# US 10,372,066 B2 · Image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 10,372,066 B2
- Document ID: US10372066B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/645,950
- Filed: 2017-07-10
- Published: 2018-01-18
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-12
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Koichi Taniguchi; Jun Nakazato; Jiro Shirakata; Shusuke Miura; Kana Oshima
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10372066B2

## CPC

- G03G 15/1615: {relating to the driving mechanism for the intermediate support, e.g. gears, couplings, belt tensioning}
- G03G 15/5008: {Driving control for rotary photosensitive medium, e.g. speed control, stop position control}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit having a photosensitive member on which an image is formed and a developer bearing member, an intermediate transfer member onto which the image is transferred, a transfer member forming a nip portion for transfer of the image on the photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member, a transfer unit transferring the image on the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet, a motor rotating the photosensitive member, a motor control unit controlling the motor so the rotation speed of the photosensitive member is a target rotation speed, and a controller that acquires first and second load information of the photosensitive member in a first period where developer bearing member rotates and a second period where developer bearing member is stopped, and controls whether or not to change the target rotation speed based on the first and second load information.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus comprising:
an image forming unit including
a photosensitive member, and
a developer bearing member configured to rotate, and bear a developing agent,
and configured to form the image on the photosensitive member using the developing agent on the developer bearing member;
an intermediate transfer member onto which the image is transferred;
a primary transfer member configured to transfer the image from the photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member;
a secondary transfer member configured to transfer the image from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet;
a photosensitive member motor configured to rotate the photosensitive member;
an intermediate transfer member motor configured to rotate the intermediate transfer member;
a controller configured to:
control the photosensitive member motor so that a rotation speed of the photosensitive member is a photosensitive member target rotation speed;
control the intermediate transfer member motor so that a rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member is an intermediate transfer member target rotation speed;
acquire information related to a load of the photosensitive member motor in a period where the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are rotated without rotating the developer bearing member; and
control the photosensitive member target rotation speed based on the information,
wherein, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied while the plurality of images are continuously formed by the image forming unit, the controller stops rotation of the developer bearing member to acquire the information.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller controls a transfer bias of the primary transfer member, and
wherein the controller acquires the information while the controller controls the transfer bias based on a predetermined bias.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the photosensitive member motor, and
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the photosensitive member motor in the period.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller acquires another information related to the load of the photosensitive member motor in another period where the photosensitive member, the developer bearing member, and the intermediate transfer member are rotated;
wherein the controller controls the photosensitive member target rotation speed based on the information and the another information.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the photosensitive member motor,
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the photosensitive member motor in the period, and
wherein the another information includes another PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the photosensitive member motor in the another period.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein the controller changes the photosensitive member target rotation speed in a case where a difference between the PWM signal value and the another PWM signal value exceeds a threshold value.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined condition includes an usage condition related to usage amount of the image forming unit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the usage condition includes the number of sheets on which the image is formed, and
wherein, in a case where the number of sheets on which the image is formed reaches a predetermined number, the predetermined condition is satisfied.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller performs a color registration adjustment after the photosensitive member target rotation speed is changed.

