Image forming apparatus with vibration-caused image defect prevention feature

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a driver for driving the image bearing member; a latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member with a developer; a cleaning member, contacted to the image bearing member, for cleaning a surface of the image bearing member; a vibration imparting device for vibrating the cleaning member; and a controller for causing the latent image forming means to form an electrostatic pattern for attracting the developer deposited on the cleaning member and for causing the device to move the electrostatic pattern to a contact portion where the cleaning member is contacted to the image bearing member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.