Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit and an apparatus main body. The fixing unit includes a heating unit, a pressure roller, first and second cam members, and a pressure force release unit. The pressure force release unit switches a position of the heating unit between a first position at which a predetermined pressure force is applied from the pressure roller to a fixing nip portion, and a second position at which the applied predetermined pressure force is reduced or released. The apparatus main body includes first and second doors that are opened and closed and contain the fixing unit. The first cam member rotates with an open and close of the first door, and the second cam member rotates with an open and close of the second door. A rotational center of the second cam member is arranged coaxially with a rotational center of the first cam member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus incudes a first conveyance guide portion having a first roller, a first engagement portion, and a second engagement portion, and includes a second conveyance guide portion having a second roller, a first engaged portion, and a second engaged portion. The first and second conveyance guide portions form a conveyance path where the first and second rollers convey a sheet. The second conveyance guide portion moves so that engagement between the second engagement portion and the second engaged portion is released and relative positioning between the second and first conveyance guide portions is released. When the first engagement portion and the first engaged portion engage each other and the relative positioning between the second and first conveyance guide portions is released, the second conveyance guide portion pivots in an opening direction relative to the first conveyance guide portion so that the conveyance path is opened.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a roller, an apparatus frame, a connector and a heating unit having a film having a tubular shape, a heater, a heater holder disposed in an internal space of the film, and a unit holder disposed at a position at which the unit holder faces an end surface of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film. The connector includes an engagement portion configured to engage with a to-be-engaged portion of the unit holder in such a manner as to restrict the connector from becoming detached when a force in a direction in which the connector is detached is applied to the connector in a state in which the connector is electrically connected to the heater. The unit holder includes an abutment portion with which the heater holder comes into contact when a force in a direction toward the roller is applied to the connector.

Abstract: A heating device includes an elongated heater, a first holding member configured to hold the heater, a power shut-off member configured to shut off power supply to the heater, a second holding member configured to hold the power shut-off member, a first urging member configured to press the power shut-off member against the heater, and a regulation member configured to regulate a position of the second holding member, wherein, in a longitudinal direction of the heater, one end side of the second holding member is urged by the first urging member, and another end side of the second holding member is regulated in position by the regulation member.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a conveyance roller having first and second end portions in a rotation axis direction, an open bearing supporting the first end portion, a frame supporting the open bearing, and a second end support portion supporting the second end portion. The open bearing includes a roller support portion supporting the conveyance roller and an open portion allowing the conveyance roller to be removed through the open portion from the roller support portion in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis. The open bearing is movable from a first position, at which the conveyance roller is restricted from moving, to a second position at which the conveyance roller can move in the rotation axis direction. The second end portion is removable from the second end support portion by moving the conveyance roller from the second toward first end portion with the open bearing at the second position.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a flexible rotary member, a pressure roller, a heating element, a regulation member configured to regulate movement of the flexible rotary member by abutting against one end portion of the flexible rotary member in the axial direction, a guide unit, and an interlocking portion. The interlocking portion includes a hole portion and a shaft portion engages with the hole portion, and wherein an axis of the shaft portion is parallel to the axial direction of the flexible rotary member. The interlocking portion configured to move the guide unit in the conveyance direction in accordance with movement of the regulation member in the conveyance direction so that a clearance is kept between the guide unit and the flexible rotary member in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a flexible rotary member, a pressure roller, a heating element, a regulation member configured to regulate movement of the flexible rotary member by abutting against one end portion of the flexible rotary member in the axial direction, a guide unit, and an interlocking portion. The interlocking portion includes a hole portion and a shaft portion engages with the hole portion, and wherein an axis of the shaft portion is parallel to the axial direction of the flexible rotary member. The interlocking portion configured to move the guide unit in the conveyance direction in accordance with movement of the regulation member in the conveyance direction so that a clearance is kept between the guide unit and the flexible rotary member in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a link mechanism for mounting a cartridge on an apparatus main body, includes a pivot link and an intermediate link that moves from a first position for mounting the cartridge to a second position for image forming. A connecting portion to connect the intermediate link and the pivot link includes a boss with a protruded portion and a hole portion. When the intermediate link is at the second position, the protruded portion presses an inner surface of the hole portion such that a rotation moment in a direction in which the pivot link pivots, acts on the pivot link, and in a state where a portion-to-be-pressed of the cartridge is pressed by a pressing portion of the apparatus main body, a portion-to-be-positioned of the cartridge comes in contact with a positioning portion of the apparatus main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reduces image artifacts caused by the back tension of a separating unit. A control unit decreases the number of rotations (the rotational speed) of a resist roller pair after the leading edge of a sheet reaches a transfer position.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a first gear, a cam configured to rotate in interrelation with rotation of the first gear and capable of changing a state of two members between a pressed state and a pressure-released state, a pressing member configured to press the cam, and a second gear configured to transmit drive to the first gear in engagement with the first gear. At least one of the first and second gears includes first teeth provided at positions corresponding to an engaging region in which the first gear is engaged with the second gear when the state of the two members is changed from the pressure-released state to the pressed state and includes second teeth provided at positions corresponding to a region other than the engaging region. Tooth thicknesses of the first teeth are thicker than tooth thicknesses of the second teeth.

