Patent ID: 7498559
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An optical discharge apparatus used for removing an electric charge on a photoreceptor in an electrographic image forming apparatus, the optical discharge apparatus comprising: a light guiding member arranged facing the photoreceptor; and a light source for irradiating light onto a light incident face of the light guiding member, wherein a diffusing reflecting face for reflecting the light from the light source toward the photoreceptor is formed on the light guiding member, and the height of the diffusing reflecting face to the light emitting face for emitting light from the light guiding member onto the photoreceptor and the width of the diffusing reflecting face, change in accordance with distance from the light source; wherein a reflecting member is arranged on an upper face in the vicinity of an end portion of the light guiding member, and wherein the reflecting member reflects light that leaks from the diffusing reflecting face; and wherein the reflecting member is provided over the diffusing reflecting face only in the vicinity of the end portion of the light guiding member which is remote from the light source, wherein the end portion of the light guiding member where the reflecting member is located is thinner than an end portion of the light guiding member proximate the light source.