JP5083769B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique preferably applied to linear speed control of a fixing roller relating to a fixing device and paper conveyance to the fixing device.

  In an image forming apparatus, a fixing device that melts toner with heat and fixes the toner onto a sheet with the pressure of the roller is detected so that the surface temperature of the fixing roller is detected by a thermistor or a thermopile, and is controlled to be within a predetermined temperature range. Yes. However, when the power is turned on, even when the surface temperature (near the point measured by the sensor) is within a predetermined temperature range, the entire fixing roller is not uniformly at the predetermined temperature. Printing starts when the surface temperature of the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature range when the power is turned on in a low-temperature environment, but since the entire fixing roller has not been heated to the predetermined temperature, the paper is deprived of heat from the fixing roller. The surface temperature of the fixing roller is lower than a predetermined temperature, and the fixing performance is lowered after printing the power.

  As a measure for solving this problem, a method of reducing the process linear velocity has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus capable of accelerating completion of image formation by efficiently controlling a fixing device. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that performs fixing at a predetermined temperature using a heater, a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the fixing unit, a control unit that controls temperature of the heater and process speed, and the control unit detects the temperature. The process speed is changed when the temperature of the fixing device is not the fixing target temperature with reference to the detection result of the means. That is, in Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the fixing device is lowered, the process linear velocity is lowered.

Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, the amount of heat taken from the heating element from the start of image formation to the time when the paper reaches the heating means is suppressed, and image formation can be performed quickly even when the apparatus is cooled. An image forming apparatus that can be used is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that controls a driving speed of a driving unit that drives a film that transfers heat from the heating element to the sheet, and the control unit is from the start of image formation until the sheet reaches the heating unit. The film movement speed is made slower than the paper conveyance speed at the time of image formation, and after the paper reaches the heating means, the film movement speed is made the same as the paper conveyance speed at the time of image formation. That is, in Patent Document 2, the linear movement speed of the fixing film is reduced from the start of image formation until the sheet enters the fixing device.
JP 2003-316200 A JP-A-10-340019

  In the method of reducing the process linear velocity proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when there are a plurality of process linear speeds, the process conditions such as charging and transfer, and the paper detection timing of the sensor in the transport system are complicated. The software installed in the device becomes complicated. In addition, by reducing the process line speed, the first print time immediately after the power is turned on is remarkably delayed. Moreover, although the said fault can be eliminated by raising the said predetermined temperature range, raising a temperature will have a bad influence on various components.

  Thus, in view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention controls the process line speed by simplifying the relationship with the process conditions and the paper conveyance timing, and avoids a decrease in productivity immediately after power-on due to a decrease in the process line speed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the fixability immediately after power-on in a low temperature environment.

In order to achieve this object, the invention of claim 1 includes a fixing unit that heats and pressurizes a toner image on a recording sheet to fix the toner image on the recording sheet, a temperature detection unit that detects a surface temperature of the fixing unit, In the image forming apparatus, the fixing unit is controlled at the first linear speed same as the process linear speed for fixing after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start-up after the image forming apparatus was turned on or returned from the energy saving mode. A fixing control unit that performs fixing control of the fixing unit at a second linear speed that is slower than the process linear speed, and a conveyance control unit that controls the timing of conveying the recording paper to the fixing unit. The conveyance control means has a predetermined period of time or a predetermined time during the conveyance of a predetermined number of recording sheets when the fixing control is performed at the second linear speed by the fixing control means. less than temperature Case, characterized in that for conveying the recording sheet at a timing such as the distance between the recording paper fed to the fixing unit is wider than the time of fixing of the first line speed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, when the conveyance control unit performs the fixing control at the second linear speed by the fixing control unit, the distance between the recording sheets sent to the fixing unit is The recording paper may be transported at a timing that is wider than that at the time of fixing at the first linear velocity.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the conveyance control means changes the set value of the number of recording paper conveyances for controlling the recording paper conveyance timing or the execution time of the conveyance timing control according to the detected temperature. It may be.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the recording paper is provided on the conveyance path to the fixing means of the recording paper, has a curved shape, and causes the recording paper to be bent at the second linear speed to be fixed along the curved shape. It may be characterized by having conveyance guide means for guiding it to the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the fixing control of the fixing unit is controlled according to the time during which the fixing operation is performed by the fixing control unit, and the recording paper transport timing to the fixing unit is controlled by the transport control unit. It is possible to improve the fixability immediately after power-on in a low-temperature environment, while controlling the process line speed by simplifying the above relationship and avoiding a decrease in productivity immediately after power-on by lowering the process line speed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow at the time of turning on the power or returning from the energy saving mode in the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations during printing in the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of fixing motor control in this embodiment. FIG. 9 to FIG. 16 are flowcharts showing the flow of the fixing motor control and the paper gap control (paper conveyance control) in this embodiment.

