Abstract: A controller controls a charging unit to charge a photosensitive member so that a surface potential of the photosensitive member is controlled to a first potential, controls an exposure unit to expose the photosensitive member so that a potential of an exposure region on the photosensitive member is controlled to a second potential, controls a surface potential of a developing sleeve of a developing unit to a third potential, and forms a test image on a sheet by controlling the photosensitive member, the charging unit, the exposure unit, and the developing unit. An absolute value of the first potential is higher than an absolute value of the second potential. An absolute value of the third potential is higher than the absolute value of the first potential.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines a correction value for correcting an output value of each of first spectral sensors, based on a measurement result of a first measurement image acquired by the first spectral sensors and a measurement result of the first measurement image acquired by a second spectral sensor while the second spectral sensor is being moved, corrects, using the determined correction value, an output value output from each of the plurality of first spectral sensors by measuring a second measurement image, and modifies an image forming condition based on the corrected output value.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a reader that can read an original and a printer that can form an image on a sheet based on a read result of the reader, a controller can control the printer to form a test chart on the sheet and control the reader to read the test chart. The test chart is used for detecting a causal part of a streak that occurs when an image is formed by the printer. The test chart has a pattern for obscuring an image defect occurring when the test chart is formed by the printer.

Abstract: A controller controls a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit to form a test image having a pattern. The test image is formed by the first image forming unit based on a first image forming condition in which an absolute value of a developing potential of a first developing sleeve is greater than an absolute value of a charging potential of a first photosensitive member. The pattern is formed by a second image forming unit based on a second image forming condition in which an absolute value of a developing potential of a second developing sleeve is smaller than an absolute value of a charging potential of a second photosensitive member. A controller controls a sensor to read the test image having the pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member, a developing device, and a controller configured to execute an operation in a forced consumption mode. The controller includes a difference calculating portion, an integrating portion, and a flag. In a case where the flag is set when a predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller executes the operation in the forced consumption mode, and in a case where the flag is reset when the predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller continues an image forming operation without executing the operation in the forced consumption mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of controlling density of an output image with high accuracy regardless of variation of internal temperature. A controller controls an image forming unit to form a measurement image, controls a light receiving unit to receive reflected light from the measurement image, controls a conversion unit to convert an output value of the light receiving unit, and controls an image formation condition based on a value that is obtained by converting the output value. An adjustment unit controls the light receiving unit to receive reflected light from an image bearing member, and adjusts the emission light amount of an emission unit based on the reflected light from the image bearing member. A selection unit selects a conversion condition from among conversion conditions based on a reference temperature that is detected when the adjustment unit adjusts the emission light amount and a current temperature.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer bearing member configured to bear and convey a developer containing toner and carrier, a first conveyance screw arranged in a first chamber to convey the developer, a second conveyance screw arranged in the second chamber to convey the developer, and a permeability sensor configured to detect a permeability of the developer. A detection portion of the sensor is arranged below a rotational axis of the second conveyance screw, and a rib portion is formed so as to protrude in a radial direction from a rotation shaft of the second conveyance screw for supplying the developer toward the detection portion.

Abstract: A controller controls a charging unit to charge a photosensitive member so that a surface potential of the photosensitive member is controlled to a first potential, controls an exposure unit to expose the photosensitive member so that a potential of an exposure region on the photosensitive member is controlled to a second potential, controls a surface potential of a developing sleeve of a developing unit to a third potential; and forms a test image on a sheet by controlling the photosensitive member, the charging unit, the exposure unit, and the developing unit. An absolute value of the first potential is larger than an absolute value of the second potential. An absolute value of the third potential is larger than the absolute value of the first potential.

Abstract: A reader can read an original. A printer can form an image on a sheet based on a read result of the reader. A controller can control the printer to form a test chart on the sheet, and control the reader to read the test chart. The test chart is used for detecting a causal part of a streak that occurs when an image is formed by the printer. The test chart has a pattern for obscuring an image defect occurring when the test chart is formed by the printer.

