Patent ID: 7366437
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer belt that is formed of an endless belt; a plurality of image forming units that are so arranged as to be aligned in a transfer belt conveyance direction; a plurality of toner supply containers that are detachably fitted, on one end side in a direction orthogonal to the transfer belt conveyance direction, in correspondence with the plurality of image forming units; an optical sensor that is provided in opposition to the transfer belt; a cleaning member that is biased toward the one end side in the direction orthogonal to the transfer belt conveyance direction and that cleans a detection surface of the optical sensor in conjunction with replacement operation for one particular toner supply container among the plurality of toner supply containers; a window that is provided at the cleaning member and that faces the detection surface of the optical sensor; and a cleaning cloth that is provided on a surfaced opposing the detection surface of the optical sensor at a position adjacent to the window, wherein the cleaning cloth rubs the detection surface of the optical sensor at replacement operation of the toner supply container.