Electrostatic charging device

Abstract

An electrostatic charging device is provided according to which an edged electrode plate can be inserted into and removed from the charging device easily merely by sliding the edged electrode member and cleaning of the electrode edges formed on the edged electrode plate can be cleaned easily. A discharging electrode assembly having a number of tooth-like electrode edges disposed in array is slidable along a guide groove formed in a discharge stabilizing shielding case of an electrostatic charging device. The electrode edges are arranged above a control grid when charging a photosensitive OPC. During maintenance, the discharging electrode assembly is moved sliding along the guide groove by means of an insulating attachment which is then engaged with the edged electrode plate. During this movement, the edged electrode plate is sandwiched by a pair of rotatable rollers which are then driven to rotate by the sliding movement, so that electrode edges attached with carbon particles due to corona discharging can be cleaned. Thus, the discharging electrode assembly can be inserted and removed easily with the electrode edges thereof being cleaned simultaneously without removing a charger case or the control grid from the device proper.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.