JPH11295998A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form an image onto a recording medium without causing image deterioration. SOLUTION: The image forming device is provided with a lock lever 60 which turns when a photoreceptor unit having a photoreceptor 30 is detached. To detach the photoreceptor unit, the position setting mark 64 of the lock lever 60 is aligned with a take-out position. Consequently, a first transfer roller 43 retracts in the direction of the inner periphery of an intermediate transfer body 42, also a tension roller 49 moves in the direction of the inner periphery of the intermediate transfer body 42, and the tension of the intermediate transfer body 42 is, therefore, relieved. Further, a pressing shaft 82 supported by a pressing arm 86 at both ends presses the intermediate transfer body 42 from outside toward inside, to separate the photoreceptor 30 and intermediate transfer body 42.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, in which an image formed on a photosensitive member is transferred to an intermediate transfer member at a primary transfer position, and an image formed on the intermediate transfer member is converted into a secondary image. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by transferring the image to a recording medium at a transfer position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses having a function of copying a color image, such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a laser printer, have rapidly spread. 2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus for copying a color image, toner images of respective color components of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk), which are three primary colors of printing, carry latent images such as photosensitive drums. It is formed on a body and transfers toner images of these color components.

[0003] As a transfer method, a method in which a toner image formed on a latent image carrier is directly transferred to a recording medium such as a sheet, and a method in which a toner image formed on a latent image carrier is transferred to, for example, an endless belt. There is known a method in which a primary transfer is temporarily performed on a transfer body, and a toner image transferred on an intermediate transfer body is secondarily transferred again onto a recording medium.

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by performing secondary transfer, a toner image of each color component formed on a latent image carrier is primarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer body in order and superposed. Final toner image (cyan, magenta,
After the toner images of all the color components of yellow and black are superimposed), the final toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium and fixed by a fixing device to fix the image on the recording medium. Is formed.

[0005]

By the way, at present, the life of a latent image carrier such as a photosensitive drum is shorter than the life of an image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the latent image carrier as a maintenance work. In order to reduce the labor required for the operator at the time of replacement, the latent image carrier is built into one photoconductor unit together with a charger, a cleaner and the like arranged near the periphery of the latent image carrier, and the It is provided detachably in the forming apparatus. Therefore, the operator can easily replace the photoconductor unit including the latent image carrier.

In an image forming apparatus having a structure in which a recording medium is conveyed horizontally below a photoreceptor unit, an optical scanning device (ROS) for writing and scanning laser light on a latent image carrier is provided above the latent image carrier. That is, it is disposed above the photoreceptor unit. In this case, since the photoconductor unit cannot be removably provided above the image forming apparatus, the photoconductor unit is provided so as to be removably mounted on the front side in the axial direction of the latent image carrier.

However, since the latent image carrier is in contact with the intermediate transfer member at the primary transfer position, the surface of the latent image carrier and the intermediate transfer member may be damaged when the photosensitive unit is attached or detached. This causes a problem that an image formed on the recording medium is deteriorated.

In order to prevent this, when the photoreceptor unit is attached or detached, a winding roller disposed near the primary transfer position among winding rollers for stretching and transporting the intermediate transfer member while applying a predetermined tension thereto. By moving a roller (transfer roller) in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body, the latent image carrier and the intermediate transfer body are separated from each other, or a driving force from a driving source for controlling the stretched conveyance of the intermediate transfer body is received. The latent image carrier and the intermediate transfer unit are rotated by rotating the entire intermediate transfer body unit including the intermediate transfer body and the plurality of winding rollers around one winding roller such as a winding roller (drive roller) as a fulcrum. A method of separating the body from the body has been proposed (see JP-A-8-123215).

However, in the above method, the position of the winding roller may be different before and after the separating operation for separating the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member. In particular, when the position of the transfer roller is different before and after the separating operation, there is a problem that the primary transfer position is shifted before and after the attaching and detaching operation of the photoconductor unit.
When rotating the entire intermediate transfer body unit,
There is a problem that a space for rotating the entire intermediate transfer body unit is required, and the size of the entire apparatus is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording medium without causing image deterioration.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image formed on a photosensitive member is transferred to an intermediate transfer member at a primary transfer position, and the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring the formed image to a recording medium at a secondary transfer position, wherein the intermediate transfer body is pressed to contact the photosensitive member at the primary transfer position. A transfer member for transferring an image, a plurality of stretching and transporting means for stretching and transporting the intermediate transfer body in a state where a predetermined tension is applied, and a movable member capable of moving in a direction for applying or relaxing the tension of the intermediate transfer body. A tension adjusting means, retracting the transfer member in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body, relaxing the tension of the intermediate transfer body by the tension adjusting means, and separating the photoconductor and the intermediate transfer body in one action. Communicating Has an operating means for performing it, the.

