Fixing device and image forming apparatus

摘要

A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The nip formation pad includes a base, a first thermal conductor sandwiched between the base and the fixing rotator and having a first thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base, and a bulge projecting from the first thermal conductor toward the opposed rotator at a downstream end of the first thermal conductor in a recording medium conveyance direction.

主权项

1. A fixing device comprising:
a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation; an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed; a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator; and a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, the nip formation pad including:
a base;a first thermal conductor sandwiched between the base and the fixing rotator, the first thermal conductor having a first thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base, and the first thermal conductor includes:
an upstream arm; anda downstream arm to sandwich the base together with the upstream arm in a recording medium conveyance direction; anda bulge projecting from the first thermal conductor toward the opposed rotator at a downstream end of the first thermal conductor in the recording medium conveyance direction.