Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member that transfers an image from an image carrier to a recording medium; a first member that is electrically connected to the transfer member; a downstream member that is located downstream of the transfer member in a direction in which the recording medium moves, that is electrically connected to the transfer member via the first member, and that transfers the recording medium to a second member that is located downstream of the downstream member and that is electrically insulated from the downstream member; and a first electric potential controller that, when the recording medium is changed to a recording medium having a higher bending strength, changes an electric potential of the downstream member to an electric potential that is higher than an electric potential of the downstream member before the recording medium is changed.

Abstract: A sheet guiding device includes: a first guiding unit that is grounded and guides a sheet transported; and a second guiding unit that is disposed on a downstream side of the first guiding unit and grounded with a resistance higher than a resistance with which the first guiding unit is grounded, and that guides the sheet transported to the first guiding unit to a transfer position interposed between an image carrier that carries a toner image and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier onto the transported sheet by pinching the sheet between the image carrier and the transfer unit and applying an electric field across the image carrier and the transfer unit.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member that transfers an image from an image carrier to a recording medium; a first member that is electrically connected to the transfer member; a downstream member that is located downstream of the transfer member in a direction in which the recording medium moves, that is electrically connected to the transfer member via the first member, and that transfers the recording medium to a second member that is located downstream of the downstream member and that is electrically insulated from the downstream member; and a first electric potential controller that, when the recording medium is changed to a recording medium having a higher bending strength, changes an electric potential of the downstream member to an electric potential that is higher than an electric potential of the downstream member before the recording medium is changed.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member to which a bias voltage is applied and that transfers a toner image, which is carried on an image carrier, onto a sheet while nipping the sheet between the transfer member and the image carrier when the sheet is transported to the transfer member; and a pressing member that includes a spring member and a first rubber damper, which are arranged in series with each other, and that presses the transfer member against the image carrier.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member to which a bias voltage is applied and that transfers a toner image, which is carried on an image carrier, onto a sheet while nipping the sheet between the transfer member and the image carrier when the sheet is transported to the transfer member; and a pressing member that includes a spring member and a first rubber damper, which are arranged in series with each other, and that presses the transfer member against the image carrier.

Abstract: A transfer-and-transport device includes a substantially annular belt stretchable in a direction of rotation thereof, a transfer roller by which an outer peripheral surface of the belt is pressed against a photoconductor, supporting rollers supporting the belt in a tensed state, and a cleaning member cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the belt. One supporting roller is a driving roller provided, in the direction of rotation of the belt, on an upstream side of the transfer roller. Another supporting roller is a releasing-side roller provided, in the direction of rotation of the belt, on a downstream side of the transfer roller. The cleaning member is in contact with the belt in an area from, in the direction of rotation of the belt, a midpoint of a portion wrapped around the driving roller toward the upstream side to a midpoint of a portion wrapped around the releasing-side roller.

Abstract: A transfer-and-transport device includes a substantially annular belt stretchable in a direction of rotation thereof, a transfer roller by which an outer peripheral surface of the belt is pressed against a photoconductor, supporting rollers supporting the belt in a tensed state, and a cleaning member cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the belt. One supporting roller is a driving roller provided, in the direction of rotation of the belt, on an upstream side of the transfer roller. Another supporting roller is a releasing-side roller provided, in the direction of rotation of the belt, on a downstream side of the transfer roller. The cleaning member is in contact with the belt in an area from, in the direction of rotation of the belt, a midpoint of a portion wrapped around the driving roller toward the upstream side to a midpoint of a portion wrapped around the releasing-side roller.

Abstract: A transfer device includes an endless intermediate transfer belt that moves circularly, a first rotating body pressed into contact with the inner surface of the belt, and a second rotating body disposed at a position facing the first rotating body to contact with the outer surface of the belt. The belt includes a first pressing section that is in contact with the second rotating body due to a first pressure from the first rotating body such that a toner image that has been first-transferred to the outer surface of the belt is second-transferred onto a recording medium that passes between the belt and the second rotating body and a second pressing section that is in contact with the second rotating body due to a second pressure smaller than the first pressure on the upstream side of the first pressing section in the belt movement direction.

Abstract: A transfer device includes an endless intermediate transfer belt that moves circularly, a first rotating body pressed into contact with the inner surface of the belt, and a second rotating body disposed at a position facing the first rotating body to contact with the outer surface of the belt. The belt includes a first pressing section that is in contact with the second rotating body due to a first pressure from the first rotating body such that a toner image that has been first-transferred to the outer surface of the belt is second-transferred onto a recording medium that passes between the belt and the second rotating body and a second pressing section that is in contact with the second rotating body due to a second pressure smaller than the first pressure on the upstream side of the first pressing section in the belt movement direction.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes: a brush that has numerous bristles rotating and contacting to the surface of an image carrier, a removing member disposed so as to contact to the numerous bristles and removes a developer adhering to the numerous bristles by elastically deforming the numerous bristles and further returning the numerous deformed bristles back to normal, and a transport member disposed lower than the removing member in the gravitational direction and transports the developer removed with the removing member by rotating on an axis, wherein at least a part of the developer removed from the numerous bristles falls to a farther position than the axis of the transport member from the brush in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes: a brush that has numerous bristles rotating and contacting to the surface of an image carrier, a removing member disposed so as to contact to the numerous bristles and removes a developer adhering to the numerous bristles by elastically deforming the numerous bristles and further returning the numerous deformed bristles back to normal, and a transport member disposed lower than the removing member in the gravitational direction and transports the developer removed with the removing member by rotating on an axis, wherein at least a part of the developer removed from the numerous bristles falls to a farther position than the axis of the transport member from the brush in the horizontal direction.