Image forming apparatus with an air ventilation structure for preventing

Abstract

An image forming apparatus having an air flow structure capable of generating an airflow along a direction substantially perpendicular to a photosensitive drum through a charging device in order to prevent contamination of a corona wire (i.e., discharge wire). The image forming apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention includes a main frame having parallel side walls with a side wall having an air intake port. A cover is pivotally connected at one end of said main frame so as to allow closing and opening of the image forming apparatus and an image carrier is installed in the main frame so as to form a latent image. A ventilation fan installed at the port in the side wall generates an air flow through an air duct installed to guide the air flow. A charging device positioned in parallel with the image carrier when the cover is closed so as to charge a surface of the image carrier for forming the latent image, includes a corona wire extending in a direction of the image carrier for performing charging operation in response to application of a voltage, and a shield case for protecting the corona wire and having at least one opening receiving air flowing from the duct and allowing the air to flow through the corona wire so as to prevent contamination of the wire.