Patent ID: 8903275
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device comprising: a fixing member; an opposing member disposed opposite the fixing member to contact the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the opposing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes; a plurality of separators provided downstream from the nip in a recording medium conveyance direction to contact and separate from the fixing member independently from each other, the plurality of separators having a base portion hingedly connected to a front portion that contacts the fixing member to separate the recording medium having passed between the fixing member and the opposing member from the fixing member; a plurality of contact-direction biasing members connected to the front portion of the plurality of separators to bias the plurality of separators to cause the plurality of separators to contact the fixing member; a rotatable releasing member, that rotates around an axis of a shaft, the base portion of the plurality of separators being affixed to the shaft, the releasing member contacting the plurality of separators to cause the plurality of separators to separate from the fixing member against the bias of the plurality of contact-direction biasing members; and a driver connected to the releasing member to separate the releasing member from the plurality of separators to cause the plurality of contact-direction biasing members connected to the plurality of separators to cause the plurality of separators to contact the fixing member.