Image forming apparatus which can optimize cleaning time of transfer member contacting inter-image area of image bearing member
US7366438B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/0026
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a toner image forming section for forming toner images on the image bearing member, whereby the toner image forming section forms a detection patch on the image bearing member; a transfer member for contacting the image bearing member to form a transfer nip portion, and electrically transferring the toner image to the recording material in the transfer nip portion; a detector for detecting the detection patch; a controller for variably controlling a toner image forming condition based on the detection result of the detector; and a toner removing section for forming a cleaning electric field to remove toner adhering to the transfer member when the inter-toner image area passes through the transfer nip portion. The electric field electrostatically moves the toner adhering to the transfer member to the image bearing member. A length of time of the electric field formed after the detection patch has passed through the transfer nip portion in a time period when the inter-toner image area on which the detection patch is formed passes through the transfer nip portion, is longer than a length of time of the electric field formed …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.