Image forming apparatus in which electroconductive particles are supplied to charging means from developing device by way of image bearing member

• Main Authors: Hirabayashi, Jun, Ishiyama, Harumi, Chigono, Yasunori
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 11.02.2003

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or the like using an electrophotographic process or electrostatic recording system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus using a contact charging mechanism with electroconductive particles. An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; charging means for electrically charging the image bearing member, the charging means carrying electroconductive particles and having a charging member elastially press-contacted to the image bearing member; image forming means for forming an electrostatic image by selectively dissipating electric charge on the image bearing member charged by the charging means; developing means for developing the electrostatic image on the image bearing member with toner and for supplying the electroconductive particles to the image bearing member, wherein the electroconductive particles supplied by the developing means is carried to a press-contact portion of the charging member to contribution for electric charging of the image bearing member; and changing means for changing a relation between the charging member and a supply position of the electroconductive particles of the developing means.