JP4963355B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for transferring a developer image from an image carrier to a transfer material via a transfer medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier, with toner in a powder developer has been widely put into practical use. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a conventional example. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus including at least one (for example, four) photosensitive drums 1 as image carriers and an intermediate transfer belt 51 as a transfer medium. Around the photosensitive drum 1, a charger 2, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4, a photosensitive cleaner 6 and the like are arranged to constitute a process unit P as image forming means. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is sequentially primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 of the intermediate transfer unit 5 at the primary transfer portion N1, and further transferred to the transfer material S such as paper at the secondary transfer portion N2. Next transferred.

  Deposits such as toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the toner image transfer (mainly toner remaining in the primary transfer) are removed by the photosensitive cleaner 6. The cleaning blade 61 of the photoconductor cleaner 6 is pressed against the photoconductor drum 1 at a predetermined angle and pressure, and collects toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1. The photosensitive drum 1 from which the residual toner has been removed by the photosensitive cleaner 6 returns to the charging process again, and the above-described series of image forming operations is repeated.

  Deposits such as toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 51 (mainly toner remaining in the secondary transfer) are removed by the belt cleaner 55 in principle. The belt cleaner 55 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer portion N2 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 51, and may be configured by a blade, but may be configured by a fur brush or the like to which a predetermined voltage is applied. .

  Further, a configuration in which the residue on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is collected by the photoreceptor cleaner 6 of the photoreceptor drum 1 has been conventionally proposed. That is, by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner or the like to the primary transfer roller 53 at the primary transfer portion N1, the toner or the like on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 (in a direction opposite to the primary transfer) The photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned by the photosensitive cleaner 6.

  By the way, the cleaning blade 61 of the photoconductor cleaner 6 cleans the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 by rubbing the surface, but the toner and external additives remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 after the first transfer step are completed. Has an important role in maintaining lubricity between the blade and the surface of the photosensitive drum. For example, external additives with an effect of improving lubricity such as titanium oxide and alumina fine powder, and an effect of improving polishing properties such as strontium titanate powder, cerium oxide powder and calcium titanate powder The effect of the external additive is great when an external additive having a certain amount is used. In other words, these external additives increase the lubricity of the surface of the photosensitive drum, the components in the toner adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum, resulting in poor images, and the coefficient of friction on the surface of the photosensitive drum increases, resulting in cleaning. This has the effect of preventing the blade from slipping.

  On the other hand, when the image formation is performed by such an image forming apparatus, for example, when the transfer material conveyance path is long, or when the interval between image formation and the next image formation is long, the developer is not supplied to the photosensitive drum. May rotate for a long time. If toner is not supplied to the photosensitive drum and is idly rotated, toner and external additives having a lubricating effect are reduced between the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade. When only the cleaning drum made of the photosensitive drum and particularly the elastic body is rotated, the frictional force between the photosensitive drum and the blade is increased, and the cleaning blade slips. If this state is maintained, problems such as image flow due to deterioration of the drum surface, chipping or twisting of the blade, wear, and blade squeal may occur.

  Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-072713, as a special control, toner is sent to the drum cleaning unit during image formation and after the completion of image formation so that toner is sent to the drum cleaning unit.

JP 2002-072713 A

  However, in the technique according to the above-mentioned patent document (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-072713), it is necessary to supply and collect the developer to the photosensitive drum in addition to the original image formation timing. For this reason, there is a problem in that the original image forming apparatus waits and productivity (the number of images formed per unit time) decreases.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently recovering the developer used for image formation by the first recovery means without impairing productivity, and extending the life of the image carrier and the first recovery means. It is intended to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. , and the intermediate transfer member to be transferred the toner image can be rotated, a primary transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image bearing member onto said intermediate transfer member at primary transfer portion, the transfer on the image carrier a first recovery means for recovering residual toner, and a secondary transfer unit that transfers the recording material the toner image on the intermediate transfer member at the secondary transfer portion, the recovered transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer body A first recovery unit that recovers the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer member by the second recovery unit when the transfer of the toner image to a plurality of recording materials is continuously performed. and mode, the image forming interval from the image forming interval of the first mode Long rather, a second mode in which collected by said first collecting means through the image bearing member transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer member, capable of execution, of said intermediate transfer member the toner image has been formed When the toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer member when the region passes through the secondary transfer portion for the first time after passing through the secondary transfer portion, the transfer residual toner in the region When the region of the intermediate transfer body on which the toner image is formed passes through the primary transfer section for the first time after passing through the secondary transfer section, the second collection means collects the toner image on the image carrier. When the toner image is not transferred to the intermediate transfer body, the image forming apparatus includes a control unit that controls the first transfer unit to collect the transfer residual toner in the region through the image carrier .

