Fixing Device Provided with Reinforced Nip Member

摘要

A fixing device may include a metal plate, an endless belt, a rotating body, and a stay. The metal plate may have a main part comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion positioned therebetween and having rigidity higher than that of the first end portion and the second end portion. The endless belt may have an inner peripheral surface configured to be in sliding contact with the metal plate. The main part may be aligned with the rotating body in a direction from the metal plate to the rotating body. The stay may be disposed opposite to the nip region with respect to the metal plate. The stay and the main part of the metal plate may be deformable upon application of the load to the stay such that the main part may provide a convex shape protruding toward the rotating body.

主权项

1. A fixing device comprising:
a metal plate having a main part comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion, the center portion being positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion and having a rigidity higher than that of the first end portion and the second end portion; an endless belt having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface configured to be in sliding contact with the metal plate in a sliding direction; a rotating body that is configured to rotate and defines an axial direction, the metal plate and the rotating body being configured to nip the endless belt therebetween, the endless belt and the rotating body being configured to form a nip region therebetween, the main part being aligned with the rotating body in a direction from the metal plate to the rotating body, and the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion with respect to the center portion in the axial direction; and a stay disposed opposite to the nip region with respect to the metal plate, and configured to receive a load from the rotating body through the metal plate, the stay and the main part of the metal plate being configured to deform such that the main part provides a convex shape protruding toward the rotating body when the stay receives a load from the rotating body through the metal plate.