US 11,789,385 B2
Transfer bias and pressure in an image forming apparatus
Yuuki Aoki, Tokyo (JP); Seiichi Kogure, Kanagawa (JP); Hideki Kimura, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroshi Kikuchi, Kanagawa (JP); Yutaka Takahashi, Kanagawa (JP); Yusuke Ishizuka, Kanagawa (JP); Takuya Akiyama, Kanagawa (JP); Yutaka Goto, Kanagawa (JP); and Kazuhiro Shimada, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Yuuki Aoki, Tokyo (JP); Seiichi Kogure, Kanagawa (JP); Hideki Kimura, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroshi Kikuchi, Kanagawa (JP); Yutaka Takahashi, Kanagawa (JP); Yusuke Ishizuka, Kanagawa (JP); Takuya Akiyama, Kanagawa (JP); Yutaka Goto, Kanagawa (JP); and Kazuhiro Shimada, Kanagawa (JP)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/707,315.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-062733 (JP), filed on Apr. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0317601 A1, Oct. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. G03G 15/16 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/1675 (2013.01) [G03G 15/167 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an image bearer;
a nip forming member configured to form a transfer nip between the image bearer and the nip forming member, wherein the nip forming member is configured to convey a recording sheet through the transfer nip;
a nip pressure changer configured to change a nip pressure of the transfer nip;
a transfer bias applier configured to apply, to the transfer nip, a transfer bias in which an AC component is superimposed on a DC component; and
a DC component adjuster configured to adjust the DC component in the transfer bias, according to the nip pressure that is changed by the nip pressure changer,
wherein, the DC component adjuster is further configured to maintain the DC component in the transfer bias unchanged after adjustment for an entire period during which the recording sheet is conveyed through the transfer nip.