Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-52268, filed on Feb. 28, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of obtaining a satisfactory transfer property. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Recently, an image forming apparatus having an image carrier and a transfer member opposite to it and a transfer process of passing a transfer material between the two by impressing a transfer voltage to the transfer member, thereby transferring toner on the image carrier onto the transfer material has been proposed. In such an image forming apparatus, as an impressing method of the transfer voltage impressed to the transfer member, a constant-voltage control system and a constant-current control system are known. 
         [0006]    In the case of the constant-voltage control system, in an N/N environment (an environment at 23° C., and 55% RH), toner can be transferred appropriately, while in an L/L environment (an environment at 10° C. and 20% RH), the resistances of the transfer material, transfer member, and image carrier increase, and a necessary transfer current cannot be obtained, thus defective transfer may occur. On the other hand, in the case of the constant-current control system, in both N/N and L/L environments, toner can be transferred appropriately, though another problem arises. Namely, for example, if the maximum width of transfer materials is the size of A3, when transferring toner onto a transfer material whose width is narrower than the maximum width of transfer materials such as the size of A4-R, since the width of the transfer material is narrow, the transfer member directly makes contact with the image carrier, and most of the current is carried through the part coated with no transfer material, and no current is carried through the part with the transfer material coated, thus no necessary transfer current is obtained, causing defective transfer. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-264278, a control system in combination of the constant-voltage control and constant-current control so as to allow a transfer belt to make contact with a transfer roller when no sheet of paper (transfer material) is loaded, execute constant-current control for the transfer roller, thereby measure a voltage V 1  generated on the transfer roller, and when actually transferring onto a sheet of paper, execute constant-voltage control at a voltage of V 2  higher than V 1  is proposed. 
         [0008]    According to the control method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-264278, in consideration of the transfer bias partial voltage due to the resistance between the sheet of paper and the toner, V 2  is decided by multiplying V 1  by a predetermined coefficient R, so that in every environment and regardless of change in the size of transfer materials, a stable and satisfactory transfer property can be obtained always. 
         [0009]    Further, for example, as indicated in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-190285, a method for forming a toner image on the surface of a photosensitive drum, directly impressing a bias voltage due a constant current to the surface to detect a voltage V 1 , allowing the surface of a transfer material to make contact with the image forming area and marginal area of the surface of the photosensitive drum, impressing the bias voltage due to the constant current to the part of the rear of the transfer material opposite to the marginal area to detect a voltage V 2 , calculating a predetermined transfer voltage on the basis of these voltages V 1  and V 2 , and impressing the calculated transfer voltage to the part opposite to the image forming area of the rear of the transfer material is proposed. 
         [0010]    According to the control method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-190285, the transfer voltage is calculated in consideration of not only the resistance of the transfer means such as the transfer roller but also the resistance of the transfer material. By doing this, for transfer materials of various kinds and weights, in various kinds of environments, a stable and satisfactory transfer property can be obtained. 
         [0011]    However, according to the control methods proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-264278 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-190285, the resistances of the transfer roller, transfer belt, transfer material, and toner are measured or estimated correctly, thus an appropriate transfer voltage can be set. However, the transfer voltage varies with the magnitude of the charge amount of toner, so that if the charge amount of toner is shifted from the ordinary value for some reason, a problem arises that an appropriate transfer voltage cannot be impressed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    The present invention was developed with the foregoing in view and is intended to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for obtaining a satisfactory transfer property even if the charge amount of toner and environment are changed. 
         [0013]    According to the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising control means for controlling a developing contrast voltage so as to obtain a desired image density; transfer condition control means for controlling transfer conditions for transferring a toner image; environment detecting means for detecting an environment; and correcting coefficient setting means for referring to a database for pre-registering correcting coefficients for correcting the transfer conditions corresponding to the developing contrast voltage and environment and setting the correcting coefficients on the basis of the developing contrast voltage controlled by the control means and the environment detected by the environment detecting means. 
         [0014]    Further, according to the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method comprising controlling a developing contrast voltage so as to obtain a desired image density; controlling transfer conditions for transferring a toner image; detecting an environment; and referring to a database for pre-registering correcting coefficients for correcting the transfer conditions corresponding to the developing contrast voltage and the environment and setting the correcting coefficients on the basis of the developing contrast voltage controlled and the environment detected. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the mechanical constitution of the schematic section of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the schematic and functional constitution of the control system inside the image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view for explaining the developing contrast voltage; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a drawing for explaining the mutual relation between the developing contrast voltage VC calculated by the image quality maintaining control process and the charge amount of toner; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a drawing for explaining the method for correcting the transfer voltage according to the charge amount of toner; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for explaining the image quality maintaining control process of the image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is graphs for explaining the relationship between the non-exposing portion potential of the photosensitive drum for the absolute value of the grid bias voltage, the exposing portion potential of the photosensitive drum, and the developing bias voltage; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a drawing for explaining the high density pattern area and low density pattern area which are formed on the photosensitive drum; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart for explaining the primary transfer control processing of the image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are drawings showing constitution examples of the database managed by the correcting coefficient database shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart for explaining the secondary transfer control processing of the image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing the mechanical constitution of another schematic section of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing the internal schematic and mechanical constitution of the process cartridge shown in  FIG. 12 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the appearance constitution of the process cartridge shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Before explaining the embodiments of the present invention, the correspondence between the invention stated in the claims and the “embodiments of the invention” will be illustrated. The illustration confirms that the embodiments supporting the invention stated in the claims are described in this specification. Therefore, even if there is any embodiment which is not positively described in the “embodiments of the invention” as a one corresponding to the invention, it does not mean that the embodiment does not correspond to the invention. Inversely, even if the embodiment is described here as a one corresponding to the invention, it does not mean that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the present invention. 
         [0030]    Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows the constitution of the schematic section of an image forming apparatus  1  to which the present invention is applied. 
         [0032]    The image forming apparatus  1  stores, in a housing  14 , a scanner unit  11 , an image forming unit  12 , and a paper supply unit  13 . The scanner unit  11  irradiates light to a document (not drawn) set on the document table, leads the reflected light from the document to the light receiving element via a plurality of optical members, converts it photo-electrically, and then outputs image data. Further, the image forming unit  12  outputs the image data read from the document by the scanner unit  11  or an image based on image data inputted from an external apparatus not drawn onto a sheet of paper (transfer material). Furthermore, the paper supply unit  13  supplies sheets of paper to the image forming unit  12 . 
         [0033]    On the housing  14 , an automatic duplex unit  15  and a manual paper supply unit  16  are mounted removably. The automatic duplex unit  15  overturns the sheet of paper on one side of which an image is formed by the image forming unit  12 , supplies it again to the image forming unit  12 , and then forms an image on the other side. The manual paper supply unit  16  supplies manually sheets of paper to the image forming unit  12 . 
         [0034]    Next, the image forming unit  12  will be explained in detail. The image forming unit  12  has a photosensitive drum  17  as an image carrier having the pipe shaft extending in the longitudinal direction (the depth direction of the drawing) of the image forming apparatus  1 . Further, the image carrier is not limited to the drum shape and it may be a photosensitive belt. Around the photosensitive drum  17 , as auxiliary devices, a main charger  18 , an exposure unit  19 , a black developing device  20 , a revolver  21  as a color developing device, an intermediate transfer belt  22  as a toner image forming medium, and a drum cleaner  23  are sequentially installed in the rotational direction (the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing) of the photosensitive drum  17 . Further, the process cartridge not drawn is composed of the photosensitive drum  17 , main charger  18 , black developing device  20  or revolver  21 , and drum cleaner  23  and those units can be installed removably in the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0035]    The main charger  18  charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum  17  at a predetermined potential. The exposure unit  19  is arranged in the neighborhood of the lower end of the image forming unit  12  and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  charged at the predetermined potential and forms an electrostatic latent image based on image data. When forming a color image, the exposure unit  19  exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  on the basis of color-resolved image data and forms electrostatic latent images of the respective colors. 
