Patent ID: 6154621
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a transfer section that transfers a toner image formed on an image carrier by a xerographic process to recording sheets at a predetermined transfer speed;a fixing section that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording sheet to the recording sheet at a predetermined fixing speed different from the predetermined transfer speed, said fixing section being disposed so that a distance between said fixing section and said transfer section is longer than a maximum transporting-direction length of a recording sheet on which an image can be formed;a transporting system that continuously transports the recording sheet from said transfer section to said fixing section at a predetermined transporting speed and with a predetermined space;a sheet detecting sensor that detects a position of the recording sheet;a controller that controls a transporting speed of said transporting system based on the position so that a transporting speed and a fixing speed of the recording sheet become approximately equal to each other when a leading edge of the recording sheets transported by said transporting system reaches said fixing section; anda space controller that controls a space between a preceding recording sheet and a succeeding recording sheet according to a transporting-direction length of the preceding recording sheet of recording sheets which are continuously transported by said transporting system.