JP2006330345A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can be changed into an image forming apparatus with different performance regarding fixing by a user without replacing the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A fixing device is made replaceable and a plurality of kinds of correspondence table of types to system speed of recording materials corresponding to types of replaced fixing devices are provided in the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a fixing device that fixes a toner image.

  As a fixing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a heat roller fixing device is widely used. However, a fixing device using a so-called hard roller or a fixing device using a so-called soft roller is used as a fixing device. There are also several types. Fixing devices that use hard rollers are often used for office image forming devices where there is a lot of image formation such as text and line drawings, and efficiency is important, and fixing devices that use soft rollers are intermediate like photographic images. It is often used in image forming apparatuses that form high-quality images suitable for forming toned images and solid images.

  The user has selected an image forming apparatus having a different type of fixing device according to the purpose of use. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus being used does not meet the needs, the user has to replace the image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a fixing device having a hard roller and a soft roller. According to this, a single image forming apparatus can satisfy the needs for efficiency and the high image quality.

On the other hand, in recent years, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been used in the field of printing such as POD (Print On Demand), and is required to be able to meet various needs regarding image quality and recording materials. As an image forming apparatus capable of meeting such needs, an image forming apparatus capable of setting various types of paper and the amount of paper curling has been developed as disclosed in Patent Document 2.
JP 2000-250342 A JP 2003-84507 A

  The only way to form an image that suits the purpose is to select an image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus does not meet the purpose of use, it is uneconomical that it is necessary to replace the image forming apparatus. growing.

  In Patent Document 1, a fixing roller that is not frequently used is provided in the fixing device, which increases the cost and the size of the device. In other words, hard rollers and soft rollers are rarely used in the same way, and many users use either one a lot, while the other uses less, even though the usage may change over time. do not use. Therefore, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with parts that are rarely used in practice, which unnecessarily increases the cost and enlarges the apparatus.

  When using in the field of printing, as described above, there are various needs, and when the user's purpose of use changes, such as switching from a usage mode that emphasizes economics such as efficiency to a usage mode that emphasizes image quality. There are many. In the prior art, it was difficult to cope with such various needs and changes in needs.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that solves such problems in the conventional image forming apparatus and can change the performance of the image forming apparatus related to fixing without replacing the image forming apparatus. To do.

The object is achieved by the following invention.
(Claim 1)
In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of correspondence tables of recording material conveyance speeds in the fixing device for recording material types.
(Claim 2)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device is detachable so as to be exchangeable with another fixing device.
(Claim 3)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a condition setting unit that sets an image forming condition based on the correspondence table corresponding to the newly mounted fixing device when the replacement is performed.
(Claim 4)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence table includes information instructing that the recording material of a specific type cannot be used.
(Claim 5)
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a life setting unit configured to set a life of the fixing device that varies depending on a type of the fixing device.
(Claim 6)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing temperature setting unit configured to set a different fixing temperature depending on a type of the fixing device.
(Claim 7)
The abnormal temperature setting means for setting an abnormal temperature of the fixing device, wherein the abnormal temperature setting means sets different abnormal temperatures according to the type of the fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
(Claim 8)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays information regarding a type of the fixing device.
(Claim 9)
9. The display unit according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays the type of the newly installed fixing device at the start of the first job after the replacement of the fixing device or when the power is turned on for the first time. Image forming apparatus.
(Claim 10)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays information of the correspondence table corresponding to the fixing device.
(Claim 11)
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the display unit displays an unusable display when an unusable recording material is stored.
(Claim 12)
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays information on an optimum fixing device for an output image. 13.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays information of the fixing device as a confirmation item in confirmation image formation.
(Claim 14)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that communicates with an external device, wherein the communication unit transmits information regarding a type of the fixing device.
(Claim 15)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence table is rewritable.
(Claim 16)
In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the fixing device is replaceable and has condition setting means for setting different image forming conditions for different types of fixing devices.
(Claim 17)
In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the fixing device is replaceable and has a life setting means for setting different fixing device lifetimes for different types of fixing devices.
(Claim 18)
In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing device is replaceable and has an abnormal temperature setting means for setting different abnormal temperatures for different types of fixing devices.

  According to the first to eighteenth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to change the performance of the image forming apparatus by simply replacing the fixing device, for example, switching from an image forming apparatus that emphasizes efficiency to an image forming apparatus for high image quality. It is possible to respond to diverse and changing user needs.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to replace the fixing device and change the performance of the image forming apparatus without imposing a burden on the user on complicated condition setting.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, even when the fixing device is replaced, the fixing device can be used stably without considering the life of the fixing device changed by the replacement.

