Fixing device and image forming apparatus including a friction reducer including a lubricant

A fixing device comprising:

• a fixing rotator that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction;
• a heater to heat the fixing rotator;
• a pressure rotator to contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator;
• a nip formation pad to press against the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator,
• the nip formation pad including:
• a nip forming portion disposed opposite the fixing nip;
• and
• an upstream portion disposed upstream from the nip forming portion in the rotation direction of the fixing rotator,
• the upstream portion including a recess disposed substantially at a center of the nip formation pad in a longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad, the recess being recessed toward the nip forming portion in the rotation direction of the fixing rotator;
• and
• a friction reducer being sandwiched between the nip formation pad and the fixing rotator and bearing a lubricant,
• wherein the upstream portion further includes one of a linear slope defined by the recess and a curve defined by the recesses, the one of a linear slope defined by the recess and a curve defined by the recesses increasing a length of the nip formation pad in the rotation direction of the fixing rotator from the center to a lateral edge of the nip formation pad in the longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad.

A fixing device comprising:

• a fixing rotator that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction;
• a heater to heat the fixing rotator;
• a pressure rotator to contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator;
• a nip formation pad to press against the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator,
• the nip formation pad including an upstream portion disposed upstream from the fixing nip in the rotation direction of the fixing rotator;
• a recess disposed in the upstream portion of the nip formation pad;
• and
• a friction reducer being sandwiched between the nip formation pad and the fixing rotator and bearing a lubricant,
• wherein the recess projects beyond the friction reducer in a direction opposite the rotation direction of the fixing rotator.