         [0036]    The black developing device  20  is arranged between the photosensitive drum  17  and the exposure unit  19 , that is, opposite to the photosensitive drum  17  from underneath. The black developing device  20  adheres and develops black toner to the electrostatic latent image for black which is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  by the exposure unit  19  and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 . The black developing device  20  includes a mixer for stirring and supplying toner and a developing roller arranged opposite to it on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  via a predetermined developing gap. The black developing device  20  is movably installed so that the developing roller separates from or makes contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 . Further, to the black developing device  20 , toner is supplied from a toner cartridge  20   a  via a supply path not drawn. 
         [0037]    The revolver  21  is installed in the neighborhood of the photosensitive drum  17  so as to rotate clockwise. The revolver  21  includes a yellow developing device  21 Y, a magenta developing device  21 M, and a cyan developing device  21 C which have the same structure as that of the black developing device  20 . The developing devices are removably stored in the revolver  21  side by side in the rotational direction of the revolver  21 . And, the developing devices  21 Y,  21 M, and  21 C of the respective colors, by rotating the revolver  21  clockwise, are selectively arranged opposite to each other from the side of the photosensitive drum  17  to the surface thereof. 
         [0038]    The black developing device  20 , since the use frequency is higher than the developing devices of the other colors, is installed separately from the revolver  21  storing the developing devices of the other colors. By doing this, the toner storage amount of the developing device and toner cartridge can be made different from those of the developing devices of the other colors, thus the maintenance count such as toner supply can be reduced. 
         [0039]    The intermediate transfer belt  22  is arranged above the photosensitive drum  17 . The intermediate transfer belt  22  is wound and stretched by a driving roller  24   a  having the rotary shaft extending the longitudinal direction (the depth direction of the drawing) of the image forming apparatus  1 , a driven roller  24   b,  a driven roller  24   c,  and a tension roller  24   d.  The driving roller  24   a  is fixedly installed on the housing  14  above the revolver  21 . The tension roller  24   d  is pressed from the inside of the intermediate transfer belt  22  to the outside thereof so as to give predetermined tension to the intermediate transfer belt  22 . 
         [0040]    Inside the intermediate transfer belt  22 , to allow the intermediate transfer belt  22  to make contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  and transfer a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  to the intermediate transfer belt  22 , a primary transfer roller  25  is installed. The primary transfer roller  25 , so as to press the intermediate transfer belt  22  to the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  at a predetermined pressure, is pressed toward the photosensitive drum  17 . Further, the primary transfer unit is formed by the primary transfer roller  25  and intermediate transfer belt  22  installed around it. 
         [0041]    Around the intermediate transfer belt  22 , a belt cleaner  26  and a secondary transfer roller  27  are installed removably on the belt surface. The belt cleaner  26  is installed on the outer periphery of the driving roller  24   a  via the intermediate transfer belt  22  above the revolver  21 . The secondary transfer roller  27  of the image forming apparatus  1  indicated in this embodiment has a constitution that the outside diameter is several tens mm (for example, 28 mm), and the sponge surface made of epichloro rubber is covered with an epichloro rubber tube, and the rubber hardness is several tens degrees (for example, 25 to 30 degrees), and the volume resistance is 10 Ω (for example, 13 Ω). Further, the secondary transfer roller  27  is installed at the position across a vertical conveying path  28  via the intermediate transfer belt  22  between itself and the driven roller  24   c  and this portion forms the secondary transfer unit. Further, above the secondary transfer roller  27 , a paper separation unit  29  is arranged. The drum cleaner  23  is arranged in contact with the photosensitive drum  17 . 
         [0042]    The paper supply unit  13  has two paper supply cassettes  13   a  and  13   b.  At the right upper ends of the paper supply cassettes  13   a  and  13   b  shown in the drawing, pick-up rollers  30  ( 30   a  and  30   b ) for taking out the uppermost sheets of paper stored in the cassettes are installed. At the neighboring positions on the downstream side in the paper take-out directions by the pick-up rollers  30 , a feed roller  31  and a separation roller  32  are arranged opposite to each other. Further, at the neighboring positions on the right of the paper supply cassettes  13   a  and  13   b  shown in the drawing, the vertical conveying path  28  extending almost vertically through the secondary transfer area where the intermediate transfer belt  22  and secondary transfer roller  27  are in contact with each other is installed. On the vertical conveying path  28 , a plurality of conveying roller pairs  33  for holding and rotating sheets of paper are installed. 
         [0043]    Above the paper ejection unit in the secondary transfer area, the paper separation unit  29  is installed along the vertical conveying path  28 . On the vertical conveying path  28  passing the recording medium separation unit  29  and extending upward more, a fixing device  34  for heating, pressurizing, and fixing a toner image transferred onto a sheet of paper is installed. 
         [0044]    Further, exit rollers  35  for ejecting a sheet of paper with an image formed to a paper receiving tray  36  are installed. 
         [0045]    Furthermore, in the neighborhood of the photosensitive drum  17 , a photosensitive drum surface voltage measure  37  for measuring the surface potential of the photosensitive drum  17  is installed. Further, at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus  1 , an environment sensor  38  for detecting an environment such as temperature and relative humidity inside the image forming apparatus  1  is installed. Further, in the neighborhood of the photosensitive drum  17 , a toner adherence amount measure  39  for measuring the toner adherence amount adhered to the photosensitive drum  17  is installed. 
         [0046]    Next, the color image forming operation by the image forming apparatus  1  will be explained. 
         [0047]    As an initial operation, the black developing device  20  moves downward and separates from the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 , and the revolver  21  rotates clockwise, thus the yellow developing device  21 Y faces the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 . Further, the belt cleaner  26  rotates counterclockwise centering on the support axis thereof and separates from the intermediate transfer belt  22 , and the secondary transfer roller  27  moves in the direction (rightward in the drawing) separating from the vertical conveying path  28  and separates from the intermediate transfer belt  22 . 
         [0048]    And, image data is read from a document not drawn by the scanner unit  11  or image data is input from an external apparatus not drawn. Furthermore, the photosensitive drum  17  rotates clockwise and the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  is uniformly charged at a predetermined potential by the main charger  18 . At this time, the intermediate transfer belt  22  rotates counterclockwise at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum  17 . 
         [0049]    Firstly, on the basis of color-resolved yellow image data, the exposure unit  19  operates and on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 , an electrostatic latent image for yellow is formed. At this time, the exposure timing is synchronized by detecting a detection mark (not drawn) attached to the inside of the intermediate transfer belt  22  by a detector not drawn. 
         [0050]    The electrostatic latent image for yellow formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  by the yellow developing device  21 Y is adhered with yellow toner and developed, thus a yellow toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 . The yellow toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  in this way is moved by rotation of the photosensitive drum  17  and passes through the primary transfer area in contact with the intermediate transfer belt  22 . 
         [0051]    At this time, to the primary transfer roller  25 , a bias voltage with reverse polarity of the charging potential of toner is given and the yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  22 . 
         [0052]    After the yellow toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  22 , yellow toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  without being transferred is removed by the drum cleaner  23 . At this time, the residual electric charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  is removed simultaneously. 
         [0053]    To prepare for next forming of an electrostatic latent image for magenta on the photosensitive drum  17 , the surface of the photosensitive drum  17  is uniformly charged by the main charger  18 , and the revolver  21  is rotated, thus the magenta developing device  21 M faces the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 . 
         [0054]    In this state, the aforementioned series of processes, that is, exposure, development, and primary transfer onto the intermediate transfer belt  22  are executed and a magenta toner image is superimposed and transferred onto the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt  22 . 
         [0055]    After a cyan toner image is transferred similarly, the revolver  21  rotates so that the developing devices  21 Y,  21 M, and  21 C do not face the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 , and the black developing device  20  moves up instead and faces the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 . In this state, the same process as the aforementioned process is executed, and the black toner image is superimposed on the yellow toner image, magenta toner image, and cyan toner image, thus those images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  22 . 
