ends of the filament 13d are connected to the lead-in wires 171, 172 which are extended to protrude from the end surfaces of the sealing portions 151, 152 via the conductive foils 161, 162 formed of, for example, molybdenum which are buried in the sealing portions 151, 152 by airtight sealing.

[0074] A coupling member 3011 is formed to have bearing holes 3012 to 3014 having a large diameter in which the sealing portions 151 of the heater lamps 11a to 11c are inserted and bearing holes 3015 to 3017 having a small diameter in which the lead-in wires 171 are inserted.

[0075] A coupling member 3021 is formed to have bearing holes 3022 to 3024 having a large diameter in which the sealing portions 152 of the heater lamps 11a to 11c are inserted and bearing holes 3025 to 3027 having a small diameter in which the lead-in wires 172 are inserted. And, the coupling members 3011, 3021 are formed integral with support portions 2321, 2322.

[0076] Thus, the sealing portions 151 of the three heater lamps 11a to 11c are fixed by inserting into the coupling member 3011 and the sealing portions 152 are fixed by inserting into the coupling member 3021 to configure the lamp unit 100.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 31, the heater lamps 11a to 11c are provided with chips 241 to 243 which are a remaining part of an exhaust gas introduction pipe, and to configure the lamp unit 100 as a small type, it is necessary to consider the arranged positions of the chips 241 to 243 in the circumferential direction of the bulbs 12a to 12c.

[0078] An arranged position example of the chips 241 to 243 is described below. The chips 241 to 243 of the heater lamps 11a to 11c are preferably arranged to have the bulbs 12a to 12c being close to one another so as to fall within a circumscribed circle Ca of the bulbs 12a to 12c though variable depending on the chip size. Thus, the chips 241 to 243 do not interfere with the adjacent heater lamps, the chips 241 to 243 do not protrude from the circumscribed circle Ca of the bulbs 12a to 12c, or even if they do, the protruded amount can be decreased as much as possible, and it becomes possible to downsize the lamp unit. Since the sealing portion is undergone the reduced-pressure sealing, the influence from the positions of the chips 241 to 243 can be decreased as much as possible, and the degree of freedom of position change in the circumferential direction can be improved.

[0079] Fig. 32 shows a state that the sealing portions 152 of the heater lamps 11a to 11c are attached to a coupling member 2032.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 32, it can be determined that a width x of the coupling member 3021 is smaller than a diameter y of the circumscribed circle Ca of the bulbs 12a to 12c, and a width z of the coupling member 2312 is smaller than the diameter y of the circumscribed circle Ca of the bulbs 12a to 12c.

[0081] Thus, since the circumscribed circle Cb of the sealing portions 152 can be made smaller than the circumscribed circle Ca of the bulbs 12a to 12c, the coupling member 3021 can be realized to fall in the circumscribed circle Ca. The other coupling member 3011 and the sealing portion 151 are also attached by the same manner.

[0082] The heater lamps 11a to 11c have a different heat generation pattern from one another. For example, the heater lamp 11a is configured so that the heater lamp 11b has the filament 13a at the center of the bulb 12a and the filaments 13b, 13c have the heat generation area at either end of the bulb 12b. The heater lamp 11a functions as, for example, a fusing heater lamp for an A4-size recording material, and the heater lamps 11a, 11b function as, for example, a fusing heater lamp for an A3-size recording material. The heater lamp 11c is used for provision of remaining heat (standby) whose heating value is low.

[0083] Fig. 33 is a side sectional view as viewed from a b-b' sectional direction of Fig. 32, and it is apparent from Fig. 33 that the width x of the coupling member 3021 (3011) is within y equivalent to the diameter of the circumscribed circle Ca of the coupled bulbs 12b, 12c.

[0084] In this embodiment, constraint due to the sealing portions can be suppressed as much as possible, and the heater lamps 11a to 11c can be arranged in a mutually contacted state or very closely approached state. The coupling members 3011, 3021 for coupling the heater lamps 11a to 11c can be made smaller than the circumscribed circle Ca of the heater lamps 11a to 11c and contribute to downsizing of the lamp unit 100. And, since the heater lamps 11a to 11c are sealed by reduced-pressure sealing, the degree of freedom of chip positions in the circumferential direction of the heater lamps 11a to 11c which are arranged in a mutually contacted or very closely approached state is also improved, and workability of attaching the coupling members 3011, 3021 can also be improved.

