Patent ID: 8447220

Claim:
A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium, comprising: an endless belt-shaped fixing member to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation, formed in a loop; a pressing member to contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member; a contact member provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member and pressed against the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes; a sheet heat generator provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member and including a flexible heat generation sheet having a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the fixing member and a width in an axial direction of the fixing member, contactable against the fixing member to heat the fixing member; and a contact adjuster provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member, to adjust an extent of contact of the heat generation sheet and the fixing member in the axial direction, the contact adjuster supporting the heat generation sheet at a first position at which the heat generation sheet contacts the fixing member and bending a portion of the heat generation sheet at a second position at which a portion of the heat generation sheet is separated from or contacts the fixing member.