  According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, even when the fixing device is replaced, an image forming apparatus with high safety can be realized without burdening the user with complicated condition setting.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is an overall view of an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus main body A, an image reading apparatus SC, and an automatic document feeder DF.

  The image forming apparatus main body A shown in the figure has a drum-shaped photoconductor 1, a charging device 2, an exposure device (image writing means) 3, a developing device 4, a transfer device 5, a separating device 6, a cleaning device 8, and the like. Part, a fixing device 20, and a recording material conveyance system.

  The recording material transport system includes a first transport unit including a paper feed cassette 10, a first paper feed unit 11, a second paper feed unit 12, a transport unit 13, a paper discharge unit 14, and a manual paper feed unit 15, and a recording material. It comprises a circulation refeeding section that circulates and refeeds P.

  The paper feeding cassette 10 and the first paper feeding means 11 are formed by a plurality of paper feeding means (three stages in the figure), and accommodate and feed recording materials P of a plurality of sizes. The recording material size is input by setting by the operator or automatic recording material size setting by the recording material size detecting means.

  The recording material P that has passed through the conveying means 13 and is fixed by the fixing device 20 is conveyed by a conveying path switching means 16 in a straight discharge path conveying path r1, a reverse discharging path conveying path r2, and a duplex circulation path. It is selected and transported to one of the paths r3.

  The recording material P passing through the transport path r1 is discharged with the image forming surface facing up (face up). The recording material P passing through the transport path r2 proceeds to the transport paths r3 and r4 of the double-sided circulation path, and then is transported in reverse, passes through the transport path r2, and is discharged with the image forming surface down (face down). The

  The second transport unit branches the recording material P on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit before the paper discharge unit 14 by the transport path switching unit 16, transports the recording material P along the circulation refeed path, and circulates the recording material P. After the recording material P is reversed by the reverse conveying roller 17 in the middle of the refeeding path, the recording material P is fed again to the image forming unit via the second sheet feeding unit 12.

  The document d placed on the document table of the automatic document feeder DF is transported by the paper feeding means, and one or both side images of the document d are read by the optical system of the image reading device SC and read by the image sensor CCD. It is. The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the image sensor CCD is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, and the like in an image processing unit (not shown), and then sent to the exposure device 3. .

  In the exposure device 3, the output light from the semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photoconductor 1 of the image forming unit to form a latent image. In the image forming unit, processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning are performed. An image is transferred to the recording material P fed from the paper feed cassette 10 and the manual paper feed means 15 by the transfer device 5. The recording material P carrying the image is fixed by the fixing device 20 and discharged from the paper discharge means 14.

  Alternatively, the recording material P that has been subjected to single-sided image processing sent to the circulation refeeding unit 16 by the conveyance path switching unit 16 is reversed by the reverse conveyance roller 17 and then subjected to double-sided image processing in the image forming unit, and then the fixing device 20. The fixing process is performed, and the paper is discharged by the paper discharge means 14.

  2 and 3 are sectional views of the fixing device. FIG. 2 shows a fixing device 20A having a hard roller as a heating roller, and FIG. 3 shows a fixing device 20B having a soft roller as a heating roller.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 20A in FIG. 2 and the fixing device 20B in FIG. That is, the image forming apparatus having the fixing device 20A can be mounted with the fixing device 20B instead of the fixing device 20A, and the image forming apparatus having the fixing device 20B can be replaced with the fixing device 20B. It is possible to mount the fixing device 20A.

  In FIG. 2, 21A is a hard roller as a heating roller. The hard roller 21A has a separation surface made of a fluororesin such as PFA (perfluoroalkoxy resin), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene resin), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene resin) on the surface of an aluminum or iron cylinder 211A. A mold layer 212A is formed, and the release layer 212A is formed by coating or covering a tube.

  The hard roller 21A is a roller that does not have an elastic layer that elastically deforms in the layer thickness direction so as to form a nip having a width for fixing a toner image.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a pressure roller, which includes an aluminum or iron cored bar 221 and a heat-resistant elastic layer 222 such as silicon rubber or fluororubber formed thereon. A release layer may be formed on the surface of the heat resistant elastic layer 222. The heat-resistant elastic layer 222 is made of foaming rubber or solid rubber having no bubbles.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes an auxiliary heating roller, and an auxiliary heater 26 is provided therein.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a heater for heating the hard roller 21 and is composed of a halogen lamp. The heater 24 may be replaced with other heating means such as induction heating means in place of the halogen lamp.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes an auxiliary heater that heats the pressure roller 22 and includes a halogen lamp.

