Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer section that nips a recording medium between the transfer section and an image carrier, which carries an image on a surface thereof, with a variable pressure and that transfers the image on the image carrier to the recording medium; and a transport section that transports the recording medium while the recording medium passes through a transfer region between the image carrier and the transfer section. The transport section transports the recording medium with a first transport ability when the pressure is a first pressure and with a second transport ability that is lower than the first transport ability when the pressure is a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer section that nips a recording medium between the transfer section and an image carrier, which carries an image on a surface thereof, with a variable pressure and that transfers the image on the image carrier to the recording medium; and a transport section that transports the recording medium while the recording medium passes through a transfer region between the image carrier and the transfer section. The transport section transports the recording medium with a first transport ability when the pressure is a first pressure and with a second transport ability that is lower than the first transport ability when the pressure is a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least a load unit, a driving unit that drives the load unit, and a controller that controls the driving unit. The controller determines that at least one of the load unit and the driving unit malfunctions if a velocity change time period that the driving unit has taken to reach a second velocity from a first velocity is off a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A drive force transmission device includes a frame that supports therein plural gears transmitting a rotational drive force and that has a flat portion extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotational drive force is transmitted. The drive force transmission device has an air channel that allows air sucked from an outside of the frame to pass therethrough so as to exhaust the air to the outside of the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least a load unit, a driving unit that drives the load unit, and a controller that controls the driving unit. The controller determines that at least one of the load unit and the driving unit malfunctions if a velocity change time period that the driving unit has taken to reach a second velocity from a first velocity is off a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A drive force transmission device includes a frame that supports therein plural gears transmitting a rotational drive force and that has a flat portion extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotational drive force is transmitted. The drive force transmission device has an air channel that allows air sucked from an outside of the frame to pass therethrough so as to exhaust the air to the outside of the frame.

Abstract: A drive force transmission device includes a frame that supports therein plural gears transmitting a rotational drive force and that has a flat portion extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotational drive force is transmitted. The drive force transmission device has an air channel that allows air sucked from an outside of the frame to pass therethrough so as to exhaust the air to the outside of the frame.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first support member that supports a wound member, an endless transferred body being wound around the wound member; a second support member that supports a transfer member, the transfer member and the wound member pinching the transferred body and a recording medium, the transfer member causing a developer image on the transferred body to be transferred onto the recording medium; a coupling portion that couples the second support member to the first support member so that an angle of the second support member is changeable relative to the first support member; and an urging portion that is provided at the first support member and urges the second support member in a direction in which the transfer member presses the wound member.

Abstract: A rotation shaft coupling structure includes a roller drive shaft including a recessed portion having an internal thread; a rotation roller including a coupling member housing the recessed portion of the roller drive shaft; and a coupling shaft extending through the rotation roller in the axial direction. The coupling shaft includes a threaded portion at a first end portion thereof, the threaded portion mating with the internal thread of the recessed portion, and the coupling shaft couples the roller drive shaft and the rotation roller to each other. The first end portion of the coupling shaft in the axial direction is joined to the roller drive shaft and the rotation roller in the coupling member of the rotation roller, and a second end portion of the coupling shaft in the axial direction is a free end that allows the coupling shaft to extend and contract in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer body onto which developer images are transferred, a second transfer unit that transfers the developer images on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium, support members including first and second support members, and a contact member. The first support member faces the second transfer unit with the intermediate transfer body therebetween and causes the recording medium to be nipped between the intermediate transfer body and the second transfer unit. The second support member is disposed upstream of the first support member in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer body and outwardly stretches the intermediate transfer body. The contact member contacts a trailing end of the recording medium in a transport direction when the recording medium is nipped. The trailing end of the recording medium moves along the contact member toward the intermediate transfer body when the recording medium is nipped.

Abstract: A developer collecting device includes a housing in which an opening disposed opposite to a developer holding member is formed, a collection member that is disposed to be capable of coming in contact with and being separated from the developer holding member and that detaches the developer and collects the detached developer in the housing, a sealing member that is disposed to be capable of coming in contact with and being separated from the developer holding member and that seals up a gap between the developer holding member and the housing, a suction passage to which a suction unit suctioning the developer into the housing is connected, a developer transport unit that transports the developer to one end of the housing, and a filtration member that is tilted so that at least an upper part thereof overlaps with the upside of the developer transport unit in a plan view.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member that carries developer; a collecting member provided along a downstream edge of the opening in a transporting direction of the developer and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the developer carrying member; a sealing member provided along an upstream edge of the opening in the transporting direction; a suction member that sucks air from the opening; a suction path provided between the opening and the suction member; an opening-closing unit that opens or closes the suction path; and a controller that controls the opening-closing unit so as to open the suction path at a time that is before separation of the collecting member from the developer carrying member and a predetermined time period after the time of contact between the collecting member and the developer carrying member.

