Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer element that a toner image on an image carrier is primarily transferred onto, and a multifunctional detecting unit that performs two or more functions of: detecting a first toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a position of an image on the intermediate transfer element; detecting a second toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a density of an image on the intermediate transfer element; and detecting an environment condition within the image forming apparatus, the multifunctional detecting unit being disposed in the vicinity of a position that the toner image is primarily transferred, and being detachable in an axial direction of the image carrier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a main part of a color multifunction machine of “4-cycle electrophotographic” type, which is an image forming apparatus according to exemplary Embodiment 1 of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a main part of the color multifunction machine of “4-cycle electrophotographic” type;

FIG. 3 shows an image forming unit of the color multifunction machine of “4-cycle electrophotographic” type;

FIGS. 4A to 4D show respective sensors of the color multifunction machine of “4-cycle electrophotographic” type;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a toner image for controlling color registration;

FIG. 6 shows an example of a toner image for controlling density;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensor which has both functions of a registration sensor and an ADC sensor;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram which describes an exemplary detection principle of the sensor shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram which describes an exemplary detection principle of the sensor shown in FIG. 7; and

FIGS. 10A to 10D show respective sensors of a color multifunction machine of “4-cycle electrophotographic” type, which is an image forming apparatus according to exemplary Embodiment 2 of the invention.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an intermediate transfer element that a toner image on an image carrier is primarily transferred onto, anda multifunctional detecting unit that performs two or more functions of:detecting a first toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a position of an image on the intermediate transfer element;detecting a second toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a density of an image on the intermediate transfer element; anddetecting an environment condition within the image forming apparatus,the multifunctional detecting unit being disposed in the substantial vicinity of a position that the toner image is primarily transferred, and being detachable in an axial direction of the image carrier.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multifunctional detecting unit is fixedly disposed in a position after the multifunctional detecting unit is moved in the axial direction of the image carrier to detect and adjust two or more of the first toner image, the second toner image and the environment condition.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of multifunctional detecting units, a first multifunctional detecting unit being fixedly disposed in a position,a second multifunctional detecting unit being fixedly disposed in a position after the second multifunctional detecting unit is moved in the axial direction of the image carrier to detect and adjust two or more of the first toner image, the second toner image and the environment condition.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer element is secondary transferred onto a recording medium, and a first distance between the position that the multifunctional detecting unit is fixed and the position that the toner image is primarily transferred is equal to or less than a second distance between the position that the multifunctional detecting unit is fixed and the position that the toner image is secondarily transferred along a direction of movement of the intermediate transfer element.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising: an intermediate transfer element that a toner image on an image carrier is primarily transferred onto and secondary transfers the toner image to a recording medium,a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the recording medium, the fixing unit being disposed above the intermediate transfer element, anda multifunctional detecting unit that performs two or more functions of:detecting a first toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a position of an image on the intermediate transfer element;detecting a second toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a density of an image on the intermediate transfer element; anddetecting an environment condition within the image forming apparatus,the multifunctional detecting unit being disposed below the intermediate transfer element, and being detachable in an axial direction of the image carrier.

6. An image forming method comprising: primarily transferring a toner image on an image carrier onto an intermediate transfer element, anddetecting two or more of:a first toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a position of an image on the intermediate transfer element;a second toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a density of an image on the intermediate transfer element; andan environment condition within the image forming apparatus,the detecting being performed in the substantial vicinity of a position that the toner image is primarily transferred.

7. An image forming method comprising: primarily transferring a toner image on an image carrier onto an intermediate transfer element,secondary transferring the toner image to a recording medium,fixing the toner image on the recording medium above the intermediate transfer element, anddetecting two or more of:a first toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a position of an image on the intermediate transfer element;a second toner image on the intermediate transfer element to control a density of an image on the intermediate transfer element; andan environment condition within the image forming apparatus,the detecting being performed below the intermediate transfer element.