Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same

Abstract

The invention provides a fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the same. The fixing device includes a heated rotating body, a pressing rotating body that is pressed against the heated rotating body to form a fixing nip portion, a housing, a sheet inlet, a shielding member, and a biasing member. The shield member slides between a first position at which a sheet entry port provided in the housing is opened and a second position at which the sheet entry port is closed. The urging member urges the shielding member in a direction toward the second position. The shielding component is provided with a hook part, the hook part is provided with a clamping claw, and the clamping claw is opposite to the clamped part of the shell when the shielding component is configured at the second position. When an external force toward the inside of the housing is applied to the shielding member disposed at the second position, the engaging claw is engaged with the engaged portion, and movement of the shielding member toward the first position is restricted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming device having the fixing device. The fixing device is used in image forming devices such as copiers, printers, fax machines, and multifunctional integrated machines. Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a fixing device having a fixing member formed by pressing a fixing roller or a fixing belt (a heated rotating body) and a pressure roller (a pressure rotating body) is widely used in order to fix a toner image on a paper. In this fixing device, the paper is passed through a fixing nip formed by the fixing roller or the fixing belt and the pressure roller, and heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, so that the toner image is melted and fixed on the paper.

[0003] In a fixing device of a belt fixing method using a fixing belt as a heated rotating body, a primary current flows through the fixing belt. Therefore, according to labor safety and health regulations, when dealing with paper jams or performing maintenance on the fixing device, it is necessary to prevent the operator from coming into contact with the fixing belt. In addition, if the operator comes into contact with the fixing belt, it may damage the fixing belt or cause contamination, resulting in image degradation. Summary of the invention 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the same, wherein when a shield member for preventing contact with a fixing member is intentionally opened, the shield member can be kept in a closed state. (II) Technical solution

[0005] The fixing device of the first structure of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a heated rotating body; a pressurizing rotating body which is pressed against the heated rotating body to form a fixing roller gap; a housing which accommodates the heated rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body; a sheet material inlet which is arranged in the housing for allowing a sheet material conveyed to the fixing roller gap to pass through; a shielding member which is supported by the housing and slides between a first position which opens the sheet material inlet and a second position which closes the sheet material inlet; and a force applying member which applies force to the shielding member toward the first position. The fixing device applies force in the direction of the second position, heats and pressurizes the sheet passing through the fixing roller gap, thereby melting and fixing the unfixed colorant image on the sheet, the shielding component has a hook portion, and the hook portion is formed with an engaging claw. When the shielding component is configured at the second position, the engaging claw is opposite to the engaged portion of the shell. When the shielding component configured at the second position is applied with an external force toward the inside of the shell, the engaging claw engages with the engaged portion, thereby limiting the movement of the shielding component to the first position. In addition, the present invention is an image forming device, comprising: an image forming unit, which forms a colorant image on a sheet; and a fixing device of the above-mentioned structure, which melts and fixes the colorant image formed by the image forming unit on the sheet, the image forming device is characterized in that it is provided with an opening and closing cover, the opening and closing cover constitutes a side surface of the image forming device, and is supported to be able to rotate to the following states, namely: a closed state arranged opposite to the fixing device and an open state separated from the fixing device, a limiting protrusion is formed on the opening and closing cover, the limiting protrusion contacts the shielding member in the closed state, when the opening and closing cover is in the closed state, the shielding member presses on the limiting protrusion, thereby overcoming the force of the force applying member and being arranged in the first position, and when the opening and closing cover is in the open state, the shielding member utilizes the force of the force applying member and is arranged in the second position. (III) Beneficial effects

[0006] According to the first structure of the present invention, when an external force toward the inside of the housing is applied to the shielding member arranged at the second position, the engaging claw of the hook portion provided on the shielding member engages with the engaged portion. Therefore, when the shielding member arranged at the second position is intentionally opened, the shielding member can be reliably prevented from moving toward the first position. In addition, according to the second structure of the present invention, the shielding component is selectively configured in the open position and the closed position in conjunction with the opening and closing action of the opening and closing cover, thereby obtaining an image forming device in which the operator will not come into contact with the fixing belt or forget to open the shielding component when performing paper jam processing or maintenance of the fixing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the periphery of the paper conveyance path 19 and the double-sided conveyance path 20 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the fixing device 14 as viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the transfer paper P, and shows a state in which the shielding member 33 is arranged in the open position. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the fixing device 14 as viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the transfer paper P, and shows a state in which the shielding member 33 is arranged in the closed position. Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the shielding member 33 . Figure 6 It is a side cross-sectional view of one end side in the longitudinal direction of the fixing device 14 . Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged view of the lower periphery of the side plate 31a as viewed from the outside. Figure 8 It means from Figure 6 The opening and closing cover 21 is open in the state and the shielding member 33 is a side cross-sectional view of the state arranged in the closed position. Fig. 9 This is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the front end portion of the support portion 332 of the shield member 33 as viewed from the inside. Fig.10 It is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the shield member 33 is arranged in the closed position. Fig.11 This is a diagram for explaining a structure in which the locked state is maintained by the hook portion 332 b when the shield member 33 disposed in the closed position is opened manually. Fig.12 This is a diagram for explaining a structure in which the lock state of the shield member 33 arranged in the closed position is released by the opening and closing cover 21 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 (here, a color printer), from the upstream side in the conveying direction (in Figure 1 The left side in the middle is provided with four image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd in ​​sequence. These image forming units Pa to Pd correspond to different four-color (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black) image settings, and form yellow, cyan, magenta, and black images in sequence through charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes, respectively.