[0012] The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
At the first transfer position, a transfer member is provided that presses the intermediate transfer member to contact the photoconductor and transfers an image formed on the photoconductor to the intermediate transfer member. By charging the transfer member with a polarity (plus) opposite to the polarity (plus) of the toner of the image formed on the photoconductor, the toner on the photoconductor adheres to the intermediate transfer body, and the image is transferred. Further, the image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of stretching / conveying means for stretching / conveying the intermediate transfer member while applying a predetermined tension.
The stretching and conveying means is, for example, a winding roller around which the intermediate transfer member is wound, and is conveyed without giving any slack by applying a predetermined tension. Further, the image forming apparatus is provided with tension adjusting means for adjusting the tension of the intermediate transfer member. The tension adjusting means can apply tension by moving the intermediate transfer body in a direction of pressing the intermediate transfer body from the inside to the outside, and can reduce the tension by moving the intermediate transfer body in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body. For example, one of the plurality of stretching and conveying means can be used as the tension adjusting means.

In the image forming apparatus, the transfer member is retracted in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer member, the tension of the intermediate transfer member is reduced by a tension adjusting means, and the operation of separating the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member is performed. Operation means for instructing execution is provided.
The operating means is, for example, an instructing means such as a rotatable lever for instructing the execution of maintenance work, as in the invention according to claim 4. It is operated by the operator during the attaching / detaching operation of the photoconductor unit including the photoconductor unit. The retracting operation for retracting the transfer member in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body, the tension relaxing operation for relaxing the tension of the intermediate transfer body by the tension adjusting means, and the separating operation for separating the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer body are performed by operating means. It is performed in one action in conjunction with the operation.

The separating operation for separating the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member is performed by pressing means for pressing the intermediate transfer member from the outside to the inside, as in the second aspect of the present invention. As described in the invention described above, the transfer operation is performed after the retreat operation of the transfer member and the start of the tension relaxing operation of the intermediate transfer member.

As described above, when the photosensitive member unit is attached or detached for maintenance work or the like, the transfer member is retracted in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer member and the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are separated from each other. Can be prevented, and an image can be formed on a recording medium without causing image deterioration. Further, when the intermediate transfer body is pressed from the outside to the inside, the tension of the intermediate transfer body is reduced by the tension adjusting means when the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer body are separated from each other, so that excessive tension is applied to the intermediate transfer body. The intermediate transfer member can be made to last longer without being added. further,
Since the retracting operation of the transfer member, the tension relaxing operation of the intermediate transfer body, and the separating operation between the photoconductor and the intermediate transfer body are performed in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body, there is no need to provide a space for moving the intermediate transfer body and the like. In addition, the size of the device can be reduced.

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is covered with a casing 12 and formed in a substantially box shape.

A paper tray 16 is provided below the image forming apparatus 10. In the paper tray 16, for example,
A sheet 18 of a desired size among B5 size, B4 size, A4 size, A3 size and the like is provided. A half-moon roller 20 is provided near the paper discharge section of the paper tray 16.
Are arranged. The half-moon roller 20 feeds out the sheets 18 supplied to the sheet tray 16 one by one. Paper tray 1
The paper 18 sent out from the feeding roller pair 6 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs 2
2 transports in a predetermined direction.

On one side of the image forming apparatus 10, a manual feed tray 24 for manually inserting paper 18 as necessary.
Are arranged. A half-moon roller 20 is provided near the paper discharge section of the manual feed tray 24 in the same manner as the above-mentioned paper tray 16, so that the paper 18 can be sent out one by one.

On the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 10, a predetermined processing is performed by being conveyed inside the apparatus (an image forming section 18 to be described later) to form a sheet 18 on which a desired image is formed.
There is provided a discharge tray 26 from which is discharged.

Image data obtained by reading an original with a scanner and performing various image processings is provided on an upper portion of a paper tray 16 provided in the image forming apparatus 10 (the image forming apparatus 10 in the present embodiment targets a color image). Therefore, by applying image processing, cyan, magenta, yellow,
1 is rotated at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.
Optical scanning device 32 that irradiates light beam to zero, and paper 18
And an image forming unit 28 including a fixing device 14 for fixing a desired image.

The optical scanning device 32 includes a light source, a rotating polygon mirror 3
4. fθ lens, cylindrical mirror, reflection mirror 3
6 and the like. A laser beam emitted from a light source (not shown) is deflected by a rotating polygon mirror 34 and fθ lens, cylindrical mirror, reflection mirror 36
Irradiation is performed on the photoreceptor 30 via the like.

In the vicinity of the photoconductor 30, a charger 38 for uniformly negatively charging the photoconductor 30 is provided. The photoconductor 30 is not transferred to the intermediate transfer body 42 when the image is transferred in the first transfer section 42. A photoreceptor cleaner (not shown) for removing the toner remaining on the upper surface, and a static elimination lamp (not shown) for eliminating the negatively charged photoreceptor 30 are provided. The charger 38, the photoconductor cleaner, the charge removing lamp, and the like are configured as a single photoconductor unit 44 covered with a casing together with the photoconductor 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photoconductor unit 44 is taken out to the front side in the rotation axis direction of the photoconductor 30 by opening the front door 54 of the image forming apparatus 10 and releasing the lock by the lock lever 60. It is possible. That is, the photoconductor unit 44 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10.
It is provided detachably with respect to.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lock lever 60
An operation knob 62 is formed on the outer surface of the device, and a position setting mark 64 is written below the operation knob 62. An operator operates the operation knob 62 to adjust the position setting mark 64 to either the lock position or the take-out position, whereby the lock lever 60 can be rotated. When the photoconductor unit 44 is provided at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 10, the position setting mark 64 of the lock lever 60 is set to the lock position, and when the photoconductor unit 44 is attached or detached, the position setting mark 64 is set to the extraction position. It has become.

Around the photoreceptor unit 44, a rotary developing unit 40, an intermediate transfer member 42 constituted by an IBT belt, and the like are disposed. To the rotary developing device 40, toners 46Y, 46M, 46C and 46Bk of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black are supplied. The intermediate transfer member 42 is wound around a plurality of rollers such as a primary transfer roller 43, an idle roller 45, a secondary transfer roller 47, a drive roller 48, and a tension roller 49. When the driving roller 48 receives a driving force from a driving source (not shown) and rotates in a predetermined direction (the direction of the arrow B 'shown in FIG. 1), each roller rotates in the same direction. Thus, the intermediate transfer member 42 is transported in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG.

The intermediate transfer member 42 of this embodiment is made of a polyimide resin and has a thickness of 50 to 100 μm.
Volume resistivity 10 ⁹ -10 ¹² Ω · cm, surface resistivity 10 ¹¹
It is a semiconductive film adjusted to の 10 ¹³ Ω / cm ² . The intermediate transfer member 42 is a semiconductive resin material whose thickness, volume resistivity, and surface resistivity are within the above ranges, and is resistant to acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin, or polycarbonate resin. A material containing a material can be used.

Around the intermediate transfer member 42, an image detection sensor 51 and an intermediate transfer member cleaner 50 are provided. The image detection sensor 51 is provided upstream of the second transfer unit 52 that transfers the final toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 42 onto the sheet 18 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer body 42. The presence or absence of the formed toner image is detected. The paper 18 is sent out from the paper tray 16 by the half-moon roller 20 as described above,
The sheet is transported to the second transfer unit 52 by the transport roller pair 22. The intermediate transfer member cleaner 50 is provided downstream of the second transfer portion 52 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 42, and after the transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer member 42 to the paper 18 is completed. The toner remaining on the surface 42 is removed.

The position of the sheet 18 relative to the position where the second transfer portion 52 is disposed
The fixing device 14 including a heating roller 56 and a pressure roller 58 is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction. The fixing device 14 performs a fixing process on the paper 16 on which the final toner image has been transferred, so that a predetermined image is formed on the paper 1.
8 is formed.

FIG. 4 shows the respective rotating shafts 45A, 47A, 48A of the idle roller 45, the second transfer roller 47, and the drive roller 48 around which the intermediate transfer member 42 is wound.
Are shown outside the frame 68 (only one set of two frames is shown) supporting both ends of the frame.

A long hole 76 is formed in the frame 68, and a shaft 66 is inserted through the long hole 76.
The lock lever 60 described above is attached to one end of the shaft 66 via a cam 70. A boss 72 having one end fixed thereto and a stopper 74 protrude from the frame 68. Recess 70 formed in cam 70
A engages with the boss 72 when the position setting mark 64 of the lock lever 60 is set to the lock position described above.

The cam 70 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the lock lever 60, but the boss 72 and the stopper 74 are provided on the rotation path of the cam 70 so that the cam 70 can be moved by a predetermined amount. (Approximately 90 degrees with respect to the lock position).

FIG. 5 shows the structure inside the frame 68. As shown in FIG.
One end of a spring 78 is hooked on the shaft 66 inserted into the elongated hole 76 formed in the shaft 8. The other end of the spring 78
It is hooked on a tension arm 80 for instructing the movement of the tension roller 49. A support shaft 80A having both ends fixed to the frame 68 is attached to the tension arm 80. Therefore, the tension arm 80 is
Arrow C or arrow D shown in FIG.
Rotate in the direction. Thereby, the tension roller 49 can be moved in the direction of applying or relaxing the tension to the intermediate transfer member 42 to adjust the tension of the intermediate transfer member 42.

In the vicinity of the first transfer roller 43, a pressing arm 86 that supports both ends of a pressing shaft 82 that presses the intermediate transfer member 42 in a direction away from the photosensitive member 30 is provided. The pressing arm 86 rotates in the direction of the arrow E (the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body 42) shown in FIG. The rotation of the pressing arm 86 is performed in conjunction with the rotation of the lock lever 60 described above. That is, the lock lever 60
When the shaft 66 moves along the long hole 76 formed in the frame 8 and the passage groove 88 formed in the pressing arm 86 by rotating the pressing arm 86, the pressing arm 86 rotates.

Further, the pressing arm 86 is always in contact with the rotating shaft 43A of the first transfer roller 43, and presses the rotating shaft 43A of the first transfer roller 43 when the pressing arm 86 rotates so that the first transferring roller 43 is pressed. An auxiliary plate 84 for retracting the intermediate transfer member 42 in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer member 42 is attached. Further, one end of a spring 90 is hung on the rotation shaft of the first transfer roller 43. The other end of the spring 90 is hooked on a hook bar 92 protruding from the frame 68. Normally, the first transfer roller 43 is in contact with the photoreceptor 30 by the urging force of the spring 90. However, when the pressing arm 86 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the lock lever 60, the auxiliary plate 84 causes the first transfer roller 4 to rotate.
By pressing the third rotation shaft 43A, the first transfer roller 43 is retracted in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body 42 against the urging force of the spring 90.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the image forming apparatus 10 is instructed to form an image, the photoconductor 30 is uniformly negatively charged by the charger 38 and the laser beam emitted from the optical scanning device 32 is
Irradiation corresponding to the image to be formed. Thus, a first black latent image of the first color is formed on the photoconductor 30. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 30 is developed with black toner by a black developing device of the rotary developing device 40. That is, in the photoconductor 30 negatively charged by the charger 38, a portion irradiated with the laser beam emitted from the optical scanning device 32 is positively charged to form a latent image, and the photoconductor 30 is positively charged. The toner is developed by attaching toner having a negative charge to a portion (latent image). The developed black toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 4 in the first transfer portion 41.
2 is transferred.

By repeating the above, toner images of a total of four colors are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer member 26 up to the second color yellow, the third color magenta, and the fourth color cyan. When the four color toner images are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 42,
A final toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 42.

The intermediate transfer member 42 is detected by the image detection sensor 51.
When it is detected that the final toner image is formed on the sheet 16, the second transfer unit 52 transfers the final toner image to the paper 16. The fixing device 1 fixes the paper 16 on which the final toner image has been transferred.
An image is formed by performing a fixing process in Step 4.

Here, a method of attaching and detaching the photosensitive unit 44 will be described. When the photoconductor unit 44 is attached or detached, first, as shown in FIG.
4 is opened, and the lock lever 60 is rotated to set the position setting mark 64 to the extraction position. Thereby, the lock of the photoconductor unit 44 by the lock lever 60 is released. When the lock lever 60 is rotated, the shaft 66 moves along the long hole 76 formed in the frame 68 and moves along the passage groove 88 formed in the pressing arm 86.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the lock lever 60 rotates and the shaft 66 moves from one end of the long hole 68 to the longitudinally intermediate position, the pressing arm 86 moves around the support shaft 86A. Rotate fixed amount. Therefore, the auxiliary plate 84 of the pressing arm 86 is connected to the rotation shaft 4 of the first transfer roller 43.
3A, the first transfer roller 43 is retracted in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body 42 against the urging force of the spring 90. Further, the tension arm 80 rotates a predetermined amount about the support shaft 80A in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. Thereby, the tension of the intermediate transfer member 42 is reduced.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
When the lock lever 60 rotates and the shaft 66 moves to the other end of the elongated hole 68, the pressing arm 86 further rotates. As a result, the pressing shaft 82, both ends of which are supported by the pressing arm 86, presses the intermediate transfer body 42 away from the photoconductor 30, that is, presses the intermediate transfer body 42 from outside to inside. Therefore, in the vicinity of the first transfer unit 41, the photosensitive member 30 provided in the photosensitive unit 44 and the intermediate transfer member 42
Are separated.

As described above, when the lock is released by the lock lever, the first transfer roller is retracted in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer member, and the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are separated from each other. Damage to the surface of the intermediate transfer member can be prevented. Thus, an image can be formed on a sheet without causing image defects. Also, when the intermediate transfer body is pressed from the outside to the inside to separate the photosensitive body from the intermediate transfer body, the tension of the intermediate transfer body is relaxed by the tension roller, so that excessive tension of the intermediate transfer body is applied. And the intermediate transfer member can be made to last longer. Further, since the retracting operation of the first transfer roller, the operation of relaxing the tension of the intermediate transfer member, and the operation of separating the photosensitive member from the intermediate transfer member are performed in the inner circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer member, it is necessary to provide an extra moving space. Therefore, the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the pressing shaft 8
The separation operation of pressing the intermediate transfer member 42 from the outside to the inside by the step 2 to separate the photosensitive member 30 and the intermediate transfer member 42 is performed by the retreat operation of the first transfer roller 43 and the tension relieving operation of the intermediate transfer member 42 by the tension roller 49. Has been described, the order in which the separating operation, the retracting operation, and the tension reducing operation are performed is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the separating operation, the retracting operation, and the tension reducing operation are simultaneously performed may be employed.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, the transfer member is retracted in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer member when the operating means is operated, the tension of the intermediate transfer member is reduced, and the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are separated. Because of the separation, the surface of the photoreceptor and the intermediate transfer body can be prevented from being damaged, and an excellent effect that an image can be formed on a recording medium without causing image deterioration can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view illustrating an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a configuration near a lock lever.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a detailed configuration near an intermediate transfer member and a photoconductor provided in the image forming apparatus (when locked by a lock lever).

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a detailed configuration near an intermediate transfer body and a photoconductor provided in the image forming apparatus (when locked by a lock lever).

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a detailed configuration near an intermediate transfer member and a photoconductor provided in the image forming apparatus (when a lock lever is rotated by a predetermined amount).

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a detailed configuration near an intermediate transfer member and a photoconductor provided in the image forming apparatus (when a lock lever is rotated by a predetermined amount).

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a detailed configuration near an intermediate transfer member and a photoreceptor provided in the image forming apparatus (when the lock is released by a lock lever).

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a detailed configuration near an intermediate transfer member and a photoreceptor provided in the image forming apparatus (at the time of unlocking by a lock lever).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 43 1st transfer roller (transfer member) 48 Driving roller (tension conveying means) 49 Tension roller (tension adjusting means) 60 Lock lever (operating means) 82 Press shaft 84 Auxiliary plate 86 Press arm

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Sachi Hamabe 3-7-1, Fuuchi, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Jun Sawamura 3-7-1, Fuuchi, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Masao Kimura 3-7-1, Funai, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Ryoichi Tsuruoka 3-7-1, Fuwa, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture No. Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image formed on a photosensitive member is transferred to an intermediate transfer member at a primary transfer position, and the image formed on the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a recording medium at a secondary transfer position. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the intermediate transfer body, the intermediate transfer body being pressed at the primary transfer position so as to contact a photoconductor, and a transfer member for transferring an image; and applying a predetermined tension to the intermediate transfer body. A plurality of stretch transporting means for stretching and transporting the intermediate transfer body, a tension adjusting means movable in a direction to impart or reduce the tension of the intermediate transfer body, and retracting the transfer member in a circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body, An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation unit configured to alleviate the tension of the intermediate transfer member by the tension adjusting unit and perform an operation of interlocking the operation of separating the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member by one action. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separating operation for separating the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member is performed by pressing means for pressing the intermediate transfer member from outside to inside.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. The separating operation according to claim 1, wherein the separating operation for separating the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member is performed after the retracting operation of the transfer member and the start of the tension relaxing operation of the intermediate transfer member. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. The operating means is a rotatable instructing means for instructing execution of a maintenance operation, wherein the operation of relieving the tension of the intermediate transfer member, the retracting operation of the transfer member, and the operation of the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are performed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separating operation is performed in conjunction with rotation of the operation unit. 5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the maintenance operation is a mounting / removing operation of a photoconductor unit including the photoconductor.