Patent ID: 11079709

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that transports a sheet of paper carrying an unfixed image through a nip part to fix the unfixed image to the sheet, the nip part applying heat and pressure to the sheet, a first guide unit that guides transport of the sheet, the first guide unit coming into contact with a first side of the sheet leaving the nip part of the fixing unit, and a second guide unit that guides transport of the sheet, the second guide unit coming into contact with a second side of the sheet leaving the nip part of the fixing unit, the second guide unit being rotatable, the second side being opposite to the first side. The first guide unit has a guide part. The guide part includes an upstream guide part disposed upstream with respect to a sheet transport direction, and a bent guide part that is bent at an endpoint position of the upstream guide part in a direction of entry into a sheet transport passage relative to the upstream guide part. At least one portion of the second guide unit is disposed to face the bent guide part such that the at least one portion of the second guide unit is positioned within an area corresponding to a portion of the bent guide part from an upstream end to a downstream end with respect to the sheet transport direction, with a space being provided between the at least one portion of the second guide unit and the bent guide part to allow passage of the sheet.