US 11,852,994 B2
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Kanagawa (JP); and Ippei Fujimoto, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 17/761,194
Filed by Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Kanagawa (JP); and Ippei Fujimoto, Kanagawa (JP)
PCT Filed Nov. 17, 2020, PCT No. PCT/IB2020/060795
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 17, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/123954, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-227137 (JP), filed on Dec. 17, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0373945 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2053 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2025 (2013.01); G03G 15/2042 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fixing device comprising:
a rotatable and endless fixing belt;
a heat source to heat the fixing belt;
a pressure member disposed outside the fixing belt to face the fixing belt;
an elongated structure disposed inside the fixing belt to form a nip between the fixing belt and the pressure member; and
a heat equalizer to cover a face of the elongated structure, the face facing the fixing belt, and transfer heat in an axial direction of the fixing belt,
the fixing belt including at least: a tubular base made of metal; and a sliding layer including heat resistant resin on an inner circumferential surface of the base,
the heat equalizer being made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy,
the heat equalizer including an alumite layer on a surface facing an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt,
a plurality of micropores in the alumite layer being filled with a solid lubricant having a coefficient of friction lower than a coefficient of friction of the alumite layer,
the alumite layer having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the sliding layer of the fixing belt,
the plurality of micropores include therein the solid lubricant at a base portion of the plurality of micropores and extends towards an inlet of the micropores, and
the solid lubricant in the plurality of micropores has a structure of crystals including a graphite structure.