JP2007128047A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the density gradation of a halftone part varies according to the sensitivity characteristic of a photoreceptor used in it and the gradation density of a halftone part varies due to wearing of the photoreceptor with time. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor rotation torque measuring means and a means (image formation counter) for counting the number of revolutions of an image carrier. By measuring rotation torque with a prescribed timing, an amount of decrease in the film thickness of the photoreceptor is more accurately calculated from the rotation torque and image formation counter (or, for example, the time for which the photoreceptor is rotated). An amount of exposure (LD power × exposure time) is altered according to the amount of decrease in film thickness, the electrification potential of the photoreceptor, and an amount of change in the film thickness of the photoreceptor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a copying machine, a FAX, a printer using electrophotography, and a plotter for an electrophotographic recording apparatus.

There is an electrophotographic process control device that controls the surface potential of a photosensitive member in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member and develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer by a developing system.
Each of the charged portion potential on the photosensitive member and the developing bias potential of the developing system so that the maximum density of the final image is constant from the toner adhesion amount of a predetermined pattern created on the photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer belt. A method for obtaining a target value in accordance with an environmental change or a change with time of the development system is performed.
Even if such charge development control is performed in the image forming apparatus, there is a problem that the density gradation of the halftone portion varies depending on the set photosensitive member charging potential due to the sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive member used. Therefore, by changing the exposure amount (LD power / exposure time) according to the charging potential of the photosensitive member, the halftone deviation due to the change of the charging potential is corrected, and the gradation at each charging potential is made the same. Need to keep. Similarly, since there is a problem that the density gradation of the halftone portion varies depending on the variation of the photoconductor CTL film thickness due to the wear of the photoconductor over time, the exposure amount (LD power · There is a proposal for correcting a halftone shift accompanying a change in film thickness by changing the exposure time, and maintaining the same gradation property at each charging potential (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for correcting a halftone shift caused by a change in charging potential.

The exposure amount (LD power / exposure time) can be changed in accordance with the charging potential of the photosensitive member and the fluctuation amount of the photosensitive member film thickness. Accordingly, it is possible to correct a halftone shift due to a change in the charging potential, and to maintain the same gradation at each charging potential. Generally, it is often the case that a predetermined pattern is created as a halftone correction at the time or when the bias is changed, and the exposure amount and the charge development bias are set, but this adjustment requires a certain waiting time. In this method, regarding the change of the charging potential, the exposure amount is uniquely determined from the photosensitive member film thickness predicted from the setting value of the charging potential and the image forming counter (or the photosensitive member rotation time). It is said that the time spent for pattern creation can be shortened. Here, using the rotation distance t obtained from the image forming counter (or the photosensitive member rotation time or the like), the estimated photosensitive member film thickness d1 is calculated by the following equation.
d0−d1 = ωt × 10 ⁻⁹ (1)
However,
ω: film scraping coefficient t: photosensitive member rotation distance [mm]
d0: initial photoreceptor film thickness [μm]
d1: Time-sensitive photoreceptor film thickness [μm]
ω can be changed by a debug monitor.

JP-A-9-120245

  Here, the film scraping coefficient ω used as a coefficient for determining the film thickness reduction speed of the photosensitive member is set from data measured at the time of design according to the photosensitive member type and the like. However, even in the same type of photoconductor, the film thickness reduction amount varies, and it has been found that this variation is related to the rotational torque of the photoconductor. Since the photoconductor film scraping occurs mainly between the photoconductor and the cleaning means, the contact pressure and contact angle between the photoconductor and the cleaning means have a large effect, and these effects appear in the rotational torque. . Therefore, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus or the process cartridge including the photosensitive member has the rotational torque information for each color, and the film thickness can be more accurately reduced from the rotational torque and the image forming counter (or the photosensitive member rotation time). It is proposed to calculate the amount and change the exposure amount (LD power / exposure time) according to the film thickness reduction amount, the charging potential of the photoconductor, and the photoconductor film thickness fluctuation amount.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image carrier, charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier, and exposure for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier. And a developing means for converting the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, and at least one of the charging means and the developing means and the image carrier are integrated into a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. In the configured image forming apparatus, torque measuring means for measuring the rotational torque of the image carrier, a recording medium for recording the rotational torque of the image carrier measured by the torque measuring means before shipment, and the image Counting means for counting the number of rotations of the carrier, and based on the rotational torque recorded on the recording medium and the number of rotations counted by the counting means, the expected photosensitive layer of the image carrier Film thickness Based on the fine target uniform charging potential, and calculates the exposure condition of the exposing unit, characterized in that it comprises an exposure control means for controlling said exposing means using the calculated results.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, an image that forms a density detection reference toner image on the image carrier and detects an image density of the density detection reference toner image. A density detection unit, and a target potential determination table that stores a target development bias for setting the image density as a target image density and a target uniform charging potential in association with each other, and is based on a detection result of the image density detection unit. The target developing bias is determined, the target uniform charging potential is determined from the target potential determination table based on the determined target developing bias, and the charging unit is controlled so as to be the determined target uniform charging potential. And a charging and developing control means for controlling the developing means so as to have a predetermined target developing bias.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the charging and developing control means is operated at least when the amount of decrease in the photosensitive layer thickness of the image carrier becomes 5 μm or more. Features.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the charging and developing control means is operated at least when the resolution of an image to be formed exceeds 500 dpi.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the exposure condition control means has at least a decrease in the photosensitive layer thickness of the image carrier of 5 μm or more. It is actuated when it becomes.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the exposure condition control means is operated at least when the resolution of an image to be formed exceeds 500 dpi. It is characterized by that.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the exposure control means is means for controlling exposure power.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the exposure control means is means for controlling an exposure time.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the exposure condition is a target at the time of image density adjustment control performed at a predetermined timing. After the uniform charging potential and the target developing bias are determined, the uniform target charging potential and the number of rotations of the image carrier are calculated.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the exposure condition includes a target uniform charging potential and a target at the time of image density adjustment control performed at a predetermined timing. After the development bias is determined, it is set based on the calculated value.

According to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus having a charging unit, a developing unit, an exposure unit, and a unit for storing rotational torque, a calculation formula for uniquely determining an exposure amount using a set value of a charging potential as a variable parameter, and photosensitive member rotational torque + Exposure by uniquely determining the exposure potential from the set value of the charging potential and the imaging counter using a calculation formula that uniquely determines the variable of the calculation formula using the photosensitive film thickness predicted from the imaging counter as a variable parameter. Since the amount control means is operated, it is simpler than the halftone correction method in which a general halftone pattern is created and the exposure amount is determined, and the time spent for pattern creation can be shortened.
Since the charge development control means for controlling the charge bias / development bias is provided by using the target potential determination table that stores the target development bias and the target uniform charge potential for associating the image density with the target image density. The image density can be kept constant.
Since the exposure amount control means and the charge development control means are always operated at least under the condition that they work effectively, high image quality can be maintained.
Since the exposure amount changing means that changes in accordance with fluctuations in the charging potential and the photoreceptor film thickness is the power (PM) of the light emitting element, the exposure amount can be changed continuously.
Since the exposure amount changing means that changes in accordance with the change in the charging potential and the photoreceptor film thickness is the lighting time of the light emitting element, the exposure amount can be adjusted with higher accuracy than the means for changing the power of the light emitting element.
Since the exposure condition is calculated and set from the set value, rotational torque, and number of rotations after determining the target charging potential and target development bias at the time of predetermined image density adjustment, the exposure amount is determined from the determined target charging potential. Can be reflected immediately.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the halftone density varies depending on the charging potential.
In the figure, symbol A represents a concentration curve when Vd = 300V, B represents a concentration curve when Vd = 500V, and C represents a concentration curve when Vd = 700V.
In the figure, the horizontal axis represents gradation (maximum 255), and the vertical axis represents image density.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the intermediate density correction formula in a diagram.
In the figure, the horizontal axis represents charging potential Vd (unit: V), and the vertical axis represents LD power (unit: mW).
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a result of applying the correction formula to the density curve of each color shown in FIG.
The horizontal and vertical axes are the same as in FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a change in halftone accompanying a change in charging potential under a condition where the exposure amount is constant. Under the condition of a constant exposure amount, the halftone density is changed as shown in FIG. 1 due to the charged potential on the photoconductor which is changed when the bias is changed by the density process control for correcting the developing ability change of the developer such as environment and agent deterioration. It turns out that it fluctuates. As a means for correcting such a variation, a means for uniquely changing the exposure amount with respect to the photosensitive member charging potential Vd can be considered. Therefore, when the exposure amount for the image plane is calculated using the following correction formula with a and b as predetermined coefficients and the photosensitive member charging potential Vd as a variable parameter, as shown in FIG. Halftone density fluctuations can be corrected.
Image surface light quantity = a × Vd + b [Exposure amount correction formula 1]
Although a linear expression is shown here as an example of the correction expression, it is an expression determined according to the photoreceptor characteristics, and may be a polynomial expression.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of halftone fluctuation when the photoconductor CTL film thickness is decreased.
In the figure, symbol D indicates a density curve when the photoreceptor film thickness is an initial value (reduction amount 0), and E indicates a density curve when the photoreceptor film thickness decrease is 10 μm. The horizontal and vertical axes are the same as in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the photoreceptor wear amount and the required exposure amount.
In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the photoreceptor wear amount (unit: μm), and the vertical axis represents LD power (unit: mW).
Even if the halftone density is corrected using the above correction equation, when the photoconductor is worn out with time and the photoconductor CTL film thickness is decreased, as shown in FIG. It can be seen that the adjustment density is lowered. In order to keep the halftone density (for example, 2by2) equal to the initial value with respect to fluctuations in the photoreceptor film thickness over time, the exposure amount must be increased in accordance with the film thickness reduction amount as shown in FIG. Don't be.
Since the exposure amount [Exposure amount correction formula 1] with respect to the photosensitive member charging potential is applied with respect to the exposure amount, it is necessary to prepare another correction formula for changing the [Exposure amount correction formula 1] over time. There is. This correction formula will be described later as [Exposure amount correction formula 2].
Examples of applying each correction formula are shown below. Note that means for calculating the film thickness of the photoreceptor from a prediction formula is used.

