Patent ID: 8116669

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member for bearing an unfixed toner image; a transfer unit configured to transfer the unfixed toner image onto a transfer material from the image bearing member; a fixing unit configured to fix the unfixed toner image on the transfer material; a conveying belt configured to convey the transfer material from the transfer unit to the fixing unit; and an electric discharge unit configured to perform electric discharge to the transfer material, wherein the electric discharge unit includes a discharge electrode, a power circuit capable of applying a voltage to the discharge electrode and a conductive member disposed at a position opposed to the discharge electrode which is configured to assist electric discharge of the discharge electrode, and is provided on a side of a surface of the transfer material on which the unfixed toner image is carried, between the transfer unit and a position at which the transfer material separates from the conveying belt, wherein the power circuit is switchable between a voltage of positive polarity applied to the discharge electrode and a voltage of negative polarity applied to the discharge electrode, and wherein the electric discharge unit further includes a first diode and a second diode, the conductive member is electrically grounded via the first diode, the discharge electrode and the conductive member are connected via the second diode, and terminals of the same polarity in the first diode and the second diode are connected to the conductive member.