Patent ID: 9541877
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: G03G

Claim:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: first and second photoreceptors, on which toner images are formed and which are replaceable, the first photoreceptor being used for monochrome image formation and the second photoreceptor not being used for the monochrome image formation; an intermediate transfer member, to which the toner images are transferred from the first and second photoreceptors, which is replaceable, and which is configured to operate in contact with the first and second photoreceptors; a driving unit configured to move the intermediate transfer member in a direction toward the first and second photoreceptors and in a direction away from the first and second photoreceptors; a storing unit configured to store information representing replacement timing of the first and second photoreceptors and the intermediate transfer member; a control unit configured to cause the driving unit to separate the intermediate transfer member from the first and second photoreceptors in a case where the information represents that at least one of the first and second photoreceptors and the intermediate transfer member has reached the replacement timing and the image forming apparatus shifts to a low-power state in which power consumption of the image forming apparatus is suppressed compared with that of the image forming apparatus in a normal operation; and first and second transfer rollers which are positioned to face the first and second photoreceptors, respectively, interposed by the intermediate transfer member, and which are movable in a direction toward the respective first and second photoreceptors and in a direction away from the respective first and second photoreceptors, wherein the driving unit brings the intermediate transfer member into contact with the first and second photoreceptors by moving the respective first and second transfer rollers in the direction toward the respective first and second photoreceptors and separates the intermediate transfer member from the respective first and second photoreceptors by moving the respective first and second transfer rollers in the direction away from the respective first and second photoreceptors, wherein the control unit is further configured to cause the driving unit to separate the intermediate transfer member from the second photoreceptor and bring the intermediate transfer member into contact with the first photoreceptor in a case where the information represents that the second photoreceptor has reached the replacement timing and the image forming apparatus shifts to the low-power state.