Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt and a pressure rotator that presses against a nip formation pad via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the pressure rotator and the fixing belt. A first holder holds a first lateral end of the fixing belt in an axial direction thereof. A second holder holds a second lateral end of the fixing belt in the axial direction thereof. The second holder, together with the first holder, defines a holder interval provided between the first holder and the second holder in the axial direction of the fixing belt. A lubricant supplying sheet impregnated with a lubricant is sandwiched between the nip formation pad and the fixing belt at the fixing nip. The lubricant supplying sheet has a sheet span in the axial direction of the fixing belt. The sheet span is within the holder interval.

Abstract: An apparatus allocates a job to nodes in a parallel processing system in which the nodes are coupled to each other via a mesh connection or a torus connection. The apparatus generates, for each region in an n-dimensional space representing connection relations among the nodes, available-node information indicating whether each node in a node group corresponding the region is available for executing the job, where n is an integer greater than 1, and a size of each region in each axis-direction other than a predetermined axis-direction in the n-dimensional space is a power of a predetermined integer greater than 1. Upon receiving an execution request of the job including a designated size in each axis-direction, the apparatus selects the available-node information in accordance with the designated sizes, and determines a target node to which the job is to be allocated, based on the selected available-node information.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a nip formation pad, an endless fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, and a lubricant transfer portion. The endless fixing rotator has an inner circumferential surface adhered with a lubricant. The pressure rotator is pressed against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a nip through which an image is fixed on a recording medium. The lubricant transfer portion transfers the lubricant toward a center side in a width direction perpendicular to a rotational direction of the fixing rotator.

Abstract: A separator for separating a recording medium from a fixing rotator includes a separation body including a front end and a conveyance path side face. The front end is disposed in proximity to an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The conveyance path side face faces a conveyance path where the recording medium is conveyed. At least one rotary separation aid projects beyond the conveyance path side face of the separation body toward the conveyance path. The rotary separation aid is rotated by the recording medium as the recording medium comes into contact with the rotary separation aid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller including a primary heating control portion that determines a first amount of power supplied to a heater based on a temperature of a fixing rotator detected by a temperature detector and controls the heater to perform a primary heating to heat the fixing rotator with the first amount of power, a secondary heating control portion that controls the heater to perform a secondary heating to heat the fixing rotator with a preset second amount of power, and a switch portion that controls the heater to switch between the primary heating and the secondary heating during an identical print job without changing a target temperature of the fixing rotator.

Abstract: A separator for separating a recording medium from a fixing rotator includes a separation body including a front end and a conveyance path side face. The front end is disposed in proximity to an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The conveyance path side face faces a conveyance path where the recording medium is conveyed. At least one rotary separation aid projects beyond the conveyance path side face of the separation body toward the conveyance path. The rotary separation aid is rotated by the recording medium as the recording medium comes into contact with the rotary separation aid.

Abstract: A fixing unit includes an endless belt accommodating a heat source inside a loop formed by the endless belt, a rotary pressing member rotating in contact with the endless belt in a pressure contact section, and a heat transfer member secured to a side plate within the loop of the endless belt to support and heat the endless belt with heat conducted from the heat source. The heat transfer member has an opening opposite the rotary pressing member. A securing member is disposed in the opening of the heat transfer member in pressure contact with the rotary pressing member via the endless belt. The heat transfer member and the securing member collectively include a pair of latching parts to firmly connect the heat transfer member and the securing member with each other when one of the latching parts is fitted to the other one of the latching parts.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller including a primary heating control portion to control a heater to perform a primary heating to heat a fixing rotator with a first amount of power determined based on a temperature of the fixing rotator, a secondary heating control portion to control the heater to perform a secondary heating to heat the fixing rotator with a preset second amount of power, and a switch portion to control the heater to switch between the primary heating and the secondary heating during an identical print job and to perform at least one of a primary switching from the primary heating to the secondary heating and a secondary switching from the secondary heating to the primary heating at a time different from a preset control cycle that defines a power supply time in the primary heating and the secondary heating.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a thermal conductor to conduct heat from a heater to the endless belt. A pressure rotator is pressed against the endless belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. An abutment contacts the endless belt to restrict a trajectory of the endless belt to bring the endless belt into contact with the thermal conductor in a particular circumferential span spanning from a particular position upstream from the fixing nip to the fixing nip in the direction of rotation of the endless belt and to separate the endless belt from the thermal conductor in at least a part of an outboard circumferential span outboard from the particular circumferential span in the direction of rotation of the endless belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a thermal conductor to conduct heat from a heater to the endless belt. A pressure rotator is pressed against the endless belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. An abutment contacts the endless belt to restrict a trajectory of the endless belt to bring the endless belt into contact with the thermal conductor in a particular circumferential span spanning from a particular position upstream from the fixing nip to the fixing nip in the direction of rotation of the endless belt and to separate the endless belt from the thermal conductor in at least a part of an outboard circumferential span outboard from the particular circumferential span in the direction of rotation of the endless belt.

