Drum unit and image forming apparatus equipped therewith

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a drum unit for forming a toner image based on image data;
• and
• a transfer member for transferring the toner image onto a sheet,
• the drum unit including:
• a cylindrical-shaped metal tubular member having an outer peripheral surface on which the toner image is formed and an inner peripheral surface formed with an insulating film;
• a flange member attached to one end of the metal tubular member;
• and
• a ground plate attached to the flange member for removing electrostatic charges charged in the metal tubular member, the ground plate having an outer peripheral edge formed with a connection claw that is so bent by the inner peripheral surface of the metal tubular member as to bite into the inner peripheral surface of the metal tubular member for establishment of electrical conduction between the metal tubular member and the ground plate,
• wherein the flange member has an edge, and the bending of the connection claw is carried out about a support point defined by the edge of the flange member;
• and
• wherein a calculational bending angle at which the connection claw is bent about the support point is set in the range of 10 to 45 degrees.