| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which a protective member is fitted to a process cartridge during conveyance, and the separating state of a developing means from a latent image carrier is retained, and to more easily and securely prevent the image forming apparatus from being used with a protective member unremoved even after the completion of the conveyance. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with: a cartridge sensor 73 detecting that a process cartridge 7 is fitted to the image forming apparatus; a drive source 70 applying rotational driving force to a photoreceptor drum 1 in the initial operation of the image forming apparatus; and a torque sensor 72 measuring the torque of the drive source 70. When the fitting of the process cartridge 7 to the image forming apparatus is detected by the cartridge sensor 73, and also the torque measured by the torque sensor 72 when the photoreceptor drum 1 is rotated by the drive source 70 is prescribed threshold or less, it is decided that the removal of the protective member 30 has been left unremoved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT |
