Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective image forming stations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a voltage adjustment portion having a voltage adjustment member connected to a contact member contacting an endless belt, the voltage adjustment portion changing a current flowing from a current supply member contacting the belt at a position different from a position, at which an image bearing member contacts the belt with respect to a rotating direction of the belt, to the voltage adjustment member via the belt according to a control signal input from a control portion outputting a control signal, thereby changing a size of a transfer potential to transfer a toner image borne by the image bearing member onto the belt at a part at which the belt contacts the image bearing member.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective stations.

Abstract: A voltage applying portion applies voltage to a current supply member, the current supply member being provided with primary transfer voltage to pass current through a contact portion contacting with a belt, thereby bringing the potential of the belt a primary transfer potential, and being provided with secondary transfer voltage so that a potential difference for secondary transfer is formed between the current supplying member and a support member while a recording material is nipped by the contact portion. The voltage applying portion changes the second transfer voltage so that the potential difference for the secondary transfer between the current supply member and the support member becomes smaller as a potential adjusting portion that maintains the potential of the support member at a prescribed sustaining potential in a variable manner in order to change a primary transfer potential reduces gradually the sustaining potential.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective image forming stations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a power source, a detection unit, and a fixing unit. The transfer member transfers a toner image to a transfer material from the image bearing member. The detection unit detects electric current flowing in the transfer member when the power source applies voltage to the transfer member. The fixing unit fixes a toner image to a transfer material by heat. The heat to the fixing unit is controlled where a subsequent transfer material conveyance stops after the transfer material is discharged from the fixing unit, in a case where a second current value, detected when voltage is applied to the transfer member contacting the fixing unit and the transfer member, is greater than a first current value detected when voltage is applied to the transfer member before the transfer material reaches the fixing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion to form the toner image on the recording material, and a fixing portion to fix, at a nip, the toner image on the recording material by feeding and heating the recording material on which the toner image is formed. The fixing portion includes a roller having an outer surface that has electroconductivity, a rotatable member that forms the nip and is in contact with the roller, and a casing having electroconductivity. An electrical insulating member is positioned (i) nearest to the outer surface of the roller, and (ii) between the inner surface of the casing and the outer surface of the roller. The electrical insulating member does not directly or indirectly contact the outer surface of the roller, and is provided with a water-absorbing member.

Abstract: After primary transfer, in a state where a pressing force of a primary transfer brush is released to separate an intermediate transfer belt from a photosensitive drum, current is impeded to the primary transfer brush. After that, the total current supplied from a secondary transfer roller and a conductive brush is set as a total current whose value is smaller than that of the total current supplied during the primary transfer.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective stations.

Abstract: A voltage applying portion applies voltage to a current supply member, the current supply member being provided with primary transfer voltage to pass current through a contact portion contacting with a belt, thereby bringing the potential of the belt a primary transfer potential, and being provided with secondary transfer voltage so that a potential difference for secondary transfer is formed between the current supplying member and a support member while a recording material is nipped by the contact portion. The voltage applying portion changes the second transfer voltage so that the potential difference for the secondary transfer between the current supply member and the support member becomes smaller as a potential adjusting portion that maintains the potential of the support member at a prescribed sustaining potential in a variable manner in order to change a primary transfer potential reduces gradually the sustaining potential.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a voltage adjustment portion having a voltage adjustment member connected to a contact member contacting an endless belt, the voltage adjustment portion changing a current flowing from a current supply member contacting the belt at a position different from a position, at which an image bearing member contacts the belt in a rotating direction of the belt, to the voltage adjustment member via the belt according to a control signal input from a control portion outputting a control signal, thereby changing a size of a transfer potential—a surface potential—to transfer a toner image borne by the image bearing member onto the belt at a part at which the belt contacts the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a power source, a detection unit, and a fixing unit. The transfer member transfers a toner image to a transfer material from the image bearing member. The detection unit detects electric current flowing in the transfer member when the power source applies voltage to the transfer member. The fixing unit fixes a toner image to a transfer material by heat. The heat to the fixing unit is controlled where a subsequent. transfer material conveyance stops after the transfer material is discharged from the fixing unit, in a case where a second current value, detected when voltage is applied to the transfer member contacting the fixing unit and the transfer member, is greater than a first current value detected. when voltage is applied to the transfer member before the transfer material reaches the fixing unit.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective image forming stations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that adjusts the electric current supplied from a second transfer member to suppress acceleration of abrasion of a photoconductor drum while maintaining the second transfer efficiency at a desired level.

Abstract: A Zener diode contacts an inner periphery surface of an intermediate transfer belt, and an opposing roller which opposes a detecting member is electrically insulated, in a configuration where transfer is performed at multiple photosensitive drums while an electrical current is applied in a peripheral direction of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: Wheels configured to be supported by a metallic roller on an outside of end portions of a contact area and inside of end portions of the transfer belt in terms of a width direction are provided, and the wheels are formed of a non-conductive resin.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective stations.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that performs primary transfer by allowing a current to flow to an intermediate transfer belt in the circumferential direction of the belt, the image forming apparatus has a control unit that can execute a second mode in which a second current amount which is larger than a first current amount is supplied from a current supply unit to an intermediate transfer belt and a toner image is primarily transferred only from a first photosensitive body to the intermediate transfer belt. The control unit can adjust surface potentials of the first photosensitive body and a second photosensitive body, and makes the absolute value of the surface potential of the second photosensitive body less than the absolute value of the surface potential of the first photosensitive body when the second mode is executed.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective image forming stations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a resistor in a sheet shape configured to ground a sensor member electrically; a first contact member configured to form a current path between the resistor and the sensor member; and a second contact member configured to form a current path between the resistor and an electrical ground portion. A first contact portion and a second contact portion are arranged so as not to overlap in a thickness direction of the resistor.