Patent ID: 9519252
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A fixing device configured to thermally fix an unfixed image formed on a recording material to the recording material, the fixing device comprising: an elongated heater; a holder formed from a thermoplastic resin which holds the heater in a longitudinal direction of the heater; a reinforcing member which is in contact with the holder in the longitudinal direction and which reinforces the holder; a thermosensitive member which is provided in a space between the holder and the reinforcing member and which receives heat from the heater through a through-hole provided in the holder; and a biasing member which biases the thermosensitive member toward the heater, wherein the biasing member includes a projection portion which is projected in a direction opposite to a direction biased by the biasing member, from a body part of the biasing member, and wherein the projection portion is not in contact with the reinforcing member when the device is operating normally, and the projection portion contacts the reinforcing member, regulates a movement of the thermosensitive member, and restricts deflection of the heater when the holder becomes softened and the heater is deflected.