Fixing device and image forming apparatus

A fixing device comprising:

• fixing means for being rotated;
• pressing means for being rotated;
• heating means for heating the fixing means;
• nip forming means for forming a nip between the fixing means and the pressing means, the nip forming means including a vapor chamber;
• reinforcing means for supporting the nip forming means;
• reflecting means for reflecting heat from the heating means toward the fixing means;
• and
• thermal conducting means for conducting heat from the reflecting means to the vapor chamber of the nip forming means.

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 that is endless, the fixing belt to rotate;
• a pressure rotator disposed opposite the fixing belt, the pressure rotator to rotate;
• a heater disposed within a loop formed by the fixing belt, the heater to heat the fixing belt;
• a nip formation pad disposed opposite the pressure rotator via the fixing belt to form a nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, the nip formation pad including a vapor chamber;
• a reinforcement disposed within the loop formed by the fixing belt, the reinforcement supporting the nip formation pad;
• a reflection plate interposed between the heater and the reinforcement, the reflection plate to reflect heat from the heater toward the fixing belt;
• and
• a thermal conductor coupling the reflection plate with the vapor chamber of the nip formation pad.