Nip member configuration of a fixing device

摘要

A fixing device which may include a flexible cylindrical member which has an inner peripheral surface and is configured to rotate about an axis, a heater arranged inside the cylindrical member and extends in an axial direction of the cylindrical member, and a nip member. The nip member may include a contact surface configured to contact the cylindrical member, and has a predetermined length in a sheet conveying direction. Further, the nip member may have an axial length which includes a predetermined range, wherein the predetermined range along the axial length represents a maximum width of a recording sheet upon which a developer image is fixed. The fixing device may also include a guide member. The guide member and the nip member may be at least partially separated along the predetermined range of the nip member within the predetermined length of the contact surface in the sheet conveying direction.

主权项

1. A fixing device configured to fix a developer image onto a recording sheet, the fixing device comprising:
a flexible cylindrical member which has an inner peripheral surface and is configured to rotate about an axis; a heater arranged inside the flexible cylindrical member and extending in an axial direction of the flexible cylindrical member; a nip member, which includes:
a contact surface which is configured to contact the flexible cylindrical member, and includes a predetermined length in a sheet conveying direction; andan axial length which includes a predetermined range; a pressure member, the pressure member and the nip member being configured to pinch the flexible cylindrical member therebetween; and a guide member arranged at least at one side of the nip member in the sheet conveying direction and including a guide surface that is configured to guide the inner peripheral surface of the flexible cylindrical member, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the flexible cylindrical member is configured to slide on the nip member, and wherein the guide member and the nip member are at least partially separated along the predetermined range of the nip member within the predetermined length of the contact surface in the sheet conveying direction.