DEVELOPING UNIT OF AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

摘要

A developing unit of an image forming apparatus is for developing a latent image formed on a photoconductive drum. The developing unit comprises a developing device attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus body in a direction crossing the axis of the photoconductive drum, and a hopper fixed to the body of the image forming apparatus for supplying toner to the developing device connected to the body of the image forming apparatus. The hopper has a toner supply pipe which can assume a supply position, in which it is inserted in a connecting opening of the developing device, and a drawn position, in which it is drawn out from the developing device. The developing unit may have a lever to move the toner supply pipe to the drawn position. The lever can assume a first position not to allow the developing device to be withdrawn when the end of the toner supply pipe is in the supply position, and a second position to allow the developing device to be withdrawn when the end of the toner supply pipe is in the drawn position.