Patent ID: 8369730
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device comprising: a heating rotation unit configured to be heated by a heat source and rotated by a driving source; an endless pressure belt brought in external contact with the heating rotation unit and configured to be rotated to follow rotation of the heating rotation unit; a plurality of pressurizing members arranged side by side inside the pressure belt in a rotation direction of the pressure belt and pressurizing the pressure belt against the heating rotation unit; a sheet member placed between the pressure belt and the plurality of pressurizing members and configured to slide on an inner surface of the rotating pressure belt; and a control unit to control the driving source to rotate, at a startup time of the fixing device before conveying a recording material, the heating rotation unit and the pressure belt in a direction opposite to a recording material conveyance direction in which the heating rotation unit and the pressure belt rotate to convey the recording material, wherein the rotation of the heating rotation unit and the pressure belt in the direction opposite to the recording material conveyance direction is for an amount sufficient to cause a change in a position of contact between the sheet member and the plurality of pressurizing members.