Patent ID: 9158250
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device comprising: an endless fixing member; a heating unit that is provided inside an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member that heats the fixing member; and a nip forming unit including a contact member and a supporting stay, the contact member including a plurality of first protrusions protruding toward the supporting stay, the supporting stay configured to force the contact member toward a rotationally driven pressing member, when the contact member comes into press-contact with the pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween during a load state so as to form a nip to which a recording sheet is conveyed, wherein a toner image on the recording sheet conveyed to the nip is fixed to the recording sheet, and a size of the plurality of first protrusions are set such that a center of the contact member protrudes a protruding amount, in the recording sheet width direction, toward the pressing member as compared to both ends of the contact member in a no-load state, the protruding amount being less than a bent amount of the contact member when the nip forming unit comes into press-contact with the pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween during the load state.