Image forming apparatus and process cartridge used therein comprising a retractable cleaner of a charging device

摘要

An image forming apparatus (100) includes multiple imaging units (18) and a controller (90). The multiple imaging units (18) each include a photoconductor (40), a charging device (70), a developing device (60), a retractable cleaner (77), and a cleaner retraction mechanism (CR). The charging device (70) charges the photoconductor (40) for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon. The developing device (60) develops the electrostatic latent image. The retractable cleaner (77) cleans the charging device (70) when in contact with the charging device (70). The cleaner retraction mechanism (CR) is configured to bring the retractable cleaner (77) into contact with the charging device (70). The charging device (70) and the photoconductor (40) are installed and replaced in conjunction with each other. The controller (90) calculates a photoconductor usage of each of the multiple imaging units (18), and individually controls the cleaner retraction mechanism (CR) in each of the multiple imaging units (18) according to the calculated photoconductor usage.