Patent ID: 7336918
Filing Date: 2008-02-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming device comprising: a rotating toner image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a transfer means for applying a transfer current to a sheet of recording media that passes between the transfer means and the image bearing member so as to transfer the toner image to the recording media; and a separation means, located downstream from the transfer means in the direction of transport of the recording media, for applying a separation voltage to a plurality of separation needles disposed in an alignment orthogonal to the direction of transport of the recording media, so as to produce a discharge between the image bearing member and the separation needles and remove the charge from the recording media that was charged by the transfer means, so that the recording media separates from the image bearing member, the separation means comprising a charge removal separation unit holder for accommodating the separation needles at the interior thereof, the charge removal separation holder comprising an upstream wall located at a position distant from the separation needles, upstream in the direction of transport of the recording media, and a downstream wall located at a position distant from the separation needles, downstream in the direction of transport of the recording media, and a ground electrode being disposed on the back side of the downstream wall, which is the side not facing the separation needles, and protruding towards the image bearing member beyond the line that connects the tips of the separation needles and the end of the downstream wall.