Heater, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

1. A heater installable in a fixing device having a fixing nip through which a recording medium is conveyed, the heater comprising:

a base including a downstream portion in a recording medium conveyance direction;

a heat generator mounted on the base;

a projection disposed separately from the base and shifted from the heat generator, the projection disposed opposite the downstream portion of the base, the projection configured to project toward the fixing nip in a state in which the heater is installed in the fixing device;

an electrode mounted on the base;

a protective layer configured to cover the base; and

another projection arranged with the projection in a longitudinal direction of the heater with a gap between the projection and said another projection.

2. The heater according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a center portion in the recording medium conveyance direction; and

a downstream portion disposed downstream from the center portion in the recording medium conveyance direction, the downstream portion configured to protrude toward the fixing nip beyond the center portion.

3. The heater according to claim 1 ,

wherein the projection is not electrically connected to the electrode.

4. The heater according to claim 1 ,

wherein the protective layer includes at least a part of the projection.

5. The heater according to claim 1 , further comprising a conductor configured to be electrically connected to the heat generator,

wherein at least a part of the projection is made of a material equivalent to a material of the conductor.

6. The heater according to claim 1 ,

wherein at least a part of the projection is made of a material equivalent to a material of the heat generator.

7. The heater according to claim 1 ,

wherein at least a part of the projection is made of a material different from a material of each of the base and the heat generator.

8. The heater according to claim 1 , wherein the projection includes:

a feeder mounted on the base and configured to couple the heat generator to the electrode; and

a cover portion configured to cover the feeder, the cover portion included in the protective layer.

9. The heater according to claim 1 ,

wherein the projection is disposed separately from the protective layer and is not electrically connected to the electrode.

10. A heater installable in a fixing device having a fixing nip through which a recording medium is conveyed, the heater comprising:

a base including a downstream portion in a recording medium conveyance direction;

a heat generator mounted on the base;

a projection disposed separately from the base and shifted from the heat generator,

the projection disposed opposite the downstream portion of the base, the projection configured to project toward the fixing nip in a state in which the heater is installed in the fixing device;

an electrode mounted on the base; and

a protective layer configured to cover the base,

wherein the projection includes:

a protrusion mounted on the base and configured to be disconnected from the electrode; and

a cover portion configured to cover the protrusion, the cover portion included in the protective layer.

11. A fixing device comprising:

a fixing rotator that is hollow and endless, the fixing rotator configured to rotate;

a pressure rotator configured to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, the fixing nip through which a recording medium bearing an image is conveyed; and

a heater configured to contact an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator,

the heater comprising:

a base including a downstream portion in a recording medium conveyance direction;

a heat generator mounted on the base; and

a projection disposed separately from the base and shifted from the heat generator,

the projection disposed opposite the downstream portion of the base, the projection configured to project toward the fixing nip in a state in which the heater is installed in the fixing device,

wherein the base further includes:

a front face that faces the fixing rotator; and

a back face that is opposite the front face and mounts the heat generator,

wherein the heater further includes a back face protective layer disposed on the back face of the base and the heat generator, and

wherein the projection is disposed separately from the back face protective layer.

12. The fixing device according to claim 11 ,

wherein the projection is disposed opposite the fixing nip.

13. The fixing device according to claim 12 ,

wherein the projection has a length in an axial direction of the fixing rotator, the length not smaller than an image width of the image on the recording medium in the axial direction of the fixing rotator.

14. The fixing device according to claim 11 ,

wherein the projection is disposed downstream from the fixing nip in the recording medium conveyance direction.

15. The fixing device according to claim 14 ,

wherein the projection has a length in an axial direction of the fixing rotator, the length not smaller than a maximum recording medium width of a plurality of widths of recording media that are conveyed through the fixing nip.

16. The fixing device according to claim 11 ,

wherein the heater further includes a front face protective layer disposed on the front face of the base, the front face protective layer including the projection.