Patent ID: 8170461
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrying member to carry a toner image thereon; a transfer unit to transfer the toner image carried on the image carrying member to a recording medium transported to a transfer position; a pre-heating unit to selectively heat the recording medium before the recording medium is transported to the transfer position, the pre-heating unit including a heating member, a pressure member, a first heat source for heating the heating member; a fixing unit to fix the toner image, transferred to the recording medium at the transfer position, on the recording medium; a first temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the recording medium as the recording medium passes through the pre-heating unit; a first heat controller to change an amount of heat energy to be applied to the recording medium per unit area of the recording medium by the pre-heating unit by controlling at least one of heating power of the first heat source and a pressing condition between the heating member and the pressure member, the first heat controller being controlled based on a detection result of the first temperature sensor; a separation unit to abut the pressure member to the heating member or separate the pressure member from the heating member at a given timing; and a movable transport route to transport the recording medium, the movable transport route being movable to a given position after the separation unit separates the pressure member from the heating member; wherein when a high gloss mode is not selected, the separation unit separates the pressure member from the heating member, the movable transport route is moved to the given position so that the recording medium is not contactable against the heating member, and the first pressure member is rotated to transport the recording medium.