[0009] The image forming units Pa to Pd are provided with photosensitive drums (image carriers) 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d that carry visible images (toner images) of respective colors. In addition, an intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer body) 8 is provided adjacent to each image forming unit Pa to Pd. The intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer body) 8 is driven by a belt drive motor (not shown) to move the intermediate transfer belt to the image forming unit. Figure 1 The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 that moves in contact with the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d and overlap each other. Thereafter, the toner images transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 are secondarily transferred to the transfer paper P as an example of a recording medium by the secondary transfer roller 9. Furthermore, the transfer paper P to which the toner images are secondarily transferred is fixed in the fixing device 14 and then discharged from the main body of the image forming device 100. The photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are moved as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The photosensitive drums 1a to 1d rotate in the clockwise direction as shown, and perform image forming processing on each of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d.

[0010] The transfer paper P on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is stored in a paper cassette 16 disposed at the lower part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and is transported along a paper transport path 19 to the roller gap between the secondary transfer roller 9 and the driving roller 11 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 via a paper feed roller 12 and a registration roller pair 13. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a sheet of dielectric resin, and is mainly a seamless belt. In addition, a scraper-shaped belt cleaner 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roller 9 to remove the toner and the like remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0011] Next, the image forming units Pa to Pd are described. Around and below the rotatably arranged photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, there are provided charging devices 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d for charging the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, an exposure device 5 for exposing image information on each photosensitive drum 1a to 1d, developing devices 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d for forming toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and cleaning devices 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d for removing residual developer (toner) and the like on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d.

[0012] When image data is input from a host device such as a personal computer, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1a to 1d is uniformly charged by the charging device 2a to 2d. Then, the exposure device 5 is used to irradiate light according to the image data, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on each photosensitive drum 1a to 1d. The developing devices 3a to 3d are respectively filled with a predetermined amount of a two-component developer containing yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners. In addition, when the ratio of the toner in the two-component developer filled in each developing device 3a to 3d is lower than a predetermined value due to the toner image formation described later, the toner is replenished from the toner container 4a to 4d to each developing device 3a to 3d. The toner in the developer is supplied to the photosensitive drum 1a to 1d by the developing device 3a to 3d and electrostatically adheres. Thus, a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 5 is formed.

[0013] Then, the primary transfer rollers 6a to 6d are used to apply an electric field between the primary transfer rollers 6a to 6d and the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d at a predetermined transfer voltage, and the yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8. These images are formed in a predetermined positional relationship. After that, in preparation for the subsequent formation of a new electrostatic latent image, the toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d after the primary transfer are removed by the cleaning devices 7a to 7d.

[0014] The intermediate transfer belt 8 is mounted on the upstream driven roller 10 and the downstream driving roller 11. The driving roller 11 is rotated by a belt driving motor (not shown). When the intermediate transfer belt 8 starts to rotate counterclockwise with the rotation of the driving roller 11, the transfer paper P is moved from the registration roller pair 13 to the secondary transfer roller nip N (see FIG. 1 ) between the driving roller 11 and the secondary transfer roller 9 disposed adjacent thereto at a predetermined timing. Figure 2 Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is secondarily transferred onto the transfer paper P passing through the secondary transfer nip portion N.

[0015] The transfer paper P to which the toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 14. The fixing device 14 includes a fixing belt 14a, a pressure roller 14b, and a heater 14c disposed inside the fixing belt 14a (see FIG. 1 for details). Figure 2 ). The fixing belt 14a is heated by a heater (heating device) 14c. The pressure roller 14b is pressed against the fixing belt 14a to form a fixing nip portion and applies a rotational driving force to the fixing belt 14a. In addition, an induction heating portion may be provided on the outside of the fixing belt 14a instead of the heater 14c.

