Patent Publication Number: US-7720414-B2

Title: Fixing apparatus having guide member

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-045660 filed in Japan on Feb. 22, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a fixing apparatus used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   This type of image forming apparatus is provided as a copy machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, or the like. In this apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive body, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body is developed using toner to form a toner image on the photosensitive body, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive body to recording paper, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper to fix the toner image on the recording paper. 
   Recently, reduction in the size of those various image forming apparatuses has been advancing, reducing excess space inside the apparatus, so that many components are arranged close to each other. Thus, when a jam occurs, in which recording paper in the midst of transport becomes blocked, it is difficult to remove the recording paper. Several opening-closing locations are provided along the transport path so that the transport path is opened by opening these opening-closing locations, but because many components are also disposed around the transport path, even if the transport path is opened, those components may be a hindrance to removing the recording paper. Also, there is a risk that when removing the recording paper, the recording paper will be rubbed against a peripheral component, leading to a reduction in component precision or damaging a component. 
   In a fixing apparatus, while transporting recording paper sandwiched between a heating roller and a pressure roller, heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper to fix toner on the recording paper by melting the toner with heat, so a jam may occur due to the recording paper rolling around the heating roller or the pressure roller, and thus an opening-closing location is also provided in the vicinity of the fixing apparatus so that it is possible to remove the recording paper. 
   Also, in the fixing apparatus, a guide member is provided in order to guide the recording paper, but because this guide member hinders the removal of recording paper, a configuration is adopted in which it is possible to move the guide member when removing the recording paper. 
   For example, in a fixing apparatus according to the related art as shown in  FIG. 9 , the recording paper is transported sandwiched between a heating roller  101  and a pressure roller  102 , the recording paper is guided between a paper separation plate  104  and a guide member  103 , and the recording paper is further transported by a transport roller  105 . The guide member  103  is rotationally supported axially by a shaft  103   a . When a recording paper jam has occurred, the guide member  103  is rotated around the shaft  103   a  in the direction of arrow C, removing the guide member  103  from the recording paper transport path as indicated by the double-dotted line, and thus the area around the transport path is widely vacated so that the recording paper can easily be removed. 
   Also, in JP H02-81855A, on the downstream side of the fixing apparatus in the transport direction of the recording paper, a transport mechanism including the transport roller or the like is removed from the fixing apparatus, thus opening the downstream side of the fixing apparatus, so that it is possible to remove recording paper jammed in the fixing apparatus. 
   However, in order to rotate the guide member  103  around the shaft  103   a  along the trajectory tr of the double-dotted line as shown in  FIG. 9 , a large space for evacuating the guide member  103  is necessary, and this space prevents a reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus. Also, the space therefore cannot be made sufficiently large, and even if the guide member  103  is rotated, it is not possible to widely vacate the area around the transport path, and thus the recording paper cannot be easily removed. In addition, when the user makes an excessive attempt to remove the recording paper, there is a risk that the user&#39;s hand will touch the heating roller, or that the heating roller  101 , the pressure roller  102 , the paper separation plate  104 , a temperature sensor (not shown), or the like will be damaged. 
   Also, even in a state with the guide member  103  positioned at a prescribed position when guiding the recording paper, the guide member  103  occupies a large amount of space, and this also prevents a reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus. 
   Also, as disclosed in JP H02-81855A, in a case in which a transport mechanism including the transport roller or the like is removed from the fixing apparatus, a large space for evacuating the guide member is necessary, thus preventing a reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention was made in consideration of the problems in the related art described above, and it is an object thereof to provide a fixing apparatus in which when removing recording paper, it is possible to widely open the area around the transport path, and in which the amount of space for doing so can be reduced, thus also realizing a reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus. 
   In order to address the problems described above, the present invention provides a fixing apparatus in which while recording paper is transported sandwiched between a heating roller and a pressure roller that are pressed against each other, the recording paper is guided by a guide member, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper to fix toner on the recording paper, wherein the guide member is rotatably provided such that the guide member can be removed from the transport path of the recording paper, and the center of rotational movement of the guide member is matched with a shaft of the heating roller or a shaft of the pressure roller. 
   With this configuration, the guide member rotates around the shaft of the roller with which the center of rotational movement of the guide member is matched, so that the guide member moves along the circumferential face of the roller. Thus, a configuration is fine as along as there is space along the circumferential face of the roller for moving the guide member, so the guide member can easily move without interfering with the surrounding components. Also, it is possible to increase the movement distance of the guide member, so that the guide member is sufficiently removed from the transport path of the recording paper and thus the area around the transport path can be widely vacated. Therefore, it is easy to remove recording paper jammed in the transport path. 
   Also, in the present invention an opening-closing door may be provided in the vicinity of the transport path of the recording paper, such that when the opening-closing door has been closed, the guide member is positioned due to the guide member making contact with part of the opening-closing door. 
   With this configuration, an opening-closing door is provided in the vicinity of the transport path of the recording paper. This opening-closing door is opened to open the transport path, and then recording paper jammed in the transport path is removed. When the opening-closing door has been closed, the guide member is positioned due to the guide member making contact with part of the opening-closing door. Thus, the guide member is accurately positioned at a prescribed position, so that the recording paper is reliably guided. 
   Further, in the present invention, a applying energy means is provided that, when the opening-closing door has been opened, applies energy to rotate the guide member in a direction that removes the guide member from the transport path of the recording paper. 
   With a applying energy means having this configuration, it is possible to directly open the transport path when the opening-closing door has been opened, so that the recording paper can easily be removed. 
   Also, in the present invention, the guide member is rotatably supported by a shaft of the heating roller or a shaft of the pressure roller. 
   With this configuration, it is not necessary to particularly provide a rotating shaft that axially supports the guide member, and thus it is possible to suppress increasing complication of the configuration. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus in which one embodiment of a fixing apparatus according to the present invention has been applied. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view in which part of a fixing apparatus according to the present invention is shown enlarged. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view showing a pressure roller and a movable guide plate in the fixing apparatus in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view in which a support mechanism of the movable guide plate in  FIG. 3  is shown enlarged. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a process of rotational movement of the movable guide plate in the fixing apparatus in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a process of rotational movement of the movable guide plate in the fixing apparatus in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates a process of rotational movement of the movable guide plate in the fixing apparatus in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5D  illustrates a process of rotational movement of the movable guide plate in the fixing apparatus in  FIG. 2 . 
     (Deleted) 
       FIG. 6  is a side view showing a state in which an opening-closing door of the image forming apparatus in  FIG. 1  is pulled out. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view showing a state in which the movable guide plate in the fixing apparatus in  FIG. 2  has been rotated. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view showing the movable guide plate in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view in which part of a fixing apparatus according to the related art is shown enlarged. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  is a side view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus in which one embodiment of a fixing apparatus according to the present invention has been applied. This image forming apparatus AA forms and records on recording paper, in color or monochrome, an image of an original read from an original reading apparatus BB or an image received from outside. The image forming apparatus is configured from, for example, an exposure unit  1 , a development apparatus  2 , a photosensitive drum  3 , a charging unit  5 , a cleaning unit  4 , an intermediate transfer belt unit  8 , a fixing apparatus  12 , a paper transport path S, a paper feed tray  10 , and a discharge tray  15 . 
   The image data handled in the image forming apparatus AA corresponds to a color image using each color black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or corresponds to a monochrome image using a single color (for example, black). Accordingly, four units of each of the development apparatus  2  ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ), the photosensitive drum  3  ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ), the charging unit  5  ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ,  5   d ), and the cleaning unit  4  ( 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d ) are provided in order to form four types of latent images corresponding to each color. With “a” corresponding to black, “b” corresponding to cyan, “c” corresponding to magenta, and “d” corresponding to yellow, four image stations are configured. 
   The photosensitive drum  3  is disposed in approximately the center portion of the image forming apparatus AA. 
   The charging unit  5  is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum  3  to a predetermined potential, and other than a roller-type or brush-type charging unit, which are contact-type charging units, a charger-type charging unit as shown in  FIG. 1  can be used. 
   The exposure unit  1 , for example, uses a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with an EL or LED write head in which light-emitting elements are lined up in an array, or a laser irradiation unit, and a reflecting mirror. The exposure unit  1 , by exposing the charged photosensitive drum  3  according to the image data input, forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum  3 . 
   The development apparatus  2  causes the electrostatic latent image formed on each photosensitive drum  3  to become visible using (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaning unit  4  removes and recovers toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum  3  after development and image transfer. 
   The intermediate transfer belt unit  8 , disposed above the photosensitive drum  3 , includes an intermediate transfer belt  7 , an intermediate transfer belt drive roller  71 , an intermediate transfer belt tension roller  73 , an intermediate transfer belt driven roller  72 , an intermediate transfer roller  6  ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   d ), and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit  9 . 
   The intermediate transfer belt  7  is stretched across and supported by, for example, the intermediate transfer belt drive roller  71 , the intermediate transfer belt tension roller  73 , the intermediate transfer roller  6 , and the intermediate transfer belt driven roller  72 , which allow the intermediate transfer belt  7  to rotate in the direction of arrow D. 
   The intermediate transfer roller  6  is supported such that it can rotate in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt  7 , and provides a transfer bias for transferring the toner image of the photosensitive drum  3  to the intermediate transfer belt  7 . 
   The intermediate transfer belt  7  is provided such that it makes contact with the respective photosensitive drums  3 , and transfers the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums  3  layered onto the intermediate transfer belt  7  in order, thus forming a color toner image (a multi-color toner image). This transfer belt is formed to be endless using a film with a thickness of 100 μm to 150 μm. 
   The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drums  3  to a sheet (recording paper) is performed by the intermediate transfer rollers  6 , which are in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt  7 . In order to transfer the toner image, a high voltage transfer bias (high voltage with opposite polarity (+) to the charge polarity (−) of the toner) is applied to the intermediate transfer rollers  6 . The intermediate transfer rollers  6  use a metal (stainless steel, for example) shaft with a diameter of 8 to 10 mm as a base, and the surface of those rollers is covered with conductive elastic material (such as EPDM or urethane foam, for example). With this conductive elastic material, it is possible to uniformly apply a high voltage to the recording paper. In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer rollers  6  are used as transfer electrodes, but other than those rollers, a brush or the like may also be used. 
   The toner image caused to become visible with the toner of each color on the photosensitive drums  3  ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) in the above manner are layered with the intermediate transfer belt  7 , and thus an image received from outside or an image of an original read from the original reading apparatus BB is expressed. With rotation of the intermediate transfer belt  7 , the toner images of each color layered in this manner are transferred onto paper by a secondary transfer unit  11  disposed at a position where the recording paper and the intermediate transfer belt  7  make contact, described later. 
   The intermediate transfer belt  7  and a transfer belt  11   a  of the secondary transfer unit  11  are pressed against each other, forming a nip region. Also, a voltage (a high voltage with opposite polarity (+) to the charge polarity (−) of the toner) is applied to the transfer belt  11   a  of the secondary transfer unit  11  in order to transfer the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt  7  to the recording paper. Further, in order to steadily obtain the above nip region, hard material (such as metal) is used for either the rollers of the secondary transfer unit  11  or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller  71 , and soft material (such as an elastic rubber roller or a foam resin roller) of an elastic roller or the like is used for the other. 
   Also, toner may sometimes remain on the intermediate transfer belt  7  without the toner images of each color on the intermediate transfer belt  7  being completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer unit  11 , and this residual toner causes color mixing in the next step. Thus, the residual toner is removed and recovered by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit  9 . The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit  9 , for example, is provided with a cleaning blade that makes contact with the intermediate transfer belt  7  and is used as a cleaning member, and at the position where the cleaning blade makes contact, the intermediate transfer belt  7  is supported from the back side of the belt  7  by the intermediate transfer belt driven roller  72 . 
   The paper supply tray  10  is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus AA. Also, the discharge tray  15 , provided above the image forming unit, is a tray in which recording paper whose printing is finished is placed face down. 
