Patent ID: 8509675
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member to bear an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof; a developing device to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member into a toner image using a toner; a transfer-fixing member disposed adjacent to the image bearing member, the transfer fixing member including a transfer surface onto which the toner image is transferred from the image bearing member; a first pressure member to meet and press against the transfer-fixing member to form a nip therebetween; a heating member to heat a recording medium, provided upstream of the nip in a direction of transport of the recording medium; and a transport guide member to change a contact area of the recording medium and the heating member in accordance with a thickness of the recording medium, the transport guide member blocking a passage for the recording medium being transported and pressing against a lower guide plate in a first position, wherein the transport guide member is disposed upstream of any contact between the recording medium and the recording medium heating member in the direction of transport of the recording medium, wherein when the recording medium passes the nip, the toner image is pressed and fixed on the recording medium, wherein when a leading end of the recording medium contacts the transport guide member, the transport guide member separates from the lower guide plate in a second position and guides the leading end of the recording medium towards the heating member, a distance between transport guide member and the lower guide plate in the second position being based on the thickness of the recording medium, and wherein the transport guide member increases the contact area of the recording medium and the recording medium heating member in response to an increase in the thickness of the recording medium.