Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that forms a metallic-color toner image having a metallic color, a second image forming unit that forms a non-metallic-color toner image having a color different from the metallic color, and a transfer unit that transfers the toner images onto a recording material so that the non-metallic-color toner image is superimposed on an upper side of the metallic-color toner image on the recording material.

Abstract: A charging member is provided which can prevent electrostatic adhesion of a toner and/or an external additive of the toner to the surface of the charging member, and exhibits stable charging performance during long-term use. The charging member comprises a support, and a surface layer on the support, and the surface layer comprises a polymetalloxane containing at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, zirconium and tantalum, and a specific group which is bonded to the at least one metal atom in the polymetalloxane.

Abstract: There is provided a charging member capable of preventing the occurrence of abnormal discharge at low temperature and low humidity, and capable of preventing the occurrence of an image defect due to abrasion. The charging member includes a support and a surface layer on the support, and the surface layer contains a specific compound.

Abstract: There is provided a charging member (1) capable of improving adhesion of an elastic layer (3) with a surface layer (4), which is used for an electrophotographic image forming device. The charging member (1) has a shaft body (2) having conductivity, the elastic layer (3) having conductivity which is formed along the outer circumference of the shaft body (2), and the surface layer (4) formed along the outer circumference of the elastic layer (3). The elastic layer (3) contains a rubber and a calcium carbonate having a spindle shape. The surface layer (4) is composed of a cured material of a composition containing a matrix polymer, a polyisocyanate having two or more isocyanate groups in a molecule, and a porous particle. The calcium carbonate in the elastic layer (3) exists more at a side closer to the surface layer (4) than at a side closer to the shaft body (2).

Abstract: Provided is a cleaning member including a helical convex section formed on an outer peripheral surface, wherein the cleaning member comes into complete contact with a target cleaning member in an axial direction of the target cleaning member, and rotates in contact with the target cleaning member rotating around an axis.

Abstract: A power supply structure includes a bearing, a first spring, and a second spring. The bearing supports a rotary member that axially rotates while contacting with a contact target. While receiving power, the first spring contacts with and presses the bearing with an end portion of the first spring to bring the rotary member into contact with the contact target. The second spring extends from the first spring toward the contact target and contacts with the rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit for forming toner images on a first photosensitive body; a second image forming unit for forming toner images on a second photosensitive body; a first exposure unit for exposing the first photosensitive body; a second exposure unit for exposing the second photosensitive body; a transfer unit for transferring, onto an intermediate transfer belt, toner images for correction formed from the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit; a detection unit for detecting the toner images for correction; and a control unit for controlling an exposure cycle of the first exposure unit, wherein the control unit corrects the exposure cycle of the first exposure unit based on a detected consequence of the detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming method is for forming an image using an electrostatic latent image that is formed by exposing a surface of an image bearer in accordance with an image pattern that includes a plurality of image areas in combination. Each of the plurality of image areas includes a plurality of pixels. A part of pixels to be exposed in each of the plurality of image areas is set as a non-exposure pixel group in accordance with a position of any one of the plurality of image areas in the image pattern. Pixels that are different from the non-exposure pixel group in each of the plurality of image areas are set as a high-output exposure pixel group that is exposed with an optical output value that is higher than a predetermined optical output value that is needed to expose the image area.

Abstract: A laser scanning unit includes a first light source, a second light source, a scanning portion, a light detection portion, a timing control portion, and a light source control portion. The scanning portion is configured to cause light emitted from the first light source and the second light source to be scanned. The light detection portion is configured to detect the light that is scanned by the scanning portion. The timing control portion is configured to control a timing of writing an electrostatic latent image according to a timing of light detection by the light detection portion. The light source control portion is configured to: cause the light detected by the light detection portion to be emitted from the first light source in the first mode; and cause the light detected by the light detection portion to be emitted from the second light source in the second mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body, a photoreceptor unit, and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a first attaching/detaching lever that moves a developing sleeve from a first position to a second position by lifting the first attaching/detaching lever. The photoreceptor unit includes a second attaching/detaching lever that moves the developing sleeve from the first position to the second position by lifting the second attaching/detaching lever. The photoreceptor unit and the developing unit move the developing sleeve to the second position by lifting the first or second attaching/detaching lever so that the photoreceptor unit and the developing unit are individually detached from the body.

