Fixing device employing electromagnetic induction heating system capable of effectively using magnetic flux and image forming apparatus with fixing device

An image forming apparatus to form an image, comprising:

• an image formation device to form a toner image;
• and
• a fixing system to fix the toner image, said fixing system including:
• a fixing member having a heat generation layer;
• an excitation coil disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to cause the fixing member to induce electromagnetic heat;
• a magnetic core to form a continuous magnetic path guiding a magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil to the fixing member;
• a holder to accommodate and hold the excitation coil and the magnetic core;
• and
• at least one first core included in the magnetic core, wherein said at least one first core is arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member not via the excitation coil along a line extended from an axis of the fixing member in a radius direction, an end face of said at least one first core arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member and substantially perpendicular to the line.

A fixing device comprising:

• means for generating electromagnetic heat and fixing a toner image with the heat;
• means for inducing the electromagnetic heat generating means to generate electromagnetic heat, said inducing means including an excitation coil disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the electromagnetic heat generating means;
• means for forming a continuous magnetic path for guiding a magnetic flux generated by the inducing means to the electromagnetic heat generating means;
• means for holding the inducing means and the continuous magnetic path forming means;
• and
• at least one first core included in the continuous magnetic path forming means, said at least one first core being arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the electromagnetic heat generation means not via the inducing means along a line extended from an axis of the electromagnetic heat generation means in a radius direction, an end face of said at least one first core being arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the electromagnetic heat generating means and substantially perpendicular to the line.