Heat exhaust duct for image forming apparatus operable in a vertical or horizontal position

摘要

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet both in a horizonal installation and in a vertical installation of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus is designed so that an air flow from a thermal fixing unit exerts no influence on an image forming operation of a photosensitive body and a temperature detection operation of the thermal fixing unit even when installed horizontally or vertically. This image forming apparatus therefore includes an exhaust duct for guiding a gas of an interior of the thermal fixing unit in an upper oblique direction from the thermal fixing unit to exhaust the interior of the thermal fixing unit. The air flow from the thermal fixing unit does not therefore influence an image formation on the photosensitive body even when the apparatus is installed horizontally or vertically.