| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which the deterioration of toner in a developing unit caused by foreign matter can be prevented by returning the foreign matter, once recovered into the developing unit from the surface of the image carrier, onto the image carrier. <P>SOLUTION: The surface of a photoreceptor drum 23 is uniformly electrified by an electrifier 22 and an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure. Then, with timing arranged for a non-exposure area P between pages to reach a position opposite a developing roller 28, a development voltage is turned off to bring the potential of the developing roller 28 into a floating state. As a result, the potential of the developing roller 28 becomes the same level as the potential of the non-exposure area P. Accordingly, foreign matter, such as paper dust, sticking to the developing roller is attracted to the non-exposure area P and ejected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI |
