Electrostatic charger and image forming apparatus

An electrostatic charger for charging a photoreceptor by performing a discharge to the photoreceptor, the charger comprising:

• a discharge electrode having a saw-toothed tip portion;
• a case for shielding disposed surrounding the discharge electrode leaving a space in between, the case provided with an opening at which a grid electrode is installed opposed to the tip portion of the discharge electrode, and a bottom face in which a first air-intake opening is provided opposed to an edge portion on the opposite side of the tip portion of the discharge electrode;
• an air current generating section generating an air current that flows in from the first air-intake opening and passes through the interior of the case;
• a guide member that is installed in the case and directs the air current generated by the air current generating section from the first air-intake opening to the tip portion of the discharge electrode in the case and thus forms a passage of the air current passing around the tip portion,
• the guide member being opposed to the discharge electrode and forming a top surface inclined toward the discharge electrode;
• an air-intake passage directing the air current from a second air-intake opening that is isolated from the photoreceptor to the first air-intake opening;
• and
• an air-exhaust passage directing the air current exhausted from the opening of the case after passing around the tip portion of the discharge electrode to an air-exhaust opening that is isolated from the second air-intake opening.