  In the present invention, when the transfer of the developer image to a plurality of the transfer materials is continuously performed, the intermediate transfer is performed based on at least the interval time during which the developer image is transferred to the transfer material. The above problem has been solved by providing means for determining whether the developer on the body is collected by the second collecting means or by the first collecting means via the image carrier.

  That is, since the developer can be supplied to the image carrier during normal image formation, the developer can be supplied to the image carrier without hindering normal image formation.

{First Example}
A first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

[Device configuration and general operation]
First, the apparatus configuration and general operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process unit.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus that includes four photosensitive drums 1a to 1d as image carriers and an intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member) 51 as a transfer medium. Around the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, chargers 2a to 2d, exposure devices 3a to 3d, developing devices 4a to 4d, photosensitive body cleaners 6a to 6d, and the like are arranged, and process units Pa to Pd, which are image forming units, respectively. Configure. An image (developer image) on the photosensitive drum 1 on which an image of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed in each process unit is on the intermediate transfer belt 51 that moves and passes through the photosensitive drum 1. The image that is sequentially primary-transferred at the primary transfer portion N1 and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 is further secondary-transferred to a transfer material such as paper at the secondary transfer portion N2.

  Since each process unit has the same configuration, the process unit Pa will be described as an example, omitting the symbols a to d for each element. In the process unit P, which is an image forming unit, a photosensitive drum 1 as an example of an image carrier is disposed, and the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow. Further, around the photosensitive drum 1, a charger 2 as a primary charging unit, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4, and a photosensitive cleaner (first recovery unit) 6 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Are arranged sequentially. Each process means that acts on the photosensitive drum 1 in image formation is controlled by a control means (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the photosensitive drum 1 is a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a conductive base 11 made of aluminum or the like and a photoconductive layer 12 formed on the outer periphery thereof. The center has a support shaft, and is driven to rotate at a process speed (Ps) of 300 mm / s in the direction of arrow R1 about the support shaft.

  A charger 2 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 1. The charger 2 includes a wire 21, a grid 22, and a shield member 23. The charger 2 is disposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a distance of 5 mm, and uniformly charges the surface with a predetermined polarity and potential. Specifically, a current of 1 mA is applied to the wire 21 by constant current control and a -720V voltage is applied to the grid 22 by constant voltage control by a power source (not shown). As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by −700 V. An exposure device 3 is disposed on the downstream side of the charger 2 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The exposure device 3 scans the laser beam corresponding to the image data (image information) while turning it on / off, and the surface potential of the irradiated photosensitive drum 1 becomes −150 V, so that an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic) Image) is formed.

  The developing device (developing means) 4 disposed on the downstream side of the exposure device 3 has a developing container 41 containing a two-component developer composed of toner (developer) and a carrier (magnetic material). A developing sleeve 42 is rotatably installed in the opening facing the photosensitive drum 1, and a magnet roller 43 that holds toner on the developing sleeve 42 is fixedly arranged in the developing sleeve 42. A regulating blade 44 that regulates the developer carried on the developing sleeve 42 to form a thin developer layer is installed above the developing sleeve 42 of the developing container 41. Furthermore, a developing chamber 45 and a stirring chamber 46 are provided in the developing container 41, and screws 45s and 46s for stirring and transporting the developer are provided therein. Further, a replenishing chamber 47 that contains replenishing toner is provided above the developing container 41. The developer concentration detecting means 49 is a sensor for detecting the magnetic permeability, and is provided at the upstream position in the developer conveying direction of the stirring chamber 46 and the opening where toner is supplied.

