Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a transfer material, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• a photosensitive drum configured to rotate;
• a first charging member configured to be brought into contact with a surface of the photosensitive drum to form a first charging portion and charge the surface of the photosensitive drum at the first charging portion in a case where a first charging voltage is applied;
• a second charging member configured to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum at a second charging portion facing the surface of the photosensitive drum in a case where a second charging voltage is applied;
• an exposure unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum charged by the first charging member and the second charging member;
• a developing member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with a developing agent to form a developing agent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum at a developing portion facing the surface of the photosensitive drum;
• a transfer member configured to transfer the developing agent image to the transfer material at a transfer portion facing the surface of the photosensitive drum;
• a first charging voltage applying unit configured to apply the first charging voltage to the first charging member;
• a second charging voltage applying unit configured to apply the second charging voltage to the second charging member;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage,
• wherein the first charging portion is formed downstream of the transfer portion and upstream of the second charging portion in a rotation direction of the photosensitive drum,
• wherein a potential difference formed between a first surface potential formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum and the first charging voltage at the first charging portion is defined as a first charging potential difference,
• wherein a potential difference formed between a second surface potential formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum and the second charging voltage at the second charging portion is defined as a second charging potential difference, and
• wherein the control unit performs
• (i) control so that the second charging potential difference is greater than or equal to a discharge start voltage during the image forming operation, and
• (ii) control so that, in a state where the photosensitive drum is rotated and the first charging voltage is applied, the second charging potential difference during a non-image forming operation different from the image forming operation is less than the second charging potential difference during the image forming operation.