[0085] Here, it is possible to perform reduced-pressure sealing without involving the formation of a chip. In a case where a chipless heater lamp is used, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of considering the direction of attachment of the heater lamp to the coupling member. Thus, the workability of attaching the heater lamp to the coupling member can be improved.

[0086] A heater lamp production method enabling to form the chipless reduced-pressure sealing is described below with reference to Fig. 34.

[0087] First, Fig. 34(a) shows that internal leads 131, 132, metallic foils 161, 162 and lead-in wires 171, 172 which are in a state connected in series to either end of the filament 13. One end of the filament 13 and portions where the internal lead 131, the metallic foil 161 and the lead-in wire 171 are connected in series and the other end of the filament 13 and portions where the internal lead 132, the metallic foil 162 and the lead-in wire 172 are connected in series are connected by, for example, spot welding respectively. And, the internal leads 131, 132 may be configured by linearly expanding the ends of the filament 13.

[0088] In Fig. 34(b), the filament 13 and the like integrated by connecting in series in (a) are housed in the bulb 12.

[0089] In Fig. 34(c), a cap 3411 is attached to one end of the bulb 12 configured in the state of Fig. 34(b). At this time, the lead-in wire 172 is also attached to the cap 3411. And, the cap 3411 is held at the top side state, a burner 3412 using a gas is contacted to the bulb 12 whose inside, where the metallic foil 161 is positioned, is in a pressure-reduced state from its outside to melt the bulb 12 to integrate the bulb 12 and the metallic foil 161 into one body according to the action of the own weight of the portion below the portion to which the burner 3412 is contacted so as to form the sealing portion 151.

[0090] Here, temporary joint of the lead-in wire 172 is attached by the cap 3411, but it may be configured to form an anchor on the lead-in wire and to support the anchor within the bulb 12. Similarly, the lead-in wire 171 can also be temporarily joined.

[0091] In Fig. 34(d), a burner 3413 using a gas is similarly contacted from the outside to the bulb 12 whose inside, where the metallic foil 162 is positioned, is in a pressure-reduced state to melt the bulb 12 to integrate the bulb 12 and the metallic foil 162 into one body according to the action of the own weight of the portion below the portion to which the burner 3413 is contacted so as to form the sealing portion 152.

[0092] Last, in Fig. 34(e), both open sides of the bulb 12 are cut off by means of, for example, a laser or the like to remain the sealing portions 151, 152, and the lead-in wires 171, 172 having an appropriate length are also cut off.

[0093] Through the above process, it becomes possible to form the chipless heater lamp.

[0094] The processes of Figs. 34(c), (d) can involve a process of operating the burners 3412, 3413 at the same time. In such a case, time for sealing can be decreased, and it is expected to improve the mass-production effect.

[0095] The chip protruded by about 1 to 5 mm at the remaining part of the exhaust introduction pipe generated when the gas is encapsulated into the bulb 12 can also be eliminated by conducting from the open end of the bulb 12. In such a case, transportability can also be improved because there is no chip which becomes an obstacle at the time of transporting a large number of heater lamps.

[0096] The metallic foils 161, 162 illustrated in Fig. 34 are previously formed to have a curve in the longitudinal direction. A state that the curved metallic foil 161 is sealed by the sealing portion 151 is shown in Fig. 35 (a) as a c-c' cross section of Fig. 34(e), and Fig. 35(b) as a d-d' cross section.

[0097] Thus, since the metallic foils 161, 162 are curved, the reduced-pressure sealing portions 151, 152 can be decreased to have a small diameter, the metallic foil width in the sealing portions can be substantially increased to have a large cross sectional area, and the metallic foil temperature can be suppressed from increasing.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 35(b), the lead-in wire is deviated from the center of the sealing portion because the metallic foil is curved and the sealing portion is decreased in its diameter. Fig. 36 and Fig. 37 show that the lead-in wire is externally extended from the center of the sealing portion while the metallic foil is curved and the sealing portion is formed to have a small diameter.

[0099] Fig. 36 is a perspective view showing a partial cutaway state of Fig. 34 (e) as viewed from the side of the sealing portion 152, Fig. 37(a) shows an e-e' cross section of Fig. 36, and Fig. 37(b) shows an f-f' cross section of Fig. 36.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 36, correction sections 361, 362 where the internal lead 132 and the lead-in wire 172 which are connected to the metallic foil 162 are partially deformed are formed. The correction sections 361, 362 allow the connection of the metallic foil 162 which is at the deviated position to the internal lead 132 and the lead-in wire 172 which are at the center position. The correction sections 361, 362 can be realized by merely bending the internal lead 132 and the lead-in wire 172.

