Patent ID: 8364066
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing apparatus, comprising: a fixing roller; a pressure roller; a pressing unit for pressing the pressure roller toward the fixing roller; a pressure cancellation unit for cancelling pressure applied by the pressing unit to the pressure roller against the fixing roller; an external pressing unit for pressing the fixing roller from outside on an opposite side to the pressure roller; and a regulation member that regulates the amount of pressure the external pressing unit applies to the fixing roller; wherein the fixing roller and the pressure roller are capable of taking either a first state or a second state; in said first state, the pressing unit pressing the pressure roller toward the fixing roller, and fixing is made by a predetermined first pressing force; in said second state, the pressure cancellation unit cancelling pressure applied by the pressing unit to the pressure roller against the fixing roller, and fixing is made by a predetermined second pressing force that is weaker than the predetermined first pressing force; and the regulation member, in the second state, regulates the amount of pressure that the external pressing unit applies to the fixing roller; wherein the external pressing unit is provided as an external heating apparatus including a plurality of support rollers being arranged parallel to the axial direction of the fixing roller, heat sources being provided inside at least one of the plurality of support rollers, a heat belt being stretched between these support rollers and a second pressing unit pressing the support rollers toward the fixing roller; and wherein the regulation member is configured with an engaging member being provided on the external heating apparatus and a latching member being provided on a fixing apparatus body, the engaging member engaging the latching member in a state of making contact with each other.