Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a detachable unit having a rotator with a driven shaft coupling and a drive unit having a drive shaft coupling to engage with the driven shaft coupling and providing a force to the rotator via the drive shaft coupling. The driven shaft coupling includes spiral first and second receiving surfaces. The drive side shaft coupling includes a spiral first transmitting surface, which contacts the first receiving surface and provides a rotational force in a first rotational direction to the driven shaft coupling, and a spiral second transmitting surface, which contacts the second receiving surface and provides a force in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to the driven shaft coupling when the drive shaft coupling rotates in the second rotating direction. The second transmitting and receiving surfaces are rougher than the first transmitting and receiving surfaces.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a pressed unit, a rotatable roller, and a pressing member. The pressed unit is movably supported and includes a first non-rotatable shaft portion and a second non-rotatable shaft portion. The rotatable roller is rotatably supported by the first non-rotatable shaft portion of the pressed unit. The pressing member contacts the second non-rotatable shaft portion of the pressed unit and presses the pressed unit. The second non-rotatable shaft portion has an axial center aligned with an axial center of the first non-rotatable shaft portion.

Abstract: A device with a cover includes a cover that is provided at an apparatus body, an opening and closing cover that is provided at the apparatus body to be adjacent to the cover in a state where a gap with the cover is provided, that is opened and closed by rotating around a shaft portion arranged on an inside with respect to a portion of the opening and closing cover on a cover side, and that is adjacent to the cover on a shaft portion side, and an overhanging portion that is formed at an end portion of the opening and closing cover on the cover side and in which an end portion on the inside overhangs from an end portion on an outside to the cover side in a range of a rotation trajectory having a largest radius formed at the end portion on the cover side with the shaft portion as a rotation center.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a belt unit including a cleaning unit and an opposing roller, and a swinging mechanism. The swinging mechanism includes a swingable member which is provided in a position different from a rotation center of the opposing roller while holding the opposing roller and the cleaning unit without changing a relative positional relationship between the opposing roller and the cleaning unit and which is swingable about a swing axis.

Abstract: A belt drive device includes a drive source, a drive pulley, a driven shaft, a driven pulley, a belt, and a speed detecting device. The drive pulley is rotated about an axis thereof by the drive source. The driven shaft is rotatable about an axis thereof. The driven pulley is secured to and in axial alignment with the driven shaft. The belt is annularly formed of a metallic flat belt and mounted around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The speed detecting device includes an encoder disk and a single optical sensor. The encoder disk has an optical pattern formed thereon. The optical sensor reads the optical pattern. The speed detecting device detects a rotational speed of the driven shaft based on a result of the optical sensor having read the optical pattern. The encoder disk is secured to and in axial alignment with the driven pulley.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer medium according to the present disclosure includes a substrate and a transfer layer including at least a receiving layer, in which a logarithmic damping ratio ?E determined by subjecting the receiving layer to rigid-body pendulum measurement at 70° C. is 0.10 or more.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a developing cartridge; a transfer unit; a solvent cartridge accommodating solvent for dissolving toner; an applicator applying the solvent to the toner on a sheet; and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are detachably attachable to the main casing independently of each other. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are positioned between the applicator and the cover in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the solvent cartridge is positioned closer to the applicator than the developing cartridge is to the applicator in a state where the developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are attached to the main casing and the cover is at the closed position.

