Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same

A fixing device comprising:

• an endless, flexible fixing member rotatably provided in the fixing device to heat a toner image thereon;
• a pressing member rotatably pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member;
• a stationary member fixedly disposed at an inner circumferential surface side of the fixing member and pressed by the pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween;
• a substantially cylindrical metal member fixedly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member over an area other than the nip to heat the fixing member;
• flanges disposed at axial edges of the metal member in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the metal member to support the metal member;
• a first heater disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat an axial middle portion of the metal member;
• a second heater disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat axial end portions of the metal member, wherein the first heater is disposed farther from the nip than the second heater;
• and
• a reinforcement member disposed inside the metal member to contact the stationary member for reinforcement and divide an interior of the metal member into substantially two spaces, wherein, of the substantially two spaces, the first heater and the second heater are disposed in an upstream space upstream of the nip in a rotation direction of the fixing member.

An image forming apparatus comprising a fixing device, the fixing device comprising:

• an endless, flexible fixing member rotatably provided in the fixing device to heat a toner image thereon;
• a pressing member rotatably pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member;
• a stationary member fixedly disposed at an inner circumferential surface side of the fixing member and pressed by the pressing member with the fixing member interposed therebetween;
• a substantially cylindrical metal member fixedly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member over an area other than the nip to heat the fixing member;
• flanges disposed at axial edges of the metal member in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the metal member to support the metal member;
• a first heater disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat an axial middle portion of the metal member;
• and
• a second heater disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat axial end portions of the metal member,
• wherein the first heater is disposed farther from the nip than the second heater.