Patent ID: 8422902

Claim:
An image forming apparatus forming an image by fixing a developer on a recording medium with heat, the image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing member, disposed rotatably supported, heating the recording medium; a pressure member pressing against the fixing member; a drive unit rotationally driving the fixing member; a heat unit heating the fixing member; a temperature detection unit detecting temperature of the fixing member; a control unit controlling the heat unit and the drive unit; and a temperature record storing unit storing a temperature record of the temperature detection unit, and wherein the control unit is adapted to control, based on the temperature record of the temperature record storing unit, a rotation drive of the drive unit in a case of non-fixing, and wherein the control unit is adapted to (i) calculate a temperature variation amount per unit time by using a temperature detected at the temperature detection unit, (ii) compare the temperature variation amount per unit time with a prescribed temperature variation amount, and (iii) halt the rotation drive of the drive unit based on a comparison result, wherein the temperature variation amount per unit time is repeatedly calculated until the amount becomes lower than the prescribed temperature variation amount.