Abstract: A fixing device fixes a toner image on a recording medium transported to a fixing nip by applying pressure and heat to the recording medium. The fixing device includes an endless belt formed into a loop with both ends bonded together, the belt accommodating a heat source inside thereof, a pressing roller rotating in contact with the endless belt forming the fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing roller, and a fixed member provided inside a loop of the endless belt to press the endless belt against a pressing roller. A reinforcing member is bonded to the fixed member inside the loop of the endless belt to reinforce the fixed member. A reflector is provided to reflect light emitted from the heat source toward the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The reflector is held on the reinforcing member by either plastically or elastically deforming by itself.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt and a pressing rotary body pressed against the nip formation pad via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body, through which a recording medium is conveyed. The pressing rotary body has a diameter increasing from a center to each lateral end in an axial direction thereof. The nip formation pad includes a projection disposed downstream from a rotation axis of the pressing rotary body in a recording medium conveyance direction. The projection projects toward the pressing rotary body in an amount increasing from each lateral end to a center in a longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad parallel to the axial direction of the pressing rotary body.

Abstract: A fixing unit includes an endless belt unit accommodating a heat source, a pressure roller to rotate in contact with the fixing belt unit forming a pressure border therebetween, and a heat transfer member heated by the heat source to heat the fixing belt unit. The heat transfer member is secured inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt unit and supports the fixing belt unit. A fixed member is secured inside the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt unit and is pressed against the pressure roller via the fixing belt unit. The heat transfer member has at least one convex portion partially formed in an outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer member in a rotational direction of the fixing belt unit and a longitudinal direction of the heat transfer member to narrow a gap formed between the heat transfer member and the fixing belt unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller including a primary heating control portion that determines a first amount of power supplied to a heater based on a temperature of a fixing rotator detected by a temperature detector and controls the heater to perform a primary heating to heat the fixing rotator with the first amount of power, a secondary heating control portion that controls the heater to perform a secondary heating to heat the fixing rotator with a preset second amount of power, and a switch portion that controls the heater to switch between the primary heating and the secondary heating during an identical print job without changing a target temperature of the fixing rotator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller including a primary heating control portion to control a heater to perform a primary heating to heat a fixing rotator with a first amount of power determined based on a temperature of the fixing rotator, a secondary heating control portion to control the heater to perform a secondary heating to heat the fixing rotator with a preset second amount of power, and a switch portion to control the heater to switch between the primary heating and the secondary heating during an identical print job and to perform at least one of a primary switching from the primary heating to the secondary heating and a secondary switching from the secondary heating to the primary heating at a time different from a preset control cycle that defines a power supply time in the primary heating and the secondary heating.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt and pressing the endless belt against a pressing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body. A recording medium is conveyed through the fixing nip. The endless belt slides over a friction reducer sandwiched between the endless belt and the nip formation pad. The friction reducer includes a body and at least one tab projecting from the body in a direction opposite a recording medium conveyance direction. A friction reducer fastener is attached to the tab of the friction reducer and placed inside the nip formation pad to mount the friction reducer on the nip formation pad.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a pressing rotary body disposed opposite the fixing rotary body. A pivotable pressurization member contacts and presses the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body. A pressurization pivot is provided on the pressurization member. A depressurization member, pivotable about the pressurization pivot, causes the pressurization member to isolate the pressing rotary body from the fixing rotary body. A depressurization pivot is provided on the depressurization member. A lock is pivotable about the depressurization pivot and engageable with the pressurization pivot. A biasing member, anchored to the lock, exerts a resilient bias that allows the lock to cause the pressurization member to press the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body. A detent is situated in a pivotal trajectory of the lock to restrict pivot of the lock by contacting the lock.

Abstract: A parallel computer system includes a plurality of computation nodes, connected with one another through a grid-shaped or a ring-shaped network in a physical space including a plurality of physical axes, and configured to execute jobs, respectively, and a control unit configured to control the plurality of computation nodes. The control unit includes an accepting unit configured to accept a job; a selection unit configured to select a computation node to which the accepted job is assigned among the plurality of computation nodes in a virtual space having a same number of dimensions of a virtual axis combining the physical axes as a number of dimensions requested by the job accepted by the accepting unit; and an instruction unit configured to instruct the parallel computer system so as to execute the job using the computation node selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt and an opposed rotary body contacting an outer circumferential surface of the belt. A nip formation pad contacting a first part of an inner circumferential surface of the belt presses against the opposed rotary body via the belt to form a fixing nip between the belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heat conductor disposed opposite a second part of the inner circumferential surface of the belt not contacted by the nip formation pad is interposed between a heater and the belt to conduct heat from the heater to the belt. A reflector disposed inside the loop formed by the belt reflects light from the heater toward the heat conductor. The reflector and the heat conductor surround the heater.

Abstract: Provided is a color image forming apparatus that includes: image carriers that form toner image of black and other colors; an intermediate transfer body that makes contact with the image carriers; and transfer units that transfer the toner images on the image carriers to the intermediate transfer body. A line velocity difference is set between the image carriers and the intermediate transfer body. An accelerated cohesion degree of toner is equal to or larger than 54%. A linear velocity difference X1 between the image carrier for black and the intermediate transfer body satisfies a relation of 0<X1?1.2 mm/sec. A linear velocity difference X2 between the image carriers for the colors and the intermediate transfer body satisfies a relation of 2.1?X2?4.0 mm/sec.