IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which irregular density caused in an early stage or with the lapse of time is accurately detected and the irregular density is restrained by using the result of detection. SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with: a latent image carrier 1a carrying a latent image on its surface; a developer carrier 10 provided to be opposed to the surface of the latent image carrier 1a and carrying developer on its surface; and a developing gap control means for setting a developing gap G being the most proximate surface space between the latent image carrier 1a and the developer carrier 10 to predetermined space, and develops the latent image by supplying the developer carried on the surface of the developer carrier 10 to the latent image formed on the latent image carrier 1a, wherein the apparatus is equipped with a current detection means 19 for detecting a current generated when the latent image is developed by supplying the developer to the latent image formed on the latent image carrier 1a. On the basis of the result of detection by the current detection means 19, an image developing state in a rotary axis direction on the latent image carrier 1a is judged to control exposure and developing conditions. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI