Copier with retractable charging unit to prevent damage to drum when removing process cartridge

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge including a movable image bearing member; a charging member having a contact member for contacting to the image bearing member in the cartridge to charge the image bearing member, the contact member is mounted in the image bearing member; a supporting member for supporting the contact member for movement between a first position where the contact member is contacted to the image bearing member and a second position where the contact member is away from the image bearing member; a member actable on the supporting member in accordance with mounting or dismounting of the cartridge relative to the image forming apparatus; wherein upon dismounting of the cartridge, the contact member is moved from the first position to the second position.