Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same

A fixing device, comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical metal member;
• a heater to heat the metal member;
• an endless, flexible fixing member disposed rotatable around the metal member, an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member heated by the metal member to heat and fix a toner image;
• a rotary pressing member disposed opposite the metal member and pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing the toner image passes;
• and
• a stationary member disposed in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, the stationary member having an opposing face that opposes the rotary pressing member and has a curvature smaller than a curvature of the rotary pressing member,
• wherein,
• when a high-gloss mode is selected to increase the glossiness of the fixed image, the controller controls the surface temperature of the fixing member to fall in a lower temperature range, and
• when a low-gloss mode is selected to reduce the glossiness of the fixed image, the controller controls the surface temperature of the fixing member to fall in a higher temperature range.

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

• a substantially cylindrical metal member;
• a heater to heat the metal member;
• an endless, flexible fixing member disposed rotatable around the metal member, an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member heated by the metal member to heat and fix a toner image;
• a rotary pressing member disposed opposite the metal member and pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing the toner image passes;
• a stationary member disposed in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, the stationary member having an opposing face that opposes the rotary pressing member and has a curvature smaller than a curvature of the rotary pressing member;
• and
• a reinforcement member fixedly disposed inside the metal member in contact with the stationary member to reinforce the stationary member.

A fixing device, comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical metal member;
• a heater to heat the metal member;
• an endless, flexible fixing member disposed rotatable around the metal member, an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member heated by the metal member to heat and fix a toner image;
• a rotary pressing member disposed opposite the metal member and pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing the toner image passes;
• a stationary member disposed in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, the stationary member having an opposing face that opposes the rotary pressing member and has a curvature smaller than a curvature of the rotary pressing member;
• and
• a heat insulator, the heat insulator is between the stationary member and the heater.