FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

摘要

A fixing device includes a fixing belt stretched taut across a fixing rotator and a support rotator. A pressure rotator is pressed against the fixing rotator via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. The pressure rotator includes a recess defining an outer diameter of each lateral end of the pressure rotator in an axial direction thereof that is greater than an outer diameter of a center of the pressure rotator in the axial direction thereof A first separator is disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction and contacts an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. The first separator is isolated from the pressure rotator and includes a projection disposed opposite the recess of the pressure rotator.

主权项

1. A fixing device comprising:
a fixing rotator; a support rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator; a fixing belt stretched taut across the fixing rotator and the support rotator; a pressure rotator pressed against the fixing rotator via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed, the pressure rotator including a recess defining an outer diameter of each lateral end of the pressure rotator in an axial direction thereof that is greater than an outer diameter of a center of the pressure rotator in the axial direction thereof; and a first separator disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction and contacting an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt, the first separator being isolated from the pressure rotator and including a projection disposed opposite the recess of the pressure rotator.