Abstract: When an image forming apparatus detects that an amount of toner returns to a first reference amount or more without replacement of a container after determining that a toner low state has occurred, the image forming apparatus controls a container memory unit to store predetermined information. When performing toner supply, if the predetermined information is stored, the image forming apparatus performs at least one of a first process for changing a time ratio so that a rotation period ratio of a supply screw is increased and a second process for changing the first reference amount to be increased.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a development device, a toner container which includes data indicating whether the toner container is an installation toner container or a replacement toner container and a memory storing the value of a remaining amount related item, a supply portion, a read/write portion which performs the reading and writing of the memory and a control portion which reduces the present value of the remaining amount related item according to the number of sheets printed. When in a state where installation has already been performed, the installation toner container is attached, the control portion stores, in the memory, a value based on the remaining amount of toner before the installation.

Abstract: A powder container includes a rotatable powder storage to store powder for image formation, a conveyor to transport the powder inside the powder storage, and a scooping portion to scoop the powder inside the powder storage. The conveyor transports the powder in a powder conveyance direction parallel to a rotation axis of the powder storage toward an opening at one end of the powder storage. The scooping portion causes the powder to flow to the opening. The scooping portion includes a scooping face extending from an inner face of the powder storage toward the rotation axis of the powder storage, and a rim disposed along an inner end of the scooping face in a diameter direction of the powder storage, and at least a portion of the rim protruding downstream beyond the scooping face in a rotation direction of the powder storage.

Abstract: A toner container installed in an image forming apparatus includes a toner container main body having a predetermined length and in which toner is accommodated, a discharge port through which the toner is discharged from the toner container main body, a shutter which opens and closes the discharge port, a handle provided on the toner container main body, and a pressed portion provided on the toner container main body and which is pressed by the image forming apparatus to project the handle out from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a belt-shaped body and at least one transfer surface forming member. At least one image held by at least one image holding body is transferred to the belt-shaped body. The belt-shaped body is moved so as to be rotated in a single direction. The at least one transfer surface forming member has an outer radius, has a central portion and one and another end portions in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the belt-shaped body, and forms a transfer surface so as to cause the belt-shaped body to be in contact with the at least one image holding body. The outer radius of the at least one transfer surface forming member is larger at the central portion than at the one and the other end portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers, an intermediate transfer body, a plurality of primary transfer members, a secondary transfer member, a first guide member, and a controller. The first guide member guides a recording medium along a conveying direction. The controller controls a primary transfer bias and a secondary transfer bias. A plurality of the primary transfer members include an upstream side primary transfer member and a downstream side primary transfer member. The controller makes an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the downstream side primary transfer member larger than an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the upstream side primary transfer member. The controller lowers an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the recording medium separates from the first guide member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable endless belt, a first image bearing member, second image bearing members provided upstream of the first image bearing member with respect to a movement direction of the belt, a first transfer roller, second transfer rollers, an auxiliary roller provided upstream of a mostupstream second transfer roller of the second transfer rollers with respect to a movement direction of the belt, and an executing portion capable of executing an operation in a full-color mode in a first roller arrangement and an operation in a monochromatic mode in a second roller arrangement.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, wherein when it is predicted that a surface potential of at least one of a plurality of photosensitive drums becomes less than the predetermined potential, whenever transfer of toner images corresponding to a predetermined number of sheets is completed by a plurality of transfer rollers, continuous print is interrupted for a predetermined time, a voltage with a polarity equal to a polarity of toner is applied to the plurality of transfer rollers by a power supply or the application of the voltage to the plurality of transfer rollers is stopped during the predetermined time.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation pad disposed inside the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator presses against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A heat generator is disposed inside the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A reflector is interposed between the heat generator and the nip formation pad. The reflector includes a reflection face to reflect radiant heat radiated from the heat generator. The reflection face includes a reflection portion disposed opposite the heat generator at various angles. A support is provided separately from the nip formation pad and supports the reflector.

Abstract: A separator for separating a recording medium from a fixing rotator includes a separation body including a front end and a conveyance path side face. The front end is disposed in proximity to an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The conveyance path side face faces a conveyance path where the recording medium is conveyed. At least one rotary separation aid projects beyond the conveyance path side face of the separation body toward the conveyance path. The rotary separation aid is rotated by the recording medium as the recording medium comes into contact with the rotary separation aid.

