Image forming apparatus using an image carrier with multiple layers

Abstract

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photosensitive drum which is characterized by a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer. The drum is charged by means of a main charger. At this time, electric charge is produced and held in the charge generating layer. A light-beam bearing image information is applied to the charge generating layer of the drum through the charge transmission layer, by an exposure system. Thereupon, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the drum. The latent image is developed by means of a developing unit using a toner. Thus, a toner image is formed on the drum surface, from which it is transferred to the surface of a paper sheet by a transfer charger. The developing unit also serves to remove, simultaneously with the development of the electrostatic latent image, those toner particles remaining on the drum surface after the transfer by the transfer charger. The image forming apparatus is particularly characterized in that the light beam, applied by the exposure system, is also guided through the charge transport layer of the photosensitive drum to those regions of the charge generating layer shaded by the residual toner particles, thereby preventing white spots from being formed on a solid black image.