   Also, in the image forming apparatus AA, an S-shaped paper transport path S is provided for feeding recording paper in the paper feed tray  10  through the secondary transfer unit  11  and the fixing apparatus  12  to the discharge tray  15 . Further, disposed in the vicinity of the paper transport path S from the paper feed tray  10  to the discharge tray  15  are a pickup roller  16 , registration rollers  14 , the fixing apparatus  12 , a transport direction switching guide  34 , and rollers or the like (not shown) that transport the recording paper. 
   The transport rollers are small rollers that expedite and assist transport of the recording paper, and a plurality of the transport rollers are provided along the paper transport path S. The pickup roller  16  is provided at the end of the paper feed tray  10 , and supplies recording paper from the paper feed tray  10  page by page to the paper transport path S. 
   The transport direction switching guide  34  is rotatably provided in a side cover, and by moving from the state shown by the solid line to the state shown by the broken line, the transport direction switching guide  34  separates recording paper from the midst of the transport path S. At this time, the recording paper passes through the fixing apparatus  12  and a transport path S′ formed between the side cover and the transport switching guide  34 , and after the front and back of the recording paper are reversed, the recording paper is returned to the paper transport path S. 
   Also, the registration rollers  14  temporarily stop the transported recording paper and align the leading edge of the recording paper. The registration rollers  14  transport the recording paper with good timing matched with the rotation of the photosensitive drum  3 , such that good multiplex transfer of the toner image on the photosensitive drum  3  to the recording paper is possible. 
   For example, the registration rollers  14 , based on a detection signal output by an unshown pre-registration detection switch, are set to transport the recording paper such that the leading edge of the toner image on each photosensitive drum  3  ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) matches the leading edge in the image forming range in the recording paper. 
   The fixing apparatus  12  is provided with, for example, a heating roller  31  and a pressure roller  32 . The heating roller  31  and the pressure roller  32  rotate while sandwiching the recording paper. 
   Also, based on a signal from an unshown temperature detection unit, the heating roller  31  is controlled to a predetermined fixing temperature by a controller, and by applying heat and pressure to the recording paper along with the pressure roller  32 , the heating roller  31  melts, blends, and applies pressure to the multi-color toner image transferred to the recording paper, thus hot-fixing the multi-color toner image to the recording paper. 
   After fixing of the multi-color toner image, the recording paper is transported by the transport rollers to a reverse discharge path of the paper transport path S, and in a reversed state (with the multi-color toner image facing downward), the recording paper is discharged onto the discharge tray  15 . 
     FIG. 2  is a side view in which part of the fixing apparatus  12  according to the present embodiment is shown enlarged. In the fixing apparatus  12 , the heating roller  31  and the pressure roller  32  are pressed against each other, forming a nip region between the rollers  31  and  32 . While transporting the recording paper sandwiched in the nip region between the rollers  31  and  32 , heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper by the rollers  31  and  32 , thus fixing the toner image on the recording paper. A paper separation plate  33  is disposed fixed above the rollers  31  and  32 , and a transport roller  34  is in contact with the paper separation plate  33 . Also, a movable guide member guide member  35  is disposed slightly separated from the circumferential face of the pressure roller  32 . The recording paper is guided between the paper separation plate  33  and the movable guide member  35 , arrives between the paper separation plate  33  and the transport roller  34 , and is further transported by the transport roller  34 . 
     FIG. 3  is a rear view showing the pressure roller  32  and the movable guide plate  35 , viewed in the direction of arrow E in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a rear view in which the pressure roller  32  and the movable guide plate  35  in  FIG. 3  are shown partially enlarged. As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , the movable guide plate  35  includes a guide unit  35   a  of about the same length as the pressure roller  32 , middle shafts  35   a  and  35   b  that form a connection between both ends of support shafts  35   f  of the guide unit  35   a  and both ends of a shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 , wheels  35   c  provided at both ends of the support shaft  35   f  of the guide unit  35   a , and handles  35   g  provided protruding from both ends of the support shaft  35   f  of the guide unit  35   a . The guide unit  35   a  includes a plurality of guide catches  35   d  that make contact with the recording paper. Also, the handles  35   g  at both ends of the guide unit  35   a  protrude through openings  36   b  of frames  36 . 