[0016] The transfer paper P conveyed to the fixing device 14 is heated and pressurized by the fixing belt 14a and the pressure roller 14b, so that the toner image is fixed on the surface of the transfer paper P, thereby forming a predetermined full-color image. The transfer paper P with the full-color image formed thereon is assigned a conveying direction by a branching portion 15 that branches in multiple directions, and is discharged to a discharge tray 18 directly (or after being conveyed to a double-sided conveying path 20 and having images formed on both sides) by a discharge roller pair 17.

[0017] Figure 2 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the periphery of the paper conveying path 19 and the double-sided conveying path 20 in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The opening and closing cover 21 constitutes the side surface 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 and is rotatably supported by a cover support shaft 21a, which is provided below the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The inner surface of the opening and closing cover 21 constitutes one (outer) conveying surface of the double-sided conveying path 20.

[0018] A handle 22 is provided on the side of the opening and closing cover 21. One end of the handle 22 is engaged with an engagement pin (not shown) provided on the front side frame and the back side frame of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, thereby keeping the opening and closing cover 21 in a closed state. When the opening and closing cover 21 is opened, the handle 22 is rotated to release the engagement with the engagement pin.

[0019] A conveying unit 23 is disposed inside the opening and closing cover 21. The conveying unit 23 is supported in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 so as to be rotatable around the unit support shaft 23a, and constitutes a part of the conveying surface of the double-sided conveying path 20 and the paper conveying path 19. The double-sided conveying path 20 is configured such that it extends in the vertical direction along the side surface 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 between the inner surface of the opening and closing cover 21 and the outer surface of the conveying unit 23, and is bent in a substantially C-shape and merges with the paper conveying path 19. On the inner surface of the conveying unit 23, from the upstream side ( Figure 2 Attached in sequence are: a roller 13b constituting one side of the positioning roller pair 13, and a secondary transfer roller 9.

[0020] By rotating only the opening and closing cover 21 in the opening direction relative to the image forming apparatus 100 to enter the open state, the double-sided conveying path 20 is exposed to a large extent. In addition, by rotating the opening and closing cover 21 and the conveying unit 23 in the opening direction together, the conveying unit 23 is separated from the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100, and the paper conveying path 19 is exposed to a large extent. On the other hand, by rotating the opening and closing cover 21 and the conveying unit 23 in the closing direction together to enter the closed state, the conveying unit 23 is brought into contact with the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100, and the secondary transfer roller 9 is pressed against the driving roller 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0021] Next, the structure of the fixing device 14 will be described. Figure 3 and Figure 4 They are respectively from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the transfer paper P ( Figure 2 The three-dimensional view of the fixing device 14 as viewed from the lower side thereof shows the state where the shielding member 33 is arranged in the open position and the closed position. Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the shielding member 33 . Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of one end side of the fixing device 14 in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 4 AA cross-sectional view).

[0022] The fixing device 14 includes a housing 30 and side plates 31a and 31b fixed at both ends of the housing 30 in the longitudinal direction. The fixing belt 14a and the pressure roller 14b are accommodated in the housing 30. A paper inlet 30a is formed on the lower surface of the housing 30. Figure 2 ) passes through the paper inlet 30a and is guided to the fixing nip portion formed by the fixing belt 14a and the pressure roller 14b.

[0023] A drive input gear 32 is disposed on the side of the side plate 31b. The drive input gear 32 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the pressure roller 14b. A rotational driving force is transmitted from a fixing drive motor (not shown) to the pressure roller 14b via the drive input gear 32, and the pressure roller 14b rotates at a predetermined speed. As a result, the fixing belt 14a pressed against the pressure roller 14b is also driven by the pressure roller 14b to rotate.

[0024] A shielding member 33 is attached to the housing 30. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the shielding member 33 includes a main body 331 in the form of a flat plate that overlaps with the paper inlet 30a, and a pair of supporting portions 332 formed at both ends of the main body 331 in the longitudinal direction. The shielding member 33 is slidably mounted on the lower surface of the housing 30. The shielding member 33 is selectively arranged in the following positions: an open position (first position, see FIG. 1 ) that opens the paper inlet 30a of the housing 30. Figure 3 ), and a closed position (a second position, see Figure 4 ).

[0025] like Figure 6 As shown, a coil spring (biasing member) 35 is disposed between the inner surface of the housing 30 and the support portion 332. The shielding member 33 is biased by the biasing force of the coil spring 35 in a direction from the open position toward the closed position ( Figure 6 A guide groove 332a extending along the sliding direction of the shielding member 33 is formed on the side surface of the support portion 332.

