IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING UNIT, REPLACEMENT METHOD FOR IMAGE FORMING UNIT, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR IMAGE FORMING UNIT

摘要

An image forming apparatus, an image forming unit, a method of changing the image forming unit, and a method for manufacturing the image forming unit are provided to selectively change components constituting the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit(48) which is separably set in a frame of the image forming apparatus. The image forming unit includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit accommodates a first processor. The second unit is separable from the first unit and accommodates a second processor having a life span longer than that of the first processor. The first processor includes a photosensitive drum and a charging device(54) for charging the photosensitive drum. The second processor includes a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum by using a developer.