Abstract: A contact-separation device brings a contact-separation member into contact with a contacted member separably and includes a biasing member that generates a biasing force. A presser presses the contact-separation member against the contacted member in a pressing direction with the biasing force from the biasing member. A cam presses the presser in an opposite direction being opposite to the pressing direction. The cam is rotatable and has a cam face. A cam follower has a cam contact face that contacts the cam face of the cam. The cam contact face is curved to project toward the cam. The cam contact face has a curvature that is smaller than a greatest curvature of the cam face of the cam and is greater than a smallest curvature of the cam face of the cam.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member, first and second transfer members, and a control unit. The control unit includes a first state where both the first and second transfer members are separated from the intermediate transfer member, a second state where the first transfer member contacts the intermediate transfer member and the second transfer member is separated from the intermediate transfer member, and a third state where both the first and second transfer members contact the intermediate transfer member. The control unit controls the driving member to move the moving unit, controls switch the first state to the second state and thereafter switch the second state to the third state. A rotation speed of the driving member when the second state is switched to the third state is lower than a rotation speed of the driving member when the first state is switched to the second state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet, a conveyance guide unit, and a conveyance unit. The conveyance guide unit conveys the sheet on which the image is to be formed by the image forming unit. The conveyance unit conveys the sheet toward a first conveyance guide unit. The conveyance guide unit includes an urging member, a rotary member to be urged by the urging member and to rotate while abutting the sheet, a holding unit holding the urging member and the rotary member, and the first conveyance guide unit that is detachably attached to the holding unit to guide the sheet. The first conveyance guide unit includes a pressed portion, and the pressed portion is to be pressed by the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit and has strength less than strength of the holding unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an apparatus body including a transfer member movable between a first position and a second position, an opening/closing member. The apparatus body includes a movement mechanism configured to move the transfer member in accordance with a movement of the opening/closing member. The movement mechanism includes a first movable member and a second movable member. The first movable member is configured to move a first end portion of the transfer member from the first position to the second position. The second movable member is configured to move a second end portion of the transfer member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An optical sensor irradiates a control toner image formed on an intermediate transfer belt with light and detects reflection light of the light. A controller executes an abnormality diagnosis mode in a case where change in the phase of a cam is not detected by a phase detection portion until an elapse of a predetermined time or more since a start of output of a driving signal for driving a separation mechanism. In execution of the abnormality diagnosis mode, the controller outputs the driving signal for driving the separation mechanism, and is capable of outputting information about an abnormality of the phase detection portion and information about an abnormality of the separation mechanism and/or a driving unit on a basis of a detection result of the optical sensor that is obtained in a case where the light is radiated from the optical sensor while the driving signal is output.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier body to be transported; an image forming unit that forms an image on the image carrier body; a change roller that is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the image carrier body so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis and that is capable of changing an angle of the rotation axis with respect to a width direction of the image carrier body; a flywheel provided at the change roller; and a driving mechanism that applies a driving force for changing an angle of the rotation axis with respect to the width direction to an applied portion that moves together with the change roller. A direction of the driving force applied to the applied portion by the driving mechanism is opposite to a direction in which the applied portion moves due to gravity acting on the flywheel.

Abstract: An electrophotographic belt includes: a base body having an endless shape; and a surface layer on an outer peripheral surface of the base body, wherein grooves extending in a circumferential direction are provided on an outer surface of the surface layer; the base body contains a thermoplastic polyester resin and a filler; the surface layer contains an acrylic resin; a thickness T of the base body is 30 ?m or larger, and a content of the filler in the base body is 0.1% by volume or more and 10.0% by volume or less based on a total volume of the base body; and in a region having a thickness 0.25 times as thick as an average particle diameter of the filler, an average value A of ratios of elements derived from the filler is 0.0 atomic % or larger and 1.0 atomic % or smaller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless image bearing belt, a first roller, a second roller, a rotatable member, a holding member, a feeding unit, and a guiding member. The guiding member is provided on a side downstream of the feeding unit and upstream of a transfer nip with respect to a recording material feeding direction at a position opposing a stretching portion stretched by the first roller and the second roller of the image bearing belt and guides a recording material, to the transfer nip, fed by the feeding unit. The guiding member is fixed to the holding member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless image bearing belt, a first roller, a second roller, a rotatable member, a feeding unit, a first guiding member, and a second material guiding member. The second guiding member is fixed to the first guiding member so as to form a feeding path of a recording material with an interval between the second guiding member and the first guiding member.

Abstract: A cartridge frame includes a protruding rib protruding toward a first frame, a first bearing supporting one end of a photosensitive drum in an axial direction, and a second bearing supporting an other end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. The first frame includes a first guide rail configured to, when a process cartridge is attached to an apparatus main body, guide the protruding rib to slide along the first guide rail. A second frame includes a second guide rail configured to, when the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, guide the second bearing to slide along the second guide rail. A size of the first guide rail in a width direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and an attachment direction of the process cartridge is smaller than a size of the second guide rail in the width direction.

Abstract: The belt conveyance device includes a plurality of rollers, a belt, a meandering correction part, and an adjustment part. The rollers are disposed at intervals each other and rotate around axes. The belt is disposed around the plurality of rollers and travels. The meandering correction part shifts one end portion in an axial direction of a tension roller included in the plurality of rollers in a radial direction within a predetermined range to correct a meandering of the belt. The adjustment part shifts the other end portion in the axial direction of the tension roller in the radial direction such that a position of the one end portion of the tension roller is variable under a state where the meandering of the belt is corrected.

Abstract: In a transport device, a cover defining a portion of a transport path is pivotable between a closed state and an open state. The cover is movable while in the closed state between a first position and a second position lower than the first position. An urging member urges the cover from the second position toward the first position. The cover includes a main body for guiding the sheet in the transport direction and an engagement portion engaged with a frame when the cover is at the first position to restrict pivoting of the cover from the first position to a third position at which the cover is in the open state. The engagement portion is disengaged from the frame when the cover is at the second position to allow pivoting of the cover from the second position to the third position.