         [0056]    When the toner images of all the colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt  22  in this way, the secondary transfer roller  27  moves toward the driven roller  24   c  and makes contact with the intermediate transfer belt  22 . Further, the belt cleaner  26  also makes contact with the intermediate transfer belt  22 . In this state, the toner images of all the colors superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt  22  are moved by rotation of the intermediate transfer belt  22  and pass through the secondary transfer area where the intermediate transfer belt  22  and secondary transfer roller  27  make contact with each other. 
         [0057]    At this time, the sheets of paper taken out from the paper supply cassettes  13   a  and  13   b  by the pick-up rollers  30   a  and  30   b  are conveyed upward on the vertical conveying path  28  by conveying rollers  149  and are sent into the secondary transfer area at predetermined timing. 
         [0058]    And, via the secondary transfer roller  27  impressed with a bias voltage of reverse polarity of the potential of the toner image of each color by a power source not drawn, the toner images of the respective colors on the intermediate transfer belt  22  are transferred onto a sheet of paper. After the toner images are transferred onto the sheet of paper, the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt  22  is removed by the belt cleaner  26 . The sheet of paper onto which the toner images of the respective colors are all transferred passes thereafter through the recording medium separation unit  29  and is heated and pressurized by the fixing device  34 , and the toner images of the respective colors are fixed on the sheet of paper, thus a color image is formed. The sheet of paper on which the color image is formed is ejected onto the paper receiving tray  36  via the exit rollers  35  installed on the downstream side of the fixing device  34 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  shows the schematic and functional constitution of the control system inside the image forming apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , to a controller device  41 , an input unit  42 , a toner adherence amount measuring unit  44 , an environment detecting unit  45 , a primary transfer voltage detecting unit  46 , and a secondary transfer voltage detecting unit  47  are connected. 
         [0061]    The controller device  41  is structured so as to connect a main control unit  51 , a print data obtaining unit  52 , a memory unit  53 , an image quality maintaining control unit  54 , a primary transfer voltage control unit  55 , and a secondary transfer voltage control unit  56  via an input/output interface  57 . 
         [0062]    The main control unit  51  is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) and a random access memory (RAM), and generates various control signals and collectively controls the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0063]    The print data obtaining unit  52  obtains print data from the input unit  42  by operating the display panel or buttons by a user or from an external apparatus (not drawn) via an electric cable and supplies the obtained print data to a data memory unit  58  of a memory unit  53 . The print data includes, for example, data concerning the kind and size of sheets of paper (transfer materials) on which images and characters are printed and print data of images and characters to be printed. 
         [0064]    The memory unit  53  is composed of the data memory unit  58  and a correcting coefficient database  59 . 
         [0065]    The data memory unit  58  obtains the print data supplied from the print data obtaining unit  52  and stores the obtained print data. Further, the data memory unit  58 , according to an instruction of the main control unit  51 , supplies properly various data stored in the respective units of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0066]    The correcting coefficient database  59  is composed of a primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database and a secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database, and in the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database, with respect to the primary transfer voltage, the temperature and relative humidity and the correcting coefficients for the temperature and relative humidity are pre-registered in correspondence with each other and in the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database, with respect to the secondary transfer voltage, the temperature and relative humidity and the correcting coefficients for the temperature and relative humidity are pre-registered in correspondence with each other. 
         [0067]    The image quality maintaining control unit  54  is composed of a calculation unit  60 , a comparison and determination unit  61 , and a developing voltage changing unit  62 . 
         [0068]    The calculation unit  60 , on the basis of coefficients K 1  to K 4  (the relationship between an exposing portion potential VL and a non-exposing portion potential VO to a grid bias voltage VG) pre-stored in the data memory unit  58  as known data, calculates a standard developing contrast voltage VC and a background voltage VBG and calculates the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD corresponding to the calculated standard developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG. The developing contrast voltage is a difference voltage between the surface potential of the photosensitive drum and the developing bias potential. As shown in  FIG. 3 , with respect to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  17 , assuming the potential of the non-exposing portion as −600 V, the potential of the exposing portion as −50 V, and the developing bias voltage as −300 V, +250 V is the developing contrast voltage. 
         [0069]    Further, the calculation unit  60  calculates a deviation on the basis of comparison and determination result supplied from the comparison and determination unit  61  and calculates a correcting developing contrast voltage ΔVC and a correcting background voltage ΔVBG on the basis of the calculated deviation. The calculation unit  60 , on the basis of the standard developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG and the calculated correcting developing contrast voltage ΔVC and correcting background voltage ΔVBG, calculates a developing contrast voltage VC and a background voltage VBG which are impressed actually, calculates a grid bias voltage VG and a developing bias voltage VD corresponding to the calculated developing contrast voltage VC and standard background voltage VBG, and supplies calculation results to the developing voltage changing unit  62 . 
         [0070]    The comparison and determination unit  61  reads data concerning the standard value of the toner adherence amount stored in the data memory unit  58 , refers to data concerning the standard value of the toner adherence amount read, compares and determines it with the measured data of the toner adherence amount supplied from the toner adherence amount measuring unit  44 , and supplies the comparison and determination results to the calculation unit  60 . 
         [0071]    The developing voltage changing unit  62 , on the basis of the calculated results supplied from the calculation unit  60 , changes the developing contrast voltage VC, background voltage VBG, grid bias voltage VG, and developing bias voltage VD. The developing voltage changing unit  62  supplies the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC, background voltage VBG, grid bias voltage VG, and developing bias voltage VD which are impressed actually to the data memory unit  58 . 
         [0072]    The primary transfer voltage control unit  55  is composed of a photosensitive drum surface potential setting unit  63 , a primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 , a primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65 , and a primary transfer voltage changing unit  66 . 
         [0073]    The photosensitive drum surface potential setting unit  63  reads the data concerning the changed grid bias voltage VG stored in the data memory unit  58 . The photosensitive drum surface potential setting unit  63  controls the main charger  18 , impresses the grid bias voltage VG on the basis of the data concerning the read and changed grid bias voltage VG, and charges the photosensitive drum  17  at an appropriate voltage VO at time of image forming. 
         [0074]    The primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64  calculates the resistance of the primary transfer unit on the basis of a primary transfer voltage detected signal supplied from the primary transfer voltage detecting unit  46  and calculates a standard primary transfer voltage for generating a predetermined current on the basis of the calculated resistance of the primary transfer unit. The primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 , on the basis of the calculated standard primary transfer voltage and the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data supplied from the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65 , calculates the primary transfer voltage after correction according to the toner charge amount and supplies the calculation results to the primary transfer voltage changing unit  66 . 
         [0075]    The primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65  reads the database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59  of the memory unit  53  and reads the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC stored in the data memory unit  58 . The primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65  refers to the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the read correcting coefficient database  59 , on the basis of an environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45  and the data concerning the read developing contrast voltage VC, sets the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient, and supplies the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data which is the data of the set primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient to the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 . 
         [0076]    The primary transfer voltage changing unit  66  changes the primary transfer voltage on the basis of the calculation results supplied from the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 . 
         [0077]    The secondary transfer voltage control unit  56  is composed of a secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 , a relative humidity paper correcting voltage calculation unit  68 , a secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69 , and a secondary transfer voltage changing unit  70 . 
         [0078]    The secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67  calculates the resistance of the secondary transfer unit on the basis of a secondary transfer voltage detected signal supplied from the secondary transfer voltage detecting unit  47  and calculates a standard secondary transfer voltage for generating a predetermined current on the basis of the calculated resistance of the secondary transfer unit. The secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 , on the basis of the calculated standard secondary transfer voltage, the calculation results supplied from the relative humidity paper correcting voltage calculation unit  68 , and the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data supplied from the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69 , calculates the secondary transfer voltage after correction according to the toner charge amount and supplies the calculation results to the secondary transfer voltage changing unit  70 . 