  The recording material P carrying the unfixed toner image is introduced into the fixing device 20A as indicated by an arrow Y, passes through the nip between the hard roller 21A and the pressure roller 22, and is heated when passing, so that the toner image is formed. Melted and fixed.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a cleaning web for cleaning the surface of the hard roller 21A.

  The fixing device 20 </ b> A is guided by the guide rail 27, is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, and is fixed to the mounting position by the screw 28.

  3 is equipped with a soft roller 21B as a heating roller. The soft roller 21B is a roller having an elastic layer that elastically deforms in the layer thickness direction so as to form a nip having a width for fixing the toner image. The soft roller 21B has a silicon rubber or aluminum core on an aluminum or iron core bar 211B. A heat-resistant elastic layer 212B such as fluororubber is formed, and a release layer 213B is formed on the heat-resistant elastic layer 212B. The heat-resistant elastic layer 212B is made of foamable rubber or solid rubber having no bubbles.

  The fixing device 20B in FIG. 3 has the same structure as the fixing device 20A in FIG. 2 except for the soft roller 21B.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The control unit CR receives signals from the fixing device 20, the operation unit OP, the May switch MS, the communication unit TE, the storage device MR, and the like, and sends signals to the display unit DP, the communication unit TE, the storage device MR, the drive unit DR, and the like. Is output and various controls are performed.

  The operation unit OP and the display unit DP have an operation panel and constitute an interactive operation / display unit.

  The drive unit DR includes a motor that drives the photoreceptor 1, the fixing device 20, the recording material conveyance system, and the like. By variously setting the drive unit DR, a system speed (linear velocity) including a conveyance speed of the recording material in the fixing device. ) Is changed.

  The image forming apparatus is an apparatus that performs image formation at various system speeds depending on the type of paper such as plain paper, coated paper, rough paper, and the type of recording material, and the control means CR is used for the type of recording material. Based on the information, that is, information on the type of paper and the amount of recording material, the operation speed of the drive unit DR is set, and the system speed corresponding to the type of the recording material is set to perform image formation.

  In this specification, the type of the recording material is used to indicate at least one of a paper type such as plain paper, coated paper, rough paper, and the like, and the type of droop of the recording material.

  As the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus G1 equipped with a fixing device 20A having a hard roller 21A and an image forming apparatus G2 equipped with a fixing device 20B having a soft roller 21B can be configured.

  The image forming apparatus G1 and the image forming apparatus G2 have different system speeds, and the system speeds differ depending on the type of recording material as described above.

  FIG. 5 shows a system speed correspondence table for recording material types in the image forming apparatus G1, and FIG. 6 shows a system speed correspondence table for recording material types in the image forming apparatus G2.

  5 and 6, A to E are types of wrinkle amounts of the recording material, where E is the highest wrinkle amount and A is the lowest wrinkle amount, and the wrinkle amount gradually increases from A to E.

  Also. h, m, and s indicate the system speed, that is, the linear speed of the photosensitive member and the transport speed of the recording material, in particular, the transport speed of the recording material in the fixing device, h is a high system speed, and m is an intermediate system speed. S denotes a low system speed, respectively. Furthermore, -step1 means that the system speed is lowered by one rank, for example, h → m. The rank change indicated by step indicates a change when the soft roller 21B is used with respect to the system speed when the hard roller 21A is used.

  In FIGS. 5 and 6, “x” indicates that it cannot be used.

  A correspondence table of system speeds for the recording material types shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is stored in the storage device MR.

  The user can change the image forming apparatus G1 equipped with the fixing device 20A shown in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus G2 equipped with the fixing device 20B shown in FIG. 3 by exchanging the fixing device.

  FIG. 7 shows the control by the control means CR when there is such a change.

  When the main switch MS is turned on (STEP 1), the type of the fixing device mounted is detected (STEP 2). The replacement of the fixing device is performed with the main switch MS turned off. Therefore, when the fixing device is replaced by detecting the type of the fixing device when the main switch MS is turned on, the type of the replaced fixing device is determined. It is reliably detected.

  When the fixing device is replaced, a message “Please wait for a while” is displayed on the display unit DP as shown in FIG.

