US 11,982,965 B2
Image forming apparatus capable of acquiring potential value of exposed area on image-carrying member, potential value acquisition method
Kazunori Tanaka, Osaka (JP); Yoshihiro Yamagishi, Osaka (JP); Tamotsu Shimizu, Osaka (JP); Kazuhiro Nakachi, Osaka (JP); and Ryota Okui, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed by KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Oct. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/050,783.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-177420 (JP), filed on Oct. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0137321 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01); G03G 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/553 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0266 (2013.01); G03G 15/5037 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a charging member configured to charge an image-carrying member;
a light emitting portion configured to emit light that illuminates a charged area, formed by the charging member, on the image-carrying member;
a developing member facing the image-carrying member and configured to convey developer to a facing portion between the developing member and the image-carrying member;
a first detection processing portion configured to detect a first development current for each of a plurality of specific voltages with DC voltage values that differ from each other applied to the developing member, the first development current flowing, in response to application of the specific voltages, through the facing portion including the developer and a specific exposed area set in advance, formed by the light emitting portion, on the image-carrying member;
an acquisition processing portion configured to acquire a potential value of the specific exposed area based on the DC voltage values of the specific voltages and current values of the first development current, detected by the first detection processing portion, corresponding to the respective specific voltages; and
a second detection processing portion configured to detect a second development current flowing through the facing portion including the developer and an uncharged area, which is not charged by the charging member, on the image-carrying member when a DC voltage is not applied to the developing member, wherein
the acquisition processing portion acquires a DC voltage value of a specific voltage, that is assumed based on the DC voltage values of the specific voltages and the current values of the first development current, detected by the first detection processing portion, corresponding to the respective specific voltages and that corresponds to a current value of the first development current of which a difference from a current value of the second development current detected by the second detection processing portion is less than or equal to a permissible value set in advance, as the potential value of the specific exposed area.