Patent ID: 8109597
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus which forms an image, comprising: an intermediate transfer body which is conveyed in a conveyance direction; an image formation liquid deposition unit including a liquid ejection head which ejects and deposits droplets of image formation liquid onto an image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body to form a primary image on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body; a transfer unit which transfers the primary image formed on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium to form a secondary image on the recording medium; a washing liquid application device which applies a washing liquid on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body; a first wiping device which is arranged on a downstream side of the washing liquid application device in terms of the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body, the first wiping device abutting against the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body to wipe away the washing liquid on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body; a second wiping device which is arranged on a downstream side of the first wiping device in terms of the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body, the second wiping device abutting against the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body to wipe away the washing liquid on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body; and a control device which controls the intermediate transfer body and the first and second wiping devices so that: when the primary and secondary images are being formed, the intermediate transfer body is conveyed in the conveyance direction while the first wiping device abuts against the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body, and thereby the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body is wiped by the first wiping device; and when the primary and secondary images are not being formed, the intermediate transfer body is conveyed in the conveyance direction while the first wiping device separates from the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body and the second wiping device abuts against the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body, and thereby the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body is wiped by the second wiping device.