Image forming apparatus having a dual-position developing device

摘要

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a main assembly to which a cartridge including an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed and including a developing device for developing the latent image on the image bearing member is detachably mountable, and a transfer unit, detachably mountable to the main assembly separately from the cartridge, for transferring a developer image formed on the image bearing member. The developing device includes a developer carrying member and is movable between a contact position where the developer carrying member is contacted to the image bearing member and a spaced position where the developer carrying member is spaced from the image bearing member. The transfer unit includes a developing device contact-and-separation mechanism for moving the developing device between the contact position and the spaced position.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:
a main assembly to which a cartridge including an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed and including a developing device for developing the latent image on said image bearing member is detachably mountable; and a transfer unit, detachably mountable to said main assembly separately from said cartridge, for transferring a developer image formed on said image bearing member, wherein said developing device includes a developer carrying member and is movable between a contact position where said developer carrying member is contacted to said image bearing member and a spaced position where said developer carrying member is spaced from said image bearing member, wherein said transfer unit includes a developing device contact-and-separation mechanism for moving said developing device between the contact position and the spaced position, and wherein said developing device contact-and-separation mechanism includes an engaging member engageable with said cartridge and movable between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, wherein said engaging member in the engaging position places the developing device in the spaced position, and said engaging member in the non-engaging position permits the developing device to be placed in the contact position.