### Claim 10

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus comprising:
a first photosensitive member;
a first exposure unit configured to expose the first photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image;
a first developing unit including a first developer bearing member configured to rotate, and bear a developing agent of a first color, and configured to develop the electrostatic latent image on the first photosensitive member using the developing agent on the first developer bearing member, to form a first image;
a second photosensitive member;
a second exposure unit configured to expose the second photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image;
a second developing unit including a second developer bearing member configured to rotate, and bear a developing agent of a second color that is different from the first color, and configured to develop the electrostatic latent image on the second photosensitive member using the developing agent on the second developer bearing member, to form a second image;
an intermediate transfer member onto which the first image and the second image are transferred;
a first primary transfer member configured to transfer the first image from the first photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member;
a second primary transfer member configured to transfer the second image from the second photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member;
a secondary transfer member configured to transfer the first image and the second image from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet;
a first motor configured to rotate the first photosensitive member;
a second motor configured to rotate the second photosensitive member;
an intermediate transfer member motor configured to rotate the intermediate transfer member;
a controller configured to:
control the first motor so that a rotation speed of the first photosensitive member is a first target rotation speed;
control the second motor so that a rotation speed of the second photosensitive member is a second target rotation speed;
control the intermediate transfer member motor so that a rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member is an intermediate transfer member target rotation speed;
acquire first information related to a load of the first motor in a first period where the first photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are rotated without rotating the first developer bearing member;
control the first target rotation speed based on the first information;
acquire second information related to a load of the second motor in a second period where the second photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are rotated without rotating the second developer bearing member; and
control the second target rotation speed based on the second information,
wherein, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied while the plurality of images are continuously formed, the controller stops rotation of the first developer bearing member to acquire the first information, and
wherein, in a case where the predetermined condition is satisfied while the plurality of images are continuously formed, the controller stops rotation of the second developer bearing member to acquire the second information.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein the controller controls a first transfer bias of the first primary transfer member,
wherein the controller controls a second transfer bias of the second primary transfer member,
wherein the controller acquires the first information while the controller controls the first transfer bias based on a predetermined bias, and
wherein the controller acquires the second information while the controller controls the first transfer bias based on the predetermined bias.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the first motor,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the second motor,
wherein the first information includes a first PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the first motor in the first period, and
wherein the second information includes a second PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the second motor in the second period.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein the controller acquires a third information related to the load of the first motor in third period where the photosensitive member, the developer bearing member, and the intermediate transfer member are rotated;
wherein the controller controls the first target rotation speed based on the first information and the third information;
wherein the controller acquires a fourth information related to the load of the second motor in fourth period where the photosensitive member, the developer bearing member, and the intermediate transfer member are rotated;
wherein the controller controls the second target rotation speed based on the second information and the fourth information.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the first motor, and executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the second motor,
wherein the first information includes a first PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the first motor in the first period,
wherein the second information includes a second PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the second motor in the second period,
wherein the third information includes a third PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the first motor in the third period, and
wherein the fourth information includes a fourth PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the second motor in the fourth period.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 14,
wherein the controller changes the first target rotation speed in a case where a difference between the first PWM signal value and the third PWM signal value exceeds a threshold value, and
wherein the controller changes the second target rotation speed in a case where a difference between the second PWM signal value and the fourth PWM signal value exceeds the threshold value.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein the predetermined condition includes an usage condition related to usage amount of the image forming apparatus.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,
wherein the usage condition includes the number of sheets on which the image is formed, and
wherein, in a case where the number of sheets on which the image is formed reaches a predetermined number, the predetermined condition is satisfied.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein the controller performs a color registration adjustment after the first target rotation speed is changed.

### Claim 19 (depends on 10)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein the controller performs a color registration adjustment after the second target rotation speed is changed.

### Claim 20

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus comprising:
an image forming unit including
a photosensitive member, and
a developer bearing member configured to rotate, and bear a developing agent,
and configured to form the image on the photosensitive member using the developing agent on the developer bearing member;
an intermediate transfer member onto which the image is transferred;
a primary transfer member configured to transfer the image from the photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member;
a secondary transfer member configured to transfer the image from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet;
a photosensitive member motor configured to rotate the photosensitive member;
an intermediate transfer member motor configured to rotate the intermediate transfer member;
a controller configured to:
control the photosensitive member motor so that a rotation speed of the photosensitive member is a photosensitive member target rotation speed;
control the intermediate transfer member motor so that a rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member is an intermediate transfer member target rotation speed;
acquire information related to a load of the intermediate transfer member motor in a period where the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are rotated without rotating the developer bearing member; and
control the intermediate transfer member target rotation speed based on the information,
wherein, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied while the plurality of images are continuously formed by the image forming unit, the controller stops rotation of the developer bearing member to acquire the information.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 20,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor, and
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the period.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 20,
wherein the controller acquires another information related to the load of the intermediate transfer member motor in another period where the photosensitive member, the developer bearing member, and the intermediate transfer member are rotated;
wherein the controller controls the intermediate transfer member target rotation speed based on the information and the another information.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 22,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor,
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the period, and
wherein the another information includes another PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the another period.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 20,
wherein the predetermined condition includes an usage condition related to usage amount of the image forming unit.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 24,
wherein the usage condition includes the number of sheets on which the image is formed, and
wherein, in a case where the number of sheets on which the image is formed reaches a predetermined number, the predetermined condition is satisfied.