[0101] As a result, the lead-in wire 172 at the connected portion of the metallic foil 162 and the lead-in wire 172 is deviated from the sealing portion 152 as shown in Fig. 37(a), and the lead-in wire 172 at the connected portion of the metallic foil 152 and the lead-in wire 172 near the f-f' cross section of Fig. 36 is positioned substantially at the center with respect to the sealing portion 152 as shown in Fig. 37(b).

[0102] Thus, the internal lead 132 and the lead-in wire 172 are positioned at the center of the sealing portion 152 at a portion other than the portion connected to the metallic foil 162, so that the mechanical strength can be equalized, and constraint of attaching can be eased.

[0103] Fig. 38 shows a metallic foil 1621 which is curved to surround the internal lead 132 and the lead-in wire 172 therein, and Fig. 39 is a g-g' sectional view of Fig. 38.

[0104] In this case, since the metallic foil 1621 is configured to have a contour similar to the internal lead 132 and the lead-in wire 172, namely a circular shape, the appearance shape of the sealing portion 152 formed of glass becomes more similar to a cylindrical shape, and it is advantageous in view of dimensional control or the like when the sealing portion is used to fix the incandescent lamp.

[0105] Fig. 40 shows that a metallic foil 1622 is connected to the internal lead 132 and the lead-in wire 172 by lap winding.

[0106] In such a case, if the thickness is same as in Fig. 38 and Fig. 39, it can be made larger than a cross sectional area of the metallic foil 1621. Therefore, a current capacity flowable can be increased, and the metallic foil 1622 becomes more advantageous on the point that the temperature increase is suppressed.

[0107] Fig. 41 to Fig. 45 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention, Fig. 41 is a side view showing the attachment of the lamp unit 100 of Fig. 28, Fig. 42 is a front view of Fig. 16, Fig. 43 is an enlarged view of the essential part of Fig. 42, Fig. 44 is a perspective view of the essential part, and Fig. 45 is a side view of Fig. 41 as viewed from the left side.

[0108] In Fig. 41 to Fig. 43, the lamp unit 100 has the support portions 2321, 2322, which are formed integral with the coupling members 2311, 2312, attached to the mounting portions 34, 35 formed on the chassis 33 by means of the clampers 91, 92 formed of, for example, stainless steel having elasticity.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 44, the clampers 91, 92 are comprised of an engaging portion 441, which is engaged with the support portions 2321, 2322, and the fitting portions 941, 942 which are attached to the mounting portions 34, 35.

[0110] When the fitting portions 941, 942 are biased in directions F1, F2 with the support portions 2321, 2322 engaged with the engaging portion 441 of the clampers 91, 92, the engaging portion 441 is biased in the directions F3, F4. As shown in Fig. 45, the engaging portion 441 securely supports the support portions 2321, 2322 by the energizing force in the directions F3, F4.

[0111] The clampers 91, 92 can be securely supported by the mounting portions 34, 35 by using the force of biasing the fitting portions 941, 942 in the directions of arrows as shown in Fig. 43.

[0112] According to the embodiment, the coupling member having a size falling within the circumscribed circle of the plural heater lamps is used for coupling, and the coupling member is supported by the mounting portion by means of the clampers to attach the lamp unit. Therefore, the coupling member can be downsized and can be supported by the simple structure clampers, so that the system as a whole can be made compact.

[0113] As to the coupling members in the individual embodiments of the lamp unit of the present invention described above, coupling by the coupling members having a size falling in the circumscribed circle of the plural heater lamps has been described, but the chips or the coupling members might become larger than the circumscribed circle depending on the size of the heater lamp, the size of the chip or the like. In such a case, the coupling members can be made compact by a combination with the plural heater lamps with the sealing portion provided by shrink sealing.

[0114] In addition, the clampers are used to attach the coupling members to the chassis, but the chassis may be provided with the function of the clampers. In such a case, the number of parts is decreased, so that the space saving can be made accordingly, contributing to downsizing to some extent.