  When the toner formed on the thin developer layer is transported to the development area facing the photosensitive drum 1, the toner is raised by the magnetic force of the development main pole located in the development area of the magnet roller 43. A brush is formed. While rubbing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with this magnetic brush, a DC voltage of −500 V and an AC voltage with a frequency of 120,000 Hz and Vp-p of 1800 V are superimposed and applied to the developing sleeve 42 by a power source (not shown). As a result, the toner adhering to the carrier constituting the ears of the magnetic brush adheres to the exposed portion of the electrostatic latent image and develops, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. As described above, the toner in the developer is consumed by the developing process, but when the toner is consumed, the toner amount consumed from the replenishment chamber 47 by the change in the toner concentration detected by the developer concentration detecting means 49 or the like. New toner is supplied. In this way, the image density is kept constant.

  A primary transfer roller 53 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 1 on the downstream side of the developing device 4. The primary transfer roller 53 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 via the intermediate transfer belt 51 with a pressing force of 9.8 mN, and a primary transfer portion N1 is formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the primary transfer roller 53. . An intermediate transfer belt 51 is sandwiched in the transfer nip portion, and negatively charged toner is applied from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by applying a primary transfer roller 53 with a DC voltage of +1000 V from a power source (not shown). Transfer is performed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  After the toner image has been transferred, the photosensitive drum 1 is free from deposits such as residual toner by the photoreceptor cleaner 6. The photoreceptor cleaner 6 includes a cleaning blade (blade member) 61 and a conveying screw 62. The photosensitive drum from which the residual toner has been removed by the photosensitive cleaner 6 returns to the charging step again, and the above-described series of image forming operations is repeated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an intermediate transfer unit 5 is disposed below each photosensitive drum 1. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51, primary transfer rollers (first transfer means) 53a to 53d, a secondary transfer counter roller 56, a secondary transfer roller (second transfer means) 57, and a belt cleaner (second second). Collection means) 55. The belt cleaner 55 can be constituted by a fur brush or the like to which a predetermined voltage is applied, but in this embodiment, an elastic blade is used.

  The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 1 are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 at the primary transfer portion N1 as described above, and then conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 along with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 51. Is done. On the other hand, the transfer material S taken out from the unillustrated feeding cassette is supplied up to this time, and the toner image is transferred by the secondary transfer bias applied between the secondary transfer counter roller 56 and the secondary transfer roller 57. Transferred onto the material S. The transfer residual toner or the like on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is removed and collected by the belt cleaner 55. The transfer material S to which the toner image has been transferred is pressurized and heated by a fixing means (not shown) to melt and fix the toner image, and a full-color image is formed on the transfer material S.

  The toner used in this example is a color toner particle having an average particle diameter of 6 μm produced from a polyester resin as a toner, a strontium titanate powder having a length average particle diameter of 1 μm, and a length average particle diameter The one to which 0.1 μm hydrophobic alumina fine powder is externally added is used. As the carrier, a ferrite carrier having an average particle diameter of 50 μm is used. The toner is negatively charged to -25 μC / mg by rubbing with the carrier.

[Characteristic operation]
Next, the developer on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is collected by the second collecting means according to the characteristic operation of the present embodiment, that is, the timing of image formation, or the image carrier through the image carrier. A selective operation of whether to collect by the first recovery means will be described. This selective operation is performed by the determining means 70 shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a flowchart of control of the selection operation, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of residual toner, FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the movement of the toner image in the primary transfer unit, the secondary transfer unit, and the belt cleaning unit. 4 is a diagram showing torque transition between the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade.

  Here, in this embodiment, the belt cleaner 55 is configured to be able to be separated from and contacted to the intermediate transfer belt 51. As shown in FIG. 2, if the belt cleaner 55 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51, the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is collected by the belt cleaner 55. A contact position between the belt cleaner 55 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 is defined as a belt cleaning unit N3.

  Further, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2, when the intermediate transfer belt 51 is separated from the belt cleaner 55, the transfer residual toner is conveyed to the primary transfer portion N1. At this time, by applying a DC voltage of −1000 V, for example, from a power source (not shown) to the primary transfer roller 53, the transfer residual toner that is mainly charged positively is transferred from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. be able to. Depending on the charge polarity of the toner used, the bias to the primary transfer roller 53 may be positive or negative, and the transfer bias differs between normal image formation and collection depending on the toner characteristics. Sometimes it makes things. Since the untransferred toner transferred to the photoconductor drum 1 is collected by the photoconductor cleaner 6, the developer can be supplied between the photoconductor drum 1 and the cleaning blade 61 of the photoconductor cleaner 6. .