First, the setting of LD power over time will be described.
When the photosensitive member charging potential Vd is changed to correct the intermediate density, the image plane light quantity for obtaining a desired image density is obtained by using the above correction equation.
Initial image plane light quantity [mW] = ξ1 × Vd + ξ2 (exposure amount correction formula 1)
However, ξ1: LD power correction coefficient 1
ξ2: LD power correction factor 2
It becomes.
Next, a prediction formula for film thickness variation over time is set. This is a calculation formula for predicting the photosensitive member film thickness from the photosensitive member rotation torque and the image forming counter. Since this relational expression may vary depending on the photosensitive member type, the image forming process, etc., it is desirable that the coefficient be changeable from the outside (operation panel or the like).
The time-lapse film thickness d1 can be expressed by a proportional expression with respect to the rotation distance t obtained from the rotation number counter of the photosensitive member.
d0−d1 = ωt × 10 ⁻⁹ (1)
However,
ω: Film scraping coefficient t: Photoreceptor travel distance [mm]
d0: initial photoreceptor film thickness [μm] → 31 μm
d1: Time-sensitive photoreceptor film thickness [μm]

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the photosensitive member rotational torque T and the photosensitive member decreasing speed.
In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the photosensitive member torque (unit: N · cm), and the vertical axis represents the photosensitive member wear rate (unit: 10 ⁻¹⁰ ) expressed as a ratio (unknown number) of the photosensitive member wear amount to the photosensitive member travel distance. is there.
Since the film thickness reduction amount generated in a certain image forming counter has a relationship as shown in the figure, the film scraping coefficient ω shown in the equation (1) is expressed by the following equation using the rotational torque. Can do.
ω = g × T + h (2)
However,
g: Film scraping coefficient 1
h: Film scraping coefficient 2
And
From this, the equation (1) can be expressed as follows.
d0−d1 = (g × T + h) × t × 10 ⁻⁹ (3)
g and h can be changed by the debug monitor.

