Patent ID: 8655218

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first process unit and a second process unit arranged in parallel and each having a photosensitive drum configured to form an electrostatic latent image by an exposure and a charging device configured to charge the photosensitive drum; an exposing unit disposed between the first process unit and the second process unit and configured to expose the photosensitive drum of the second process unit; a first flow channel formed between the first process unit and the exposing unit for supplying air to the charging device of the second process unit; and a second flow channel formed in the first process unit and having an outlet for supplying the air to the charging device of the second process unit, wherein the first process unit includes: a developer containing unit configured to contain a developer to be supplied to the photosensitive drum of the first process unit, the developer containing unit including a wall which at least partially forms the second flow channel; a frame supporting the photosensitive drum and the charging device of the first process unit; and a developing device including the developer containing unit, the developing device being detachably mounted on the frame, wherein the frame includes a first wall facing the mounted developing device, the second flow channel is formed between the first wall and the developing device, the frame of the first process unit is disposed between the developing device of the first process unit and the charging device of the second process unit, and between the developing device of the first processing unit and the exposing unit of the second process unit, the frame includes a second wall that partitions the first flow channel and the second flow channel, and the outlet is formed at the second wall, and wherein an inlet for introducing the air to the second flow channel is formed at the second wall.