US 12,135,517 B2
Heating device, nip forming device, and image forming apparatus
Masahiro Samei, Kanagawa (JP); Takayuki Andoh, Kanagawa (JP); Kota Shiodera, Tokyo (JP); Toshiyuki Kabata, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Chiba (JP)
Assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Masahiro Samei, Kanagawa (JP); Takayuki Andoh, Kanagawa (JP); Kota Shiodera, Tokyo (JP); Toshiyuki Kabata, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Chiba (JP)
Filed on Mar. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/185,778.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-044879 (JP), filed on Mar. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0324838 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2053 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2025 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A heating device comprising:
a rotator;
a heater configured to heat an inner peripheral surface of the rotator;
a rotator holder configured to hold an end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotator in a longitudinal direction of the rotator, the rotator holder including,
a holding portion in contact with the end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotator such that the end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotator is slidable on the holding portion;
a flange portion being in contact with an end of the rotator in the longitudinal direction and extending outward in a radial direction of a loop of the rotator;
an inclined surface inclined in a direction away from the inner peripheral surface of the rotator facing the inclined surface from the holding portion toward the flange portion, a distance between the inclined surface and the inner peripheral surface of the rotator increasing as a distance between the inclined surface and the flange portion decreases; and
a lubricant reservoir configured to store a lubricant and apply the lubricant on the rotator holder, the lubricant reservoir between the inclined surface and the rotator, the lubricant configured to be in a liquid state or a semi-solid state.