Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To reduce the resistance during conveyance on a conveyance path and the resistance during withdrawal of a recording medium, and prevent a user's fingers from entering the inside of a fixing device.SOLUTION: A fixing device has: a first rotating body that heats a recording medium; a second rotating body that forms a nip part with the first rotating body; a holding member that holds a conveying member conveying the recording medium on the downstream of the nip part in a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and a guide member that guides the conveyance of the recording medium at a position opposite to the conveying member. When an openable and closable opening and closing member that is provided in an image forming apparatus provided with the fixing device and provided on the downstream of the guide member in the conveyance direction is in a closed state, the fixing device is not exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, and when the opening and closing member is in an open state, the fixing device is exposed to the outside. When the opening and closing member is in the closed state, the holding member is at a first position, and the distance between the holding member and the guide member is a first distance. When the opening and closing member is in the open state, the holding member can be displaced from the first position to a second position, and the distance between the holding member at the second position and the guide member is a second distance. The second distance is shorter than the first distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device that performs a fixing process on a recording medium carrying an unfixed image. [Background technology]

[0002] A known fixing device in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) is configured to fix an image to a recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium carrying an unfixed image in a fixing unit. Conventionally, image forming apparatuses having such fixing devices have been provided with a freely openable / closable cover on the main body of the apparatus so that cartridge replacement and recording medium jamming can be performed, and a user can access the inside of the apparatus by opening the door. Meanwhile, a configuration has been disclosed in which a fixing shutter is provided to cover fixing members such as a fixing roller in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door to prevent a user from coming into contact with a heat source such as the fixing unit and being injured when the door is opened (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-140480 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described in the above conventional example, if a fixing shutter is installed inside the device, a link member that links with the opening / closing cover is also required in addition to the fixing shutter, which increases the number of parts and leads to an increase in the size of the device in order to secure space for arranging the parts. If an attempt is made to narrow the conveyance path at the entrance / exit to the fixing device as much as possible to prevent users' fingers from getting caught without installing a fixing shutter or the like, the conveyance resistance of the conveyance path increases for recording media, especially recording media with a high basis weight (cardboard), making jams more likely to occur. Furthermore, when removing a jammed recording medium, the resistance to removing the recording medium increases, raising the concern that part of the recording medium may tear off and remain inside the device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the invention of this application is to provide a fixing device that can prevent the user's fingers from getting inside the fixing device while reducing the transport resistance caused by the transport path and the resistance to pulling out the recording medium when clearing a jam. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the fixing device of the present invention comprises: a first rotating body that heats the recording medium; a second rotating body that forms a nip portion with the first rotating body; a holding member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in a recording medium conveyance direction and that holds a conveyance member that conveys the recording medium; a guide member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction and facing the conveying member, and that guides conveyance of the recording medium; A fixing device having an openable / closable member provided in an image forming apparatus including the fixing device, the openable / closable member being provided downstream of the guide member in the transport direction, wherein when the openable / closable member is in a closed state, the fixing device is not exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, and when the openable / closable member is in an open state, the fixing device is exposed to the outside; When the opening / closing member is in a closed state, the holding member is in a first position, and a distance between the holding member and the guide member at the first position is a first distance; When the opening / closing member is in an open state, the holding member can be displaced from the first position to a second position, and a distance between the holding member and the guide member at the second position is a second distance; The second distance is shorter than the first distance.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises: an image forming means for forming an unfixed image on a recording medium; A fixing device that fixes an unfixed image onto a recording medium And a first rotating body that heats the recording medium; a second rotating body that forms a nip portion with the first rotating body; a holding member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in the recording medium conveyance direction and that holds a conveying member that conveys the recording medium; and a guide member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in the recording medium conveyance direction and that faces the conveying member and that guides the conveyance of the recording medium. a fixing device having an openable / closable member provided downstream of the guide member in the conveying direction; An image forming apparatus having: When the opening / closing member is in a closed state, the fixing device is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus. When the opening / closing member is in an open state, the fixing device is exposed to the outside, When the opening / closing member is in a closed state, the holding member is in a first position, and the distance between the holding member and the guide member at the first position is a first distance; when the opening / closing member is in an open state, the holding member can be displaced from the first position to a second position, and the distance between the holding member and the guide member at the second position is a second distance, and the second distance is shorter than the first distance.