  When the image forming apparatus receives a print command from a PC or the like or starts a copy operation, the CPU 22 activates the main motor ON signal and the fixing motor ON signal as shown in FIG. As a result, the main motors 24 and 26 operate. As shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive member 6, the charging roller 7 for charging the photosensitive member, the developing roller 10 for supplying the toner in the developing device 9 to the photosensitive member 6, and the toner on the photosensitive member 6 are supplied. The transfer roller 11 for transferring onto the paper 21 rotates in the direction of the arrow.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the charging roller 7, the developing roller 10 and the transfer roller 11 are supplied with a voltage necessary for image formation from a high voltage power supply unit (not shown). The photosensitive member 6 is charged by the charging roller 7, and a latent image is generated on the photosensitive member 6 by LD light 8 that is turned on / off by an image signal sent from a PC or the like. Thus, an image is formed by attaching toner.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the paper 2 stored in the paper feed cassette 1 is fed by the driver 27 when the paper feed clutch ON signal of the CPU 22 is activated, so that the paper feed clutch 28 is turned on. By rotating the paper roller 3, the paper 2 is fed and sent to the registration roller 5 through the conveyance guide 4. Then, when the registration clutch ON signal of the CPU 22 is activated in synchronization with the image on the photosensitive member 6, the registration clutch 30 is turned on by the driver 29 and the registration roller 5 is rotated. As a result, the paper 2 is conveyed in the direction of the photoconductor 6, and the toner image on the photoconductor 6 is transferred onto the paper 21 by the transfer roller 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper 21 onto which the image has been transferred is fixed by a fixing device 13 having a fixing roller 15 and a pressure roller 14, conveyed to a paper discharge roller 19, and discharged onto a paper discharge tray 20. (Contents of image forming process (S701) in FIG. 7). The thickness and size of the paper 2 to be used are set by the operation unit 34 provided outside the image forming apparatus. The size of the paper 2 is detected by a paper size sensor 35 provided in the paper feed cassette 1.

  When the power is turned on or when returning from the energy saving mode, as shown in FIG. 6, initialization (initial setting) necessary for the image forming apparatus is performed (step S601), and the operation of the timer A is started (step S602). In the initial setting, “predetermined time at start-up” is calculated and set based on the thickness and size of the paper set by the operation unit 34. The “predetermined time at start-up” is set longer as the paper thickness increases, and is set longer as the paper size increases. The timer A is built in the CPU 22 and measures the time elapsed after the power is turned on or after returning from the energy saving mode, and the timer A is checked every time a print command is issued.

  In the fixing motor control, as shown in FIG. 8, the time counted by the timer A is confirmed, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the power was turned on or the return from the energy saving mode (step S801 / yes), the CPU 22 And the fixing motor driver 25 is controlled so that the fixing roller 15 and the pressure roller 14 rotate at a linear speed (second linear speed) slower than the process linear speed (step S802). On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed since power-on or return from the energy saving mode (step S801 / no), the fixing motor low speed signal of the CPU 22 is made inactive, and the fixing roller 15 has the same linear speed as the process linear speed. The fixing motor driver 25 is controlled to rotate at (first linear velocity) (step S803). Then, the timer A is stopped (step S804).

