Patent · US Active

Image forming apparatus and method for detecting separated state of transfer unit

US7697856B2 · kind B2 · utility

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0References
6Claims
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Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 9, 2007
Grant dateApr 13, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/0119
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus has a structure in which a toner image formed in an electrophotographic process is transferred from an intermediate transfer belt to a member to be transferred. The apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller that becomes a pressure contact state with respect to the intermediate transfer belt to make it perform a transfer process and can move between the pressure contact state and a separated state, and a press and separation driving device for driving the secondary transfer roller to become the pressure contact state and the separated state. The pressure contact state or the separated state of the secondary transfer roller is detected in accordance with a variation of an output of an IDC sensor for detecting a state of a bare surface of the intermediate transfer belt.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.