[0026] Figure 7 31a is a partial enlarged view of the lower periphery of the side plate 31a viewed from the outside. The side plate 31b has the same structure, so the description of the side plate 31b is omitted. The lower end of the side plates 31a and 31b is formed with a snap-fit ​​protrusion 40. The snap-fit ​​protrusion 40 is formed by bending a part of the side plates 31a and 31b inward, and is aligned with the guide groove 332a (see FIG. 31b ) formed on the side of the support portion 332. Figure 6 ) to engage.

[0027] In addition, a guide rail portion 41 is formed on the inner side of the side plates 31a and 31b, and the guide rail portion 41 is opposed to the upper side of the support portion 332 (see Figure 6 The shielding member 33 is held in a horizontal position by the engaging protrusion 40 engaged with the guide groove 332a and the guide rail portion 41, and slides between the open position and the closed position.

[0028] A restricting protrusion 50 is formed on the inner surface of the opening and closing cover 21 at a position facing the support portion 332. Figure 6In the state, the restricting protrusion 50 abuts against the supporting portion 332. Thus, the shielding member 33 overcomes the urging force of the coil spring 35 and is arranged in the open position.

[0029] When the opening and closing cover 21 is Figure 6 When the state turns clockwise to become an open state, Figure 8 As shown, the restricting protrusion 50 is separated from the supporting portion 332. As a result, the shield member 33 is moved from the open position to the closed position by the urging force of the coil spring 35.

[0030] In addition, when the opening and closing cover 21 is Figure 8 When the state of the shield 33 is rotated counterclockwise to become the closed state, the restriction protrusion 50 presses the support portion 332 to the open position. As a result, the shield member 33 compresses the coil spring 35 and moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0031] According to the above structure, the shielding member 33 is selectively arranged in the open position and the closed position in conjunction with the opening and closing action of the opening and closing cover 21. Therefore, when the opening and closing cover 21 is opened, the shielding member 33 is reliably arranged in the closed position, so when the paper jam is handled or the fixing device 14 is maintained, the operator does not come into contact with the fixing belt 14a. In addition, when the opening and closing cover 21 is closed, the shielding member 33 is reliably arranged in the open position, so the operator does not forget to open the shielding member 33.

[0032] Next, a mechanism for locking the shield member 33 at the closed position will be described. Fig. 9 This is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the front end of the support portion 332 of the shielding member 33 as viewed from the inside. Fig. 9 As shown, a hook portion 332b is formed at the front end of the support portion 332, and the hook portion 332b extends along the inner surface of the support portion 332. The hook portion 332b has an upwardly protruding engaging claw 60. In addition, an inclined surface 332c is formed at the front end of the support portion 332, and the inclined surface 332c is inclined as it moves from the open position to the closed position of the shielding member 33 ( Fig. 9 (direction from left to right) and tilted downward on the downstream side.

[0033] Fig.10 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the shielding member 33 is arranged in a closed position. Fig.10 As shown, when the shielding member 33 is placed in the closed position by the force of the coil spring 35, the engaging claw 60 (see Fig. 9 ) is opposite to the corner portion 41a of the guide rail portion 41.

[0034] Here, regarding the base end side ( Fig.10The base end side is due to the engagement protrusion 40 and the guide groove 332a (refer to Fig.11 ) is engaged and the vertical movement is restricted. Fig.10 The right end of the Fig.10 In this state, the front end side of the shielding member 33 is tilted downward due to its own weight, and the engaging claw 60 of the hook portion 332b is not engaged with the corner portion 41a of the guide rail portion 41.

[0035] Fig.11 This figure explains the structure of maintaining the locked state by the hook portion 332b when the shield member 33 disposed in the closed position is opened manually. The surface of the shield member 33 has no concave and convex shapes for hooking fingers. Therefore, when the shield member 33 disposed in the closed position is opened with a finger, it is necessary to move the finger to the top of the shield member 33. Fig.11 Apply force from above (in the direction of the white arrow).

[0036] As a result, the front end side of the shield member 33 swings upward (in the direction of the black arrow) with the engagement protrusion 40 as a fulcrum. That is, the shield member 33 swings in the direction in which the engagement claw 60 of the hook portion 332b engages with the corner portion 41a of the guide rail portion 41. With the above structure, the shield member 33 cannot be opened even if one wants to open it with fingers.

