Fixing device having a lateral end heater and image forming apparatus incorporating same
US10222732B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator, a pressure pad, a lateral end heater, and a thermal conduction aid. The pressure pad presses against the opposed rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the opposed rotator. The lateral end heater is disposed on the pressure pad to heat a lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction of the fixing rotator. The thermal conduction aid is interposed between the pressure pad and the fixing rotator to decrease a temperature gradient of the fixing rotator in an axial direction of the fixing rotator. The pressure pad includes a nip-side face disposed opposite the thermal conduction aid. The lateral end heater includes a nip-side face being disposed opposite the thermal conduction aid and projecting beyond the nip-side face of the pressure pad.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.