  When the fixing device is the fixing device 20A having the hard roller 21A, a correspondence table for the fixing device 20A is selected in STEP 4, and a display window 81 is displayed on the display unit DP as shown in FIG. Displays the message "Hard roller selected." In addition, a confirmation button 80 for the user to confirm the selection of the hard roller is displayed.

  When the user presses the confirmation button 80, the confirmation button 80 disappears as shown in FIG.

  In the state of the display portion DP in FIG. 8C, a list of types of recording materials that can be used in the case of the hard roller shown in FIG. In the case of a hard roller having a wide range of application, it is a matter of course that all types of paper and a large amount of recording material can be used.

  There are various settings for setting the control conditions in STEP 5.

  The first is setting of the system speed, which is one of the image forming conditions shown in FIG. The control means CR as the condition setting means sets a system speed corresponding to the fixing device 20A attached. With this setting, image formation, recording material conveyance, and fixing are performed at various system speeds corresponding to the type of recording material.

  Secondly, there is a fixing temperature setting. The control means CR as the fixing temperature setting means sets the fixing temperature when using the hard roller to a relatively low temperature, for example, 180 ° C. to 190 ° C. If the apparatus is designed to use the hard roller as a standard, the setting of the fixing temperature is left as standard, and the setting in STEP 5 is confirmation of the standard fixing temperature.

  Third, there is an abnormality detection temperature setting. Mainly, when the temperature exceeds the appropriate fixing temperature range, a warning is given that the temperature is abnormal, and stop control is performed to stop the operation of the image forming apparatus. This control is for preventing the heat roller, the pressure roller, and the like from being deteriorated by heat, and the hard roller sets a relatively low abnormality detection temperature. The control means CR as the abnormality detection temperature setting means sets the abnormality detection temperature corresponding to the mounted fixing device 20A. In this case as well, similarly to the setting of the fixing temperature, when the hard roller is in the standard mode, the setting action need not be executed again.

  Fourth, there is a life setting of the fixing device. The fixing device has a lifetime, and the image forming device is configured to notify the replacement of the fixing device when a fixed number of images are formed. In such a notification system, the determination is made by the control means CR based on the count value of the sheet counter. However, since the hard roller has a longer life than the soft roller, the control means CR as the life setting means is STEP5. Set a relatively long life for the hard roller.

  Even in the life setting, when the image forming apparatus is designed with the hard roller as a standard equipment, this setting need not be performed again.

  If it is determined in STEP 3 that it is a soft roller, in STEP 6, a correspondence table for the fixing device 20B is selected, and a message “Soft roller has been selected” is displayed on the display unit DP. In addition, a confirmation button 80 for the user to confirm the selection of the soft roller is displayed.

  When the confirmation button 80 is pressed, the display is switched from FIG. 8B to FIG. 8C, the confirmation button 80 disappears, and various settings are performed in STEP7.

  This setting is performed for items that are substantially equal to the settings in STEP 5 for the hard roller.

  That is, setting of the fixing temperature in the case of the soft roller (for example, setting to a high temperature of 195 ° C. to 205 ° C.), setting of the abnormal temperature, setting of the life of the fixing device 20B, etc. are performed.

  In the case of a soft roller, settings that are not in the case of a hard roller in STEP 5 are performed.

  One of them is setting of preliminary rotation control. The soft roller is used for forming a high-quality image, and in high-quality image formation, prevention of uneven fixing is particularly important. Due to the use of a small size recording material, uneven fixing tends to occur when the temperature distribution of the heating roller becomes uneven. Accordingly, the temperature distribution of the heating roller is made uniform by pre-rotating the heating roller at the end of the image formation using the small size recording material or before the start of the image formation performed after the image formation using the small size recording material. Control is performed.

  Such preliminary rotation is not performed when the hard roller is used, but when the soft roller is used, the control means CR as the preliminary rotation setting means sets a program for executing this preliminary rotation control when necessary.

  Next, sheet passing width control is set. In image formation in which an image is formed on a small-size recording material, the temperature tends to decrease because heat is taken away by the recording material in the central portion, whereas the temperature tends to increase at the end portion. Become. For this reason, if the image formation is continued, the temperature at the end portion may rise too much. As a countermeasure against this, when the temperature difference between the central portion and the end portion becomes large, control is performed to reduce the temperature difference by reducing the system speed.

  Such a sheet passing width control is not executed by the hard roller, but a program to be executed in the case of the soft roller is set. The control unit CR as the sheet passing width control setting unit sets a sheet passing width control program when the fixing device 20B is mounted.

