Patent ID: 9086658
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of image carriers that carry images formed with color component toners; an intermediate transfer body that is arranged to face the image carriers and is configured to run in a loop, the intermediate transfer body being brought into contact with at least one of the image carriers used for image forming to carry the image formed on the image carrier before transferring the image to a recording material; a plurality of first transfer devices that include a plurality of first transfer members arranged to face an inner surface of the intermediate transfer body, at positions corresponding to the image carriers, the first transfer devices forming first-transfer electric fields in first transfer areas between the first transfer members and the image carriers to transfer the images carried on the image carriers to the intermediate transfer body; a second transfer device that includes a second transfer member arranged to face an outer surface of the intermediate transfer body, the second transfer device forms a second-transfer electric field in a second transfer area between the second transfer member and the intermediate transfer body to transfer, to the recording material, the images transferred to the intermediate transfer body by the first transfer devices; and an adjusting device that adjusts an electric field to be formed in the second transfer area to a cleaning electric field, which is of the same polarity as and a lower intensity than the second-transfer electric field, when the image transferred to the intermediate transfer body passes through the second transfer area without recording material passing therethrough.