Patent ID: 9400459
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet, the fixing device comprising: a tubular flexible member having an inner peripheral surface; a heater configured to generate radiant heat; a nip member, the inner peripheral surface being configured to contact the nip member; a reflection plate configured to reflect the radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member; a backup member configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member; and a temperature sensor, wherein the fixing device is configured to receive the sheet in a sheet feeding direction, wherein the nip member has one surface configured to contact the flexible member and an opposite surface, wherein the heater confronts the nip member in a confronting direction, and wherein the temperature sensor is positioned outside and upstream of the reflection plate in the sheet feeding direction and in direct confrontation with the opposite surface.