Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit configured to heat and fix a measurement image formed by an image forming unit to a sheet, a measurement unit arranged downstream of the fixing unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet and configured to measure color of the fixed measurement image, a conversion unit configured to convert a measurement result of the measurement unit into a measurement result at a predetermined temperature based on conversion setting information set in advance, a setting unit configured to set a mode for generating the conversion setting information, and a generation unit configured to generate the conversion setting information by causing the image forming unit to form the measurement image on the sheet, causing the fixing unit to fix the formed measurement image, and causing the measurement unit to repeatedly measure the fixed measurement image in response to setting of the mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging member, a voltage applying part, a current measuring part and a controlling part. The image carrier carries a toner image. The charging member electrically charges the image carrier. The voltage applying part applies voltage to the charging member. The current measuring part measures current flowing into the charging member. The controlling part controls applied voltage of the voltage applying part. The controlling part decides, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the charging member for a predetermined time by the voltage applying part, if an increase quantity of the current measured by the current measuring part exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that at least one of the image carrier and the charging member is in an abnormal state.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a first member that is heated by a heat source and is rotatable; a second member that is rotatable, the second member forming a nip portion capable of sandwiching a recording material between the first member and the second member; and a pressure member that is disposed inside the first member, has a surface coming into contact with an inner surface of the first member, and pressurizes the first member against the second member, in which the pressure member has a surface layer forming the surface of the pressure member coming into contact with the inner surface of the first member, and the surface layer includes a diamond-like carbon film having an sp3 bond ratio of 40% or more and 90% or less.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, includes: a member to be supplied with electric energy; a frame molded with a resin material; and an electrode member formed on the frame by injection molding of an electroconductive resin material. The electrode member includes a supporting portion for supporting the member to be supplied with electric energy and a contact portion to be contacted to a main assembly electric contact, provided in the main assembly, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a secondary transfer member, an image detector, a computing device, and a conveyor device. The computing device calculates a traveling speed of the intermediate transfer member based on detection information provided by the image detector. The conveyor device continuously transports to a secondary transfer portion a plurality of recording media one by one at a predetermined interval between successive recording media. The image forming unit forms a test image at a space between successive recording-medium contact regions of the intermediate transfer member at which the recording medium contacts the intermediate transfer member. A travel distance of the intermediate transfer member from the detection position on the intermediate transfer member to the secondary transfer portion in a traveling direction thereof is shorter than the space between the successive recording-medium contact regions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive drums and a plurality of developing rollers for developing latent images formed on the photosensitive drums, respectively. A switching unit switches positions of the plurality of developing rollers relative to the photosensitive drums, respectively, between developing positions for developing the latent images and spaced positions retracted from the developing positions. The developing rollers are capable of taking (i) a full spaced state in which all of the developing rollers are in the spaced positions, (ii) a partly developing state in which a portion of the developing rollers are in the developing positions, while the other is in the spaced position, and (iii) a full developing state in which all of the developing rollers are in the developing positions. The switching unit switches the positions of the developing rollers among the three states in a predetermined fixed order.

Abstract: Devices and methods for remanufacturing a printer cartridge component are provided. The printer cartridge component is a drum gear assembly configured for attachment to an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum configured for use in a printer cartridge. The drum gear assembly has a drum drive gear and a drive axle attached to the drum drive gear. The drive axle has a first end with teeth portions. The device has a first portion having a drive axle engagement end configured to engage the drive axle. The device further has a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion has a teeth engagement portion to engage one or more of the teeth portions of the drive axle. The first portion and the second portion are configured for assembling and disassembling the drum gear assembly.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the charging bias supply circuit generates a second charging bias voltage that causes no positive discharge between the charging unit and the photoreceptor drum, during a recovery mode, the charging unit charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum upon application of the second charging bias voltage during the recovery mode, and the cleaning unit rubs the surface of the photoreceptor drum charged by the second charging bias voltage, during the recovery mode.

Abstract: An improved image forming apparatus is described which can inhibit the quality of printed images from being degraded. A control unit performs a steering operation to shift an intermediate transfer belt toward a target belt position by controlling the inclination angle of a steering roller. Also, a memory stores the inclination angle of the steering roller in association with the operational states of rotary members facing the intermediate transfer belt. The control unit updates the values stored in the memory with an update value. When the result of detecting the belt edges indicate that the intermediate transfer belt falls in a predetermined range around the target belt position during the steering operation, the control unit determines the update value on the basis of the steering duration time and the inclination angle of the steering roller.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a power supply control unit, a direct-current (DC) power supply, an alternating-current (AC) power supply, and a transfer unit. The power supply control unit controls a first control signal for controlling a DC voltage and a second control signal for controlling an AC voltage based on a condition relating to image formation. The DC power supply outputs the DC voltage based on the first control signal. The AC power supply selectively outputs, with a particular waveform, either of the DC voltage output from the DC power supply or a superimposed voltage obtained by superimposing the AC voltage determined based on the second control signal on the DC voltage output from the DC power supply. The transfer unit transfers a developer onto a sheet using a voltage output from the AC power supply.

Abstract: A developing device causes toner to be discharged from a foam layer by an intrusion member configured to intrude into the foam layer of a supply roller, and to be supplied to above a contact region between a developing roller and the supply roller.

