Image forming apparatus and method with cleaning features

A method of forming an image in an image forming apparatus comprising the steps of:

• preparing an image carrier for carrying a visible image to be developed by a developer;
• positioning an image transfer device to contact said image carrier at a contact position, said image transfer device being controllable configured to be detachably attached to said image carrier;
• driving the image transfer device to rotate in a predetermined direction;
• guiding a recording medium to the contact position between the image transfer device and the image carrier;
• applying a transfer bias to said image transfer device and electrostatically transferring the visible image onto the recording medium so as to form an image thereon;
• executing a first transfer belt cleaning mode of operation by,
• placing said image carrier in a non-charged state,
• bringing said image transfer device into contact with said image carrier,
• driving said image transfer device, and
• applying the transfer bias to the image transfer device;
• and
• executing a second transfer belt cleaning mode of operation by,
• placing said image carrier in the non-charged state, and
• bringing said image transfer device into contact with said image carrier,
• driving said image transfer device, and
• preventing said transfer bias from being applied to said image transfer device.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image carrier configured to carry a visible image;
• a transfer device driving mechanism;
• a rotatable transfer device coupled to said transfer device driving mechanism;
• a bias mechanism configured to apply a bias voltage to said transfer device;
• a controllable transfer device attachment mechanism connected to said rotatable transfer device and configured to move said rotatable transfer device toward said image carrier so as to contact said image carrier at a predetermined contact position, including,
• a transmission arm having a first end and a second end;
• an active movement mechanism connected to the first end of the transmission arm, the second end of the transmission arm connected to a locking member, activation of said active movement mechanism in a first state causing said transmission arm to move in a predetermined direction and disengage from said locking member so as to permit said rotatable transfer device to detach from said image carrier, activation of said active movement mechanism in a second state causing said transmission arm to move in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction and lock said rotatable transfer device into a contact position with said image carrier;
• a charge erasure mechanism configured to erase a charge from said image carrier;
• a controller configured to control an operation of said active movement mechanism, said bias mechanism and said charge erasure mechanism, wherein,
• when performing a first transfer belt cleaning mode of operation, said controller controlling said charge erasure mechanism to place said image carrier in a non-charged state, activate said bias mechanism to apply said bias voltage to said transfer device, and activate said active movement mechanism in said second state so as to contact said transfer device against said image carrier, and
• when performing a second transfer belt cleaning mode of operation said controller controlling said charge erasure mechanism to place said image carrier in the non-charged state, deactivate said bias mechanism to as to avoid applying said bias voltage to said transfer device, and activate said active movement mechanism in said second state so as to contact said transfer device against said image carrier.