Fixing device and endless belt assembly

摘要

A fixing device includes an endless flexible belt, a stationary pad, a rotary pressure member, and a lubrication mechanism. The endless flexible belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof for rotation in a rotational, circumferential direction thereof. The stationary pad is stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to the belt. The rotary pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed in a conveyance direction. The lubrication mechanism supplies lubricant between the stationary pad and the belt, and includes a first sheet of lubricant-impregnated material and a second sheet of lubricant-impregnated material.

主权项

1. A fixing device comprising:
an endless flexible belt extending in an axial direction thereof for rotation in a rotational, circumferential direction thereof; a stationary pad stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt; a rotary pressure member disposed parallel to the belt, the rotary pressure member pressing against the stationary pad via the belt to form a nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed in a conveyance direction; and a lubrication mechanism to supply lubricant between the stationary pad and the belt, the mechanism including:
a first sheet of lubricant-impregnated material surrounding the stationary pad to intervene between the stationary pad and the belt across the nip; anda second sheet of lubricant-impregnated material disposed in surface contact with the first sheet at a position outside the nip, wherein the first and second sheets are identical to each other in terms of sheet material, sheet thickness, and type of lubricant with which the sheet is impregnated.