  Further, fixing temperature control is set according to the number of formed images.

  In continuous image formation, as a property of the fixing device, the temperature of the heating roller tends to decrease in the initial stage of image formation, and as the number of images formed increases, this tendency disappears and the temperature of the heating roller stabilizes. In consideration of such characteristics, at the initial stage of image formation, a fixing temperature, that is, a threshold value as a target value for fixing temperature control is set high, and fixing temperature control is performed to lower the threshold value as the number of images formed increases.

  In the case of a hard roller, such a fixing temperature control is not performed, and in the case of a soft roller, such a fixing temperature control program is set. The control means CR as the number-of-sheets temperature setting means sets such a number-of-sheets temperature control program when the fixing device 20B is installed.

  Along with the various settings as described above, the display window 82 displays a list of types of recording materials that can be used in the case of the soft roller. This list is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the types in the white frame indicate usable types, and the types indicated by cross-hatching indicate those that cannot be used. In the example of FIG. 10, rough paper having a weight of 245 to 300 g is displayed as unusable.

  The display shown in FIG. 11 can also be used as the display corresponding to FIG. That is, for example, the type of dredging that can be used when rough paper is selected is displayed. As shown in FIG. 11, the rough amount of 245 to 300 g cannot be used for rough paper. The recording material of this rank is not displayed.

  However, the display shown in FIG. 11 is not performed in STEPs 4 and 6 of FIG. 7, but is performed outside the routine of FIG. 7, that is, when the user selects a recording material.

  As the user-friendly display, in addition to the various types of display described above, it is preferable to perform information related to the newly installed fixing device when the main switch MS is turned on immediately after the replacement of the fixing device.

  For example, when the main switch MS is turned on, the types of usable recording materials shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are displayed, or the attached fixing device is suitable for image formation with an emphasis on efficiency such as a character image or the like. Is displayed as “character image mode”, “high image quality mode”, or when the user sets image forming conditions (for example, conditions relating to image quality), the fixing device conforms to the set conditions. It is preferable to display such as “hard roller is recommended.” “Soft roller is recommended.”

  The contents of the various displays described above are transmitted to the external device connected to the network by the communication means TE.

  When there is an increase / decrease in the type of recording material used or an improvement in the performance of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to change the contents of the correspondence tables shown in FIGS.

  In such a case, the correspondence tables shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 stored in the storage device MR are rewritten from the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus or the service station via the network.

  Such rewriting may be performed by automatic rewriting from the host computer, or may be downloaded by an operator's operation at the place where the image forming apparatus is installed.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing device. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the corresponding | compatible table of the system speed with respect to the kind of recording material. It is a figure which shows the correspondence table of the system speed with respect to the kind of recording material. 6 is a flowchart of control at the time of replacement of the fixing device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when the fixing device is replaced. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of recording material types. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of recording material types. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of recording material types.

Explanation of symbols

20, 20A, 20B Fixing device 21A Hard roller 21B Soft roller CR control means OP operation part MS main switch TE communication means MR storage device DP display part DR drive part

Claims (18)

In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of correspondence tables of recording material conveyance speeds in the fixing device for recording material types. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device is detachable so as to be exchangeable with another fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a condition setting unit that sets an image forming condition based on the correspondence table corresponding to the newly mounted fixing device when the replacement is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence table includes information instructing that the recording material of a specific type cannot be used. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a life setting unit configured to set a life of the fixing device that varies depending on a type of the fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing temperature setting unit configured to set a different fixing temperature depending on a type of the fixing device. The abnormal temperature setting means for setting an abnormal temperature of the fixing device, wherein the abnormal temperature setting means sets different abnormal temperatures according to the type of the fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays information regarding a type of the fixing device. 9. The display unit according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays the type of the newly installed fixing device at the start of the first job after the replacement of the fixing device or when the power is turned on for the first time. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays information of the correspondence table corresponding to the fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the display unit displays an unusable display when an unusable recording material is stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays information on an optimum fixing device for an output image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays information of the fixing device as a confirmation item in confirmation image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that communicates with an external device, wherein the communication unit transmits information regarding a type of the fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence table is rewritable. In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the fixing device is replaceable and has condition setting means for setting different image forming conditions for different types of fixing devices. In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the fixing device is replaceable and has a life setting means for setting different fixing device lifetimes for different types of fixing devices. In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording material.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing device is replaceable and has an abnormal temperature setting means for setting different abnormal temperatures for different types of fixing devices.

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