| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, capable of preventing image defects caused by discharge products resulting from the use of a contact charging system and capable of ensuring the formation of images of high image quality over a long time. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a contact charging means for uniformly electrifying the image carrier, by being brought into contact with it; and a contact/separation mechanism for bringing the charging means into contact with the image carrier or separating the charging means from it, such that they are in contact with each other for a period of image formation and separated for a period of image non-formation. When they are separated, the air in a gap between the contact electrifying means and the image carrier flows along an air current passage disposed in the image forming apparatus. In addition, the part that is in close contact with the image carrier is provided with a passage-forming means for blocking the air current passage near the contact charging means opposite the image carrier in its circumferential direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI |
