Patent ID: 9141051
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device comprising: a rotatably supported endless fixing belt; a pressure roller disposed to press an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt and cause rotation of the fixing belt when the pressure roller is rotated; a nip formation member disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt to form a nip portion in the fixing belt between the nip formation member and the pressure roller when the fixing belt is pressed by the pressure roller; a heating unit to heat the fixing belt; and a support member disposed to support the nip formation member on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt, wherein the support member comprises a parallel portion that supports the nip formation member and extends parallel to a sheet transport direction in the nip portion, and a rise portion that extends from the parallel portion in a direction drawn apart from the nip portion, and the rise portion is inclined to the parallel portion such that an inclination direction of the rise portion is substantially parallel to a virtual straight line connecting a center of rotation of the fixing belt and an inlet point of the nip portion or falls within a range of rotational angles of ±15 by which the virtual straight line is rotated around the center of rotation of the fixing belt.