         [0079]    The relative humidity paper correcting voltage calculation unit  68  reads the data concerning the paper kind included in the print data stored in the data memory unit  58 , on the basis of the data concerning the read paper kind and the environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45 , calculates the relative humidity paper correcting voltage corresponding to the paper kind selected by a user and the detected relative humidity, and supplies the calculation results to the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 . 
         [0080]    The secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69  reads the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59  of the memory unit  53  and reads the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC stored in the data memory unit  58 . The secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69  refers to the secondary transfer voltage database managed by the read correcting coefficient database  59 , on the basis of the environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45  and the data concerning the read developing contrast voltage VC, sets the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient, and supplies the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data which is the data of the set secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient to the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit. 
         [0081]    The secondary transfer voltage changing unit  70  changes the secondary transfer voltage on the basis of the calculation results supplied from the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 . 
         [0082]    The input unit  42  is installed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus  1  and has an input device including a display panel and buttons for inputting various instructions of a user. 
         [0083]    The toner adherence amount measuring unit  44  is composed of, for example, the toner adherence amount measure  39  shown in  FIG. 1 , measures the toner adherence amount adhered to the photosensitive drum  17  according to an instruction of the main control unit  51 , and supplies the measured data of the toner adherence amount to the image quality maintaining control unit  54 . 
         [0084]    The environment detecting unit  45  is composed of, for example, the environment sensor  38  shown in  FIG. 1 , detects an environment such as temperature and relative humidity inside the image forming apparatus  1  according to an instruction of the main control unit  51 , generates an environment detecting signal on the basis of the detected temperature and relative humidity, and supplies it to the respective units of the controller device  41 . Further, the environment detecting signal includes environment data such as the temperature and relative humidity inside the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0085]    The primary transfer voltage detecting unit  46  detects a voltage impressed to the primary transfer unit formed by the primary transfer roller  25  and the intermediate transfer belt  22  around it, generates a primary transfer voltage detecting signal on the basis of the detected voltage, and supplies it to the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 . Further, the primary transfer voltage detecting signal includes the data concerning the detected voltage impressed to the primary transfer unit. 
         [0086]    The secondary transfer voltage detecting unit  47  detects a voltage impressed to the secondary transfer unit formed by the secondary transfer roller  27  and the intermediate transfer belt  22  around it, generates a secondary transfer voltage detecting signal on the basis of the detected voltage, and supplies it to the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 . Further, the secondary transfer voltage detecting signal includes the data concerning the detected voltage impressed to the secondary transfer unit. 
         [0087]    On the other hand, the transfer voltage varies with the magnitude of the charge amount of toner, so that when calculating an appropriate transfer voltage, it is necessary to measure first the charge amount of toner, though the charge amount of toner cannot be measured directly. However, between the developing contrast voltage VC changed by the image quality maintaining control processing and the toner charge amount, there is a strong mutual relation as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0088]    The mutual relation between the developing contrast voltage VC calculated by the image quality maintaining control processing and the toner charge amount will be explained below by referring to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0089]    As shown by a solid line a in  FIG. 4 , between the developing contrast voltage VC and the toner charge amount, a linear mutual relation having a predetermined width is recognized. Namely, when the toner charge amount is small, a low developing contrast voltage VC is sufficient, while when the toner charge amount is large, a high developing contrast voltage VC is required. 
         [0090]    Therefore, using the mutual relation between the developing contrast voltage VC and the toner charge amount shown in  FIG. 4 , it can be estimated that when the developing contrast voltage VC calculated by the image quality maintaining control processing is low, the toner charge amount is reduced, while when the developing contrast voltage VC is high, the toner charge amount is increased. 
         [0091]    Therefore, when the developing contrast voltage VC calculated by the image quality maintaining control processing is shifted greatly from a predetermined value, it is decided that the toner charge amount is shifted greatly from a predetermined value range and on the basis of the decision result, the transfer voltage can be corrected. 
         [0092]    When correcting the transfer voltage from the decision result concerning the magnitude of the toner charge amount, concretely, it is corrected as indicated below. 
         [0093]    Namely, when the toner charge amount is increased if a fixed voltage is impressed, generally, the toner adherence amount is reduced. Therefore, to keep the toner adherence amount within a fixed range, it is necessary to increase the voltage according to the magnitude of the toner charge amount. 
         [0094]    Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, the lower limit threshold value and upper limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range are respectively preset to 200 V and 400 V. And, the voltage range is divided into three sections (appropriate charging area, low charging area, and high charging area) depending on the value of the developing contrast voltage VC, and as a range (section a-b) of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range, a case of 200 V to 400 V is set, and as a range (section A) of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount is below the predetermined value range, a case of less than 200 V is set, and as a range (section B) of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount is above the predetermined value range, a case of more than 400 V is set. 
         [0095]    Under the environment condition shown in  FIG. 4 , in the section a-b which is the appropriate charging area, the transfer voltage correcting coefficient is 1 and the transfer voltage calculated by the ordinary transfer voltage control processing is impressed straight, and in the section A which is the low charging area, the transfer voltage correcting coefficient is, for example, 0.9 and a value obtained by multiplying the transfer voltage calculated by the ordinary primary transfer voltage control processing by a transfer voltage correcting coefficient, for example, 0.9 is impressed, and in the section B which is the high charging area, the transfer voltage correcting coefficient is, for example, 1.1 and a value obtained by multiplying the transfer voltage calculated by the ordinary primary transfer voltage control processing by a transfer voltage correcting coefficient, for example, 1.1 is impressed. By doing this, even if the toner charge amount is changed, a satisfactory transfer property can be obtained. Further, the transfer voltage correcting coefficient is a value varying with the environment conditions such as temperature and relative humidity. 
         [0096]    Hereinafter, the primary transfer voltage control processing and secondary transfer voltage control processing using the mutual relation between the developing contrast voltage VC and the toner charge amount will be explained. 
         [0097]    The image quality maintaining control processing of the image forming apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 2  will be explained below by referring to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 6 . Further, the image quality maintaining control processing is performed when the warming-up process of the image forming apparatus  1  is finished. 
         [0098]    At Step S 1 , the main control unit  51  controls a pattern generation circuit not drawn, thereby generates gradation data, thus the exposure unit  19  exposes the photosensitive drum  17  by two gradation patterns of high density and low density for toner adherence amount measurement. 
         [0099]    By referring to  FIG. 6 , the relationship between the surface potential VO of the photosensitive drum  17  (hereinafter, referred to as non-exposing portion potential) to an absolute value VG of the grid bias voltage (hereinafter, referred to as grid bias voltage) outputted from the grid electrode of the main charger  18 , the surface potential VL of the photosensitive drum  17  (hereinafter, referred to as exposing portion potential) which is attenuated by overall exposure at a fixed light quantity via the exposure unit  19 , and the developing bias voltage VD will be explained. Further, the example shown in  FIG. 6  performs reverse development, so that the polarity of the voltage is negative. 
         [0100]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the grid bias voltage VG increases, the absolute values of the non-exposing portion potential VO and exposing portion potential VL reduce respectively. When linearly approximating the exposing portion potential VL and non-exposing portion potential VO to the grid bias voltage VG, they can be expressed by Formula 1 and Formula 2. 
         [0000]        VO ( VG )= K 1× VG+K 2   Formula 1 
         [0000]        VL ( VG )= K 3× VG+K 4   Formula 2 
         [0000]    where symbols K 1  to K 4  indicate coefficients, and VO, VL, and VG indicate absolute values, and VO (VG) and VL (VG) indicate magnitudes of VO and VL to optional VG. 
         [0101]    Generally, the toner adherence amount (developing density) varies with the relationship between the three values of the developing bias voltage VD, exposing portion potential VL, and non-exposing portion potential VO. 
         [0102]    Here, firstly, the developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG are defined as Formula 3 and Formula 4. 
         [0000]        VC=VD ( VG )− VL ( VG )   Formula 3 
         [0000]        VBG=VO ( VG )− VD ( VG )   Formula 4 
         [0000]    where VD (VG) indicates a magnitude of VD to optional VG. 
