To provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of: preventing wear and filming of an image carrier, contamination of a charging member and leakage of toner; maintaining such effects over time; coping with a change of an external environment; preventing generation of an abnormal image; and stably providing images with high quality for a long period.
The image forming apparatus has a protective layer forming device 2. The protective layer forming device 2 has an image carrier protective agent 21 containing at least a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant and a protective agent supply member 22 for applying or attaching the image carrier protective agent on the surface of an image carrier 1. In addition, the main body of the image forming apparatus has detection means for detecting temperature and humidity of the external environment and control means for performing an image carrier refresh mode based on a detection result of the detection means for detecting the temperature and humidity of the external environment when an image is not formed.
NAKAI HIROSHI
HASEGAWA KUNIO
TANAKA SHINYA
Toru Kabayama
Shuichi Kudo
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