Fixing device and image forming apparatus employing the fixing device

摘要

A fixing device (20) includes an endless flexible fixing member (21), a supporting member (22) disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing member (21), a pressing member (31) disposed opposite the supporting member (22) via the fixing member (21), and a nip formation member (26) disposed opposite the pressing member (31) via the fixing member (21) to form a fixing nip. The fixing member (21) contacts an outer circumferential face of the supporting member (22) at a side opposite a side at which the fixing member (21) contacts the nip formation member (26). The fixing member (21) has slack portions (21a, 21b) formed upstream and downstream from the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The slack portions (21a, 21b) extend toward the pressing member (31) over the fixing nip without contacting either the supporting member (22) or the pressing member (31).