Patent ID: 6647216
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:fixing means having a nip portion in which a recording material having an unfixed image is nipped and conveyed so that the unfixed image is fixed to the recording material; first pressure applying means for applying a pressure to one longitudinal end of said fixing means; second pressure applying means for applying a pressure to the other longitudinal end of said fixing means; a first pressure release lever for releasing manually the pressure applied to the one longitudinal end; a second pressure release lever for releasing manually the pressure applied to the other longitudinal end, wherein each of said first and second pressure release levers is independently movable between a pressure applying position and a pressure releasing position; detection means for detecting a presence or absence of the recording material, said detection means including a photo-interrupter, and a moving member having a flag acting on said photo-interrupter, wherein said detection means is disposed in a passing area through which the recording material passes, and when the recording material hits against said moving member, said moving member is moved from a recording material absence position to a recording material presence position to detect the presence of the recording material, and when the recording material separates from said moving member, said moving member is restored to the recording material absence position; a first engagement member for transmitting a force from said first pressure release lever to said moving member, wherein when said first pressure release lever is moved from the pressure applying position to the pressure releasing position, the force is exerted on said moving member through said first engagement member so that said moving member is moved from the recording material absence position to the recording material presence position; and a second engagement member for transmitting a force from said second pressure release lever to said moving member, wherein when said second pressure release lever is moved from the pressure applying position to the pressure releasing position, the force is exerted on said moving member through said second engagement member so that said moving member is moved from the recording material absence position to the recording material presence position.