   Here, the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32  is axially supported by each frame  36  provided on both sides of the pressure roller  32 , and thus the pressure roller  32  is rotationally supported. One end of the joint shafts  35   b  of the movable guide plate  35  is inserted through the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 , so that the joint shafts  35   b  are rotatable with respect to the pressure roller  32 , and thus the movable guide plate  35  is rotatable around the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 . Also, the other end of each joint shaft  35   b  is fixed to each end of the support shaft  35   f  of the guide unit  35   a.    
   Further, the wheels  35   c  of the movable guide plate  35  are inserted into an arc-shaped groove  36   a  of each frame  36  on both sides of the pressure roller  32 . The arc-shaped groove  36   a  of each frame  36  is formed concentrically with the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 , and the wheels  35   c  of the movable guide plate  35  slide along the respective arc-shaped grooves  36   a , and thus the movable guide plate  35  rotates around the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 . 
   Accordingly, both ends of the movable guide plate  35  are supported such that they can rotate around the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32  by the joint shaft  35   b , and also by the wheel  35   c  and the arc-shaped groove  36   a.    
   Also, both ends of the support shaft  35   f  of the movable guide plate  35  are fixed to the ends of the joint shaft  35   b , so the position of the movable guide plate  35  is always maintained relative to the circumferential face of the pressure roller  32 , without the movable guide plate  35  rotating around the wheel  35   c.    
   Thus, it is possible for the movable guide plate  35  to rotate with the trajectory tr along the circumferential face of the pressure roller  32 . 
   Also, a movable guide plate applying energy spring (not shown) is provided between the joint shaft  35   b  of the movable guide plate  35  and the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 . The ends of the movable guide plate applying energy spring are respectively caught on the joint shaft  35   b  and the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 , and thus restoring force is delivered to the joint shaft  35   b  in the direction of arrow F by the movable guide plate applying energy spring. 
   In a state of normal operation of the image forming apparatus AA as shown in  FIG. 1 , an opening-closing door  21  of the apparatus AA is closed, and as shown in  FIG. 5A , a guide of the opening-closing door  21  and a pressing member  22  press against the movable guide plate  35  in the direction of arrow G, the movable guide plate  35  rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow F against the elastic force of the movable guide plate applying energy spring, the wheels  35   c  of the movable guide plate  35  collide with the upper end of the arc-shaped grooves  36   a  of the frames  36 , and thus the movable guide plate  35  is positioned at a prescribed position relative to the transport path of the fixing apparatus  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In this state, the recording paper is guided between the paper separation plate  33  and the movable guide member  35 . 
   On the other hand, in such an image processing apparatus AA, a jam may occur in which recording paper in the midst of transport becomes blocked. Thus, a configuration is adopted in which several opening-closing locations are provided along the transport path, and by opening these opening-closing locations, it is possible to open the transport path and remove recording paper. 
   One of those opening-closing locations is the opening-closing door  21 . When the opening-closing door  21  is pulled in the direction of arrow H, vertical catches  21   a  and  21   b  of the opening-closing door  21  are separated from the respective locations where they engage with the main body of the image forming apparatus AA, and the opening-closing door  21  is pulled out in the direction of arrow H. 
     FIG. 6  shows a state in which the opening-closing door  21  is pulled out from the image forming apparatus AA in the direction of arrow H. In this state, it is possible to remove recording paper jammed in the transport path in the range of registration rollers  14 →secondary transfer unit  11 →fixing apparatus  12 →transport direction switching guide  34 . 
   Also, when the opening-closing door  21  has been pulled out, the guide of the opening-closing door  21  and the pressing member  22  are also pulled out in the direction of arrow H, and thus separated from the movable guide plate  35  as shown in  FIG. 5B . At this time, as shown in  FIG. 5C , the movable guide plate  35  is rotated in the direction of arrow F by the elastic force of the movable guide plate applying energy spring, and moves to a position J 1 . Further, it is possible to manually rotate the handles on both ends of the guide unit  35   a  in the direction of arrow F, thus moving the movable guide plate  35  to a position J 2  where, as shown in  FIG. 5D , the wheels  35   c  of the movable guide plate  35  collide with the bottom edge of the arc-shaped groove  36   a  of the frames  36 . 
