Abstract: An image forming apparatus controls a feeding device to stop feeding residual toner to a first accommodating container and an image forming portion to continue an image forming operation, in a case the first accommodating container is not full and the first accommodating container is dismounted when the image forming operation is executed when the residual toner is fed to the first accommodating container. After detection of dismount of the first accommodating container until a predetermined time elapses, the feeding device stops feeding continuously the residual toner to the first accommodating container and does not start feeding the residual toner to the second accommodating container, and the image forming operation continues when the first accommodating container is not mounted, and the feeding device resumes feeding the residual toner to the first accommodating container and the image forming operation continues when the first accommodating container is mounted again.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a first accommodating container and a second accommodating container, a feeding device, and a controller. The controller carries out control so that: (i) in a case that the first accommodating container is kept in a removed state, the controller controls the feeding device so as not to feed residual toner to the second accommodating container while continuing a stop of feeding of the residual toner to the first accommodating container and controls the image forming portion so as to continue an image forming operation, and (ii) in a case that the first accommodating container is removed and is kept removed, the controller controls the feeding device so as to start feeding of the residual toner to the second accommodating container and controls the image forming portion so as to continue the image forming operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing apparatus, a driving device, an airflow space portion, a duct, and, a drawing fan. A driving-force transmission member, the driving device and the airflow space portion are disposed on a side on which a developer container faces the image bearing member. The driving-force transmission member, the driving device, the duct and the drawing fan are disposed on one end side of a developing rotary member in a rotation-axis direction of the developing rotary member. The duct is disposed underneath the developer container, formed from the side on which the developer container faces the image bearing member to a side opposite to the side on which the developer container faces the image bearing member. The drawing fan is disposed on the side opposite to the side on which the developer container faces the image bearing member.

Abstract: A rotation center of a secondary transfer inner roller located at a first position is located downstream of a rotation center of a secondary transfer outer roller in a movement direction of an intermediate transfer belt tensioned by the secondary transfer inner roller and an idler roller. The rotation center of the secondary transfer inner roller located at a second position coincides in position with the rotation center of the secondary transfer outer roller, or is located upstream of the rotation center of the secondary transfer outer roller in the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt tensioned by the secondary transfer inner roller and the idler roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeding device to feed residual toner, discharged from an image forming portion, toward a first collecting container and a second collecting container selectively. The feeding device includes an aggregate feeding passage to aggregate the residual toner discharged from a first or second image forming portion and feed the residual toner in an aggregate feeding direction traversing an up down direction. A vertical conveyance passage is provided along the up down direction and connected to the aggregate feeding passage, and a lateral feeding passage is connected to the vertical conveyance passage and capable of feeding the residual toner in a lateral feeding direction traversing the up-down direction. The feeding device feeds the residual toner in the lateral feeding passage toward the first collecting container and the second collecting container.

Abstract: A rotation center of a secondary transfer inner roller located at a first position is located downstream of a rotation center of a secondary transfer outer roller in a movement direction of an intermediate transfer belt tensioned by the secondary transfer inner roller and an idler roller. The rotation center of the secondary transfer inner roller located at a second position coincides in position with the rotation center of the secondary transfer outer roller, or is located upstream of the rotation center of the secondary transfer outer roller in the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt tensioned by the secondary transfer inner roller and the idler roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing apparatus, a driving device, an airflow space portion, a duct, and, a drawing fan. A driving-force transmission member, the driving device and the airflow space portion are disposed on a side on which a developer container faces the image bearing member. The driving-force transmission member, the driving device, the duct and the drawing fan are disposed on one end side of a developing rotary member in a rotation-axis direction of the developing rotary member. The duct is disposed underneath the developer container, formed from the side on which the developer container faces the image bearing member to a side opposite to the side on which the developer container faces the image bearing member. The drawing fan is disposed on the side opposite to the side on which the developer container faces the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a first collecting container, a second collecting container, and a feeding device. The feeding device includes a lateral feeding passage capable of feeding the toner, discharged from the image forming portion, in a direction crossing a vertical direction. The lateral feeding passage includes a first discharging opening, a second discharging opening, and a receiving opening provided between the first and second discharging openings, for receiving toner discharged from the image forming portion. The feeding device includes a helical feeding member rotatable about a rotation axis along the lateral feeding passage, and a driving portion for rotationally drive the helical feeding member in a normal direction and a reverse direction.

