Patent ID: 8090289

Claim:
A charging device comprising: a sheet electrode for charging an image bearing member, the sheet electrode comprising triangular pins aligned in a first direction; a cleaner unit for cleaning the sheet electrode while moving in the first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the cleaner unit comprising: a grinding member for grinding the sheet electrode; a first collecting member for collecting extraneous matter, the first collecting member being disposed downstream in the first direction from the grinding member; a second collecting member for collecting extraneous matter, the second collecting member being disposed downstream in the second direction from the grinding member; a switching section for switching a contact state of the first collecting member with the sheet electrode and a contact state of the second collecting member with the sheet electrode, such that while the cleaner unit is moving in the first direction, the second collecting member is pressed against the sheet electrode with greater force than the first collecting member is pressed against the sheet electrode, and such that while the cleaner unit is moving in the second direction, the first collecting member is pressed against the sheet electrode with greater force than the second collecting member is pressed against the sheet electrode.