     FIG. 7  is a side view showing a state in which the movable guide plate  35  has been rotated until the wheels  35   c  collide with the bottom edge of the arc-shaped groove  36   a  of the frames  36 .  FIG. 8  is a rear view showing the movable guide plate  35  in  FIG. 7 , viewed from direction indicated by arrow E. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , when the movable guide plate  35  rotates until the wheels  35   c  of the movable guide plate  35  collide with the bottom edge of the arc-shaped groove  36   a  of the frames  36 , the transport path of the recording paper between the heating roller  31  and the pressure roller  32  of the fixing apparatus  12  is widely opened. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 5D , it becomes easy to remove recording paper P jammed in the fixing apparatus  12 . 
   After thus removing recording paper P jammed in the transport path, when the opening-closing door  21  is moved by pushing it in the direction of arrow G as shown in  FIG. 6 , the vertical catches  21   a  and  21   b  of the opening-closing door  21  engage at the respective locations where they engage with the main body of the image forming apparatus AA, thus returning to the original state shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   At the same time, the guide of the opening-closing door  21  and the pressing member  22  press against the movable guide plate  35  in the direction of arrow G, so that the movable guide plate  35  rotates in the opposite direction of arrow F and is positioned at the original prescribed position, thus entering a state in which it is possible to guide recording paper between the paper separation plate  33  and the movable guide member  35 . 
   When the opening-closing door  21  is pulled out in the direction of arrow H in this manner, the guide of the opening-closing door  21  and the pressing member  22  separate from the movable guide plate  35  of the fixing apparatus  12 , so the movable guide plate  35  is moved in the direction of arrow F by the elastic force of the movable guide plate applying energy spring, and it is further possible to manually move the movable guide plate  35  in the direction of arrow F. In this state, the transport path of the recording paper in the fixing apparatus  12  is widely opened, so it is possible to easily remove recording paper jammed here. 
   In the fixing apparatus  12  of the present embodiment, the movable guide member  35  rotates along the circumferential face of the pressure roller  32 , so the space for moving the movable guide member  35  is limited to the vicinity of the circumferential face of the pressure roller  32 . This space is significantly less than the space for evacuating the guide member  103  in the fixing apparatus according to the related art shown in  FIG. 9 , and does not hinder a reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus AA. Also, even in a state in which the guide member  35  has been positioned to the prescribed position when guiding the recording paper as shown in  FIG. 2 , the amount of space occupied by the guide member  35  is small, so the guide member  35  does not hinder a reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus AA. 
   Also, in the vicinity of the circumferential face of the pressure roller  32 , from the start a certain amount of space is insured in order to avoid contact between the pressure roller  32  and other members, so it is easy to increase the space in which the movable guide plate  35  moves. Thus, it is possible to widely open the transport path of the recording paper by moving the movable guide plate  35  a large amount, so it is easy to remove the recording paper. In an actual image forming apparatus, the maximum rotation angle of the guide member  103  in the fixing apparatus according to the related art shown in  FIG. 9  is about 37 degrees, but the maximum rotation angle of the movable guide plate  35  in the fixing apparatus  12  according to the present embodiment is about 46 degrees, so in the present embodiment it is possible to more widely open the transport path of the recording paper. 
   Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment; various modifications are possible. For example, the ends of the joint shafts  35   b  of the movable guide plate  35  are axially supported with the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32 , but the movable guide plate  35  may be supported with any structure as long as it is possible to match the center of rotational movement of the movable guide plate  35  to the shaft  32   a  of the pressure roller  32  and rotate the movable guide plate  35  along the circumferential face of the pressure roller  32 . 
   Also, in the above embodiment the movable guide plate  35  is provided in the pressure roller  32 , but depending on the position of the heating roller  31  and the pressure roller  32 , the movable guide plate  35  may be provided in either the heating roller  31  or the pressure roller  32 . Alternatively, it is possible to provide a movable guide plate in both the heating roller  31  and the pressure roller  32 . 
   The present invention may be embodied in various other forms without departing from the gist or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications or changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.