Image Forming Apparatus and Method of Manufacturing the Same

An image forming apparatus including a photosensitive member, a charger configured to charge the photosensitive member, an exposing unit configured to expose the photosensitive member, a developing member configured to supply developer to the photosensitive member, an image forming unit that includes a detecting member configured to flow current between the detecting member and the photosensitive member, and a controller configured to control operations of the image forming unit, and the image forming apparatus configured to be able to identify the photosensitive member,

• wherein the controller performs operations comprising:
• controlling the exposing unit to expose a first ratio to a full scan width of the photosensitive member and to thus form a first exposed section, and to expose a second ratio smaller than the first ratio thus to form a second exposed section,
• controlling the detecting member to acquire:
• a first current in a case of applying a first test voltage to the first exposed section;
• a second current in a case of applying the first test voltage to the second exposed section;
• a third current in a case of applying a second test voltage larger than the first test voltage to the first exposed section;
• and
• a fourth current in a case of applying the second test voltage to the second exposed section;
• and
• identifying the photosensitive member based on the first to fourth currents.

A method of manufacturing an image forming apparatus including a photosensitive member, a charger configured to charge the photosensitive member, an exposing unit configured to expose the photosensitive member, a developing member configured to supply developer to the photosensitive member, an image forming unit that includes a detecting member configured to flow current between the detecting member and the photosensitive member, the method comprising:

• controlling the exposing unit to expose a first ratio to a full scan width of the photosensitive member thus to form a first exposed section;
• controlling the detecting member to acquire a first voltage in a case where a first current flows in the first exposed section and a third voltage in a case where a second current larger than the first current flows in the first exposed section;
• controlling the exposing unit to expose a second ratio to the full scan width of the photosensitive member, thus to form second exposed section, the second ratio being smaller than the first ratio;
• controlling the detecting member to acquire a second voltage in a case where the first current flows in the second exposed section and a fourth voltage in a case where the second current flows in the second exposed section;
• identifying, in a case where a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is smaller than a difference between the third voltage and the fourth voltage, the photosensitive member as an accepted product;
• and
• identifying, in a case where the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is not smaller than the difference between the third voltage and the fourth voltage, the photosensitive member as an rejected product.