### Claim 26

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus comprising:
an image forming unit including
a photosensitive member, and
a developer bearing member configured to rotate, and bear a developing agent,
and configured to form the image on the photosensitive member using the developing agent on the developer bearing member;
an intermediate transfer member onto which the image is transferred;
a primary transfer member configured to transfer the image from the photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member;
a secondary transfer member configured to transfer the image from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet;
a photosensitive member motor configured to rotate the photosensitive member;
an intermediate transfer member motor configured to rotate the intermediate transfer member;
a controller configured to:
control the photosensitive member motor so that a rotation speed of the photosensitive member is a photosensitive member target rotation speed;
control the intermediate transfer member motor so that a rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member is an intermediate transfer member target rotation speed;
acquire information related to a load of the intermediate transfer member motor in a period where the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are rotated without rotating the developer bearing member; and
control the photosensitive member target rotation speed based on the information,
wherein, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied while the plurality of images are continuously formed by the image forming unit, the controller stops rotation of the developer bearing member to acquire the information.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 26,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor, and
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the period.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 26,
wherein the controller acquires another information related to the load of the intermediate transfer member motor in another period where the photosensitive member, the developer bearing member, and the intermediate transfer member are rotated;
wherein the controller controls the photosensitive member target rotation speed based on the information and the another information.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 28,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor,
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the period, and
wherein the another information includes another PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the another period.

### Claim 30 (depends on 26)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 26,
wherein the predetermined condition includes an usage condition related to usage amount of the image forming unit.

### Claim 31 (depends on 26)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 26,
wherein the usage condition includes the number of sheets on which the image is formed, and
wherein, in a case where the number of sheets on which the image is formed reaches a predetermined number, the predetermined condition is satisfied.

### Claim 32

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus comprising:
a first photosensitive member;
a first exposure unit configured to expose the first photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image;
a first developing unit including a first developer bearing member configured to rotate, and bear a developing agent of a first color, and configured to develop the electrostatic latent image on the first photosensitive member using the developing agent on the first developer bearing member, to form a first image;
a second photosensitive member;
a second exposure unit configured to expose the second photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image;
a second developing unit including a second developer bearing member configured to rotate, and bear a developing agent of a second color that is different from the first color, and configured to develop the electrostatic latent image on the second photosensitive member using the developing agent on the second developer bearing member, to form a second image;
an intermediate transfer member onto which the first image and the second image are transferred;
a first primary transfer member configured to transfer the first image from the first photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member;
a second primary transfer member configured to transfer the second image from the second photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member;
a secondary transfer member configured to transfer the first image and the second image from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet;
a first motor configured to rotate the first photosensitive member;
a second motor configured to rotate the second photosensitive member;
an intermediate transfer member motor configured to rotate the intermediate transfer member;
a controller configured to:
control the first motor so that a rotation speed of the first photosensitive member is a first target rotation speed;
control the second motor so that a rotation speed of the second photosensitive member is a second target rotation speed;
control the intermediate transfer member motor so that a rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member is an intermediate transfer member target rotation speed;
acquire information related to a load of the intermediate transfer member motor in a period where the first photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are rotated without rotating the first developer bearing member;
control the first target rotation speed based on the information;
control the second target rotation speed based on the information,
wherein, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied while the plurality of images are continuously formed, the controller stops rotation of the first developer bearing member to acquire the information.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 32,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor, and
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the period.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 32,
wherein the controller acquires another information related to the load of the intermediate transfer member motor in another period where the photosensitive member, the developer bearing member, and the intermediate transfer member are rotated;
wherein the controller controls the first target rotation speed based on the information and the another information,
wherein the controller controls the second target rotation speed based on the information and the another information.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 34,
wherein the controller executes feedback control to control electric current to be supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor,
wherein the information includes a PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the period, and
wherein the another information includes another PWM signal value of the electric current supplied to the intermediate transfer member motor in the another period.

### Claim 36 (depends on 32)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 32,
wherein the predetermined condition includes an usage condition related to usage amount of the image forming unit.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 36,
wherein the usage condition includes the number of sheets on which the image is formed, and
wherein, in a case where the number of sheets on which the image is formed reaches a predetermined number, the predetermined condition is satisfied.