Patent ID: 7426364

Claim:
A fixing device, comprising: a fixing member in contact with an unfixed image constituted of developer on one side of a recording material; and a pressure member pressed against the fixing member, the fixing device fixing the unfixed image onto the recording material by causing the recording material, charged so as to have a same polarity as a polarity of the developer, to pass through a gap between the fixing member and the pressure member, wherein when the recording material passes through the gap between the fixing member and the pressure member, an inflow current into the fixing member Ih is 0, wherein the fixing member is kept in an electrically float state while fixing the unfixed image onto the recording material, wherein the pressure member is conductive, the fixing device further includes grounding means for grounding the pressure member, and wherein the grounding means has a conductive member in contact with a surface of the pressure member, and the conductive member is used also as cleaning means for cleaning the pressure member.