Patent ID: 8346148

Claim:
A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip, the fixing device comprising: a heat-generating endless belt having, on a circumferential surface thereof, a sheet passing area through which the recording sheet passes; a first pressure member disposed inside a running path of the heat-generating endless belt; a second pressure member disposed to press the heat-generating endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip, and a pair of power feeders, wherein the heat-generating endless belt includes: a circumferential resistive heat layer that generates heat upon having electric current applied thereto; and a first electrode and a second electrode that receive electric current, the first and second electrodes flanking the sheet passing area, each of the first and second electrodes is composed of a pair of electrode layers, one disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer and another disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the resistive heat layer, and one of the power feeders is disposed in contact with both the electrode layers of the first electrode to feed power thereto, and another one of the power feeders is disposed in contact with both the electrode layers of the second electrode to feed power thereto.