Abstract: A heating unit includes the following elements. A magnetic-field generating member generates a magnetic field. An endless belt-shaped member has an inner peripheral surface to which a lubricant is applied and an outer peripheral surface, a portion of the outer peripheral surface opposing the magnetic-field generating member. The endless belt-shaped member rotates in a peripheral direction and generates heat by electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field. A temperature-sensitive magnetic plate is in contact with a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt-shaped member which opposes the magnetic-field generating member. A substrate is disposed on a side of the temperature-sensitive magnetic plate which does not face the endless belt-shaped member. An upstream end of the substrate is positioned on a farther downstream side than an upstream end of the temperature-sensitive magnetic plate in a rotating direction of the endless belt-shaped member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a casing, a fixing roller, a pressure roller, a heat source, a sensor, and a duct. The fixing roller is disposed in the casing. The pressure roller forms a fixing nip region in cooperation with the fixing roller. The fixing heat source heats the fixing roller. The sensor detects whether or not a recording medium is present in the fixing nip region. The duct is disposed on the casing. One end part of opposite end parts of the heat source protrudes out of the casing. The duct covers the one end part of the heat source and exhausts heat generated from the one end part of the heat source in a direction away from the sensor.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a hardness adjusting unit to adjust hardness of an outer circumferential surface of a fixing belt at a nip. When a sheet to be passed through the nip is an envelope and the envelope is passed through the nip by side-flap sheet passing for feeding the sheet so that a fold line between an envelope body and a flap extends in a sheet passing direction through the nip, the hardness adjusting unit brings the outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt at the nip during passage of the sheet than when the sheet into a softer state is a plain sheet.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressing rotator, and a guide. The pressing rotator forms a fixing nip with the fixing rotator. The guide guides a recording medium to the fixing nip. The guide includes a guide surface that contacts a surface of the recording medium against a guide the recording medium. The guide surface is provided parallel to a line tangent to the fixing rotator and the pressing rotator.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatable endless belt formed into a loop and a heater disposed opposite the endless belt to heat the endless belt. A nip formation pad is disposed inside the loop formed by the endless belt. The nip formation pad includes a metallic thermal equalizer extending in an axial direction of the endless belt. A rotatable pressure rotator presses against the nip formation pad via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. The pressure rotator includes an increased tackiness portion disposed at a lateral end of the pressure rotator in an axial direction of the pressure rotator to transmit a driving force to the endless belt. The increased tackiness portion is disposed opposite the thermal equalizer of the nip formation pad.

Abstract: To notify a residual life of a replaceable part at appropriate time on image quality required by the user. An image forming apparatus including: a replaceable part used for image formation; an output unit configured to output information indicating that a usage amount has reached a threshold; an input unit configured to input information; and a control unit configured to change the threshold in accordance with information about image quality input by the input unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a rotating member and being configured to form an image on a paper sheet in accordance with print job data; a rotation position detecting unit configured to detect a rotation position of the rotating member; an image density detecting unit configured to detect a density in an image formed on an image carrier; an image information analyzing unit configured to analyze image information in the print job data; a density profile managing unit configured to form a correction patch image on the image carrier, and create and manage a density profile indicating periodical density unevenness; a correction data creating unit configured to create correction data; a density correcting unit configured to perform density correction; and a density correction control unit configured to predict an appearance of periodical density unevenness, and set conditions for the density correction.

Abstract: A belt has an endless shape, and is driven to rotate by a driving roller provided on an inner side thereof. The belt includes a detection target portion on an outer surface at an end of the belt in a widthwise direction of the belt. The detection target portion includes an uneven pattern.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus that includes a conveying section, an image forming section, a medium sensor, a mark printing section, and a controller. The conveying section is configured to convey a medium in a medium conveying direction. The image forming section is configured to form an image on the medium conveyed by the conveying section. The medium sensor is configured to perform detection of the medium conveyed by the conveying section. The mark printing section is configured to perform printing of a mark on the medium conveyed by the conveying section. The controller is configured to cause, based on a result of the detection by the medium sensor, the mark printing section to perform the printing of the mark on the medium, from a timing at which image formation on the medium by the image forming section is completed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a rotating member; a rotation position detecting unit that detects a rotation position of the rotating member; an image density detecting unit that detects density of an image; an image information analysis unit that analyzes image information; a density profile management unit that manages a density profile; a correction data generation unit that generates correction data; a density correction unit that performs density correction; and a density correction control unit that sets a density correction level, wherein when the density correction level is set at reference accuracy, the density correction unit corrects density, and when the density correction level is set at accuracy higher than the reference accuracy, the density profile management unit forms a corrective patch image and generates a new density profile, the correction data generation unit updates the correction data, and the density correction unit corrects density.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer disposed opposite an image bearer and configured to rotate and carry developer to a latent image on the image bearer, a developer container to contain the developer, a detector including a detecting portion to detect a density of toner in the developer in the developer container, a wire connected to the detector, and a wire holder to hold the wire and determine a position of the wire relative to the detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming device to form a toner image on the image bearer, a transfer device to transfer the toner image to a recording medium, a line sensor as an image density sensor to detect image density of the toner image, and a controller operatively connected to the image density sensor. The image density sensor is disposed so as to be shorter in a rotational direction of the image bearer than in a width direction of the image bearer perpendicular to the rotational direction of the image bearer. The controller forms a shading pattern image including a plurality of patches on the image bearer, and detects image density of the plurality of patches, so as to control image density. The shading pattern image is shorter in the rotational direction of the image bearer than in the width direction of the image bearer.

