IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a secondary transfer member, an image detector, a computing device, and a conveyor device. The computing device calculates a traveling speed of the intermediate transfer member based on detection information provided by the image detector. The conveyor device continuously transports to a secondary transfer portion a plurality of recording media one by one at a predetermined interval between successive recording media. The image forming unit forms a test image at a space between successive recording-medium contact regions of the intermediate transfer member at which the recording medium contacts the intermediate transfer member. A travel distance of the intermediate transfer member from the detection position on the intermediate transfer member to the secondary transfer portion in a traveling direction thereof is shorter than the space between the successive recording-medium contact regions.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
an image bearer to bear an image on a surface thereof; an image forming unit to form the image including a test image on the image bearer; an intermediate transfer member formed into an endless loop and disposed opposite the image bearer at a primary transfer portion at which the image is transferred from the image bearer onto the intermediate transfer member, the intermediate transfer member to travel in a traveling direction; a secondary transfer member to contact the intermediate transfer member at a secondary transfer portion to transfer secondarily the image from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium; an image detector to detect at a detection position a test image on the intermediate transfer member between the primary transfer portion and the secondary transfer portion in the traveling direction; a computing device to calculate a traveling speed of the intermediate transfer member based on detection information provided by the image detector; and a conveyor device to continuously transport to the secondary transfer portion a plurality of recording media one by one at a predetermined interval between successive recording media, the image forming unit forming the test image at a space between successive recording-medium contact regions of the intermediate transfer member at which the recording medium contacts the intermediate transfer member, and a travel distance of the intermediate transfer member from the detection position on the intermediate transfer member to the secondary transfer portion in the traveling direction being shorter than the space between the successive recording-medium contact regions.