Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an electrophotographic imaging unit to form a toner image on a recording medium;
• and
• a fixing device to fix the toner image in place on the recording medium, the fixing device including:
• a frame to define a space in which the fixing device is installed;
• a tubular heat pipe extending in an axial direction with a pair of opposed axial ends thereof held stationary with respect to the frame, a circumference of the heat pipe subjected to heating;
• a flexible fuser belt looped for rotation around the heat pipe, an inner circumference thereof at least partially facing the heat pipe to transfer heat from the heated circumference of the heat pipe;
• a fuser pad extending in the axial direction inside the loop of the fuser belt and parallel to the heat pipe, with a pair of opposed axial ends thereof held stationary with respect to the frame;
• a pressure member extending opposite the heat pipe in the axial direction with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member,
• the fuser pad being pressed against the pressure member through the fuser belt in a load direction perpendicular to the axial direction to form a fixing nip through which the recording medium is passed to fix the toner image thereupon under heat and pressure,
• the heat pipe and the fuser pad establishing stationary contact with each other at their respective axial ends upon formation of the fixing nip;
• and
• a deformation relief mechanism provided to at least one of the heat pipe and the fuser pad to relieve deformation of the fuser pad between the opposed axial ends where the fuser pad bends under pressure in the load direction.