Patent ID: 9323190
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A fixing device comprising: a heater including at least one of a halogen lamp and a carbon heater; an endless film extending around the heater, the endless film having an inner peripheral surface; a nip plate configured to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the endless film; and a roller rotatable about a rotational axis, the roller and the nip plate being configured to nip the endless film therebetween, the roller and the endless film being configured to form a nip portion therebetween, wherein a recording sheet is to be conveyed at the nip portion in a conveyance direction; wherein the nip plate has at least one recessed portion in which lubricant is disposed; wherein, when viewed in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller, the at least one recessed portion is recessed and opens toward the inner peripheral surface of the endless film; wherein the at least one recessed portion is disposed downstream or upstream relative to the nip portion in the conveyance direction; wherein the nip plate has a first surface facing the inner peripheral surface and a second surface reverse to the first surface, the at least one recessed portion being provided on the first surface; and wherein the second surface has a region disposed such that an imaginary straight line passing through the heater and the at least one recessed portion passes through the region of the second surface, the region of the second surface being spaced apart from the heater and exposed to the heater to receive radiant heat from the heater.