Abstract: In a fixing device of the present invention, first and second movable members are each urged toward a flexible member so that the contact between contact surfaces of the first and second movable members and end faces of the flexible member are each maintained.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reduces image artifacts caused by the back tension of a separating unit. A control unit decreases the number of rotations (the rotational speed) of a resist roller pair after the leading edge of a sheet reaches a transfer position.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a link mechanism for mounting a cartridge on an apparatus main body, includes a pivot link and an intermediate link that moves from a first position for mounting the cartridge to a second position for image forming. A connecting portion to connect the intermediate link and the pivot link includes a boss with a protruded portion and a hole portion. When the intermediate link is at the second position, the protruded portion presses an inner surface of the hole portion such that a rotation moment in a direction in which the pivot link pivots, acts on the pivot link, and in a state where a portion-to-be-pressed of the cartridge is pressed by a pressing portion of the apparatus main body, a portion-to-be-positioned of the cartridge comes in contact with a positioning portion of the apparatus main body.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus will be described for fixing a toner image on a recording medium. The apparatus includes a heater that is in contact with an inner surface of a film, a restricting member that restricts movement of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film, a connector that is connected electrically to the heater for supplying electric power to the heater, and a lock member that maintains a position of the restricting member and a position of the connector relative to each other.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a first gear, a cam configured to rotate in interrelation with rotation of the first gear and capable of changing a state of two members between a pressed state and a pressure-released state, a pressing member configured to press the cam, and a second gear configured to transmit drive to the first gear in engagement with the first gear. At least one of the first and second gears includes first teeth provided at positions corresponding to an engaging region in which the first gear is engaged with the second gear when the state of the two members is changed from the pressure-released state to the pressed state and includes second teeth provided at positions corresponding to a region other than the engaging region. Tooth thicknesses of the first teeth are thicker than tooth thicknesses of the second teeth.

Abstract: In a fixing device of the present invention, first and second movable members are each urged toward a flexible member so that the contact between contact surfaces of the first and second movable members and end faces of the flexible member are each maintained.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a first gear, a cam configured to rotate in interrelation with rotation of the first gear and capable of changing a state of two members between a pressed state and a pressure-released state, a pressing member configured to press the cam, and a second gear configured to transmit drive to the first gear in engagement with the first gear. At least one of the first and second gears includes first teeth provided at positions corresponding to an engaging region in which the first gear is engaged with the second gear when the state of the two members is changed from the pressure-released state to the pressed state and includes second teeth provided at positions corresponding to a region other than the engaging region. Tooth thicknesses of the first teeth are thicker than tooth thicknesses of the second teeth.

Abstract: In a fixing device of the present invention, first and second movable members are each urged toward a flexible member so that the contact between contact surfaces of the first and second movable members and end faces of the flexible member are each maintained.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a compact fixing device with reduced cost of wiring including electrical cables. In the fixing device, first and second wire guide members that seal a part of wires electrically connected to terminals of a temperature detection element and a part of wires electrically connected to terminals of a safety element are disposed in the internal space of a fixing film.

Abstract: In a fixing device of the present invention, first and second movable members are each urged toward a flexible member so that the contact between contact surfaces of the first and second movable members and end faces of the flexible member are each maintained.