Imaging device, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

An image forming apparatus comprising an imaging device, the imaging device including:

• a latent image carrying body that is rotatably disposed to carry a latent image;
• a developing unit that develops the latent image carried on the latent image carrying body by using a developer containing toner at least;
• a duct that is disposed downstream of the developing unit with respect to a rotational direction of the latent image carrying body and that has a wall with an upstream suction port and a downstream suction port formed along the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body;
• and
• an air flow generating unit that generates an air flow to be drawn into the duct 7 from the upstream suction port and the downstream suction port, wherein
• an air flow path is formed in the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body by a surface of the latent image carrying body and a surface of the duct wall, between the upstream suction port and the downstream suction port, and
• a gap of the air flow path between the surface of the latent image carrying body and the surface of the duct wall is wider at the downstream side of the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body than at the upstream side of the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body.

A process cartridge that serves as an imaging device, the imaging device supporting integrally a latent image carrying body and a developing unit at least, and the imaging device attachable to and detachable from an information apparatus body, and the process cartridge comprising:

• the latent image carrying body that is rotatably disposed to carry a latent image;
• the developing unit that develops the latent image carried on the latent image carrying body by using a developer containing toner at least;
• a duct that is disposed downstream of the developing unit with respect to a rotational direction of the latent image carrying body and that has a wall with an upstream suction port and a downstream suction port formed along the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body;
• and
• an air flow generating unit that generates an air flow to be drawn into the duct 7 from the upstream suction port and the downstream suction port, wherein
• an air flow path is formed in the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body by a surface of the latent image carrying body and a surface of the duct wall, between the upstream suction port and the downstream suction port, and
• a gap of the air flow path between the surface of the latent image carrying body and the surface of the duct wall is wider at the downstream side of the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body than at the upstream side of the rotational direction of the latent image carrying body.