Abstract: A drive includes a driving shaft that includes a distal end portion having a screw hole at a distal end and being inserted into a hollow portion from a first end of a driving roller in a rotation-axis direction, and that transmits a rotational driving force to the driving roller through a fit portion; a spring washer arranged at a second end of the driving roller opposite to the first end in the rotation-axis direction; and a screw rod that has an external thread which is screwed into the screw hole, that is inserted into the spring washer and inserted into the hollow portion from the second end, and that pinches the driving roller between the screw rod and the fit portion of the driving shaft in the rotation-axis direction through the spring washer when the external thread is screwed into the screw hole.

Abstract: A transport device includes an endless belt having a recording-medium transport surface provided with multiple holes; stretching members between which the endless belt is stretched so as to be able to revolve; and a suction unit provided inside the endless belt. The suction unit has an opening having a larger width than the endless belt. The opening is exposed at both sides of the endless belt in the width direction. The suction unit draws air through the opening to cause the recording medium to stick to the endless belt.

Abstract: A developer collecting device includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member, a collecting member provided along an edge of the opening at a downstream end of the opening in a transporting direction in which the developer carrying member transports the developer, a sealing member provided along an edge of the opening at an upstream end of the opening in the transporting direction, a suction path that extends along a longitudinal direction of the housing and that is connected to a suction unit for sucking the developer into the housing, a developer transporting unit that is provided between the opening and the suction path and that transports the developer collected in the housing, a filter member disposed between the developer transporting unit and the suction path, and a hood member disposed between the opening and the filter member and separated from the filter member.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first support member that supports a wound member, an endless transferred body being wound around the wound member; a second support member that supports a transfer member, the transfer member and the wound member pinching the transferred body and a recording medium, the transfer member causing a developer image on the transferred body to be transferred onto the recording medium; a coupling portion that couples the second support member to the first support member so that an angle of the second support member is changeable relative to the first support member; and an urging portion that is provided at the first support member and urges the second support member in a direction in which the transfer member presses the wound member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member onto a front side of which an image is transferred, a rotary member around which the transfer member is wrapped, a guide member provided at an end portion of an axial direction of the rotary member, a regulating member, a first reference mark, a second reference mark, a first detector, a second detector, and a controller. The regulating member is located on a reverse side of the transfer member, and restricts skew of the transfer member by contacting the guide member. The first and second reference marks are on edge sides of the transfer member in the axial direction of the rotary member. The first and second detectors detect the first and second reference marks, respectively. The controller controls alignment of the image on the transfer member in accordance with a detection result of the first and second detectors.

Abstract: A removable unit includes an endless belt-like member; a first contact member that contacts an inner surface of the belt-like member; a second contact member disposed upwardly of the first contact member in a direction of gravitational force when the removable unit is mounted to a body of an image forming apparatus; a first cleaning member disposed between the first contact member and the second contact member; and a second cleaning member disposed between the first cleaning member and the second contact member. The first cleaning member prevents an adherent cleaned off by the second cleaning member from moving downward in the direction of gravitational force along an inner peripheral surface of the belt-like member.

Abstract: A drive includes a driving shaft that includes a distal end portion having a screw hole at a distal end and being inserted into a hollow portion from a first end of a driving roller in a rotation-axis direction, and that transmits a rotational driving force to the driving roller through a fit portion; a spring washer arranged at a second end of the driving roller opposite to the first end in the rotation-axis direction; and a screw rod that has an external thread which is screwed into the screw hole, that is inserted into the spring washer and inserted into the hollow portion from the second end, and that pinches the driving roller between the screw rod and the fit portion of the driving shaft in the rotation-axis direction through the spring washer when the external thread is screwed into the screw hole.

Abstract: There is provided a developer recovery device including: a casing; a recovery member disposed along an edge portion of the aperture portion; a sealing member disposed along an edge portion at a conveyance direction upstream side of the aperture portion; a moving section that moves the recovery member and the sealing member between a position of being touched against the developer-bearing member and a position of being apart from the developer-bearing member; a suction section that sucks the developer separated from the developer-bearing member into the casing; and a filter that is long in the length direction of the aperture portion and that is disposed in the casing between the aperture portion and the suction section with an inclination such that a lower portion of the filter is further away from the aperture portion than an upper portion of the filter.