Patent ID: 8761641

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image forming portion that includes a latent image carrier having a cylindrical shape, and a supporting member disposed at both ends of the latent image carrier and rotatably supporting the latent image carrier; a charging unit that includes a discharge electrode supplying electric charge to the latent image carrier due to discharge, and a grid electrode disposed between the discharge electrode and the latent image carrier, having a shape curved around the latent image carrier, and controlling a potential of the latent image carrier, and that charges an outer circumferential surface of the latent image carrier with a preset potential; a first supporting portion that is disposed further on outside than the supporting member and supports the curved grid electrode from the latent image carrier side; a second supporting portion that is provided at positions opposite to the first supporting portion in the charging unit and supports the curved grid electrode from the discharge electrode side; and a pinching unit that biases the charging unit toward the latent image forming portion so as to pinch the grid electrode between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion in a contact state.