Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

摘要

A fixing device capable of incorporating in an image forming apparatus includes a belt unit including a rotatable elastic endless belt having a sleeve shape without a driving shaft and a nip forming member disposed contactable against an inner surface of the endless belt, and a pressing member to form a nip contact portion through which a recording medium passes by pressing against the nip forming member via the endless belt. The endless belt is configured to be removable from the fixing device without contacting the endless belt.

主权项

1. A fixing device comprising:
a frame; a belt unit including a rotatable elastic endless belt having a sleeve shape and a nip forming member disposed contactable against an inner surface of the endless belt, the belt unit being without a driving shaft; a pressing member, disposed in the frame, to form a nip contact portion through which a recording medium passes by pressing against the nip forming member via the endless belt; a flange to hold the belt unit; a belt unit stay provided on the belt unit to support the nip forming member, the endless belt, and the flange, the belt unit being configured to be replaced by removing the belt unit stay from the frame of the fixing device; and an electric parts supporting unit to support electrical parts disposed on the electric parts supporting unit, the electric parts supporting unit being configured to be removed from the belt unit stay while the belt unit is in a state that is configured to carry out a fixing operation.