Patent ID: 7664433
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a charging device configured to charge a surface of an image carrier with a moving surface, by bringing a charging member, to which voltage is applied, into pressure-contact with the image carrier; an electrostatic latent image forming device configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; a developing device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; an application device configured to apply, to the charging member, voltage for forming an electric field such that toner adhered to a surface of the charging member at a non-image forming area is oriented towards the image carrier; and pressure contact force modifying means for making a pressure contact force of the charging member against the image carrier at the non-image forming area greater than that at an image forming area, wherein the pressure contact force modifying means comprises a magnetostrictive member configured to urge the charging member against the image carrier, and magnetic field application means for applying a magnetic field to the magnetostrictive member.