Patent ID: 6865364
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device comprising: a group of rollers including at least one roller having a heat source, said group of rollers further including a first roller having no heat source; an endless belt stretched around said group of rollers; a second roller facing said first roller via said endless belt so as to form a nip portion between said second roller and said endless belt, said second roller having a heat source; a tension applying mechanism that applies a tension to said endless belt; and a shifting mechanism that shifts said first roller in the direction away from said second roller, said shifting mechanism shifting said first roller in a direction in which said tension applied to said endless belt decreases, said tension applying mechanism applying said tension to said endless belt in such a range that an impression is not formed on said endless belt and that said endless belt does not slip over said group of rollers, when said first roller is shifted in the direction away from said second roller by said shifting mechanism.