| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging unit and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration of discharge electrodes not only in the vicinity of, but also apart from an exhaust system in the longitudinal direction of a shield case. <P>SOLUTION: A discharging unit 20 is provided with an electrode 22, a shield case 21, a duct member 23 and an exhaust system 24. The shield case 21 has first openings 211 opposed to a toner carried by an intermediate transfer belt 41, and second openings 212 placed on a surface opposite to the first openings 211, along a longitudinal direction 91. The duct member 23 forms a duct area 231 between itself and the shield case 21. The exhaust system 24 suctions and discharges gas within the shield case 21 through the second openings 212 and the duct area 231. Sizes of the second openings 212 in a width direction 92 are configured to be smaller toward a vicinity 213 of the exhaust system 24 in the longitudinal direction 91. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT |
