Patent ID: 7409171
Filing Date: 2008-08-05
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; a charging unit configured to charge the image carrier; an exposing unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier; a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with a development material for forming a development image; an intermediate transfer member that includes a multilayer structure having a conductive layer; a transfer unit configured to transfer the development image on the intermediate transfer member; and a control unit that controls a transfer potential and a charging potential so that a potential difference between the transfer potential and a non-image portion potential on the image carrier in a transfer position falls within a predetermined range, wherein the control unit performs a normal mode and an abnormal discharge countermeasure mode; wherein a reverse contrast potential is controlled so as to become constant within a variable range of a developing bias potential in the normal mode; wherein the reverse contrast potential is decreased within the variable range of the developing bias potential in the abnormal discharge countermeasure mode; and wherein the reverse contrast potential is defined as an absolute value of a potential difference between the developing bias potential and the non-image portion potential.