  FIG. 1 shows the conveyance state of the sheet 21 when the fixing roller 15 is rotating at the same linear speed (first linear speed) as the process linear speed. FIG. 2 shows the conveyance state of the sheet 21 when the fixing roller 15 rotates at a linear speed (second linear speed) slower than the process linear speed. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the transfer roller 11 is disposed in contact with the photosensitive member 6 by being shifted by an angle (A) from a position orthogonal to the conveyance path to the fixing device 13. A conveyance guide 12 having a shape curved toward the non-image surface side is arranged in the conveyance path from the photosensitive member 6 and the transfer roller 11 to the fixing device 13 to absorb the deflection of the sheet. By arranging in this way, the transferred paper 21 is conveyed along the conveyance guide 12 side, the conveyance guide 12 absorbs the bending of the conveyed paper, and the bent paper is guided to the conveyance guide 12. To the fixing device 13. Note that the bending of the sheet occurs due to a difference in linear velocity between the photosensitive member 6 and the transfer roller 11, the fixing roller 15, and the pressure roller 14 when the sheet 21 is between the transfer roller 11 and the fixing roller 15.

  In the fixing motor control and the paper gap control, as shown in FIG. 9, if the time counted by the timer A is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (step S901 / no), the fixing roller 15 and the pressure roller 14 are processed at the process linear speed. To rotate at the same linear velocity (first linear velocity) (step S902). Then, control is performed so that printing is performed with the interval between sheets conveyed to the fixing device 13 being longer than the normal time (interval A in FIG. 3) (interval B in FIG. 4) (step S903). Then, the timer A is stopped (step S904). On the other hand, if the time counted by the timer A is less than the predetermined time (step S901 / yes), the fixing roller 15 and the pressure roller 14 are rotated at a linear speed (second linear speed) slower than the process linear speed. (Step S905). Then, control is performed so that printing is performed with the interval between sheets conveyed to the fixing unit 13 being set between normal sheets (step S906).

  Another example of the fixing motor control and the sheet interval control is shown in FIG. That is, when the fixing roller 15 is controlled to rotate at the second linear speed (step S1001 / yes, step S1005), as long as the predetermined number of printed sheets is not exceeded when the power is turned on or immediately after returning from the energy saving mode. (Step S1006 / yes), control is performed so that printing is performed with a gap between sheets from the normal time to the fixing device 13 (step S1007). If the predetermined number of printed sheets has been exceeded (step S1006 / no), control is performed so that printing is performed with the interval between sheets set to a normal interval (step S1008). The control of the fixing roller 15 at the first linear velocity is the same as the control in FIG.

  Another example of the fixing motor control and the sheet interval control is shown in FIG. That is, when the fixing roller 15 is controlled at the second linear speed based on the measurement result of the timer A (step S1101 / yes, step S1105), the timer B is activated (step S1106). If the predetermined time has not passed since the power is turned on or immediately after the return from the energy saving mode by the timer B (step S1107 / no), control is performed so that printing is performed with a gap between the sheets longer than normal (step S1108). Then, the timer B is stopped (step S1109). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S1107 / yes), control is performed so that printing is performed with the interval between normal papers (step S1110). The control of the fixing roller 15 at the first linear velocity is the same as the control in FIG.

  Another example of the fixing motor control and the sheet interval control is shown in FIG. Here, when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 15 is detected when the power is turned on or immediately after returning from the energy saving mode, the voltage value divided by the thermistor 17 and the resistor 33 (FIG. 5) is used as an analog port of the CPU 22 (FIG. 5): thermistor IN. Is performed by reading. In the control of FIG. 12, when the fixing roller 15 is controlled to rotate at the second linear speed (step S1201 / yes, step S1205), the surface temperature of the fixing roller 15 detected by the thermistor 17 is a predetermined temperature. If it is less than (step S1206 / yes), control is performed so that printing is performed with a space between sheets smaller than normal (step S1207). If the detected surface temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (step S1206 / no), control is performed so that printing is performed with the interval between sheets being between normal sheets. The control of the fixing roller 15 at the first linear velocity is the same as the control in FIG.

