Patent ID: 9618886
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: G03G

Claim:
1. A nip formation assembly disposed opposite an opposed rotator via an endless belt, the nip formation assembly comprising: a nip formation pad to press against the opposed rotator via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotator, the fixing nip through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed; at least one fixing heater disposed opposite at least a center span of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof where the recording medium is conveyed, the fixing heater to heat the endless belt; and a lateral end heater mounted on the nip formation pad and disposed opposite a lateral end span of an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt in the axial direction thereof, the lateral end heater to heat the endless belt, wherein the fixing heater and the lateral end heater are separated in a pressurization direction in which the nip formation pad presses against the opposed rotator.