Patent ID: 8131198
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an image forming mechanism to form a toner image on a recording medium according to image data; and a fixing mechanism to fix the toner image on the recording medium, the fixing mechanism including a fixing member to apply heat to the recording medium having the toner image, and a movable external heater configured to move at least one of towards and away from the fixing member to heat the fixing member, the movable external heater being formed in a shape corresponding to a surface of the fixing member, the movable external heater being further configured to at least one of engage and be spaced apart from the fixing member by a distance which is variable according to movement of the movable external heater, the movable external heater being configured to maintain the shape corresponding to the surface of the fixing member regardless as to whether the movable external heater engages or is spaced apart from the fixing member.