  Another example of the fixing motor control and the sheet interval control is shown in FIG. That is, when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 15 detected by the thermistor 17 is lower than a predetermined temperature (step S1301 / yes), the predetermined value of the number of sheets to be printed with a gap between sheets is increased by a certain number (step S1301 / yes). S1302). The subsequent operation is similar to the control of FIG. 10, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 15 is controlled according to the measured value of the timer A, and the sheet spacing control is performed according to the number of printed sheets at the second linear speed.

  Another example of the fixing motor control and the sheet interval control is shown in FIG. That is, when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 15 detected by the thermistor 17 is lower than the first predetermined temperature (step S1401 / yes), the first set value of the number of sheets to be printed with a gap between sheets than normal is set to a predetermined value. (Step S1402). In addition, when the detected surface temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature and lower than the second predetermined temperature (step S1401 / no, step s1403 / yes), the second number of sheets to be printed with a space between the sheets normal than normal is printed. The set value is set as another predetermined value (step S1404). The subsequent operation is similar to the control of FIG. 10, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 15 is controlled according to the measured value of the timer A, and the sheet spacing control is performed according to the number of printed sheets at the second linear speed.

  Another example of the fixing motor control and the sheet interval control is shown in FIG. That is, when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 15 detected by the thermistor 17 is lower than a predetermined temperature (step S1501 / yes), the predetermined value of the timer B is increased by a certain number (step S1502). The subsequent operation is similar to the control of FIG. 11, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 15 is controlled according to the measured value of the timer A, and the sheet spacing control is performed according to the measured value of the timer B at the second linear speed. Do.

  Another example of the fixing motor control and the sheet interval control is shown in FIG. That is, when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 15 detected by the thermistor 17 is lower than the first predetermined temperature (step S1601 / yes), the first set value of the number of sheets to be printed with a gap between sheets is set to a predetermined value. (Step S1602). In addition, when the detected surface temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature and lower than the second predetermined temperature (step S1601 / no, step s1603 / yes), the second number of sheets to be printed with a space between the sheets normal than normal is printed. The set value is set as another predetermined value (step S1604). The subsequent operation is similar to the control of FIG. 11, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 15 is controlled according to the measured value of the timer A, and the sheet spacing control is performed according to the measured value of the timer B at the second linear speed. Do.

  According to the above-described embodiment, since the fixing roller can be fixed by making the linear speed of the fixing roller slower than the process linear speed according to the thickness and size of the paper, a large amount of heat can be applied to the paper. Even if the surface temperature is lowered, the fixability is not lowered. Further, since only the linear speed of the fixing roller is lowered, it is possible to minimize the decrease in the first print time when the power is turned on.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, since the sheet can be fixed by setting the linear speed of the fixing roller slower than the process linear speed, a large amount of heat can be applied to the sheet, so that even if the surface temperature of the fixing roller decreases. Fixing ability is not lowered. Furthermore, it is possible to accelerate the return of the surface temperature of the fixing roller to a predetermined temperature by widening the gap between the sheets.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, since the sheet can be fixed by setting the linear speed of the fixing roller slower than the process linear speed, a large amount of heat can be applied to the sheet, so that even if the surface temperature of the fixing roller decreases. Fixing ability is not lowered. Furthermore, in a low temperature environment, it is possible to expedite the return of the surface temperature of the fixing roller to a predetermined temperature by widening the sheet space more than usual.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the first linear velocity that is the same as the process linear velocity, and the printing start within the “predetermined time at start-up” after turning on the power or returning from the energy saving mode is slower than the process linear velocity. The “predetermined time at start-up” is controlled by the second linear velocity, the time is changed depending on the state of the paper, and the temperature is detected by the temperature detecting means, and the temperature is controlled by the power control. The image fixing device may include a conveyance guide that is concavely curved on the non-image surface side of the sheet conveyed between the transfer and the fixing device.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a unit that sets the paper thickness of the paper to be used as the paper state in the image forming apparatus described above. It may be configured such that the “predetermined time at the time of raising” can be changed.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a unit that sets a size of a sheet to be used as a sheet state in the above-described image forming apparatus. It may be configured such that the “time” can be changed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may be configured such that, in the above image forming apparatus, when the fixing device is controlled at the second linear speed, the interval between sheets to be printed is wider than usual. Good.