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the fixing device of the present invention comprises: a first rotating body that heats the recording medium; a second rotating body that forms a nip portion with the first rotating body; a holding member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in a recording medium conveyance direction and that holds a conveyance member that conveys the recording medium; a guide member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction and facing the conveying member, and that guides conveyance of the recording medium; a fixing device having a frame that supports the first rotating body, the second rotating body, the guide member, and the holding member, the holding member is provided to be rotatable relative to the frame about a rotation axis that is parallel to a width direction of the recording medium and perpendicular to the transport direction, The frame body is a first restricting portion that restricts movement of the holding member in a direction away from the guide member at a first position; a first biasing member that applies a force to the holding member to move it from the second position to the first position; Equipped with the guide member includes a second restricting portion that restricts movement of the approaching holding member at a second position where the distance between the holding member and the guide member is shorter than that at the first position; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises: an image forming means for forming an unfixed image on a recording medium; a first rotating body that heats the recording medium; a second rotating body that forms a nip portion with the first rotating body; A conveying member is disposed downstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction of the recording medium, and conveys the recording medium. a holding member for holding the member; a guide member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction and facing the conveying member, and that guides conveyance of the recording medium; an image forming apparatus having a frame supporting the first rotating body, the second rotating body, the guide member, and the holding member, the holding member is provided to be rotatable relative to the frame about a rotation axis that is parallel to a width direction of the recording medium and perpendicular to the transport direction, The frame body is a first restricting portion that restricts movement of the holding member in a direction away from the guide member at a first position; a first biasing member that applies a force to the holding member to move it from the second position to the first position; Equipped with The guide member is characterized by having a second regulating portion that regulates the movement of the approaching holding member at a second position where the distance between the holding member and the guide member is shorter than at the first position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the fixing device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fixing device that reduces the sheet transport resistance and the pulling resistance when pulling out jammed paper outside the machine while preventing the user's fingers from entering the inside of the fixing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5C] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5D] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the present embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0013] Example 1 (1) Overview of the image formation process First, an outline of the process from paper feeding to image formation and ejection in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Sheets S, which are recording media, loaded in a paper feed cassette 2 detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 1 (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body 1), are separated and conveyed one by one by a paper feed roller 3, and are conveyed to a transfer section T by a pair of conveying rollers 4 and 5. On the other hand, a surface of a drum 7, which is an image carrier provided in a process cartridge 6 (hereinafter referred to as the cartridge 6) detachable from the apparatus main body 1, is A latent image is formed on the sheet S by a laser irradiated from a laser scanner 8. The latent image is then developed by a developing means (not shown) provided in the cartridge 6 to form a toner image. The toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by a drum 7 and a transfer roller 9 in a transfer section T, and the sheet S carries an unfixed image, and is transported to a fixing device (fixing unit) 10 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1. The sheet S transported to the fixing device 10 is heated and pressed to fix the toner image, and then the sheet S is discharged to a discharge section 12 by a pair of discharge rollers 11.

[0015] (2) Explanation of the configuration of the fixing device Next, the configuration of the fixing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device 10, and arrow A indicates the conveying direction of the sheet S. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fixing device 10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the fixing device 10 as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction (the side where the pressure roller 101 and the heat roller 102 are arranged). FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the fixing device 10 as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction (the side where the rollers 106 and the roller holder 107 are arranged). The pressure roller 101 (second rotating body) as a pressure member and the heat roller 102 (first rotating body) as a heating member are rotatably supported by a frame 108, and the pressure roller 101 is driven in the direction of arrow B by a driving means (not shown). The heating roller 102 is biased in the direction of arrow C by a fixing spring 103 (see FIG. 3(a)), and forms a nip portion, a fixing nip 104, together with the pressure roller 101 with a nip pressure F1. The heating roller 102 rotates in the direction of arrow D following the rotation of the pressure roller 101. Furthermore, a heater 105 is attached inside the heating roller 102, and the heating roller 102 can be heated.

[0016] Next, a description will be given of the support structure of the roller 106, which is a conveying member that conveys the sheet S, and the roller holder 107, which is a holding member that holds the roller 106. The roller 106 is rotatably disposed on the roller holder 107 downstream of the fixing nip 104 in the conveying direction.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the support structure of the roller holder 107 and rollers 106. FIG. 4(a) is an exploded perspective view showing the rollers 106, roller holder 107, and frame 108, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view showing the rollers 106, roller holder 107, frame 108, and biasing member 109 assembled together. Note that in FIG. 4, the pressure roller 101, heating roller 102, and opposing guide 110 are not shown to clearly show the support structure of the roller holder 107. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the shaft 106a of the roller 106 is rotatably supported (held) by the bearing 107b of the roller holder 107. This allows the roller 106 to rotate about the axis L relative to the roller holder 107. The roller 106 is a driven roller that rotates in response to the movement of the sheet S by contacting the sheet S being conveyed. In a single-sided printing device configuration, the roller 106 contacts the image side of the sheet S. Furthermore, the roller holder 107 is supported by a frame 108 so as to be able to swing. The roller holder 107 is configured to be movable within the fixing device 10 so that its position relative to the pressure roller 101 and the heat roller 102, which serve as fixing means, is displaced within a predetermined range in the conveying direction of the sheet S by swinging relative to the frame 108. A shaft 107a of the roller holder 107 is supported by a bearing 108b of the frame 108. This configuration allows the roller holder 107 to rotate about an axis of rotation parallel to the width direction of the sheet S, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a force is applied from below by a biasing member (spring) 109 serving as a first biasing member, causing the roller holder 107 to abut against the frame 108 (details will be described later).

[0018] (3) Explanation of roller holder Next, the configuration and operation of the roller holder will be described in detail with reference to Figure 5. The roller holder 107 is biased in the direction of arrow E against the frame body 108 by a biasing member 109. The roller holder 107 has an abutting portion 107c. When the abutting portion 107c abuts against the abutted portion 108a of the frame body 108 on the downstream side in the conveying direction, the position of the roller holder 107 is changed. In this state, a conveyance path P through which the sheet S passes is formed from downstream of the fixing nip 104 to the discharge roller pair 11 by the roller 106, the opposing guide 110, the conveyance guide 14, the opening / closing guide 15, and the swingable guide 16 (FIG. 5A). That is, the position of the roller holder 107 at this time is the first position where the roller holder 107 should be positioned while the fixing device 10 performs the fixing operation, and is the position where the distance from the fixing means is the greatest. The roller 106 is disposed inside the conveyance path P at a point where the curvature is greatest in the curved conveyance path P formed between the fixing nip 104 and the discharge roller pair 11, which serves as a downstream conveyance member downstream of the roller 106 in the conveyance direction (FIG. 5D). The opposing guide 110, which serves as a guide member for guiding the conveyance of the sheet S of the present invention, is fixed to the frame 108 at a position opposite the roller 106. In this first position, the gap between the roller 106 and the opposing guide 110 is defined as C1. Here, the gap C1 as the first gap is set to a width that allows a sheet S (cardboard) with a large basis weight to be conveyed. In addition, a gap D1 larger than the gap C1 is formed between the roller holder 107 and the opposing guide 110 so that the sheet S does not rub against the roller holder 107 when the sheet S is conveyed.

