Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation of the photoconductor with light, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a charge removal execution determiner, and a power supply controller. The charger receives a superimposed voltage of a DC voltage and an AC voltage to charge the photoconductor. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor into a toner image. The transfer device transfers the developed toner image to a recording medium. The charge removal execution determiner issues a charge removal command when a flow of electric charge from the transfer device into the photoconductor has occurred in an image forming outputting operation. The power supply controller applies only the AC voltage to the charger for a predetermined period in a state in which the photoconductor is rotated, when the charge removal command is issued.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation of the photoconductor with light, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a charge removal execution determiner, and a power supply controller. The charger receives a superimposed voltage of a DC voltage and an AC voltage to charge the photoconductor. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor into a toner image. The transfer device transfers the developed toner image to a recording medium. The charge removal execution determiner issues a charge removal command when a flow of electric charge from the transfer device into the photoconductor has occurred in an image forming outputting operation. The power supply controller applies only the AC voltage to the charger for a predetermined period in a state in which the photoconductor is rotated, when the charge removal command is issued.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an electric charging member, spaced apart from an image bearer across an electric charge gap, electrically charges the image bearer uniformly across the electric charge gap. A voltage applying device applies a voltage to the electric charging member. A cleaner collects residual toner remaining on the image bearer therefrom after a transfer device transfers a toner image onto a recording medium. An electric charge gap maintaining device forms and keeps constant the electric charge gap between the electric charging member and the image bearer. A calculating device calculates a value of discharge current to be generated by the electric charging member. A processor controls the voltage applying device to vary a voltage applied to the electric charging device to render the value of discharge current calculated by the calculating device substantially constant.

Abstract: An electric charging-diselectrifying device includes an electric charging member that contacts an image bearer to form an electric charging nip between the electric charging member and the image bear. The electric charging member electrically charges multiple electric charge regions in the image bearer located both upstream and downstream of the electric charging nip in a direction of rotation of the image bearer. An electric charge removing device is provided to remove electric charge borne on the image bearer by irradiating the multiple electric charging regions of the image bearer with light. The electric charging member is made of a material that allows the light emitted from the electric charge removing device to penetrate the electric charging member.

Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a conveyance channel through which toner is transported, communicating with a conveyance origin and a destination container disposed inside an image forming apparatus, a conveyor disposed in the conveyance channel to rotate in the conveyance channel, a driving source to drive the conveyor; and a slide-assist sheet attached to an inner face of the conveyance channel positioned facing the conveyor.

Abstract: An electric charging-diselectrifying device includes an electric charging member that contacts an image bearer to form an electric charging nip between the electric charging member and the image bear. The electric charging member electrically charges multiple electric charge regions in the image bearer located both upstream and downstream of the electric charging nip in a direction of rotation of the image bearer. An electric charge removing device is provided to remove electric charge borne on the image bearer by irradiating the multiple electric charging regions of the image bearer with light. The electric charging member is made of a material that allows the light emitted from the electric charge removing device to penetrate the electric charging member.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charger and a power supply circuit. The charger is disposed opposing a latent image bearer. The power supply circuit applies to the charger an alternating voltage obtained by superimposing a pulsating voltage on a direct-current voltage. The alternating voltage generates normal discharge from the charger to a surface of the latent image bearer and reverse discharge from the surface of the latent image bearer to the charger. A pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a reverse discharge side relative to a desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer is shorter than a pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a normal discharge side relative to the desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, an electric charging member to electrically charge the latent image bearer uniformly while forming an electric charging nip therebetween by contacting the latent image bearer. A value obtained by dividing a moment of inertia of area of the latent image bearer by the cube of length thereof ranges from about 0.000058 [mm] or more to about 0.000145 [mm] or less. A width of the electric charging nip in a direction of rotation at longitudinal ends of the latent image bearer is larger than that at a longitudinal center thereof. A difference between the width of the electric charging nip in the direction of rotation at the longitudinal ends of the latent image bearer and that at the longitudinal center thereof is larger than an amount of deformation of the latent image bearer generated during rotation at the longitudinal center thereof.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device includes: lubricant; a supplying member that supplies the lubricant to a lubricant supply target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects that a remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or smaller than a certain amount. The remaining amount detecting unit includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The lubricant supplying device includes a member that causes at least a part of the second electrode member to move and causes the second electrode member to abut the first electrode member with an increase in consumption of the lubricant.

