Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
Fixing device with mechanism capable of heating belt effectively and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes an endless belt and an opposed rotary body contacting an outer circumferential surface of the belt. A nip formation pad contacting a first part of an inner circumferential surface of the belt presses against the opposed rotary body via the belt to form a fixing nip between the belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heat conductor disposed opposite a second part of the inner circumferential surface of the belt not contacted by the nip formation pad is interposed between a heater and the belt to conduct heat from the heater to the belt. A reflector disposed inside the loop formed by the belt reflects light from the heater toward the heat conductor. The reflector and the heat conductor surround the heater.
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
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Yutaka Minoru Hitoshi Shigeo Tomohiko Tomoya
Naitoh Toyoda Fujiwara Nanno Fujii Adachi