Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium on which an image is to be formed; a placing portion capable of placing the medium; a power generator configured to generate electricity from heat generated inside the image forming unit; and an illumination unit configured to be lit with the electricity generated by the power generator and to be capable of irradiating at least the placing portion with light.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium on which an image is to be formed; a placing portion capable of placing the medium; a power generator configured to generate electricity from heat generated inside the image forming unit; and an illumination unit configured to be lit with the electricity generated by the power generator and to be capable of irradiating at least the placing portion with light.

Abstract: A power supply controlling device includes: a direct-current power supply configured to output a direct-current voltage; an alternating-current power supply configured to output one selected from between a superimposed voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating-current voltage onto the direct-current voltage and the direct-current voltage; a bypass capacitor configured to partially store therein an output from the alternating-current power supply and configured to, when the direct-current voltage is output from the direct-current power supply while no electric charge is stored therein, store therein a second direct current being a part of a first direct current output from the direct-current power supply in conjunction with the output of the direct-current voltage; and a power supply controlling unit configured to cause the direct-current power supply to control a level of the direct-current voltage based on a target value for the first direct current and a value indicating the second direct current.

Abstract: A power supply controlling device includes: a direct-current power supply configured to output a direct-current voltage; an alternating-current power supply configured to output one selected from between a superimposed voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating-current voltage onto the direct-current voltage and the direct-current voltage; a bypass capacitor configured to partially store therein an output from the alternating-current power supply and configured to, when the direct-current voltage is output from the direct-current power supply while no electric charge is stored therein, store therein a second direct current being a part of a first direct current output from the direct-current power supply in conjunction with the output of the direct-current voltage; and a power supply controlling unit configured to cause the direct-current power supply to control a level of the direct-current voltage based on a target value for the first direct current and a value indicating the second direct current.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a power supply device includes: a DC power supply that outputs a DC voltage; an AC power supply that outputs any one of the DC voltage and a superimposed voltage being the DC voltage with an AC voltage superimposed thereon; and a bypass capacitor that charges a part of a voltage that is output from the AC power supply. The DC power supply starts outputting the DC voltage in a constant voltage mode and, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, switches from the constant voltage mode to a constant current mode to output the DC voltage in the constant current mode.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a direct-current (DC) power supply configured to output a DC voltage; an alternating-current (AC) power supply configured to selectively output a superimposed voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on the DC voltage output from the DC power supply or the DC voltage output from the DC power supply; and a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer to a sheet using the voltage output from the AC power supply.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a power storage unit. The power storage unit includes a constant voltage generation part configured to generate a constant voltage from a commercial power supply, the constant voltage generation part being connected to an external apparatus operating by consuming power; a voltage increasing circuit configured to increase the constant voltage generated by the constant voltage generation part; a capacitor configured to store an electric charge supplied from the voltage increasing circuit; a circuit control part configured to control charging of the capacitor; and an output part configured to output power stored in the capacitor, the power having a voltage different from the constant voltage.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a direct-current (DC) power supply configured to output a DC voltage; an alternating-current (AC) power supply configured to selectively output a superimposed voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on the DC voltage output from the DC power supply or the DC voltage output from the DC power supply; and a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer to a sheet using the voltage output from the AC power supply.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a direct-current (DC) power supply configured to output a DC voltage; an alternating-current (AC) power supply configured to selectively output a superimposed voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on the DC voltage output from the DC power supply or the DC voltage output from the DC power supply; and a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer to a sheet using the voltage output from the AC power supply.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer bias generator including a transfer bias supply that supplies a transfer bias to a transfer nip formed between an image carrier and a first rotary body, and a controller that detects a toner adhesion amount at a predetermined region of the image carrier located immediately upstream from the transfer nip and having a predetermined length in a moving direction of the image carrier. The transfer bias generator outputs at least an alternating current component under one of constant voltage control and constant current control and changes a target output value of the alternating current component according to the toner adhesion amount detected by the controller.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a power supply device includes: a DC power supply that outputs a DC voltage; an AC power supply that outputs any one of the DC voltage and a superimposed voltage being the DC voltage with an AC voltage superimposed thereon; and a bypass capacitor that charges a part of a voltage that is output from the AC power supply. The DC power supply starts outputting the DC voltage in a constant voltage mode and, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, switches from the constant voltage mode to a constant current mode to output the DC voltage in the constant current mode.

