IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
- an image bearing member;
a charging member configured to charge the image bearing member;
a transfer member configured to transfer an image formed on the image bearing member;
a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the transfer member;
a current detection unit configured to detect an electric current that flows to the image bearing member; and
a control unit configured to cause the voltage application unit to apply voltages respectively having positive and negative polarities to the transfer member, to determine a surface potential of the image bearing member based on a detection result acquired by the current detection unit, and to output information about a usage amount of the image bearing member according to the determined result.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a process member that acts on the image bearing member, a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the process member, a current detection unit that detects an electric current that flows to the image bearing member, and a control unit that causes the voltage application unit to apply voltages respectively having positive and negative polarities to the process member, to determine a surface potential of the image bearing member based on a detection result acquired by the current detection unit, and to output information about a usage amount of the image bearing member according to the determined result.
5 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
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an image bearing member; a charging member configured to charge the image bearing member; a transfer member configured to transfer an image formed on the image bearing member; a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the transfer member; a current detection unit configured to detect an electric current that flows to the image bearing member; and a control unit configured to cause the voltage application unit to apply voltages respectively having positive and negative polarities to the transfer member, to determine a surface potential of the image bearing member based on a detection result acquired by the current detection unit, and to output information about a usage amount of the image bearing member according to the determined result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An image forming apparatus comprising:
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an image bearing member; a process member configured to act on the image bearing member; a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the process member; a current detection unit configured to detect an electric current that flows to the image bearing member; and a control unit configured to cause the voltage application unit to apply voltages respectively having positive and negative polarities to the process member, and to determine whether a surface of the image bearing member has an abnormality based on a detection result acquired by the current detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An image forming system comprising:
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an image forming apparatus; and a computer connected to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises; an image bearing member; a process member configured to act on the image bearing member; a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the process member; a current detection unit configured to detect an electric current that flows to the image bearing member; and a control unit configured to cause the voltage application unit to apply voltages respectively having positive and negative polarities to the process member, and to output information about a detection result acquired by the current detection unit to the computer, wherein the computer determines a usage state of the image bearing member based on the result output from the control unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification