FIXING DEVICE

摘要

A fixing device includes first and second members, a frame supporting the second member, and two pressure mechanisms provided on either end of the first member. The mechanism includes a lever having one end supported by the frame in a rotatable manner in a pressure direction, and a helical compression spring disposed between a first spring support provided on the other end of the lever and a second spring support on the frame. At least one of the first and second spring supports includes a first area and a second area closer to the spring in the axial direction than the first area, the first area is in contact with an area of the spring close to a winding end of the spring, and the second area is in contact with an area of the spring farther away from the winding end in a winding direction than the first area.

主权项

1. A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium by conveying and heating the recording medium on which the toner image is formed at a nip portion, comprising:
a first fixing member; a second fixing member configured to form the nip portion together with the first fixing member; a frame configured to support the second fixing member; and a pair or pressure mechanisms provided on either end of the first fixing member in a longitudinal direction of the first fixing member, the pressure mechanisms urging the first fixing member against the second fixing member, each of the pressure mechanisms including a lever having one end supported by the frame in a rotatable manner in a pressure direction in which the first fixing member is urged and a helical compression spring disposed between a first spring support portion provided on the other end of the lever and a second spring support portion provided on the frame, wherein the pressure mechanism urges the first fixing member against the second fixing member via the lever by an elastic force of the spring, wherein at least one of the first spring supporting portion and the second spring supporting portion includes a first supporting area and a second supporting area closer to the spring in an axial direction of the spring than the first supporting area, the first supporting area being in contact with an area of the spring close to a winding end of the spring, the second supporting area being in contact with an area of the spring farther away from the winding end in a winding direction of the spring than the first supporting area.