| 摘要 |
A developing unit (10) of an image forming apparatus is for developing a latent image formed on a photoconductive drum (8). The developing unit (10) comprises a developing device (20) attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus body in a direction crossing the axis of the photoconductive drum (8), and a hopper (21) fixed to the body (1) of the image forming apparatus for supplying toner to the developing device (20) connected to the body (1) of the image forming apparatus. The hopper (21) has a toner supply pipe (50) which can assume supply position, in which it is inserted in a connecting opening (20a) of the developing device (20), and a drawn out position, in which it is drawn out from the developing device (20). The developing unit (10) may have a lever (83) to move the toner supply pipe (50) to the drawn out position. The lever (83) can assume a first position not to allow the developing device (20) to be withdrawn when the end of the toner supply pipe (50) is in the supply position, and a second position to allow the developing device (20) to be withdrawn when the end of the toner supply pipe (50) is in the drawn out position. |