Abstract: Described herein is a transfer device that transfers a visualized image formed on an image carrier onto a recording medium. The transfer device includes an image carrier that carries a toner image, a contacting member that contacts the image carrier via a recording medium and a power source that outputs a transfer bias to transfer the toner image from the image carrier onto the recording medium at a transfer nip formed between the image carrier and the contacting member. The transfer bias has a direct current component and an alternating current (AC) component superimposed on the direct current component. The transfer device also includes a controller that controls the power source such that the controller controls a level of the direct current component output from the power source by a constant current control.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a power storage unit. The power storage unit includes a constant voltage generation part configured to generate a constant voltage from a commercial power supply, the constant voltage generation part being connected to an external apparatus operating by consuming power; a voltage increasing circuit configured to increase the constant voltage generated by the constant voltage generation part; a capacitor configured to store an electric charge supplied from the voltage increasing circuit; a circuit control part configured to control charging of the capacitor; and an output part configured to output power stored in the capacitor, the power having a voltage different from the constant voltage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a power storage unit. The power storage unit includes a constant voltage generation part configured to generate a constant voltage from a commercial power supply, the constant voltage generation part being connected to an external apparatus operating by consuming power; a voltage increasing circuit configured to increase the constant voltage generated by the constant voltage generation part; a capacitor configured to store an electric charge supplied from the voltage increasing circuit; a circuit control part configured to control charging of the capacitor; and an output part configured to output power stored in the capacitor, the power having a voltage different from the constant voltage.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a direct-current (DC) power supply configured to output a DC voltage; an alternating-current (AC) power supply configured to selectively output a superimposed voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on the DC voltage output from the DC power supply or the DC voltage output from the DC power supply; and a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer to a sheet using the voltage output from the AC power supply.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a transfer device includes: an image carrier from which an image is transferred onto a transfer medium using electrostatic toner, the image carrier being applied with a direct current voltage superimposed with an alternating current (AC) voltage as a transfer bias. An output voltage of a power source for applying the voltage is controlled so that a current level of a direct current component output from the power source is kept at a specified current level.

Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a toner image transferred onto a recording medium to the recording medium by heating and pressurizing the toner image. An auxiliary power supply unit includes a charging element that is charged by a power supplied from a main power supply unit. Each of the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit supplies a power to the fixing unit. A power control unit controls the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit, so that the power supplied from at least one of the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit to the fixing unit is kept sufficient.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer bias generator including a transfer bias supply that supplies a transfer bias to a transfer nip formed between an image carrier and a first rotary body, and a controller that detects a toner adhesion amount at a predetermined region of the image carrier located immediately upstream from the transfer nip and having a predetermined length in a moving direction of the image carrier. The transfer bias generator outputs at least an alternating current component under one of constant voltage control and constant current control and changes a target output value of the alternating current component according to the toner adhesion amount detected by the controller.

Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a toner image transferred onto a recording medium to the recording medium by heating and pressurizing the toner image. An auxiliary power supply unit includes a charging element that is charged by a power supplied from a main power supply unit. Each of the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit supplies a power to the fixing unit. A power control unit controls the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit, so that the power supplied from at least one of the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit to the fixing unit is kept sufficient.

Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a toner image transferred onto a recording medium to the recording medium by heating and pressurizing the toner image. An auxiliary power supply unit includes a charging element that is charged by a power supplied from a main power supply unit. Each of the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit supplies a power to the fixing unit. A power control unit controls the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit, so that the power supplied from at least one of the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit to the fixing unit is kept sufficient.