Patent ID: 6449453
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A transfer device comprising:a visible image carrying belt carrying a visible image thereon and traveling in a predetermined direction; a transfer current applying member which applies a transfer current in contact with the visible image carrying belt; a transfer position forming member in contact with a surface of the visible image carrying belt on a side opposite to the surface in contact with the transfer current applying member, for introducing a transfer current in a direction of the thickness of the visible image carrying belt so as to form a transfer position between the transfer current applying member and the same; a downstream grounding member disposed in such a manner as to be brought into contact with the visible image carrying belt downstream of the transfer position in the predetermined direction, to be thus electrically grounded; and an upstream grounding member disposed in such a manner as to be brought into contact with the visible image carrying belt upstream of the transfer position in the predetermined direction, to be thus electrically grounded, a visible image on the visible image carrying belt being transferred onto a transfer member to be fed to the transfer position, wherein a downstream resistance equivalent to the sum of an electric resistance over a length from a contact position with the transfer current applying member to a contact position with the downstream grounding member on the visible image carrying belt and an electric resistance of the downstream grounding member is set to be lower than an upstream resistance equivalent to the sum of an electric resistance over a length from the contact position with the transfer current applying member to a contact position with the upstream grounding member on the visible image carrying belt and an electric resistance of the downstream grounding member irrespective of environmental fluctuations.