Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus

A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a fixing device, the fixing device comprising:

• a first fixing member;
• a second fixing member configured to nip a sheet in combination with the first fixing member, the second fixing member including:
• an endless belt;
• a first nip forming member and a second nip forming member which are each configured to nip the endless belt in combination with the first fixing member to form a nip region in which the sheet is nipped between the endless belt and the roller;
• and
• a holder configured to support the first nip forming member and the second nip forming member;
• a heater;
• and
• a guide configured to support one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member in a manner that permits one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member to move with respect to the other of the first fixing member and the second fixing member, in a predetermined direction toward or away from the other of the first fixing member and the second fixing member;
• wherein a first end face that is a first-fixing-member-side surface of the first nip forming member is located closer, than a second end face that is a first-fixing-member-side surface of the second nip forming member, to the first fixing member,
• the method comprising executing:
• a first printing process in which printing is performed with the one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member located in a position where both of the first nip forming member and the second nip forming member nip the endless belt in combination with the first fixing member, and
• a second printing process in which printing is performed with the one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member located in a position where the first nip forming member nips the endless belt in combination with the first fixing member, but the second nip forming member does not nip the endless belt in combination with the first fixing member.

An image forming apparatus including a fixing device, the fixing device comprising:

• a roller;
• an endless belt;
• a first pad configured to nip the endless belt in combination with the roller;
• a second pad configured to nip the endless belt in combination with the roller;
• a holder configured to support the first pad and the second pad;
• a heater;
• a guide configured to support the holder in a manner that permits the holder to move with respect to the roller in a predetermined direction toward or away from the roller;
• a spring configured to bias the holder toward the roller;
• and
• a cam configured to move the holder in the predetermined direction;
• wherein a first end face that is a roller-side surface of the first pad is located closer, than a second end face that is a roller-side surface of the second pad, to the roller, and
• wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of executing:
• a first printing process in which printing is performed with the holder located in a position where both of the first pad and the second pad nip the endless belt in combination with the roller, and
• a second printing process in which printing is performed with the holder located in a position where the first pad nips the endless belt in combination with the first fixing member, but the second pad does not nip the endless belt in combination with the first fixing member.