Color image forming apparatus, image forming unit therefor, and transfer belt unit therefor

摘要

A color image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units with each unit having a developing device and a photoconductive drum with a driven coupling device. A conveying device switches the plurality of image forming units by moving them successively between an image forming position and a waiting position. A photoconductive drum driving device removably engages the driven coupling device of the image forming unit that is positioned in the image forming position and having one driving coupling device for coaxially rotating the photoconductive drum of the image forming unit positioned in the image forming position together as one body. The photoconductive drum positioned in the image forming position is in contact with a transfer device wherein a peripheral velocity of either the photoconductive drum or the transfer device during use is higher than the a peripheral velocity of the other.