Patent ID: 6553204
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a toner image forming device configured to form a toner image; a toner image transfer device configured to transfer the toner image onto an image transfer member; and a fixing device configured to fix the toner image on the transfer member, wherein the fixing device comprises: a fixing roller having an elastic layer at an outer circumference thereof, a backup roller configured to press the image transfer member against the fixing roller, wherein a circumferential hardness of an outer layer of the backup roller is configured to be harder than that of the elastic layer of the fixing roller, a heating device formed outside the fixing roller and the backup roller, a first gear coaxially mounted on the roller having the harder circumferential surface, a one-way clutch coaxially mounted on the other roller, a second gear coaxially mounted on the one-way clutch, wherein the first gear and the second gear are configured to be engaged when the backup roller presses the image transfer member against the fixing roller, and a drive source configured to be engaged with one of the first gear and the second gear, wherein the backup roller and first gear are configured to be opened relative to said fixing roller, the fixing roller being fixed in position, for a maintenance operation.