Patent ID: 9086672
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus that is a tandem type and performs a monochrome image forming process and a color image forming process, the image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of first photoreceptor drums that bear a single color toner image on a surface of each of the first photoreceptor drums; a second photoreceptor drum that bears a black toner image on a surface of the second photoreceptor drum; an intermediate transfer belt onto which a toner image is transferred from at least one of the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum in a state in which the intermediate transfer belt is contacted with the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum; a plurality of cleaning blades that are slidably contacted with the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum, respectively, in order to remove toner remaining on the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum after the toner image is transferred; a switching mechanism that switches a contact state in which the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum are contacted with the intermediate transfer belt to a separation state in which the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum are separated from the intermediate transfer belt after the color image forming process has ended; and a backward rotating mechanism that rotates the plurality of first photoreceptor drums backward after the switching mechanism has switched the contact state of the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum, and the intermediate transfer belt to the separation state, wherein: the switching mechanism does not switch the contact state of the plurality of first photoreceptor drums and the second photoreceptor drum, and the intermediate transfer belt to the separation state after the monochrome image forming process has ended; and the backward rotating mechanism does not rotate the plurality of first photoreceptor drums backward after the monochrome image forming process has ended.