Abstract: A controller controls a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit to form a test image having a pattern. The test image is formed by the first image forming unit based on a first image forming condition in which an absolute value of a developing potential of a first developing sleeve is greater than an absolute value of a charging potential of a first photosensitive member. The pattern is formed by a second image forming unit based on a second image forming condition in which an absolute value of a developing potential of a second developing sleeve is smaller than an absolute value of a charging potential of a second photosensitive member. A controller controls a sensor to read the test image having the pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member bearing a toner image and image forming units arranged side by side, with each image forming unit having a developing device forming the toner image, a magnetic permeability sensor detecting a toner density of a developer in the developing device, and a cleaning unit having a cleaning member which removes toner remaining on an image bearing member and a conductive support member which supports the cleaning member. The apparatus further includes a conductive member facing the magnetic permeability sensor of the most upstream image forming unit and arranged upstream of that image forming unit. The developing device of one of adjacent image forming units is opposed to the cleaning unit of another unit which is arranged downstream and is next to the developing device of the one of the adjacent image forming units.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposing unit exposes the photosensitive member to exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image to form an image, an intermediate transfer member onto which the image on the photosensitive member is transferred, a measurement unit measures a measurement image on the intermediate transfer member, an adjustment unit adjusts gradation characteristics based on the measurement result of the measurement unit, and correction unit corrects intensity of the exposure light for each of a plurality of positions on the photosensitive member in a scanning direction. the correction unit corrects the intensity based on the correction amount with respect to the intensity corresponding to a predetermined position. the predetermine position corresponds to a position in the scanning direction, at which the measurement image is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member, a developing device, and a controller configured to execute an operation in a forced consumption mode. The controller includes a difference calculating portion, an integrating portion, and a flag. In a case where the flag is set when a predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller executes the operation in the forced consumption mode, and in a case where the flag is reset when the predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller continues an image forming operation without executing the operation in the forced consumption mode.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer container, a conveyance portion, a density detection unit, and a projected portion. The conveyance portion includes a shaft portion and a conveying blade. The projected portion is projected from the shaft portion in a radial direction of the shaft portion such that a position of the projected portion overlaps with a detection surface of the density detection unit in an axial direction of the shaft portion. The projected portion is shaped such that a part between both end portions of the projected portion in the axial direction is positioned upstream in a direction of rotation of the conveyance portion than the both end portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member, a developing device, and a controller configured to execute an operation in a forced consumption mode. The controller includes a difference calculating portion, an integrating portion, and a flag. In a case where the flag is set when a predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller executes the operation in the forced consumption mode, and in a case where the flag is reset when the predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller continues an image forming operation without executing the operation in the forced consumption mode.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a detecting unit including a base portion and a detecting portion, a feeding path, a feeding screw, and a recessed portion provided on a side wall of the developing container. The recessed portion is disposed so as to project toward the feeding screw in the feeding path. The side wall includes a projected region projected toward the screw portion in the feeding path by the recessed portion and a region other than the projected region. The feeding screw includes a first screw portion opposing the projected region and a second screw portion opposing the region other than the projected region. The first screw portion includes a rotation shaft which includes a portion having a shaft diameter smaller than a shaft diameter of a rotation shaft of the second screw portion.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, including: image forming units arranged side by side, each image forming unit having: a developing device forming a toner image; a magnetic permeability sensor detecting a toner density of a developer in the developing device; and a cleaning unit having a cleaning member which removes a toner remaining on an image bearing member, and a conductive support member which supports the cleaning member; an intermediate transfer member bearing the toner image; and a conductive member facing the magnetic permeability sensor of one image forming unit of the image forming units positioned most upstream and arranged upstream of the one image forming unit, wherein the developing device of one of adjacent image forming units is opposed to the cleaning unit of another one which is arranged downstream and is next to the developing device of the one of the adjacent image forming units.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer carrying member for carrying and feeding a developer, first and second chambers for circulating the developer, and a partition wall. A first feeding member feeds the developer in the first chamber in a first feeding direction, and a second feeding member feeds the developer in the second chamber. The second feeding member includes a shaft, a first helical portion for feeding the developer in a second feeding direction, and a second helical portion for feeding the developer in the first feeding direction. The second helical portion is provided on the shaft and provided downstream of the first helical portion via a region where no helical portion is provided. A rib is provided on a first inner surface of the second chamber, with the rib disposed opposite the region where no helical portion is provided and extending upwardly in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposing unit exposes the photosensitive member to exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image to form an image, an intermediate transfer member onto which the image on the photosensitive member is transferred, a measurement unit measures a measurement image on the intermediate transfer member, an adjustment unit adjusts gradation characteristics based on the measurement result of the measurement unit, and correction unit corrects intensity of the exposure light for each of a plurality of positions on the photosensitive member in a scanning direction. the correction unit corrects the intensity based on the correction amount with respect to the intensity corresponding to a predetermined position. the predetermine position corresponds to a position in the scanning direction, at which the measurement image is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of controlling density of an output image with high accuracy regardless of variation of internal temperature. A controller controls an image forming unit to form a measurement image, controls a light receiving unit to receive reflected light from the measurement image, controls a conversion unit to convert an output value of the light receiving unit, and controls an image formation condition based on a value that is obtained by converting the output value. An adjustment unit controls the light receiving unit to receive reflected light from an image bearing member, and adjusts the emission light amount of an emission unit based on the reflected light from the image bearing member. A selection unit selects a conversion condition from among conversion conditions based on a reference temperature that is detected when the adjustment unit adjusts the emission light amount and a current temperature.