Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a nip former, a transfer bias supply, and processing circuitry. The nip former to form a transfer nip between the image bearer and the nip former. The transfer bias supply applies a transfer bias in which an alternating current component is superimposed on a direct current component to the transfer nip, to transfer a toner image onto a transfer target object at the transfer nip. The processing circuitry is to execute a processing mode of determining the DC component and the AC component to be used in a print job, based on a plurality of test toner images transferred to the transfer target object under transfer conditions different from each other in combination of the DC component and the AC component while changing the DC component and the AC component.

Abstract: There is provided a consumable supply method for supplying a refill consumable stored in a refill consumable container to a consumable container installable in an equipment body. The consumable supply method includes removing a refill information storage device storing information on the refill consumable from the refill consumable container; removing an information storage device storing information on a consumable contained in the consumable container, the information being for exchange with the equipment body, from the consumable container; and attaching the refill information storage device removed from the refill consumable container as an information storage device to the consumable container in place of the information storage device removed from the consumable container.

Abstract: There is provided a consumable supply method for supplying a refill consumable stored in a refill consumable container to a consumable container installable in an equipment body. The consumable supply method includes removing a refill information storage device storing information on the refill consumable from the refill consumable container; removing an information storage device storing information on a consumable contained in the consumable container, the information being for exchange with the equipment body, from the consumable container; and attaching the refill information storage device removed from the refill consumable container as an information storage device to the consumable container in place of the information storage device removed from the consumable container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, a toner image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer member, a switching unit, and control circuitry. The toner image forming unit forms toner images on the latent image bearer. The primary transfer member transfers the toner images on the latent image bearer onto the intermediate transfer member. The secondary transfer member transfers the toner images on the intermediate transfer member onto recording materials. The switching unit switches a position of one of the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member between a first and a second position. The control circuitry controls at least one of a first and a second operation. The control circuitry changes at least one of the first and the second operation when the toner images satisfy a specified abnormal image reduction condition at a first and a second timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, a toner image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer member, a switching unit, and control circuitry. The toner image forming unit forms toner images on the latent image bearer. The primary transfer member transfers the toner images on the latent image bearer onto the intermediate transfer member. The secondary transfer member transfers the toner images on the intermediate transfer member onto recording materials. The switching unit switches a position of one of the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member between a first and a second position. The control circuitry controls at least one of a first and a second operation. The control circuitry changes at least one of the first and the second operation when the toner images satisfy a specified abnormal image reduction condition at a first and a second timing.

Abstract: A steering wheel includes a functional device and a control device, which is electrically connected to the functional device. The functional device includes a functional case, which constitutes a housing of the functional device. The control device includes a control case, which constitutes a housing of the control device. A first connector is partially exposed to an outside of the functional case. A second connector is partially exposed to an outside of the control case. The first connector is coupled to the second connector, so that the functional device is electrically connected to the control device without a harness between the functional case and the control case.

Abstract: A radiation analysis apparatus includes an excitation source unit irradiating an object, for which the radiation analysis apparatus analyzes property or a structure, with a first radiation, a radiation detection unit including three or more radiation detectors that detect a second radiation generated from the object irradiated with the first radiation, a radiation focusing unit disposed between the object and the radiation detection unit, and focusing the second radiation, a position changing unit changing a relative positional relationship between the radiation focusing unit and the radiation detection unit, and a control unit controlling the position changing unit to change the positional relationship, based on first information which is stored in a storage unit and indicates an intensity distribution of the second radiation emitted from the radiation focusing unit and second information indicating a distribution based on a detection count of the second radiation detected by each of the radiation detectors.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a conveyor configured to convey a sheet in a sheet conveyance path and a discharger disposed at an intermediate position in the sheet conveyance path. The conveyor is configured to contact the sheet in a contact range within and narrower than a passage range where the sheet passes through the sheet conveyance path in a width direction of the sheet. The discharger is disposed close to the sheet that the conveyor is conveying in the sheet conveyance path, in a range different from the contact range and configured to remove static electricity from the sheet that the conveyor is conveying in the sheet conveyance path.

Abstract: A bonding system includes a surface modifying apparatus, a surface hydrophilizing apparatus and a bonding apparatus. The surface modifying apparatus is configured to modify a bonding surface of a first substrate and a bonding surface of a second substrate with plasma. The surface hydrophilizing apparatus is configured to hydrophilize the modified bonding surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate. The bonding apparatus includes a condensation suppressing gas discharge unit, and is configured to bond the hydrophilized bonding surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate by an intermolecular force. The condensation suppressing gas discharge unit is configured to discharge a condensation suppressing gas toward a space between a peripheral portion of the bonding surface of the first substrate and a peripheral portion of the bonding surface of the second substrate facing each other.

Abstract: A radiation analyzing apparatus includes a radiation irradiation unit configured to irradiate an object with a first radiation, a radiation detection unit configured to detect a second radiation generated from the object irradiated with the first radiation, a radiation converging unit configured to disposed between the object and the radiation detection unit and to converge the second radiation on the radiation detection unit, a position changing unit configured to vary a relative positional relationship between the radiation converging unit and the radiation detection unit, and a driving unit configured to change the positional relationship.

