Fixing device with nip formation pad having an abutment region and opening portions
US10281850B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt, a heat source, an opposed member, a nip formation pad, and a heat conductive member. The nip formation pad includes an abutment region, a first opening portion, and second opening portions. The abutment region includes a plurality of abutment surfaces abutting a first face of the heat conductive member. The first opening portion is disposed at a center of the abutment region to form a non-contact area at which the nip formation pad does not contact the heat conductive member. The abutment region includes an upstream abutment area and a downstream abutment area from the first opening portion in a direction of conveyance of a recording medium. The second opening portions divide at least one area of the upstream abutment area and the downstream abutment area into a plurality of portions in a longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.