FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME

摘要

A fixing device includes a hollow, open-sided stationary heat roller, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a rotatable pressure member, a reinforcing member, and a sealing mechanism. The heat roller defines an elongated longitudinal side opening that opens into a hollow interior thereof. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat roller to transfer heat radially outward from the roller circumference. The fuser pad is held substantially stationary along the roller opening outward from the roller interior and inward from the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The reinforcing member is disposed within the roller interior to thrust against the fuser pad through the roller opening. The sealing mechanism is disposed on the roller opening to prevent foreign matter from entering the roller interior through the roller opening.

主权项

1. A fixing device comprising:
a hollow, open-sided stationary heat roller to heat an outer circumference thereof, the heat roller having an elongated longitudinal side opening therein that opens into a hollow interior thereof; a flexible fuser belt looped for rotation around the heat roller to transfer heat radially outward from the outer circumference of the roller; a fuser pad held substantially stationary along the roller opening outward from the roller interior and inward from the loop of the fuser belt; a rotatable pressure member disposed opposite the heat roller with the fuser belt interposed therebetween, the pressure member pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip through which a recording medium is passed to fix a toner image under heat and pressure; a reinforcing member disposed within the roller interior to thrust against the fuser pad through the roller opening for reinforcement; and a sealing mechanism disposed on the roller opening to prevent foreign matter from entering the roller interior through the roller opening.