A correction formula for the LD power accompanying the scraping of the surface layer of the photoreceptor over time is set.
Time-lapse image plane light amount = initial image surface light amount × (d1 / d0) ^−τ (exposure amount correction formula 2)
However,
τ: Temporal image plane light quantity conversion coefficient
Time-lapse image plane light amount = [exposure amount correction formula 1] × (d1 / d0) ^−τ
The expression (3) is transformed and substituted into d1 of this expression.
Time-lapse image plane light quantity = (ξ1 × Vd + ξ2) × [{d0− (g × T + h) × t × 10 ⁻⁹ } / d0] ^−τ
... [Exposure amount correction formula 2 ']
In addition, with respect to the photosensitive member rotational torque, torque measurement is performed for each photosensitive member before shipment, and the measured value is recorded on a recording medium included in the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, if the image forming apparatus has a process cartridge in which at least the photosensitive member and the cleaning unit are integrated, the torque is measured for each process cartridge, and the measured value is recorded on the recording medium of the image forming apparatus.
When the photoconductor is in contact with the cleaning member, the photoconductor rotation torque tends to fluctuate depending on the time from manufacture to shipment. Therefore, the torque measurement is performed immediately before shipment (just before actual use). It is desirable.
In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge has an IC chip mounted as a recording medium (an example of having a process cartridge), and when mounted on the image forming apparatus, the IC chip data read by the image forming apparatus is read. The recording data is read by the means, and when mounted on the image forming apparatus (immediately after replacement or immediately after the main body arrives), the photosensitive member torque T is read and set to [exposure amount correction formula 2 ′].
The recording medium is not limited to an IC chip, and may be means such as a slip attached to a process cartridge. If the photosensitive member torque T can be changed by the debug monitor, it may be manually input from the operation panel according to the slip at the time of shipment. The slip is advantageous in terms of cost compared with the IC chip.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts involved in the image forming process of the image forming apparatus.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a photosensitive member, 2 is a charging unit, 4 is a developing unit, 5 is a transfer unit, 6 is an image density detecting unit, and L is a writing beam.
The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member 1, a charging unit 2 for charging the photosensitive member 1, a writing unit (not shown) for writing a latent image on the photosensitive member 1, and a toner image by supplying toner to the latent image. A developing means 4 for generating and a transferring means 5 for transferring a toner image from the photosensitive member are provided, at a position downstream of the developing means 4 and upstream of the transferring means 5 and facing the photosensitive member. The image density detecting means 6 for detecting the image density (or the toner image adhesion amount) is provided.
A toner reference pattern image for density detection (reference pattern) is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 by increasing / decreasing the charging bias / development bias at a constant exposure amount, and this reference pattern is detected by the image density detection means 6. Then, a target development bias is set from the detection result of the image density detection means 6 so that the maximum image density is constant. For example, based on this target development bias, the target uniform bias is determined from the determined target potential determination table. Determine the charging potential.
As described above, since the target development bias and the target charging potential are determined from the toner density attached to the photoreceptor 1, fluctuations in image density caused by fluctuations in the toner charge amount can be suppressed.
In addition, the image density detector 6 may be positioned so as to face the transfer body 5 and detect a reference pattern on the transfer body 5.

A specific example of the control of the exposure means will be shown. First, the case of controlling the LD power will be described.
For example, when the light emitting element is an LD and the LD power is applied to [Exposure amount correction formula 1] and [Exposure amount correction formula 2], the following formula is obtained.
g: film scraping coefficient 1 = 6.7
h: film scraping coefficient 2 = 24,
When the photosensitive member rotational torque T = 26 (N · cm),
LD power (mW)
= (0.0005 × Vd + 0.05) × {31.0− (6.7 × 26 + 24) × t × 10 ⁻⁹ /31.0}−0.7
However,
Vd: Charging potential (-V)
t: Photoreceptor travel distance (mm)
It becomes.

