Patent ID: 6411785
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a fixing unit that fixes on a transfer medium a black-and-white or color toner image which has been formed on the transfer medium by an image forming unit, the fixing unit comprising: a fixing roller having a heating source therein; a pressurizing member which press-contacts the fixing roller; an external heating member which heats the surface of the fixing roller from the outside; and an abutting-separating device that makes the external heating member abut or separate from the surface of the fixing roller, and the image forming apparatus also comprising: a control unit which controls timing for making the external heating member abut the surface of the fixing roller according to at least one of the surface temperature of the external heating member and/or fixing roller, the type of the transfer medium which undergoes the fixing process by the fixing unit and an image forming mode for the transfer medium.