Patent ID: 6505024
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:an image carrying member configured to rotate and carry a toner image on a rotating surface thereof; an intermediate transfer member, facing and in contact with said image carrying member, configured to rotate and receive said toner image from said image carrying member during a first transfer operation which is performed one time in a mono color mode and which is repeated a plurality of times in a multiple color mode to overlay a plurality of mono color toner images in turn on said intermediate transfer member; a charging member configured to apply a charge to said intermediate transfer member to generate an electric field at a region where said image carrying member and said intermediate transfer member contact each other, said electric field generating a force for initiating said first transfer operation; a transfer mechanism, facing and in contact with said intermediate transfer member, configured to perform a second transfer operation for transferring said toner image from said intermediate transfer member to a transfer sheet; a discharging member, in contact with said intermediate transfer member, configured to discharge a charge remaining on said intermediate transfer member after a completion of said second transfer operation; and a grounding member in contact with said intermediate transfer member and connected to a ground, wherein a resistance between a contacting portion of said grounding member and said intermediate transfer member and the ground connected to the grounding member is 108 &OHgr;m or less.