Next, the case where the exposure time is controlled will be described.
When the LD lighting time is expressed in% and the lighting time is applied to [Exposure amount correction formula 1] and [Exposure amount correction formula 2], the following formula is obtained.
When ω: film scraping coefficient = 198,
PWM (%) = (0.08 × Vd + 15) × {31.0− (6.7 × 26 + 24) × t × 10 ⁻⁹ /31.0}−0.7
However,
Vd: Charging potential (-V)
t: Photoreceptor travel distance (mm)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a flow from execution of the density process control to determination of the exposure amount.
The timing for calculating the exposure conditions is immediately after the density adjustment process is completed and the set values of the charging application bias and the development bias are determined. That is, for example, the toner adhesion amount γ is read from the toner image for density detection, and the charged potential Vd corresponding to γ is read by comparing the value with the charge potential table. On the other hand, the recorded data in which the measurement result of the rotational torque by the torque measuring means is recorded and the value of the image forming counter at that time are read and input to [Exposure amount correction formula 1] and [Exposure amount correction formula 2], respectively. The exposure amount calculated therefrom is set.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the flow from the execution of the density process control to the determination of the exposure amount.
This flowchart is obtained by adding a photoconductor torque measuring step to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Immediately before the density adjustment process control, the torque is measured by, for example, driving the photosensitive member for a predetermined time and measuring the current value of the drive motor at the charging / development bias setting value set before the process control.
The measurement result is stored in a recording medium. Since the measured torque value, the target charging potential determined by the process control, and the exposure amount from the image forming counter can be calculated after completion of the process control, a photoconductor rotation torque value close to real time can be used. More accurate exposure conditions can be calculated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a result of evaluating the quality of a color image by a worn photoconductor. FIG. 4A shows the result when the correction of the present invention is not performed, and FIG. 4B shows the result when the correction of the present invention is performed.
In the figure, symbols A to F indicate the evaluator, the numerical value of the evaluator indicates the evaluation rank, the evaluation value 3 is equivalent to the reference sample (no problem in quality), and 2 is slightly different from the reference sample (in terms of quality) 1 is slightly different from the reference sample (quality defect). The unit of photoconductor wear is μm.
FIG. 11 is a graph of the evaluation result of FIG.
In the figure, symbol □ indicates an evaluation rank assigned by a majority of the evaluators, Δ indicates other assigned evaluation ranks, and a numerical value next to the symbol indicates the number of corresponding evaluators. The symbol x indicates the average value of the evaluation values.
In preparing the evaluation sample, a photoconductor in which only one magenta color is in a worn state was used, and a new photoconductor was used for the other colors. An image created by an image forming apparatus in which all the photoconductors are new as a reference sample was used, and a judgment was made by a sensory evaluation method by comparing the evaluation sample with the reference sample. In the evaluation, a three-step evaluation of 3, 2, and 1 was performed for the color of human skin.
Here, when the evaluation value of the image is considered to be 2 or more, it can be seen from this evaluation result that if the control of the present invention is not applied, the wear amount of the photoconductor is allowable up to 5 μm. Since the initial value of the photoconductor film thickness was 31 μm, the remaining photoconductor film thickness was 26 μm.
On the other hand, when the control of the present invention is applied, the evaluation value remains 2 or more even when the wear amount of the photosensitive member becomes 15 μm.
Therefore, the control of the present invention may be applied from the initial stage, but the control of the present invention may be applied from the time when the photoreceptor wear amount exceeds 5 μm.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the results of sensory evaluation of color photographic images by resolution. FIG. 4A shows the result when the correction of the present invention is not performed, and FIG. 4B shows the result when the correction of the present invention is performed.
The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a graph showing the evaluation results of FIG.
As a method for preparing an evaluation sample, a photoconductor in which only one magenta color was worn by 15 μm was used, and a new photoconductor was used for the other colors. The evaluation method is the same as the method shown in FIG.
In all the photoreceptors, the initial value of the film thickness is 31 μm.
Here, when the evaluation value of the image is considered to be 2 or more, it can be seen from this evaluation result that if the control of the present invention is not applied, the image can be allowed up to 500 dpi.
On the other hand, when the control of the present invention is applied, it can be seen that a sufficiently high evaluation value can be obtained even at 1200 dpi. Therefore, the control of the present invention may be applied from the initial stage. However, based on the above result, a sufficiently high image quality can be obtained even when applied to an image exceeding 500 dpi.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the results of sensory evaluation of monochrome photographic images by resolution. FIG. 4A shows the result when the correction of the present invention is not performed, and FIG. 4B shows the result when the correction of the present invention is performed.
The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG.
As seen in this figure, the evaluation value is 2 or more under all conditions. Therefore, in the case of a monochrome image, there is no practical problem even if the control according to the present invention is not performed, but it is clear that the evaluation value further increases if the control is performed. Therefore, for example, a method of performing control when the resolution becomes 1000 dpi or more, or performing control under exactly the same conditions as a color image can be selected.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus using a process cartridge.
In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a writing means.
Four image forming stages are arranged facing the transfer belt 5. The main part of each image forming stage is composed of a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging unit 2, and a developing unit 4. The process cartridge can be inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member 1, and can be easily replaced as necessary.
By adopting such a configuration, the user can easily perform the replacement work and the maintainability is improved. In addition, the image forming apparatus can obtain a good image only by replacing the process cartridge.

