| 摘要 |
An image forming apparatus having a function for controlling developer consumption and an image forming method are provided to increase the transfer amount of developer, transformed by stress, to a wasted-developer storage unit on the basis of the average printing density of a developing cartridge or a main body, thereby constantly keeping the quality of printing. A developing cartridge(140) includes a developer transfer member(144), a developer storage unit, and a wasted developer storage unit. The developer transfer member transfers developer to an image holding member. The developer storage unit divides and stores developer, of which the transfer is regulated in the developer transfer member, and developer which is not transferred to the developer transfer member. The wasted developer storage unit stores wasted developer divided from the surface of the developer transfer member. A printing information storage unit(130) stores the cartridge printing information of the developing cartridge. A control unit(190) calculates the average printing density of the developing cartridge based on the printing information storage unit, and controls the developing cartridge so that the transfer amount of the transfer-regulated developer of the developer storage unit is a reference amount when the calculated average printing density is higher than the reference printing density. |
