IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

摘要

An image forming apparatus determines a time length of a non-image-forming period in which image formation is not performed, the non-image-forming period being from when image formation on one recording sheet ends to when image formation on the next recording sheet starts, and based on the determined time length, decides the number of times of executing measurement (BD interval measurement) of a generation timing difference between detection signals corresponding to light beams emitted from two light emitting elements. The image forming apparatus executes the decided number of times of BD interval measurement and calculates an average value of the resultant measurement values.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus including a light source that includes a plurality of light emitting elements that each emit a light beam, and a deflection unit configured to deflect a plurality of light beams emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements such that the plurality of light beams scan a photosensitive member, the image forming apparatus being configured to use toner to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member by scanning the photosensitive member with the plurality of light beams and to transfer a developed toner image onto a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising:
an optical sensor provided on a scanning path of a light beam deflected by the deflection unit, configured to, in response to the deflected light beam being incident on the optical sensor, output a detection signal indicating that the light beam has been detected; an determination unit configured to determine a length of a non-image-forming period in which an electrostatic latent image for forming a toner image to be transferred onto a recording medium is not formed, the non-image-forming period being from when formation of an electrostatic latent image for forming a toner image to be transferred onto one recording medium ends to when formation of an electrostatic latent image for forming a toner image to be transferred onto a subsequent recording medium starts; a measurement unit configured to, in the non-image-forming period, control the light source such that light beams from first and second light emitting elements among the plurality of light emitting elements are incident on the optical sensor in sequence, and measure a time interval between two detection signals output in sequence from the optical sensor, wherein the measurement unit executes measurement using the optical sensor a number of times which corresponds to the length of the non-image-forming period determined by the determination unit, and calculates an average value of resultant measurement values; and a control unit configured to, based on the average value obtained by the measurement unit, control relative emission timings according to which the plurality of light emitting elements emit light beams based on image data, when image formation on a recording medium is to be performed.