[0019] 5D, when the sheet S is being conveyed, and the sheet S is simultaneously sandwiched between the fixing nip 104 and the pair of discharge rollers 11, the tension of the sheet S, which is bent along the curved conveyance path, acts on the roller holder 107 in the direction of arrow T via the roller 106. It is desirable that the shaft 107a, which is the swing center of the roller holder 107, be positioned so that it is not swung in the direction opposite to arrow E (direction F in FIG. 5C) by the tension of the sheet S. Alternatively, the biasing force of the biasing member 109 may be set to be sufficiently large so that the roller holder 107 does not move due to the tension of the sheet S. With this configuration, the roller holder 107 is held in the first position, at least when the opening / closing guide 15 is in the closed state, regardless of whether the sheet S is being conveyed or not.

[0020] The outside of the conveying path P is formed by a conveying guide 14 located downstream of the opposing guide 110 in the conveying direction, and an opening / closing guide 15 serving as an opening / closing member that opens the interior to allow access to the fixing device 10. The opening / closing guide 15 supports the conveying guide 14 and is configured to be able to open and close together, forming an openable conveying path. When the user opens the opening / closing guide 15, the conveying path P is partially opened (FIG. 5B). When a sheet S jams in the conveying path P, the user can open the opening / closing guide 15, which partially opens the conveying path P and the fixing device 10 and exposes them to the outside, allowing access and disposal of the jammed paper from outside the machine.

[0021] When a user clears a jam or inserts a finger into the machine, the user's finger f may press the roller holder 107 near the roller 106. At this time, the roller holder 107 is swung toward the upstream side in the conveying direction (in the direction of arrow F) around the shaft 107a as the center of rotation against the biasing force of the biasing member 109 (FIG. 5C). The shaft 107a, which is the center of the roller holder 107's swing, is positioned so that it can be swung in the direction of arrow F by the user's finger f. Furthermore, the roller holder 107 is positioned so that its position is determined when it has swung a certain amount, with the opposing guide abutting portion 107d abutting against the abutted portion 110a of the opposing guide 110, and the swinging in the direction of arrow F is restricted. In this way, if the gap between the roller holder 107 and the opposing guide 110 at the position where the opposing guide abutting portion 107d abuts against the abutted portion 110a is D2, then D2 <D1 The relationship is as follows: D2, which is the second distance, is shorter than D1, which is the first distance.

[0022] In the roller holder 107, the abutting portion 107c as a first abutting portion in the frame body 108 abuts against the abutted portion 108a (first restricting portion) as a first abutted portion. Also, in the opposing guide 110, the opposing guide abutting portion 107d as a second abutting portion abuts against the abutted portion 110a (second restricting portion) as a second abutted portion. The movable range of the roller holder 107 in the forward and backward directions (sheet conveyance directions) relative to the fixing means is restricted within a predetermined range. That is, the roller holder 107 moves from a first position where it is farthest from the fixing means and forms a first gap D1 to a second position where it is closest to the fixing means and forms a second gap D2. This configuration makes it possible to prevent users from inadvertently accessing the fixing means. Furthermore, D2 is configured to be a certain gap or less that prevents a user's fingers from getting inside. Alternatively, D2 may be set as close to zero as possible, and a recess may be formed in part of the opposing guide 110 so that the roller 106 fits into the recess.

[0023] With the above configuration, when the sheet S is being transported, the roller holder 107 is in the first position, which ensures a wide gap in the transport path, thereby reducing the transport resistance of the sheet S and ensuring good transportability. Also, when a jam occurs in the sheet S, the wide gap in the transport path ensures a low resistance when pulling out the jammed sheet outside the machine. Furthermore, when a user tries to insert their finger into the gap in the transport path downstream of the fixing nip, the roller holder 107 swings toward the second position, narrowing the gap in the transport path and preventing the user's finger from entering the fixing device.

[0024] <Example 2> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device 20 in the second embodiment. Elements having substantially the same or corresponding configurations and functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the first embodiment will be cited for detailed description.

[0025] 6, the opening / closing guide 25 has a protrusion 25a as a position regulating portion that regulates the position of the roller holder 207. The roller holder 207 also has a hole 207c. The roller holder 207 is biased by its own weight or the biasing force of a biasing member 211 as a third biasing member, about the shaft 207a as the center of rotation toward the upstream side in the conveying direction (the direction of arrow F).

