Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearer; a charging unit configured to charge a surface of the image bearer by causing a discharging member to discharge; a latent image forming unit configured to form a latent image on the surface of the image bearer charged by the charging unit; a developing unit configured to develop the latent image formed on the surface of the image bearer into a toner image with developer containing toner; an airflow generating unit configured to generate an airflow inside the image forming apparatus such that the airflow passes through at least the charging unit; an image-area-ratio information acquiring unit configured to acquire information on an image area ratio of the toner image; and a control unit configured to control the airflow generating unit so as to change a flow velocity of the airflow in accordance with the image area ratio.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearer; a charging unit configured to charge a surface of the image bearer by causing a discharging member to discharge; a latent image forming unit configured to form a latent image on the surface of the image bearer charged by the charging unit; a developing unit configured to develop the latent image formed on the surface of the image bearer into a toner image with developer containing toner; an airflow generating unit configured to generate an airflow inside the image forming apparatus such that the airflow passes through at least the charging unit; an image-area-ratio information acquiring unit configured to acquire information on an image area ratio of the toner image; and a control unit configured to control the airflow generating unit so as to change a flow velocity of the airflow in accordance with the image area ratio.

Abstract: A waste toner conveying device for conveying waste toner removed from an image carrier to a waste toner container includes a waste toner conveying path including at least a falling and conveying path for letting the waste toner fall under its own weight; a toner bridging prevention member configured to move in the falling and conveying path to prevent bridging of the waste toner; a drive source configured to drive the toner bridging prevention member; a drive transfer member configured to transfer a driving force from the drive source to the toner bridging prevention member; and a toner adhesion prevention member configured to prevent the waste toner from adhering to the drive transfer member.

Abstract: A charging device includes a discharge electrode configured to charge a surface of an image carrier; a charging device body including an opening portion that is provided so as to surround the discharge electrode and be opposed to a surface of the image carrier across a longitudinal direction of the discharge electrode; a charging duct member that is provided so as to surround at least the entire opening portion and configured to introduce and exhaust an airflow within the surrounded area; an intake unit configured to generate an airflow to be guided into the charging duct member; and an exhaust unit configured to exhaust the airflow guided. The charging duct member includes an airflow wall forming unit for covering, with an airflow wall, the entire opening portion from an upstream end to a downstream end in a rotation direction of the image carrier at the opening portion.

Abstract: A waste toner conveying device for conveying waste toner removed from an image carrier to a waste toner container includes a waste toner conveying path including at least a falling and conveying path for letting the waste toner fall under its own weight; a toner bridging prevention member configured to move in the falling and conveying path to prevent bridging of the waste toner; a drive source configured to drive the toner bridging prevention member; a drive transfer member configured to transfer a driving force from the drive source to the toner bridging prevention member; and a toner adhesion prevention member configured to prevent the waste toner from adhering to the drive transfer member.

Abstract: A charging device includes a discharge electrode configured to charge a surface of an image carrier; a charging device body including an opening portion that is provided so as to surround the discharge electrode and be opposed to a surface of the image carrier across a longitudinal direction of the discharge electrode; a charging duct member that is provided so as to surround at least the entire opening portion and configured to introduce and exhaust an airflow within the surrounded area; an intake unit configured to generate an airflow to be guided into the charging duct member; and an exhaust unit configured to exhaust the airflow guided. The charging duct member includes an airflow wall forming unit for covering, with an airflow wall, the entire opening portion from an upstream end to a downstream end in a rotation direction of the image carrier at the opening portion.

Abstract: In a rotary electric component, an annular thin faceplate disposed around a rotary knob is provided with an illuminated display portion inner and outer circumferential portions of the rear surface of the faceplate are bonded and fixed to a holder, and the rotary knob and the display portion is assembled in cutout of a front panel. A large-diameter annular portion of the holder adhering to the outer circumferential portion of the faceplate protrudes forward farther than a small-diameter annular portion adhering to the inner circumferential portion. A protruding portion of the front panel extending around the circumferential edge of the cutout presses a region near the outer circumferential portion of the faceplate. As a result, the inner circumferential portion of the faceplate is reliably compressed against the holder a small-diameter annular portion).

Abstract: A rotary electric component capable of reliably preventing light leakage due to the looseness of a faceplate over a long period of time is provided. In the rotary electric component, an annular thin faceplate 3 disposed around a rotary knob 2 is provided with a display portion 3a illuminated through a light guiding member 5 (an outer ring portion 5b) from the rear surface side thereof, an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion of the rear surface of the faceplate 3 are bonded and fixed to a holder 4, and the rotary knob 2 and the display portion 3a is assembled in an cutout 11 of a front panel 10 in an exposed state.