Image forming apparatus and image forming system

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member;
• a developer regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer bearing member;
• a voltage application unit that can apply a plurality of direct current voltages of different values between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member;
• and
• a current detection unit that can detect a plurality of direct currents of different values flowing in the developer regulating member when the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages,
• wherein the image forming apparatus sets a direct current voltage value Vb applied by the voltage application unit when developing the latent image based on a difference D between a minimum value and a maximum value of the plurality of direct currents detected by the current detection unit in a case where the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages before developing the latent image.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member;
• a developer regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer bearing member;
• a voltage application unit that can apply a plurality of direct current voltages of different values between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member;
• and
• a current detection unit that can detect a plurality of direct currents of different values flowing in the developer regulating member when the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages,
• wherein the image forming apparatus sets a direct current voltage value Vb applied by the voltage application unit when developing the latent image based on a difference Vs between direct voltages values applied by the voltage application unit when the current detection unit detects a minimum value and a maximum value of the plurality of direct currents in a case where the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages before developing the latent image.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member;
• a developer regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer bearing member;
• a voltage application unit that can apply a plurality of direct current voltages of different values between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member;
• and
• a current detection unit that can detect a plurality of direct currents of different values flowing in the developer regulating member when the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages,
• wherein the image forming apparatus sets a direct current voltage value Vb applied by the voltage application unit when developing the latent image based on the following expression:
• Vs/D (=H), where D is a difference between a minimum value and a maximum value of the plurality of direct currents detected by the current detection unit and Vs is a difference between direct voltages values applied by the voltage application unit when the current detection unit detects a minimum value and a maximum value of the plurality of direct currents in a case where the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages before developing the latent image.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member;
• a developer regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer bearing member;
• a voltage application unit that can apply a plurality of direct current voltages of different values between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member;
• a current detection unit that can detect a plurality of direct currents of different values flowing in the developer regulating member when the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages;
• and
• a notification unit configured to notify information related to a status of a developer between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member based on the plurality of direct currents detected by the current detection unit.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member;
• a developer regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer bearing member;
• a developer containing unit configured to contain a developer to be supplied to the developer bearing member;
• a developer replenishment unit configured to replenish a developer to the developer containing unit;
• a voltage application unit that can apply a plurality of direct current voltages of different values between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member;
• a current detection unit that can detect a plurality of direct currents of different values flowing in the developer regulating member when the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages;
• and
• a replenishment control unit configured to control replenishment of a developer to the developer containing unit from the developer replenishment unit based on the plurality of direct currents detected by the current detection unit.

An image forming system comprising:

• a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member;
• a developer regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer bearing member;
• a voltage application unit that can apply a plurality of direct current voltages of different values between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member;
• a current detection unit that can detect a plurality of direct currents of different values flowing in the developer regulating member when the voltage application unit applies the plurality of direct current voltages;
• and
• a notification unit configured to notify information related to a status of a developer between the developer bearing member and the developer regulating member based on the plurality of direct currents detected by the current detection unit.