Image forming apparatus having enhanced controlling method for reducing deviation of superimposed images

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: image detectors to detect conditions of images, respectively, formed on a transfer member; sensors to detect rotational displacements of latent image carriers, respectively; and a controller to perform at least phase adjustment control and image-to-image displacement control before performing image forming operations on image carriers, respectively. Image-to-image displacement control includes adjusting image forming timing on the image carriers based upon conditions of a detection image (including images transferred from the image carrier) detected by the image detectors, respectively. Speed-variation detection control includes detecting a condition of a speed-variation detection image (including an image transferred from each of image carriers) via the image detectors, and determining speed variation of the image carriers, respectively, per one revolution based upon outputs of the image detectors and the sensors. Phase adjustment control includes determining phase adjustments for the image carriers, respectively, based on the corresponding speed-variations.