Abstract: A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant holder to hold the solid lubricant, a lubricant supply member to supply lubricant to a lubrication target, a pressing member to press the solid lubricant toward the lubricant supply member, and a pressing force adjuster to change an amount of pressing force exerted by the pressing member.

Abstract: A developing device including: a toner bearing member configured to bear a toner on a surface of the toner bearing member and configured such that the surface thereof is rotated to supply the toner to and develop a latent electrostatic image on a surface of a latent electrostatic image bearing member in a developing region which faces the latent electrostatic image bearing member; and a regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the toner to be moved towards the developing region, wherein the surface of the toner bearing member has regularly arranged convex portions, and wherein a non-electrostatic adhesive force between the toner and the surface of the toner bearing member is less than 9.0 nN.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner conveying device including a primary conveyor to convey waste toner discharged from a plurality of primary cleaners and a secondary conveyor to convey waste toner discharged from a secondary cleaner. A relay conveyor conveys the waste toner discharged from the primary conveyor and the secondary conveyor. A waste toner container receives the waste toner discharged from the relay conveyor. The primary conveyor, the secondary conveyor, and the relay conveyor are disposed at one end of the image forming apparatus in a front-to-rear direction thereof. A secondary conveyor outlet of the secondary conveyor is disposed below a primary conveyor outlet of the primary conveyor and above an inlet of the waste toner container.

Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a conveyance channel through which toner is transported, communicating with a conveyance origin and a destination container disposed inside an image forming apparatus, a conveyor disposed in the conveyance channel to rotate in the conveyance channel, a driving source to drive the conveyor; and a slide-assist sheet attached to an inner face of the conveyance channel positioned facing the conveyor.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer bearer to carry by rotation developer to a development range facing a latent image bearer, and a planar metal developer regulator to adjust an amount of developer carried by the developer bearer to the development range. The developer bearer includes a developer carrying range having surface unevenness, and the developer regulator includes a fixed end portion held by a regulator holder and a free end portion to contact a surface of the developer bearer.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device includes: lubricant; a supplying member that supplies the lubricant to a lubricant supply target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects that a remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or smaller than a certain amount. The remaining amount detecting unit includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The lubricant supplying device includes a member that causes at least a part of the second electrode member to move and causes the second electrode member to abut the first electrode member with an increase in consumption of the lubricant.

Abstract: A solid lubricant supply system includes a solid lubricant supplier to receive and supply solid lubricant to a solid lubricant supplying target. A pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes is opposed to each other. The second moveable planar electrode is partially moved toward the first moveable planar electrode as the solid lubricant is consumed. A residual solid lubricant quantity detecting unit is provide to detect a quantity of the residual solid lubricant at a first stage, in which the residual solid lubricant quantity is below a given level, by detecting electric conduction between the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes when the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes contacts each other. The first moveable planar electrode is enabled to further move together with the second moveable planar electrode when it is contacted and pressed by the second moveable planar electrode.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charger and a power supply circuit. The charger is disposed opposing a latent image bearer. The power supply circuit applies to the charger an alternating voltage obtained by superimposing a pulsating voltage on a direct-current voltage. The alternating voltage generates normal discharge from the charger to a surface of the latent image bearer and reverse discharge from the surface of the latent image bearer to the charger. A pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a reverse discharge side relative to a desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer is shorter than a pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a normal discharge side relative to the desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer.

Abstract: A detachable device, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a unit drive mechanism, and a cover disposed at one end and an opposite end in the given attachment/detachment direction to cover the unit drive mechanism thereof. The cover includes a first cover and a second cover. The first cover includes at least one first inlet port to intake air from the apparatus body and guide the air to the detachable unit. The second cover includes a second inlet port to intake the air guided into the detachable unit and an air outlet port to exhaust the air introduced from the second inlet port to the apparatus body.

Abstract: In an embodiment, provided is a lubricant supplying device that includes: a solid lubricant; a supplying member that supplies lubricant of the solid lubricant to a lubricant supplying target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects an amount of the solid lubricant being at a given amount or less. The remaining amount detecting unit is provided on a downstream side in a rubbing direction of the supplying member with respect to the solid lubricant.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device includes: lubricant; a supplying member that supplies the lubricant to a lubricant supply target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects that a remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or smaller than a certain amount. The remaining amount detecting unit includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The lubricant supplying device includes a member that causes at least a part of the second electrode member to move and causes the second electrode member to abut the first electrode member with an increase in consumption of the lubricant.