Patent ID: 7463845

Claim:
A charging device comprising: a charging member configured to charge an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus while the charging member is contacted with or is located so as to close to the image bearing member when the charging device is set in the image forming apparatus; and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the charging member while contacting the surface of the charging member, wherein the charging device satisfies the following relationship: A>B, wherein A represents a pressure at which the cleaning member is contacted with the charging member when the charging device is set in the image forming apparatus, and B represents a pressure at which the cleaning member is contacted with the charging member before the charging device is set in the image forming apparatus, wherein when the charging member is not set in the image forming apparatus, the cleaning member is pressed by a spring in a direction different from a direction toward a center of the charging member, and when the charging member is set in the image forming apparatus, the cleaning member is pressed by the spring toward the center of the charging member.