Patent ID: 8494425

Claim:
A fixing unit for fixing a toner image formed on a sheet, comprising: a belt unit including a belt configured to press the sheet; a reference roller configured to nip the sheet in cooperation with the belt; and a supporting element configured to support the belt unit and the reference roller; wherein: the belt unit includes first and second rollers on which the belt is wound, the first roller includes a first trunk configured to compress the belt in cooperation with the reference roller, and a first journal extending from the first trunk; the supporting element includes a supporting plate configured to support the first roller, the second roller and the reference roller, the supporting plate includes a first supporting plate and a second supporting plate facing the first supporting plate to define an accommodation space for accommodating the first trunk; the first journal is at least partially detachable from the first trunk; and the first roller after the first journal is at least partially removed therefrom is shorter than a distance between the first and second supporting plates.