Patent ID: 8606134
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member; a developing unit configured to develop a latent image formed on the image bearing member into a toner image; an intermediate transfer member; a transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image formed on the image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member at a transfer portion; a tension member configured to support the intermediate transfer member, an imprint portion of the intermediate transfer member being formed by the tension member; a reference mark marked on the intermediate transfer member and used for controlling the position of the intermediate transfer member; a detecting unit configured to detect the reference mark marked on the intermediate transfer member; a preparation unit configured to perform an initial operation when the image forming apparatus is started in order to form the toner image using the developing unit; and a control unit configured to control the transfer unit; wherein during an initial operation performed by the preparation unit, the detecting unit detects the reference mark, and wherein the control unit performs control so that transfer of the toner image is started at a point in time after the initial operation has been completed and the reference mark has been detected during the initial operation and at which a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the reference mark was detected, where the predetermined period of time is set so that the point in time is before the reference mark is detected again after the intermediate transfer member has rotated one revolution and is after the imprint portion has passed through the transfer portion, and the transfer of the toner image ends before the imprint portion passes through the transfer portion again.