FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

摘要

A fixing device includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a support member having a connection part, an urging member, and an engaging member. The engaging member is capable of changing a state of the fixing device between a pressure applied state and a pressure reduced state using the urging member and the support member. When the nip pressure is in the pressure applied state, the engaging member changes a position of the urging member to direct the urging member longitudinally in a tangential direction to an arc that has a center coinciding with a center of rotation of the support member and that passes through the connecting portion. When the nip pressure is in the pressure reduced state, the engaging member changes the position of the urging member to direct the urging member longitudinally in a direction different from the tangential direction.

主权项

1. A fixing device for fixing toner to a recording medium, comprising:
a first rotary member; a second rotary member located opposite to the first rotary member and configured to form a nip part with the first rotary member; a support member that engages with the first rotary member or the second rotary member and that is turnable about a center of rotation thereof so as to change a nip pressure at the nip part, the support member including a connecting portion; an urging member connected to the support member at the connecting portion of the support member; and an engaging member capable of changing a state of the fixing device between a pressure applied state and a pressure reduced state using the urging member and the support member, the pressure applied state being a state in which the nip pressure is a first nip pressure, the pressure reduced state being a state in which the nip pressure is a second nip pressure lower than the first nip pressure, wherein when the nip pressure is in the pressure applied state, the engaging member changes a position of the urging member to direct the urging member longitudinally in a tangential direction to an arc that has a center coinciding with the center of rotation of the support member and that passes through the connecting portion, and when the nip pressure is in the pressure reduced state, the engaging member changes the position of the urging member to direct the urging member longitudinally in a direction different from the tangential direction.