An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers an image carried by the image carrier to a continuous medium; a fixing device including a first fixing member that contacts the continuous medium and heats the image transferred to the continuous medium and a second fixing member that is disposed so as to face the first fixing member with the continuous medium therebetween and presses the image, the fixing device fixing the image transferred to the continuous medium, the fixing device being configured so that the first fixing member and the second fixing member are capable of contacting or separating from each other; and a separation member that contacts the continuous medium and separates the continuous medium from the first fixing member when the first fixing member and the second fixing member separate from each other.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form a developer image on a recording material, a fixing portion configured to heat-fix the developer image to the recording material, a first motor configured to drive the image forming portion, a second motor configured to drive the fixing portion, and a control portion configured to control the first motor and the second motor. The second motor is a stepping motor. The control portion allows the second motor to start rotation at a speed in a self-start region, temporarily stops the second motor at a timing at which the first motor is activated, then allows the second motor to restart rotation at a speed in the self-start region, and changes the speed of the second motor to a speed outside the self-start region before the recording material arrives at the fixing portion.

A sheet supplying apparatus includes an alignment member pivotable to an alignment location for blocking and aligning fore-ends of media contained on a loading table, and a transport-allowing location for allowing a medium picked up by a pickup member to be transported, a cam gear including a gear portion partially including a tooth-omitted portion, and a cam portion for switching the alignment member between the alignment location and the transport-allowing location at first and second rotating locations, a swing arm pivotable about a same axis as a rotation axis of a main gear, and first and second swing gears supported by the swing arm to interlock with the main gear, selectively interlocking with the gear portion according to a rotating direction of the main gear, and rotating the cam gear to the first and second rotating locations.

According to an embodiment, a heater unit includes a substrate. A first heating element is on a first side of the substrate. A second heating element is on a second side of the substrate. A first wiring is on the first side of the substrate and connected to the first heating element. A first electrode is on the first side of the substrate and connected to the first heating element. A second wiring is on the second side of the substrate and connected to the second heating element. A second electrode is on the second side of the substrate and connected to the second heating element via the second wiring. A portion of the second heating element overlaps a first portion of the first heating element.

A fixing device includes an endless belt and a pressure rotator disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the endless belt. The pressure rotator has a first span in an axial direction of the endless belt. A nip formation pad, which is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt, forms a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator. The nip formation pad includes a belt-side thee disposed opposite the endless belt A radiant heater, which is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt, heats the endless belt. A thermal conduction aid, which contacts the belt-side face of the nip formation pad, conducts heat in the axial direction of the endless belt. The thermal conduction aid has a second span within which the first span of the pressure rotator is provided at the fixing nip.

A heating device includes a heater, a holder, a device frame, a primary positioner, a secondary positioner, and a tertiary positioner. The heater includes a heat generator. The holder holds the heater. The device frame is configured to support the holder. The primary positioner is configured to position the heater and the holder in a longitudinal direction of the heater. The secondary positioner is configured to position the holder and the device frame in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The tertiary positioner is configured to position the device frame and a body of an image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The primary positioner and one of the secondary positioner and the tertiary positioner are disposed on an identical side defined by a center of the heat generator in the longitudinal direction of the heater.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet. A fixing device heats the sheet and includes a tubular body that presses against the sheet and rotates, and a heat generator contacts an inside surface of the tubular body. The length dimension of the heat generator is aligned with the axial direction of the tubular body. The heat generator has a first row of first heating elements with a first gap between each adjacent pair of first heating elements and a second row of second heating elements. The first and second rows are offset from one another in a width direction corresponding to the sheet conveyance direction. A second gap is between each adjacent pair of second heating elements in the longitudinal direction. The positions of the first gaps are different from positions of the second gaps.

An image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a cover movable between a closed position and an open position; a fixing unit including a heating member and a pressure roller configured to form a nipping region therebetween; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a nipping pressure between the heating member and the pressure roller in conjunction with movement of the cover; and a link mechanism connected to both the adjustment mechanism and the cover. The adjustment mechanism includes an arm pressing the heating member such that the heating member and the pressure roller form the nipping region. The link mechanism includes: a first link connected to the cover; a second link connected to the first link and pivotally movable about an axis extending in a width direction; and a third link connected to both the second link and the adjustment mechanism. The third link is movable in a front-rear direction.

A photo finisher includes a heating roller, a pressing roller, a belt, a supporting roller and a duct. The heating roller is to generate heat. The pressing roller is pressed against the heating roller to form a heating nip. The belt is supported by the supporting roller and the heating roller to pass through the heating nip, and the belt is extending to a downstream side of the heating nip. The duct is positioned apart from the belt, the duct includes a first end in the width direction being provided with an air inlet port and a second end, opposite to the first end, being blocked, and the duct includes an air discharge port opening towards the belt.

In a longitudinal direction of a heater, a distance from a center portion of the heater to a first temperature detection element is a first distance, and a distance from the center portion of the heater to a second temperature detection element is a second distance greater than the first distance. In a first area which is farther from the center portion of the heater than the second temperature detection element is from the center portion of the heater in the longitudinal direction of the heater, a distance between a first conductor and a second conductor in a transverse direction of the heater is a first inter-conductor distance and a distance between a third conductor and a fourth conductor in the transverse direction is a second inter-conductor distance longer than the first inter-conductor distance.