Patent ID: 9063485
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device configured to thermally fix a developing agent image to a recording sheet, the fixing device comprising: a fixing belt having a tubular shape defining an inner space; a heat generating member disposed in the inner space of the fixing belt; a nip member made of metal and disposed in the inner space of the fixing belt such that an inner surface of the fixing belt is configured to make slide contact with the nip member; a rotating member configured to rotate and disposed outside the inner space of the fixing belt such that the fixing belt is nipped between the nip member and the rotating member; a stay made of metal, disposed in the inner space of the fixing belt, and comprising a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion which are positioned upstream and downstream of the heat generating member, respectively, in a conveying direction of the recording sheet and are configured to receive a force exerted from the rotating member to the nip member; a heat insulator made of a non-metallic material and disposed between the nip member and one of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion of the stay; a reflective member made of metal and covering the heat generating member to reflect heat emitted by the heat generating member, wherein the reflective member comprises a flange portion that extends in a direction away from the heat generating member to an end of the nip member and is disposed between the end of the nip member and the one of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion of the stay, wherein the stay has lower thermal conductivity than the nip member and the reflective member; and another heat insulator made a non-metallic material and disposed between the nip member and the other of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion of the stay, wherein the heat insulator and the another heat insulator have different heat insulating effects.