[0115] Fig. 46 to Fig. 49 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the lamp mounting device of the present invention, Fig. 46 is a front view showing an essential part in an enlarged state, Fig. 47 is a side view of Fig. 46, Fig. 48 is an essential part enlarged view equivalent to Fig. 43, and Fig. 49 is an enlarged view of the essential part of Fig. 48 as viewed from the left side. The individual figures show the attachment of one of the coupling members only.

[0116] In the embodiment, a V-groove 461 which becomes an engaging portion of the clamper is formed in the outer circumference of the support portion 2321 formed integral with the coupling member 2311 as shown in Fig. 46 and Fig. 47. The V-groove 461 is integrally formed when the support portion 2321 is formed.

[0117] Accordingly, the fitting portions 941, 942 are biased in directions F1, F2 with the engaging portion 441 of the clamper 91 in a state engaged with the V-groove 461 formed in the support portion 2321 as shown in Fig. 44. Thus, the clamper 91 biases the engaging portion 441 in directions F3, F4 to press contact the V-groove 461 thereby supporting securely. The clamper 91 can securely support by the mounting portions 34, 35 by utilizing a return force in the directions of arrows of the biased fitting portions 941, 942 as shown in Fig. 48.

[0118] In this embodiment, since the engaging portion 441 of the clamper 91 is engaged with the V-groove 461 of the support portion 2321, the heater lamp can be prevented from being deviated in the longitudinal direction in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment.

[0119] The V-groove 461 is not necessarily required to be formed at both support portions, and the clamper may be engaged with the V-groove formed in at least one of them. At the support portion where the V-groove is not formed, the clamper may be attached to a desired position of the support portion. Similar to the case that the V-groove is formed at both of the support portions, securely positioned attachment can be made by a simple working process. The V-groove is not essential but it may be a U-shaped groove or a protrusion. The point is, it may be any type if the heater lamp can be prevented from deviating in the longitudinal direction or alignment can be made.

[0120] The lamp mounting device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It may also be configured such that the clampers 91, 92 are previously biased in the directions indicated by the arrows Fl, Fr shown in Fig. 41 so as to directly push the coupling members 2311, 2312. Thus, the heater lamp can be prevented from deviating in the longitudinal direction similar to the case that the V-grooves are provided.

[0121] Fig. 50 is a schematic configuration view illustrating an embodiment of the heating device of the present invention which fuses a toner of a copy machine or the like by using the lamp mounting device of the heater lamp described with reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4.

[0122] Reference numeral 501 denotes a heating roller configuring a heating device 200, the heating roller 501 has a tubular body formed of a material such as aluminum, iron or the like, and its surface is coated with a coating material 502 such as silicone rubber, Teflon (registered trademark) or the like. Reference numeral 503 denotes a pressure roller which is freely rotated by a rotating shaft 504 and has a tubular body formed of a material such as aluminum, iron or the like. And, its surface is provided with a heat resistant elastic material such as silicone rubber 505.

[0123] The heater lamp 11 is supported by an unshown bracket so as to be arranged on a substantially central axis of the heating roller 501. When it is connected to an unshown power source and energized, the filament 13 of the heater lamp 11 is caused to generate heat, and the heating roller 501 is heated.

[0124] When a copying paper P on which toner T1 is transferred in a prescribed distributed state from an unshown transfer drum or the like is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow, it is delivered between the heated heating roller 501 and the pressure roller 503, the copying paper P and the toner T1 coated in the previous step are heated, and the heated toner T2 is fused and fixed on the copying paper P as prescribed characters, patterns and the like.

[0125] In the embodiment, the tubular incandescent lamp which is realized to have the sealing portion with a small diameter is used, so that the structure of mounting the tubular incandescent lamp can be downsized. And, the metallic foil of the sealing portion can also be made to have a large cross sectional area, and the heat resistance temperature of the metallic foil can be secured.

[0126] The pressure roller 503 may also be a heating roller similar to the heating roller 501.

[0127] As an example, the heating device of the present invention is mounted in a copy machine, and the image forming device of the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 51. In the figure, the section of the heating device 200 is the one shown in Fig. 50.

[0128] In Fig. 51, 511 denotes a housing of a copy machine 300, and 512 denotes a platen which is formed of a transparent member such as glass, provided on the top surface of the housing 511 and reciprocally moved in directions of arrow Y to scan an original P1.

[0129] Within the housing 511, a lighting device 512 which is comprised of a lighting lamp and a reflecting mirror is provided at an upper part, and a reflected light source from the original P1 illuminated by the lighting device 512 is slit exposed onto a photoconductive drum 514 by a short-focus small-diameter imaging element array 513. This photoconductive drum 514 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0130] And, 515 is a charger which charges uniformly the photoconductive drum 514 on which, for example, a zinc oxide photosensitive layer or an organic semiconductor photosensitive layer is coated. Light is exposed to the photoconductive drum 514 charged by the charger 515 by the imaging element array 513 to form an electrostatic image. This electrostatic image is visualized with the toner which is formed of a resin or the like softened and fused by heating by a developing device 516.

[0131] A copy paper P in a cassette 517 is fed onto the photoconductive drum 514 by a pair of carrier rollers 519 which are rotated in vertically press contact in synchronization with a feed roller 518 and the image on the photoconductive drum 514. And, the toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 514 is transferred onto the copy paper P by a transfer charger 520.

[0132] Then, the paper P separated from the photoconductive drum 514 is guided to the heating device 300 by a carrier guide 521, subjected to a heating and fusing process and discharged into a tray 522. After the toner image is transferred, the toner remaining on the photoconductive drum 514 is removed by a cleaner 523.

[0133] The heating device 300 has the heating rollers 301, 302, which have therein the heater lamp 11 longer than an effective length in compliance with the width (length) of the maximum size paper that the copy machine 300 can copy, namely the width (length) of the maximum size paper, arranged to oppose therein in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the copy paper P. An unfixed toner image T1 on the paper P which is conveyed between the heating roller 501 and the pressure roller 503 is fused upon receiving heat from the heater lamp 11 and causes to appear copy images such as characters, alphanumeric characters, signs, drawings and the like on the copy paper P.

[0134] In this embodiment, the heating device having a structure that plural lamp heaters having a shrunken sealing portion which is sealed under reduced pressure can be coupled by the small coupling members is used, so that it can contribute to realization of a downsized copy machine.

[0135] The lamp unit used for fusing in the image forming device such as the copy machine and the like is not limited to such usage but can also be used as a heat source for heating or heat retention of home electric appliances, business use and experimental precision apparatuses, chemical reaction equipment and the like.

Claims

1. A heater lamp, comprising:

a tungsten coil inserted into a quartz bulb;

a pair of molybdenum foils whose one ends are welded to either end of the coil; and

a sealing portion which has an electric power supply lead-in wire welded to the other ends of the molybdenum foils and the bulb above the molybdenum foils sealed by reduced-pressure sealing,

wherein a fitting groove is formed on the outer circumference of at least one of the sealing portions of both ends of the lamp.

2. A lamp mounting device for mounting the heater lamp according to claim 1,
wherein a clamper is attached to the groove, and the clamper is attached to a mounting portion.

3. A lamp mounting device for mounting a heater lamp which comprises:

a tungsten coil inserted into a quartz bulb;

a pair of molybdenum foils whose one ends are welded to either end of the coil; and

a sealing portion which has an electric power supply lead-in wire welded to the other ends of the molybdenum foils and the bulb above the molybdenum foils sealed by reduced-pressure sealing,

wherein the bulb is biased by elastic clampers via the sealing portions sealed by reduced-pressure sealing, and the clampers are attached to a mounting portion.

4. A lamp mounting device for mounting a heater lamp, comprising:

a tungsten coil inserted into a quartz bulb;

a pair of molybdenum foils whose one ends are welded to either end of the coil; and

a sealing portion which has an electric power supply lead-in wire welded to the other ends of the molybdenum foils and the bulb above the molybdenum foils sealed by reduced-pressure sealing,

wherein the sealing portions sealed by the reduced-pressure sealing are supported by the clamping action of clampers which are used to attach to a mounting portion.

5. A heater lamp, comprising:

a tungsten coil inserted into a quartz bulb;

a pair of molybdenum foils whose one ends are welded to either end of the coil; and

a sealing portion which has an electric power supply lead-in wire welded to the other ends of the molybdenum foils and the bulb above the molybdenum foils sealed by reduced-pressure sealing,

wherein the sealing portion of at least one end is covered with a conductive cap electrically connected to the lead-in wire.

6. A lamp mounting device for mounting the heater lamp according to claim 5,
wherein a clamper formed of a conductive material is attached to the cap, and the clamper is attached to a mounting portion.