  In addition, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the fixing device is controlled at the second linear speed in the image forming apparatus described above, the interval between sheets to be printed is increased more than usual for a predetermined number of sheets. It may be configured.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that, in the image forming apparatus described above, when the fixing device is controlled at the second linear speed, the interval between sheets to be printed is wider than usual for a predetermined time. It may be done.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus described above, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit at the time of turning on the power or immediately after returning from the energy saving mode is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the sheet interval is set to a normal interval. It may be configured to print at intervals.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus described above, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit at the time of turning on the power or immediately after returning from the energy saving mode is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the space between the sheets is widened. It may be configured to increase the number of sheets controlled.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment controls the above-described image forming apparatus by widening the interval between sheets according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit when the power is turned on or immediately after returning from the energy saving mode. It may be configured to have different numbers.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus described above, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit at the time of turning on the power or immediately after returning from the energy saving mode is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the space between the sheets is widened. It may be configured to increase the control time.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment controls the above-described image forming apparatus by widening the interval between sheets according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit when the power is turned on or immediately after returning from the energy saving mode. It may be configured so that the time during which the time is different.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  That is, the program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (linear speed control unit and paper interval control unit), and is implemented using actual hardware. Realize the right means. That is, when the computer (CPU) reads out and executes a program from a predetermined recording medium, the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the linear velocity control unit and the paper spacing control unit are generated on the main storage device. .

  The program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, nonvolatile memory card, or the like. It may be configured to be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Further, the program may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium or loaded and executed through the communication line realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. And the recording medium which recorded the program code comprises this invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a state of paper conveyance to a fixing device. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a state of paper conveyance to a fixing device. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a state of paper conveyance to a fixing device. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a state of paper conveyance to a fixing device. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of operation | movement at the time of the power activation in the embodiment of this invention or the return from an energy saving mode. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the operation | movement at the time of printing in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of fixing motor control and sheet interval control in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed cassette 2,21 Paper 3 Paper feed roller 4,12 Conveying guide 5 Registration roller 6 Photoconductor 7 Charging roller 8 LD light 9 Developing device 10 Developing roller 11 Transfer roller 13 Fixing device 14 Pressure roller 15 Fixing roller 17 Thermistor 19 Paper discharge roller 20 Paper output tray 22 CPU
23, 25 Motor driver 24, 26 Main motor 27, 29 Driver 28 Paper feed clutch 30 Registration clutch 33 Resistor 34 Operation unit 35 Paper size sensor

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that heats and pressurizes a toner image on a recording sheet to fix the toner image on the recording sheet; and a temperature detection unit that detects a surface temperature of the fixing unit.
In fixing after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start-up after the image forming apparatus is turned on or returned from the energy-saving mode, the fixing unit is controlled at the first linear speed that is the same as the process linear speed. Fixing control means for performing fixing control of the fixing means at a second linear speed slower than the process linear speed for fixing within time;
A conveyance control means for controlling the timing of conveying the recording paper to the fixing means;
Have
When the fixing control unit is performing the fixing control at the second linear speed, the conveyance control unit is configured to convey a predetermined number of recording sheets during a predetermined period of time or for a predetermined time or a detected temperature less than a predetermined temperature. In this case, the recording paper is conveyed at a timing such that the distance between the recording papers sent to the fixing unit becomes wider than that at the time of fixing at the first linear velocity.   In the conveyance control unit, when fixing control is performed at the second linear speed by the fixing control unit, the distance of each recording sheet sent to the fixing unit is wider than that at the time of fixing at the first linear speed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording sheet is conveyed at such timing.   2. The conveyance control unit, according to the detected temperature, changes a set value of the number of recording paper conveyances for controlling the recording paper conveyance timing or an execution time of conveyance timing control. The image forming apparatus according to 2.   The recording paper is provided on a conveyance path to the fixing unit of the recording paper, has a curved shape, and is bent at the time of fixing at the second linear speed. The recording paper is caused to be bent along the curved shape to the fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conveyance guide unit that guides the image.

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