Abstract: An image forming apparatus has: a photoconductive drum that rotates; a developing roller that carries toner to be charged and to which a first voltage application portion outputting an AC voltage is connected; a contact member that makes contact with the photoconductive drum to remove residual toner; a detection portion for detecting occurrence of electric discharge between the developing roller and the photoconductive drum; and a developing unit that feeds toner to the developing roller, that supports the developing roller opposite the photoconductive drum with a gap secured in between, and that feeds toner to the developing roller with prescribed timing and for a prescribed time during electric discharge detection.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a photoconductive member on which a latent image is to be formed, a developing roller for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductive member by a first bias, and a magnetic roller for forming a magnetic brush thereon with a two-component developer and forming a thin toner layer on the developing roller by a second bias. If (D1) denotes the duty ratio of a first alternating-current bias included in the first bias and (D2) denotes the duty ratio of a second alternating-current bias included in the second bias, the duty ratios (D1, D2) satisfy the following relationship: D1>100?D2.

Abstract: An image forming method, comprising: forming an electrostatic latent image on a rotatable organic photoreceptor; forming a developing brush with a developing agent containing a toner on a rotatable developing sleeve; and bringing the developing brush in contact with the photoreceptor at a developing region so as to visualize the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The photoreceptor comprises a conductive support member, an intermediate layer containing a binder resin and inorganic particles which have a number average primary order particle size of 3 to 200 nm, and a photosensitive layer provided on the intermediate layer, and the rotating direction of the developing sleeve is counter to that of the photoreceptor at the developing region.

Abstract: There are described an image forming method and apparatus, which enable to form an electrophotographic image having high image density and excellent color reproducibility. The method includes: applying a uniform surface potential to an organic photoreceptor; irradiating light, having a wavelength in a range of 350-500 nm, on the photoreceptor, to form a latent image on the photoreceptor; and contacting a developing blush, containing toner and carrier, with the organic photoreceptor so as to form a visible toner image. The developing sleeve bears developing agent including the toner and the carrier. An absolute value of an electric charge potential of non-exposed area on the organic photoreceptor is in a range of 250-450 Volts and the developing sleeve is rotated in a counter direction, being counter to a rotating direction of the organic photoreceptor.