Method and apparatus for image forming performing improved cleaning and discharging operations on image forming associated members

A method of image forming, comprising the steps of:

• providing a toner image to a carrying member which rotates and carries said toner image on a rotating surface thereof;
• rotating an intermediate transfer member, arranged at a position facing and in contact with said image carrying member;
• applying a charge to said intermediate transfer member to generate an electric field at a region where said image carrying member and said intermediate transfer member contact each other so that said electric field generates a force for initiating a first transfer operation for transferring said toner image from said image carrying member to said intermediate transfer member;
• performing a second transfer operation for transferring said toner image from said intermediate transfer member to a transfer sheet;
• applying a direct current voltage to a discharging member, in contact with said intermediate transfer member, to cause said discharging member to discharge a charge remaining on said intermediate transfer member after a completion of said second transfer operation;
• and
• controlling said direct current voltage in accordance with a volume resistivity of said intermediate transfer member.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image carrying member configured to rotate and carry a toner image on a rotating surface thereof;
• an intermediate transfer member, positioned facing and in contact with said image carrying member, configured to rotate and receive said toner image from said image carrying member during a first transfer operation;
• a charging member configured to apply a charge to said intermediate transfer member to generate an electric field at a region where said image carrying member and said intermediate transfer member contact each other, said electric field generating a force for initiating said first transfer operation;
• a transfer mechanism configured to perform a second transfer operation for transferring said toner image from said intermediate transfer member to a transfer sheet;
• a discharging member, in contact with said intermediate transfer member, configured to perform a discharging operation for discharging a charge remaining on said intermediate transfer member after a completion of said second transfer operation;
• a direct current voltage source configured to apply a direct current voltage V to said discharging member to cause said discharging member to perform said discharging operation;
• a voltage detection sensor configured to detect a surface voltage Va of said intermediate transfer member;
• and
• a direct current voltage controller configured to control said direct-current voltage V such that said direct current voltage V relative to said surface voltage Va satisfies:
• −1.3Va−650≦V≦−1.3va+550.

A method of image forming, comprising the steps of:

• providing a toner image to a carrying member which rotates and carries said toner image on a rotating surface thereof;
• rotating an intermediate transfer member, arranged at a position facing and in contact with said image carrying member;
• applying a charge to said intermediate transfer member to generate an electric field at a region where said image carrying member and said intermediate transfer member contact each other so that said electric field generates a force for initiating a first transfer operation for transferring said toner image from said image carrying member to said intermediate transfer member;
• performing a second transfer operation for transferring said toner image from said intermediate transfer member to a transfer sheet;
• detecting a surface voltage Va of said intermediate transfer member;
• applying a direct current voltage V to a discharging member, in contact with said intermediate transfer member, to cause said discharging member to discharge a charge remaining on said intermediate transfer member after a completion of said second transfer operation;
• and
• controlling said direct current voltage V such that said direct current voltage V relative to said surface voltage Va satisfies:
• −1.3Va−650≦V≦−1.3va+550.