Abstract: A series-connected tandem image forming system includes first and second image forming apparatuses capable of forming images on recording media by image forming units, the first and second image forming apparatuses being connected in series, the image forming system forming an image on a recording media by either one or both of the first and second image forming apparatuses, wherein the first image forming apparatus includes a first conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, and a second conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, the first and second conveyance paths being selectable therebetween, the second image forming apparatus includes a third conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, and a fourth conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, the third and fourth conveyance paths being selectable therebetween.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet loader on which a sheet is loaded, a sheet feeding body to feed the sheet from the sheet loader, and a sheet separator disposed to contact the sheet feeding body. The sheet is fed at a first average sheet feeding speed at which the sheet feeding body is in contact with the sheet separator without holding the sheet with the sheet separator. The sheet is fed at a second average sheet feeding speed at which the sheet feeding body is holding the sheet with the sheet separator. The first average sheet feeding speed is set smaller than the second average sheet feeding speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may comprise the following elements. A stacking unit in which a sheet is stacked. A conveyance unit conveys the sheet. A time-counting unit counts a conveyance time from when the conveyance unit starts to convey the sheet until the sheet arrives at a predetermined position on a conveyance path. A determination unit determines that over stacking has occurred, if the conveyance time of the sheet exceeds a first over stacking threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path group including at least a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path joining the first conveyance path; an image forming unit; and a path switcher, wherein: the path switcher includes: a guide unit configured to rotate about a guide supporting point and rotate between a first position and a second position; a protruding portion fixed to the guide unit; a drive lever having a first pressing surface and a second pressing surface; a first force applying unit; and a second force applying unit; the drive lever includes: a first lever; a second lever; a third force applying unit; and a restraining portion configured to set a moving end on the rotation of the second lever; and the restraining portion restricts the moving end of the second lever to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body of the image forming apparatus with an opening portion, an image forming unit, an accommodation portion, a stack portion, a sheet moving unit, and a control unit that controls switching between a first mode that moves, with the sheet moving unit, a sheet accommodated in the accommodation portion and stops the sheet when a part of the sheet is exposed external to the main body of the image forming apparatus from the opening portion, and a second mode that moves the sheet, with the sheet moving unit, accommodated in the accommodation portion and that discharges the sheet to the stack portion.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus to which a finisher is connected, a power source control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to a power saving state. The image forming apparatus is inhibited from being shifted to the power saving state when it is detected that a sheet for which a binding process is to be performed is set in the finisher. The image forming apparatus may be permitted to be shifted to the power saving state when it is not detected that the sheet is set in the finisher.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a discharge rotary member pair discharging a sheet, a sheet supporting unit on which the sheet discharged is supported, the sheet supporting unit including a first support surface, and a second support surface provided downstream, in a sheet discharge direction, of the first support surface, an abutment surface against which an upstream end, in the sheet discharge direction, of the sheet, an elevation unit moving the sheet supporting unit up and down, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to executes a first discharge mode controlling the elevation unit such that the sheet supporting unit is positioned at a first position before the discharge rotary member pair starts discharging a first sheet, and a second discharge mode controlling the elevation unit such that the sheet supporting unit is positioned at a second position lower than the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an image forming device detachably attached to the apparatus body, a sheet conveying path through which a recording medium travels, a roller disposed along the sheet conveying path, a rotary body configured to rotate the roller manually to remove the recording medium in paper jam, and a guiding device. The guiding device includes a sheet detector disposed along the sheet conveying path to detect the recording medium passing through the sheet conveying path and a guide to suggest removal of the image forming device to remove the recording medium in paper jam when the sheet detector no longer detects the recording medium. The guide also suggests removal of the image forming device when the sheet detector detects the recording medium after a predetermined number of rotations of the rotary body.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a first rotary body coupled to a drive source, a second rotary body that receives a drive force transmitted from the drive source, a coupling that couples the first rotary body and the second rotary body, and a spring that presses the coupling toward the second rotary body. Each of the first rotary body and the second rotary body includes a plurality of grooves. The coupling has axially opposed first end and second end coupled to the first rotary body and the second rotary body, respectively. The coupling includes a plurality of couplers on a circumferential surface of each of the first end and the second end. The plurality of couplers are axially movable into and out of the plurality of grooves of each of the first rotary body and the second rotary body. The coupling has a spherical end face at the second end.

Abstract: Included is a fixation portion having one end joined with a flat plate, and the other end fixed to a support plate that supports at least a part of a drive transmission portion including a drive transmission member that transits driving force caused in a drive source, and a length in a longitudinal direction and a length in a short direction are set such that a first vibration frequency vibrating in the longitudinal direction of the flat plate and a second vibration frequency vibrating in the short direction of the flat plate respectively resonate with mutually different vibration frequencies caused in the support plate around a portion where the fixation portion and the flat plate are joined.

Abstract: Provided is a power supply unit that includes a power factor correction circuit, a synchronizing signal generator, an alternating-current signal generator. The power factor correction circuit is configured to generate, based on a first alternating-current signal, a direct-current signal. The synchronizing signal generator is configured to generate, based on the first alternating-current signal, a synchronizing signal that is in synchronization with the first alternating-current signal. The alternating-current signal generator includes a switching section, and is configured to generate, based on the direct-current signal, a second alternating-current signal. The switching section is configured to perform, based on the synchronizing signal, a switching operation. The second alternating-current signal has a variable effective voltage value.

Abstract: Provided is a power supply unit that includes a switching section and a controller. The switching section is configured to perform a switching operation and thereby generate, based on an input signal, a first alternating-current signal. The controller is configured to control the switching operation and thereby perform an amplitude control that involves increasing, based on an input current in the switching section, a signal amplitude of the first alternating-current signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing drum; a toner image transfer device; a cleaning blade for cleaning the drum after transfer of the image; a rotatable furbrush provided downstream of the transfer device and upstream of the blade, the furbrush being rotatable counterdirectionally with respect to a peripheral movement of the drum; an executing portion for executing a first mode for forming an image on the transfer material on the basis of a signal inputted to the apparatus and a second mode for supplying a band of the toner to the blade; and a controller for controlling a peripheral speed difference between the drum and the furbrush, wherein the difference when the band of the toner passes the furbrush in the second mode is smaller than that when the toner on the drum after the image transfer passes the furbrush in the first mode.

Abstract: A toner container includes a second lever. A toner supply portion includes a second actuating portion that, during a process in which the toner container is attached to the toner supply portion, switches the second lever from a third position to a fourth position. The waste toner collecting portion includes a third actuating portion and a stopper member. The third actuating portion, during the toner container attachment process, acts on the second lever disposed at the third position and prohibits an attachment of the toner container, and acts on the second lever disposed at the fourth position and permits an attachment of the toner container. The stopper member is prohibits an attachment of the toner container in a state of having been attached to a first attachment position, and permits the attachment in a state of having been attached to a second attachment position.

Abstract: A connector attaching/detaching structure detachably holds a connector in a housing. The connector attaching/detaching structure includes a first cable, a second cable, a terminal, a connector, and a housing. The terminal is provided on an end of the first cable. The connector is provided on an end of the second cable. The connector can establish an electrical connection with the terminal by inserting the terminal into the connector. The housing is provided with a connector holding portion that detachably holds the connector. A wall section, which forms an outer part of the connector holding portion, has a cutout wide enough to permit the first cable to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.

Abstract: A frame for sandwiching and holding a filter includes a first frame portion, a second frame portion, a plurality of first tapered projections, and a plurality of second tapered projections. At least the first tapered projections are disposed so as to be sandwiched by the second tapered projections with respect to an arrangement direction. Shapes, in a section in a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction of at least one of the first tapered projections and the second tapered projections, of the at least one of the first tapered projections and the second tapered projections have first sides substantially perpendicular to a bottom thereof and second sides inclined with respect to the bottom.

Abstract: The present invention includes a compressor for generating compressed air for separating a sheet from a fixing portion. By using the compressed air generated by the compressor, an image forming portion, more specifically, for example, a charger, is cleaned.