Abstract: A sensor unit detachably mounted in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a sensor for detecting a detection object on a surface of a movable member, the sensor having a detecting surface positioned to face the surface of the movable member at least when the sensor detects the detection object; a casing portion accommodating the sensor; an air feeding unit, provided in the casing portion, for taking air in through an inlet portion formed by the casing; and a duct for feeding the air discharged from the air feeding unit to a space between the detecting surface and the surface of the movable member.

Abstract: A sensor unit detachably mounted in a main assembly of a image forming apparatus includes a sensor for detecting a detection object on a surface of a movable member, the sensor having a detecting surface positioned to the surface of the movable member at least when the sensor detects the detection object; a casing portion accommodating the sensor; an air feeding unit, provided in the casing portion, for to taking air in through an inlet portion formed by the casing; and a duct for feeding the air discharged from the air feeding unit, to between the detecting surface and the surface of the movable member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to control first and second image forming units to form a plurality of groups of detection images, the plurality of groups of detection images being scaled based on a scaling factor, determine a plurality of detection start timings that respectively correspond to the plurality of groups based on the scaling factor, control a detection unit to detect the plurality of groups based on the determined detection start timings, and control the detected misregistration of a first image to be formed by the first image forming unit and a second image to be formed by the second image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a controller configured to: control first and second image forming units to form a plurality of groups of detection images, the plurality of groups of detection images being scaled based on a scaling factor, determine a plurality of detection start timings that respectively correspond to the plurality of groups based on the scaling factor, control a detection unit to detect the plurality of groups based on the determined detection start timings, and control the detected misregistration of a first image to be formed by the first image forming unit and a second image to be formed by the second image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a test pattern formed on an image carrier by image forming units; and an adjustment unit configured to control the image forming units to form the test pattern, and adjust relative positions of images based on a detection result of the test pattern. The adjustment unit is further configured to control the image forming units to form the test pattern after the image forming units have formed on the image carrier an image to be transferred to a sheet with a basis weight less than a threshold, and before the image forming units form on the image carrier an image to be transferred to a sheet with a basis weight greater than the threshold.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a first and a second photosensitive members, an endless transfer belt, a transfer unit configured form a transfer nip with the endless transfer belt, a storage unit configured to store first and second delay data each indicating an amount of delay of a second exposure start timing of the second photosensitive member with respect to a first exposure start timing of the first photosensitive member, a control unit configured to control the second exposure start timing based on the first delay data until a first recording medium enters the transfer nip and control the second exposure start timing based on the second delay data after the first recording medium enters the transfer nip.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a detection unit configured to detect a test pattern formed on an image carrier by image forming units; and an adjustment unit configured to control the image forming units to form the test pattern, and adjust relative positions of images based on a detection result of the test pattern. The adjustment unit is further configured to control the image forming units to form the test pattern after the image forming units has formed on the image carrier an image to be transferred to a sheet with a basis weight smaller than a threshold, and before the image forming units form on the image carrier an image to be transferred to a sheet with a basis weight larger than the threshold.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a first and a second photosensitive members, an endless transfer belt, a transfer unit configured form a transfer nip with the endless transfer belt, a storage unit configured to store first and second delay data each indicating an amount of delay of a second exposure start timing of the second photosensitive member with respect to a first exposure start timing of the first photosensitive member, a control unit configured to control the second exposure start timing based on the first delay data until a first recording medium enters the transfer nip and control the second exposure start timing based on the second delay data after the first recording medium enters the transfer nip.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to irradiate the measurement image with light and measure light reflected from the measurement image, a white reference plate arranged to be movable to a first position opposed to the measurement unit and a second position separated farther from the measurement unit than the first position, a shielding unit arranged to be movable to a third position that blocks the light with which the measurement unit irradiates the white reference plate and a fourth position that does not block the light, and a control unit configured to control positions of the reference plate and the shielding unit. When the measurement unit measures the white reference plate, the control unit moves the shielding unit to the fourth position and the white reference plate to the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to irradiate the measurement image with light and measure light reflected from the measurement image, a white reference plate arranged to be movable to a first position opposed to the measurement unit and a second position separated farther from the measurement unit than the first position, a shielding unit arranged to be movable to a third position that blocks the light with which the measurement unit irradiates the white reference plate and a fourth position that does not block the light, and a control unit configured to control positions of the reference plate and the shielding unit. When the measurement unit measures the white reference plate, the control unit moves the shielding unit to the fourth position and the white reference plate to the first position.