Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image carrier to bear an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof;
• a developing device configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member using toner to form a toner image;
• a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium;
• and
• a fixing device to fix the toner image on the recording medium,
• the fixing device including
• a heater;
• a fixing member formed in a loop, to rotate in a predetermined direction and fix a toner image on a recording medium by heating and fusing the toner image;
• a rotary pressing member disposed opposite the fixing member, to press against the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes;
• a recording medium passing area defined on the fixing member and through which the recording medium is conveyed, having a width extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the recording medium;
• an air supply tube disposed downstream from the nip in the direction of conveyance of the recording medium and connected to an air source of the image forming apparatus, to supply compressed air;
• a plurality of nozzles diverging from the air supply tube along a long axis direction of the nip perpendicular to the direction of conveyance the recording medium, to inject compressed air against the recording medium passing through the nip;
• and
• an exhaust opening disposed outside the recording medium passing area, at an extreme upstream end in the direction of the flow of compressed air near the air source before the nozzles.