Image forming apparatus that protects a heater from electrical breakdown

摘要

In an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit having a film and a heater in contact with the inner surface of the film, an electrical breakdown may occur in the protection layer of the heater, when a surge voltage is applied to a power supply line connected to the heater. An arrester is provided on a power supply line connected to the heater of the image forming apparatus.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording material, the apparatus comprising:
a fixing unit configured to fix the image onto the recording material, the fixing unit including a heater; a power supply line configured to connect electrically the heater with a power supply for supplying power to the heater; a first electrode connected to the power supply line between the power supply and the heater; a second electrode connected to an electrical ground, the second electrode not being in contact with the first electrode; and an insulation holder configured to hold the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode has a sharp point portion and the other has a facing portion facing the sharp point portion with a predetermined clearance therebetween, the sharp point portion floating in the air.