Abstract: A metal frame of an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which forms an image on a sheet, comprising: a first support which supports the image forming unit; and a second support which is arranged with an interval from the first support and supports the image forming unit together with the first support; wherein the second support includes: a first sheet metal which includes a first flat surface portion in which a through-hole is formed and a bent and raised portion which is bent and raised from the first flat surface portion at a position adjacent to the through-hole, and a second sheet metal which is supported to the first sheet metal on the first sheet metal and includes a second flat surface portion which is sandwiched between the first flat surface portion and the bent and raised portion and a protruded portion which protrudes from the second flat surface portion in a plate thickness direction of the second flat surface portion at a position overlapping with the through-hole in a ver

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a belt conveyance apparatus. The belt conveyance apparatus includes a transfer belt, a tension roller, a movement mechanism, and a drive unit. A toner image on an image bearing member is transferred to the transfer belt in tension from the tension roller. The movement mechanism moves the tension roller to apply tension to, and release tension from, the transfer belt. The drive unit is disposed in a width direction and drives the transfer belt. The movement mechanism includes an attachment portion disposed on a side opposite the drive unit in the width direction and to which a handle member that operates the movement mechanism is detachably attached. The movement mechanism is configured such that the belt conveyance apparatus is attached to an image forming apparatus body in a state in which the handle member is detached from the attachment portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming unit, a belt conveying device including an intermediate transfer belt, a pair of restriction portions provided in the belt conveying device, and restriction engagement portions. The image forming unit forms a toner image on the image bearing member and the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. The pair of restriction portions and the restriction engagement portions cooperate to restrict an orientation of the intermediate transfer belt. One restriction portion of the pair of restriction portions is supported to be movable to a first position where at least a part of the one restriction portion is placed outside a stretching area defined by the intermediate transfer belt in a stretched state, and a second position where the one restriction portion is inside the stretching area as viewed from a width direction of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An access restriction device for a consumable component of an apparatus body includes an access restriction cover is rotatably attached to a side surface of the apparatus body; a lock mechanism to lock and unlock opening of the cover; the cover openable in an unlocked state of the lock mechanism; a hinge portion disposed at a lower position in a direction of gravity and a position closer to the apparatus body in a horizontal direction than a center of gravity of the cover in a closed state of the cover, the cover being rotatably coupled to the apparatus body via the hinge portion; and an engaged portion disposed at a position higher in the direction of gravity than the center of gravity of the cover in the closed state. The cover is engaged with an engaging portion of the lock mechanism via the engaged portion.

Abstract: When a sheet jam is detected, a processor may perform the following process. In a case where a sheet is spanning a first conveyance path and a drawer unit, the processor maintains a lock unit in a locked state by supplying power to the lock unit via the drawer unit from a power supply without depending on whether a door is in an open state or a closed state. In a case where a sheet is not spanning the first conveyance path and the drawer unit, the processor controls supplying and disconnecting of power to the drawer unit from the power supply in accordance with whether the door is in a closed state or an open state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing mechanism and a transfer belt mechanism. The image bearing mechanism is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus body in a first direction and supports multiple image bearing members. Each image bearing member has a surface onto which an image is formed while the image bearing member rotates. The transfer belt mechanism includes a transfer belt onto which the images on the multiple image bearing members are transferred while the image bearing members rotate. The transfer belt mechanism is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer belt, a transfer roller, and a metallic roller in contact with the transfer roller to form a current path through which a current flows between itself and the transfer roller. The apparatus further includes a first bearing member to rotatably support the transfer roller, a holding member to movably hold the first bearing member, a first pressing member to press the first bearing member, a second bearing member movably held by the first bearing member and to rotatably support the metallic roller and a second pressing member provided between a bearing surface provided in the first bearing member and the second bearing member to press the second bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming unit, a detection unit, and a control portion. The detection unit includes a casing, an optical sensor, a shutter portion, a moving member, a groove portion, and a projection portion. The optical sensor is disposed within the casing facing the image bearing member to detect the toner image and comprises a light emitting portion emitting light to the image bearing member through the opening portion and a light receiving portion receiving the light reflected from the image bearing member. The shutter is configured to open/close the opening portion as the projection portion moves in a direction intersecting with the predetermined direction as the moving member moves in the predetermined direction. The groove portion is disposed perpendicularly above an extension line of an optical axis of the light irradiated from the light emitting portion to the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first unit dismountably mounted on a main body frame and a locking mechanism releasably holding the first unit mounted. The locking mechanism has a handle portion, a lock member, and a preloading member. The handle portion is on the first unit, and is movable to and fro in the mounting and dismounting directions of the first unit. The lock member is swingably on the first unit, and has a hook portion engageable with an engaged portion formed on the main body frame. The preloading member preloads the lock member in a first direction in which the hook portion engages with the engaged portion. As the handle portion is moved in the dismounting direction, the lock member swings in a second direction opposite to the first direction against the preloading force of the preloading member to disengage the hook portion from the engaged portion.

Abstract: In one example, a device comprises an image transfer member, a platen to form a first nip with the image transfer member, a photo imaging plate to form a second nip with the image transfer member, and a controller to determine first information relating to a characteristic of the first nip, and to determine second information for use in adjusting a relative position of the photo imaging plate and the image transfer member on the basis of the first information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a belt unit including a transfer belt and a first memory that stores a first sheet conveying speed of the transfer belt; a second memory storing a first reference value and a second sheet conveying speed of the fixing unit a controller configured to: control at least one of the belt motor and the fixing motor to bring the speed difference between the sheet conveying speed of the transfer belt and the sheet conveying speed of the fixing unit closer to the first reference value by setting a rotational speed of the fixing motor based on the first reference value and a first speed difference between the first sheet conveying speed read from the first memory and the second sheet conveying speed read from the second memory.

Abstract: A roller unit includes a roller, an arm, a holder, a tension spring, and a restriction member. The arm rotatably holds the roller. The holder swingably holds the arm. The tension spring includes a first hook at one end of the tension spring and a second hook at another end of the tension spring. The first hook is hooked on an arm-side hook of the arm. The second hook is hooked on a holder-side hook of the holder. The restriction member is configured to restrict movement of the tension spring in a state in which the first hook or the second hook is unhooked.

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 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: An image forming apparatus includes an opening/closing unit configured to take a first closed position and a first open position, and a rotatable member configured to take a second closed position for covering an opening to form a double-sided conveyance path, and a second open position for opening the double-sided conveyance path. The unit includes an engaging portion with a portion to be engaged, an interlock shaft rotatable with the engaging portion, and a gripping portion configured to rotate the interlock shaft, the engaging portion to position the unit at the first closed position. When the opening/closing member moves from the second closed position to the second open position, a protruding portion engages with the gripping portion of the unit positioned at the first closed position to rotate the engaging portion through the gripping portion to release the engagement to enable movement.

Abstract: A metal frame of an image forming apparatus includes first and second spaced-apart supports which together support an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus. The second support includes first and second metal sheets wherein the first sheet metal includes a first flat surface portion in which a through-hole is formed and a bent and raised portion which is bent and raised from the first flat surface portion at a position adjacent to the through-hole, and wherein the second sheet metal is supported to the first sheet metal and includes a second flat surface portion which is sandwiched between the first flat surface portion and the bent and raised portion, and a protruded portion which protrudes from the second flat surface portion in a plate thickness direction of the second flat surface portion at a position overlapping with the through-hole in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A transfer belt unit mountable to and demountable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the transfer belt unit including: a transfer belt being in contact with a photosensitive drum of a drum cartridge of the image forming apparatus in a state where the transfer belt unit is mounted to the apparatus main body, the transfer belt being configured to transfer a toner image on the photosensitive drum to a sheet conveyed between the photosensitive drum and the transfer belt and to convey the sheet conveyed between the photosensitive drum and the transfer belt toward a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus in the state where the transfer belt unit is mounted to the apparatus main body, and a belt memory in which information about the transfer belt unit is stored.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a belt positioning structure includes a belt roller around which an endless belt is wound. The belt comprises a belt-side positioning component curbing position aberration from the belt roller in a roller shaft direction. The belt roller comprises a roller-side positioning component curbing position aberration of the belt in a belt shaft direction. The roller-side positioning component comprises a regulation plate formed along a virtual tapered surface that has a diameter on one side in the roller shaft direction larger than a diameter on an opposite side of the regulation plate. The regulation plate comprises a movement regulation component that regulates movement of the belt-side positioning component to the one side of the belt-side positioning component in the roller shaft direction and strengthens a movement regulation force to the one side of the belt-side positioning component in the roller shaft direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatuses includes an apparatus body configured to house a replacement part. The apparatus body includes a guiding face configured to guide a guided face of the replacement part. The guided face is on a side along a movement direction in which the replacement part moves between a set position in the apparatus body and an attaching and detaching position at which the replacement part is attached to and detached from the apparatus body. The apparatus further include a moving device configured to move the replacement part between the set position and the attaching and detaching position, and a pressing device configured to press the guided face of the replacement part against the guiding face of the apparatus body while the replacement part moves between the set position and the attaching and detaching position.