Abstract: A bonding system includes a surface modifying apparatus, a surface hydrophilizing apparatus and a bonding apparatus. The surface modifying apparatus is configured to modify a bonding surface of a first substrate and a bonding surface of a second substrate with plasma. The surface hydrophilizing apparatus is configured to hydrophilize the modified bonding surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate. The bonding apparatus includes a condensation suppressing gas discharge unit, and is configured to bond the hydrophilized bonding surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate by an intermolecular force. The condensation suppressing gas discharge unit is configured to discharge a condensation suppressing gas toward a space between a peripheral portion of the bonding surface of the first substrate and a peripheral portion of the bonding surface of the second substrate facing each other.

Abstract: A cam drive device includes a cam to rotate; a displacement body to be displaced in response to a change in a rotation position of the cam in contact with the displacement body; a motor to rotate the cam; and a power source to output an electric current to be supplied to the motor. An electric current to cause a stall torque to the motor being a stop state is changed in response to a change in a rotation stop position of the cam.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearer, a transfer-bias power source, an environment sensor, and a controller. The controller controls the transfer-bias power source to change the DC component and the AC component, according to the at least one of temperature and humidity detected by the environment sensor and a duty of the transfer bias. The duty is A/(A+B)×100[%] where A denotes an area on a return-directional side to move toner from the recording sheet back to the image bearer, relative to a center value (Voff) of a maximum value and a minimum value of the transfer bias in one cycle of a waveform of the transfer bias, and B denotes an area on a transfer-directional side to move the toner from the image bearer to the recording sheet, relative to the center value (Voff) in the one cycle.

Abstract: An improved image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a nip forming member, a transfer power source, and a controller. The controller switches a transfer mode between a first mode to transfer the toner image onto a first type sheet having a surface smoothness higher than a surface smoothness of a second type sheet and a second mode to transfer the toner image onto the second type sheet. The controller controls the transfer power source to output the transfer bias having an opposite-peak duty of greater than or equal to 50% that is a duty on the side of the opposite-peak value in the first mode. The controller controls the transfer power source to output the transfer bias having an opposite-peak duty of less than 50%, which is different from the opposite-peak duty of the first mode, in the second mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a plurality of image bearers, an endless belt, a contact and separation mechanism to generate a first trajectory and a second trajectory of the endless belt, a sensor to detect an object on a surface of the endless belt, and a positioning mechanism to enable the sensor to detect the object in the first trajectory and the second trajectory of the endless belt. The positioning mechanism includes a stay to support the sensor, a first bracket, a second bracket, a first positioning portion attached to the apparatus body to position the sensor in a direction of rotation of the first bracket and the second bracket at a time of the first trajectory, and a second positioning portion attached to the second bracket to position the sensor in the direction of rotation of the first bracket at a time of the second trajectory.

Abstract: A steering wheel includes an indicator. The indicator includes a light source that emits light and a light guide. The light guide includes an outer surface and an end opposing the light source. The light emitted from the light source enters the end of the light guide, and some of the light is emitted from the outer surface.

Abstract: A steering wheel includes a functional device and a control device, which is electrically connected to the functional device. The functional device includes a functional case, which constitutes a housing of the functional device. The control device includes a control case, which constitutes a housing of the control device. A first connector is partially exposed to an outside of the functional case. A second connector is partially exposed to an outside of the control case. The first connector is coupled to the second connector, so that the functional device is electrically connected to the control device without a harness between the functional case and the control case.

Abstract: A radiation analysis apparatus includes an excitation source unit irradiating an object, for which the radiation analysis apparatus analyzes property or a structure, with a first radiation, a radiation detection unit including three or more radiation detectors that detect a second radiation generated from the object irradiated with the first radiation, a radiation focusing unit disposed between the object and the radiation detection unit, and focusing the second radiation, a position changing unit changing a relative positional relationship between the radiation focusing unit and the radiation detection unit, and a control unit controlling the position changing unit to change the positional relationship, based on first information which is stored in a storage unit and indicates an intensity distribution of the second radiation emitted from the radiation focusing unit and second information indicating a distribution based on a detection count of the second radiation detected by each of the radiation detectors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a plurality of image bearers, an endless belt, a contact and separation mechanism to generate a first trajectory and a second trajectory of the endless belt, a sensor to detect an object on a surface of the endless belt, and a positioning mechanism to enable the sensor to detect the object in the first trajectory and the second trajectory of the endless belt. The positioning mechanism includes a stay to support the sensor, a first bracket, a second bracket, a first positioning portion attached to the apparatus body to position the sensor in a direction of rotation of the first bracket and the second bracket at a time of the first trajectory, and a second positioning portion attached to the second bracket to position the sensor in the direction of rotation of the first bracket at a time of the second trajectory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a toner image, a nip forming member contacting the image bearer to form a transfer nip, and a transfer power source. The transfer bias has a transfer peak value to electrostatically move toner from the image bearer to the recording sheet and an opposite-peak value to electrostatically move less toner from the image bearer to the recording sheet than the transfer peak value. An opposite-peak duty of the transfer bias is less than 50%. The opposite-peak duty is tr/T×100% where T is one cycle of the transfer bias and tr is a time period during which the transfer bias is on a side of the opposite-peak value relative to an offset voltage of the transfer bias in the one cycle T.