Patent ID: 7792447

Claim:
A fixing device, comprising: a first nip portion forming unit for forming a first nip portion for nipping and conveying a recording material; a second nip portion forming unit for forming a second nip portion for nipping and conveying the recording material having passed through the first nip portion, the fixing device being for heating an unfixed toner image on the recording material in the first nip portion and for glossing the toner image on the recording material in the second nip portion; a temperature detecting section for detecting a temperature of the second nip portion forming unit; a pressure force changing section for changing a pressure force applied to the second nip portion; and a control section for controlling the pressure force changing section, wherein a peak value of the pressure force in the second nip portion is set to 8 kg/cm 2 or lower, wherein a temperature of the toner image on the recording material drops from a temperature higher than a glass transition point of a toner to a temperature lower than the glass transition point within a period in which the toner image passes through the second nip portion, and wherein the control section controls the pressure force changing section to decrease the pressure force applied to the second nip portion as a detected temperature detected by the temperature detecting section becomes higher.