Patent ID: 9298128
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member capable of bearing a developer image that is formed by supplying a developer to a latent image formed on a surface thereof; a developer carrying member that is provided to be capable of rotating while carrying the developer, and that supplies the developer to the image bearing member by contacting the image bearing member; a regulating member that regulates a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member; and a voltage applying device for applying a voltage to the developer carrying member, wherein the developer carrying member includes a conductive base layer and a surface layer covering the base layer, and when a volume resistance of the surface layer is ρ a surface charge density of an individual toner particle surface of the developer on the developer carrying member, the layer thickness of the developer having been regulated by the regulating member, is q/s, a relative dielectric constant of an entire layer of the developer is ∈ a potential of the surface of the image bearing member in a contact region with the developer carrying member is V, and a time required for the developer to pass through the contact region after entering the contact region as the developer carrying member rotates is T,  and are satisfied.