Fixing device, image forming apparatus with same, and method of assembling fixing device

摘要

A fixing device fixes a toner image on a recording medium transported to a fixing nip by applying pressure and heat to the recording medium. The fixing device includes an endless belt formed into a loop with both ends bonded together, the belt accommodating a heat source inside thereof, a pressing roller rotating in contact with the endless belt forming the fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing roller, and a fixed member provided inside a loop of the endless belt to press the endless belt against a pressing roller. A reinforcing member is bonded to the fixed member inside the loop of the endless belt to reinforce the fixed member. A reflector is provided to reflect light emitted from the heat source toward the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The reflector is held on the reinforcing member by either plastically or elastically deforming by itself.

主权项

1. A fixing device for fixing a toner image borne on a recording medium transported to a fixing nip by applying pressure and heat to the recording medium, the fixing device comprising:
an endless belt formed into a loop with both ends bonded together, the belt accommodating a heat source inside a loop thereof; a pressing roller rotating in contact with the endless belt forming a fixing nip between the endless belt and itself; a fixed member provided inside the loop of the endless belt to press the endless belt against the pressing roller; a reinforcing member bonded to the fixed member inside the loop of the endless belt to reinforce the fixed member; and a reflector to reflect light emitted from the heat source toward the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt, wherein the reflector is plastically or elastically held on the reinforcing member by the reflector either plastically or elastically deforming, and a distance across the reflector in a conveyance direction of the recording medium through the fixing nip is greater than a distance across the reinforcing member in the conveyance direction.