Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device to heat a recording material at a use position, an opening and closing member, and a drawer unit. In a state where the fixing device is at the use position, part of the fixing device is located in a space for the drawer unit to pass through when moved from a first inner position to a first outer position so that movement of the drawer unit from the first inner to the first outer position is restricted. The fixing device is retracted from the use position to a retracted position so that the movement of the drawer unit from the first inner to the first outer position is allowed. Part of the fixing device at the retracted position is at a position higher than a position of an upper cover portion of the opening and closing member at a closed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording material includes an apparatus main body having a first end provided with an opening and having a second end, a fixing device to heat the recording material, an opening and closing member, a drawer unit having a first photosensitive drum, and a transfer device. When being moved from a first inner position inside the apparatus main body to a first outer position outside the apparatus main body through the main body opening, the drawer unit is to be moved in a moving direction intersecting with a rotation axis of the first photosensitive drum, and is to be moved away from the second end. When being moved from a second inner position inside the apparatus main body to a second outer position outside the apparatus main body, the transfer device is moved away from the second end.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a drawer unit, and a transfer device a including a belt. When image formation on a recording material is performed, the drawer unit is at a first apparatus main body inner position and the transfer device is at a second apparatus main body inner position. In this drawer unit state, (a) a part of the transfer device is disposed downstream of the drawer unit in a moving direction in which the drawer unit moves from the first inner position to a first apparatus main body outer position, and (b) in a vertical direction, an area where the part of the transfer device is positioned overlaps, at least in part, with an area where the drawer unit is positioned. The transfer device includes a cleaning member to clean the belt and is accommodated in the part of the transfer device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a drawer unit, and a transfer device including a belt. The drawer unit includes a first cartridge, a support member to which the first cartridge is detachably attached, and a first photosensitive drum disposed on the support member or the first cartridge. The drawer unit is moved to a first inner position inside the apparatus main body and to a first outer position outside the apparatus main body. The transfer device is moved to a second inner position inside the apparatus main body and to a second outer position outside the apparatus main body. The belt contacts the first photosensitive drum with the transfer device at the second inner position. The transfer device is moved from the second inner to the second outer position when the drawer unit is moved from the first inner to the first outer 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: 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: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit to fix a toner image which has been transferred onto a sheet by a transfer portion, a loop detector to detect an amount of a loop formed on the sheet at a position between the transfer portion and the fixing unit, and a controller to control a sheet conveyance speed of the fixing unit based on a detection result of the loop detector and control a rotational speed of rotary members to convey the sheet based on an area ratio which is a ratio of an area in which the toner image is formed by the transfer portion within a predetermined region set on a printing surface of the sheet onto which the toner image is transferred. The predetermined region is located at a position distant from a leading edge of the sheet more than a distance between the transfer portion and the fixing unit in the sheet 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: 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: An image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body including an image forming device that forms an image on a recording material, a unit detachably mounted in the apparatus main body, a switching member pivotably provided in the apparatus main body, wherein while in a state in which the switching member has entered into the unit mounted in the apparatus main body, the switching member selectively switches a route through which the recoding material is guided, and a retracting member provided in the apparatus main body, wherein in a course of dismounting the unit from the apparatus main body, the retracting member retracts the switching member to an outside of a mount area of the unit.

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: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image onto a sheet, a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image to the sheet, a loop detecting portion configured to detect an amount of a loop formed on the sheet, a rotary member pair disposed downstream in a sheet conveyance direction of the fixing portion and configured to convey the sheet, and a control portion configured to control a sheet conveyance speed of the fixing portion based on a detection result of the loop detecting portion and control a rotational speed of the rotary member pair based on an area ratio which is a ratio of an area in which the toner image is formed by the transfer portion within a predetermined region set on a printing surface of the sheet onto which the toner image is transferred.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device having a nip, in which an image is fixed on a recording material, and an air blowing unit configured to feed air. A first blow portion is provided, through which the air fed by the air blowing unit flows toward a first area, which is an end portion of the fixing device, in a longitudinal direction of the fixing device, so as to cool the first area by the air via an opening of the first blow portion. A blocking member changes a width of the opening of the first blow portion, and a second blow portion is provided, branched from the first blow portion so as to cross the first blow portion, through which the air blocked by the blocking member flows toward a second area, which is a region in which the recording material passes through the nip.