US 12,393,141 B2
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
Kota Shiodera, Tokyo (JP); Takayuki Andoh, Kanagawa (JP); Masahiro Samei, Kanagawa (JP); Toshiyuki Kabata, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Chiba (JP)
Assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Kota Shiodera, Tokyo (JP); Takayuki Andoh, Kanagawa (JP); Masahiro Samei, Kanagawa (JP); Toshiyuki Kabata, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Chiba (JP)
Filed on Mar. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/180,509.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-043345 (JP), filed on Mar. 18, 2022; and application No. 2022-152687 (JP), filed on Sep. 26, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0297011 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2025 (2013.01) 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fixing device comprising:
a rotator configured to rotate;
a heater configured to heat an inner circumferential surface of the rotator;
a rotator support including a base portion and a cylindrical wall extending from the base portion, the cylindrical wall supporting a first end of the inner circumferential surface of the rotator extending from a nip in a longitudinal direction of a nip formation pad, and supporting a second end of the inner circumferential surface of the rotator facing the first end, the base portion defining a base opening, and the cylindrical wall defining an extension opening;
the nip formation pad in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rotator, the nip formation pad having one end in a longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad, the one end laterally separated from the first end of the rotator support contacting the inner circumferential surface of the rotator with a clearance of 2 mm or more;
lubricant between the rotator and the nip formation pad;
a pressure rotator configured to press the nip formation pad via the rotator to form a nip between the rotator and the pressure rotator; and
a flower preventer in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rotator at a same level as the cylindrical wall contacting the inner circumferential surface of the rotator, the flower preventer separated from and between the nip formation pad and the rotator support that form the clearance forming a lubricant gap exposing the inner circumferential surface of the rotator between the flower preventer and the nip formation pad,
the cylindrical wall having a side surface facing the nip formation pad.