Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic imaging unit, a fixing unit, a conveyance unit, and a guide assembly. The electrophotographic imaging unit forms a toner image on a recording medium for forwarding to a media conveyance path. The fixing unit is disposed in the conveyance path to fix the toner image in place on the recording medium through a fixing nip. The conveyance unit is disposed downstream of the fixing unit along the conveyance path to forward the recording medium from the fixing nip. The guide assembly is disposed between the fixing unit and the conveyance unit along the conveyance path to guide the recording medium therethrough. The guide assembly includes a pair of first and second media guide members to form a tapered passageway therebetween to pass the recording medium from the fixing nip into the conveyance unit.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing mechanism having a first motor, and a conveyance mechanism arranged downstream of the fixing mechanism having a second motor. A motor control section is provided to control sheet conveyance speeds V1 and V2 in the respective fixing and conveyance mechanisms to maintain a difference therebetween within a prescribed range by adjusting a number of rotations of one of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A fixer for an image forming apparatus includes a fixing member configured to fuse a toner image with heat, a pressure member configured to press against the fixing member to form a nip therebetween, and a control unit configured to control a relative pressure of the pressure member against the fixing member. The control unit includes a cam configured to change a rotation position thereof to change the relative pressure of the pressure member against the fixing member, a driving source configured to drive the cam to rotate, and a controller configured to detect a rotation position of the cam by detecting changes in an electrical current that flows in the driving source when the cam is rotated, and control the rotation position of the cam.

Abstract: A fixer for an image forming apparatus includes a fixing member configured to fuse a toner image with heat, a pressure member configured to press against the fixing member to form a nip therebetween, and a control unit configured to control a relative pressure of the pressure member against the fixing member. The control unit includes a cam configured to change a rotation position thereof to change the relative pressure of the pressure member against the fixing member, a driving source configured to drive the cam to rotate, and a controller configured to detect a rotation position of the cam by detecting changes in an electrical current that flows in the driving source when the cam is rotated, and control the rotation position of the cam.