7. A heater lamp, comprising:

a tungsten coil inserted into a quartz bulb;

a pair of molybdenum foils whose one ends are welded to either end of the coil;

a sealing portion which has an electric power supply lead-in wire welded to the other ends of the molybdenum foils and the bulb above the molybdenum foils sealed by reduced-pressure sealing; and

a conductive cap electrically connected to the lead-in wire and covering the sealing portion,

wherein the bulb is biased by elastic clampers via the sealing portions sealed by reduced-pressure sealing, and the clampers are attached to a mounting portion.

8. A heater lamp, comprising:

plural rod-shaped heater lamps provided with a radiant transparent bulb having both ends sealed and both ends of the heater lamps coupled by common coupling members;

both sealed ends of the bulb determined to be shrink sealing portions sealed under reduced pressure; and

the coupling members arranged to couple the shrink sealing portions so as to extend the plural lamps in parallel to each other.

9. A heater lamp, comprising:

plural rod-shaped heater lamps provided with a radiant transparent bulb having both ends sealed and both ends of the heater lamps coupled by common coupling members;

both sealed ends of the bulb determined to be shrink sealing portions sealed under reduced pressure; and

the coupling members arranged to couple the shrink sealing portions so as to extend the plural lamps in parallel to each other and having a size falling in a circumscribed circle which is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of the heater lamps.

10. The heater lamp according to claim 1 or 5,
wherein when the heater lamp is at least three, a chip which is a remaining part of an exhaust gas introduction pipe on the exterior surface of the bulb of the heater lamp is arranged to be close to the other heater lamp.

11. The heater lamp according to claim 1 or 5,
wherein when the heater lamp is four or more, a chip which is a remaining part of an exhaust gas introduction pipe on the exterior surface of the bulb of the heater lamp is arranged at a position surrounded by the other heater lamps.

12. The heater lamp according to claim 1 or 5,
wherein the chip is formed at different positions in a longitudinal direction of the heater lamp to avoid a contact with the other heater lamp.

13. A heater lamp, comprising:

a coil-shaped heating element housed into a cylindrical bulb formed of heat-resistant glass;

a pair of metallic foils electrically connected from both ends of the heating element via an internal lead;

an external lead rod connected to the other end of each of the metallic foils and externally extended for an electric power supply; and

a reduced-pressure sealing portion having the bulb sealed at the metallic foil portions by a reduced-pressure sealing method,

wherein the metallic foils are formed to have a curved shape along the lead-in wire.

14. The heater lamp according to claim 1,
wherein the internal lead and the external lead rod arranged to oppose the center of the sealing portion are provided with a correction section which has the internal lead and the external lead rod partially deformed to connect to the metallic foils which are positioned to deviate from the center of the sealing portion.

15. The heater lamp according to claim 1,
wherein the metallic foils are connected in a state wound around the internal lead and the external lead rod which are arranged to oppose the center of the sealing portion.

16. The heater lamp according to claim 5,
wherein the metallic foils are wound to partially overlap.

17. A lamp mounting device for mounting a heater lamp that an electric power supply lead-in wire is connected to one end of each of a pair of conductive foils whose other end is connected to either end of a filament which is inserted into a radiant transparent bulb, and the bulb is sealed above the conductive foils at both ends of the bulb,
wherein :

both sealed ends of the bulb determined to be shrink sealing portions sealed under reduced pressure;

the shrink sealing portions of the plurality of the heater lamps are coupled by common coupling members to provide a lamp unit; and

the coupling members are attached to a mounting portion by means of clampers.

18. The lamp mounting device according to claim 6,
wherein the clampers are attached to support portions which are integrally formed with the coupling members.

19. The lamp mounting device according to claim 7,
wherein the support portions which are integrally formed with the coupling member are formed to have an engaging portion for engagement with the clamper.

20. A heating device, comprising:

first and second rollers which are arranged one above the other and at least one of which is heated;

the lamp mounting device according to claim 6 or 7 arranged in the first or second roller; and

a unit for fusing a toner by moving a copy paper on which the toner is previously transferred between the first and second rollers.

21. An image forming device, comprising:

a forming unit for forming a prescribed image by adhering a toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a medium and transferring the toner onto a paper sheet; and

the heating device according to claim 20 for fusing the toner by passing the image-formed paper sheet between the first and second rollers while heating and press contacting.

Drawing