Fixing device preventing rubbing of toner image

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming device configured to form an image;
• and
• a fixing device including:
• a fixing belt configured to be endless and to convey a sheet-like recording medium on which a toner image is fixed;
• a heating roller configured to support a first end of the fixing belt therearound;
• a fixing roller configured to support a second end of the fixing belt therearound;
• a pressure roller provided at a position opposed to the fixing roller such that the fixing belt is passed between the pressure roller and the fixing roller;
• a first supporting member configured to support the pressure roller with respect to a main body of the fixing device;
• a second supporting member configured to support the fixing belt, the heating roller, and the fixing roller with respect to the first supporting member;
• an angle, formed between a line tangential to an upstream end of a contacting region of the fixing belt with the pressure roller in a moving direction of the fixing belt and an approaching direction of a sheet-like recording medium to the upstream end of the contacting region of the fixing belt with the pressure roller, which is set equal to 20° or larger;
• and
• a guiding member configured to guide the sheet-like recording medium by regulating the approaching direction of the sheet-like recording mediums
• wherein the second supporting member is pivoted about the fixing roller with respect to the first supporting member, while supporting the fixing belt, the heating roller, and the fixing roller.

A fixing device comprising:

• a fixing belt means, which is formed to be endless, for conveying a sheet-like recording medium on which a toner image is fixed;
• a heating roller means for supporting a first end of the fixing belt means therearound;
• a fixing roller means for supporting a second end of the fixing belt means therearound;
• a pressure roller means for pressure-contacting the heating roller means, the pressure roller means being provided at a position opposed to the fixing roller means such that the fixing belt means is located between the pressure roller means and the fixing roller means;
• a first supporting means for supporting the pressure roller means with respect to a main body of the fixing device;
• a second supporting means for supporting the fixing belt means, the heating roller means, and the fixing roller means with respect to the first supporting means;
• an angle, formed between a line tangential to an upstream end of a contacting region of the fixing belt means with the pressure roller means in a moving direction of the fixing belt means and an approaching direction of a sheet-like recording medium to the upstream end of the contacting region of the fixing belt means with the pressure roller means, which is set equal to 20° or larger;
• and
• a guiding means for guiding the sheet-like recording medium by regulating the approaching direction of the sheet-like recording medium,
• wherein the second supporting means is pivoted about the fixing roller means with respect to the first supporting means, while supporting the fixing belt means, the heating roller means, and the fixing roller means.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming device configured to form an image;
• and
• a fixing device including:
• a fixing belt means, which is formed to be endless, for conveying a sheet-like recording medium on which a toner image is fixed;
• a heating roller means for supporting a first end of the fixing belt means therearound;
• a fixing roller means for supporting a second end of the fixing belt means therearound;
• a pressure roller means for pressure-contacting the heating roller means, the pressure roller means being provided at a position opposed to the fixing roller means such that the fixing belt means is located between the pressure roller means and the fixing roller means;
• a first supporting means for supporting the pressure roller means with respect to a main body of the fixing device;
• a second supporting means for supporting the fixing belt means, the heating roller means, and the fixing roller means with respect to the first supporting means are provided;
• an angle, formed between a line tangential to an upstream end of a contacting region of the fixing belt means with the pressure roller means in a moving direction of the fixing belt means and an approaching direction of a sheet-like recording medium to the upstream end of the contacting region of the fixing belt means with the pressure roller means, which is set equal to 20° or larger;
• and
• a guiding means for guiding the sheet-like recording medium by regulating the approaching direction of the sheet-like recording medium,
• wherein the second supporting means is pivoted about the fixing roller means with respect to the first supporting means, while supporting the fixing belt means, the heating roller means, and the fixing roller means.