It is a figure which shows the example from which a halftone density is fluctuate | varied with charging potential. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an intermediate density correction formula in a diagram. It is a figure which shows the result of having applied the correction formula to the density curve of each color shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a halftone fluctuation | variation when the photoconductor CTL film thickness reduces. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between photoconductor abrasion amount and required exposure amount. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the photoreceptor rotation torque T and a photoreceptor decreasing speed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part related to an image forming process of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow from density | concentration process control execution to exposure amount determination. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the flow from density | concentration process control execution to exposure amount determination. It is a figure which shows the result of having evaluated the quality of the color image by the photoconductor worn out. FIG. 10 is a graph of the evaluation result of FIG. It is a figure which shows the result of having sensory-evaluated the color photographic image according to the resolution. It is the figure which made the graph the evaluation result of Fig.11 (a). It is a figure which shows the result of having sensory-evaluated the monochrome photographic image according to the resolution. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus using a process cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging means 3 Writing means 4 Developing means 5 Transfer means 6 Image density detection means

Claims (10)

  An image carrier, charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier, exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit configured to form a toner image, wherein at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the image carrier is integrated and configured as a process cartridge that is detachable from an apparatus main body. Torque measuring means for measuring the rotational torque of the carrier, a recording medium for recording the rotational torque of the image carrier measured before shipment by the torque measuring means, and a count for counting the number of rotations of the image carrier And a predicted film thickness of the photosensitive layer of the image carrier and a target uniform charging potential based on the rotational torque recorded on the recording medium and the number of rotations counted by the counting means. Based on Te image forming apparatus, comprising an exposure control means for calculating the exposure conditions of the exposure means, for controlling said exposure means using the calculated results.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a density detection reference toner image is formed on the image carrier, an image density detection unit that detects an image density of the density detection reference toner image, and an image density target And a target potential determination table that stores the target development bias and the target uniform charging potential in association with each other. The target development bias is determined and determined based on the detection result of the image density detection means. Based on the target development bias, the target uniform charging potential is determined from the target potential determination table, the charging means is controlled so as to be the predetermined target uniform charging potential, and the target developing bias is determined. An image forming apparatus comprising: a charging and developing control unit that controls the developing unit so that   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the charging / developing control means is operated at least when the amount of decrease in the photosensitive layer thickness of the image carrier is 5 [mu] m or more.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the charging and developing control unit is operated at least when the resolution of an image to be formed exceeds 500 dpi.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure condition control unit is operated at least when the amount of decrease in the photosensitive layer thickness of the image carrier is 5 μm or more. Image forming apparatus.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure condition control means is operated at least when the resolution of an image to be formed exceeds 500 dpi.   7. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exposure control means is means for controlling exposure power.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure control means is means for controlling an exposure time.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure condition includes a target uniform charging potential and a target developing bias when image density adjustment control is performed at a predetermined timing. The image forming apparatus is calculated from the uniform target charging potential and the number of rotations of the image carrier.   10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the exposure condition is calculated after a target uniform charging potential and a target developing bias are determined in an image density adjustment control performed at a predetermined timing. An image forming apparatus that is set based on a value.

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