US 11,868,060 B2
Image forming apparatus capable of detecting deviation between exposure device and photoconductor drum
Masaru Watanabe, Osaka (JP); Kanako Kikuchi, Osaka (JP); Yasuaki Sakamoto, Osaka (JP); Ayato Morikami, Osaka (JP); Yuki Nakaiwa, Osaka (JP); Keisuke Oba, Osaka (JP); Koji Uno, Osaka (JP); and Takuji Watanabe, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed by KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Aug. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/884,421.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-130960 (JP), filed on Aug. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0051298 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/043 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/043 (2013.01) 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a photoconductor drum;
an exposure device configured to expose the photoconductor drum and form an electrostatic latent image;
a developing device configured to adhere toner to the electrostatic latent image and perform development;
a developing bias circuit configured to detect developing current flowing between the developing device and the photoconductor drum during development; and
a controller configured to operate as:
a control portion configured to control the exposure device and cause the exposure device to form electrostatic latent images of at least two patch images at different positions from each other and at different timings from each other in a main scanning direction; and
a deviation detecting portion configured to detect deviation of one of the exposure device and the photoconductor drum with respect to the other based on a first detection timing at which the developing current is detected during development of the electrostatic latent images of the at least two patch images, wherein
the deviation detecting portion detects the deviation based on a reference distance between the patch images based on an exposure timing specified by the control portion for the exposure device and a measurement distance between the patch images based on the first detection timing at which the developing current is detected during development of the electrostatic latent images of the at least two patch images.