[0026] When the opening / closing guide 25 is in a closed state, the protrusion 25a fits into the hole 207c in an area outside the conveyance direction of the sheet S (in the width direction of the sheet S, which is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet S). In this way, the position of the roller holder 207 is determined by the hole 207c butting against the protrusion 25a (first position). In this state, a conveyance path P through which the sheet S passes is formed (FIG. 6(a)). Then, when the opening / closing guide 25 changes to an open state in the direction of arrow G, the restriction of the roller holder 207 by the protrusion 25a is released. As a result, the roller holder 207 is swung by its own weight or the biasing force of the biasing member 211 around the shaft 207a as the center of rotation toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction (in the direction of arrow F) (FIG. 6(b)) (second position). The opposing guide abutting portion 207d abuts against the abutted portion 210a of the opposing guide 210 so that the roller holder 207 is positioned when it has swung a certain amount.

[0027] With the above configuration, when the opening / closing guide 25 is closed, the roller holder 207 is in the first position, which ensures a wide gap in the conveying path, thereby reducing the conveying resistance of the sheet S and ensuring good conveyance. Furthermore, when the user clears a jam, the opening / closing guide 25 is opened, which causes the roller holder 207 to swing to the second position, narrowing the gap in the conveying path and preventing the user's fingers from getting inside the fixing device.

[0028] Example 3 Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device 30 in the third embodiment. Elements having substantially the same or corresponding configurations and functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the first embodiment will be cited for detailed description.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, rollers 306 in this embodiment are mounted to roller holder 307 so as to be able to move variably within the gap between them and opposing guide 310, which serves as a conveyance guide. That is, shaft portion 306a of roller 306 is rotatably supported by bearing portion 307b of roller holder 307. Bearing portion 307b has an elongated hole shape, and roller 306 can swing in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole. If the dimension of the elongated hole in the longitudinal direction (maximum swing amount of roller 306 in the direction of arrow I) is E1 and the amount of protrusion of roller 306 from roller holder 307 in Figure 7(a) is E2, then E1 <E2 This is the relationship.

[0030] As a result, even when roller 306 is swung in the elongated hole, the outer shape of roller 306 protrudes beyond roller holder 307. Roller 306 is biased in the direction of arrow H, i.e., in the direction narrowing the gap between roller 306 and opposing guide 310, by biasing member (torsion coil spring) 311 serving as a second biasing member.

[0031] When the sheet S is not in the conveying path P, the roller 306 has the shaft portion 306a abutted against the elongated hole-shaped bearing portion 307b on the conveying path P side (first position). At this time, a gap C1 is formed between the roller 306 and the opposing guide 310 (FIG. 7(a)).

[0032] When the sheet S is conveyed, while the sheet S is sandwiched between the fixing nip 304 and the pair of discharge rollers 11, the tension of the sheet S causes the roller 306 to swing in the direction opposite to the conveying path P (the direction of the arrow I) against the biasing force of the biasing member 311. As a result, the gap C2 between the roller 306 and the opposing guide 310 becomes larger than C1 (FIG. 7(b)).

[0033] With the above configuration, when the roller holder 307 is in the first position, the rollers 306 move in the I direction, which further widens the gap in the conveying path described in the first embodiment when the sheet S is conveyed. This further reduces the conveying resistance of the sheet S compared to the first embodiment, ensuring good conveyance performance. It also further reduces the pulling resistance when pulling out jammed paper to the outside of the machine. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, when a user tries to insert their finger into the gap in the conveying path downstream of the fixing nip, the roller holder 307 swings to the second position where it approaches the opposing guide 310, thereby narrowing the gap in the conveying path and preventing the user's finger from entering the inside of the fixing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 11...pair of discharge rollers, 14...conveying guide, 15...opening / closing guide, 16...oscillating guide, 104...fixing nip, 106...roller, 107...roller holder, 107a...shaft portion, 107b...bearing portion, 107c...butting portion, 107d...opposing guide butting portion, 108...frame body, 108a...butted portion, 109...urging member, 110...opposing guide, 110a...butted portion, S...shi Port, P...Transport path

Claims

1. a first rotating body that heats the recording medium; a second rotating body that forms a nip portion with the first rotating body; a holding member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in a recording medium conveyance direction and that holds a conveyance member that conveys the recording medium; a guide member that is disposed downstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction and facing the conveying member, and that guides conveyance of the recording medium; A fixing device having an openable / closable member provided in an image forming apparatus including the fixing device, the openable / closable member being provided downstream of the guide member in the transport direction, wherein when the openable / closable member is in a closed state, the fixing device is not exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, and when the openable / closable member is in an open state, the fixing device is exposed to the outside; When the opening / closing member is in a closed state, the holding member is in a first position, and a distance between the holding member and the guide member at the first position is a first distance; When the opening / closing member is in an open state, the holding member can be displaced from the first position to a second position, and a distance between the holding member and the guide member at the second position is a second distance; The fixing device, wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance.

2. 2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is configured to be held in the first position at least when the opening / closing member is in a closed state, regardless of whether the recording medium is being transported or not.

3. 3. The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising a first biasing member that biases the holding member so that the holding member is positioned at the first position.

4. 4. The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the biasing force of the first biasing member is greater than the force that the holding member receives from the recording medium via the conveying member.

5. 5. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first position is a position where the holding member is located when the first rotating body and the second rotating body heat the recording medium.

6. the fixing device further includes a frame supporting the first rotating body, the second rotating body, the guide member, and the holding member; the holding member has a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion, the frame body has a first abutted portion against which the first abutting portion abuts when the holding member is in the first position, 6. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member has a second abutted portion against which the second abutting portion abuts when the holding member is in the second position.

7. the conveying member is assembled to the holding member so as to be movable with respect to the guide member such that a distance between the conveying member and the guide member can be varied; 7. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member has a second biasing member that biases the conveying member in a direction that narrows the distance relative to the holding member.

8. an image forming means for forming an unfixed image on a recording medium; a fixing device for fixing an unfixed image on a recording medium, the fixing device including: a first rotating body for heating the recording medium; a second rotating body for forming a nip portion with the first rotating body; a holding member disposed downstream of the nip portion in a recording medium conveyance direction and for holding a conveying member for conveying the recording medium; and a guide member disposed downstream of the nip portion in the recording medium conveyance direction and facing the conveying member, for guiding conveyance of the recording medium; an openable / closable member provided downstream of the guide member in the conveying direction; An image forming apparatus having: the fixing device is not exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus when the opening / closing member is in a closed state, and the fixing device is exposed to the outside when the opening / closing member is in an open state; An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the opening / closing member is in a closed state, the holding member is in a first position, and the distance between the holding member and the guide member at the first position is a first distance, and when the opening / closing member is in an open state, the holding member can be displaced from the first position to a second position, and the distance between the holding member and the guide member at the second position is a second distance, and the second distance is shorter than the first distance.

9. the image forming apparatus further includes a downstream transport member disposed downstream of the transport member in the transport direction, the downstream transport member sandwiching and transporting the recording medium; The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the transport path of the recording medium from the nip portion to the downstream transport member is curved so that tension of the recording medium acts on the transport member when the recording medium is sandwiched between the first rotating body and the second rotating body and simultaneously sandwiched by the downstream transport member.

10. the opening / closing member has a position restricting portion that restricts the position of the holding member, 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the posture regulating unit regulates the posture of the holding member so that the holding member is in the first position when the opening / closing member is in a closed state, and releases the regulation when the opening / closing member is in an open state in which the transport path is opened.

11. The image forming apparatus moves the holding member so that the holding member is located at the second position. a third biasing member for biasing the 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the opening / closing member changes from the closed state to the open state, the holding member is released from the restriction by the posture restriction portion and moves due to the biasing force of the third biasing member, thereby displacing from the first position to the second position.

Images