Patent attributes
An image forming apparatus includes an image-forming unit having a plurality of photosensitive media to be charged; a transfer belt to be rotated along an endless path by a drive roller and a steering roller, an outer surface of the transfer belt being in contact with a surface of each of the plurality of photosensitive media; a transfer voltage applying unit to apply a predetermined transfer voltage to the transfer belt to transfer a toner image formed on the surface of each of the plurality of photosensitive media to the transfer belt by an electrostatic force; and a residual electrical charge removing unit to remove an electrical charge transferred from the plurality of photosensitive media to the transfer belt according to the applied transfer voltage to prevent the electrical charge from being accumulated on the transfer belt. Therefore, an electrical charge accumulation on the transfer belt is prevented, and a decrease of transfer voltage and a subsequent deterioration of the transfer efficiency can be prevented.