         [0103]    The developing contrast voltage VC participates particularly in the density of the solid portion and the background voltage VBG, in the multi-gradation system using pulse width modulation, participates mainly in the density of the low density portion. Therefore, the toner adherence amount can be changed by the developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG. 
         [0104]    Namely, Formula 5 and Formula 6 can be obtained using Formula 1 to Formula 4. 
         [0000]        VG ( VC, VBG )=( VC+VBG−K 2+ K 4)/( K 1− K 3)   Formula 5 
         [0000]        VD ( VBG, VG )= K 1× VG+K 2− VBG    Formula 6 
         [0000]    As mentioned above, when the relationship between the exposing portion potential VL and non-exposing portion potential VO to the grid bias voltage VG (coefficients K 1  to K 4 ) is already known, by deciding the developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG, the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD according to them can be calculated uniquely using Formula 5 and Formula 6. 
         [0105]    Namely, on the basis of the relationship (coefficients K 1  to K 4 ) between the exposing portion potential VL and non-exposing portion potential VO to the grid bias voltage VG which is stored beforehand in the data memory unit  58  as known data, the developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG are decided. 
         [0106]    At Step S 2 , the calculation unit  60  of the image quality maintaining control unit  54  reads the coefficients K 1  to K 4  stored beforehand in the data memory unit  58  as known data. 
         [0107]    At Step S 3 , the calculation unit  60 , on the basis of the read coefficients K 1  and K 4 , calculates the standard developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG and calculates the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD corresponding to the calculated standard developing contrast voltage VC and standard background voltage VBG. 
         [0108]    The main control unit  51  controls the respective units of the image forming apparatus  1  so as to perform the developing process on the basis of the calculated standard developing contrast voltage VC, the background voltage VBG, and the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD corresponding to them and as shown in  FIG. 8 , form a high density pattern area (high density patch) corresponding to gradation data of a high density pattern and a low density pattern area (low density patch) corresponding to a gradation pattern of low density which is lower in density than the high density pattern on the photosensitive drum  17 . 
         [0109]    At Step S 4 , the toner adherence amount measuring unit  44 , after the gradation patterns of high density and low density exposed on the photosensitive drum  17  are developed by the black developing device  20 , in synchronization with movement of the toner adherence amount measuring unit  44  to a measurable position, measures the toner adherence amount on the photosensitive drum  17  and supplies the measured data of the toner adherence amount to the comparison and determination unit  61 . 
         [0110]    At Step S 5 , the comparison and determination unit  61  obtains the measured data of the toner adherence amount supplied from the toner adherence amount measuring unit  44  and reads a predetermined standard value of the toner adherence amount pre-stored in the data memory unit  58 . The comparison and determination unit  61  refers to the read predetermined standard value of the toner adherence amount, compares it on the basis of the obtained measured data of the toner adherence amount, and decides whether the measured data is within the tolerance or not. 
         [0111]    When it is decided that the measured data of the toner adherence amount which is obtained at Step S 5  is not within the tolerance, the comparison and determination unit  61  supplies the comparison and determination result to the calculation unit  60 . At Step S 6 , the calculation unit  60  calculates a deviation on the basis of the comparison and determination result supplied from the comparison and determination unit  61 . At Step S 7 , the calculation unit  60  calculates the correcting developing contrast voltage ΔVC and correcting background voltage ΔVBG on the basis of the calculated deviation. 
         [0112]    At Step S 8 , the calculation unit  60 , on the basis of the standard developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG and the calculated correcting developing contrast voltage ΔVC and correcting background voltage ΔVBG, calculates the developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG which are impressed and calculates the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD corresponding to them. Thereafter, the process returns to Step S 4  and the processes at Step S 4  and subsequent steps are repeated. Namely, the main control unit  51  controls the respective units of the image forming apparatus  1  so as to perform the developing process on the basis of the calculated standard developing contrast voltage VC, the background voltage VBG, and the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD corresponding to them and form a high density pattern area (high density patch) and a low density pattern area (low density patch) on the photosensitive drum  17 , and the toner adherence amount is measured by the toner adherence amount measuring unit  44  and is compared with the predetermined standard value, and the similar process is repeated until it is decided that the measured data is within the tolerance. 
         [0113]    By doing this, an appropriate developing contrast voltage VC, the background voltage VBG, and the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD corresponding to them can be calculated. 
         [0114]    When it is decided that the measured data of the toner adherence amount which is obtained at Step S 5  is not within the tolerance, the comparison and determination unit  61  supplies the comparison and determination result to the calculation unit  60 . The calculation unit  60 , on the basis of the comparison and determination result supplied from the comparison and determination unit  61 , compares the measured data with the predetermined standard value, recognizes that it is within the tolerance, and supplies the present developing contrast voltage VC and background voltage VBG and calculation results of the grid bias voltage VG and developing bias voltage VD corresponding to them to the developing voltage changing unit  62 . 
         [0115]    At Step S 9 , the developing voltage changing unit  62 , on the basis of the calculation results supplied from the calculation unit  60 , changes the developing contrast voltage VC, background voltage VBG, grid bias voltage VG, and developing bias voltage VD. The developing voltage changing unit  62  supplies the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC, background voltage VBG, grid bias voltage VG, and developing bias voltage VD which are changed to the data memory unit  58 . 
         [0116]    The primary transfer voltage control processing of the image forming apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 2  will be explained by referring to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0117]    At Step S 11 , the photosensitive drum surface potential setting unit  63  reads the data concerning the changed grid bias voltage VG stored in the data memory unit  58 . The photosensitive drum surface potential setting unit  63  controls the main charger  18 , on the basis of the data concerning the read changed grid bias voltage VG, impresses the grid bias voltage VG to charge the photosensitive drum  17  at the appropriate voltage VO at time of image forming. 
         [0118]    At Step S 12 , the primary transfer voltage detecting unit  46  impresses a predetermined current (detecting current) to the primary transfer unit, after a lapse of a predetermined time (that is, after the detecting current to be impressed is stabilized), according to an instruction of the main control unit  51 , detects a voltage applied when the detecting current is impressed to the primary transfer unit, generates a primary transfer voltage detecting signal, and supplies it to the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 . Further, the primary transfer voltage detecting signal includes the data concerning the voltage detected when the predetermined current (detecting current) is impressed to the primary transfer unit. 
         [0119]    At Step S 13 , the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 , on the basis of the predetermined current (detecting current) impressed to the primary transfer unit and the primary transfer voltage detecting signal supplied from the primary transfer voltage detecting unit  46 , calculates the resistance of the primary transfer unit. 
         [0120]    At Step S 14 , the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 , on the basis of the calculated resistance of the primary transfer unit, calculates a standard primary transfer voltage for generating a predetermined transfer current. When the detecting current and predetermined transfer current are the same, the voltage detected practically becomes straight the primary transfer voltage, though actually, the resistance of toner is added, so that, generally, the primary transfer voltage is higher than the detected voltage. 
         [0121]    At Step S 15 , the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65 , according to an instruction of the main control unit, reads the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59 . 
         [0122]      FIG. 10A  shows an example of the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the correcting coefficient database  59  is composed of the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database and secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database. 
         [0123]    In the first to fifth rows of the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database shown in  FIG. 10A , “Relative humidity (%)”, “Lower limit threshold value (V)”, “Higher limit threshold value (V)”, “∂”, and “β” are recorded and they indicate respectively a value of relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1 , a lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range, a higher limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range, a correcting coefficient ∂ of the primary transfer voltage in the low charging area, and a correcting coefficient β of the primary transfer voltage in the high charging area. 
         [0124]    In the first line shown in  FIG. 10A , “Relative humidity (%)” is “˜29.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is ˜29.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “200 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 200 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “400 V”, indicating that the higher limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 400 V. “∂” is “0.95”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the low charging area is 0.95. “β” is “1.05”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the high charging area is 1.05. 
         [0125]    In the second line shown in  FIG. 10A , “Relative humidity (%)” is “30.0˜49.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 30.0˜49.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “180 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 180 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “380 V”, indicating that the higher limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 380 V. “∂” is “0.90”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the low charging area is 0.90. “β” is “1.10”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the high charging area is 1.10. 