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: An inadvertent swing of a steering roller is restricted with a versatile configuration. A belt conveying device includes a belt member configured to be stretched around a steering roller and a roller member, and a movement mechanism configured to move the roller member. The roller member is movable to a first position and a second position where the roller member is moved further inward on an inner peripheral side of the belt member than the first position by the movement mechanism. In the movement mechanism, a restriction portion capable of restricting a swinging range of the steering roller more in a case where the roller member is at the second position than in a case where the roller member is at the first position is provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an image bearer, and a rotator opposed to the image bearer. The rotator is removably installable in the apparatus body. The image forming apparatus further includes a guide configured to guide the rotator in a longitudinal axial direction of the rotator toward a regular position where the rotator is installed in the apparatus body.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of forming a desired image with high accuracy. The image forming apparatus includes: an endless belt configured to convey a sheet; a conveying roller configured to convey the endless belt while being driven by a drive source; a first sensor configured to detect a specific position on the endless belt; a second detecting sensor configured to detect the specific position on the endless belt; a tension roller, which is provided between those sensors, and is configured to support the endless belt in a tensioned state while applying a tensile force to the endless belt; and a control unit.

Abstract: A transfer device includes an intermediate transfer belt configured to bear a toner image and rotate, a transferor configured to contact the intermediate transfer belt via a recording medium and form a transfer nip, a guide configured to guide the recording medium conveyed to the transfer nip, and a pressure reducing device. The intermediate transfer belt is shaped as an endless belt. The pressure reducing device is configured to reduce pressure-contact force of the transferor against the intermediate transfer belt as the recording medium advances in the transfer nip. Therefore, a trailing end of the recording medium does not move toward the intermediate transfer belt when the trailing end of the recording medium has passed the guide.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and an intermediate transfer unit including an intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer unit being provided as being attachable to and removable from the apparatus main body by sliding movement in a first direction. The apparatus main body includes a main body-side guide portion for guiding the intermediate transfer unit along the first direction. The intermediate transfer unit includes a side frame including a frame portion extending like a frame with the first direction being defined as a longitudinal direction thereof, the side frame being provided adjacently to the intermediate transfer belt in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a unit-side guide portion to be engaged with the main body-side guide portion. The unit-side guide portion is provided not to protrude outward relative to the frame portion in the second direction.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for

Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt conveyance device that corrects leaning of an endless belt member, the belt conveyance device being detachably attachable to an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus; a first guiding portion that supports a first guided portion provided in a frame member supporting rotatably a first roller on which the belt member is laid under tension and guides the belt conveyance device being attached to or detached from the apparatus body; and a second guiding portion that supports a second guided portion provided in a steering unit supporting rotatably a second roller on which the belt member is laid under tension, releases the second guided portion at an attachment position of the belt conveyance device to the apparatus body, and guides the belt conveyance device being attached to or detached from the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming portions, an intermediate transfer belt, a belt displacement detector, an attraction force changer, and a controller. The intermediate transfer belt is an endless belt wound around drive and driven rollers. The belt displacement detector detects displacement of the intermediate transfer belt in a rotation axis direction of the driven roller. The attraction force changer is operable to change electrostatic attraction force of the driven roller with respect to the intermediate transfer belt exerted on each of opposite end sides of the driven roller in the rotation axis direction thereof. When the belt displacement detector detects displacement of the intermediate transfer belt, the controller makes the attraction force changer increase the electrostatic attraction force of the driven roller with respect to the intermediate transfer belt exerted on a side opposite to a side toward which the displacement has taken place.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an opening and closing unit that is openable and closable with respect to an apparatus main body; a transfer unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and transfers an image from an image holding unit to a recording medium at a transfer position; an attaching unit that attaches the transfer unit to the opening and closing unit so as to be movable between the transfer position and a temporary holding position when the opening and closing unit is opened and closed; and a rotating unit that is provided in the apparatus main body, has a cutout portion that rotates while being in contact with the attaching unit when the opening and closing unit is closed, and moves the transfer unit toward the transfer position.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt has a first region and a second region in an outer circumferential surface thereof that is in contact with a blade. The first region has a first dynamic friction coefficient in a belt conveyance direction, and the second region has a second dynamic friction coefficient. The distance of the second region in the belt conveyance direction is less than the distance of the first region and is greater than the distance of a contact portion in which the blade is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt.