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 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: When a first unit is disposed at a position at which a transfer member comes into contact with an image carrier, the first unit is urged in a first urging direction intersecting a movement direction of a second unit by a second urging member disposed between the first unit and the second unit being movable between a first attachment position with respect to an image forming apparatus body and a second attachment position different from the first attachment position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a covering provided along a side surface of a body of the image forming apparatus, provided with a rotation shaft on a lower side of the covering, and provided to be openable and closable with respect to the body; an interior section provided on a side of the covering near the body, releasably coupled to the covering by a coupling portion, and provided to be openable and closable with respect to the body; a first limit portion that is attached to the interior section and the body, and that limits a maximum opening angle between the interior section and the body; and a second limit portion that is attached to the covering and the body, and that limits a maximum opening angle between the covering and the body to an angle larger than the maximum opening angle between the interior section and the body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can inhibit an occurrence of downtime or shorten the downtime even in a case in which a mode for performing image formation and a position of, for example, a primary transfer member does not match. The image forming apparatus includes photosensitive drums each configured to bear a toner image, primary transfer members, an intermediate transfer belt, an abutment/separation mechanism configured to move the primary transfer members, and a controller. The controller brings the primary transfer members into contact with the photosensitive drums in a full-color mode, separates the primary transfer members from the photosensitive drums in a monochrome mode, and sets the position of the primary transfer members to a predetermined position between that in the full-color mode and the monochrome mode in a standby mode.

Abstract: There are included a first grip portion provided on a first end side of a belt conveyor device, in a width direction intersecting a rotational direction of the belt, and a second grip portion and an electrical contact portion provided on a second end side of the belt conveyor device. A center of gravity position of the belt conveyor device is provided on a downstream side of a center of the belt conveyor device and a range where the center of gravity position of the belt conveyor device is provided in a range where the contact portion and the first grip portion are provided. The second grip portion is provided on an upstream side of the center of gravity position of the belt conveyor device in an insertion direction of the belt conveyor device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a rotating member rotatable with respect to the apparatus main body, a protective member to protect a predetermined portion of the rotating member and that includes a first engagement part, and an interlocking part that interlocks the rotating member and the protective member and including a second engagement par. The interlocking part causes the first engagement part and the second engagement part to be engaged with the protective member and the rotating member, and the interlocking part releases the engagement of the first engagement part and the second engagement part when the rotating member is in a predetermined rotation state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying unit; a unit-to-be-moved; a pulse motor; a moving mechanism including a rotatable member provided with a member-to-be-detected; a detecting portion; an executing portion; and a controller for causing the executing portion to execute a first stop mode on the basis of detection of the detecting portion when the unit-to-be-moved is changed in position from the second or third position to the first position and to execute a second stop mode on the basis of a pulse number of a driving signal when the unit-to-be-moved is changed in position from the first or third position to the second position and when the unit-to-be-moved is changed in position from the first or second position to the third position, and for making the change at least between the second and third positions by only unidirectional rotation of the pulse motor.

Abstract: A belt device includes a plurality of rollers, a belt stretched and supported around the plurality of rollers, a roller shaft included in one of the plurality of rollers and configured to rotate along with the one of the plurality of rollers, a shaft inclination member slidably supported by the roller shaft, a cleaning member opposed to the one of the plurality of rollers via the belt, a bearing configured to rotatably support the roller shaft, and a support configured to rotatably support the bearing. The shaft inclination member is configured to incline the roller shaft in conjunction with movement in which the belt moves in a width direction of the belt device. The cleaning member is configured to clean the belt. The bearing is configured to stationarily support the cleaning member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless belt, an inner roller, an upstream roller, a pressing member, and a guiding member. In a cross-section perpendicular to a rotational axis of the inner roller, a downstream free end of the guiding member is disposed downstream of a pressing portion normal line Lc with respect to a feeding direction of the sheet, where L is a reference line which is a common tangent of the inner roller and the upstream roller in a contact portion relative to the belt, Ld is a pressing portion tangent line, parallel with the reference line, of the belt in a region where the pressing member contacts the belt, and Lc is the pressing portion normal line passing through a contact point between the belt and the pressing portion tangent line Ld and perpendicular to the reference line L.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming portions, an intermediate transfer belt having an elastic layer, a plurality of primary transfer members, a contact-separation mechanism, a secondary transfer member, a driving device, a voltage applying device, and a control portion. The contact-separation mechanism is switchable between an all-color pressure state where the primary transfer members are all in pressed contact with the image carrying members via the intermediate transfer belt and an all-color apart state where the primary transfer members are all away from the intermediate transfer belt. At first power-on, the control portion starts driving the image carrying members and the intermediate transfer belt in the all-color apart state, then transits to the all-color pressure state, and then ejects toner from the developing device to the image carrying members to reduce the surface friction coefficient on the image carrying members and the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an image bearing member configured to bear a toner image, a transfer unit including a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image borne on the image bearing member onto a sheet, the transfer unit being pivotably supported with respect to the apparatus body, an opening/closing unit disposed at a position farther from the apparatus body than the transfer unit is, and openably and closably supported with respect to the apparatus body, and a positioning portion pivotably supported with respect to the apparatus body and configured to position the transfer unit with respect to the apparatus body. The positioning portion is entirely disposed further on an outer side in the apparatus body than a pivot center of the transfer unit in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries an image formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof and that circularly moves; a circulating member that circularly moves and receives a transfer of the image from the image carrier on an outer circumferential surface thereof that is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the image carrier or on a recording material; a first driving unit that drives the image carrier to circularly move; a second driving unit that drives the circulating member to circularly move by a driving force independent from a driving force of the first driving unit; a load detector that detects a driving load of at least one of the first and second driving units; and a driving adjuster that regulates the driving by the second driving unit so that the load detected by the load detector becomes a predetermined load.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a cover configured to be pivotal between a closed position and an open position to open an opening portion through which an intermediate transfer unit is removable, wherein when the cover is moved from an intermediate position to the open position, a secondary transfer unit is changed by using a self-weight of the secondary transfer unit from a first relative position to a second relative position, and wherein when the cover is located in the open position and the intermediate transfer unit is supported in a first position by a guiding portion, a secondary transfer unit interferes with the intermediate transfer unit if located in the first relative position, but does not interfere with the intermediate transfer unit if located in the second relative position.

Abstract: A separation cam is disposed on a shaft of an opposing roller. The separation cam rotates about the shaft in response to a separation unit separating an intermediate transfer belt from a photosensitive drum, and the separation cam thereby separates a secondary transfer roller from the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer member that transfers a toner image to a continuous sheet, the transfer member having a lower hardness than a member opposed thereto with the continuous sheet therebetween when the continuous sheet is transported; and a moving unit that moves the transfer member in a direction intersecting the direction in which the continuous sheet is transported.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a rubbing member provided in contact with a transfer belt, a supporting member supporting the rubbing member, and a damping member configured to damp vibration of the transfer device. The damping member is fastened to the supporting member, and an end of the damping member in a width direction that is orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the transfer belt is a free end.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes first and second sheet conveying bodies to contact each other, a cover to move relative to an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and a connecting body to connect the cover and the second sheet conveying body. The second sheet conveying body separates from the first sheet conveying body along with an opening movement of the cover. The connecting body includes a first connecting portion connected to the cover and a second connecting portion connected to the second sheet conveying body. At least one of a connection with the cover and a connection with the second sheet conveying body is released when the cover is closed. The connecting body is brought into connection with the cover or the second sheet conveying body.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus removes a toner and a paper dust remaining on an intermediate transfer belt. The pressure reducing member includes a fitting hole and an outer peripheral portion. The fitting hole is fitted to a rotation shaft of a rotation roller rotating at which the intermediate transfer belt is stretched. The outer peripheral portion is in a cam shape and has a diameter dimension larger than a diameter of the rotation roller. The outer peripheral portion is located around the fitting hole. The outer peripheral portion includes a first outer peripheral portion and a second outer peripheral portion. The first outer peripheral portion has a predetermined first radius and does not contact the supporting member when not reducing the pressure. The second outer peripheral portion has a predetermined cam radius larger than the first radius. The second outer peripheral portion contacts the supporting member when reducing the pressure.

Abstract: A field replaceable transfer belt unit for toner-based printers includes a transfer belt and rollers for moving the transfer belt in a loop during a print operation, including a first roller configured to be driven by a driver shaft of a printer. The field replaceable transfer belt unit includes a rotatable handle for removing and replacing the field replaceable transfer belt unit from the printer. The rotatable handle is in communication with a drive cam that rotates to selectively engage and disengage the drive shaft with the first roller. Rotating the handle also secures the transfer belt unit to the printer.