Patent ID: 9104150
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing unit for fixing an unfixed toner image onto a recording medium by applying a pressure heating process thereto at a pressure border, the fixing unit comprising: an endless belt unit accommodating a heat source inside thereof; a pressure roller to rotate in contact with the fixing belt unit, the pressure roller and the fixing belt unit forming the pressure border therebetween; a heat transfer member heated by the heat source to heat the fixing belt unit, the heat transfer member secured inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt unit supporting the fixing belt unit; and a fixed member secured inside the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt unit and pressed against the pressure roller via the fixing belt unit, wherein the heat transfer member includes a flat portion and at least one convex portion, the flat portion, disposed in a center of a longitudinal direction of the heat transfer member and on a downstream side of a nip portion, forms a gap between the heat transfer member and the axing belt unit, and the at least one convex portion is partially formed in an outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer member in a rotational direction of the fixing belt unit and the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer member to narrow the gap between the heat transfer member and the fixing belt unit.