Fixing device and image forming apparatus

A fixing device comprising:

• a fixing member that includes a conductive layer and fixes toner on a recording material with heat generated in the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction;
• a magnetic-field-producing member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied to the magnetic-field-producing member, the alternating-current magnetic field intersecting the conductive layer;
• a first support member that faces the magnetic-field-producing member and has a first projection which projects toward the magnetic-field-producing member, the first support member supporting the magnetic-field-producing member at the first projection;
• and
• a second support member that faces the first support member with the magnetic-field-producing member interposed therebetween, the second support member supporting the magnetic-field-producing member by pressing the magnetic-field-producing member against the first support member,
• wherein the second support member has a second projection projecting toward the magnetic-field-producing member, and
• wherein the first projection and the second projection support the magnetic-field-producing member by being in contact with the magnetic-field-producing member.

A fixing device comprising:

• a fixing member that includes a conductive layer and fixes toner on a recording material with heat generated in the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction;
• a magnetic-field-producing member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied to the magnetic-field-producing member, the alternating-current magnetic field intersecting the conductive layer;
• a first support member that faces the magnetic-field-producing member and has a first projection which projects toward the magnetic-field-producing member, the first support member supporting the magnetic-field-producing member at the first projection;
• a second support member that faces the first support member with the magnetic-field-producing member interposed therebetween, the second support member supporting the magnetic-field-producing member by pressing the magnetic-field-producing member against the first support member;
• and
• a blower member that feeds a flow of air in between the first support member and the magnetic-field-producing member.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a toner-image-forming section that forms a toner image;
• a transfer section that transfers the toner image to a recording material;
• and
• a fixing section that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording material on the recording material,
• wherein the fixing section includes
• a fixing member that includes a conductive layer and fixes toner on the recording material with heat generated in the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction;
• a magnetic-field-producing member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied to the magnetic-field-producing member, the alternating-current magnetic field intersecting the conductive layer;
• a first support member that is provided between the fixing member and the magnetic-field-producing member;
• a second support member that faces the first support member with the magnetic-field-producing member interposed therebetween;
• and
• a protrusion that is provided on at least one of the first support member and the second support member and supports the magnetic-field-producing member such that a gap is provided between the magnetic-field-producing member and the at least one of the first support member and the second support member,
• wherein the protrusion projects toward the magnetic-field-producing member such that an upward surface of the protrusion, which is opposite to an inward surface of the first support member or the second support member, contacts and supports the magnetic-field-producing member.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a toner-image-forming section that forms a toner image;
• a transfer section that transfers the toner image to a recording material;
• and
• a fixing section that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording material on the recording material,
• wherein the fixing section includes
• a fixing member that includes a conductive layer and fixes toner on the recording material with heat generated in the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction;
• a magnetic-field-producing member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied to the magnetic-field-producing member, the alternating-current magnetic field intersecting the conductive layer;
• a first support member that is provided between the fixing member and the magnetic-field-producing member;
• a second support member that faces the first support member with the magnetic-field-producing member interposed therebetween;
• a first protrusion that is provided on the first support member and supports the magnetic-field-producing member such that a gap is provided between the magnetic-field-producing member and the first support member;
• and
• a second protrusion that is provided on the second support member and supports the magnetic-field-producing member such that a gap is provided between the magnetic-field-producing member and the second support member.