  Since the intermediate transfer belt 51 circulates (rotates), the position where the image is formed next may or may not overlap the position where the image is formed earlier. That is, the transfer residual toner adheres to the position where the image has been previously formed on the intermediate transfer belt 51 that has passed the secondary transfer portion N2, and a new developer is generated when this position passes the primary transfer portion N1. Whether or not is transferred is a problem. This is because the toner image transfer from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the toner transfer (collection) from the intermediate transfer belt 51 to the photosensitive drum 1 cannot be performed simultaneously.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is continuously transferred to a plurality of transfer materials.

  An image A shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the position where the image is formed first does not overlap the position where the image is formed next in the primary transfer portion N1. That is, when the image formation interval is wide and low throughput, for example, when forming single-sided or double-sided images, or when the JOB interval is wide and the rotation time of the photosensitive drum is long. Note that the time axis in FIG. 3 is not proportional to the actual time, but is schematically shown for easy understanding.

  When image formation is started (S1 in FIG. 1), the image A transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51 by the primary transfer portion N1 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 by the intermediate transfer belt 51 and transferred to the transfer material S. Is done. At this time, transfer residual toner is generated (S2 in FIG. 1), and this is referred to as transfer residual A toner.

  In S3 of FIG. 1, it is determined whether or not the position where the toner remaining after transfer is the next image forming position. Since NO in the case of image A, the belt cleaner 55 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 51 and does not collect the transfer residual A toner. The untransferred A toner on the intermediate transfer belt 51 reaches the primary transfer portion N1, is transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 (S4 in FIG. 1), and is collected by the photosensitive cleaner 6 (S5 in FIG. 1). In this way, the secondary transfer residual toner can be supplied between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 61.

  An image B shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the position where the image is formed first overlaps the position where the image is formed next in the primary transfer portion N1. When image formation is started (S1 in FIG. 1) and the image B is transferred to the transfer material S via the primary transfer portion N1 and the secondary transfer portion N2, transfer residual B toner is generated (S2 in FIG. 1). When it is determined whether or not the position where the toner remaining after transfer becomes the image forming position next (S3 in FIG. 1), YES is determined in the case of the image B. Therefore, the belt cleaner 55 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51, and the transfer residual B toner is collected at the belt cleaning unit N3 (S6 in FIG. 1). Then, primary transfer of the next image is performed at the position at the primary transfer portion N1 (S7 in FIG. 1).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing torque transition between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 61. As can be seen from the figure, when the secondary transfer residual toner is collected by the photoconductor cleaner 6, the increase in torque becomes moderate. That is, since the torque between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 61 is suppressed, the load on these is reduced, and the durability of each can be improved.

  Further, the method of this embodiment effectively uses the toner once used for image formation. Therefore, as in the configuration described in the conventional example, toner that is not necessary for original image formation is not used, and wasteful toner consumption can be suppressed.

  Specifically, the determination unit 70 is preferably performed by a part of the control device of the image forming apparatus, and is realized by a calculation unit such as a CPU or MPU and a control program stored in a ROM or the like. Then, the primary transfer roller 53 and the belt cleaner 55 are indirectly connected through drive control or the like, or directly connected to sensors provided therein, and the selective operation according to the present embodiment is executed. .

{Second Example}
A second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the transfer residual toner is electrostatically collected using a brush instead of an elastic blade that can be separated from the belt as the belt cleaner 55 will be described.

  In the case of a cleaner using a brush, the transfer residual toner can be collected by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the transfer residual toner. Conversely, by applying the same bias as that of the transfer residual toner, it is possible to prevent the transfer residual toner from being collected by the brush. Then, the transfer residual toner can pass through the belt cleaner 55 and be conveyed to the primary transfer portion N1 as it is. In the primary transfer portion N1, a bias having a polarity at which the transfer residual toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 is applied. The determination means 70 determines whether the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is collected to the belt cleaner 55 or the photosensitive drum 1.

