Fixing device and image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming device to form an image;
• and
• a fixing device to fix the image on a recording medium,
• the fixing device including:
• a fixing belt to rotate;
• a flange supporting a lateral end of the fixing belt in an axial direction of the fixing belt, the flange applied with a lubricant between the flange and the fixing belt, the flange having an innermost edge that is oriented to a center of the fixing belt in the axial direction of the fixing belt;
• a heater disposed within the fixing belt, the heater to radiate heat;
• and
• a heat shield disposed in proximity to the lateral end of the fixing belt in the axial direction of the fixing belt and interposed between the fixing belt and the heater,
• the heat shield having an outermost edge disposed in proximity to the lateral end of the fixing belt in the axial direction of the fixing belt, the outermost edge disposed inboard from the innermost edge of the flange in the axial direction of the fixing belt.