Patent ID: 8385803

Claim:
A fixing device comprising: a fixing roller configured to fix a non-fixed toner image onto a sheet; a separation roller arranged downstream of the fixing roller and configured to separate the sheet, said separation roller being configured to approach or to withdraw from the fixing roller; an endless fixing belt wound around the fixing roller and the separation roller; a pressing roller pressing against the fixing roller via the fixing belt and configured to cooperatively fix the non-fixed toner image with the fixing roller; a guiding member secured to the fixing device and having a guiding hole, said guiding member being configured to guide the separation roller when the separation roller approaches or withdraw from the fixing roller along the guiding hole; at least one belt tensioner configured to create a prescribed tension on the fixing belt by applying a tension biasing force to the separation roller in an opposite direction to the fixing roller; and a driving force transmitting device configured to directly transmit rotational driving force to the separation roller via an engaging section of the separation roller, wherein said guiding hole has an arc shape coaxial with the driving force transmitting device.