Patent ID: 8055170
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit for forming a toner image by developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member with toners; an intermediate transferring belt which runs in a state where the toner image formed by the image forming unit is transferred onto a surface of the intermediate transferring belt, the intermediate transferring belt defining a loop extending around a driving roller and a tension roller spaced from the driving roller; a transferring roller arranged close to the surface of the intermediate transferring belt and opposed to the driving roller so that the intermediate transferring belt is disposed between the transferring roller and the driving roller; a sheet conveying section for conveying a sheet through a conveying path along the surface of the intermediate transferring belt and allowing the toner image to transfer onto a transfer surface of the sheet through a nip portion formed between the intermediate transferring belt and the transferring roller; and a clearance retaining section disposed for guiding the sheet along a conveying surface provided at an upstream position of the transfer nip portion in the conveying path and retaining a clearance between the conveying surface and the intermediate transferring belt to be greater than a predetermined clearance, the clearance retaining section being substantially aligned with an unsupported portion of the intermediate transferring belt between the driving roller and the tension roller for maintaining at least the predetermined clearance despite flexural oscillation of the unsupported portion of the intermediate transferring belt.