Fixing device and image forming apparatus having a movable pressing unit

摘要

A fixing device includes a heating unit, an endless belt body that follows rotation of the heating unit, and a pressing unit that faces the heating unit with the endless belt body interposed therebetween. The pressing unit includes a retaining body that rotatably retains the endless belt body, a pressing-area-forming portion that is a part of the retaining body, and a pressing member provided on an upstream side of the retaining body with respect to the pressing-area-forming portion in a direction of rotation of the endless belt body, the pressing member being a metal plate that is bent along a line extending in a longitudinal direction thereof. The pressing unit is movable relative to the heating unit between a position where a pressing area is formed by the pressing-area-forming portion and the pressing member and a position where the pressing area is formed by the pressing member.

主权项

1. A fixing device comprising:
a heating unit; an endless belt body that rotates by following rotation of the heating unit; and a pressing unit that faces the heating unit with the endless belt body interposed between the pressing unit and the heating unit, the pressing unit including
a retaining body that retains the endless belt body while allowing the endless belt body to rotate;a first pressing-area-forming portion that is a part of the retaining body;a pressing member that is provided on an upstream side of the retaining body with respect to the first pressing-area-forming portion in a direction of rotation of the endless belt body, the pressing member being made of a metal plate that is bent along a line extending in a longitudinal direction of the plate; and
a second pressing-area-forming portion that is provided on the upstream side of the retaining body with respect to the pressing member in a direction of rotation of the endless belt body, wherein the pressing unit is movable relative to the heating unit between two positions, including a position where a pressing area is formed when the pressing unit is pressed toward the heating unit by the first pressing-area-forming portion, second pressing-area-forming portion and the pressing member and a position where the pressing area is formed by the pressing member only.