[0037] In addition, the front end of the support part 332 is protected by a cover part (not shown) formed on the housing 30. The cover part has a slit formed therein, and the restricting protrusion 50 of the opening and closing cover 21 can pass through the slit, but fingers cannot enter the slit. Therefore, even if the operator presses the front end of the support part 332, the shielding member 33 will not be opened.

[0038] When the hand leaves the shielding member 33, the shielding member 33 is moved toward the closed position ( Fig.11 The front end side of the shielding member 33 is tilted downward due to its own weight, so that the engaging claw 60 of the hook portion 332b is disengaged from the corner portion 41 of the guide rail portion 41.

[0039] Fig.12 2 is a diagram for explaining a structure for releasing the locked state of the shield member 33 disposed in the closed position by using the opening and closing cover 21. Since an inclined surface 332c is formed at the front end of the support portion 332 of the shield member 33, when the opening and closing cover 21 is closed, the restricting protrusion 50 moves the inclined surface 332c obliquely downward ( Fig.12Therefore, a force is applied to the shield member 33 in the direction in which the engagement claw 60 is disengaged from the corner portion 41a of the guide rail portion 41. Therefore, even when the engagement claw 60 is not disengaged from the corner portion 41 by only the urging force of the coil spring 35 and the deadweight of the shield member 33, the shield member 33 can be reliably moved from the closed position to the open position when the opening and closing cover 21 is closed.

[0040] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the above-mentioned embodiment illustrates a fixing device 14 of a belt heating method having an endless fixing belt 14a as a heated rotating body, the present invention can also be applied to a fixing device having other heated rotating bodies other than the fixing belt 14a, such as a fixing roller. When the fixing roller is touched by hand, fingerprints may be attached to the fixing roller, causing contamination and adverse effects on the image, so it is effective to apply the present invention.

[0041] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is Figure 1 Although the color printer shown in the figure is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to the color printer, and can also be applied to image forming apparatuses including a fixing device, such as a color copier, a color multifunction machine, a monochrome printer, and a monochrome copier.

[0042] The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus provided with a fixing device. By utilizing the present invention, an image forming apparatus can be provided in which a shield member for preventing contact with a fixing member can be opened and closed, locked in a closed state, and unlocked by a simple structure.

Claims

1. A fixing device, comprising: A heated rotating body; a pressurizing rotating body pressed against the heated rotating body to form a fixing nip portion; a housing for accommodating the heated rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body; a sheet material inlet, which is arranged on the housing and is used for the sheet material conveyed to the fixing roller nip portion to pass through; a shielding member supported by the housing and sliding between a first position for opening the sheet material inlet and a second position for closing the sheet material inlet; as well as a force applying member for applying force to the shielding member in a direction toward the second position, The fixing device heats and pressurizes the sheet passing through the fixing nip portion, thereby melting and fixing the unfixed toner image on the sheet. It is characterized in that The shielding member has a hook portion, and the hook portion is formed with an engaging claw. When the shielding member is arranged at the second position, the engaging claw is opposite to the engaged portion of the housing. When an external force toward the inside of the housing is applied to the shield member disposed at the second position, the engaging claw engages with the engaged portion to restrict movement of the shield member toward the first position.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shielding component comprises: a flat plate-shaped main body portion, which coincides with the sheet material inlet; and A pair of support portions formed at both ends of the main body in the longitudinal direction, A guide groove is formed on each of the pair of support portions. The guide groove extends along the sliding direction of the shielding member and is engaged with the engaging protrusion of the housing. When an external force toward the inside of the housing is applied to the shield member disposed at the second position, the shield member swings in a direction in which the engaging claw engages with the engaged portion with the engaging protrusion as a fulcrum.

3. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heated rotating body is a fixing belt.

4. An image forming device comprising: an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a sheet; and The fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the toner image formed by the image forming section is melt-fixed on the sheet. in, The image forming device includes an opening and closing cover, which constitutes a side surface of the image forming device and is supported so as to be rotatable between a closed state arranged opposite to the fixing device and an open state separated from the fixing device. A limiting protrusion is formed on the opening and closing cover, and the limiting protrusion contacts the shielding member in the closed state. When the opening and closing cover is in the closed state, the shielding member presses on the limiting protrusion, thereby overcoming the force of the force-applying member and being arranged in the first position. When the opening and closing cover is in the open state, the shielding member is arranged at the second position by the urging force of the urging member.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The sheet material inlet is formed on the lower surface of the shell, The shielding member is supported to be able to slide in the horizontal direction between the first position and the second position. An inclined surface is formed at a portion of the shield member that contacts the restriction protrusion, and the inclined surface is inclined downward toward a downstream side in a moving direction from the first position to the second position.

Images