Patent ID: 8396395

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of image bearing members configured to be driven for rotation; an intermediate transfer unit configured to be driven for rotation in a state in contact with the plurality of image bearing members; a control unit configured to cause: (a) a first image bearing member of the plurality of image bearing members and the intermediate transfer unit to be driven for rotation in a manner eliminating a first speed difference between the first image bearing member and the intermediate transfer unit, (b) a rotational phase of a second image bearing member of the plurality of image bearing members to be coincident with the first image bearing member after initiating (a), and (c) a rotational phase of a third image bearing member of the plurality of image bearing members to be coincident with the first image bearing member after initiating (a); and a limiting unit configured to limit a second speed difference between the second image bearing member and the intermediate transfer unit, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the limiting unit to limit the second speed difference between the second image bearing member and the intermediate transfer unit after initiating (a) and during executing (b), and wherein, if the rotational phase of the second image bearing member has not been made coincident with that of the first image bearing member in (b), the control unit is configured to cause the limiting unit to repeat a determination of whether or not the second speed difference between the second image bearing member and the intermediate transfer unit is within a predetermined range.