US 12,092,978 B2
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating the same
Yukimichi Someya, Saitama (JP); Yuusuke Furuichi, Kanagawa (JP); Tomoya Adachi, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroyuki Shimada, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Yukimichi Someya, Saitama (JP); Yuusuke Furuichi, Kanagawa (JP); Tomoya Adachi, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroyuki Shimada, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jun. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/329,201.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-097483 (JP), filed on Jun. 16, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0408959 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2053 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2028 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fixing device comprising:
a first rotator;
a second rotator contacting an outer circumferential surface of the first rotator to form a nip between the first rotator and the second rotator;
a heater including a resistive heat generator configured to heat the first rotator;
a nip formation pad contacting an inner circumferential surface of the first rotator to form the nip; and
a separator configured to separate a recording medium passing through the nip from the first rotator, the separator including:
a separating surface separated from the outer circumferential surface of the first rotator and configured to separate the recording medium from the first rotator; and
a contact contacting the outer circumferential surface of the first rotator at a position where the first rotator is pinchable between the contact and the nip information pad.