         [0126]    In the third line shown in  FIG. 10A , “Relative humidity (%)” is “45.0˜59.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 45.0˜59.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “160 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 160 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “360 V”, indicating that the higher limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 360 V. “∂” is “0.90”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the low charging area is 0.90. “β” is “1.10”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the high charging area is 1.10. 
         [0127]    In the fourth line shown in  FIG. 10A , “Relative humidity (%)” is “60.0˜74.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 60.0˜74.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “140 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 140 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “340 V”, indicating that the higher limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 340 V. “∂” is “0.85”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the low charging area is 0.85. “β” is “1.15”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the high charging area is 1.15. 
         [0128]    In the fifth line shown in  FIG. 10A , “Relative humidity (%)” is “75.0%˜”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 75.0%˜. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “120 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 120 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “320 V”, indicating that the higher limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 320 V. “∂” is “0.80”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the low charging area is 0.80. “β” is “1.20”, indicating that the correcting coefficient of the primary transfer voltage in the high charging area is 1.20. 
         [0129]    At Step S 16 , the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65  reads the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC stored in the data memory unit  58 . 
         [0130]    At Step S 17 , the environment detecting unit  45 , according to an instruction of the main control unit  51 , detects the environment (temperature, relative humidity, etc.) inside the image forming apparatus  1 , generates an environment detecting signal, and supplies it to the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65 . The environment detecting signal includes the data concerning the environment inside the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0131]    At Step S 18 , the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65  refers to the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the read correcting coefficient database  59  and on the basis of the data concerning the read developing contrast voltage VC and the environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45 , sets the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient. 
         [0132]    Concretely, in the example shown in  FIG. 10A , when the relative humidity is 35% and the developing contrast voltage VC is 450 V, it is in the high charging area, so that the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient is set to 1.10. 
         [0133]    By doing this, the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient according to the toner charge amount and environment can be set. 
         [0134]    The primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65  supplies the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data which is the data of the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient to the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 . 
         [0135]    At Step S 19 , the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64  obtains the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data supplied from the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  65 , on the basis of the obtained primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data and the calculated standard primary transfer voltage, calculates the primary transfer voltage after correction according to the toner charge amount (that is, calculates a value obtained by multiplying the standard primary transfer voltage by the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient), and supplies the calculated results to the primary transfer voltage changing unit  66 . 
         [0136]    At Step S 20 , the primary transfer voltage changing unit  66  changes the primary transfer voltage on the basis of the calculation results supplied from the primary transfer voltage calculation unit  64 . 
         [0137]    In the image forming apparatus  1  indicated in the embodiment of the present invention, the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59  is referred to, thus on the basis of the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC changed by the image quality maintaining control processing and the environment data (data concerning the temperature and relative humidity) included in the environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45 , the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient can be set. By doing this, when the toner charge amount is shifted greatly from the predetermined standard value range, the primary transfer voltage can be corrected on the basis of the set primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient. Therefore, even if the toner charge amount and environment are changed, a satisfactory transfer property can be obtained. 
         [0138]    Next, the secondary transfer voltage control processing of the image forming apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 2  will be explained by referring to the flow charts shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0139]    At Step S 31 , the secondary transfer voltage detecting unit  47  impresses a predetermined current (detecting current) to the secondary transfer unit, after a lapse of a predetermined time (that is, after the detecting current to be impressed is stabilized), according to an instruction of the main control unit  51 , detects a voltage applied when the detecting current is impressed to the secondary transfer unit, generates a secondary transfer voltage detecting signal, and supplies it to the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 . Further, the secondary transfer voltage detecting signal includes the data concerning the voltage detected when the predetermined current (detecting current) is impressed to the secondary transfer unit. 
         [0140]    At Step S 32 , the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 , on the basis of the predetermined current (detecting current) impressed to the secondary transfer unit and the secondary transfer voltage detecting signal supplied from the secondary transfer voltage detecting unit  47 , calculates the resistance of the secondary transfer unit. 
         [0141]    At Step S 33 , the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 , on the basis of the calculated resistance of the secondary transfer unit, calculates a standard secondary transfer voltage for generating a predetermined transfer current. When the detecting current and predetermined transfer current are the same, the voltage detected practically becomes straight the secondary transfer voltage, though when the processing speed is different, the predetermined transfer current is different, so that the detected voltage may be different from the secondary transfer voltage. 
         [0142]    At Step S 34 , the correcting voltage calculation unit  68  reads the print data stored in the data memory unit  58  and decides the paper kind on the basis of the data concerning the paper kind included in the read print data. 
         [0143]    At Step S 35 , the environment detecting unit  45  detects the environment inside the image forming apparatus  1 , generates an environment detecting signal, and supplies it to the correcting voltage calculation unit  68 . 
         [0144]    At Step S 36 , the correcting voltage calculation unit  68 , on the basis of the decision result of the paper kind and the environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45 , calculates a relative humidity paper correcting voltage corresponding to the paper kind and relative humidity and supplies the calculation results to the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 . 
         [0145]    At Step S 37 , the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69 , according to an instruction of the main control unit, reads the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59 . 
         [0146]      FIG. 10B  shows an example of the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59 . Further, “Relative humidity (%)”, “Lower limit threshold value (V)”, and “Higher limit threshold value (V)” in the first to fifth rows of the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database shown in  FIG. 10B  are the same as “Relative humidity (%)”, “Lower limit threshold value (V)”, and “Higher limit threshold value (V)” in the first to fifth rows of the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database shown in  FIG. 10A , so that the explanation thereof will be omitted to avoid repetition. 
         [0147]    In the fourth and fifth rows shown in  FIG. 10B , “γ” and “δ” are recorded and they indicate respectively a secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the low charging area and a secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the high charging area. 
         [0148]    In the first line shown in  FIG. 10B , “Relative humidity (%)” is “˜29.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is ˜29.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “200 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 200 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “400 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 400 V. “γ” is “0.95”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the low charging area is 0.95. “δ” is “1.05”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the high charging area is 1.05. 
         [0149]    In the second line shown in  FIG. 10B , “Relative humidity (%)” is “30.0˜44.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 30.0˜44.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “180 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 180 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “380 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 380 V. “γ” is “0.90”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the low charging area is 0.90. “δ” is “1.10”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the high charging area is 1.10. 
         [0150]    In the third line shown in  FIG. 10B , “Relative humidity (%)” is “45.0˜59.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 45.0˜59.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “160 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 160 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “360 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 360 V. “γ” is “0.90”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the low charging area is 0.90. “δ” is “1.10”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the high charging area is 1.10. 
         [0151]    In the fourth line shown in  FIG. 10B , “Relative humidity (%)” is “60.0˜74.9%”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 60.0˜74.9%. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “140 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 140 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “340 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 340 V. “γ” is “0.80”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the low charging area is 0.80. “δ” is “1.20”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the high charging area is 1.20. 
         [0152]    In the fifth line shown in  FIG. 10B , “Relative humidity (%)” is “75.0%˜”, indicating that the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus  1  is 75.0%˜. “Lower limit threshold value (V)” is “120 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 120 V. “Higher limit threshold value (V)” is “320 V”, indicating that the lower limit threshold value of the developing contrast voltage VC at which the toner charge amount can be considered to be within the predetermined value range is 320 V. “γ” is “0.75”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the low charging area is 0.75. “δ” is “1.25”, indicating that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient in the high charging area is 1.25. 
         [0153]    At Step S 38 , the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69  reads the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC stored in the data memory unit  58 . 
         [0154]    At Step S 39 , the environment detecting unit  45 , according to an instruction of the main control unit  51 , detects the environment (temperature, relative humidity, etc.) inside the image forming apparatus  1 , generates an environment detecting signal, and supplies it to the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69 . The environment detecting signal includes the data concerning the environment inside the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0155]    At Step S 40 , the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69  refers to the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the read correcting coefficient database  59  and on the basis of the data concerning the read developing contrast voltage VC and the environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45 , sets the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient. 
         [0156]    Concretely, in the example shown in  FIG. 10B , when the relative humidity is 48% and the developing contrast voltage VC is lower than V a3  V, it is in the low charging area, so that the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient is set to X 3 . 
         [0157]    By doing this, the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient according to the toner charge amount and environment can be set. 
         [0158]    The secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69  supplies the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data which is the data of the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient to the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 . 
         [0159]    At Step S 41 , the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67  obtains the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data supplied from the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient setting unit  69 , on the basis of the obtained secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient data, the calculated standard secondary transfer voltage, and the relative humidity paper correcting voltage, calculates the secondary transfer voltage after correction according to the toner charge amount (that is, calculates a value obtained by multiplying the sum of the standard primary transfer voltage and relative humidity correcting voltage by the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient), and supplies the calculated results to the secondary transfer voltage changing unit  70 . 
         [0160]    At Step S 42 , the secondary transfer voltage changing unit  70  changes the secondary transfer voltage on the basis of the calculation results supplied from the secondary transfer voltage calculation unit  67 . 
         [0161]    In the image forming apparatus  1  indicated in the embodiment of the present invention, the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient database managed by the correcting coefficient database  59  is referred to, thus on the basis of the data concerning the developing contrast voltage VC changed by the image quality maintaining control processing and the environment data (data concerning the temperature and relative humidity) included in the environment detecting signal supplied from the environment detecting unit  45 , the secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient can be set. By doing this, when the toner charge amount is shifted greatly from the predetermined standard value range, the secondary transfer voltage can be corrected on the basis of the set secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient. Therefore, even if the toner charge amount and environment are changed, a satisfactory transfer property can be obtained. 
         [0162]    Further, in the image forming apparatus  1  indicated in the embodiment of the present invention, the primary transfer voltage or secondary transfer voltage is calculated and then the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient or secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient is set on the basis of the developing contrast voltage VC. However, the present invention is not limited to it and whenever the developing contrast voltage VC is changed, the primary transfer voltage correcting coefficient or secondary transfer voltage correcting coefficient may be set. 
         [0163]    Further, in the image forming apparatus  1  indicated in the embodiment of the present invention, the voltage range is divided into three sections (appropriate charging area, low charging area, and high charging area) depending on the value of the developing contrast voltage VC and the correcting coefficients are set so as to be difference from each other between the sections. However, the present invention is not limited to it, and the voltage range may be divided into two or four or more, and an appropriate correcting coefficient may be calculated and set according to the value of the developing contrast voltage VC. In this case, at least one section is set to the appropriate charging area. 
         [0164]    Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus  1  indicated in the embodiment of the present invention, the toner adherence amount on the photosensitive drum  17  is measured by the image quality maintaining control processing (the flow chart shown in  FIG. 6 ), though the toner adherence amount on the intermediate transfer belt  22  may be measured. The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus of a four-each tandem type. However, particularly when applying the present invention to an image forming apparatus of a four-each tandem type as shown in  FIG. 12 , four photosensitive drums are arranged, so that when the toner adherence amount on the intermediate transfer belt is measured, the number of toner adherence amount measures can be reduced to one, thus the cost of the image forming apparatus can be decreased. 
         [0165]      FIG. 12  shows the mechanical constitution of another schematic section of the image forming apparatus  1  to which the present invention is applied. 
         [0166]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the image forming apparatus  1  is composed of a scanner unit  72 , an image forming unit  73 , and a paper supply unit  74 . 
         [0167]    The scanner unit  72  irradiates light to a document set on the document table, leads the reflected light from the document to the light receiving element via a plurality of optical members, converts it photoelectrically, and then supplies an image signal to the image forming unit  73 . 
         [0168]    In the image forming unit  73 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 to 14 , process cartridges  81   a,    81   b,    81   c,  and  81   d  are installed. The process cartridges  81   a,    81   b,    81   c,  and  81   d  have respectively photosensitive drums  82   a,    82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d  which are image carriers and on the these photosensitive drums, developer images are formed. 
         [0169]    A process cartridge  81  includes a photosensitive drum  82 , a charging unit  83 , a developing device  85 , and a cleaner  86  and is installed removably on the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0170]    The photosensitive drum  82   a  is, for example, in a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 30 mm and is installed so as to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing. Around the photosensitive drum  82   a,  auxiliary facilities are arranged in the rotational direction. Firstly, a main charger  83   a  is installed as an auxiliary facility on the surface of the photosensitive drum  82   a  opposite to it. The main charger  83   a  charges negatively and uniformly the photosensitive drum  82   a.  On the downstream side of the main charger  83   a,  an exposure unit  84   a  for exposing the charged photosensitive drum  82   a  and forming an electrostatic latent image is installed. The exposure unit  84   a  exposes a laser beam which is photomodulated in correspondence with the image signal supplied from the scanner unit  72  to the photosensitive drum  82   a.  Further, the exposure unit  84   a  may use an LED (light emitting diode) in place of the laser beam. 
         [0171]    Further, on the downstream side of the exposure unit  84   a,  a developing device  85   a  for storing a yellow developer and reversely developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure unit  84   a  using the developer is installed. Furthermore, an intermediate transfer belt  87  which is an image formed medium is installed so as to make contact with the photosensitive drum  82   a.    
         [0172]    On the upstream side of the contact position of the photosensitive drum  82   a  with the intermediate transfer belt  87 , a cleaner  86   a  is installed. The cleaner  86   a  removes and stores residual toner on the photoconductor after transfer. A discharging lamp not drawn neutralizes the surface charge of the photosensitive drum  82   a  by uniform light irradiation. By doing this, one cycle of image forming is completed and in the next image forming process, the main charger  83   a  uniformly charges again the uncharged photosensitive drum  82   a.    
         [0173]    The intermediate transfer belt  87  has a length (width) almost equal to the length of the photosensitive drum  82   a  in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (the depth direction of the drawing). The intermediate transfer belt  87  is in an endless shape and is stretched and suspended on a drive roller  88  for rotating the belt at a predetermined speed and a secondary transfer opposite roller  89  which is a driven roller. Further, a numeral  97  indicates a tension roller for holding the intermediate transfer belt  87  at a fixed tension. 
         [0174]    The intermediate transfer belt  87  is a polyimide belt containing uniformly diffused carbon with a thickness of, for example, 100 μm. The intermediate transfer belt  87  has an electric resistance of 10 −9  Ωcm and shows a semiconductive property. As a material of the intermediate transfer belt  87 , a material having a semiconductive property of a volume resistance of 10 −8  to 10 −11  Ωcm is acceptable. For example, in addition to polyimide containing diffused carbon, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, or polyvinylidene fluoride in which conductive particles such as carbon are diffused may be used. A polymer film whose electric resistance is regulated by composition regulation without using conductive particles may be used. Furthermore, such a polymer film with an ion conductive material mixed or rubber materials such as silicone rubber and urethane rubber having a comparatively low electric resistance may be used. 
         [0175]    On the intermediate transfer belt  87 , between the drive roller  88  and the driven roller  89 , in the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer belt  87 , the process cartridge  81   a  and also the process cartridges  81   b,    81   c,  and  81   d  are arranged sequentially. The process cartridges  81   b,    81   c,  and  81   d  respectively have the same constitution as that of the process cartridge  81   a.    
         [0176]    The photosensitive drums  82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d  are installed almost at the centers of the respective process cartridges. Opposite to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums  82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d,  the main chargers  83   b,    83   c,  and  83   d  are installed respectively. On the downstream side of the main chargers  83   b,    83   c,  and  83   d,  exposure units  84   b,    84   c,  and  84   d  for exposing the charged photosensitive drums  82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d  and forming electrostatic latent images are installed. On the downstream side of the exposure units  84   b,    84   c,  and  84   d,  developing devices  85   b,    85   c,  and  85   d  for reversely developing the electrostatic latent images formed by the exposure units  84   b,    84   c,  and  84   d  are installed. On the upstream side of the contact positions of the photosensitive drums  82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d  with the intermediate transfer belt  87 , cleaners  86   b,    86   c,  and  86   d  are installed. Further, the developing devices  85   b,    85   c,  and  85   d  respectively store a magenta developer, a cyan developer, and a black developer. 
