Patent ID: 8615175

Claim:
A fixing unit removably installable in an image forming apparatus, comprising: an endless, flexible fixing member; a substantially cylindrical metal member disposed in proximity to an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member; a nip formation member supported by the metal member to slidably contact the fixing member or oppose the fixing member via a slide sheet; a heater to heat the metal member to heat the fixing member; a rotary pressing member to rotate the fixing member, disposed opposite and parallel to the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing an image passes, with heat of the heater and pressure of the pressing member applied to the image on the recording medium at the nip to fix the image on the recording medium; and a rotation detector to detect a rotational state of the fixing member, wherein heating rotation of the fixing member is continuously performed until a predetermined rotational state of the fixing member is obtained, to spread a lubricant substantially uniformly at least between the fixing member and the metal member, wherein an indication for requesting maintenance is created when the rotation detector determines that the predetermined rotational state is not obtained after a threshold period of time elapses.