Abstract: A wet-type image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a toner developer layer, and a toner amount detection unit. The toner amount detection unit includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The wavelength characteristics of a light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit and light reception sensitivity of the toner amount detection unit are set such that an intensity of detection sensitivity of the toner amount detection unit in accordance with a product of a light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit and light reception sensitivity of the light-receiving unit is greater in a wavelength region in which a characteristic value based on a product of a transmittance of the toner developer layer and a reflectivity of the image carrier as a reference for an emission light wavelength is included in a predetermined range, than in other wavelength regions.

Abstract: A cartridge includes: a rotating body including a rotating shaft extending in a first direction and carrying developer; a housing supporting the rotating body; and a cover removably mounted on the housing and protect the rotating body. The cover includes: a grasping portion that is provided substantially at a center of the cover in the first direction; and a first engaging claw that is disposed on an outer side of the cover with respect to the grasping portion in the first direction, and is configured to engage the cover with the housing. The housing includes an engaged portion engaged with the first engaging claw. If the grasping portion is operated to remove the cover from the housing, the first engaging claw moves toward the center of the cover in the first direction and engagement of the first engaging claw and the engaged portion is released.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and a casing. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a developing frame, and a drum frame. The developing frame is movable between a contact position and a separated position. A separating member provided on the drum frame acts on the developing frame, so that a reaction force is exerted in a reaction force direction. The casing includes a positioning member, an urging member, and a separation pressing member. The positioning member has a first surface and a second surface. The urging member is configured to urge an end portion of the photosensitive drum toward the positioning member in an urging direction. The first surface is configured to support the end portion at a position downstream of the urging direction. The second surface is configured to support the end portion at a portion downstream of the reaction force direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an image carrier carrying on a surface thereof a developer image formed by the image forming unit, a transfer unit for transferring the developer image carried on the image carrier to a recording medium, a voltage supplying unit for supplying a transfer voltage to the transfer unit, a transfer current measuring unit for measuring a transfer current value at a time that a prescribed voltage is applied from the voltage supplying unit to the transfer unit in a state that no recording medium exists in the transfer unit, a resistor serially coupled between the transfer current measuring unit and the transfer unit, a memory unit for memorizing electrical character information of the recording medium, and a controller for controlling the transfer voltage supplied from the voltage supplying unit to the transfer unit where the developer is transferred to the recording medium, based on a consequence measured by the transfer current measuring unit, a recording m

Abstract: Devices and methods detect an amount of toner on a photoreceptor caused by a printing process, and calculate a reload signal using a processor. The reload signal shows the amount of toner being reloaded on a donor roll from a toner container to replace the toner being removed from the donor roll during the printing process (as detected by an optical sensor). Such devices and methods generate a toner concentration (TC) sensor response representing a concentration of toner particles within the toner/developer mixture using a TC sensor, calculate a calibration sensor relationship between the TC sensor response and the reload signal, using the processor, based on changes in the TC sensor response and the reload signal that occur while changing the toner concentration during the printing process, and calibrate the TC sensor based on differences between the calibration sensor relationship and a previously established model relationship using the processor.

Abstract: When a stirring member that stirs developer in a developer containing portion rotates at high speed, toner flies and the detection accuracy of light transmission type toner remaining amount detection is degraded. A developing apparatus including a developer containing portion that contains developer, a stirring member that stirs the developer in the developer containing portion, and a partition member which is disposed to separate the developer containing portion from a space adjacent to the developer containing portion and which bends to block at least a part of a light path, which is formed in the space and used to detect an amount of the developer, when being pressed by the stirring member via the developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that sets a second conveyance speed, at which a recording material is conveyed at a heating nip portion, higher than a first conveyance speed, at which the recording material is conveyed at a transfer nip portion, conveys an envelope by the transfer and heating nip portions without transferring a toner image at the transfer nip portion. After that, the image forming apparatus which sets the second conveyance speed equal to or lower than the first conveyance speed transfers the toner image formed on a photosensitive drum acting as an image bearing member onto the envelope conveyed again to the transfer nip portion by a reversing conveyance mechanism acting as a re-conveyance unit to fix the toner image on the envelop at the heating nip portion.

Abstract: A refurbished toner blade for a toner cartridge and a method for refurbishing a toner blade for a toner cartridge are provided. The refurbished toner blade includes a fixed portion configured for attachment to a portion of a toner cartridge, a depending portion extending away from the fixed portion, and a permanent deflection that is formed during refurbishment of the toner blade and that extends between the fixed portion and the depending portion. The refurbished toner blade is formed from a used toner blade in which the depending portion has obtained a permanent deformation in a first direction after an initial period of use. The permanent deflection deflects the depending portion in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A drum unit is provided, which includes a frame configured such that a development cartridge including a pressed portion is detachably attached thereto, and a pressing member. The development cartridge is movable between a pressed state where the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing member when attached to the frame and a released state where the pressed portion is released from pressing of the pressing member when the development cartridge is attached to the frame. The pressing member includes a pressing section that contacts and presses the pressed portion when the development cartridge is in the pressed state, and a restriction section configured to, when the development cartridge is in the pressing state, restrict movement of the pressed portion in a released direction, in which the pressed portion moves when the development cartridge moves from the pressing state to the released state.