         [0177]    The intermediate transfer belt  87  makes contact sequentially with the respective photosensitive drums  82   a  to  82   d.  In the neighborhood of each contact position of the intermediate transfer belt  87  with the respective photosensitive drums, primary transfer rollers  90   a,    90   b,    90   c,  and  90   d  are installed in correspondence with the respective photosensitive drums. Namely, the primary transfer rollers  90   a  to  90   d  are installed so as to make contact with the rear of the intermediate transfer belt  87  above the corresponding photosensitive drums and are opposite to the process cartridges  81   a  to  81   d  via the intermediate transfer belt  87 . The primary transfer rollers  90   a  to  90   d  are connected to a positive (+) DC power source (not drawn) which is a voltage impression means. Further, in the neighborhood of each of the primary transfer rollers  90   a  to  90   d,  a primary transfer roller voltage detecting unit (not drawn) for detecting the voltages impressed to the primary transfer rollers  90   a  to  90   d  is installed. 
         [0178]    Further, in the neighborhood of the drive roller  88 , an intermediate transfer belt cleaner  91  for removing and storing residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt  87  is installed. 
         [0179]    On the other hand, on the lower part of the image forming unit  73 , a paper supply cassette  93  of the paper supply unit  74  for storing sheets of paper (transfer materials) is installed. On the paper supply unit  74 , a pick-up roller  94  for picking up sheets of paper one by one is installed. In the neighborhood of a secondary transfer roller  92  of the image forming unit  73 , an aligning roller pair  95  is installed rotatably. The aligning roller pair  95  supplies sheets of paper to the secondary transfer unit in which the secondary transfer roller  92  and the driven roller  89  stand face to face with each other across the intermediate transfer belt  87  at predetermined timing. 
         [0180]    Further, above the intermediate transfer belt  87 , a fixing device  96  for fixing a developer on a sheet of paper is installed. The fixing device  96  applies predetermined heat and pressure to a sheet of paper holding a toner image and fixes the melted toner image to the sheet of paper. 
         [0181]    Furthermore, at a predetermined position under the intermediate transfer belt  87 , an environment sensor  98  for detecting the environment inside the image forming apparatus  1  such as temperature and relative humidity is installed. 
         [0182]    Next, the color image forming operation (print process) of the image forming apparatus  1  will be explained. 
         [0183]    When starting of the image forming operation is instructed (that is, starting of printing is instructed), the photosensitive drum  82   a  receives driving force from a drive mechanism not drawn and starts rotation. The main charger  83   a  charges uniformly the photosensitive drum  82   a,  for example, at −600 V. The exposure unit  84   a  irradiates light according to an image (characters) to be printed to the photosensitive drum  82   a  uniformly charged by the main charger  83   a  to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device  85   a  stores a developer (a two-component developer of Y toner of yellow+ferrite carrier), gives a bias value, for example, −380 V to a developing sleeve (not drawn) from a developing bias power source not drawn to form a developing electric field between the photosensitive drum  82   a  and itself. The Y toner charged negatively is adhered and reversely developed in the area irradiated with light on the photosensitive drum  82   a.    
         [0184]    Next, the developing device  85   b  develops the electrostatic latent image by the magenta developer and forms an M toner image of magenta on the photosensitive drum  82   b.  At this time, the M toner has a mean particle diameter of about several microns (for example, 7 microns) similarly to the Y toner and is negatively charged due to frictional charging with ferrite magnetic carrier particles (not drawn) with a mean particle diameter of about 60 microns. The developing bias value is, for example, about −380 V similarly to the developing device  85   b  and a developing bias voltage is impressed to a developing sleeve (not drawn) by a bias power source not drawn. The direction of the developing electric field is directed to the developing sleeve from the surface of the photosensitive drum  82   b  in the imaging unit and negatively charged M toner is adhered to the high potential portion of the latent image. 
         [0185]    The developing device  85   c  develops the electrostatic latent image by the cyan developer and forms a C toner image of cyan on the photosensitive drum  82   c.  At this time, the C toner has a mean particle diameter of about several microns (for example, 7 microns) similarly to the Y toner and is negatively charged due to frictional charging with ferrite magnetic carrier particles (not drawn) with a mean particle diameter of about several tens microns (60 microns). The developing bias value is, for example, about −380 V similarly to the developing device  85   c  and a developing bias voltage is impressed to a developing sleeve (not drawn) by a bias power source not drawn. The direction of the developing electric field is directed to the developing sleeve from the surface of the photosensitive drum  82   c  in the imaging unit and negatively charged C toner is adhered to the high potential portion of the latent image. 
         [0186]    The developing device  85   d  develops the electrostatic latent image by the black developer and forms a B toner image of black on the photosensitive drum  82   d.  At this time, the B toner has a mean particle diameter of about several microns (for example, 7 microns) similarly to the Y toner and is negatively charged due to frictional charging with ferrite magnetic carrier particles (not drawn) with a mean particle diameter of about several tens microns (for example, 60 microns). The developing bias value is, for example, about −380 V similarly to the developing device  85   d  and a developing bias voltage is impressed to a developing sleeve (not drawn) by a bias power source not drawn. The direction of the developing electric field is directed to the developing sleeve from the surface of the photosensitive drum  82   d  in the imaging unit and negatively charged B toner is adhered to the high potential portion of the latent image. 
         [0187]    In a transfer area Ta formed by the photosensitive drum  82   a,  intermediate transfer belt  87 , and primary transfer roller  90   a,  to the primary transfer roller  90   a,  a required voltage, for example, a bias voltage of about +1000 V is impressed. Between the primary transfer roller  90   a  and the photosensitive drum  82   a,  a transfer electric field is formed and the Y toner image on the photosensitive drum  82   a  is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  87  according to the transfer electric field. 
         [0188]    The constitution of the primary transfer rollers  90   b,    90   c,  and  90   d  is basically the same as that of the primary transfer roller  90   a  and the explanation thereof will be omitted to avoid repetition. 
         [0189]    An image on the intermediate transfer belt  87  to which the Y toner image is transferred in the transfer area Ta is conveyed toward a transfer area Tb. In the transfer area Tb, a required voltage, for example, a bias voltage of about +1200 V is impressed to the primary transfer roller  90   b  from the DC power source, thus the M toner image of magenta is superimposed on the Y toner image. In a transfer area Tc, a required voltage, for example, a bias voltage of about +1400 V is impressed to the primary transfer roller  90   c  and in a transfer area Td, a required voltage, for example, a voltage of about +1700 V is impressed to the primary transfer roller  90   d,  thus on the developer images already transferred, the cyan developer image and black developer image are sequentially multitransferred. On the other hand, the pick-up roller  94  takes out a sheet of paper from the paper supply cassette  93  and the aligning roller pair  95  supplies the sheet of paper to the secondary transfer unit. 
         [0190]    In the secondary transfer unit, the required bias voltage is impressed to the driven roller  89 , and a transfer electric field is formed between the driven roller  89  and the secondary transfer roller  92  across the intermediate transfer belt  87 , and the multiple color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt  87  are transferred to a sheet of paper in a batch. The developer images of various colors transferred in a batch in this way are fixed on the sheet of paper by the fixing device  96  and a color image is formed. The fixed sheet of paper is ejected onto an intra-body paper ejection unit (not drawn). 
         [0191]    Further, the embodiment of the present invention indicates the processing examples in which the steps of the flow charts are executed in time series in the order of recording, though it includes processes performed in parallel or individually instead of in time series. 
         [0192]    According to the present invention, even if the toner charge amount and environment are changed, a satisfactory transfer property can be obtained.

Technology Category: 3