Patent ID: 8285167

Claim:
A fixing device configured to fix a toner image on a moving printing medium, comprising: a fixing heat generator that generates heat by electromagnetic induction; a fixing medium that rotates and is heated; and a pressing member that presses a back surface of the printing medium which is brought into contact with the fixing medium, the fixing heat generator including a center coil and a pair of side coils provided at a center portion and both side portions thereof in terms of a perpendicular direction with respect to the direction of movement of the printing medium for heating the fixing medium by induction heating, the pressing member including a center heater and a side heater that heat the center portion and the side portions thereof in terms of the perpendicular direction with respect to the direction of movement of the printing medium respectively integrated therein, and further comprising: a side temperature sensor that senses at least one of the temperatures of the both side portions of the pressing member in terms of a widthwise direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the printing medium, and a heater control unit that turns OFF the side heater if the temperature that the side temperature sensor senses exceeds a predetermined temperature while the fixing heat generator is operated at a constant power.