  That is, when an elastic blade is used as the belt cleaner 55, a separation / contact mechanism is required to select whether or not cleaning is performed. However, with the configuration of this embodiment, the mechanical separation operation of the belt cleaner 55 is not performed, so that the influence of vibration on the image forming unit can be reduced.

{Third embodiment}
A third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the movement of the toner image in the primary transfer unit, the secondary transfer unit, and the belt cleaning unit according to the present embodiment. The description is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the developer on the transfer medium is collected by the second collection unit or collected by the first collection unit via the image carrier according to the next image formation timing. Explained to do selective action. In contrast, in this embodiment, basically, the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is always collected by the photoconductor cleaner 6 and the timing of the next image formation is changed.

  In the timing chart of FIG. 7, the image A indicates a case where the position where the image is formed first does not overlap with the position where the next image is formed in the primary transfer portion N <b> 1, and the image B overlaps. Here, when the transfer residual B toner reaches the primary transfer portion N1, the transfer residual B toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 without performing the next image formation as shown by a double frame in the figure. Then, the next image formation is performed.

  With this configuration, since toner can be supplied between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 61 more frequently, the torque transition of the photosensitive drum 1 can be further reduced. .

  Normally, the control shown in the first embodiment may be performed to maintain productivity, and the control of the third embodiment may be performed when it is determined that toner supply is necessary according to the torque transition. good. Thereby, the balance between productivity and torque reduction can be achieved.

It is a flowchart of control of selection operation. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of transfer residual toner. 6 is a timing chart illustrating toner image movement in the primary transfer unit, the secondary transfer unit, and the belt cleaning unit according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows torque transition between a photoreceptor drum and a cleaning blade. 12 is a timing chart illustrating toner image movement in a primary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, and a belt cleaning unit according to a third embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure explaining a process unit. It is a figure explaining the principal part of the image forming apparatus concerning a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

A, B: Image, N1: Primary transfer unit, N2: Secondary transfer unit, N3: Belt cleaning unit, P: Process unit, S: Transfer material, 1: Photosensitive drum (image carrier), 2 ... Charger DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Exposure apparatus, 4 ... Developing apparatus, 6 ... Photoconductor cleaner (first recovery means), 11 ... Conductive substrate, 12 ... Photoconductive layer, 21 ... Wire, 22 ... Grid, 23 ... Shield member, 41 ... Developing container 42 ... Developing sleeve 43 ... Magnetic roller 44 ... Regulating blade 45 ... Developing chamber 45s ... Screw 46 ... Stirring chamber 46s ... Screw 47 ... Replenishing chamber 49 ... Developer concentration detecting means 51 ... intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member), 53 ... primary transfer roller (first transfer means), 55 ... belt cleaner (second recovery means), 56 ... secondary transfer counter roller, 57 ... secondary transfer roller (second Transfer means), 62 ... conveying screw, 70 ... determining means

Claims (2)

An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, an intermediate transfer member that is rotatable and onto which the toner image is transferred, and a primary transfer unit Primary transfer means for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the intermediate transfer body, first recovery means for collecting the transfer residual toner on the image carrier, and the intermediate transfer body at a secondary transfer portion. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a secondary transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the recording material; and a second collection unit that collects the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer member.
When toner images are continuously transferred to a plurality of recording materials, a first mode in which the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer member is collected by the second collecting unit, and an image forming interval is the first mode. A second mode in which the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer member is collected by the first collecting means via the image carrier, and a toner image is formed. When the toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer member when the region of the intermediate transfer member passes through the primary transfer portion for the first time after passing through the secondary transfer portion, When the transfer residual toner in the region is collected by the second collecting means, and the region of the intermediate transfer body on which the toner image is formed passes through the primary transfer unit for the first time after passing through the secondary transfer unit, The toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer. If not transferred to the body, the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising control means for controlling the transfer residual toner of the region to recover by the first collecting unit via the image bearing member.   2. The first recovery unit includes a blade member that contacts the image carrier, and the second recovery unit includes a blade member that can contact and separate from the intermediate transfer body. Image forming apparatus.

Images