Patent ID: 7616914

Claim:
A color image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of image bearing members; an intermediate transfer belt onto which unicolor toner images, respectively formed on the plurality of image bearing members, are sequentially transferred so as to form a full color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt; a driving roller to drive the intermediate transfer belt; a driving motor to generate a first driving force to be applied to the driving roller; a transfer unit to transfer the full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt onto a sheet; a transfer motor, disposed separately from the driving motor, to generate a second driving force to be applied to the transfer unit; a cleaning unit to remove residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt; a cleaning motor, disposed separately from the driving motor, to generate a third driving force to be applied to the cleaning unit; a first tension applying unit, located upstream from the transfer unit in a circulating direction of the intermediate transfer belt, to apply a first tension onto the intermediate transfer belt; and a second tension applying unit, located downstream from the cleaning unit in the circulating direction of the intermediate transfer belt, to apply a second tension onto the intermediate transfer belt.